Bi-weekly e-news July 11, 2013
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REFLECTIONS
As I pack my bag and head for Orlando, I ask for you to accompany in spirit myself and all going from CCNC-N to the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. When your Disciples sisters and brothers gather to focus on "Lord, Teach Us to Pray", lift us up asking that God's grace and power might flow in and among us.
Gathering around Christ's table, we will be reminded that "We are the Disciples of Christ a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord's table as God has welcomed us." At the Lord's table, many languages are spoken; many lovely shades of color are found; many differences are celebrated.
At the Table, the realization can sink into the deep places that we are diminished when all are not welcome. We cannot be a movement for wholeness without the other.
Together around the table, we listen for the deep sighs of the Spirit calling us to be more. There we groan for being a pro-reconciling/anti-racist/anti-oppression church where welcome and grace find a home and justice and peace embrace. How shall we let God's Spirit rouse us to live this vision as church again and again?
Last evening, the CCNC-N Reconciliation Committee met to plan for the Disciples Reconciliation offering that will be received on World Communion Sunday, which supports Disciples pro-reconciling/anti-racism/anti-oppression vision as a wider church and as a Region. We also began to consider plans for the MLK Celebration in January. As we planned, we sighed deep sighs about the Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Structural discrimination and racism still wound our nation and our church. To proclaim that the VRA was no longer needed because of the high turnout of African Americans to vote seemed to miss the point. It was so little time ago when voter suppression tactics kept so many away from a ballot booth (there may still be places that this is so). Maybe the turnout points to the VRA working. Maybe it shows that people are finally feeling protected enough by the laws of this land to be empowered to exercise their rights as citizens without fear or harm.
"Lord, teach us to pray," and as you do, make of our lives an answer to prayer. Let us stand with all our sisters and brothers, and join in the prayer of James Weldon Johnson, from the National Negro Hymn, "Lift Every Voice and Sing",
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by thy might,
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray
Lest our feet stray
From the places, our God, where we met thee,
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee...
Lord, teach us to pray!
In grateful partnership,
Mary
Update on Regional Minister Search Committee
Please hold in your prayers the following persons who have been confirmed to serve as members of the Regional Minister Search Committee: Clarence Johnson, Chair; Sara Steenhouse, Charlotte Jackson, Larry Love, Reuben Negron, Vy Nguyen, Lonora Graves, Janet Chapman Alternates: Salesa Fa'alua, Katy Valentine, Sandy Berry
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You are Invited! Reception at General Assembly
Join other CCNC-N participants at the GA at a reception with other western Regions:
July 16, 9 PM in Room W222A at the Orange County Convention Center
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SUMMER CAMPS
Send us your crazy...your lovely...your serene...your group photos from Camp Pacifica and CGC. We want to share them when possible! Let us see your CAMP!
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 WOMEN'S MINISTRIES
Women's Fall Retreat at Mission Springs, Fri. Sept 13, 7pm-Sun. lunch, Sept. 15 "Living in the Light" with the Rev. Dr. Mary Donovan Turner. Costs will range from $185-265, depending on your housing choice for the full 2 nights, 6 meals. There will also be a commuter and Sat. Only option available. Limited scholarship will be available. Registration and full information will be available late June. ATTN: Women Pastors! Receive a 20% discount on your full registration with each woman from your congregation that submits a full registration. Pay your $50 deposit and the rest could be covered! Call or email Paula with questions. ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE FOR FALL RETREAT! If you would like to register online with a credit card for full payment, you can access that form here: https://ccncn.webconnex.com/2013missionsprings The hard copy and more detailed retreat information is available on the Disciples Women page at http://www.ccncn.org/dwf.htm. ___________________________________________________________________
Human Trafficking Awareness--The Super Bowl comes to Santa Clara in 2016--and along with it comes around 30,000 thousand trafficked humans! Help us be ready to Respond! "Call and Response" Movie available for showing to your group! Women's Ministries has purchased the public showing license for this 2-hour film bringing awareness to the fact that there are more people enslaved today than anytime in history, and we must respond as modern-day abolitionists! Go to http://www.disciples-faithinaction.org and click on "Media" to see the trailer or email Hope Attenhofer, faithin2action@gmail.com to apply to host a movie screening at your church or community. ___________________________________________________________________ International Women's Quadrennial Assembly, June 24-29, 2014, Atlanta, GA! "I See You" Can CCNC-N "See" at least 40 women going?? Let's imagine it! https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/dhm/dhm-ministries/disciples-women/quadrennial-assembly-home-page/ Registration will open at General Assembly in July. Sign up there, or online during that week, for a special discount. Want more information? Go to: https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/dhm/dhm-ministries/disciples-women/quadrennial-assembly-home-page/ or our QA coordinator Margie Brown at himargieb@sbcglobal.net Applications for stewards (completed 11th or 12th grade by June 2014), team leaders (18-21 yrs), chaperones, and general registration forms are now available at https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/dhm/dhm-ministries/disciples-women/quadrennial-assembly-home-page/___________________________________________________________________ ARE YOU GOING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY? WANT TO HELP?? Please email odw@dhm.disciples.org your availability for any or all of the following volunteer opportunities: ** hosting workshops ** volunteer as a hostess for the Women's Luncheon Wednesday. ** Exhibit Hall - The Women's Boutique. Stop by to shop. Stay to help. There are over 230 opportunities for Disciples Women, friends and family, to make a difference. Please email your response to odw@dhm.disciples.org by July 1. ___________________________________________________________________ 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" and a link to the QA hope page; along with Bible studies on Human Trafficking and Environment; subscription and leader/study guides to the official Resource for Disciples Women, "Just Women" quarterly magazine; Tools for Leadership guide--over 100 pages of models, information and programs for Women's groups and ministries. ___________________________________________________________________
October 5, 2013, 9:30am-4:00pm:
Spa for the Spirit: A One-Day Retreat for Women at Elk Grove UCC, hosted by Women of Spirit and Action (DOC/UCC).
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGION
Sierra Christian Church, Loomis is home to Holy Ground Community Garden.
The garden was recently recognized as the first committed participant in the Placer Food Bank community garden initiative. This developing collective of volunteer gardens identifies plots grown specifically for recipients of Placer Food Bank's "Healthy Plates, Healthy Families" initiative. Holy Ground Community Garden is comprised of 29 garden plots, eight of which are planted and tended by volunteers for the food bank. Harvest began on June 17 and has netted over 100 lbs. of donated produce. Visit www.placercommunitygardens.org for a complete description of the garden program and Sierra Christian's involvement.
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The First Congregational Church of San Jose, working with the United Disciples Fellowship, has developed a new arrangement with PSR in which some of its summer offerings will be made available this year in the South Bay. This year's summer series will commence on July 18 and will feature Rev. Jim Mitulski, pastor of the New Spirit Community Church which meets in the PSR Chapel, speaking on, "This is My Body . . . These are Our Bodies: Eucharist as a Revolutionary Act." The second lecture will be offered on August 8 and will feature Rev. Dr. Karen A. McClintock, Ph.D. and M. Div., a psychologist who specializes in shame recovery. The title of her presentation will be, "Living Shamelessly: Grace-full Alternatives." Finally, Rev. Ann Jefferson, a PSR program coordinator who has thirty years of experience studying and teaching the history of African-American sacred music, will speak August 22 on, "Singing the Dream: Spirituals and Gospel Music in the Civil Rights Movement." All of these lectures will be offered at the First Congregational Church of San Jose, 1980 Hamilton Ave., San Jose. They will all start at 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by a reception. There will be no charge for any of these events and all are welcome.
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Sierra Christian Church in Loomis invites you to Grand Camp 2013
Simple Steps Toward a Healthier Earth.
*Monday through Thursday, August 5-8; 9:00 am until 1:00 pm
*Holy Ground @ Sierra Christian Church, 5645 Rocklin Road, Loomis, CA. 95650
Grandparents are invited to participate with your Grandchild -- aged 4 to 10 years of age, for an inter-generational, interactive Day Camp Experience enhancing our care of the earth.
*Music *Art *Stories *Gardening *Cooking *Hiking *Field trips
*Healthy Snacks
*Materials and participation T-shirt Fee: $30
*Scholarships available
[Each participant will need to bring a day pack, water bottle, and a brown bag lunch]
PRE-REGISTRATION Required: contact Grammy Kathy Hilberg (916) 899-6547 or
Grammy Diane Wilson (916) 837-1109
Mail Checks to: Diane Wilson; P.O. Box 686, Roseville, CA. 95
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First Samoan Congregational Christian Church invites you to a Christian Polynesian Luau and Entertainment. August 31, 2013. Dinner served from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm; Luau from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Location: 251 South Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95838.
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Regional NAPAD Fall Celebration
One in Christ
"We are one" - Ephesians 4:1-6
September 7, 2013
10:30 am - 3:00 pm
Sinapi Seed Fellowship
2890 Middlefield Rd.
FCC Palo Alto 94306
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Mark your Calendar/Save the date Sept 21, 2013 at 5pm
First Christian Church of Concord will be hosting its 2nd Annual Hawaiian Luau and Auction
This will be a fun-filled evening with great food, fellowship,music, and of course, everything Hawaiian.
_________________________________________________________Save the Date!Christian Church Homes, Annual Fundraising Celebration, Friday September 6, 2013, 6:30 PM Marriot City Center, Grand Ballroom, 1001 Broadway, Oakland. Keynote Speaker, Danny Glover, Actor, Producer, Humanitarian, and Economic Justice Advocate. Please contact 510-839-3100 or events@earpevents.com.
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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 this week: The Circle Church, Santa Cruz; Golden Gate to Pebble Beach Area; Pastor Steve DeFields-Gambrel. Congregation to pray for next week: Selma First Christian Church, Selma; South San Joaquin Area; Pastor Janet Chapman; Youth Pastor Chad Thompson.
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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Prayers of care for Sandhya Jha
in a time of transition following completing her ministry with the Region and FCCO. Sandhya will continue to provide some leadership as a Reconciliation consultant to the Region.
Prayers for Sue Tarleton.
Several of the staff, Mary, Paula, Diana, Kyung-Min, Yolanda, and Sue will be attending General Assembly, July 13-17 in Orlando.
Mary will be on vacation July 18-22 and away from phones and e-mail.
Quan will be off July 11 and on vacation July 26 through August 8.
All other staff remain hard at work to help the CCNC-N Region be the body of Christ in its many forms. We invite your prayerful support.
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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!
Cause for Celebration and Prayer:
 NEW MEMBERS: First Christian Church, Merced, welcomed three new members in June. Cottage Way Christian Church celebrates two new members. We are thankful for all the counselors, directors, nurses, chaplains, cooks and campers who offered their energy, time and love at Camp Pacifica and Community of the Great Commission.
We lift up in prayer the search committees for Christian Church of Vacaville and Sierra Christian Church, Loomis.
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Prayers for all the passengers and crew of the Asiana Flight 214 that crashed at the San Francisco Airport.
Keep FCC, Porterville and Joe and Karen Gentzler in your care as Joe completes his ministry in Porterville.
Hold in your prayers, Jim Mitulski and the New Spirit Community Church in Berkeley as Jim finishes his ministry at New Spirit.
Please hold Jan Johnson, wife of Darrell Johnson, in prayer. At the end of May Jan was diagnosed with the early stages of Parkinson's Disease. She is on a low dose medication that seems to be helping. Cards with well wishes can be sent to: 100 No. Rodeo Gulch Road #12, Soquel, CA 95073.
Please hold Ellis Martin of FCC, Redding in prayer as he anticipates a procedure on July 18th.
Please hold in prayer the family of Coral Cogbill and her children, Jessica Bradley and Adam Bradley, as Coral's mother is nearing the end of her battle with cancer.
Please pray for Rev. Dr. Gloria Wilson's sons, MaShon who has returned from Afghanistan safe and unharmed but needs prayer for transition and SSG Paul Wilson, Jr., who is stationed in Germany.
We continue to hold the Linhoff family and FCC, Selma in our prayers following Scott's recent death .
Dwight Carlson completed his race of faith and commitment. We hold Virginia, his spouse, and his children and grandchildren in our care and prayers in this journey of grief. You may send notes and cards of care to Virginia Carlson at 1629 E. Sunnyview Avenue, Visalia, CA 93292-7304, and Michael, Molly, Adam and Simon Carlson at 412 Goldrun Drive, Modesto, CA 95354.
The Celebration of Life for Rev. Dwight A. Carlson will be held August 10th at 11am, at Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Avenue, Visalia, Ca 93277. The Visalia Kiwanis club will be providing a BBQ lunch afterwards for everyone at Mooneys Grove Park.
Please surround Kelsey, Tom, Shellie and Brett Warren with your love and prayers as the long process of healing for Kelsey begins following her accident. Kelsey's address is:
TIRR Memorial Hermann
Kelsey Warren, Room 610
1333 Moursaund
Houston, TX 77030
Please visit and "like" Kelsey's Facebook page and read it daily for inspirational, faith building posts!
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Our prayers continue for the following who remain in need of our support and concern:
- Sue Tarleton, Woodland CC
- Joanne, FCC, Colusa
- Alan Hillberg, Sierra CC
- Barbara Wikoff, Oakdale CC
- Jim Blaisdell and his wife, Linda Blaisdell (Jim is brother of former Regional Minister-President Chuck Blaisdell, and brother-in-law of former Concord FCC Senior Pastor Barbara Blaisdell)
- Family of Bruce Kieft
- Pastor Mark Foglio, Oakdale CC
- Eileen Duddy, FCC, Merced
- Pastor Taulau Tupua, Via Dolorosa CCC, Modesto
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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!
July 13-17 - General Assembly, Orlando, FL includes a CCNCN Reception with other Western Regions, July 16, 9 PM in room W222A at the Orange County Convention Center
August 9 - "Let's Talk", ACTS Event with Hope Partnership, at Cottage Way CC and
August 10 - FCC, Merced
August 16-18 Young Adult Pro-Reconciling-Anti-Racism Training at Westminster Retreat
August 26-27, 11AM - 2PM, San Damiano Retreat Center, Clergy Retreat 1 geared toward clergy who are retired and/or may be reinventing themselves in a new stage of life
September 7, CCNC-N NAPAD Convocation
Sept. 13-15 - Women's Fall Retreat at Mission Springs with Mary Donovan Turner
October 5, 9:30 AM - 4 PM, Spa for the Spirit, One Day Women's Retreat, Elk Grove UCC
October 18-20 - Men's Retreat at Vacaville Christian Church with Christian Piatt
November 8-10 Pro-Reconciling-Anti-Racism Training for Regional and Congregational leaders
November 15-16, 11 AM-2PM, San Damiano Retreat Center, Clergy Retreat 2 geared for clergy serving in pastoral ministry or specialized ministries
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On behalf of Christian Church Homes, we are so glad that many friends from our Region are traveling to Orlando for the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). We are going to have an important family gathering for wholeness and unity.
We are also going to have fun!
To that end, we invite you to visit www.support.cchnc.org to enter to win one of 100 FREE Walt Disney World and Universal Studio tickets. Between July 13 and July 16, (each afternoon at 4:00 pm EST) at the CCH kiosk, within the NBA Booth #D6, 25 names will be randomly drawn from the online entries.
So either online or at the CCH kiosk, come visit us and learn about a growing Disciples ministry to low income seniors.
Don Stump
President & CEO
John Rodenberg
V.P. of Philanthropy & Mission Implementation
email: jrodenberg@cchnc.org
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Disciples Women is looking for a qualified African-American woman who is called to the ministry of Program Director - Merger Staff. Interested applicants, both clergy and non-clergy, should apply through Search and Call. If you have any questions concerning Search and Call, please call Warren Lynn at 317-713-2652. https://secure.disciples.org/jobcenter/postings/ViewCat.aspx?id=2
Pat Donahoo
Disciples Women
Oficina de Mujeres Discípulos
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PUBLISHING INFORMATION
This newsletter is published bi-weekly on Thursdays.
Please send short text only articles only...
No flyers or pdf documents which require rewriting will be accepted.
JPG images and links should be submitted as a separate attached file and
not embedded in the body of a document.
ALL news articles should be sent to enews@ccncn.org no later than the
Tuesday before publication.
Publishing schedule for balance of 2013:
July 11, 25
August 8, 22
September 5, 19
October 3, 17, 31
November 14, 28 (Thanksgiving - no publication)
December 12, 26 (Christmas - no publication)
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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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