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FINAL COUNTDOWN TO "THE GATHERING"/ANNUAL MEETING
 ...YES, YOU CAN STILL REGISTER FOR MEALS AND PROGRAM BUT THAT MUST BE DONE NO LATER THAN NEXT MONDAY, APRIL 16. (Final count for meals and room settings are due to Sofitel then) This includes one day or even one meal registrations.
Look at our registration number now!! 346
...Remember, that room reservations must be made through Sofitel, not the Regional Office...call 650-598-9000 and ask for Northern CA-NV Disciples of Christ
Also note:
...Youth planning to attend...if not staying with your family, you MUST conta ct 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.
...Women planning to attend the Saturday morning special Women's Breakfast, be sure to contact Paula@ccncn.org
NOTE...
...We regret the cancellation of the Pre-Event with Jerry Lang-just not enough interest.
...ATTENTION! ATTENTION! Quan is looking for a few good volunteers next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to help prepare the Annual Meeting Packets-both for voting delegates and for all those attending. Please contact her at 925-556-9900.
OUR THEMED BASKET SILENT AUCTION IS GETTING VERY EXCITING!!
Here's what we have promised so far:
1. FCC Merced- "Rubber Duckie" Basket (Bathroom delights??)
2. FCC Merced- Valley Favorites Basket
3. Christian Church Homes- "I" on the Future Basket- with an I-PAD2
4. FCC Antioch- Movie Basket
5. FCC Antioch- Bath Basket
6. FCC Antioch- Picnic Basket
7. FCC Chico- "Bazaar" in a Basket
8. Oakdale CC- Central Valley Delights Basket
9. United CC, Fresno- Love "Bears" All Things Basket
10. FCC Alameda- Comfort Delight Basket
11. FCC Concord- Body and Bath Rejuvenation Basket
12. BRIM- "Coffee Break" Basket
13. Women's Ministries- "Beauty" in a Basket
14. Lafayette CC- "Pamper Me" Basket
15. NAPAD- NAPAD Tea Time Basket (teas from 5 nations)
16. FCC San Lorenzo- Movie Basket
17. CC of Woodland- "Tail Gaitin' in Yolo County" Basket
18- Forest Hill CC, San Francisco- TBAnnounced Basket
PLEASE LET US KNOW OF YOUR PLANS TO BRING A BASKET SO WE CAN BE PREPARED WITH TABLES AND CARDS.
All Baskets will be in the main meeting room, so let the bidding begin. Minimum bid is $50!
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Hallelujah! After a year of preparation and prayers, our Global Mission Partners from the Republic of Congo, Georges and Gertrude Ngokas, President and wife of the Disciples of Christ in that country HAVE ARRIVED!!!
You are invited to attend any of these events and bring friends:
- April 11& 12- Arrive and a day of rest in Bay Area
- 13 & 14- Travel to Chico for tours and speaking on Saturday night at FCC.
- 15- Spend day with FCC Redding
- 16- Spend day with United Christian Parish, Lakeport
- 17- Travel to Bay Area and rest
- 18- Breakfast with Disciples seminarians at PSR
- 18-19- Spend time with Forest Hill CC, San Francisco and sightsee
- 20-22- Annual Meeting at Sofitel
- 23-Spend day with NAPAD churches and leaders
- 24- Rest day
- 25- Spend day with Mills Grove CC, Oakland-dinner there that evening
- 26- Travel to Sacramento to sightsee and evening dinner with CC of Woodland
- 27- Travel to Fresno and dinner with SSJ churches in Fresno
- 28- Sightsee and travel to Bay Area
- 29- Lafayette CC in morning and with Tapestry Ministries, Berkeley in evening
- 30- Fly back to Republic of Congo
Special thanks to the outstanding ROC Hospitality Team who has pulled all this together in just a couple of weeks since we did not have confirmation that the visit would happen for sure until March 26: Charlotte Jackson, Gerry Brague, Kyung Min Daniel Lee, Hope Attenhofer, Gale Tompkins-Bischel and Ben.
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 HOT NEWS
CHURCHES TO HOLD IN PRAYER
 Congregation to pray for this week: First Christian Church, Antioch, Contra Costa Area; Pastor, Don Carter.
Congregation to pray for next week: Berkeley - Richmond Intercity Ministry (BRIM), East Bay Area; Correspondent, Adelle Lemon.
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!!
Recently mailed to all churches and available for everyone at www.ccncn.org
 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
In Summer 2011, we had the largest summer camp attendance in years...let's do even better this year. Nothing affects the life of children and youth (and adults) like those special moments around a campfire; quiet moments of mediation in God's creation; wild moments of games and skits; and the fellowship of all God's children living and learning and loving as the Living Body of Jesus Christ.
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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 recently mailed to all churches and are available at www.ccncn.org
...Doable Evangelism Workshops-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).
Don't miss the one hour introductory workshop on Saturday afternoon at Annual Meeting!
Our goal is 50 people at each event-200 total!
Registration forms have been mailed to all churches this week and are available at www.ccncn.org
2. ANNOUNCING... Women's Breakfast at Annual Meeting
Drop in to Suite 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
3. YOU ARE INVITED
United Disciples Fellowship invites you to the last lecture of its 10 year series featuring world renown scholars. This last lecture 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, and there will be reception for Professor Sheehan in the Social Hall following his lecture.
4. Ever been on a CROP walk?
Well on April 28th and 29th, your chance is here. The Bay Area is having 11 different walks. From Oakland and Pleasanton on Saturday, to Alameda, Berkeley, East County (Pittsburg and Antioch), Fremont, Marin, San Francisco, Sonoma, South Bay & Peninsula in San Jose, and Vallejo on Sunday. Wow, what a great opportunity to get involved and have fun in doing it. It is also a way to support some local agencies as well as Church World Service. Many Disciple churches are involved in these events. If your church is not, well here is your chance. Go to www.BayAreaHungerWalk.org and click on the city of your choice.
(We celebrate that the Regional Director for Church World Service, who coordinates all these and many other CROP Walks in CA and AZ, is Disciples clergyman, Vy Nguyen, member at at FCC Oakland)
5. A NOTE FROM THE REGIONAL JUSTICE COMMISSION: The Justice Commission was formed in 2010 to help the region establish a
process to engage in conversation, healing and advocacy around issues of
biblical justice and diverse perspectives. The Commission is now seeking
feedback from the region about interests and expectations. A Justice
Commission page has been created on the regional website. FOllow this
link to visit the page, learn about what the Justice Commission has been
up to, and take the online survey (or you can print out a copy of the
survey): http://ccncn.org/jc.html
We will also have a booth at Annual Meeting with computers available for
you to take the survey there! It takes less than 15 minutes to complete.
6. An Invitation from FCC Watsonville:
Doris Marie Williams, substitute musician at First Christian Church, Watsonville, is offering a Musical Healing Service at the regular 11:00 church service in Watsonville church, Sunday, May 6, 11 -12, with the usual offering and communion. She will be presenting some of her own original spirituals based on the setting of Pslam 23, 61, and 62) along with a few Celtic spiritual songs. Parishioners will also present some of their poetry. First Christian Church, 15 Madison ST. Watsonville, (831) 724-4517.
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| REGIONAL STAFF NEWS
VOLUNTEERS (3+) NEEDED to help with the preparation of the Annual Meeting Packets. Please let Quan know if you have time to come to the Regional Office to assist on either of these days: April 17, 18, 19. Your assistance is needed and greatly appreciated.
Ben got back from our 7th Annual Holy Week-Holy Work Mission Trip, this year to Joplin, Mo. on Saturday and was able to preach Easter Sunday at First Mongolian CC, Oakland and then head to Modesto for a special service. (see below) Along with 11 others, the Joplin team had a very inspiring week of tornado recovery work. Ten months later, there is still a huge amount of work to do in this community, but their courage and faith helped us all to experience a modern day resurrection!
Congratulations to Molly who was Installed Easter afternoon as Pastor/Planter for The Urban Shepherd CC, Modesto in this new Disciples congregation's first public service. Michael Carlson was also Installed as Minister of Creative Arts and the Carlsons had the extreme joy of the baptism of their oldest son, Simon, as well. What a glorious day.
Now, we do have good news to report on Yolanda! When her pneumonia was still not improving last week, and she went to LA to see another doctor, she learned that it was just taking longer for the antibiotics to kick in. She was able to return to Fresno on Good Friday to lead a wonderful service for Primera Iglesia Cristiana de Fresno! She is now in Orlando, FL with family to celebrate her mother's 80th birthday!!
The Regional Executive Committee has asked that you save the date of Saturday, October 20 for a Celebration of Ben's Ministry. Exact time and place to be announced later.
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DEVOTIONAL by Cliff Cole
Regional Minister for Placement, Training and Care
 Has the air gone out of your Easter balloon or as the vocalist, Peggy Lee, once crooned, 'is that all there is?' Of course her response in the popular song was to keep on dancing!
Easter Week had so much range of emotion! They included joy to sorrow...anticipation to anger...support to betrayal...glad recognition to vehement denial. What are we to do, in retrospect, with all of these emotions? I believe that it is important for us to recognize Easter for what it is, not only for what it was! Easter is a rebirth, a rekindling, and a renewal.
First, a rebirth - to acknowledge once again within ourselves that we are alive, excited, and ready to play the hands we are dealt. In my local congregation, we are at this point as we anticipate new pastoral leadership. It is an opportunity to build not only on the former, but to find joy and anticipation in the new.
Second, a rekindling - to acknowledge the gifts that we have been given in our families, friends, church community and even those with whom we find disagreement and can admit that they may be right. We may be forced to see that what are being rekindled are some negative emotions and we must deal with them as well by acknowledging them, confronting them and sharing them.
Third, a renewal of faith - to recommit ourselves to our statement of faith. We sometimes become lazy! We need to look, again, at what it means to say that "I believe that Jesus is the Christ and promise to serve Him." This statement entered our DNA once we were baptized, but detractions do summon us and that statement must become our conscious companion.
I pray we can all keep dancing to the Easter tunes, both sacred and secular so that Easter becomes not only a passing parade, and a gloomy Friday, but a glorious Easter sunrise each day!
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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!
AFRICAN DINNERS ALL AROUND THE REGION IN EVERY CHURCH
DATE SET TO MEET YOUR CHURCH'S CALENDAR
APRIL
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
MAY
2- Regional Training and Care Commitee- Berkeley
12- Do-Able Evangelism FCC Sacramento 8:30-4:00
12- Human Trafficking Awareness Forum- Oakland Peace Center 9:00-4:00
15- Regional Recognitiona dn Standing Committee 9:30-3:00 Regional Office
15- Serra Center Board Meeting 6:00 pm
19- Justice Commission 9:00-1:00
19- Ad-Ministry Council and Regional Resources Committee
19- New Church Commitetee
19- Do-able Evangelism United CC, Fresno 8:30-4:00
23- Regional Staff 10:00-1:30- Regional Office
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CELEBRATIONS & PRAYERS
CELEBRATIONS
Congratulations to all those at the Community of the Great Commission the special "all hands on deck" work week-end which begins today!! Thanks to our CGC Facilities Committee, chaired by Tina Heck, for planning a very productive work time.
WAY TO GO!!! Congratulations to our excellent Regional Mission Team experiencing "Holy Week-Holy Work" in Joplin, MO. Joining 19 Disciples from FCC Bargersville, IN, are these 12 persons: LouAnn Hughes, Pat Hughes, Tina Borgman, Tony Borgman, Judy Bever, Janet Hecker, Sue Tarleton, Becky Robinson, Sharon Armus, Dona Navarro,
Alyssa DeJesus, and Ben.
What an exciting report from Sparks, NV, where we now have TWO Disciples congregations in Northern CA!! From FCC Sparks Pastor Steve Wren:
"We had the first combined service with both congregations on Easter Sunday. There were 47 from FCC Sparks and 33 from the First Samoan Congregational CC! (which now meets in the FCC building) The sanctuary has not seen 80 in worship for at least the past 15 years. It was such a wonderful service full of the Spirit. Our plan is to join in worship together once a month. I know FCC is humbled and blessed by this partnership. The link below will take you to some pictures of the service.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150743573906252.444511.177794861251&type=3
New Members as reported to the Regional Office New members:
FCC, Concord (1 family with 1 adult transfer, 1 adult baptism and 1 teen baptism); First Mongolian CC, Oakland (8 baptisms of young adults); The Urban Shepherd CC, Modesto (4 adult transfers and 1 youth baptism); United CC, Fresno (2 adult transfers and 1 youth baptism); CC of Pacific Grove (1 adult confession of faith with baptism to follow); Oakdale CC (1 adult transfer); FCC Selma (2 young adult baptisms)
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CONCERNS
We celebrate the entry of Elizabeth Stolp from this life into new life as she passed way on Monday at age 101. Elizabeth was a very long time member and leader at FCC Chico and very supportive of regional life for many years. The memorial service will be Saturday, April 14th, at FCC Chico at 11 am in the sanctuary, with a reception to follow in Koinonia Hall. You can send cards to her family care of her son: Fred Stolp, 2911 Grainland Road, Durham 95938
We are sad to announce the loss of another one of our Regional "saints" with the passing of Agnes Sours, long time member and leader at Arden CC, Sacramento, who was much beloved by many across the Region. Her Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, April 18 at Arden CC.
Arden CC Sacramento, also lost one of their charter members this week, Dorothy Trumbo, whose Memorial Service will be Tuesday, April 17 at 2:00 pm at Sierra View Funeral Chapel, 6201 Fair Oaks Blvd., Carmichael, CA 95608. Dorothy was a long time member of Arden Christian Church. Dorothy's son, Bill Trumbo, who now lives in Hawaii, was a Past Moderator of the CC of Pacific Grove)
Keep those prayers coming for Pastor Nordean Baxter, Raynor Park CC, Sunnyvale and wife Gloria and family. Nordean has been ill for sometime and would appreciate prayers for his strength. Cards would be very encouraging to him: 6163b Joaquin Murieta, Newark, CA 94560
Please keep the prayers coming for Teresa Fraticelli, Lafayette CC, who continues in her very long term recovery from a bone marrow transplant. She has mostly been in isolation for well over two months to avoid any infections as her immune system is very low. For now, cards of prayer and care can be sent to 4102 Moller Drive, Pleasanton, 94566.
Pastor Taulau Tupua, Via Dolorosa Samoan Congregational Christian Church of Modesto 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. She is close to completing her chemo regimen and hopefully, 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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FINAL WORD
by Yolanda Marquez-Lucar, Regional Minister of Hispanic Ministries
and Pastor of Prima Iglesia Cristiana de Fresno
I chose to force myself to share a meditation this week because of very special reasons...
This is the week we celebrate mom's 80th birthday! If dad had not been in heaven already, this week would've been his 89th birthday! But anyways, we get to celebrate his second birthday, for this week we also remember his 15th year that he went to be with our Lord! Two other milestones also came to pass a week like this many years ago... The marriage to my sweet husband Miguel, and the birth of youngest daughter, Rosario! All within seven days! Can you imagine?
 | | Mom & Dad - 1947. Witnesses at relatives wedding |
I'm SO blessed to be alive, to have known so many wonderful people in this journey. But I'm especially grateful that all of you were here when I entered the doors of the CCNC-N. I praise God for all those who left footprints for me to follow. Also for all who have been willing and happy to share their experiences, strength and hope with me. I don't have to walk this journey alone.
But, perhaps the most significant part for me is that as I have been thoughtful about following the right path, I have been creating footprints of my own! My Spouse, children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, friends, neighbors, students... OMG! What an awesome privilege! Maybe that's why I find myself constantly humming a prayer to my Lord; the same that today I pray for each of you, my partners in this journey...
We're pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road,
and those who've gone before us line the way.
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary,
their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace.
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us run the race not only for the prize;
But as those who've gone before us,
let us leave to those behind us,
the heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives.
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful,
May the fire of our devotion light their way.
May the footprints that we leave,
lead them to believe,
and the lives we live inspire them to obey.
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful!
After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone,
and our children sift through all we've left behind,
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover,
become the light that leads them to the road we each must find.
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful,
May the fire of our devotion light their way.
May the footprints that we leave,
lead them to believe,
and the lives we live inspire them to obey.
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful!
"May All Who Come behind us find us Faithful" - Steve Green
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Mom, Grandma, Daughter, Grandson 2010
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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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