Regional Voices
August 28, 2014
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REFLECTIONS
I've been pondering the importance of "good-byes". Only two weeks ago, I shared in a memorial service for a beloved friend. We returned from our vacation trip late on August 1 with plans to visit her the next morning. Communion chalice and plate in hand, we headed up the walkway on August 2nd to discover that she had died just hours before. As I stood before a large gathered group of family and friends and spoke words that captured for us what her life and faith meant to us, I cherished that emotionally difficult and wondrous moment of celebration. That good bye helped us all take a small and important step in the journey of "life without her".
It was similar to what took place in the celebration at Oakdale Christian Church as many of you participated in saying "good-bye" to Brett Warren. It was reflected again in the Farewell Celebration last Sunday as we released the relationship and ministry that we have shared together during this transition time. I am convinced more and more that saying our good -byes with intention and courage creates within us an openness to what lies ahead, the next step, the new normal. Easy doesn't fit into the equation; it's messy and joyful, chaotic and anticipatory, sad and hopeful, wounding and grace-filled. Such good-byes name the change. We acknowledge deep within our spirits and in community that we shall not be the same. Life and relationships are shifted. We work together as Jesus' people to weave community into the wounded places within us and within our world. We cultivate gratitude for what has been, so that we welcome what will be. Thank you for welcoming me to share in ministry with you for the last twenty months. I have been witness to small congregations and groups of people in CCNC-N doing mighty things for God's sake. THANK YOU! I have experienced the deep and wide places where the living waters of Christ's own love and Spirit have flowed and are flowing out of your hearts into congregations and communities. THANK YOU! You have shared the difficult moments, and we've walked together for awhile. THANK YOU! I have been the recipient of gracious hospitality and lovingly truthful conversations; you have graced my days with prayers with and for me. THANK YOU! For a marvelous farewell at the First Samoan CCC in Sacramento, gifts given and gifts received, THANK YOU! May your good-byes be courageous and intentional, so that your hellos may be abundant and delightful. I shall continue to hold you in prayer as you prepare a welcome for and ministry with LaTaunya Bynum. May the light of God wash over your spirits with joy. May the flame of Christ kindle you to love one another. May the fire of the Spirit free you to live in hope. Amen. In loving gratitude, Mary E. Jacobs |
 Men's Retreat - FCC-Selma
October 17-18, 2014 Disciples Men decided to focus on fathers, sons and faith this year. Ministries for men are important as a focus for the church. Ministries that shape the faith of boys may be even more important. This brought us to the topic for this year's retreat. We found the right man for the job of leading the retreat, renowned author Sam Keen. The biblical echoes of the theme, "Prodigal Father, Wayward Son", indicate his approach to the subject. This theme is also the title of his soon-to-be-published book, co-written with his son, Gifford. So you know he has put in the work! Learn more ...
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 Adult Leaders Working with Youth EventCommunity of the Great Commission 7 pm, September 19 - 3 pm, September 20, 2014 Under the Influence: Compassion of the Jesus Kind The Reverend Jeremy Skaggs has been a youth minister a part of his ministerial life and is now the senior pastor in Woodward, Oklahoma. He is a member of DYMN (Disciples Youth Ministry Network). He will provide leadership for this training retreat will focus on spiritual formation with youth and youth groups to develop as people of faith with empathy for the other. It will include grounding for leaders along with ideas of "how tos" in forming a compassionate community. Learn More ...
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 Annual Fundraising Celebration. Saturday, September 13, 2014 This year's annual fundraiser is one you will not want to miss! The CCH Annual Fundraising Celebration will be well attended by Board members, CCH partners, donors, friends, family, residents and employees who are excited to hear our keynote speaker Rita Moreno and to celebrate our honorees. Supporting CCH means that you, too, will be part of the solution to the shortage of affordable housing for seniors. Learn More ...
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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.
We feature two congregations in each edition of Regional Voices. 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.
PLEASE PRAY FOR CHURCHES CURRENTLY IN TRANSITION:
First Samoan Congregational Christian Church of Reno
United Christian Church, Livermore
First Christian Church, San Lorenzo
First Christian Church, Watsonville
Lafayette Christian Church, Lafayette
First Christian Church, Redding
United Congregational Christian Church, Lodi
United Christian Church, Fresno
Vacaville Christian Church
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JOYS & CONCERNS & 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!
With a Grateful Heart:
Mary Jacobs for her ministry of the Region.
With a Prayerful Heart:
Continued prayers for:
Tom, Shellie and Kelsey Warren;
Connie Cole;
Taulau Tupua;
Wanda Smith (wife of Jon Smith, FCC PA)
Sharon Watkins for the passing of her mother;
Jim Watkins for the passing of his wide, Diana.
NEW MEMBERS:
FCC, Sacramento welcomed four new members;
Fruitridge CC, Sacramento welcomed two new members;
Mayfair CC, Stocton welcomed one new member;
FCC, Antioch welcomed one new member.
REMINDER: Pastors and church secretaries, the region wishes to acknowledge and congratulate those children, youth and adults who make the decision to join a church by transfer or baptism, as well as the names of any child and the parents' names of a dedicated child. Please send names, addresses, type of membership, child, youth or adult and church name to Cliff Cole (23mcc24x@comcast.net) whenever this occurs.
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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. If you have items for the calendar, please send them to Paula.
We do not put the dates of local church events here as we never could get them all and we would always miss some!
Sept. 12-14 - Women's Fall Retreat at Mission Springs with Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, GMP of Disciples. Call or email Paula if you want to come but haven't registered.
September 19-20 - Training Event for Adult Leaders of Youth, CGC Learn more ...
October 1 - LaTaunya's first day in the office.
October 16-19 - Women's Action Web focusing on Human Trafficking Learn more ...
October 17-19 - Disciples Mens Retreat Learn more ...
October 27-28 - Clergy Retreat at Sal Damiano
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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 or other 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.
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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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