|
|
 |
Dear CCNC-N Disciples...WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN THIS ISSUE:
...REGISTER NOW for 2012 Annual
Keep those registrations rolling in: 220 registered.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL ANNUAL MEETING FORMS ARE NOW IN ONE PLACE - FOLLOW THE LINK ON THE HOME PAGE OF THE REGIONAL WEBSITE! www.ccncn.org
...Please note the deadline for registering to sing in the Annual Meeting Choir is March 21!!
...NEW...Silent Auction at Annual Meeting hopes to raise $5,000!
...NEW...see the flyer about the special Church Music Reading Two Hour Workshop
...NEW...see flyer for Pre-Annual Meeting Event
...Youth planning to attend...if not staying with your family, you MUST contact Carl Cordes to reserve space in the reserved youth rooms.
...Young Adults planning to attend...you MUST contact Ben to reserve space in the reserved young adult rooms.
...Looking for those "Our Church Rocks" entries to the Video Contest
...Registration forms and information for Easter Mission Trip to Joplin, MO
Check out the video from our Mission Station-South Joplin CC:
...CALLING ALL CLERGY-YOUR YEARBOOK REPORTS ARE DUE...PAST DUE!
According to our records, here are the churches who have completed forms either on-line or hard copy sent to the regional office:
Alameda, Bethel Korean CC...Antioch, FCC...Chico, FCC...Colusa, FCC...Concord, FCC...Concord, La Puerta Abierta...Fremont, FCC...Fresno, Primera Iglesia...Fresno, United CC...Lafayette CC...Lodi, UCCC...Loomis, Sierra CC...Merced, FCC...CC of Pacific Grove...Palo Alto, FCC...Paradise, FCC...Porterville, FCC...Porterville, Iglesia del Pueblo...Redding, FCC...Sacramento, Arden CC...Sacramento, Cottage Way CC...Sacramento, FCC...San Carlos,Chalice CC...San Francisco, Forest Hill CC...San Leandro, FCC...San Lorenzo, FCC...Santa Clara, New Spring Korean...Selma, FCC...
CC of Vacaville...Vallejo, FCC...CC of Woodland
If your church name is not there, please nudge your pastor or church secretary or church treasurer (whomever is responsible) to GET THIS DONE!
.................................................................................
 2012 ANNUAL MEETINGApril 20-22
New location, Sofitel in Redwood City
PLEASE NOTE ALL FORMS FOR ANNUAL MEETING ARE AT ONE PLACE NOW: www.ccncn.org
Special attention to four of those forms:
1. PRE-EVENT with Jerry Lang of Christian Church Foundation. "Blessing Generation to Generation"
How to help your church educate your membership on ways to encourage bequests, wills, and legacy gifts. Pastors...do you know how to do this???
2. BE PART OF A 40 VOICE CHOIR!
Calling all singers to sign up for the Annual Meeting Mass Choir under the direction of Michael Patch, Choir Director at Lafayette CC. Look for the registration forms at www.ccncn.org. We are asking for a $5.00 donation to cover the cost of the music which you will keep for yourself. Since music for the choir must be ordered, it is important to register by March 21!
3. SPECIAL MUSIC WORKSHOP
Michael will also be holding a special Saturday afternoon 2 hour church reading music workshop. (This is different than singing in the choir) The cost is $16.00 but you will keep the 15 pieces of music that will be used. YOU MUST sign up by March 21 as Michael has to order the music. Minimum for this workshop is 16.
4. THEMED BASKET SILENT AUCTION
Because there will be no Mission Action Auction Dinners this year, and that raised $10,000 to support our regional budget last year, we plan to have some fun with a minimum of 30 themed baskets for people to bid on throughout Saturday at Annual Meeting. We need churches, women's groups, men's groups, youth groups, etc. to complete the form and bring a fun basket with hopes of raising $5,000 in this way.
(We already have 10 baskets promised-THANK YOU!)
...................................................................................
Our Global Mission Partnership with the Republic of Congo Is Coming Alive! Materials are available at www.ccncn.org
DO NOT MISS the four minute PP about the Republic of Congo produced for us by Chapman Disciple film major student, Paul Hextal! It is great!! Show it at your African Dinner or on a Sunday morning as a Minute for Mission.
The link is: http://vimeo.com/34276649 and will require the password: EDCC (You may ask for a CD to be burned as well)
OUR GOAL: JAN/FEB AFRICAN MEALS IN EVERY CHURCH!
22 CHURCHES PARTICIPATING SO FAR!
Simple menus from Africa and a special PowerPoint we are asking every church in the Region to hold an African meal...you choose the time.
...................................................................................................................
ANNOUNCING OUR REGION'S SEVENTH YEAR OF SPECIAL MISSION TRIPS
THEME: "Holy Week...Holy Work...Holy People"
 Dates: April 1-7 with orientation on March 31
Location: Joplin, Missouri- Host Church is South Joplin CC
Cost: $600 (all inclusive of airfare, food, transportation)
Registration Materials are now available at:
http://www.ccncn.org/mssion-trip-fyer-reg-12.pdf. Scholarships are available.
Registration deadline is March 12 with a $50 depoist. Plane Tickets will be ordered on March 13 and any cancellations after that date will mean that you still owe the cost of the airfare. We are hoping to stretch the number of spaces available to 12 but we cannot go larger than that. We will be joining a Disciples group from Indiana on this trip. We also have been blessed by the offer of free use of a mini-bus by Country Club CC, Kansas City. Senior Minister there is Glen Miles, who served in ministry in this region at FCC Hanford and FCC Concord. Maximum passengers in the mini-bus is 12.
..............................................................................
Spring Gathering of Women Registration
March 10
Mills Grove Christian Church
NOTE: FRIDAY, MARCH 2nd IS REGISTRATION DEADLINE. If you need childcare, we MUST have your registration by this date. We need to give Mills Grove a meal count, so PLEASE email Paula and let her know you are coming if you can't get your registration in by March 2!
http://www.ccncn.org/Gathering2012_web.pdf
Speakers
Katy Valentine is a PhD Candidate at the Graduate Theological Union and a
recent participant in the Woman to Woman program which took her to Turkey,
where she met Betty.
Betty Frank is a missionary who lived in Turkey for 30 years, and has recently relocated to Southern California. She and her husband, Ken Frank, worked with Global Ministries in Turkey where they lived in Izmir and Istanbul, serving as General Secretary of the American
Board and as members of the board of the Istanbul Interparish Migrant Program (IIMP).
........................................................................................................
2012 is the CCNC-N YEAR OF EVANGELISM
This contest hopes to encourage many people to think about how they might share their faith with others with conviction and integrity.
1st prize- $250; 2nd prize- $150; 3rd prize-$100
All the details are at www.ccncn.org
If you want to see what we are talking about, take a look at what FCC Selma youth and young adults have done: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzpTeJpdaSQ
(Guess what, Region, we already have our first entry and one youth SS class is working on a joint entry- what about your children, youth and/or young adults?)
Back to top
|
|
 HOT NEWS
CHURCHES TO HOLD IN PRAYER
|
Congregation to pray for this week: Disciples of Christ Visalia; South San Joaquin Area; Pastor G. Niel Climer.
Congregation to pray for this week: First Christian Church, Watsonville; Golden Gate to Pebble Beach Area; Pastor, Yolanda Moreno.
We will feature two congregations in each edition of the eNews. Please pray for their vitality, spiritual and numerical growth, their commitment to serving their neighborhood and their openness to the Spirit of God calling them into ministry in the 21st century.
....................................................................
WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE REGION????
ATTENTION ALL PASTORS...Did you notice the deadline is passed!
YES, IT'S DISCIPLES YEARBOOK TIME- only 31 completed so far.
1. Attention Men- The Winter Issue of the General Church Men's Newsletter, "New Voice" is now available! https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/files/The_New_Voice_Winter_2012.pdf
2. LOOKING FOR FALL STEWARDSHIP MATERIALS???
The new "Giving" Annual Stewardship Emphasis resource is now available from the Ecumenical Stewardship Center. This year, the theme is "Abundant Joy, Overflowing Generosity". Your congregation can get a free copy by contacting the Disciples Center for Faith and Giving. The resource includes an annual stewardship campaign and articles that can help your church interpret its mission so as to inspire generosity. Visit the Center for Faith and Giving website http://www.centerforfaithandgiving.org/ for more information to order yours today.
3. Here's an invitation from the South San Joaquin Valley churches:
The Rev. Jerry Lang, our Northern CA-NV Regional Representative for Christian Church Foundation, will be leading a Planned Giving workshop at Disciples of Christ-Visalia, meeting at Brandman University campus, Sat. March 3, 9-Noon for all churches. He will be preaching at First Christian Church, Selma, Sunday,
March 4 with a potluck lunch to follow. All are welcome. For more information, folks
can contact Pastor Janet Chapman, FCC Selma (559-896-2691) or Dwight Carlson, (559-624-0438).
4. Raynor Park Christian Church and The Lighthouse of Hope Counseling Center (sponsored by RPCC) presents The Good Samaritan Program "Applying Spiritual Based Stewardship with Real World Systems."
The Mission of the Good Samaritan Program is to help individuals and families regain control of their finances through the use of educational tools, credit counseling and other resources. The class will meet every Sunday at Raynor Park CC, Sunnyvale, for 6 Sundays beginning March 6, 2012 from 4-6pm.
The course will include information on how to read your credit reports, how to understand the way banks and the credit system works, how to increase your credit score and maintain it without going into debt, the Culture of Debt and The Power of giving. You will learn how to move from a servant of money to a Good Samaritan that blesses others. The cost is $75.00 per individual, $100.00 per couple and $180 for a family of four.This is a fundraiser for both Raynor Park Christian Church and the Lighthouse of Hope. 10% of the proceeds will go to Lighthouse and 10% of the proceeds will go to Raynor Park Christian Church. The presenter Hazel Valera has more than 20 years experience in this work. For more information and to register, call 408-716-8101 and say I want to register for the Good Samaritan Program. You can pay at the door when you arrive.
5. REMINDING ALL OF THE INVITATION FROM UNITED DISCIPLES FELLOWSHIP (UDF) OF SAN JOSE
The final lecture of this 10 year series will be given on April 15, at 3:30 p.m in the sanctuary of the First Congregational Church, at 1980 Hamilton Avenue in San Jose. The lecturer will be Dr. Thomas Sheehan and title of his lecture will be, "What Comes After Christianity?" As usual, there will be no admission charge. Professor Sheehan is currently a member of the Religious Studies faculty at Stanford University. He has had a long and distinguished career as a professor of philosophy, and is especially well known for his classic 1986 book, The First Coming: How the Kingdom of God Became Christianity. He is an active fellow in the Jesus Seminar and is well known for his lectures around the state in Jesus Seminar on the Road programs.
6. Make plans now for a really BIG Work Weekend at Community of the Great Commission, April 13-15.
We could always use help with a variety of projects. We will join the hard working folks from the Music Camp and another new camp to make for significant work being done! Contact Tina as shown above.
7. ATTENTION YOUNG ADULTS- 2012 Summer Opportunity
Experience a life-changing summer.
Experience a life-changing summer.
Become a Peace Intern!
Learn all about it...online application form found at
http://www.dpfweb.org/intern-application/.
The applications are due on Friday, March 2nd.
9. Announcing 2012 Summer Camp Dates
(All camps will be held at CGC except SSJ which will be at Camp Pacifica)
Cost of camps will be announced by next week!
- Adult Camp June 7-10
- ChiRho/Junior Camp June 24-30
- CYF July 1-7, 2012
- Grandparents & Me I June 30-July 2
- Grandparents and Me II July 4-6
- South San Joaquin June 24-29
10. OUR UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST PARTNERS ANNOUNCEMENT
Position open at NCNC
The Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ (NCNC) is taking applications for a part-time, temporary Business Manager to serve approximately six months. This position will have a variety of responsibilities including bookkeeping, preparation of reports, oversight of fiscal activities and working with the Interim Conference Minister and the Finance, Administration and Business
Committee (FABC) to determine future financial process and procedures. See the complete job description (also available on the NCNC website).
For additional information interested individuals may contact Mr.
Milton Fujii at: msfujii@earthlink.net.Application deadline is March 2, 2012.
|
|
|
| REGIONAL STAFF NEWS
Following the full approval of the 2012 Regional Budget by the Regional Executive Committee last Saturday, it is very exciting to announce that Bill Garrett will be joining our Regional Staff. Bill just retired from full-time pastoral ministry with Sierra CC, Loomis. His new position is 50 hours a month for 2012 (beginning April 1) and 2013. The exact title of this position is still in formation, but Bill will be giving special attention to Faith and Giving, including leadership of the Annual Fund, Phon-a-thon, etc. This work will allow Bill time to work with Ben in 2012, who has had the key leadership for all aspects of the Annual Fund, and to then have full responsibility in 2013. This will allow a Transitional Regional Minister will be free to give time and energy to other ministries.
Congratulations to Kyung-Min Daniel Lee, our Regional Minister for NAPAD (North American Pacific Asian Disciples) Ministries, who has been invited to serve on the General Assembly (Orlando 2013) Youth Planning Team representing NAPAD. The General church is recognizing the excellent leadership skills that Kyung Min brings. We agree!
Also, our former Co-Director of Young Adult Ministries, Michelle Harris Gloyer is serving as the 2013 General Assembly Youth Coordinator over all youth activities at this event. Michelle has been serving for nearly two years in a special pastoral internship at Community CC, Kansas City. Way to go Micheller! (And way to go, CCNCN leadership!)
Sandhya just returned from serving as keynote speaker for about 70 members of University CC, San Diego. She had a full week-end with three presentations, a workshop and preaching on Sunday morning! Don't feel too badly for her; she was provided the guest leader's suite!!
|
|
|
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
Per requests around the region,
here is a listing of regional meetings
and events over the next 30 days or so.
We do not put the dates of local church
events here as we never could get them
all and we would always miss some!
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
10- CGC Facilities Committee at CGC 10:00
13- PRC United CC, Livermore
13- Serra Center Board 6:00 pm
14- Regional Staff at Regional Office 10:00-2:00
17- New Church Committee-Regional Office
17- Annual Meeting Committe at Sofitel 10:00
19- Resources Committee 9:30-1:30 MMManor, West Sacramento
23 & 24- RYC CC of Woodland
31- Joplin Holy Week Mission Trip Orienation
AFRICAN DINNERS ALL AROUND THE REGION IN EVERY CHURCH
DATE SET TO MEET YOUR CHURCH'S CALENDAR
APRIL
20-22 - Annual Meeting- Hotel Sofitel
Back to top
|
|
|
DEVOTIONAL
By Sandhya Jha, Regional Minister for Missional Ministries
Exodus 22:21, NIV "Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt."  Last week there was an article in Business Week about the impact of of Alabama's strict immigration law put into effect last fall. (To read the article, click on http://www.businessweek.com/top-news/alabamas-immigration-law-could-cost-billions-annually-02142012.html.) The intent of the law was clear--Alabama had an 8% unemployment rate, and they were afraid their citizens' jobs were being filled by undocumented workers. They passed a bill allowing police to question anyone they suspected might be in the US illegally, including children in school.
The first part of the impact was exactly what the state officials had hoped--immigrants left in droves. The second part, however, came as a shock: almost 60% of the crops in Alabama rotted in the field, and the diminished workforce has led to a loss in state economy that has caused a potential loss of 70,000 jobs in the state, many held by US citizens.
Immigration is a complicated issue with all sorts of unforseen consequences to any action taken by our political leaders today. Things were less complicated back when the book of Exodus was written. God could offer such a clear command to God's people because, while battles raged over whose territory belonged to whom, there weren't official political borders. Treating aliens well didn't require the question of whether those aliens had proper documentation. In some instances, those aliens were slaves and servants who were the spoils of war. The political rules of the era were different. But the call to basic human decency remains the same today.
A couple of years ago, a huge environmental crisis struck our own Salinas Valley, and hard-working farmers suffered. They suffered enough that the US government gave them subsidies to tide them through the very difficult season and loss of crops. But some of our churches in the valley realized that while the owners of the farms were struggling, the people facing the worst crisis were the migrant farm workers, who only get paid when there's something to pick. They requested and received an emergency grant from Week of Compassion to help provide food and sustenance to those workers who were going hungry, who couldn't pay for heat and electricity, and who would not get a government grant in their time of need. The churches didn't focus on the status of those workers--they focused on their belief that God would want them to provide for the people who put food on all of our tables. And Week of Compassion remembered God's call from Exodus 22:21 and responded heroically.
The people who passed the immigration law in Alabama meant to help their own community. But this is the funny thing about God's law--even when it runs counter to our logic, it is very often designed to help us as much as the people we think we're helping. Exodus 22:21 helps us retain our humanity, our identity, and our humility--we are almost all immigrants to this great land, those of us who remember the flight here firsthand and those of us who descended from people who arrived on the Mayflower. And we have been treated well by the indigenous communities on whose land we walk and live and plant. It turns out that treating the immigrant well can restore our own humanity (and, as the state of Alabama has learned, it might actually be good business sense).
I am proud to be in a region not driven by fear. I am proud to be in a region where we live by God's law and where our churches feel called to care for God's children in times of need. I am proud that we are collecting our offering across this region for Week of Compassion and I pray it will be generous, as our resources help plant crops in Republic of Congo and start bee colonies in Bosnia that unite people of warring religions and feed the people who feed us by the sweat of their brows in the fields of the Salinas Valley. In these ways we model God's abundant love for all of us, alien and resident and citizen alike.
|
|
CELEBRATIONS & PRAYERS
CELEBRATIONS
Sacramento Disciples worship together!
Over 90 people from Fruitridge, Arden, First Christian, and Cottage Way gathered at Cottage Way for a joint Ash Wednesday service. All six pastors participated in the service along with lay readers from each church and choirs and musicians. It was a really good service.
Special thanks to Mayfair CC, Stockton, for hosting the Regional Executive Committee meeting last Saturday. Members of the church met us at the door and provided outstanding food all day long. 16 of the 17 members of our new Executive Committee were present. Sara Steenhouse, Vice-Moderator of the Ministry Council presided at this meeting. (The Council Moderators have been sharing the leadership of meetings). The 2012 Regional Budget was unanimously passsed, as well as four recommendations on the search process for a Transitional Regional Minister and a Full Six Year Term Regional Minister. (The Moderators will offer a full report on this soon).
The second meeting of our new Regional Ministry Council is this Saturday, March 3 at United CC, Livermore, when about 20 people from all across the Region will gather to lift of prayers together for the program ministry of the Region. At the first gathering of this group back in November, 2011, an exciting 2012 Year of Evangelism was given form and content and resulted in an exciting year!! Ministry Council leadership is: Moderator, Janet Hecker-Concord; Vice Moderator, Sara Steenhouse-Lafayette CC and inside Out; and Ben. We are very grateful to Hazelee Jaberg who is coming down from her new home to her former home church and prepare all the food for this group.
Do you wonder sometimes: what do those folks in the regional office really do?
(Come spend a day with us sometime and you will be amazed!) One major project just
completed is the Annual Report to the General Office in Indianapolis of all clergy who have Standing in this Region. Quan and Ben processed 182 persons through the immense data that is part of this report. These names have major legal importance because the names and addresses appear in The Yearbook and Directory of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. This gives legal Standing to clergy for housing allowance, to perform weddings, etc. etc.
New Members as reported: Cottage Way CC, Sacramento (1 adult transfer);
Mills Grove CC, Oakland (1 adult and 2 youth baptisms)
...................................................................................................
CONCERNS
Our continued prayers are with Teresa Fraticelli, Lafayette CC, who has now completed her bone marrow transplant at Stanford Hospital and is in the long waiting stage of several weeks for the transplant to provide the health expected. Her spirits are good and her attitude is positive. For now, cards of prayer and care can be sent to 4102 Moller Drive, Pleasanton, 94566.
Great news on Wendell Pew, former senior pastor at FCC Chico, who was critically ill a little over a week ago after knee surgery, a major drop in blood pressure and the insertion of a pace maker; after 8 days in the hospital, Wendell is home and doing so much better. He is up and moving around now. Cards could be sent to: Wendell and Lois Pew, 25731 Windjammer Dr. San Juan Capistrano, 92675.
Great news on Velva Graves who has improved dramatically and is being released from Canyonwood Skilled Nursing Center. Cards can now be sent to FCC Redding at 3590 Placer Street, 96001. 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.
Do keep Barbara Wikoff, musician at Oakdale CC, and husband Bob, Chair of our Regional Resources Committee in prayer. Barbara has learned that she will need 5 more chemo treatmnts-just to be on the safe side! This has been a little discouraging, but hopeful Cards can be sent to: 941 Terrace Court, Oakdale, 95361.
This news from former Regional Minister and wife, Dick and Doris Lauer concerning their daughter, Karen, who was diagnosed with acute myloid leukemia. A stem cell donor has been found and they were flown for the surgery yesterday. It's like a blood transfusion. This is very exciting news, but please keep the family in your prayers. You can send a card to Karen Bissonette, 7495 49th Court, Portland, OR 97219. If you wish to send a card to Dick and Doris: 56404 McKenzie Highway, McKenzie Bridge, OR 97413.
Our prayers continue for the following who remain in need of our support and concern:
Darrell Burrell, FCC Redding
Bea Tiffee, FCC Dos Palos Violet Fields, FCC Oakland Darla Foglio, Oakdale CC Agnes Sours, Arden CC, Sacramento Wanda, daughter of Gloria & Nordean Baxter, pastor at Raynor Park CC
Back to top
|
FINAL WORD
Dear Disciples Partners in Ministry,
The Board of Directors of Church Extension Financial and Missional Resources, Inc. (CEFMR) is pleased to announce that two highly qualified individuals have accepted the call to serve as presidents of Disciples Church Extension Fund and Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation, two entities that share a common goal of helping to transform Disciples of Christ congregations into missionally focused and culturally relevant communities of faith. Also called is a new executive vice president of Operations for CEFMR.
CCNC-N folks...our very dear friend, Rick Reisinger, who has been a Vice President with Church Extension since 1901 (OK-only about 25 years), is one of the new Presidents, so you will want to read about this. Over at least two decades, Rick has visited nearly every church in our region to assist with buildings. What a great servant of God and the church!
You can read about this new leadership at: http://www.ccncn.org/CE-Fund-Hope.pdf
Back to top
|
|
|
|
|
Sincerely,
Ben Bohren
Regional Minister and Newsletter Editor
Christian Church of Northern California-Nevada
925-556-9900
|
|
|
