Greetings!
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS FOR THE TRANSITIONAL INTERIM REGIONAL MINISTER POSITION IS TOMORROW, sEPTEMBRE 15. All information can be found at www.ccncn.org Applications must go through Disciples Search and Call: amoyars@dhm.disciples.org |
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 A CELEBRATION OF BEN'S MINISTRY
Retirement after 46 years of ministry
Saturday, October 20
1:00-5:00 pm
California High School in San Ramon
Invitations have now gone out to every church in the Region with lots of information to share with the entire
membership. Please note:
1. Seating is limited to 400 and will be available on first come, first serve basis. Doors open at 12:15 and program begins promptly at 1:00 with Samoan dancers from our new Sacramento Samoan church.
2. You must RSVP to attend the program but this does not guarantee any reserved seating. (see above). Kindly RSVP by October 8 to Doral Main (510-352-2210) or retirementbb@att.net
3. There is a bulletin/newsletter insert in the invitation with information to share with the congregation.
4. Bring lots and lots of home-made cookies to share for the reception
5. Ben has requested that in lieu of personal gifts, an offering will be received for the newly created "Ben Bohren Camp Scholarship Fund." Gifts are also welcome if you are unable to attend or want to send a gift prior to the event.
6. A Book Bash and Browsing of dozens of Ben's books from 46 years of ministry will be set up in the reception hall. Take them! Donations of any size will go to the Camp Scholarship Fund.
7. For those traveling from some distance, a list of local hotels is provided in the invitation.
8. Child care is available by reservation only for children ages 6 and under.
PASTORS....it is your job to get this information out to the congregation.
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WOW!
AND WOW AGAIN!
Let's say that one more time...
WOW!
Here's a few truths for you to ponder:
* We, as CCNC-N family are wonderfully generous! (This proclamation is based on the good news that YOU have donated and/or pledged $22,925 for the Annual Fund through the Phon-a-thon.)
* We, as CCNC-N family, are closing in on that $25,000 goal!
* We, as the Phon-a-thon Calling Team simply couldn't reach everyone we wanted to by phone. If you missed our call, we are sorry we couldn't connect. Because we estimate that we missed at least 40 persons, who are previous donors, we are making one last effort to call some more Disciples across the Region. This will be done by Sept. 21.
Another great truth is that your donation, support, prayers and willingness to help in so many ways is always completely appreciated. Repeating...another great truth is that your donation, support, prayers and willingness to help in so many ways is always completely appreciated.
Hopefully in the next few weeks, together we can celebrate the announcement that we have not only met our goal but we have exceeded it! And the answer to your burning question is, "Yes, it's quite OK for you to donate more than your pledge amount, or even to donate more than once!"
For on-line giving capabilities...both by credit/debit card. Follow this link.
For "snail mail" giving: mail a check or send us your credit card #: CCNC-N Phon-a-thon, 9260 Alcosta Blvd. Suite C-18, San Ramon, 94583.
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 OUR PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS FOR THE 140 WOMEN WHO ARE GATHERING THIS WEEK-END FOR THE FALL RETREAT AT MISSION SPRINGS
They will be blessed for sure by their keynote speaker, Amy Gopp, whose powerful stories of the work of Week of Compassion will empower them to become "Spirit Empowered Women."
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 PLEASE NOTE THAT THE JUSTICE COMMISSION HAS ONE OPEN SEAT AT THIS TIME. YOU MAY JUST BE THE PERSON TO FILL THAT SEAT. READ ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MEMBER OF THE JUSTICE COMMISSION AND HOW TO APPLY: www.ccncn.org
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 Regional Disciples Men Retreat October 12 -14 at Palo Alto First Christian Church Theme "Faith of Our Fathers, Faith of Our Sons"
You can register and pay online!
Or, you can register and pay by mail
Registration DEADLINE is September 28.
We've got more Good News on the Retreat!
...Saturday afternoon activities for half-price: San Jose Tech Museum or Golf.
...Save on housing - stay at the church in the Fireside
Room (sounds nice!) Bring your own sleeping bag or air mattress.
...The hotel is amazing: A tropical setting (in Palo Alto?!), artifacts from around the world, and beautiful rooms.
And here are the details:Full Range of Housing Options: ...Hotel lodging will be at Dinah's Garden Hotel, located at 4261 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. It is located about 2 miles from the church. Go to their website for more information: www.dinahshotel.com
...You can commute from home if you like.
...Your registration will include all 5 meals no matter where you stay (4 if you register for one night only) - and they will be great!
...Discounts in the amount of $20 are available for students and first-timers.
...Limited scholarships are also available.
...Here's the Fee Schedule
Full Retreat (Friday dinner through Sunday worship)...
Shared room at hotel $225
Private room at hotel 325
Commuting 85
Staying at church 85
Staying one night only...
Shared room at hotel $135
Private room at hotel 185
Commuting 75
Staying at church 75
Hotel reservations cannot be guaranteed for retreat registrations received after October 5th.
Men of faith can learn a great deal from each other. Much of the work of growing in faith happens in personal contact with men in the church. This type of interaction can transcend generations and cultures and build relationships of friendship and mutual benefit. All men of all of our churches are invited to attend and bring along a friend, a son, a father, a cousin. You will find each one has something to gain and something to offer.
 Our leader will be Roger Jenks, Senior Pastor at Grace Community Christian Church in Aurora, IL, an amazing speaker with a very wide background including writing Biblical curriculum, religion correspondent for a CBS affiliate, speaker at youth events and adult events and retreat and conferences, composer with published music and a tennis pro!!
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 2012 Regional Unity Festival Mark your calendars NOW for our first ever CCNC-N Unity Festival. To be held on Saturday, November 3rd from 10-5 at United Congregational Christian Church of Lodi - as central a location as we could find! Enjoy food, games, worship and performances that celebrate the cultural diversity of our Region.
..."Everyone should attend this event" ~ Jim
..."Other than Ben's retirement festivities - this will be the best party of the year." ~ Sue
..."Lodi is just beautiful that time of year" ~ Mike
..."I wouldn't miss if for the world." ~ Karen
If the experts say it is the place to be, it must be true! Load up the car, bring out the family - heck, why not bring the whole church? It's one day of fun, culture, faith and friends. What could be better?
We're still accepting booth registration forms - so if you or your church wants to have a little fund raiser, put together a plan and share your ministry with all of us! For more information, go to www.ccncn.org.
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 HOT NEWS CHURCHES TO HOLD IN PRAYER
Congregation to pray for this week: Sierra Christian Church, Loomis; Greater Sacramento Area; Interim Pastor Alan Hilberg.
Congregation to pray for next week: First Christian Church, Merced; North San Joaquin Area; Pastor Gene Hill.
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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HELP NEEDED
First Samoan Congregational Christian Church of Sacramento (that 30 voice magnificent choir who sang to open Saturday morning at Annual Gathering), is beginning the final building work on their new 350 seat sanctuary!! Their Church Extension loan has been approved and they are so excited!! Here's how you can help?? They would love to hire Disciples to head the electrical work and the landscaping!!
If you are interested call, Pastor Sal:
Rev. Salesa Fatu Faalau, FS
First Samoan Congregational Christian Church in Sacramento
(916) 922-2220 Office
(916) 642-0501 Mobile
www.efkaslaumua.org
Closing Service for Galt Christian Church Announced-Sept. 30 at 4:00 p.m.
After 157 years of ministry, the remaining members of Galt CC have made the difficult decision to close the worship and gathering ministry of this congregation.
You are invited to this special Closing Service to be held at the Galt Historical Society Building at 555 C Street in Galt. All former members and friends of this congregation are welcome. Regional Minister, Ben Bohren will preach the concluding service and former pastor, Josh Wilson, current Commissioned Minister, Jimmie Hollingsworth, and Regional Elder, Diane Wilson will be among the participants. Please contact Chair of the Board, DonnaFletcher, if you plan to attend: donnafletcher732@aol.com
 ANNOUNCING 2013 SUMMER CAMP DATES
(Yes, you have them already!!)
Community of the Great Commission
June 6-9- Adult Camp
June 23-29- Junior and ChiRho Camps
June 29-July 1- Grandparents and Me Session 1
June 30- July 6- CYF Camp
July 1-3- Grandparents and Me Session II
South San Joaquin-TBA
UPCOMING REGIONAL EVENTS
1. Special Workshop for Ministering to Children in the midst of Disaster
Modesto, California October 5-6, 2012
Modesto Church of the Brethren- 2301 Woodland Ave
Cost is $75
Disciples Week of Compassion is supporting this event and hopeful that Disciples will be in attendance.
Either Contact Diana Messamer - e-mail DMessamer@comcast.net 209 601-1070 (c) or
you can register online: http://www.brethren.org/cds/training/dates.html
Background Information: Since 1980 Children's Disaster Services has been caring for children after disasters in shelters and assistance centers by providing volunteers
specially trained and certified to care for children who have experienced a disaster. Using techniques that utilize toys that encourage expression, volunteers provide a calm safe and reassuring presence in the midst of the chaos created by a disaster. Although we are part of Church of the Brethren Disaster Ministries, our workshop is open to anyone over the age of 18. Please visit our website for more information. www.childrensdisasterservices.org
2. "Tea for the Soul"
A one-day women's retreat with Diane Wilson and other fabulous women leaders.
Sat. Oct. 6, 9:00am-3:00pm
Sierra Christian Church in Loomis. $25 includes lunch.
Sponsored by Women of Spirit and Action (DOC/UCC Women Partnership). For more information:
http://www.ccncn.org/tea-for-soul-reg-flyer-2102.pdf
3. Spiritual Retreat for Chaplains and Spiritual Caregivers
"Creating Sacred Space For Ourselves"
An afternoon retreat...Friday, October 26, 2:00-6:00 pm
Sierra CC, Loomis
Includes Interactive Presentation, Labyrinth Walk, Music and Light Supper
Cost: $35.00
Registration materials available soon. Contact Diane Wilson, dianewilson2008@hotmail.com.
4. Bread for the World Sunday
Vince Mezzera, former moderator at FCC Vallejo, now working for Bread for the World in Washington, DC, has a challenge for CCNC-N:
"Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. We have thousands of member congregations joining us in our efforts to change the policies, programs, and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist. Yet I have been surprised at how few Disciples congregations are among them. But we can change that, and Bread for the World Sunday (on October 21 or another date this fall) is the perfect time to start! This is a chance to join with Christians nationwide as we lift up our voices together in prayer and worship on behalf of poor and hungry people. Participation could be as simple as a few prayers about hunger during worship--nothing complex necessary; we would just love to have as many different churches as possible participate in some fashion. You can see the resources I have helped put together for this event at www.bread.org/sunday - please take a look and prayerfully consider whether your congregation can participate!"
5. South San Joaquin Churches Host Bible Study
"Is Homosexuality a Sin?" - A Serious
Question Only the Church Can Answer
Fri., Sept. 28 6:30-8:30 - Sat. Sept. 29 9-4
First Christian Church, Selma
Disciples are welcome to participate in this engaging study led by Rev. Dr. Sharon Warner, Retired Dean & Adjunct Faculty, Lexington Theological Seminary, as we explore the Bible references often (and sometimes not so often) connected to the question, "Is homosexuality a sin?" The purpose is three-fold 1) Give grounding in the Bible for those who know what they believe. 2) Give a discernment process for those who do not know what they believe by which one may see what God is saying. 3) Hear and understand a position not our own which will deepen and strengthen our own faith through humility. Free registration is available by contacting FCC Selma at 559-896-2691 by Monday, Sept. 24.
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Because we deeply value our relationship with you and the wider church, I'm writing to share news about our opening for a Compaņeras/os Ministry Coordinator at Eden United Church of Christ in Hayward, California. We anticipate that the successful candidate will be bilingual in English and Spanish and have education and experience in one or more of the following areas: social work, public education, divinity, community health, cultural anthropology, community organizing,
human services, or the like. Compensation will be commensurate with education and experience, and Eden's employee compensation rate. The position is posted on the following job board:
Craig's List/SF/East Bay.
Applicants should send a resume and cover letter via e-mail as found in the listings. Applications are being considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
...NORTHBRAE COMMUNITY CHURCH, BERKELEY
We seek an experienced SENIOR MINISTER: a strong communicator with a commitment to diversity and inclusivity who is willing to lead us on our spiritual journeys and provide us with spiritual challenges. Northbrae is a theologically inclusive, progressive, independent church founded in 1914. Our 150 member congregation, a community of seekers, is composed principally of educated professional people from a variety of religious and non-religious backgrounds brought together by the common desire for spiritual growth and understanding. Northbrae has a tradition of seeking wisdom and spiritual nourishment from diverse sources and traditions. Our facilities are located about two miles north of the University of California, Berkeley and the Graduate Theological Union. If interested, please go to http://www.northbrae.org/packet.html to download the application packet and further information about this position. (Northbrae's two most recent pastors have been Disciples Ron Sebring and Christy Newton).
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REGIONAL STAFF NEWS
Please continue to keep Kyung Min Daniel and Nancy Lee as begin to emerge from the shock of the loss of three of their four parents in the last month. Only Daniel's mother is still living. Cards can be sent to: 3422 Flora Vista Ave. Santa Clara, 95051
Bill, as our Regional Minister of Faith and Giving, has been upgrading his knowledge of fund-raising all this week, attending a course, Fundamentals of Fundraising, by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Bill found it very helpful as he steps into this important role for the Region.
Paula asks for continued prayers for her mother, Bessie, who is progressing slowly from her fall and surgery. Also, it's Mission Springs week-end, Paula's largest event of the year! Your ongoing prayers are appreciated.
Ben is leading a retreat over the week-end for FCC North Hollywood Elders. He will be out of the office on Monday.
Sandhya is now in the regional office only one day a week on Wednesdays. She can still be reached via e-mail and voice mail on a regular basis.
From Cliff: Please continue to keep our grandson, LaFrance Cole, in your prayers as he has been deployed to Afghanistan in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Clearance Unit).
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YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS...
Yes, next summer seems so far away but it is not too late to make your vacation plans now for Orlando!!
You can read more about 2013 General Assembly
And you can watch a PowerPoint about the General Assembly.
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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!
SEPTEMBER 14-16- Mission Springs Women's Fall Retreat
18- Recognition and Standing Committee- RO
21-23- Playing with Fire Missional Event in southern CA
22- Regional Ad-Ministrative Committee- RO
22-23 - RYC meeting at FCC San Lorenzo
27- Regional Resources Committee- West Sac.
30- FCC Merced 100th Anniversary
30- Galt CC Closing Service- 4:00
OCTOBER
3- Training and Care Committee-PSR
6- Regional Executive Committee- Livermore
13- Justice Commission- Livermore
13- ACTS Team- Vacaville
12-14- Regional Men's Retreat- FCC Palo Alto
19-20- Regional Elders Retreat- "Amazing Grace"
20- Celebration of Ben's Ministry
24- Regional Staff 10:00-1:30
27- Regional Ministry Council
30- Serra Center Board Meeting- Fremont
NOVEMBER
3- Unity Festival UCC Lodi
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CELEBRATIONS & PRAYERS
CELEBRATIONS
Congratulations to Christian Church Homes, our Disciples founded and related ministry for affordable housing for seniors, held its Annual Celebration this past Friday night at the Marriott Downtown, Oakland with hundreds of people attending.
It was a very special night for Disciples!!
...Pastor Clarence Johnson, Mills Grove CC, Oakland and former Moderator of CCNC-N, received the first Annnual Community Award.
...Janice Williams, Administrator of Westlake Terrace, CCH's largest facility with over 400 residents, presented the first Annual Stellar Resident Award to CCH's Senior Advocates, who help Sacramento lawmakers never forget the needs of seniors.
...Disciples Minister, the Rev. Verlin Stump, founder of CCH, was postumously awarded the first Annual Lifetime Founders Award.
...Our Region had a full table of our Executive Committee and Regional Staff present.
...And of course, CCH President and CEO, Don Stump, (known to many in our Region as "the announcement guy at Annual Gathering), beemed the whole night.
...And in the background, helping to prepare all the details of this huge event were Doral Main, our Annual Gathering Registrar; and the Rev. John Rodenberg, CCH Director of Development, and former pastor at Mayfair CC, Stocton and former CCNC-N Moderator.
...All this and the honor that 10 of the CCH Board members are Disciples made this a great evening for Disciples.
New members as reported: Cottage Way CC Sacramento (1 adult baptism and 1 adult transfer); United CC, Fresno (2 adult transfers)
FCC Merced is holding their Centennial Celebration- 100 years of serving the Merced community in God's work! Two special events: Centennial Dinner and Program on Saturday, September 29 at 6:00 p.m. (catered meal) and Centennial Worship on Sunday, September 30 at 10:30 (Old Fashioned Worship Service-wear Centennial clothing) followed by catered lunch at 12:00 noon. Ben will be preaching at the Sunday morning service. Reservations for both meals are requested no later than September 9. Please phone the church office at 209-383-1442. All are invited.
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Our prayers for Bruce Kieft, who has recently been diagnosed with stomach cancer and will have surgery very soon. Bruce is the Moderator of FCC Fremont and Chair of the Construction Committee with Niles Discovery Church (Niles Discovery is
the merger of FCC Fremont and Niles UCC). He also chairs the Serra Center Board as one of the five Disciples serving in leadership for that ministry. Cards can be sent to:41204 Thurston Street, Fremont, 94538
Rev. Kay McFarland, retired Disciples minister, is having double knee replacement on September 10, which is 6 days before her birthday. She has also been suffering with Shingles since March of this year. Your prayers are much appreciated. Cards can be sent to: 2091 Strobridge Ave., Castro Valley, CA 94546.
Our prayers continue for John Grose, key leader and former Moderator at FCC Vallejo:
"Well, another mountain to climb. My cancer is much larger so I start the next round of chemo next week. The doctor gives this round a very high prob ability of knocking the cancer down." John has just completed the first two days of chemo and this routine will be repeated once a month for 5 months. We send out prayers for healing and strength to John and wife Beth.
Rev. Kathy Smith, retired minister at Sacramento First Christian Church is anxiously waiting important tests results following colon surgery. Your prayers are much appreciated. Cards can be sent to: 2809 14th Street, Sacramento, 95818
Latest update on Pastor Taulau Tupua, Via Dolorosa Samoan Congregational CC of Modesto who is beginning another three month series of chemotherapy, once a week. This series is making him quite ill. All of this is in preparation to undergo a bone marrow transplant at Stanford Medical Center. Fortunately, his older sister is a perfect match! Your prayers are deeply appreciated. Cards can be sent to: 2329 Senimi Circle, Ceres, 95307.
We are so pleased to say that Hazel James, who was placed in hospice care a month ago, is now, up and around and getting stronger and stronger! Hazel is a member at United Disciples Fellowship, San Jose, and for years a member at FCC San Jose and very active in regional leadership and programming. Our prayers of love and care continue.
This request from FCC Alameda, Associate Pastor, Dr. Gloria Wilson: Please add my son for prayers:
Lt. MaShon M. Wilson
B/4-319 AFAR, 173d ABCT
FOB Airborne, Afghanistan
APO, AE 09364
Our prayers continue for Marlene Elliott, who along with her husband Bill, are decades long members and key leaders at FCC Corning, and both have several terms on the Regional Board. She has just two chemo treatments left and the doctors can find no sign of the lymphoma. She deeply appreciates the prayers of so many. Send cards to: PO Box 474, Corning, 96021.
We continue to keep Pastor Mark Foglio, Oakdale CC in our prayers. Mark is about to get the second series of deep injections to address herniated disks in his back and neck. Cards of support can be sent to: Oakdale CC, 330 Maxwell Avenue, Oakdale 95361.
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! 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:
Darrell Burrell, FCC Redding
Bea Tiffee, FCC Dos Palos Violet Fields, FCC Oakland Wanda, daughter of Gloria Baxter of Raynor Park CC
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FINAL WORD-
Our Region recently received this e-mail from Rev. Georges and Gertrude Ngoka, our Global Mission Partners in the Republic of Congo. As they refer to Charlotte Lomponda, remember that she was sponsored by our Women's Ministries to visit our Region several years ago, but then was prohibited from doing so because of a VISA mix-up. As a key leader in the Disciples there, she died suddenly last month. Rev. Georges refers to her and to our Region in this note. We continue to celebrate the two week visit of the Ngokas with us this past April, and especially their time with 400 of us at Annual Gathering.
"Hello Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:The memorial service for Manman (Charlotte) Lomponda was celebrated last Saturday. The highlights of the service included:- Her biography, which was done by her oldest son, Bienvenu (Welcome)- Testimonies by 2 women and a man who knew her well
- A word of thanks to her home church (Church of Disciples of Christ), the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Northern Ca-NV and to Global Ministries. - Songs that were composed by various choirs inspired by the history or good works of Dorcas in the Bible
- Viewing of the video that was recorded during the funeral service in Kinshasa
- I also inform you that I was the preacher of the day. My text was taken from Ecclesiates 1:2-3 and 7:1-4. The theme was "Vanity of Vanities, All is Vanity." It was at the end of everything that we (Pastor Eleka and myself) gave to her children in private the equivalent of $200 letting them know the origin of the money (from Northern Ca-NV).
Thank you until the next time.
Rev. George Ngoka.
World Communion Sunday- October 7
Established in 1936, when the world was deeply fragmented by the conflict that would be later known as World War II, World Communion Sunday (originally called World Wide Communion Sunday) has been an observance to help Christians all over the world affirm their unity in Jesus Christ as it is expressed so beautifully at the Lord's Table. Originating in the Presbyterian Church in 1936, the idea of World Communion Sunday was embraced and promoted by the Federal Council of Churches (now the National Council of Churches) in 1940. Other denominations, including the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), began to join in this annual witness to Christian unity, which takes place on the first Sunday in October.
There are a host of materials available for this special Sunday. Check out these wonderful materials:
"A Reflection on World Communion Sunday"
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