| Greetings!
Two important Sundays coming soon:
October 7- World Communion Sunday. |
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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
This event is FREE! To see the full invitation materials go to: www.ccncn.org
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. At this time, over 125 reservations have already been made! Don't wait! (Whether than give your name to your church to send in, why not make your own reservation??)
2. You must RSVP to attend the program and the reception but this does not guarantee any specific reserved seating for the program. If less than 400 respond, you can count on a seat somewhere depending on when you arrive. (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- tell Doral your plans on this.
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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Wait for it......
Wait for it.....
$25,470!!!
YOU'VE done it! The goal for the Phon-a-thon was $25,000 and you have surpassed it with your pledges and donations. THANK YOU!
This still means that we haven't yet actually received all of the pledged money. We really need everyone to send in their pledged amount, either by mail or through the online option.
And this also still means that if you are thinking about making a donation, this would be a GREAT time to do so. Our goal is to put the Region in the best financial shape possible by the end of the year. We need you to help for this to happen. Our goal of $25,000 is a great start, but how much greater it would be if we really exceeded it.
It could happen! Let's make it happen!
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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 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
DEADLINE IS SEPT 26 (next Wednesday).
All those who have expressed an interest or mentioned
someone they thought should apply must complete this application.
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 TIME-SENSITIVE: Deadline approaching for the MLK scholarship for college students and for nominations for the region's annual MLK awards: APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS ARE DUE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12. [Please disregard information in the applications with an October 15 date.]
...To apply for the MLK Scholarship, please fill out the form from this link: http://ccncn.org/mlk-scholarship-app-2012.pdf
...To nominate an individual from this region for the MLK Award, fill out the form from this link: http://ccncn.org/MLK-Award-Nomination-09.pdf
(Former MLK award winners have included Robert Lemon, Carl and Esther Robinson, Sandy Perry, JoAnne Kagiwada and Clarence Johnson.)
Please contact Sandhya with any questions (please contact her sooner than October 12): sandhya@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.
You may be able to attend the full Retreat for $45!!
If you sleep over at the church your registration fee is $85. If you qualify for a discount (student or first-time-attender) you save $20. If you qualify for a scholarship you save $20. That leaves $45. Don't let money keep you away!
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
The hotel has decided that since cannot guarantee an exact number of rooms in advance they will put our rooms on courtesy hold. In other words, you can guarantee your room by registering now, but later on...maybe not. (If you have to cancel later we will not be penalized, so register now.)
 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!!
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.
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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: First Christian Church, Merced; North San Joaquin Area; Pastor Gene Hill.
Congregation to pray for this week: The Urban Shepherd, Modesto; North San Joaquin; Pastor, Molly Carlson; Michael Carlson, Minister of Music and Worship
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
Please note the deadline for registration is September 28.
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.
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REGIONAL STAFF NEWS
Please continue to keep Kyung Min Daniel and Nancy Lee in your prayers 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
Paula begins vacation TODAY, September 20 and will be out of the office until October 5. She and Micheal will be camping so no communications- that means no voice mails or e-mails!! She asks for continued prayers for her mother, Bessie, who is progressing slowly from her fall and surgery.
Sandhya will be gone all week-end as one of the leaders of the special "Playing with Fire" Missional Church Event in Southern CA and then onto San Antonio for a Church Extension consultation. Also this exciting note: " I was recently published in a FREE e-book alongside with some of the biggest names in the emergent church movement (Nadia Boltz-Weber, Tony Jones, Bruce Reyes-Chow, VERITY JONES!) The book is called Renew 52: 50+ Ideas to Revitalize Your Congregation from Leaders under 50. Here's the link: http://lsem.us/r52
Cliff will be on vacation September 26- October 17. He and Connie will be in New England enjoying the fall colors and will spend time with Sue Bowman, retired Disciples minister and former CCNC-N Interim Regional Minister and local pastor.
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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Celebrating International Day of Peace
September 21
By Tai Amri Spann-Wilson, Co-Pastor at FCC Oakland
 Eleven years ago my mother's singing group, Tribe 1, performed a song called "The Saddest Thing" about the tragedy of 9/11, and they ended it with a prayer, "Mother/Father help us end this cycle."
My life since then has been about just that, trying to end the cycle of violence. I believe that our destiny is a continuation of the journey of our parents, and their parents, and their parents and so on. I've created this video from the song of my mother as a small offering to the cause of peace. May it be found holy and acceptable, and if you should weep, may you weep tears of transformation. In peace, Tai Amri.
(Tai Amri's mother is the second from the left in Orange, Niyonu Spann, the founder of the group. She is also the one who writes and arranges the majority of the music).
www.youtube.com
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
The International Day of Peace, a.k.a. "Peace Day" provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982.
In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace.
By creating the International Day of Peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all of mankind to work in cooperation for this goal. During the discussion of the U.N. Resolution that established
the International Day of Peace, it was suggested that:
Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideal of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.This day will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our organization, with all it limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace.
Since its inception, Peace Day has marked our personal and planetary progress toward peace. It has grown to include millions of people in all parts of the world, and each year events are organized to commemorate and
celebrate this day. Events range in scale from private gatherings to public concerts and forums where hundreds of thousands of people participate.
Anyone, anywhere can celebrate Peace Day. It can be as simple as lighting a candle at noon, or just sitting in silent meditation. Or it can involve getting your co-workers, organization, community or government engaged in a large event. The impact if millions of people in all parts of the world, coming together for one day of peace, is immense.
International Day of Peace is also a Day of Ceasefire - personal or political. Take this opportunity to make peace in your own relationships as well as impact the larger conflicts of our time. Imagine what a whole Day of Ceasefire would mean to humankind.
FCC Oakland and Mills Grove CC are part of a group holding a special service in conjunction with International Day of Peace. It will be held tomorrow night, Friday, September 21 from 7:00-9:00 at Mills Grove CC sponsoring a special event is at their church. Follow this web link for details.
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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
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
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.
Heading off to southern CA this week-end for the "Playing with Fire" Missional Church Event are: four Disciples seminarians, several local CCNC-N pastors and lay members. Sandhya, Ben and Steve DeFields-Gambrel (Pastor at The Circle Church) have been on the planning team. Ben will not attend as he enters the last week's of his ministry here, he felt the need to be here!
Heading off to Indianapolis this coming week, September 24-28 for HOPE Partnership Leadership Academy, are:
...Pastor Sal and wife Temu Fa'alua (First Samoan Congregational Christian Church of Sacramento); ...Pastor Iopa and wife Meaalofa Amosa (First Samoan Congregational Christian Church of Reno-meeting at FCC Sparks);
...Pastor Tai Amri Spann-Wilson (Co-Pastor, FCC Oakland)
God-speed to them for safe travel and exciting learning, inspiration and leadership training.
FROM: Pastor John Wu, Sinapi Seed Fellowship, Palo Alto
Dear All in Christ,
Praise the Lord for His aboundant providence!
My wife, Joy and I and all of us at Sinapi Seed Fellowship, want to thank you all for your generous donation toward the Women to Women Worldwide Fellowship fundraiser.
We are happy to report that the $2500 goal, to help support Joy's trip to China later this year, was met and exceeded! Thanks to God through Jesus Christ for all the donors, no matter how large or small, who came forward for this event. With sincere thanks,
Pastor John Wu
Congratulations to Chapman University! This recent news release alerts Disciples to the excellence of our Disciples-related school:
I'm pleased to report that our university has moved up from #7 to #6 in the US. News overall ranking of 121 Western comprehensive universities. We should all be very proud of the fact that this is the fifth consecutive year that Chapman moved up in the overall ranking. No other top-10 university in the nation, in any category, has moved up in such a steady manner. Over a longer time, our upward trend is even more apparent, moving up from a third-tier rank of #61 in 1990 to a top-tier rank of #6 in 2012.
New members as reported: Cottage Way CC, Sacramento (1 adult transfer)
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We send out special prayers for Kathy Smith, who served FCC Sacramento in numerous ministry positions over many years. Following her recent colon surgery, she received news that the growth was cancerous. Her spirits and faith are still strong as she recovers and makes decisions about treament. Cards can be sent to: 2809 14th Street, Sacramento, 95818
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 recovering from double knee surgery. 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 as he continues in a five month round of chemotherapy. We send out prayers for healing and strength to John and wife Beth.
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. She has the best news anyone can ask- no sign of cancer. 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-The Thrill and Joy of the 75th Annual Mission Springs Women's Ministries Event!
 Ida Withers Harrison writes in her book Forty Years of Service, a history of the Christian Women's Board of Missions, 1874-1914:
"The first thing to do before entering on any enterprise is to convert oneself thoroughly to it, and this our pioneers had done with their fixed purpose 'to do something in the missionary field.' The second step was to bring the great body of women in the church to a like state of mind."
Last weekend 134 women gathered at the Mission Springs Conference Center near Santa Cruz for the 75th year in a row to once again prove this statement!
They were inspired by the sharing of Amy Gopp, Executive Director for Week of Compassion, and
empowered by the Spirit to return to their congregations and communities to "be the one's they've been waiting for" to make a difference. However, in true fashion, they didn't wait until they got home, but acted through the Spirit of generosity all weekend.
Here are some of the results:
1) Santa Cruz Homeless Community Garden Project: Three women spent from 10:00-2:30 helping out in various tasks. We have offered this on-site mission project option since we started the Friday through Sunday format of the retreat in 2009. We've had from 3-10 women participate each year.
2). Circle Church (DOC) Street Ministries in Santa Cruz: 87 hygiene kits were assembled, plus various additional supplies and self-help books for this very crucial ministry!
3) Used Book donations: $200 (supports Regional Women's Ministries funds)
4). QA Steward/WM Scholarship: $581 (helps send a young woman to Quadrennial Assembly, and give scholarships for women to attend CCNC-N women's events.)
5). Blessing Box: $697.13 (This shows how blessed the women felt at Retreat and in their lives!) This goes 100% to the general church, with 50% to Disciples Home Missions (a portion of that comes back to CCNC-N) and 50% to International Disciples Women's Ministries
6).Sunday Retreat Offering: $3255 ($1628 to WOC Women's Empowerment Fund; see link below)
($1627 to CCNC-N Women's Ministries Operating Fund, which is 100% self-funded, supported by women's giving and donations. CCNC-N Women's Ministries is not part of the Regional Budget, other than being part of the portfolio of Paula Pociecha's regional position as staff support.)
7). Additional Week Of Compassion designated offering: $50
8). Additional Retreat/WM fund donations: $115
9). Equal Exchange Coffee/Chocolate Sales: $1093 (a portion of every sale goes to WOC and was a fundraiser for CCNC-N WM of about $313).
10) As our Faith In Action focus has been on human trafficking and modern slavery, we chose to partner with our general church partner, Equal Exchange for coffee and chocolate that we know are fair labor and fair trade:
http://www.equalexchange.coop/interfaith-program
They also have excellent fundraiser programs if your church youth/women/men/congregation are looking for something better than selling magazines or See's Candy!
Half of the Retreat Offering collected Sunday will go to a special program of Week of Compassion started at Quadrennial Assembly 2010 called the Women's Empowerment Fund.
This program states: "When we help to educate a girl, we help her whole family. To improve the life of one woman is to change the life of an entire community.This has been proven time and time again. "We can make a difference! Together, as Disciples women, we can come together to help change the status and lives of girls and women. We can contribute to their education, training, and empowerment. We can accompany them in a bold way! This fund will educate, train, and empower women all over the world and here in North America."
I am continually amazed by the generosity and faithfulness of the women of the Region, and so blessed to be part of this ministry! The incredible leadership on the Women's Ministry Council (http://www.ccncn.org/dwf.htm) are committed to providing meaningful retreats and effective tools and resources to serve the women of this Church.
Spirit-empowered, indeed! Hallelujah!
Paula Pociecha, Regional Minister for Women's Ministries and Congregational Care
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