CCNC-N Regional News

  Regional Voices
January 21, 2016
Reflection

by Rev. Dr. LaTaunya M. Bynum

What a joy it has been for me to witness the generosity of this great community of God's people. You have been giving of your time as you offer yourselves for ministry in your congregations and in your communities. You are generous with your talents, lending your gifts in worship and mission. And you have been generous with your treasure, giving to support the ministry of our Regional Church such that our total giving to Disciples Mission Fund, including Blessing Boxes was 4.2% higher in 2015 than it was in 2014. Thank you, and thanks be to God.
 
Your support for this Region's ministries help congregations find pastors, children and youth to have life changing experiences at Community of the Great Commission and at camp in the South San Joaquin valley. What you do matters.
 
You also gave your support to the six Disciples Special day offerings. As you did you helped to alleviate the uncertainty and grief of people living in the aftermath of disaster through Week of Compassion. The Easter offering gave needed support to our General Ministries, including Overseas ministry, the ministry of our church that helped Charlotte Jackson and me visit our partner church in the Republic of Congo last June.
 
The Pentecost offering supports the establishment of new churches and the Reconciliation offering makes it possible for us to offer anti-racism training and other events that bring racial healing through the year.
 
When you give to the Thanksgiving offering, you are giving support to our colleges and seminaries, so Chapman University, Pacific School of Religion, and the Disciples Seminary Foundation can continue to prepare the next generation of leaders. The Christmas offering adds to your giving to the Regional Church, as does the Annual Fund.
 
Your giving is a sign of your excitement and commitment to our life in the Region. It supports the vision that is emerging that will invite us to be a church that proclaims the good news of Jesus Christ, works in partnership with other congregations, and practices the disciplines of prayer, worship, outreach, and giving.
 
Stay tuned.
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{mini}-Miracle Day!

May 7th, 2016

111 Fairmount Ave.

If the Christian Church (DOC) believes in being a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world, then the Oakland Peace Center, by believing that together, we can create the peace we seek, is the secular version of that movement. Born as a legacy project from First Christian Church Oakland, the Oakland Peace Center is a collective of over 40 nonprofits in the Bay Area who strive for access, dignity, and equity for all people.

Housed in the old FCCO building at 111 Fairmount Avenue in Oakland, CA, this 1929 building has seen many great days, and has many great days to come as it currently counts as home base for 10 different nonprofits and serves as event space for dozens more. In 2015, the in-house partners of the Oakland Peace Center alone reached over 80,000 people. The problem with all of this is that the wonderful building was built in 1929, and as can be expected, needs a little (read: a lot) of TLC to make it the bright beacon on the hill that it was meant to, and can me.

Here's where you come in: the Oakland Peace Center, in partnership with the region, is hosting a mini Miracle Day on May 7th, and the OPC and the Region ask that you consider supporting the efforts in whatever way you can. Able to work? Come out and help us! Not able to work? Please partner with us in prayer or with your financial support! Let's pull off a mighty feat together.

For more information please contact:


OR

Eula Pagdilao: eula@ccncn.org


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162nd CCNC-N Annual Gathering
Featuring Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon

We are pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon to our Annual Gathering this year!

Dr. Kinnamon will offer the message at our very special opening worship on Friday April 8. Worship will begin at 7pm in the Arden Sanctuary. It will be an uplifting night of familiar hymns and traditional worship with an inspirational message.
Rev. Dr. Kinnamon is the immediate-past General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, has served as General Secretary of the Consultation on Church Union, and has served as Executive Secretary of the World Council of Churches' Commission on Faith and Order.

Dr. Kinnamon has been a seminary professor for more than 25 years, serving as Dean of Lexington Theological Seminary from 1988-98. He has lectured and preached on ecumenical themes across the U.S. and in numerous countries overseas, especially in India and the Middle East. His many writings in the field of ecumenical studies include "The Vision of the Ecumenical Movement and How It Has Been Impoverished By Its Friends" (2003), "The Ecumenical Movement: An Anthology of Key Texts and Voices (2013)," and "Can a Renewal Movement Be Renewed?: Questions for the Future of Ecumenism (2013)."

Dr. Kinnamon's Ph.D. is from the University of Chicago Divinity School (1980) in the field of Religion and Literature. He holds ordained ministerial standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and has been active in the mission and ministries of that denomination and a frequent speaker at Disciples events.

If you have not yet registered for the 2016 Annual Gathering, registration deadline is March 25. You can register by clicking here. You won't want to miss this opportunity to hear Dr. Kinnamon and be inspired by what he has to share!
A Call to Prayer by Mission First
By Sharon Watkins
Jan. 15, 2016

John 2:5 New Revised Standard Version
 
(Jesus') mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.'
 
Jesus' first sign was to turn water into wine, adding joy to the wedding feast, warmth to the host's hospitality. In this act the gathered people saw the glory of God. The result was "and his disciples believed in him." (John 2:11) Before any of that could happen, however, the servants had to do what Jesus told them to do. Someone had to take Jesus at his word and act accordingly.
May we take Jesus at his word today!
*    Next week will be the first Mission Gathering to begin hearing from the church what our next mission focus might be for Disciples together. Take a moment today to pray for those who will gather as part of Mission First. Meditate on your own glimpse of where God is leading Disciples today. Ask God which of Jesus' words might be the guide for your action today. Someone might see you and believe!
Prayer: Dear God, let me be a faithful servant today, hearing Jesus' words and acting accordingly. Be with Disciples Women leaders in their Mission Gathering as they pray, reflect and share their sense of your call to Disciples of Christ today. AMEN  


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2016-17 Changemaker Fellowship Applications Now Available

Pacific School of Religion (PSR) is now accepting applications for our 2016-17 Changemaker Fellows Program!  We seek leaders who are working towards justice and equality, and who want to more deeply connect spirituality and social transformation in our local, national, and global communities. Changemakers express a deep commitment to addressing issues of racism and privilege, and demonstrate both cultural humility and a strong vocational interest in working for systemic social change.

The 2016-17 Changemaker Fellowship will provide scholarships that will cover between 50% and 100% of tuition for PSR's Certificate of Spirituality and Social Change, an immersive course of study, integrating theological reflection and spiritual formation with leadership for social change.  It also covers expenses for exciting immersion opportunities, leadership training, spiritual formation, and faculty mentoring.  

Applications received by February 15 will receive priority consideration.  Click here for more information or to apply.

Learn more ...
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CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY SINGERS
Northern California Tour

Rev. Nancy E. Brink is pleased to announce that Chapman will be sending its elite choir of 33 voices to Northern California.

The 33-voice University Singers will present pieces including Renaissance works of Anerio and Monteverdi, Romantic compositions by Rheinberger and Brahms, and contemporary pieces of American composers William Hawley, Richard Burchard, and H. Garrett Phillips.

Conducted by Stephen Coker, the choir will also perform folk selections from Scotland, Cuba, France, and the Philippines.

She will be traveling with them and have arrange for three free concerts at Santa Cruz, Kensington, and Sacramento. She will also be able to talk to any youth who might the interested in a Chapman education and our great scholarships. 

Dates and Locations (Flyer)

Scholarship Info
Families Surviving Fires Fundraiser Dinner and Silent Auction

YOU ARE INVITED
!

What: "Families Surviving Fires Fundraiser Dinner and Silent Auction" - in support of the communities of Lakeport and San Andreas.  

When: Friday, February 26, 2016, 6:00 p.m.

Where: Arden Christian Church, 4300 Las Cruces Way, Sacramento, CA 95864

Cost: $30 per person

Arden Christian Church, invites you to "Families Surviving Fires, a fundraiser dinner and silent auction on Friday, February 26, 2016 at 6pm. The goal is to raise over $5,000 to provide for help and support for the fire ravaged communities of two sister churches in the Lake and Calaveras Counties area - United Christian Parish in Lakeport, CA and Community Covenant Church in San Andreas, CA - both congregations have been on the front lines of relief efforts.

With the support of BellaLu Catering (owner, Chef Dani Luzzatti) and the culinary students at American River College, along with food donations from local suppliers, 100% of the proceeds will go to support the people of Lake and Calaveras Counties. You may remember that BellaLu catered our 2015 Annual Gathering.

Pastor Michael Hamm shares, "We got word that while many needs have been met of those who experienced the fires in these areas, there is still a critical need for things such as cleaning supplies, face masks, gloves, gas and food gift cards and cash donations to continue to help those who have been displaced and trying to put their lives back together. Our sister church in Lakeport has a goal of rebuilding 200 homes, and Arden Christian Church will be there to help them achieve that goal." With the current rains, mudslides are now a concern and residents in the area are still rebuilding.

To donate an auction item or make a cash donation:
Call Sandy Cowan at (916) 519-7543 or Marsha Vacca at (916) 717-9998

For more information and to buy tickets:  
Call Arden Christian Church, (916) 483-2733
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Seminary Sunday

For 149 years, Pacific School of Religion has trained transformative leaders of faith-based communities and organizations. Your church's support is essential to preparing tomorrow's faith leaders and community builders.

Will you celebrate the ninth annual Pacific School of Religion Sunday on Sunday, February 28th in your congregation or community? During worship, share the unique mission and ministry of Pacific School of Religion, highlighting the importance of theological education. We can provide you with sermon ideas, liturgy and materials for distribution - we can even provide the preacher!

On February 28th, consider inviting a member of the PSR community to:

Preach at your church
Give a Moment for Mission during the service
Attend worship and be available for questions after the service

Congregational support is essential to the continued flourishing of Pacific School of Religion and the ministries our graduates pursue. If your church is interested in participating in Seminary Sunday on February 28th, or would to designate another Sunday to theological education, please visit www.psr.edu/seminary-sunday for more information and to sign up. 
CCNC-N Seeks a Youth Director

The Christian Church of Northern California-Nevada is seeking someone to fill the role of the Director of Youth.

View Job Descrption
Joys and Concerns

Vacaville Christian Church announces one new member;
First Christian Church of Sacramento reports four new members;

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.

We lift up these churches in prayer
For the week of January 24, 2016
Visalia, Disciples of Christ - Visalia; Shirley Salas, Moderator, Contact
For the week of January 31, 2016
Watsonville, First Christian Church; Florentino Cordova, Pastor

Let us 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 consider incorporating this congregation into your congregational prayers this week during worship or in your newsletter, so we can grow together in prayer.

Please pray for the churches who are in transition:
 PUBLISHING INFORMATION
 
Always send your news articles to enews@ccncn.org
 

Articles for the newsletter should be brief, 125 words or less.  

Submissions must be submitted in text format. Sending the article via email is preferred.

 

If you have a website or social media page that provides more detailed information, include a link to the relevant page to connect it to the article. (If you don't have a website or social media page and are interested in having such, call the regional office for information on getting started).

 

If possible, but certainly not required, photos and images (people, symbols, etc. relating to your article) would be good to include in the newsletter.


ALL news articles should be sent to enews@ccncn.org  no later than the
Tuesday before publication. 

________________________________  

 

This communication is made possible by generosity expressed  

through giving to Disciples Mission Fund!

 

      

Christian Church of  Northern California-Nevada
CCNC-N | (925) 556-9900 | enews@ccncn.org  | www.ccncn.org 
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