Greetings!

2012 Summer Camps are fast approaching!

Registration materials     

• Adult Camp                June 7-10     14 registered 
• ChiRho Camp            June 24-30    19 registered 
• Junior Camp              June 24-30    35 registered
• CYF Camp                 July 1-7        25 registered
• Grandparents & Me I   June 30-July 2   44 registered! CLOSED TO FURTHER REGISTRATIONS       
• Grandparents & Me II  July 4-6           9 registered
• South San Joaquin      June 24-29      24 registered 

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; August 5 must be in the Bay Area because that afternoon they will be speaking at Sinapi Seed Fellowship at FCC Palo Alto and all the Region is invited. On Wednesday evening, August 8, they will be at Forest Hill CC, SF and again, all are invited. Sunday, August 12, they could travel beyond the Bay Area.  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

THERE IS STILL TIME TO GET THOSE REGISTRATIONS IN FOR THE REMAINING TWO WORKSHOPS...

• June 16- Lafayette CC- 23 registered 
• June 23- FCC Palo Alto- 10 registered
  
  (co-hosted by Sinapi Seed Fellowship and Walking Faith American Korean CC)    Registration form at : http://www.ccncn.org/Doable-Evangelism-Flyer.pdf   

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 6:00-8:30
• 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 have been mailed to clergy across the Region. If you are interested, you can also get the materials at: www.ccncn.org  Note, that the deadline is July 6.

3. The Mills Grove Christian Men's Fellowship is hosting a Fish Dinner on Saturday June 9, 2012, from 11: am - 3:00 p.m. 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 responsibilities 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. Thank you, donors to the All Peoples Campers' Health Kit Project!   You've contributed enough to purchase four of the items and the tote bags!  Now, we have four more items to go - lotion, toothpaste, sun screen, and combs.  The All Peoples staff is hugely appreciative of how CCNC-N is supporting this special part of their summer youth program.

All individuals, groups, and congregations are encouraged to contribute what you can so we can meet our goal of supplying a camp health kit for every one of their 75 young campers.  Please send your contribution, marked "All Peoples camper health kits" to the regional office - CCN-N  9260 Alcosta Blvd., Suite C-18, San Ramon,CA   94583-4143.   THANK YOU! 

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/   

DEVOTIONAL

by Molly Carlson Regional Minister for New Church 

 

Since Easter, I have been directly involved with two different situations resulting in a 5150.  For those who don't know, a 5150 is a mandatory 72 hour psych hold for those who demonstrate that they are a risk to themselves or others.  As a mandatory reporter, I must notify the authorities when I believe someone to be at risk. Never before have I had to do this twice in such a short period of time.

It reminds me how broken people can be.  How quickly life can crumble around us. How desperately people need a lifeline, a reason to go on living.  It reminds me how integral my faith actually is in my own life.

Both of these situations arose with people new to The Urban Shepherd.  People who found us as an oasis in the desert of life.  People who came with profound questions of identity, faith, and purpose.  People who had suffered abuse both by people who were supposed to love them as well as the church.  People who would seem to have it all together - good looking, young, articulate, college educated, professional.   People that most churches I have been associated with would salivate over in anticipation of their potential contribution to their own faith communities.

But just a little bit under the surface, these people are broken.  Struggling with significant health issues.  Near the brink of homelessness and bankruptcy.  Unsure of their personal worth.  Feeling disconnected from God and others.  It starts to feel like there is no way out.

It makes me sad and it makes me mad.  How do these amazing, intelligent, capable, interesting people NOT know that they are loved unconditionally by God?  How do these insightful, creative, educated, compassionate people NOT have a faith community they can rely on during the dark nights of their souls?  How has the church failed - how have WE failed - to make the good news of hope and grace and acceptance come alive for these sojourners?

It has been a lot of work - physically, emotionally, spiritually - for me to care for these two specific situations.  It is devastating to call 911 on a parishioner. It is hard to pray with those who both desperately want to hear but can't quite believe in God's place for themselves.  It is draining to hold boundaries - helping but not enabling, being present but not being consumed, offering hope but questioning God.  But it is good work too.

It reminds me that evangelism is not about growing the church so that those who have worked for years to build something they value might take a break.  It is not

about a style of worship or a beautiful building.  It is not about saving souls for a guaranteed seat in heaven. 

...It is about actually noticing the people we share space with and offering them a drink from the fountain of faith. 

...It is about inviting people to actually be real with us - enough that we can learn their brokenness and help them find healing. 

...It is about offering a glimpse of God to those who might not be able to see it on their own. 

...It is about taking our own faith and making it big enough for two, or three, or more. 

...It is about stepping out of our own comfort zone to create a comfort zone for someone who doesn't have one at all.

 It is not easy.  It is hard work.  But God has equipped us with all that we need - and more - enough even to share. If only we can be open to letting God use us.

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) 

Bill Garrett, our new Regional Minister of Faith and Giving, will be away June 8-14 for a very good reason! Congratulations to Bill and Nancy on their 40th wedding anniversary!! Cards can be sent to: 1565 Barn Valley Lane, Lincoln, 95648.

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 is back from vacation! It was actually a "stay-cation" since her other job crunched three months of work into one month! And she continues on a three month sabbatical as Co-Pastor at FCC Oakland.

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

7-10- Adult Camp

14- Entrepreneurial Possibilities for Missional Churches

UCC, Lodi  9:00-4:00

16- Do-able Evangelism- Lafayette CC

23- Do-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

OCTOBER

20- Celebration of Regional Ministry (Ben's Party)

NOVEMBER

3- Unity Festival UCC Lodi

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CELEBRATIONS & PRAYERS

CELEBRATIONS

Congratulations to Victor Smith, who was ordained into the Christian ministry at FCC Turlock this past Sunday, June 3. It has been a long journey for Victor who attended PSR back in the late 90's and re-entered the ordination track two years ago. His ordination was approved by the Recognition and Standing Committee with the sponsorship of FCC Turlock. Ben preached the ordination sermon.

Congratulations to Chad Thompson, youth minister at FCC Selma, and a seminarian at Fresno Mennonite Seminary and "in care" with the Regional Disciples of Christ Training and Care Committee. Chad was honored May 2 with the Michael C. Eckgren and Bryan D. Goossen Scholarship. This award was given based on his grades, his personal spiritual growth, and his progress toward his degree. He has a 3.44 GPA. Congratulations on a wonderful job!

Congratulations to Pastor Russ Peterman, FCC Concord, who began a three month sabbatical this week. It is very important for our pastors who often serve 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Congratulations to United CC, Fresno, who recently completed their Annual Block party with 41 vendors, a band, a Cake Walk with 60 cakes, 10 bikes given away, a blood drive and 200 families signed up for food through UC Nutrition! Hundreds attended and it took 40 church members and many months to make this event happen/
Way to go UCC Fresno!

Congratulations to Forest Hill CC, San Francisco, who celebrated their 120th Anniverary last Sunday. Pastor Susan Parsley shares this: "We started a hope chest that will be in our sanctuary for this next year for people to place the hopes and dreams that God places in their hearts for FHCC.  Wisdom was shared from the six members of our 90's club and a rap song was sung by the Joyful Noise Choir written by Bonnie Hawley about our special congregation entitled "We Love Jesus."   We celebrated some milestones including two families with four generations active in the congregation, becoming an Open and Affirming congregation and starting our ministry with student ministers. All in all it was a wonderful celebration."

New members as reported:  CC of Woodland (1 adult transfer); FCC Selma (1adult transfer and 1 youth to be baptized) 

Eileen Duddy, member of the Regional Executive Committee, and treasurer at FCC Merced, had emergency surgery early this week at Mercy Medical Center in Merced. She is recovering well and should be released soon. You can mail a card: 2961  Mardi Gras Court, Atwater, 95301

We continue to keep Pastor Mark Foglio, Oakdale CC in our prayers. Mark is still recovering from chest pains two week-ends ago. Tests show he did not have a heart attack but his left arm is still numb and he does not have normal energy. More tests will be made this coming week. Cards of support can be sent to: Oakdale CC, 330 Maxwell Avenue, Oakdale 95361.

We sadly report that Rev. Chris Kim has resigned as the pastor at Revival CC, Sacramento, which meets at FCC Sacramento. Pastor Kim is unsure what is next for him but please keep him and his family in your prayers.

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. John finished his chemo treatments two and a half weeks ago and is now receiving acupuncture treatments which are giving him renewed energy. He appreciates our prayers.

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-A Report from your Regional Executive Committee

CCNC-N continues to be blessed by the superb leadership of our 17 member Regional Executive Committee which met last Saturday, June 3 at United CC, Livermore.

Among the major business items included:
1. Approval of an online giving and registration platform for regional support and regional events. This platform will be ready for use by August 1.  

2. Important discussion about steps to be taken concerning the former downtown property of FCC Modesto which is currently owned by Christ Unity Baptist Church who now makes mortgage payments to CCNC-N.

3. Announcement of the $50,000 sale of the sanctuary of FCC Dos Palos, which closed in May 2011. The building was sold "as is" since it needs a new roof and other major repairs. A local mortuary bought the building and will use the sanctuary for services. The Region will receive 20% of the final distribution.

4. Announcement that the Annual Phon-a-thon will be held Sunday-Tuesday, August 26-28.

5. Heard an update on the progress toward the final sale of the Ecumenical Center of Berkeley, the former University CC property.

6. Recognition that as of May 6, our Regional Disciples Mission Fund (DMF) giving is down 2.09%. At this point, this only amounts to $1,200 but if this continued to the end of the year, it would amount to over $15,000! There was also concern that as many as 15 churches still have not contributed to DMF at all in 2012. As over 60% of our Regional budget income is derived from DMF giving, it is very important for local congregations to continue this support with faithfulness.

7. Update on the progress of the Regional Transitional Minister Search Committee who is preparing a job description and Regional Profile in order to have proper materials ready when the position is opened for applications through the Disciples Search and Call system.

8. Ben challenged the Regional Executive Committee to be the first group in the Region to make 2012 Annual Fund Commitments. With three members absent (one in Mexico working for Amore Ministries; one at a grand-daughter's graduation and one in final VBS preparations), a generous commitment of over $4,000 was turned in!

9. Regional Resources Committee and our Ad-Ministry Council reported that, as of May 15,  we are keeping under budget in expenses and that all Designated Funds are totally intact and available for use.  

10. The Regional Ministry Council will hold its second meeting of 2012 on Saturday, July 21. All Regional Mission Clusters should be sure to have your representatives present.

FINALLY, SAVE THE DATE NOW FOR 2013 ANNUAL GATHERING AT SOFITEL...MARCH 1-3! Because this is 6 weeks earlier than usual, please calendar it now! Registration materials will be coming out in early November!

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FROM THE GENERAL CHURCH 

We are looking for justice stories! 

We know you're out there. Disciples are feeding children,

collecting clothes, working to improve lives of women, calling for fairness in laws and policies  and even recycling and retrofitting to conserve the earth's resources. The stories trickle in, but members of the Justice Table are looking for a steady stream.

Task groups around hunger/poverty, women/children,

immigration and care of creation are looking for the

stories that illustrate the Church's commitment to justice.

Read more: Disciples News Service: Looking for stories