 HOT NEWS CHURCHES TO HOLD IN PRAYER
Congregation to pray for this week: Iglesia del Pueblo de Porterville, South San Joaquin Area; Pastor Heraclio Hernandez.
Congregation to pray for this week: First Christian Church, Redding; Mt. Lassen Area; Pastor Heather Hennessey.
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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I invite you to take a Sabbath moment. Just click on the link and spend the next 4 minutes listening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0kxWXHETlU
This song, "Shepherd Me, O God," was written by Marty Haugen. Actually, it's more than a song to me. It's more like a reminder of our relationship with God and the special love we have received. The music itself is comforting and brings me to a peaceful place. The lyrics add to the music by creating a sense that we are cherished by God and we are invited to live with confidence and humility.
Ahhhh, a moment of Sabbath! How good it feels, and how much it is needed in our busy world and challenging lifestyles. It often leads me to the question of where would I be without the gifts we share as people of faith? Our foundations are built upon the joyful receiving of God's grace and presence - in the past, in the present, and in the future. How thankful I am for the church - local congregations, regional ministries, and denominational support.
Welcome to the Christmas Offering!
As you most likely already know, Christmas is the only special day offering which stays 100% right here in CCNC-N to support the vast array of ministries that undergird the whole mission of our Region!
Together, as the CCNCN regional family, we continue finding ways to share moments of Sabbath. In worship, in service, in faith formation, and in fellowship. So many ways. So many opportunities. So very needed.
Please consider giving generously to the Christmas Special Offering to continue the gift we received from an amazing God who came to earth to be with us.
Bill Garrett, Minister of Faith and Giving
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We continue to anticipate the arrival of the Rev. Mary E. Jacobs of Tempe, AZ, Transitional Interim Regional Minister (TIRM). The TIRM Position will begin in January, with a one year contract that can be extended by the Regional Personnel Committee and the Executive Council until a new Regional Minister is called. In December, Mary will be making arrangements to find a home in the Bay Area and will relocate during the first week of January. Mary's first day in the Regional Office will be January 7th.
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Announcing the retirement of Rev. Heather Hennessey, Senior Pastor of First Christian Church in Redding, CA. On December 31, 2012 she'll be completing 19 wonderful years with FCC Redding and 25 years of ministry in CCNC-N. Contact Evie Hinkle-Blank at office@fccredding.org for party plans!
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Longest Night Service at Niles Discovery Church,
255 H St., Fremont
December 21, 7:30 p.m.
A service of Light in the Midst of Darkness
For many, Christmas time is a bittersweet time of year. For people who are dealing with grief, significant life changes, sobriety, and other challenges, this time of year can be especially difficult. This is also the time of year with the longest nights, so on the longest night of the year we will offer a special meditative worship service that makes time for remembering and sharing our hurting places with God le it opens our hearts to hope.
Join us on Friday, December 21, at 7:30 p.m. for a time of special music, scripture, stories, silent reflection, and healing prayer. The service will be followed by a simple time of fellowship for those who wish to participate.
Attendees will be invited light candles during the service as a quiet response and act of prayer. Pastor Jeff Spencer hopes that the service will provide a space for people "to release their anger, face their emptiness, have a good cry (if that's what they need), and know that God cares."
Also at Niles Discovery Church, 255 H St., Fremont,
Good-bye potluck for Pastor Steve
December 30, 11:30 a.m.
Come to a potluck luncheon to say "good bye" to Pastor Steve Kindle on Sunday, December 30, following worship. Pastor Steve retires from active ministry at the end of the month. Everyone is encouraged to attend and to bring something to share at the meal. The focus is on fun and celebration. There might even be a time for sharing stories and memories of Steve's ministry with First Christian Church and Niles Discovery Church.
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North American Pacific and Asian Disciples (NAPAD) annual Korean Convocation will happen in this region!
A planning team consisting of our regional Korean Disciple pastors is preparing the upcoming Korean Disciples Convocation in January 2013. Alameda First Christian Church will host the convocation between January 21 and 24, 2013. For more information, please contact Kyung-Min Daniel Lee at (408) 679-7769. Particular thanks to our regional NAPAD minister, Kyung-Min, for his hard work to make this a success.
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Earl Lectures and Leadership Conference, January 29-31, Pacific School of Religion.
 "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. Also workshop tracks for clergy, parents, mental health professionals, and activists - more than 35 options to choose from!
-- On Wednesday, January 30, there's a DSF Luncheon, from 12:15-1:45 pm. All Disciples are welcome! Please register online at www.psr.edu/earllectures.
-- Also on Wednesday, from 3:15 to 4:15 pm, Jon Berquist (president of Disciples Seminary Foundation) is offering a workshop on "From Kinship to the Family of God: Families in Biblical Imagination."
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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ATTENTION ALL CLERGY: Please be aware that you will be receiving Yearbook forms in early January. Each year we must submit specific information to the general church for publishing in the general church yearbook of standing. This form will be mailed out to churches in early January, and the information must be turned into the regional office by Feb. 20--so be sure to get your 2012 records in order now to hit the ground running when the form comes! Due to staff transitions, we PLEAD with you to fill out your form promptly to alleviate stress. Thank you for helping us out! ............................................. 2012 Phon-a-thon Update We're getting closer...and closer...and closer! If you have not become one of our 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! ............................................. New Church News!
At the most recent meeting of the New Church Committee, we interviewed and accepted three new congregations under care! Over the coming months, you will learn more about Iglesia del Caliz (church of the chalice) - a joint DOC/MCC church start in Watsonville, The Ubuntu Community - an intentional hip-hop community in Oakland, and All Soul's Church - a joint UCC/DOC church start in Napa. All three new ministries are exciting new experiments in creating faith communities and they need our prayers over the coming months and years.
We also received word that Primera Iglesia Cristiana de Fresno has decided that it is time to melt back into the body of Christ. Not every new church venture will live into the great dreams we have for them. But the experiment is never a failure! God is at work in Fresno and there is no telling what seeds have been sown and how God will bring forth the harvest.
Finally, we celebrated the joy of our first ever Unity Festival - held November 3rd in Lodi. It was a great event - inspiring, uplifting, and challenging. We demonstrated the first steps toward building relationships across the ethnic, geographic and theological diversity that is our Region. Many people in attendance commented how much they are looking forward to our next Unity Festival! When you see it advertised, make sure you get it on your calendar!
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UPCOMING REGIONAL EVENTS Raynor Park Christian Church is introducing a Scholarship in memory of Pastor Nordean Baxter. We are extending an invitation to you and your congregation to join us in the first annual Scholarship Musical: Saturday December 15, 2012 4-6:00 PM Raynor Park Christian Church 1515 Partridge Ave. Sunnyvale, Ca 94087. We are featuring The Leggett's and Linda Paulavich, along with several other Bay Area Artists. Long time radio Gospel Music hostess, Ms. Shelia Robinson, will be the Mistress of Ceremonies. We invite you and your congregation to come and join us in honoring the memory of Pastor Nordean Baxter. Call 408-736-8821 if you need more information. We look forward to seeing you there.
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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 ............................................. REALLY EXCITING NEWS ABOUT THE UPCOMING MLK EVENT: You won't want to miss this year's celebration, where we will honor two truly exceptional people: The winner of the 2013 MLK Scholarship will be Micah Love of Woodland Christian Church. The winner of the 2013 MLK Award for civil rights leadership in the region is Jim Mitulski, pastor of New Spirit Community Church in Berkeley! You will not want to miss honoring these two great leaders as well as experiencing great information and inspiration at:
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,
