|
|
 |
FINAL COUNTDOWN TO "THE GATHERING"/ANNUAL MEETING
The 158th Gathering of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Northern CA-NV is about to happen! Hallelujah! This e-news will be sharply abbreviated and sent out earlier than usual with the hopes of providing last minute information.
PLEASE CHECK OUT THE VERY HELPFUL INFORMATION SHEET WITH IMPORTANT SPECIFIC DETAILS FOR THE WEEK-END!
 ...If you have not registered for the program and meals and still want to attend, you MUST, MUST call Doral at 510-703-2074.If there are last minute cancellations (sorry, no refunds any longer), there may be room for you.
...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
GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE NOW HAVE OVER 350 REGISTRATIONS!!
Please note that everyone is welcome to attend any of the following for free- you need not register but meals will not be available.
...Friday evening at 7:30 pm- Nancy Brink preaching and youth and young adults leading
...Saturday eveing at 7:30 pm- Jose Morales preaching and
...Sunday morning at 9:30 am- Regional Staff leading
Ben preaching (his last chance to speak to the Region in a venue like this)
...OR Saturday morning Celebration of Regional Life and Ministry and Presentation by Georges and Gertrude Ngoka, our Republic of Congo visitors- 8:30 am
...OR any of the Saturday afternoon workshops at 1:30
...ATTENTION! ATTENTION! Quan is still looking for a few good volunteers this 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 JUST KEEPS GROWING...
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
19. FCC Porterville- "What's Cookin'?" Basket
20. FCC Redding- Gardening Basket
21. Joplin Mission Trip Team- State Capitol Basket
22. FCC Sacramento- Foods from Italy Basket
23. Sierra CC, Loomis- Barbeque Basket
24. Pier 39 in San Francisco- (valued at over $200)
25. FCC Watsonville- Parajo Valley Basket
26. FCC Selma- "Magic Show" Basket
We still hope to reach our goal of 30 baskets!!!
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!
...........................................................
Hallelujah! Our Global Mission Partners from the Republic of Congo, Georges and Gertrude Ngokas, President and wife of the Disciples of Christ in the ROC are having a glorious time here in the US, visiting our churches and meeting many of you. They are warm and joy-filled. Here's where they have been and where they are going.
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.
|
|
 HOT NEWS
CHURCHES TO HOLD IN PRAYER
 Congregation to pray for this week: Berkeley - Richmond Intercity Ministry (BRIM), East Bay Area; Correspondent, Adelle Lemon.
Congregation to pray for next week: New Spirit Community Church, Berkeley; East Bay Area; Pastor, Jim Mitulski; Pastoral Asst. Shayne Flowers.
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????
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.
.................................................................................................
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 strengthening 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.
TIME TO GET THOSE REGISTRATIONS IN!
Led by Randy Siever, Commissioned Disciples Minister from FCC Sparks, NV, and nationally known for this evangelism teaching and training, will lead these 6 hour workshops. Here are dates and places:
These first two dates are coming FAST!!!
May 12- FCC Sacramento
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
3. 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.
4. The Heart in Health Care Reform
Trainings for San Francisco Bay Area congregations in April 2012.
Many of you may know California Council of Churches has been working on health care reform for nearly eight years. We achieved a major landmark - a sea change in our national work - in 2010 with the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable
Health Care Act (ACA) that was signed into law March 23, 2010.
You are invited to a major convening in collaboration with the Abundant Life Health
Initiative to bring to you and your congregations essential information on federal
and state health care programs so you can find out what is available for everyone
now - and what is coming in the future. This event will share with you about health care for people of faith, Saturday April 28 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, at the Alta Bates-Summit Campus Health Education Center, Bechtel Room, 400 Hawthorne, Oakland, to learn what we are called to do as people of faith to help ourselves and others in our congregations, communities, homes, and families to get the best possiblehealth care coverage we can. We will focus on our mission as people of faith and learn important details on how to access health care coverage that is right for you. Registration is $10 covering all materials and lunch..
|
|
|
| REGIONAL STAFF NEWS
Yolanda is back from Florida and the celebration of her mother's 80th birthday.
Ben and Yolanda will be flying to Indianapolis just as soon as Annual Meeting/The Gathering worship ends on Sunday.
Kyung Min "Daniel" will be flying to Orlando the week-end after Annual Meeting where he is part of the planning team for Youth Events at the 2013 General Assembly which will be held in Orlando.
Paula will be out of the office the whole week following The Gathering/Annual Meeting. She will only be checking voice mail and e-mail every few days so please hold them unless absolutely necessary.
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.
|
|
|
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!
APRIL
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
Back to top |
|
|
CELEBRATIONS & PRAYERS
CELEBRATIONS
Thanks to our CGC Facilities Committee, chaired by Tina Heck, for planning a very productive work time at the Commmunity of the Great Commission this past week-end. A small but mighty crew braved the 6 inches of snow on Thursday and Friday, but the skies cleared for Saturday. We were able to complete the texturing & painting of the new walls inside Claar House....and complete the exterior painting that had been left unfinished since Miracle Day in 2009. Carl Crain did a beautiful job washing the ceiling high windows...from the rooftop! Extra kudos to Judy Bever who came a full day ahead and prepped much of the interior work! The Music Camp work group, along with CGC staff, trenched and prepped for installation of path lights from Bobbitt area to the pool. Thanks to the DOC work team: Judy Bever, Carl Cordes, Tina Heck, Larry Love, Micah Love, Frank Scudero, Bill Avenell, Beja Springer, and Carl Crain..
New Members as reported to the Regional Office:
United CC, Livermore (2 adult transfers); FCC Redding (4 adult transfers)
..................................................................................................
CONCERNS
We are saddened to receive the news that Rev D. Mark Wilson has resigned from the Ministry Team at Tapesty Ministries, Berkeley. Mark was part of the small group who conceived the founding of this new Disciples congregation and has served as the Preaching Minister on this Team. Mark has several other part-time jobs and needs to simplify his life with the hopes of finding a full time ministry position. How grateful we are for the leadership that Mark has offered to this alive congregation and to the gifts he has brought to our Disciples community.
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.
Prayers are requested for Wesley Firch, father of Pastor Ted Firch, FCC
Sacramento. Wesley was admitted to Kaiser North last Thursday with pneumonia. Treatment is progressing but the date of his release is not known at this time.
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, has now begun a second complete round of chemotherapy in dealing with his lymphoma leukemia. The good news is that he is feeling stronger in this second series of treatments and has been able to preach each Sunday. 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 waiting for the results of some important tests and the possibility of facing more chemo threatments is very daunting. Pray for her strength to hold onto her faith even in the midst of challenging times. 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
Back to top |
|
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.
Here is a wonderful note received in the Regional Office at the end of last week: "He is risen! Not sure who to write to but I wanted the people who put together this year's Lenten Devotional to know how inspiring I found it! It was one of the most meaningful Lents I've ever had. The suggestion to write notes to people who have touched my life led to times of wonderful memories. It was a beautiful experience. The other suggestion- to reconcile with someone- also led me to write a note to someone and that felt so good. I very much appreciated the specific suggestions, but also I was moved by many of the devotions. So, THANK YOU."
Betty Imlay, Moderator of The Circle Church, Santa Cruz
New Members as reported to the Regional Office:
United CC, Livermore (2 adult transfers); FCC Redding (4 adult transfers); Fruitridge CC, Sacramento (1 adult ransfer); Oakdale CC (1 adult transfer)
..................................................................................................
CONCERNS
We are saddened to receive the news that Rev D. Mark Wilson has resigned from the Ministry Team at Tapesty Ministries, Berkeley. Mark was part of the small group who conceived the founding of this new Disciples congregation and has served as the Preaching Minister on this Team. Mark has several other part-time jobs and needs to simplify his life with the hopes of finding a full time ministry position. How grateful we are for the leadership that Mark has offered to this alive congregation and to the gifts he has brought to our Disciples community.
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.
Important news from Raynor Park CC, Sunnyvale from their congregational meeting last Sunday, April 15. Pastor Nordean Baxter has been named, Minister Emeritus, and their daughter, a seminarian at San Francisco Theological Seminary, has been named Associate Pastor.
Prayers are requested for Wesley Firch, father of Pastor Ted Firch, FCC
Sacramento. Wesley was admitted to Kaiser North last Thursday with pneumonia. He is responding slowly to treatment but may be released later this week.
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 has now begun a second complete round of chemotherapy in dealing with his lymphoma leukemia. The good news is that he is feeling stronger in this second series of treatments and has been able to preach each Sunday. 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
Back to top |
|
|
|
Sincerely,
Ben Bohren
Regional Minister and Newsletter Editor
Christian Church of Northern California-Nevada
925-556-9900
|
|
|
