On Saturday as I was driving back from the airport having delivered Bill (my husband) and Lindsey (my daughter) after they had helped me celebrate my birthday, I turned on NPR. The words that greeted me were "Happy Birthday to you", and I smiled. It was the song that Stevie Wonder wrote to add his voice calling for an official celebration in honor of MLK, Jr. Now on the official national day of celebration, January 20, 2014, I reflect on what this day means, and I find that the song captures it well:

Happy birthday to you...

I just never understood
How a man who died for good
Could not have a day that would
Be set aside for his recognition
Because it should never be
Just because some cannot see
The dream as clear as he
that they should make it become an illusion
And we all know everything
That he stood for time will bring
For in peace our hearts will sing
Thanks to Martin Luther King

Happy birthday to you...

Why has there never been a holiday
Where peace is celebrated
all throughout the world
The time is overdue
For people like me and you
Who know the way to truth
Is love and unity to all God's children
It should be a great event
And the whole day should be spent
In full remembrance
Of those who lived and died for the oneness of all people
So let us all begin
We know that love can win
Let it out don't hold it in
Sing it loud as you can

Happy birthday to you...

We know the key to unify all people
Is in the dream that you had so long ago
That lives in all of the hearts of people
That believe in unity
We'll make the dream become a reality
I know we will...

I want to celebrate again what took place on Sunday, January 12th as we gathered at the CCNC-N MLK, Jr. celebration following a 2 ½ day Pro-reconciliation/anti-racism training.   During that observance, we lifted up two persons who are embodying the dream to create a beloved community.   We awarded the 2014 MLK, Jr. Scholarship, $1,000, to Taulua Tupua, a member of Via Dolorosa CCC, Chapman Student, camp counselor, and a young man working for justice and hope as he stands with those seeking immigration reform and who have a dream of being welcomed. We lifted up the ways that the Reverend Vy Nguyen expresses the dream of beloved community in the ministry and work he does with Church World Service. He intentionally seeks to bring people who do not normally get invited to the same table to come together to offer compassion and work for justice on behalf of God's people around the globe. It was an honor to present him with the 2014 MLK, Jr. Award. Thanks be to God for such witnesses to Dr. King's dream which ultimately is God's own dream.  

We are each called to give witness to this gospel dream. At the end of the training, we gave voice to possible next steps of how we as CCNC-N might live into being a pro-reconciling/anti-racist/anti-oppression church. It will take some intention on our part, a lot of prayer and openness. Some questions are: "Are we asking the people who need to be at the table into the room, even if they are not "official members" of the decision making body?" "How might we have some hard conversations about 'inclusion' with open minds and hearts?" "How will the decisions we make benefit our communities of color and diversity?" "How do we broaden the training to prepare ourselves in committees, councils, camps, and ministry clusters to be more attentive and mindful?"

Dear Sisters and Brothers, may Christ's own courage bring us to the tables where the conversation and the transformation might take place.  

In grateful partnership,

Mary  

Jan Warren, Chair of the CCNC-N Reconciliation Ministry Committee adds her reflections:

CCNC-N's 8th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration was a spirit-filled experience. Thanks to CHAM Deliverance Ministry in San Jose who hosted the event &  Rev. Adrienne Lawton joyfilled-moving music leadership. Congratulations to Rev. Vy Nguyen, CWS Asst. Regional Director for N CA-NV & AZ, who received this year's MLK award for his inclusive work in building CROP teams to alleviate hunger & replace it with hope. Congratulation to Taulau Tupua, member of Via Dolorosa CCC of Samoa in Modesto, who received the $1,000 MLK scholarship.

The MLK scholarship is solely supported by the offering during the MLK service. We received $406 at the event. If you'd like to be a part of supporting future reconciliation leaders in the church, please send a check made out to CCNCN with MLK scholarship on the memo line.

Learn more and download registration packet!  

Mission Project

Campers will be making Hygiene Kits for Church World Service and are asking your congregations to help collect the following items: 

• one hand towel - approx. size, 16" x 28" (no fingertip or bath towels)
• one washcloth
• one wide-tooth comb
• one nail clipper
• one bar of soap (bath size in wrapper)
• one toothbrush (in original package)
• six standard size band aids

NOTE: See the latest Youth Newsletter, Words from 4042' at http://www.ccncn.org/youth.html   

We do not put the dates of local church events here as we never could get them all and we would always miss some!  

• June 5-8 - Adult Camp
• June 22-28 - Junior and Chi Rho Camps
• June 28 - July 1 - Grandparent and Me Camp
• June 29 - July 5 - CYF Camp

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This communication is made possible by generosity expressed  

through giving to Disciples Mission Fund!

 
The CCNC-N is the presence of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
in the northern half of the states of California and Nevada.