Dear CCNC-N Community,

 

We can celebrate another summer of camps in the South San Joaquin area and at Community of the Great Commission.  They are captured on cell phones, memory chips and hearts.  We can rejoice in another time of discovering the gifts of God in creation and community which has replenished hearts, minds and spirits.

Pause with me a moment and remember a time when you went to camp (or retreat).  What remains for you from that experience?  What was a God moment?  In what ways did you discover deep community?

Every camp brings new insights and grace-filled moments.  Homesickness is overcome by loving accompaniment.   Camp fire worship creates space for profound sharing.  Silliness abounds, and laughter resounds through the cabins.  Even in the struggles of the week, learning happens and new possibilities emerge.  Then tears flow freely as continuing and newfound friends say "good-bye" and head home.  What remains?  A few dirty socks and a forgotten sleeping bag in a corner of a cabin...and transformed lives.

Now is the time to start planning for next summer.  Outdoors Ministry is organizing new steps in the recruitment of camp staff.  THIS PLAN STARTS WITH YOU!  Do you have a passion for growing and deepening faith and relationships with youth, children or adults?  Is this a calling that is growing within you?  When the call comes to apply in January, fill out an application and send it in; remember applying is the first step.  Then decisions will be made about who to recommend to directors for the counselor staff.

If it is not your sense of calling and passion, look around your congregation and consider others around you.  Who do you think would make a good counselor, director or camp nurse.  Encourage that person or persons to consider applying.  You may just be igniting a spark that will enrich their lives and strengthen our camping ministry.

Thanks be to God for the 2014 directors:  Larry Love and Cathy Gabor (Junior Camp, grads of 3rd-5th); Lucas Milliken and Coral Cogbill (Chi Rho Camp grads of 6th - 8th); Mike Hecker and Rachelle Ryness (CYF Camp -grads of 9th-12th); and Carol Somerton and Ellie McDougal (Grandparents and Me Camp) for the hours of planning, their grace-filled presence and care. 

Also, special thanks to the counselors, nurses and chaplains who gave their time, energy and faithful witness with 2014 campers.  
Blessings on what lies ahead!

Trust in our God with all your heart 

and do not rely on your own insight.

 In all of your ways, acknowledge God and God will direct your paths. 

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

 

Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls - the time has come for our big announcement!

PART 1: Two weeks ago we posted the announcement that the search committee had submitted a name of a final candidate and that name had been approved by the Executive Committee of the region. The name was held in confidence for two weeks while some behind the scenes work was done - so now the time has come.

 

The Regional Search committee and the Executive committee are excited, inspired and proud to share the name of Rev. Dr. LaTaunya Bynum as the recommended candidate for a 6 year term as Regional Minister of the Christian Churches of Northern California & Nevada - HOORAY!

 

LaTaunya will be visiting us in August and will be accompanied by her longtime housemate and partner, Reverend Dr. Leslie Carole Taylor, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.

Dr. Bynum's resume can be seen by "clicking here":

• 3 college degrees from two schools (all from California);
• Substantial training on ethics, anti-racism, CPE and transformation;
• Pastoral experience in 3 congregations;
• Regional experience as associate regional minister in Ohio and national experience working on the General Staff in Indianapolis
• If it is a Disciple thing, LaTaunya has done it! (More information will be available later)

PART 2: Our Region needs a special called meeting and an official vote. Here are a few critical procedural details.

• Time & Place: As previously announced, this meeting will be August 2 at 11:00 am. It will be held at First Christian Church - Concord (3039 Willow Pass Rd., Concord. 94519 925-685-7503)
• Delegates: We need a bunch of you! This meeting cannot occur without 2/3 of the congregations in attendance. Each congregation needs to appoint their official voting delegates (Or just continue with the delegates you had in the spring at the Lodi Regional Gathering). Please make sure your delegates are in attendance.
• A guest Appearance: We are so excited to announce a special appearance by General Minister & President, Sharon Watkins. If you have never met Sharon - this is your chance.

Full Steam Ahead - See you August 2!

With gratitude and blessings,

Don Stump

Moderator

 

 

Women's Fall Retreat

Mission Springs Conference Center
in Scotts Valley, CA
September 12-14, 2014
"Diverse and NOT Divided"

Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins serves as General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.

She is an inspirational preacher, teacher and facilitator who shares her considerable skills in a variety of religious and ecumenical settings. Learn More

Sister Karen Barrett of Mills Grove Christian Church (DOC) in Oakland traveled with a group representing the Convocation of the Christian Church (DOC) to Ghana, Africa.  Women at Spring Gathering 2014 were asked to bring underwear for boys and girls for Karen to take with her as her gift to those they visited. She collected so much from all her various groups that she had to ship 120 lbs worth ahead of her!  Please read this article about her trip in the Catholic Voice: Learn More

Congregation to pray for this week:  Mayfair Christian Church, Stockton, Pastor Norrie Palmer  

 

Congregation to pray for next week: Walking Faith Korean-American Christian Church, Sunnyvale, Pastor Kyung-Min Daniel Lee

  

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 24-27 - 23rd Biennial Session, National Convocation, Columbus, OH Learn More

If you missed anything at the Quadrennial or was unable to attend, we have good news!  Follow news and information from the Quadrennial on Facebook!  Learn More

From Bread and Wine to Faith and Giving

A workshop led by Ronald J. Allen
Saturday, September 13, 2014
9am - 12pm
Sponsored by Disciples Seminary Foundation

Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley
 
Ron will speak on the new stewardship campaign curriculum for the denomination. There will be some presentations by him, some small group work, and some plenary discussion, prompted by the table theme in the Faith and Giving materials and going beyond.

Ron says, "In particular, I hope to encourage participants to generate stories from their own worlds that relate the various tables of our lives to the notion of giving, with the sacred table as a lens through which to help discern God's presence and leading."

________________________________  

 

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.