Greetings!

ADULT CAMP MAKES MAJOR CHANGES

This event is now just one week away and your registrations are needed IMMEDIATELY!

Theme: "This I Believe..."

Led by Yolanda, Kyung-Min, Paula, Sandhya, Molly and Ben.

 So, get that registration in!!       

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2012 Summer Camps are fast approaching!

Registration materials at:    

http://www.ccncn.org/summercamps.html   

HELP! HELP! HELP!

Pastor Tom Warren, FCC Hanford, who is directing the SSJ Camp, is looking for a Volunteer Certified Lifeguard / additional Camp Staff Resource Person for South San Joaquin Valley Camp to be held at Camp Pacifica in Ahwahnee, CA.  June 23-29. If you can do this or know someone who might, please contact him immediately at 559-584-3082

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LOOK WHO'S COMING TO OUR REGION AND BRINGING THE WORLD TO US. MORE GLOBAL MISSION VISITORS ARE ON THE WAY...

1. Betty and Ken Frank, recently retired Global Ministries missionaries, who worked in Turkey for nearly 30 years, will be with us for 2 weeks in early July.

Their two week schedule is just about completely filled. Last chance to secure them for your church! (If you e-mailed Charlie & Carol Mackey with your interest, we just learned that they have been out of town for over a week. NOW, please call Ben at the Regional Office 925-556-9900)

This is your chance to invite the Franks to come by your church for a visit. Their 30 years in Turkey make the Franks ideal to speak about: Global Ministries in Turkey; Islam; Early Christian origins; Interfaith relationships; Turkish spirituality; Christianity in the Middle East. The Franks can speak in Sermons, Small Groups, Luncheons, Sunday School, Casual round table,Youth groups, and other creative venues.   

2. Tom and Lynnea Morse, home for a few months from China, will be in our Region for just 1 week, August 5-12.

They are available both Sunday mornings and during the week. On Sunday, August 5 in the afternoon, they will be speaking at Sinapi Seed Fellowship at FCC Palo Alto and all the Region is invited-more details later. On Wednesday evening, August 8, they will be at Forest Hill CC, SF and again, all are invited. If you would like to invite the Morses to come to your church, contact Ben.

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By now, everyone should know this theme:

2012 YEAR OF EVANGELISM!! 

"Cultivating Disciples of Christ to become dynamic 'evangels' sharing the good news of God's transforming love." 

two exciting opportunities right now to help us alll grow in understanding, practice and comfort with the E-word!

Please let us know if your church participated and how many prayer commitments were made. 

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 Here are dates and places:

• May 12- FCC Sacramento- 36 attended
• May 19- United CC, Fresno- 34 attended

TIME TO GET THOSE REGISTRATIONS IN FOR THE REMAINING TWO WORKSHOPS

• June 16- Lafayette CC- 16 registered 
• June 23- FCC Palo Alto- 5 registered
  
  (co-hosted by Sinapi Seed Fellowship and Walking Faith American Korean CC)    Registration form at : http://www.ccncn.org/Doable-Evangelism-Flyer.pdf   

 Take the On-line survey- just FIVE MINUTES

 DO IT RIGHT NOW!!! Justice Commission Survey.   

2. Apply for the Justice Commission-

http://www.ccncn.org/jc.html.   

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IS YOUR CHURCH REACHING OUT TO A DIFFERENT CULTURE, OR WORKING TO EMPOWER A MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY?

It's Coming! THE E-VAN!!  

(Can you guess what the E stands for?)

August 12-16- light dinner, evangelism workshops and closing worship

Sunday, August 12- FCC Concord    5:00-7:30

Monday, August 13- Mt. Lassen Area

Tuesday, August 14- Greater Sacramento Area

Wednesday, August 15- FCC San Jose

Thursday, August 16- SSJ Area

TRULY THIS IS 'THE YEAR OF EVANGELISM"

HOT NEWS

CHURCHES TO HOLD IN PRAYER

WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE REGION????

1. ATTENTION:  

All Disciples Young Adults in Northern

California-Nevada

 

SAVE THE DATE

Regional Summer Young Adult Mission Outing "REACH-OUT-REACH"

August 10-12 in Santa Cruz at The Circle Church

 

Friday night will be optional but we'll have some fun for sure. Saturday we will begin at 11:00AM with Pastor Steve DeFields-Gambrel beginning to help us learn about the street community and the the rest of the day will be learning and interacting with the street community. In the evening there will be fun at the Boardwalk and back at the church in their full gym which is also where we will sleep.

Sunday morning will be worship with The Circle Church and then lunch which always includes all members of the church, some of which are the street community. Much more later, but hold the dates!!  Registration forms and more details to come. Thanks to our Regional Young Adult Council for leading this ministry to/with/for young adults.

2.  Applications for the Annual Clergy Continuing Education Scholarship Grants are now being sent out across the Region. If you are interested, you can also get the materials at: www.ccncn.org 

3. The Mills Grove Christian Men's Fellowshp is hosting a Fish Dinner on Saturday  June 9, 2012, from 11: am - 3:00 p.m.  here at Mills Grove Christian Church, 5410 Fleming Avenue Oakland, CA - If you like fish, come and enjoy a tasty meal for only $10.00 - and it will fill you up with the goodies prepared to accompany the fish. Come One! Come All--The Fellowship is marvelous even if you don't like fish! Thank you Mr. Barney Haynes, President.

4. ASSOCIATE PASTOR FOR YOUTH MINISTRY
Mayfair Christian Church, Stockton, is seeking to provide a comprehensive youth ministry program and to work with the Senior Pastor in an ever-growing contemporary church. Characteristics of the applicant should include the following: relevant, passionate, organized, efficient and motivated to coordinate job responsibilities while serving as a role model with transparent and mature faith in Christ. Division of responsibilties is 70% youth ministry and 30% general pastoral ministry. Position is open until filled. This is a 25-30 hours a week position. If interested, contact Cathy Harrison charri6063@aol.com 

5. "New Day for Christians" is no longer just for women, but a church wide resource, and this year's issue is great!  Looking for an educational, global, and easy-to-use resource for your congregation, women's group, youth group, or men's group? The work, ministry, and stories of Week of Compassion and Global Ministries are highlighted in this year's edition of "New Day for Christians" from Chalice Press. Learn more. 

6. First Samoan Congregational Christian Church of Sacramento, a new Disciples congregation who was welcomed "under care" with us at Annual Gathering, and brought us the incredible music that opened Saturday morning with a 35 voice a cappella choir, is trying to complete their new 300 seat sanctuary this year.

The foundation is completed and the parking area is paved, but the building itself lies before them. They are seeking a loan from Disciples Church Extension to help with this building project, and want to cut the expenses as much as possible.

One of their hopes would be to receive bids for some of the work from skilled Disciples!! They are looking for licensed electricians, air-conditioning and fire sprinkler experts, and landscaping experts to bid on the projects. Their desire is to offer the work at a fair price to Disciples whom they feel share important Christian beliefs about their work. Please contact Ben if you would like to know more.

7. ATTENTION PASTORS:
Entrepreneurial Possibilities for Missional Churches
(or: Help Me Keep My Missional Church Open!!!!)  

A day-long event for clergy with Rick Morse, Vice President for New Church Ministry and Mission Initiatives
WHEN: Thursday, June 14, 9 AM - 4 PM
WHERE: United Christian Congregational Church of Lodi
701 S. Hutchins St., Lodi, CA 95240
WHO: Pastors of Missional churches (new and established)
COST: $50 (includes lunch)

Please register as soon as possible to help the region cover the cost of Rick's travel expenses! The registration form can be found at www.ccncn.org.    

8. WOMEN'S FALL RETREAT at Mission Springs

September 14-16, 2012

"Spirit-Empowered Women"

Speaker is: The Rev. Amy Gopp, dynamic Executive Director of Week of Compassion who travels the world on behalf of 3,500 Disciples congregations.

Learn more at: http://www.ccncn.org/dwf.htm  

For more information on Amy Gopp and Week of Compassion, go to: http://www.weekofcompassion.org/   

9. "OUR CHURCH ROCKS" VIDEOS NOW ON WEBSITE
One of the special joys of Annual Gathering was to view the four entries to the "Our Church Rocks" videos that were made by four church members across our Region. If you were unable to be at Sofitel, OR you missed one of those videos, they are all now on our website at: http://www.ccncn.org/annualmeeting.htm  

AND FLASH, Jordan Williams from FCC Sparks has just completed another video about the youth ministry at their church. Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAk77W2ngsI 

A PASTORAL LETTER FROM DR. SHARON E. WATKINS, DISCIPLES OF CHRIST GENERAL MINISTER AND PRESIDENT, ADDRESSED TO ALL DISCIPLES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

Dear Disciples of Christ:

Linked to this introductory statement, please find my pastoral letter to the Church calling Disciples to make room at Christ's Table for all regardless of sexual orientation or beliefs about sexual orientation. The letter calls upon us to find ways to honor our traditional freedom of individual and congregational conscience and to bear with one another in love while we continue to experience differences in these matters. The letter is prompted by the rising desire in several of our Disciples communities to see this discussion back in the forefront of our attention.

This letter will be sent first class to all congregations during the first week of June;

...a video version will be posted on June 4.

...The Disciples News Service on June 13 will provide a link to the letter and to the video version and a call to prayer.

...In addition we will post on www.disciples.org some information that will help congregations support renewed discussion on the message of the gospel around sexual orientation.

...A further opportunity for discussion will be during the Sacred Conversation learning track at General Assembly in 2013.

The bottom line as we head toward General Assembly 2013 Orlando is to establish the message:

Everybody is welcome. There is room in this Church for all - conservative, liberal and moderate.

Blessings,

Sharon 

(The letter begins:)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

In fielding questions from Disciples, I am asked, "Where are we with respect to sexual orientation?" Since the question comes up frequently, I would like the Church to know how I answer it.  

I respond, "Some faithful Disciples, in deep study of scripture and with much prayer, have come to the conclusion that sexual orientation is part of how each one of us is created by God. Other faithful Disciples, in deep study of scripture and with much prayer, have come to the conclusion that homosexuality is sin. What makes us Disciples is that at the Table of the Lord, people of both points of view - and everyone in between - are welcome."

To read the complete letter, click here: www.ccncn.org  

REGIONAL STAFF NEWS

Now that the news of Cliff Cole's retirement as

Regional MInister of Placement, Training and Care., has been announced, have you sent your note or card of appreciation to him? His service to CCNC-N has been exemplary, so don't let him leave without letting him know this.  Address is 520 Crestfield Cirlce, Roseville, 95678. (Thank goodness, he has agreed to remain as a consultant for the Search and Call process during the coming transition time of Ben's retirement and a Transitional Regional Minister) 

Paula had great news regarding her mother's hospitalization last week. The heart pacemaker implant was very successful and her mom is responding with more energy and vitality than in a long time. She was even able to attend a birthday and a graduation celebration over the week-end.

From Cliff: Please add our grandson, LaFrance Cole, to the regional prayer list as he has been deployed to Afghanistan in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Clearance Unit.   

Sandhya has one more week of vacation. and will be back in the office on June 4.

Thanks to the "Good Elf" who snuck into the Regional Office over Memorial week-end and shampooed and vacuumed all the carpets! What a great improvement!

Have you been wanting a copy of the directory of churches in our Region?-like names, addresses, phone numbers, pastors names, etc. Did you know you can download that directory any day right from our Regional website. It gets updated regularly (if we know the changes). Just go to:

http://www.ccncn.org/directory-of-churches-2012.pdf 

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

We do not put the dates of local church events here as we never could get them all and we would always miss some!    

JUNE

1-3- Women's Ministries Council Retreat 

2- Regional Executive Committee  9:30-3:00 

7-10- Adult Camp

14- Entrepreneurial Possibilities for Missional Churches

UCC, Lodi  9:00-4:00

16- Do-able Evangelism- Lafayette CC

23- D0-able Evangelism- FCC Palo Alto (hosted by Walking Faith CC and Sinapi Fellowship)

24-30- Junior Camp

24-30- ChiRho Camp

AUGUST

12-16- E-Van on the road across our Region

SEPTEMBER

14-16- Mission Springs Women's Conference

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CELEBRATIONS & PRAYERS

CELEBRATIONS

Congratulations to the new leadership for Regional Youth Council who were selected over Memorial week-end when our brand new RYC met for the first time:

Co-Moderators:

Sarah Ellsworth, FCC Sac & Josh Jensen, FCC Redding
Vice Co-Moderators:

 Ivy Chapman, FCC Selma & Hannah James, Lafayette CC
Outdoor Ministries; Ellie Corbett, FCC Sac.
Annual Gathering; Mikey Allphin, Lafayette CC
Ad-Ministry Council; Ivy Chapman

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Those were the simple words spoken by Regional Staff to some 250 Annual Fund donors this week. Calls were made (or at leat attempted) to everyone who supported the 2011 Annual Fund. These were one minute calls, asking for nothing, just expressing appreciation for the financial and spiritual support of so many that keeps our Regional Ministry going strong. Just in case anyone was missed, we apologize and again express our gratitude. THANK YOU!

New members as reported: FCC Watsonville, (2 adult transfers);

We are keeping Pastor Mark Foglio, Oakdale CC in our prayers. Mark is still recovering from chest pains two week-ends ago when he went to emergency. Tests did not show any signs suggesting a heart attack and he was sent home that evening. But, two weeks later, he is still experiencing numbness in one arm. Cards of support can be sent to: Oakdale CC, 330 Maxwell Avenue, Oakdale 95361.

Julie Jones Rodriquez, active leader at FCC Sparks and former Regional Board member for three years, has been back in the hospital in Reno. Following knee surgery, she has had two complications and after being released, went back in this week! Send cards to: 11860 Canyon Dawn Dr. Sparks, NV 89441

Rev. Wendell Pew, long time senior pastor at FCC Chico, now retired many years, is hospitalized in S. California with a serious blood infection.

We continue to pray for John Grose, former Moderator of FCC Vallejo, as he battles a  recurrence of lymphoma cancer. It was great to see him at Tapestry Ministries worship last Sunday night and have him share a beautiful solo of "To Dream the Impossible Dream." We pray for God's healing touch in John's recovery.

Pastor Taulau Tupua, Via Dolorosa Samoan Congregational Christian Church of Modesto, is now beginning a new portion of his second round of chemotherapy in dealing with his lymphoma leukemia.

He is driving to Stanford Medical Center twice a week for special "burning of the blood" treatments. Praise God he is still feeling strong enough to preach weekly. Cards can be sent to: 2329 Senimi Circle, Ceres, 95307.

Barbara Wikoff, musician at Oakdale CC, and husband Bob, Chair of our Regional Resources Committee is having some really good days right now following test results showing that the chemo treatments are working! in prayer.  She and Bob deeply appreciate all the prayers and ask that you keep them coming. 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: 

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 FINAL WORD

All People's Christian Center and CCNC-N A Great Partnership!

Scrub a dub dub!
All Peoples Community Center- our denomination's urban outreach in South Central LA - is sending 75 Campers, ages 8-12, to camp this August, and they need soap. Actually All Peoples needs more than soap, they need health kits for these campers.

In the last four years our regional CCNC-N/All Peoples Team has developed our historical relationship with All Peoples into an engaged and supportive partnership

that includes the following actions:

...Churches of our region have sponsored sleeping bags and backpacks for teen camping trips.  

...Four members of the team traveled to LA in 2008 to help with their spring Health and Book Fair. 

...We have hosted several All Peoples staff in the San Francisco Bay Area for job training. 

...Sandy Bryant, their Executive Director, and a life long Disciple, joined us at our Region's 2011 annual meeting and spoke about the value of this CCNC-N collaboration.  We are happy to say that our relationship is flourishing. 

Now your All Peoples Regional Team is inviting the folks of this region to assist All Peoples as they prepare to take 75 urban children to camp. Below is a list of items needed for the camper health kits, and contributions you can make toward their purchase.  You may be a sponsor as an individual, a family or group, and/or as a church congregation. We hope you will join us in supporting this summer camp program in which 75 children will discover the excitement, adventure, and fellowship of camp.

What do you want to contribute? These are the items needed in the kits, and prices for purchasing them.   We will be collecting contributions through the end of June.

Checks should be made out to CCNC-N, with "All Peoples health kits" on the memo line.  Please mail checks to our regional office: CCN-N  9260 Alcosta Blvd., Suite C-18, San Ramon,CA   94583-4143

• facial tissue           $10.               
• toothpaste             $50.                 
• tote bags               $150.
• combs                   $10.              
• toothbrushes          $50.                 
• soap containers     $50.
• wash cloths           $25.              
• lotion                     $100.
• bar soap                $25.              
• sun screen             $100.

If you cannot send the full amount for an item, send what you can...just be sure and mark how you want it used.

Thanks so much for being part of this project!