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Bi-weekly e-news March 20, 2013
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 ReflectionsComing from the same Greek root, 'sozein', healing and salvation are intimately connected. Intertwined as two branches of the same vine, they spark our hope as we move toward Holy Week and resurrection celebration.
Salvation comes in the gift and grace of freedom, of breathing again in wide open spaces, and in being released from oppression. Healing creates a bond with another. As we long for the healing of those around us in our communities, as we pray and work for the reconciling health of the nations, as we seek justice for our neighbors sitting beside us and those living in our global village, we discover that our own healing, our salvation, is united with that of others.
How true this is for us as CCNC-N! I am mindful of the wounds and pain that resides in this body of Christ, in the bodies and spirits of its members and pastors:
the tired bodies of those struggling with cancer
the worn emotions of parents sitting beside a hospital bed,
the tender wounds of surgery,
the grieving hearts of children and parents who long for one more family celebration together.
We accompany each other. We ache together for the movement from Good Friday experiences of fear and pain to the Easter hope of life made new.
Jesus created community where many times none existed. He knew that we need a holy, healing community that draws its life from God and each other. Such is the "kin-dom"...the kinship of God's realm. In this "kin-dom", we hold onto each other to endure the brokenness of loving and dying. We reach toward another to withstand the onslaught of illness and hatred. We claim an imperfect and grace-filled community to overcome separation and loneliness. In doing so, we become reminders of God's wholeness. "...God has so arranged the body...that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." (1 Corinthians 12: 24b -27)
Our wounds and our healing/salvation intimately connect us. As we embrace the journey of Holy Week, let us walk again with Jesus and accompany each other, weeping with those who weep, so that we might again rejoice together!
In grateful partnership and holy kin-dom,
Mary
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 REGIONALLY ENDORSED EVENTS AND INFO
2013 Easter Offering, Sundays, March 24th and 31st
 "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10: 10b)
These words of excitement were shared by a participant on a People to People Pilgrimage to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The group was privileged to be present at the dedication of the maternity wing of Bolenge Hospital, a place of healing and care built in 1928 by the Community of Disciples of Christ in the Congo (CDCC), a partner church with Global Ministries for over 100 years. Bolenge Hospital treats over 16,000 patients annually; many for HIV/AIDS related illnesses. The hospital also provides early childhood and prenatal care. Click here to view a video about this ministry in the Congo.
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Youth and Adult Camp Information
Chi-Rho (Mid-Winter) Spring EventSpring has arrived, so the Chi Rho Mid-Winter is coming late this year. The dates will be Sat. April 27 @2pm to Sun. April 28 @1pm and it will be held at Sacramento First Christian Church (FCC). It will be a one-day event filled with fellowship, food, games, sleep, worship and all that you can expect for a day in the life of a Disciple. The cost is only $15. This includes three meals and great fun! Pass the word around and start signing up. April 23rd is the registration deadline. Let me know if you have any questions about the event. It is coming up soon, so start registering. Get the registration from by clicking here. Thanks and have a blessed Easter season! - Carl Cordes, Director of Youth Ministries, CCNC-N Summer Camp Registration
South San Joaquin Youth Camp at Camp Pacifica! Information, registration, and medical forms are available on the Selma church website. Please take a look and spread the word! Here is the link: http://www.selmadisciples.com/id5.html Community of the Great Commission Recruit your congregational CAMP REGISTRAR now. The Camp Registrar will register youth and adults headed for camp and collect fees. Then ONE check will be sent to the Region with ALL the registration forms. Summer camp information and registration packet will be mailed out soon. Please be advised that there will be no late registrations accepted this year. __________________________________________ Online Donations to the Annual Fund Available April 1st According to author Michael Durall, "Creating Congregations of Generous People," generosity can be defined in many ways: being hospitable, giving people the benefit of the doubt, practicing forgiveness, and manifesting other personal traits that characterize religious values and teachings. At the recent Annual Gathering, we repeated several times, "We are CCNC-N and we are running this race together!" These two concepts are related to each other in a direct and covenantal way. Both rely on each other. One highlights a very important part of our mission, and the other proclaims how we do it. On April 1, we will offer a next step to support CCNC-N to live into our mission. A new option of participating in the Annual Fund will be available through recurring online donations. Some already make recurring donations; it will now be available through an online method. Here's some important information about the recurring online donation program: - You can choose any amount.
- You can select which day of the month (or quarter) you want to make your donation.
- You can stop the donation at any time.
- You can use debit/credit card or go through your bank (checking).
- You click the Annual Fund Donation button (soon to be available) on the CCNC-N website or the e-news, and follow a few easy steps.
Most of all, you can know that every donation you make helps CCNC-N continue to be vital and faithful as we work together congregationally and regionally to be transformed and transforming as Christ's body in this time and place. It is true..."We are CCNC-N and we are running this race together"
Bill Garrett, CCNC-N Minister of Faith and Giving
__________________________________________  Come & See! Prospective and Admitted Student EventApril 5-6, 2013, Pacific School of Religion
Pacific School of Religion (PSR) prepares bold scholars and leaders for ministries of compassion and justice! PSR's Come & See! Prospective and Admitted Student Event is designed for those pursuing a call to ministry or considering seminary (graduate theological education) as preparing for work as a pastor, chaplain, religious educator, scholar, administrator, or other faith commmunity professional.
Event Details
Date: April 5-6, 201
Location: PSR, 1798 Scenic Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709
Pre-Registration Deadline: Friday, March 29, 2013
Registration is free and includes meals Friday dinner, and all day Saturday.
Register on-line!
Printable Weekend Schedule
Printable Registration Form
(You can return form electronically as an email attachment, by fax or by mail.)
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A BOOK OF DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR LENT
For Lent this year, our region has produced a Book of Meditations that includes a devotional for each day of the season, starting on Ash Wednesday, February 13th, and ending on Resurrection Sunday March 31st. It's a great way to make our passage through the season together as a common pe ople in our region.
The scriptures are from the Psalms and the books of Job and James. The booklet is now available at www.ccncn.org. If you would like to receive the devotions daily by email, please send an email with the word "Subscribe" in the subject line to michael@ccncn.org.
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HELLO PASTORS AND CHURCH LEADERS! PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR YEARBOOK REPORT!
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 was mailed out to churches in early January, and the information was due into the regional office by Feb. 20. This reporting is part of maintaining congregational non-profit status under the Disciples. We must receive your information this week in order for your congregation to be included in the next yearbook! You can fill out the yearbook report online by clicking here.
(Please contact the regional office if you need your congregation's pin and serial number to log on.) Please either mail in your report to the regional office, or complete it on-line if you haven't done so already! Thank you.
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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 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. For registration information to print click here.
To register online, click here.
Women's Fall Retreat: September 13-15, 2013 Mission Springs Conference Center in Scotts Valley
Speaker: Mary Donovan Turner (Carl Patton Professor of Preaching and Dean of the Disciples Seminary Foundation's Berkeley Campus) . 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
"The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness does not overcome it."
(John 1:5)
Please join Mills Grove Christian Church for the presentation of "The Shadow of the Cross," a contemporary Tenebrae service-including communion-composed and arranged by Lloyd Larson. The service walks us through the final hours of Jesus' life, including his crucifixion.
The program takes place at 7:00 p.m. on Good Friday, March 29, 2013 at Mills Grove Christian Church (DOC), 5410 Fleming Avenue, Oakland 94619.
We welcome anyone who would like to be part of the choir for this event. So far we have participants from First Christian Church Alameda, First Christian Church Oakland, and others from the community. For further information please call Mills Grove C.C. at (510) 534-4722. ____________________________________________________________________
PART-TIME WORSHIP MUSIC LEADER POSITION AT FCC PALO ALTO FCC Palo Alto is seeking a qualified candidate for a part time Worship Music Leader Position to help us to revitalize our worship service through contemporary music and a diverse variety of music styles. The candidate is expected to work 20 hours per week, including Sunday mornings. If you share a passion for God through music, contact us at jobs@pafcc.org. ____________________________________________________________________
JOB OPPORTUNITY FROM MINISTRY PARTNER CHRISTIAN CHURCH HOMES
CCH is seeking a Senior Vice President /Managing Director, and theyhope to fill this senior leadership position this spring and initiate an exciting vision to grow the organization and become a major leader in this important industry. CCH's longstanding relationship with the region means it would be great to see members of CCNC-N congregations applying for this position! Call CCH at 510-632-6712. ____________________________________________________________________
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 Electrical 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 may be interested in doing this work for us.
We hope some of our members know of someone who could fulfill our need.
Many many thanks,
George/Secretary - FSCCC in Sacramento
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FROM FCC CONCORD: Crab Feed & Auction, Saturday, March 23
Be sure to get your tickets to this popular evening! Lots of fun -- plus great crab, tri-tip and pasta!
Please call the church office at 925-685-7503 to buy your seats.
Ticket prices: Adults $45, Youth (ages 6-12) $20, Age 5 and younger are free.
Benefits FCC Concord's participation in the Mexico Mission Trip 2013!
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LOMA EAVES, member of Chalice Christian Church and student at Pacific School of Religion, has published a website of Lenten meditations for anyone looking for inspiration. Check it out at http://www.lomaeaves.com/ .
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SERRA CENTER, a non-profit organization and partner in care with CCNC-N, provides living skills support and training to adults with developmental disabilities since 1975, is seeking a seasoned professional to serve as our Human Resources Manager.
Please visit http//:www.serracenter.org for a complete job description and submit your resume with salary requirement and reference for full-time or part-time to humanresources@serracenter.org. |
CHURCHES TO HOLD IN PRAYER
Please consider incorporating these congregations into your congregational prayers each week during worship or in your newsletter, so we can grow together in prayer. Congregation to pray for next week: Fruitridge Christian Church, Sacramento; North San Joaquin Area; Interim Pastor Mike Carlson. Congregation to pray for next week: Chalice Christian Church, San Carlos; Phyllis Stowell, Correspondent.
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. |
 REGIONAL STAFF UPDATES Who's around and when. . .
Quan Walker, Ministry Associate, will be out of the office from March 4-25, 2013.
Prayers of celebration and support for our Transitional Interim Regional Minister, Mary Jacobs.
Yolanda Marquez-Lucar writes: "Thank God we are now in Peru with family and friends pulling together in prayer for the health of Miguel's mom, America Sarmiento. Doctors are saying she has crossed the most dangerous moments. Seems as new med treatment and machines are helping the kidneys to react positively. Obviously, I expect that, because all the prayers of the saints move the hands of the Creator, the Maker of Mqui's body. We truly appreciate all your prayers and good wishes for a speedy recovery."
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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. Particularly, please e-mail the names and addresses of new members so we can celebrate them here and also send them a letter of welcome from the region! 
New members: Two new members at Concord FCC.
Cause for Celebration and Prayer:
We celebrate the generosity and commitment shown through our Annual Gathering Offering of $6,125 to support our mission partners: scholarships to send members of CCNC-N to visit our Global Ministries Partners in the Republic of the Congo; Yakama Mission; All People's Christian Center; Serra Center and CA Council of Churches. If you were not able to be at Annual Gathering and would like to participate in the offering, please send your contribution to CCNC-N earmarked for the AG Offering. We also celebrate $120.50 and one 3V Duracell battery placed in Blessing Boxes in celebration of the ways our life is blessed as the CCNC-N. The battery reminds us to recharge when necessary in order to keep on running!
Please surround Kelsey, Tom and Shellie Warren with your love and prayers as the long process of healing for Kelsey begins following her accident. We offer our gratitude that Kelsey's prognosis is good following her surgeries and CT. Thanks be to God!
Our prayers continue for the following who remain in need of our support and concern:
- Pastor Taulau Tupua, Via Dolorosa Congregational Christian Church of Samoa, who had a bone marrow transplant on March 15th.
- Vi Spencer, Visalia
- Janet Chapman and family and FCC, Selma
- Barbara Wikoff, Oakdale CC
- Darrell Burrell, FCC, Redding
- John Jordan, Regional Elder
- Kacey Alexander, FCC, Redding
- Sheilagh Driskoll, FCC, Antioch
- Lt. MaShon Wilson, serving in Afghanistan, son of Gloria Wilson, Associate Pastor, FCC Alameda.
- Ken Compton's family
- Bill and Nancy Garrett, Bill serves on regional staff and Nancy serves on the Regional Women's Ministries Coordinating Council.
- Pastor Mark Foglio, Oakdale CC
- Sharon Greaser, First Christian Hanford
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Bea Tiffee, FCC Dos Palos
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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!
March 23 - Tea for the Soul, Mayfair CC, Stockton
April 20 - Women's Spring Gathering, Palo Alto FCC
April 27-28 - Chi Rho Mid-Winter (Spring) Event
April 26, 27, 29, 30 - Healthy Boundary Training: Sierra CC, Loomis; Niles Discovery Church, Fremont; Fresno, United CC; Vacaville CC
2013 SUMMER CAMP DATES
(Grandparents and Me Sessions will not be held on July 4!)
June 23-28- South San Joaquin Camp at Camp Pacifica
Community of the Great Commission Camps
June 6-9- Adult Camp
June 23-29- Junior and Chi Rho Camps
June 29-July 1 - Grandparents and Me Camp Session 1
June 30- July 6- CYF Camp
July 1-3- Grandparents and Me Camp Session II
July 13-17 - General Assembly, Orlando, FL
Sept. 13-15 - Women's Fall Retreat at Mission Springs with Mary Donovan Turner
October 18-20 - Men's Retreat at Vacaville Christian Church with Christian Piatt
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 AN INSPIRING WORD FROM THE GENERAL CHURCH Green Chalice Conference: May 17-19, 2013, Christmount, North Carolina
An event for regional Creation Care leaders starting Green Chalice Teams
 The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. Out of our call to "do justice" (Micah 6:8), we strive to demonstrate the fullness of God's shalom through living out our faith by caring for God's creation. From Hawaii and Washington to Virginia and Florida, and everywhere in between, Disciples congregations are caring for creation in unique and inspiring ways. Our mission is to connect Christian faith, spiritual practice and creation consciousness in order to demonstrate the fullness of God's shalom.
The world is broken; we are called to work for justice by caring for God's creation. Creation care is key to serving God and loving our neighbor. The Lord's Table, central to Disciples of Christ theology, connects us to Christ, to each other and to creation.
The Green Chalice Conference will include:
- Components of a retreat (rest, good food, communion with God through creation, prayer, meditation and study of Scripture)Why care of creation is centrla to how we live out our faith
- How to build and support a regional Green Chalice team
- The opportunity for participants to share a snack from their locale
Click here to download the brochure/registration form! For more information, or to register online, please click here to visit the Christmount website. |
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In recognizing the blessings we have received, let us remember we are blessed to be a blessing to others! |
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This communication is made possible by generosity expressed through giving to Disciples Mission Fund!
Christian Church of Northern CA-NV
The CCNC-N is the presence of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
in the northern half of the states of California and Nevada.
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