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Dear CCNC-N Disciples...WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN THIS ISSUE:
"WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME TO CHURCH WITH ME?" SUNDAY
PALM SUNDAY- April 1 (Give out the materials this Sunday, March 25)
Check out the bulletin/newsletter inserts with information and the wonderful Holy Week brochure available to give as part of your invitatio n: www.ccncn.org
...REGISTER NOW for 2012 Annual
Look at how close to we are to 300 and we know of more coming in yet!
285 registered.
...Silent Auction at Annual Meeting hopes to raise $5,000!
...Check out the 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.
EASTER OFFERING RECEIVED IN MOST CHURCHES APRIL 1 AND 8
SEE ALL THE DETAILS FOR 2012 SUMMER CAMPS
...Registration forms
...Health forms
...Counselor application forms
...Scholarship forms
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"WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME TO CHURCH WITH ME?" SUNDAY
MATERIALS TO BE PASSED OUT THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 25
As part of our 2012-Year of Evangelism, we are naming Palm Sunday, April 1, as a perfect Sunday to invite friends, neighbors, work colleagues, fellow students, family to join you in worship on Sunday. You'll get the idea easily if you watch the video made by FCC Selma
Bulletin/newsletter inserts to help prepare for April 1 and a Holy Week brochure to help you with your invitations at www.ccncn.org
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 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 40 VOICE CHOIR!
MUSIC HAS BEEN ORDERED FOR 30 ALREADY REGISTERED...YOU CAN STILL REGISTER AND SHARE MUSIC WITH SOMEONE!
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.
3. SPECIAL MUSIC WORKSHOP-WE HAVE 18 REGISTERED SO THE WORKSHOP IS A GO!! (You can still attend but will share music and cost is $8.00)
(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.
4. THEMED BASKET SILENT AUCTION
We now have an I-POD Basket coming as part of the 15 promised baskets, but we are looking for 15 more!
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.
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Our Global Mission Partnership with the Republic of Congo Is Coming Alive! Materials are available at www.ccncn.org.
We are oh, so close...Monday morning at 8:00 am in Brazzaville, the Ngokas have their final interview for thier visas a the US Embassy. From that point on, we will be in turbo mode to complete plans for speaking commitments, overnight hosts, drivers and interpreters.
PLEASE KEEP THE SUPPORTING FUNDS COMING!!! We still have a good way to go to get to the $16,000 needed!!!
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
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DEADLINE FOR VIDEO SUBMISSIONS IS APRIL 1.
We hope to have more than 3 videos!
Are you wondering about entering this contest and making a video OR are you sure you just could never do it?? So, the Ministry Council and the Urban Shepherd Christian Church, Modesto, put together this fun video to promote this "Our Church Rocks" Video Contest. Watch, laugh, enjoy and make that video! http://youtu.be/UX0p8SsY3vIhis
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
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 From the doorsteps of your congregation to the ends of the earth, the General Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) resource congregations for mission. The 2012 Easter Offering provides 20-25% of the annual funding for General Ministries.
The General Ministries serve on your behalf around the globe:
...In Central America, the Church has long-term partnerships for theological education, and agricultural and medical training.
...In Africa, which is among our largest global presence, there are more members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo than in the US and Canada.
...In Southeast Asia, our missionaries operate after-school programs keeping children from being sold into the sex trade.
These ministries and many more around the globe are dependent on your generosity. Your congregation connects daily to partners to provide education, medical, social and sustainable development resources in over 190 countries! Your Easter Offering gifts provide critical presence, meeting God's people at the place of deepest need.
In the United States and Canada:
...your financial support provides leadership to congregations seeking missional assessments and strategic planning.
...Your gifts provide resources to bring together college students and young adults for leadership training and development where the students learn, but also help direct the future of the church through honest conversation about cultural and generational relevancy.
...Your gifts provide supplemental pension payments to clergy who served in the mission field or small congregations and whose retirement benefits are insufficient to keep them above the poverty level.
...Your gift provides a safe and stable environment for developmentally disabled adults and children in foster care transition.
...Your gifts bring life and resource your congregation for mission!
The General Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are YOUR partners in mission, resourcing and equipping congregations for ministry. YOUR gift to the Easter Offering provides vital support of a critical common witness! Together, we are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world!
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 HOT NEWS
CHURCHES TO HOLD IN PRAYER
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Congregation to pray for this week: Christian Church of Woodland; Greater Sacramento area; Pastor, Larry Love.
Congregation to pray for this week: Bethel Christian Church, Alameda; East Bay Area; Pastor, Moon Lee.
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.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE REGION????
2012 Summer Camp Dates-Registration materials now ready!!
Mailed to all churches this week and available at www.ccncn.org
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Light the Darkness
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Here's the really good news- cost has gone DOWN but only if received on early bird basis with adequate advance payment! Be sure to check out the Scholarship application deadline as well! (All camps will be held at CGC except SSJ which will be at Camp Pacifica)
- Adult Camp June 7-10
- ChiRho/Junior Camp June 24-30
- CYF Camp July 1-7, 2012
- Grandparents & Me I June 30-July 2
- Grandparents and Me II July 4-6
- South San Joaquin June 24-29
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1. 2012 Year of Evangelism now ready to launch the next two special emphases of this year. What great opportunities await!
..."1,000+ People Praying" will be launched at Annual Meeting when those present will be asked to commit to three months of a daily prayer time around strenghtening for the work of evangelism. A beautiful prayer bookmark will be given to each one who makes a commitment. The program will then go throughout all our churches-bookmarks available to everyone. Materials and order forms were mailed to all churches this week and are available at www.ccncn.org
...Doable Evangelism Workshops will be held in four locations around the Region. Led by Randy Siever, Commissioned Disciples Minister from FCC Sparks, NV, and nationaly known for this evangelism teaching and training, will lead these 6 hour workshops. Here are dates and places:
May 12- FCC Sacrameto
May 19- United CC, Fresno
June 16- Lafayette CC
June 23- FCC Palo Alto (co-hosted by Sinapi Seed Fellowship and Walking Faith CC).
Our goal is 50 people at each event-200 total!
Registration forms were mailed to all churches this week and are available at www.ccncn.org
2. On Sunday, March 25, during their 10:30 service, the choir at Arden Christian Church will be singing "Coming in Jeans to Jesus." This song, written by David Babayco, is an "advertisement" for their upcoming "Mini Miracle Day" on April 1 where families and friends of the congregation, along with plenty of brushes, rollers and buckets, will joining in painting their social hall. The song speaks about the process and joy of both personal and church-wide change. If you'd like to hear some very UN-traditional music sung during worship, please plan on attending this service and wear your jeans!
3. ANNOUNCING... Women's Breakfast at Annual Meeting
Drop in to Suie 325 between 7:30 and 8:30am for a Continental breakfast for women of all ages hosted by the Regional Women's Ministries Mission Cluster.
Learn about exciting upcoming events and programs sponsored by Women's Ministries such as the Human Trafficking Awareness day on May 12 in Oakland and Fall Retreat at Mission Springs Sept. 14-16 with Amy Gopp.
Check us out on our Facebook page "Doc Wisdom"
Thank you! From Denise Turner, Moderator of Women's Ministries Council
4. Sparks FCC is very excited about their upcoming All Church Family Retreat, at the Community of the Great Commission May 4-6, 2012. They are excited to welcome Disciples from across the Region to join them for a weekend of fun, community and learning (Discover your Spiritual Gifts)! There will be activities for kids as well as adults. If interested email Sandy Siever at rosebg@charter.net for more information or you can find a registration form: http://www.sparksfirstchristianchurch.org/SpecialEvents2.html
5. 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 Heck at 530-265-6636.
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| REGIONAL STAFF NEWS
Many people have been asking about some kind of Celebration of Ben's Ministry as he retires on November 1. Our Regional Executive Committee would like to ask that you hold the date of Saturday, October 20. Time and place to be announced later.
Ben left this morning and will be gone March 22-27 to Lynchburg, Virginia where he has been invited to deliver two historic lectures at his alma mater, Lynchburg College: The Turner Lecture on Life and Faith and the Shumate Lecture on Christian Ministry. He will also spend a day in the Blue Ridge Mountain area of his two student pastorates. The first couple he ever married in 1968 will host a reception for him to greet his former church members.
Sandhya will be out of town March 27-28 leading a New Beginnings consulation.
Yolanda has an enormous smile these days!! After it was announced in this e-news for two weeks that her car had been broken into recently (while it was in the church parking lot) and her laptop stolen, an angel appeared! A check arrived to purchase Yolanda a brand new laptop! There truly are generous souls in our midst!
Kyung Min Daniel Lee is seeking your prayers for his nearly 17 year old daughter, Danielle, who was recently bitten by a spider which caused a very serious infection. The situation was magnified by Danielle's diabetes. You can send cards to her at: 3422 Flora Vista Avenue, Santa Clara, 95051.
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GUEST DEVOTIONAL
By Siota Seiu, Secretary,
First Samoan Congregational Christian Church of Reno
 Last Saturday, March 17, our Regional New Church Committee had the joy and excitement to welcome two new congregations affiliating with the Disciples of Christ!
1. Niles Discovery Church is the result of the five year process of prayer and hard work to merge FCC Fremont and Niles Congregational Church (UCC). Merging two congregations with two buildings, two sets of by-laws, two denominations, two sets of leaders, two pastors did take slow and deliberate energy, but what a wondrous united congregation has emerged. They two churches have been worshipping together for 18 months and will be moving into the current FCC building with plans for a new fellowship hall, pre-school program and educational expansion. Both churches have voted themselves out of existence to form a brand new ministry that will be related both to DOC and UCC.
2. First Samoan Congregational Church of Reno, Nevada
This congregation is one year old and has about 40 members. It's founding evangelist is Pastor Salesa Fa'alau, First Samoan Congregational Christian Church of Sacramento, a congregation who joined the Disciples last fall. Pastor Sal was there for only three weeks to gather several familes and then their current pastor Job Amosa and his wife MeaAlofa arrived from the Bay Area to lead this church. Beginning last Sunday, they began worshipping at FCC Sparks, and now are our second Disciples congregation in Northern Nevada- FCC Sparks is no longer alone!!
Sadly, due to a major snow storm, this part of the meeting had to be held over a conference call, but at the end, tears of joy and expressions of extreme gratitude were felt on both ends of that call. The letter below expresses how this congregation feels about joining the Disciples.
Greetings,
We are the Samoan Congregational Christian Church in Reno, Nevada. We are a new Church which was established a year ago on January 23rd, 2011. As members of the Samoan Congregational Christian Church, We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God, and we accept him as our Savior and Lord. We believe in the communion of the Holy Spirit where we celebrate with thanksgiving the saving acts and presence of Jesus Christ, and the communion is open to all who believe in Jesus Christ. Through baptism into Christ we are made new in life and are one with all people of God. We believe in God's covenant of Love which binds us to Him and to everyone in Christ. Together we serve the God whose kingdom has no end.
On Saturday, January 28th 2012, our church members met with Rev. Salesa Fa'alau, Dr. Ben Bohren and Rev. Steve Wren in Reno to talk and understand more about DOC. Being that we are a new church, we would like to continue to grow Spiritually and move forward in spreading God's word, and be God's servants, starting from our Congregation and spreading out to our community, till the ends of the earth. We have nothing to give, but to further God's Kingdom, we give ourselves to God.
Our Vision is to help further God's Kingdom and by spreading the Good News through ministries, which we would like to fulfill within our community. Ministry to the sick, homeless, elderly, our brothers and sisters in prison and to people who are seeking God.
Our Vision is to fellowship with our community, to grow together Spiritually and to Love and have Compassion for all of God's children, and we believe that all people are God's children. The Samoan Congregational Christian Church in Reno Nevada agreed to join the Disciples of Christ. We ask to please accept us into Disciples of Christ organization.
Last but not least...We would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Pastor Steve and Sue Wren and members of the Sparks Christian Church for allowing us to use their church for our services. Not only have they welcomed us with open arms, they have surrounded us with so much love. It shows that they are truly God's children. Please extend our heartfelt "Thank You" to the Sparks Christian Congregation. The Samoan Congregation is looking forward to worship and fellowship together with Pastor Steve and the Sparks Congregation once a month as we discussed before. We are looking forward in growing together with them spiritually.
Our mission is to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are excited to stand together with them in fellowship, outreaching and ministering God's word to our community to achieve that mission. In Jesus name, Amen!
Sincerely,
Siota Seui (Secretary)
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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
23 & 24- RYC CC of Woodland
31- Joplin Holy Week Mission Trip Orienation with flight out to Kansas City on Palm Sunday morning and return on Holy Saturday.
AFRICAN DINNERS ALL AROUND THE REGION IN EVERY CHURCH
DATE SET TO MEET YOUR CHURCH'S CALENDAR
APRIL
1- Palm Sunday and Holy Week begins
"Won't You Come to Church with Me" Sunday
5- Maundy Thursday
6- Good Friday
7-Holy Saturday
8-Easter Sunday
11- Annual Meeting Committee FCC Vallejo 6:00 pm
15- UDF Lecture at First Congregational Church, San Jose 3:30 pm
12- Serra Center Board Meeting FCC Fremont building 6:00 pm
20-22 - Annual Meeting- Hotel Sofitel
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CELEBRATIONS & PRAYERS
CELEBRATIONS
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!)
This week we completed a huge mailing for 2012 Summer Camp with over a dozen pages of information.
We celebrate with Rev. Jeanne Loveless (ordained DOC and UCC minister) has acepted a call to serve as Intentional Interim Pastor of United Church of Hayward, United Church of Christ. Jeanne's first sermon with UCH is on Palm Sunday!
Also, Christy Newton and Jeanne Loveless are overjoyed and want to share with their CCNC-N family that they are expecting a baby boy! Christy is 5 1/2 months pregnant and due on July 27. So far, baby and mommas are doing great and excited to share this tremendous blessing with all of you. Christy continues to serve as Interim Minister at Northbrae Community Church, Berkeley as well as teacing on-line for Lexington Theological Seminary
From Marty Williams, pastor United CC, Livermore and UCC Conference Staff: "Greetings my dear CCNC-N family, I want to thank you so much for your prayers, calls, cards and deep concern over these past several months. I am delighted to say that I am feeling much better, more myself, more energy. I believe in the power of prayer and miracles! Thank you again!"
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CONCERNS
Our prayers and love are sent to Barbara and Chuck Blaisdell on the death of Barbara's father, Dale Shires, this past week-end. The memorial service will be held this Saturday, March 24 at St. Mark's Methodist Church in Iowa City, Iowa. Barbara is past Senior Minister at FCC Concord and Chuck was our Regional Minister just before Ben. Cards can be sent to: 31 Boulder Crescent, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
From Dick and Doris Lauer (Dick being another past Regional Minister) "Hi Good People: St. Patrick's Day is a good day. Karen came home from the hospital this afternoon--17th day from day zero. Much sooner than we thought it would be. Her white cells, etc. are coming in real good. She is feeling good and we are really glad for her so far. Now the home watch begins. She goes to what they call clinic in the morning to have hear blood counts checked, etc. She has a pharmacy full of meds to take throughout the day. She is on schedule with things and has pretty good energy. Thanks for your continuing concerns and prayers. Hope springs eternal. Lots of thanks and love"
Good news for Teresa Fraticelli, Lafayette CC, continues her recovery with her bone marrow transplant. She still has weeks in that important waiting time at Stanford Hospital for her numbers to keep going up. Keep the prayers coming. For now, cards of prayer and care can be sent to 4102 Moller Drive, Pleasanton, 94566.
Our dear beloved Adelle Lemon continues to gain strength following her recent mild heart attack. She is up and around but has decided to slow down a bit more- to 75 MPH! Adelle says she is re-ordering her life for more rest. Prayers and cards can be sent to her at: 1063 Cragmont Avenue, Berkeley, 94708.
Please continue your prayers for Claudia "Shon" Jeff, member at FCC Oakland, and her family as they mourn the loss of their son who died due to violence in the California prison system.
Pastor Taulau Tupua, Via Dolorosa Samoan Congregational Christian Church of Modesto. He will soon begin a second complete round of chemotherapy in dealing with his lymphoma leukemia, but his numbers are all improving. The Tupua family and Via Dolorosa congregation 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 had a brief set-back a week ago with a brief visit to the emergency room, but she is back home and teaching her regular schedule of music students. Hopefully, she will be told that further chemo treatments only need to be once every three weeks. Cards can be sent to: 941 Terrace Court, Oakdale, 95361.
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
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Sincerely,
Ben Bohren
Regional Minister and Newsletter Editor
Christian Church of Northern California-Nevada
925-556-9900
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