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Northern California Nevada Region of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Weekly eNews
January 16, 2013
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 Moving into a new rhythm!
Hello, friends! In this season of Epiphany (and for many of us, of New Year's resolutions), it can be good to experiment with new rhythms. One of those rhythms in this region is that, for the sake of the sanity of the staff (and Mary, who will be taking over the e-news in February), we will be switching to a bi-weekly format for the e-news. If there are really urgent things that come up in alternate weeks, we might send out an e-postcard. Otherwise, you'll see your next e-news on January 30! Thanks for your patience as I have filled in the gap--your comments have been really encouraging to both Quan and myself (including Myril, who told me not to quit my day job--I assume he was validating my work with missional ministry and reconciliation rather than critiquing my layout skills.) Your work for the realm of God is so needed, all of you--thank you for remaining engaged in the ways we can do that work together here in the CCNC-N. Peace, Sandhya
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TIME SENSITIVE Stuff you need to know this week! ATTENTION ALL CLERGYClergy 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. |
 REGIONALLY ENDORSED EVENTS AND INFO
HAVE YOU REGISTERED FOR ANNUAL GATHERING MARCH 1-3, 2013?
MARCH 1-3, 2013--PASSAGES-ANNUAL GATHERING 2013 at beautiful Sofitel in Redwood City. IT IS TIME!!
Registration for ANNUAL GATHERING is now DUE!! Registration forms are in your church office or online at http://www.ccncn.org/annualmeeting.htm. Please remember that you make your own hotel reservations by contacting Sofitel.
To register for Annual Gathering you will need to do one of two things:
- Go to http://www.ccncn.org/annualmeeting.htm to print a copy of the registration form to complete and mail to the regional office with your deposit OR
- Follow the link for online registration and complete your registration there. Note: you will be required to make a deposit at that time. If you do not want to make a payment then please follow the link above to print a hard copy of the registration form to complete and mail to the regional office.
Come join your fellow disciples from northern California/Nevada for worship, fun, workshops, great music led by Dan Paul and fellowship! And meet our new transitional interim minister Mary Jacobs! And hear her preach on Sunday morning! Hear Mary Donovan Turner preach on Saturday night! And hear the several voices of our region share their stories on Friday night! SO-register now!!!
And if you would like the opportunity to sing three-yes 3-beautiful songs at Annual Gathering-join the choir! Choir Director Suzie Agee wants YOU! Please contact Suzie at floragirl@easydoesit.com. She is waiting to hear from you!
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A Huge Thank You to All the Participants in this year's regional MLK Event!
This year's MLK event might have been the best ever. With amazing hospitality from Mills Grove Christian Church in Oakland, an inspiring panel of practitioner of cross-cultural ministry, excellent workshops so attendees could bring skills and information back to their region, and a moving worship service where Micah Love (Woodland Christian Church) received this year's MLK scholarship and Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski (New Spirit Community Church in Berkeley) was honored for a life of activism for racial inclusion, GLBT inclusion, health care and dignity for people with HIV and AIDS, and for faithful service to Jesus Christ throughout his life. Look forward to another deep and meaningful MLK event next year! Sincere thanks from the region's Reconciliation Committee.
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Please send in your Yearbook forms:
Please be aware that you should have received Yearbook forms at your church by now. 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!
WHAT A YEAR FOR GLOBAL MINISTRIES! (Please send us pictures to prove it!)
Yes, in 2012 CCN C-N had the privilege of visitations by 2 of our missionary families and the exciting, wonderful, spirit-filled visit by our GM partners from Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Now, at Annual Gathering, we want to share with everyone some of the excitement of being with the Millers, the Morses, and the Ngokas. So, please email to gerry@fosterbrague.net any pictures you have from the visit by any of these people to your home, your church, your community, the Community of the Great Commission, or an excursion to see the beauty of our area. We need to celebrate and give thanks for the unbelievable opportunities we had in 2012 as we plan and look forward to what we hope to experience in 2013 and beyond. Gerry will be putting together a power point so all of us can enjoy seeing some of what we accomplished in 2012. Please send the pictures as soon as you can, and add any notes or explanations you would like.
Thanks so much.
Your CCN C-N Global Ministries Interpreters - Gerry Brague, Daniel (Kung Ming) Lee and Charlotte Jackson
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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.
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
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Calling All Clergy!
The A.C.T.S. Program (Academy of Christian Training and Study) was 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 that 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 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.
In order for this program to offer the most useful courses for your congregations, please take five minutes for five questions. It's simple. Set your timer and visit: https://ccncn.webconnex.com/acts to complete your survey. Your valuable input will help the A.C.T.S. team assess the needs of the local churches and help us determine the proper curriculum to support you!
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2012 Phon-a-thon Update
We Did It!
A few months ago the 2012 Phon-a-thon began. With the exceptional help from 23 callers, a whole bunch of calls were made over a short period of time. And then we made a few more calls and sent out reminder letters, as well as weekly updates in the e-news. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of those who said "yes" to making a pledge, as well as some who were never contacted who gave anyway.
So....here it is...the final tally for the 2012 Phon-a-thon:
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224 donors (some making multiple donations)
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$26,395 donations received (goal was $25,000)
It has been a remarkable experience as YOU have shown your belief in the ministries of CCNC-N. YOU have recognized not only the value of the past ministries, but also the promise of the future of CCNC-N.
So, on behalf of the staff and all who benefit from the ministries provided through all of our collective efforts, the only comment I have at this point is...
THANK YOU!!!
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 WOMEN'S MINISTRIES
Save the Date: April 20, 2013 Spring Gathering of Women: "Connecting in Christ" at Palo Alto First Christian Church. Hosted by the women of Sinapi Seed Fellowship and Palo Alto First Christian Church. Just a reminder of resources available from www.discipleswomen.org
Disciples Women General Programs 2013 are available as a free download. You will find new programs covering Installation, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Stewardship; a special Quadrennial activity to introduce the theme of "I See You"; along with Bible studies on Human Trafficking and Environment.
Just Women 2013 Bible Study Pre-orders are now being processed. Orders placed before March 15, 2013, will cost $10 per copy. After March 15, the cost will be $12 plus $3 S&H per copy for all non-subscription orders. Order your extra individual copies today to avoid the shipping and handling charges. Look for the green 'sale' button toward the bottom of the page.
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGION
First Christian Church of Oakland invites you to celebrate the first anniversary of the Oakland Peace Center by coming out to hear the founder of the nationally acclaimed Soul Repair Center, Rita Nakashima Brock, speak about the process that created a movement to address the issue of "moral injury" among US soldiers, this Martin Luther King Day. Let us continue Dr. King's legacy for human dignity for all people in this particular way.
When: Monday, January 21, 2013 (Martin Luther King Day)
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Where: The Oakland Peace Center, Fellowship Hall, 259 29th St., Oakland
Forty-six years after Martin Luther King's famous speech about the war in Vietnam, our nation faces another significant crisis in relation to the well being of nations abroad, our own nation, and the well-being of our soldiers. As suicide rates spike among veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, some people have begun to ask what we can do to respond.
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Annual Korean Convocation will happen in this region!
Please pray for our region's NAPAD (North American Pacific Asian Disciples) minister, Kyung-Min "Daniel" Lee and our Korean church as they prepare for the Korean National Disciples Convocation at Alameda Christian Church January 21-24.
will happen in this region!
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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."
It's not too late to register for this year's Earl Lectures and attend excellent events for Disciples Seminary Foundation. Visit www.psr.edu/earllectures for more information.
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The Circle Church in Santa Cruz invites you to an event they are co-sponsoring: The SUBVERSIVE WAY of Jesus
A Two-Day Workshop
Featuring: Dr. Robin Meyers
Author of The Underground Church
Sponsored by: The Progressive Christian Forum
of Santa Cruz
Friday, February 8, 2013
(Calvary Episcopal Church)
Saturday, February 9, 2013
(First Congregational Church)
For more information (and registration materials) contact pastor Steve DeFields-Gambrel, pastor@thecirclechurch.org. ____________________________________________________________________ Celebration of Ministry for FCC San Leandro February 10
The First Christian Church at 1190 Davis St. in San Leandro has announced they will hold their final service on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 at 2:00pm. The church invites members of the community and fellow Disciples congregations to attend the Feb. 10 service, which will include the Rev. Dr. Paula Pociecha representing the Disciples of Christ Regional Office and Rose Johnson, representing the Davis Street Center. Refreshments will follow the service. The church instigated many community programs and established the Davis Street Community Center in 1972, offering food and housing programs, an ecology center, and later that year the first of many child care programs. Rev. Homer Richardson retired in 1988, but he has served as Interim Minister on three different occasions. In 2003 the church building was purchased by the Community Center, which had incorporated separately and later relocated their central programs as the Davis Street Family Resource Center located at 3081 Teagarden St. in San Leandro. It continues to be a strong and vital ministry in San Leandro and beyond. We hope that other Disciples East Bay congregations will join in the celebration and honor this long-time ministry in this area.
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CONCERT - DAN PAUL AND FRIENDS Sacramento First Christian Church invites all of our regional friends to a concert on Saturday, February 23. "Songs of Faith and Witness," with Dan Paul and friends. The time will be 7:00 p.m. Suggested donation is $10. Benefit for the Week of Compassion and the Dan Paul Peace Mission to Israel. First Christian is located at 3901 Folsom Blvd. in Sacramento. Childcare will be provided. Contact Ted Firch 916-600-5875 for more information. ____________________________________________________________________ Special request from First Samoan Congregational Christian Church in Sacramento
The construction of our church building has reached the point where we could use some help from our DOC members. We are seeking an Electrician Contractor or Private party with a license that we could discuss the project. We are also in need of a contractor for the Air Condition Installation. We are reaching out to our members who might be interested in doing this work for us. We hope some of our members know of someone who could fulfilled our need. Many many Thanks George/Secretary-FSCCC in Sacramento
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 REGIONAL STAFF UPDATES Who's around and when
The whole staff is in a day-long staff meeting today, Wednesday, and will be difficult to reach.
Although recovering from being sick this weekend, our administrator, Quan Walker, is back in the office. Please continue to pray for Quan and Les, who has been transferred to Legends Hospital in Livermore for continued treatment for depression, and please be patient with the possibility that she may be called away from the office periodically to respond to medical needs at home.
Prayers of celebration and support for our Transitional Interim Regional Minister, Mary Jacobs, who hit the ground running and is this week on a pre-scheduled vacation. We're so glad she's here and we're glad she's committed to a time of rest. Please contact her next week.
Paula and Sandhya are in the office this week.
All other staff remain hard at work to help the CCNC-N be the body of Christ in its many forms.
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JOYS AND CONCERNS AND PRAYER NEEDS
We seek to update these prayers appropriately, knowing that the region lifts them up to God with great reverence. Please email enews@ccncn.org with any prayers you would like to make sure are included or continued next week and beyond. New members: One new member at First Christian Church of Oakland by transfer of membership. 
Prayers of celebration for the honoring of Disciples leader Dan Regan: This is a special year as Dan will be receiving the Lighthouse Award from the Seafarers' Ministry of the Golden Gate at their annual Swedish pancake breakfast Feb. 2. The award is for his time and efforts as a volunteer on the SMGG Board and as a volunteer at the Seafarers' Center - Port of Oakland. Congratulations, Dan!  Please pray for Amy Climer, whose mother passed away December 31. (Amy is an active leader at Disciples of Christ Visalia and spouse of pastor Neal Climer.) Services were January 3. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas. Neal asks that we keep her, the med staff, and the family in prayer. Updated prayers for Alan Hilberg, interim pastor at Sierra Christian Church: Alan is home from UC Davis with a drain still in and on antibiotics, but much stronger. Pastor Mark Foglio, Oakdale CC, had to postpone major surgery to decompress discs and fuse the spine. He was supposed to have surgery on the 3rd, but due to illness, the procedure has been rescheduled for January 24. Approximate recovery time is 6-8 weeks. Cards of support can be sent to: Oakdale CC, 330 Maxwell Avenue, Oakdale 95361. Our prayers continue for the following who remain in need of our support and concern:
- Bill Shive, FCC Oakland and Tapestry Ministries
- Bea Tiffee, FCC Dos Palos
- Lt. MaShon Wilson, serving in Afghanistan, son of Gloria Wilson, Associate Pastor, FCC Alameda.
- Wanda, daughter of Gloria Baxter of Raynor Park CC
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 REGIONAL CALENDAR 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!
January 7- Deadline for all 2012 Disciples Mission Fund Offering (Checks must be in the office by Monday, January 7)
January 12- Martin Luther King event and worship (Yes! On a Saturday! 1-5 PM, with an inspiring and useful training, fellowship and powerful worship, all in the Bay Area) January 12 and 13 - Regional Youth Council meeting at Lakeport CC. January 16 - Regional staff meeting
February 16-18 - FebCamp for high school youth, Camp Tuolumne Trails March 1-3 - Annual Gathering at the Sofitel Hotel in Redwood City April 20 - Women's Spring Gathering, Palo Alto FCC 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 July 13-17 - General Assembly, Orlando, FL Sept. 13-15 - Women's Fall Retreat with Mary Donovan Turner October 18-20 - Men's Retreat
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 AN INSPIRING WORD FROM THE GENERAL CHURCH
Former U.S. president, Disciples dedicate hospital wing in Nanjing
A delegation of Disciples joined President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter in Nanjing, China to unveil a statue of Dr. Edward Macklin and dedicate a new wing at the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital. Dr. Macklin was a Disciples missionary from Canada, starting schools and providing medical care in the Nanjing area. The Drum Tower Hospital began as an opium addiction clinic
in 1892 with an initial gift of $5,000. Today, the hospital has over
3,000 doctors and nurses, 3,000 beds and is the leading teaching hospital
of Western medicine in China.
In his remarks, Carter praised the Christian mission personnel who opened
the hospital, while also honoring the nine Disciples' mission personnel
who remained on the ground during the Japanese invasion, December
1937-January 1938.
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May you experience God's love today that you might also share it
with the world!
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