eNews                                                                                                                                                                     February 16, 2012 

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

We do not put the dates of local church

events here as we never could get them

all and we would always miss some!    

FEBRUARY  

17- Healthy Boundary Training for Clergy   FCC Concord

17-18 ACTS Course on Cultural Competency-CANCELLED

18- Ad-Ministry Council 12:00-4:00 Regional Office

18-20- Feb Camp

22- Ash Wednesday- Lent begins

22- Republic of Congo Visitation Team   PSR 12:15

25- Regional Executive Committee 9:30-3:00 Mayfair CC, Stockton

28- Turkey Vistitation Team  10;00-1:00

MARCH

2-3 UCCR Camp Directors Training- Westminister Retreat Center

3- Ministry Council United CC Livermore

3- South San Joaquin Meeting with Jerry Lang

6- Recognition and Standing 1:00-3:00 Regional Office

7- Training and Care Committee- PSR

10- Women's Gathering- Mills Grove CC, Oakland

14- Regional Staff at Regional Office 10:00-2:00

17- New Church Committee-Regional Office

17- Annual Meeting Committe at Sofitel 10:00

AFRICAN DINNERS ALL AROUND THE REGION IN EVERY CHURCH

DATE SET TO MEET YOUR CHURCH'S CALENDAR  

APRIL

20-22 - Annual Meeting- Hotel Sofitel  

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DEVOTIONAL 

By Sue Tarleton, Director of Annual Meeting Planning

About a month ago one of the residents that live here where I work at Margaret McDowell Manor was taken to the hospital. Although this is not uncommon, because Margaret McDowell Manor is an apartment complex for seniors-this gentlemen was very sick and had no immediate family that he wanted contacted.  He also had an apartment FULL of his treasured papers and he was not going to be able to return to the home he had known for the last 13 years. Because he would not be coming back to his apartment-what would become of his stuff?  He does have a nephew on the east coast and finally we persuaded him to let us contact him. The nephew and his wife decided to come and see their uncle and help where they could.  They spent a week visiting him every day and hours in the apartment looking through years of memories, mountains of paper work and old clothes. It was a difficult and pleasurable experience. Hard physical work and good visits which included many stories.  I am thankful that this family had time together.

This last weekend I participated in Spa for the Spirit-A Day for Healing and Wholeness sponsored by CCNCN Women's Ministries. It was a beautiful day-prayer, music, workshops, walking the labyrinth-sharing life with women from throughout our region. Being reminded of who we are and the importance of our life stories.

So, you might wonder-what do these stories have in common?  Well, in both, my resident and I--are letting go-of "things", of independence, of painful losses, of life as previously known. Sometimes it is because we "have to", sometimes it is because we "want to"-but it can be difficult and challenging.  What I do know, is that God is there with us each step of the way. His healing presence guides us and protects us and urges us to make needed changes in our lives. God's love is warm and welcoming and comforting.  God's love is for all of us.

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CELEBRATIONS & PRAYERS

CELEBRATIONS

Fantastic reports on the Women's "Spiritiual Spa" held last Saturday, Feb. 11 at Sierra CC, Loomis...they went over the top of their capacity of 65 and had to close registrations!! All those attending could not stop talking about what a glorious day of spiritual renewal it was!

FCC Merced was the grateful recipient of The Chalice Hymnal from FCC Modesto as it closed. Now FCC Merced offers its former hymnals to anyone for free.

148 red hymnals available
Hymnbook for Christian Worship
The Bethany Press, 1970
If needed, please email
Pastor Gene Hill
eugenecurtishill@gmail.com

Congratulations to Dick Compton, Chair of the FCC  Merced Board, who received the Atwater Police Department Volunteer of the Year Award, Feb. 13, 2012! 

New Members as reported: FCC Chico (1 adult transfer)

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CONCERNS

Our continued prayers are with Teresa Fraticelli, Lafayette CC, who entered Stanford Hospital nearly 2 weeks ago for a series of round the clock chemo treatments and then last Thursday she received a bone marrow transplant. She will now remain in the hospital 4-6 weeks in order to avoid any infections since her immune system will be compromised. For now, cards of prayer and care can be sent to 4102 Moller Drive, Pleasanton, 94566.

Our prayers for Connie Cole, wife of Cliff Cole, our Regional Minister for Placement, Training and Care. This week Connie placed her mother, Dona Benedict, in hospice care. Connie and Cliff live only 10 minutes away from her mom so she and cliff can look in on Dona regularly. Cards of care can be sent to: 520 Crestfield Circle, Roseville, 95678.

Our prayers for Disciples clergy, Vickie Firch, wife of Pastor Ted, FCC Sacramento and working hand in hand with him in that ministry as she is undergoing a series of medical tests and medications to address the issue. Cards can be sent to: FCC, PO Box 161416, Sacramento, 95819.

We are sorry to hear that Wendell Pew, is in serious condition following a second knee replacement.  He has had complications with very low blood pressure, kidney and breathing problems.  He had to have a pace maker installed , preventing him from getting up and exercising that new knee.  Many of you know Wendell from his ministry in the region; many years as senior minister at FCC Chico. 

Our continued prayers and care for Velva Graves, who was airlifted from Redding nearly two weeks ago,  to UCSF Medical Center with a brain bleed. She is doing amazingly well; able to sit up and talk and eat, but with some short-term memory loss.. It appears that they have found the source of the bleeding to NOT be on the brain! It is expected that they will move her to Enloe Rehab Center in Chico sometime this week.  Velva is the writer of an extensive monthly news column about FCC Redding members that accompanies the regular monthly newsletter.

An update on Pastor Taulau Tupua, Via Dolorosa Congregational CC of Samoa in Modesto, who has been diagnosed with lymphoma leukemia. The doctors believe that they caught this early and he has begun chemo treatment and has taken a two month "leave of absence" from the church. Many will remember Taulau when he introduced the Via Dolorosa Samoan Dance Team at Annual Meeting two years ago.

Taulau will complete chemo very soon and the famkily is very anxious to see the results. The Tupua family and the Via Dolorosa appreciate prayers greatly. You can send cards to: 2329 Senimi Circle, Ceres, 95307.

We are thrilled to hear that long time Regional participant, Ruth Costello, who recently fell and broke her hip is now home! She is already up and around using only a cane; threw that walker away! Ruth was a long time member at FCC San Lorenzo and is now a member at Sierra CC, Loomis with her daughter, Tina Heck. Cards can be sent to: 10743 Ridge Road, Nevada City, CA 95959

Pastor Marty Williams, United CC, Livermore, continues to improve slowly but surely. She says she is back to close to 70% of her energy, but still must be very careful in what she eats. Don't forget her!  Cards can be sent to: 6906 Lassen St. Pleasanton, 94588.

We celebrate the continuing improvement for Barbara Wikoff, musician at Oakdale CC, and husband Bob, Chair of our Regional Resources Committee. She may have only 5 more chemo treatments remaining.  Cards can be sent to: 941 Terrace Court, Oakdale, 95361.

Our prayers go out to Juanita Cope, Member of the Regional Executive Committee, as she prepares for foot surgery on February 21. Considered a minor procedure, Juanita expects to be back to her normal schedule quickly. Cards can be sent to: 357 Elizabeth St., San Francisco, CA 94114.  

Our prayers continue for the following who remain in need of our support and concern: 

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