CCNC-N Regional News

  CCNC-N News & Updates
July 14, 2016
Feature Headline
At our Annual Gathering in April, I presented an invitation to our gathered community called, "A Call to Mission and Ministry". The invitation had three parts:
 
-      To be a Matthew 25(verses 35-40) church;
-      To be aware and responsive to the needs in our community and in the world;
-      To be a participant in our life together.
 
Our call from God is to know our neighbors and to be in community with them. Recent days have caused us to ask who my neighbor is, and who is a stranger? Do I dare think of people who do not share my faith perspective, or my understanding of church and its purpose as not fit for God's realm? Is my neighbor the person with a different political point of view, or gender or racial identity, and can I build relationships with them?
 
If we are to be "a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world", then our call to mission and ministry is to see Jesus in "the least of these" and to do the most we can in responsive partnership with them. We do not have to be the heroes and "sheroes" of another's life, we just have to live our lives faithfully. That is how we respond to the needs we see around us.
 
Help supply a food pantry, host homeless families in your church overnight, host a free medical and dental clinic, and build ecumenical and interfaith relationships. As you do, study and ask questions about why one of the wealthiest nations on earth struggles to make sure its citizens have adequate food, safe and decent housing, education and employment sufficient to live a fulfilling life.
 
Help bring peace to our neighborhoods and respect the faith (and lack of faith) of your neighbors as you work on reaching common goals.
 
Participate in the life of our church by calling on its many resources, including the Justice Commission to help you ask and answer hard questions in way that respects the perspective of everyone involved.
 
Read about what the early church did in the book of Acts. Hold the Christian Church in Northern California-Nevada in your thoughts and in your prayers. Continue to be the church of Jesus Christ.
 
May your blessings, abound.


Text Link
Dear Christian Church of Northern California-Nevada,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Allow me to share with you all that North American Pacific/Asian Disciples (NAPAD) of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will hold their 19th Biennial Convocation here in the heart of Silicon Valley, Sunnyvale, from August 3rd to 6th (Wednesday afternoon to Saturday noon).

As you see the image, the theme of the assembly is "Be Reconciled in Christ" for relationship and current situation of brokenness.

As a host, this gathering will be an exciting for the Regional NAPAD and yet be inspiring, and for this Region this would be an opportunity for learning, embracing, and inspiring.
The keynoter for the theme is Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago.  And yes, our General Minister and President Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins will deliver a message for the opening worship service on Wednesday evening.

Come and join with your regional NAPAD by registering online (www.napad.net), or by sending a hard copy.  More information is found at http://www.napad.net/convocation/
 
Kyung-Min Daniel Lee
Associate Regional Minister of CCNC-N
Healthy Clergy Boundaries Training
According to the policies presented by the Regional Recognition and Standing Committee, all ordained and commissioned clergy are required to have Healthy Clergy Boundaries Training (HCBT) every three years. It is mandatory that all ministers with active standing who have not had HCBT since 2013 to attend one of the basic courses listed below in order to retain Disciples Ministerial Standing:

    October 8th: 8:30-3:00 at FCC in Selma
    October 21st: 9:00-3:00 at FCC in Sacramento
    October 22nd: 9:00-3:00 at Barrett Avenue CC in Richmond.

Register online
Fall Retreat Theme 2016 Bridge
Women's Annual Fall Retreat 2016

Registration for Fall Retreat is here!  The theme this year is "Understanding our Stories" with keynote speaker Rev. Diane Weible, the NCNC UCC Conference Minister.

What happens at women's retreats?  See pictures and videos of past retreats here.  We expect high numbers of registrations, so get yours in early  (especially if you want ground floor housing).  To register online, click here.  To send in your registration by mail, download it and print here.  

Young women in 7th -12th grades are invited to apply to be a steward.  Find out more here.  

More questions?  Check out the FAQ's about Fall Retreat here or email Rev. Katy Valentine at katy@ccncn.org

We are looking forward to seeing you at the Retreat!

Frequently Asked Questions

Registration Center
Call to Prayer for Mission First
By Melissa Webb Earnest



Isaiah 43:18 (NIV)
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!

My husband has often said to me, "Why do you keep bringing up things from the past?" If it is something funny that happened and we can share a laugh again, then why not? But if it is something that is truly over and done and there's nothing I can do about it, then why? Is it the same with our churches? Do we continue to do the same thing over and over and stay in the past? For as we all know, "we've never done it that way."

Why not try something new? Why not step out of our comfort zones?  Isn't that what Mission First is? We should not be scared to tell our faith story.  We should not be timid around strangers, but share with them our church vision. We should not get weary, but keep putting one foot in front of the other as we walk the mission path together.

What about your church vision? Do you truly have a vision or mission?  If you do, then share it! If you don't, then have a brainstorming session and develop it! We've seen church after church close its doors due to many factors, some of which are beyond their control. We are all going to have to make a concerted effort to reach the un-churched and to lift up and support the churched, especially in our own denomination!

*    Take a good look at those around you in your church pews. Take a good look at your facility. What can you do to make it more inviting to those who may never have set foot in a church building? And how can you begin to bring back those lost sheep who once were in your flock but now are separated from you? Think on these things; do not dwell on the past.  See?  We are doing new things!

Prayer:  Our Father in heaven, you see our needs even before we have the ability to express them. You know the church was never meant to be an individual effort but instead it is to be a team. Help us to see a new vision and mission for Christianity all over the world. Give us the courage to step out of our front doors and into the parking lots and streets beyond the sanctuary. Give us the ability to speak to others in their language and on their level so that they might understand the good news. Support us as we put our mission first and ourselves last. We thank you for all the blessings you have bestowed upon us.  Amen.
.     
Mission First Website
Marge Ellsbury - Memorial

It is with great sorrow that I am sending to all the CCNCN region, the news of the passing of our beloved sister, Marjorie Ellsbury, Saturday, July 9, 2016.  Many of you will know her as the one who was most dedicated at serving the Lord's ministry, wherever it was needed (even if it meant she would have to stand on two boxes in order to be seen over the podium; which I'm sure she's still laughing about that, in heaven).  Marjorie rarely missed a women's retreat nor a regional gathering, and if you knew her at all, you would say that those infamous butterflies on her lapel surely were what kept her flitting about: helping, guiding, inspiring, and loving everyone she met.  Marjory, we will truly miss you.
 
Peace and Blessing,
Pastor Eva
Fruitridge Christian Church

Services for Marjorie L. Ellsbury
At Sierra Hills East Lawn Memorial Cemetery
4445 Greenback Lane
Sacramento, CA 9841
916-732-2020
 
Viewing
Sunday, July 17, 2016
1:00pm - 5:00pm
 
Funeral & Burial
Monday, July 18, 2016
2:00 pm
Upcoming Events in the Region
Joys and Concerns

Prayers for strength and comfort for the family and friends of Marge Elsberry;
Prayers of healing for the Máquez and Lúcar families;

New Members
Cottage Way Christian Church in Sacramento reports 7 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 July 17, 2016
Merced, First Christian Church;  
For the week of July 24, 2016
Modesto, Via Dolorosa Congregational Christian Church; Dave Faletagaloa, 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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