HOT NEWS

CHURCHES TO HOLD IN PRAYER

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

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!

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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!

UPCOMING REGIONAL EVENTS

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. 

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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 

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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.    

Registrations and Medical Forms available
online at www.ccncn.org/youth  

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REGIONAL DEVOTIONAL

By Bill Garrett, Minister of Faith and Giving

    It was a fascinating dream I had the other night. It kept me entertained and puzzled...which often is the goal of a dream. I am the new pastor at a rather large church. Don't know where and I don't think I've ever seen the church before. I arrive just in time to show up for worship on the last Sunday before Christmas. It is only then that I find out we are baptizing seven youth today in worship, aged 11 to 16. It's interesting how detailed some dreams can be and yet so very vague.

    The questions started pouring into my dream. I don't see the baptisms listed in the bulletin, but the youth are there and ready. Do I have waders and a baptism gown to wear? Was I supposed to ask someone to fill the baptismal font with water...hopefully warm water? And, exactly when are these baptisms supposed to take place during the worship? A whole series of questions welcomed me into this dream scenario.

    But then the question pops up on what I am going to say to the youth and the congregation about the meaning of baptism, especially if the timing of these baptisms is supposed to tie into Advent and Christmas. My mind began scribbling on its imaginary note pad.

    Let's see, Christmas is about both giving and receiving. That's an easy one. "Tell me," I say to the youth as they gather around me, "what gift are you really hoping for this year at Christmas?" Their answers are shared with enthusiasm. "Tell me," I say to the youth, "what gift are you especially pleased with that you will be giving someone else." Of course, I tell the congregation that they are not allowed to listen to the answers to the second question, but they might want to take note of the answers to the first one. Again, the answers come forth easily.

   And then I follow up with another statement. "You know, your baptism is going to be a lot like Christmas, and yet different. You will be receiving a gift - an amazing, wonderful and meaningful gift. But this gift will accompany and nurture you for the rest of your life, because unlike a sweater, you'll never outgrow it. Unlike a game, the batteries won't run down. Unlike a gift card, you can't use it up leaving it with no value. This is a gift for life...in many, many ways." At this point, I'm amazed that the youth are following every word I say. (I told you this was a dream.)

   I follow these statements with, "Your baptism is also going to be a lot like Christmas because you will be giving an amazing, wonderful and meaningful gift as well. But your gift will be different than other gifts you give because you will be giving yourself as the gift. And, no, you don't need to wrap yourself up in special paper with a bow on top. No, you don't need to give a gift receipt just in case the person receiving the gift wants to exchange your gift for someone or something else. You are the gift that God can't wait for you to give." Again, they are listening intently and even nodding with understanding and appreciation.

   "And then," I continue, "you will be given the marvelous opportunity to live your life knowing you have received as well as given the best gifts of all."

    With all of that said, each youth then is baptized surrounded by a feeling of celebration and thankfulness that invites the spirit of Christmas into everyone's heart.

     I woke up from my dream excited that I, too, have the same marvelous opportunity to live my life surrounded by a feeling of celebration and thankfulness knowing I have received as well as given the best gifts of all. Blessed Baptisms and Merry Christmas to all!

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Please pray for administrator Quan Walker, whose husband Les was just admitted to ER and will be moved to ICU later today (Wednesday). Please note that the office will not have coverage today as Sandhya is in meetings outside the office. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and deeply covet your prayers of support for Quan.

Paula will be on vacation Dec. 15-20, so please hold calls and emails until she returns, if possible. Quan will have her contact information in case of any emergencies. 

The regional office will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 1 for the holidays. Messages, mail and email will be checked during that week. 

Diana will be in on Dec. 31 to process checks, so please DO mail church Christmas offerings. 

All DMF offerings for 2012 need to be received in the regional office by Jan. 7. 

Our new Transitional Interim Regional Minister, Mary Jacobs, starts Jan. 7!!  

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CELEBRATIONS & PRAYERS

New members around the region--One new member at First Christian Porterville and three members at Cottage Way (one adult and two children by baptism).

If your congregation receives a new member by baptism or transfer, please email enews@ccncn.org so we can lift it up in celebration!

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The Rev. Annabelle Decker, member of FCC Concord, broke her elbow and will be at Summit Hospital in Oakland for the next several weeks. Get well cards can be sent to her address and will be brought to her in hospital: 275 28th St., #1329, Oakland, CA 94611

Alan Hilberg, interim pastor at Sierra Christian Church, Loomis, had planned abdominal surgery on Thursday, December 6 and is healing incredibly well. 

An update on Pastor Mark Foglio, Oakdale CC as he remains in our prayers. Surgery  has been scheduled it for January 3, 2013, at Kaiser Hospital in Sacramento. It will be a two-step procedure to decompress discs and fuse the spine. Approximate recovery time is 6-8 weeks. Cards of support can be sent to: Oakdale CC, 330 Maxwell Avenue, Oakdale 95361.

Prayers continue for Kathy Smith who served FCC Sacramento in numerous ministry positions over many years and is battling colon cancer. Her spirits and faith are still strong  but there are tough days ahead. Cards can be sent to: 2809 14th Street, Sacramento, 95818

Our prayers continue for Alma Hernandez, wife of Pastor Kilo Hernandez, Iglesia del Pueblo de Porterville (Disciples of Christ) meeting at FCC Porterville. Alma has been suffering for some time from extreme fatigue, partial paralysis on right side, and fainting spells. The doctors have not been able to find the exact cause and this is very discouraging and depressing for all the family. Please send cards to : Alma Hernandez 1020 North Prospect Street, Porterville, 93257

Our prayers for Bruce Kieft, who has recently been diagnosed with stomach cancer and underwent major surgery. He is home and in the midst of chemo treatments. 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 

Continuing prayers for Rev. Kay McFarland, retired Disciples minister, is recovering from double knee surgery, at the Retirement Celebration as well.  Kay 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 finishing chemotherapy before his hopeful  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.

Prayers for Barbara Wikoff, musician at Oakdale CC, and wife of Bob, Chair of our Regional Resources Committee as she faces major chemotherapy and is beginning several rounds of 5 days a week, then two weeks off! 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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