 HOT NEWS CHURCHES TO HOLD IN PRAYER
Congregation to pray for this week: First Christian Church, Paradise; Mt. Lassen Area; Co-pastors David Hayes and Janice McCollester.
Congregation to pray for this week: First Christian Church, Porterville; South San Joaquin Area; Pastor Joe Gentzler.
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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A message from Bill Garrett, regional staff, about this year's Christmas offering
The word "gush" has become one of my favorite words lately. I suppose one reason for this recent attraction to the word is because I am rarely a "gushy" person. After all, according to the dictionary, to gush is "to flow forth suddenly in great volume." Water can gush, for example, if a high pressure water hydrant is turned on. Or, people can gush, for example, if a cute grand baby is present. Even so, it has often appeared to me that to gush is to go overboard and beyond the boundaries.
However, lately I have come to realize that I am missing out on a very important part of life by not allowing myself to gush more often. Rather than merely appreciating a beautiful sunset, gushing more accurately describes its profound beauty and the emotions it stirs within me. Rather than merely complimenting an amazing performance in music, art, (or, yes, even a sporting event), why not gush over it when it has exceeded all expectations and left me completely in awe. There's even my wife's cherry pie...gushing is absolutely the right response. The list of experiences that actually call for gushing rather than a polite affirmation goes on, does it not?
And then we come to the 2012 Christmas Offering. Yes, a polite offering of financial support would be pleasant. Kind of like a warm round of applause. Kind of like a pat on the back.
And yet, the very concept of what Christmas is and what it represents surely goes beyond anything that fits into the "kind of" category. THE gift has been given. THE gift has been received. And how do we respond to THE gift?
Our Region, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Northern California-Nevada strives to fully live into this gift by all of the wondrous ministries in which we are involved. You most likely know the list...as well as have your own list. Through CCNCN ministries, we are better informed, inspired and called to live lives filled with expectation and gratitude. Through CCNCN ministries, we are making a difference in the lives of individuals, congregations, and the world.
The Christmas Offering will be received December 9 and 16, and 100% of our gifts stay in CCNCN to fund the regional ministries. What a great time to show our support by our financial gifts. It would be a wonderful time to gush!
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Exciting announcement from Vacaville Christian Church on their interim search
Pastor Arne Larsen will begin his interim ministry here on Wednesday, November 28th. He was overwhelmingly voted in at a congregational meeting after he preached for us on November 18th. His first official Sunday as our Pastor is December 2nd. Thank you all for your prayers for our church during this Search process!
Jill Teer, Administrative Assistant for the Christian Church of Vacaville.
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Earl Lectures and Leadership Conference, January 29-31, Pacific School of Religion. (Early bird registration ends November 30! Group, student, retired/fixed income discounts available.) "We are Family: Real Faith, Real Family in the Real World." Featuring Margaret Farley, Stephanie Coontz, Miguel De La Torre and Barbara Essex. Learn about engaging ways to introduce Christian practices and rituals into your family life, attend a full-sensory worship design workshop with Marcia McFee, find out ways your church can partner with nonprofit organizations to support social justice work with the San Francisco Foundation, and network with scholars, activists, and other religious organizations. New this year: workshop tracks for clergy, parents, mental health professionals, and activists - more than 35 options to choose from! Attend a pastoral care roundtable with Dr. Peter Yuichi Clark, get the latest research on families and spirituality with Dr. Annette Mahoney, hear about what churches can do to prevent sexual abuse, learn about spiritual care for returning veterans and their families with Rev. Penny Philips, and find out about intentional retirement communities and building family among diverse senior populations. Plus: 15 BBS accredited CE contact hours, Theology on Tap, and a special showing of the film "La Mission" featuring a talk with writer/director Peter Bratt. Visit www.psr.edu/earllectures for more information.
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Youth and adults--Join Regional Youth Council!
Be inspired and be an inspiration!
Applications are being accepted for the Regional Youth Council 2013, both youth and adults. The application and recommendation forms are due no later than February 1st. All forms must be complete and into the regional office no later than Feb 1 or they will not be accepted. Because of the early Annual Gathering, applications are due earlier this year. Also, applicants will need to attend the Annual Gathering at least on March 2 if not the whole weekend. Applicants will be informed by phone after Feb Camp. The application can be found at http://www.ccncn.org/youth.htm and guidelines can be found at http://ccncn.org/ryc-guidelines-2013.pdf . Good Luck and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me: cccrafting@comcast.net. It should be a great year.
-Carl Cordes
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2013 SUMMER CAMP DATES (Grandparents and Me Sessions will not be held on July 4!) Community of the Great Commission Camps 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 June 23-28- South San Joaquin at Camp Pacifica ............................................. 2012 Phon-a-thon Update We're getting closer...and closer...and closer! Latest Results: - Donations Received - $24,870
- Pledged Amount - $28,315
If you remember, our original goal was $25,000. Because of your generosity we are so very close to reaching this goal. But, we also have the opportunity to go beyond that amount and reach an all-time high according to the pledges that have been made. And, in case you are wondering, the extra money will come in very, very handy to provide funding for many of our projects and ministries that are behind. So, that means we still need $3,445 to come in to reach our pledged amount. If you happen to be one of our almost-Phon-a-thon-givers why not fulfill your pledge today? You can either send your donation check into the Regional Office, or use our online option at http://ccncn.webconnex.com/2012phonathon (or just click on the red Phon-a-thon Donation button on this page and our website).  However you decide to send your donation, your support of the ministries of CCNCN is greatly appreciated! .............................................
 A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW A.C.T.S. Program Coordinator--please read and respond, clergy and laity alike! The A.C.T.S. Program (Academy of Christian Training and Study) was initially launched three years ago by CCNC-N to provide quality instruction to support the lay ministry of the local churches. Over those three years, top notch instructors have presented a wide variety of courses have been offered in an equally wide variety of formats. The ACTS team brought you courses that galloped you through the Bible, strengthened your spiritual practice, developed your Ad-Ministry muscles, and equipped you for evangelism. These courses have been offered in in a classroom format, online, in Geographic area groups, single day workshops, and weekend retreats. In all, the A.C.T.S. curriculum has served an estimated 500 participants throughout the Region. I am ready to meet the challenge of supporting local churches with continued excellence in education as we enter into this time of transition. As we enter a new era, we must consider how we will meet it. The curriculum chosen over the next year will be crucial to supporting local churches as they navigate how best to share the Gospel in communities that are richly diverse. But I will need your help: 1) I am not able to be at your churches on Sunday mornings on a regular basis. I do not know who among you have a passion for Christian Education. I invite local pastors, elders, deacons, Sunday School teachers, and Sunday School Students (that about covers it) to contact me with the names of people who can bring their talent to the A.C.T.S. team. 2) The best curriculum is chosen with input from the students and potential teachers. I want to hear from you! Pastors should be on the lookout soon for a survey that will help the A.C.T.S. team select of design curriculum that will address your immediate concerns or needs for your community. I'm looking forward to the coming year. Please don't hesitate to contact me with your input, and your suggestions for possible team members. I can be reached at frzzled@gmail.com. Many blessings, Laura Pierson ACTS Program Coordinator ...............................................................
UPCOMING REGIONAL EVENTS First Christian Church, Vallejo invites you to our milestone 15th Annual Global Holiday Faire,
Saturday, December 1st,
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
FCC Vallejo, 1035 Indiana St.
With Fair Trade gifts from around the world (from SERRV, Handcrafting Justice, Global Mamas, and Bead for Life), plus crafts, gift baskets, and baked goods, alternative giving, and our famous chili lunch! Join churches in Vallejo, Benicia, and American Canyon for
Come see what's made this event such a successful part of our community for 15 years!
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 Young Adult Christmas Event 2012 Sat., Dec. 29, noon to Sun., Dec. 30, noon. Forest Hill Christian Church, 250 Laguna Honda Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94116 Register for $11 by Dec. 7: (1) Online at: https://ccncn.webconnex.com/2012yachristmasevent (2) Fill out this form and mail it with your $11 to: CCNC-N, 9260 Alcosta Blvd., # C-18, San Ramon, CA 94583-4143. Call Rev. Michael Carlson, Director of Young Adult Ministries, at 916-206-2468 with any questions. Thanks!
Check out the CCNC-N website and our FB page (facebook.com/groups/30684014515/) for more details.
.................................................................. ATTENTION ALL CLERGY Clergy Continuing Education Grant Application Process Due to DHM being in the process of migrating our website to a new provider, the Clergy Continuing Education Grant application process dates have changed. The application process will be open from December 1, 2012 - January 31, 2013 -- to receive requests from Disciples clergy seeking continuing education funds for programs/event/activities in 2013. Any Commissioned and Ordained Disciples Clergy with Standing may apply. The maximum possible award for any individual clergy will be no more than $500. Unfortunately, due to the economic downturn, block grants to regions or other Disciples groups will not be considered into the foreseeable future. Availability of individual grants will be dependent upon total number of applicants. Applications received during the Dec./Jan. application process, will be evaluated and considered during the month of February, 2013; final decisions regarding approved awards will be announced by Mid-March 2013, at the latest. No other applications will be accepted for 2013 outside of the process described above. Please send your application beginning December 1, 2012! (link "application" to www.discipleshomemissions.org/pages/CV-ContEd ............................................. SAVE THE DATE! A VERY SPECIAL MARTIN LUTHER KING CELEBRATION:
The region's Reconciliation Committee proudly announces a new CCNC-N MLK celebration
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Mills Grove Christian Church
Communicating Across Cultural Divides:
1-3PM, inspirational panel and workshops by people in our region who have done remarkable work around bridging cultural gaps
3-4PM, Repast (snacks and socializing)
4-5PM, Worship, including the honoring of our MLK scholarship recipient and our MLK Award recipient
Your whole congregation will both be educated and inspired by this unique event--don't miss out!
............................................. CYF FebCamp 2013, Grades 9-12 "Feb Camp 2013 will again be held at Camp Tuolumne Trails in Groveland. Rev. Jesse Kearns will be our keynote speaker this year. Good fun, good friends, good talks, good music and who knows maybe some good snow. Invite your friends. Registrations are due on February 9, 2013. If you would like more information, just let me know."--Carl Cordes, youth ministries, cccrafting@comcast.net. Saturday, February 16 @ 10am-Monday -
February 18 @ 11am
Camp Tuolumne Trails
22988 Ferretti Road, Groveland, CA
Cost: $160.00 youth; $140.00 adult
Registration deadline is February 9, 2013
Keynoted by Rev. Jesse Kearns
Directed by Carl Cordes Registrations and Medical Forms available
online at www.ccncn.org/youth Back to top |
Per requests around the region,
