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The Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ seeks to be a community of diverse congregations which nurtures, supports, and unites local churches in faithful covenant in Christ to carry out ministry and mission in the world.
A video message from our Conference Minister

Let's Talk: About Safety and Love

In John 20, we read the familiar story of what happened to the Disciples after Jesus was crucified. They were terrified and locked themselves up in a room, trying to keep out those they believed were seeking to do them harm. And, Jesus entered the room anyway. He brought with him words of peace and calm. He reminded the Disciples that locking themselves away from community was not what would take away the panic and the fear. He gave the Disciples the gift of peace and invited them to embrace that peace and focus on the work before them. When we isolate ourselves out of fear, we cannot offer Jesus’ peace to the places that need it the most.
 

Last week I experienced a flurry of emails and posts from colleagues and acquaintances regarding the corona virus. Every time a new email came in about the latest letter that was going to be sent to churches, I cringed. It took me a while to figure out why I was cringing. After all, the information that was being sent was important. Safe practices are always important, especially during flu season and, in this case, at a time when the corona virus is spreading. How do we support one another when we ourselves are feeling anxious and concerned without feeding the panic that seems to be everywhere, especially in the news media? Click here to read more.
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Erase Medical Debt this Lenton Season
Inspired by other United Church of Christ (UCC) congregations in Chicago and around the nation, there is  a group of 31 UCC churches in the San Francisco East Bay working together to erase the medical debts of our neighbors in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. We can purchase the available debt for Alameda and Contra Costa county for just under $50,000. If we can raise that amount, we will be able to erase $2.6 million in debt in Contra Costa and $2.1 million in Alameda. It is our intention of raising $50,000 by Easter Sunday, April 12th, 2020. For more information or to donate click here.

Bonnie's Lent Devotional 

We apologize for sending an out-of-date link for Rev. Dr. Bonnie Hollinger’s video Lenten Devotional. The link in last week’s newsletter was for the Ash Wednesday video and the link changes each day. For those interested in following this daily devotional, go to You Tube and search “Bonnie Hollinger FCCM.”

  Day of Joy

Please join us for a Day of Joy on May 9th as we recognize Joy in celebration as we wish her joy in her retirment. 

Please click here to RSVP, even if you can't commit to joining us, Dick Hom has offered to create a video of pictures of Joy through out the years. If you have any pictures of Joy in any setting, please forward them to Dick at richardhom@gmail.com (as soon as possible would be great to give Dick plenty of time to use in the video he is creating.) 

 PAAM Convocation Registration Now Open
The Pacific Islander Asian American Ministries of the United Church of Christ is holding their National Convocation at Sonoma State University this summer, June 25-28, see flyer below. Click here to register. 

Neighbors in Need Grant Awarded 

We are happy to inform you of several groups within your conference that have received a Neighbors In Need Grant for the following groups:

Group:                Eden United Church of Christ
Project:               The Esther & Asiya Project

Group:                First Congregational Church of Auburn
Project:               Auburn Neighbors In Need

Group:                Loomis Basin Congregational Church, UCC
Project:               The Landing Spot

Group:                UCC Petaluma
Project:               Petaluma Day-Labor Center

Pilgrimage for Liberation
Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity invites you to join their upcoming pilgrimage during 2 days of Holy week in April. Click here for more information or to register click here. 

Impact Justice Nees Help

Impact Justice, an Oakland based nonprofit that works with families and individuals impacted by the criminal justice system, is reaching out to churches in the East Bay (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) to expand their Homecoming Project.  The Homecoming Project pairs individuals who are exiting the criminal justice system with individuals in local churches who have a spare room in their home that they are willing to rent/share for a period of six months.  The Homecoming Project seeks to address the difficulty that many people have finding a place to live upon release, as many landlords will not rent to individuals with prior convictions.  Home hospitality can help to prevent homelessness for these members of our community. Click here for more information about the program. 

Non-Profit Security Grant Webinar 

Missed out on the FEMA-hosted NSGP Grant for houses of worship webinar last week?
You're in luck; there will be repeat airings on the following dates (all times Eastern):

March 12 @ 2:30 PM Eastern
Nonprofit Security Grant Program Overview
Click here to register 

March 19 @ 2:30 PM Eastern
Nonprofit Security Grant Program Overview
Click here to register

March 26 @ 2:30 PM Eastern
Nonprofit Security Grant Program Overview
Click here to register

Rest Event at Tiburon 

Employment Opportunities from UCC
Regional Mission Interpreter, West Central Region- Click here to apply. 
Senior Loan Specialist (Close Date: 3/27)- Click here to apply
Program Associate, Congregational Granting - Click here to apply
Program Assistant (Close Date 3/13)- Click here to apply  

Bay Association Ordains Kelly Colwell

Nichigo Pastor Concludes Ministry
Rev. Yasutaka Yoshioka concluded his ministry as Nichigo Pastor of Sycamore Congregational Church in El Cerrito. He and his family will soon return to Japan where Rev. Yoshioka will serve a church in Osaka.

  Ordination Service
Ordination Service of Ashley Hiestand is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 25 at 11am at Plymouth UCC Jazz & Justice Church. All Clergy are asked to robe and arrive at 10:30am. 

Staff Visit Schedule

Would you like a member of Conference staff to visit your church? Email Elane with preferred dates and we will coordinate availability. Please note that staff calendars are very full, and requests at least six months in advance are appreciated.

Rev. Dr. Diane Weible
  • March 8: First Congregational Church, Berkeley
  • March 22: Bay Association Service 

Rev. Davena Jones
  • March 8: Sacramento Marshallese Ministry
  • March 29: Pilgrim Community Church, San Francisco (Preaching)

Rev. Daniel Ross-Jones, MPA
  • March 15: First Congregational Church, Fresno
  • March 22: Campbell UCC (Preaching)
 
Conference List of Events
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Website
United Church of Christ in Northern California Nevada
1320 Willow Pass Rd., Suite 600 | Concord, CA 94520
(510) 247-8990 + ncncucc dot org

Rev. Diane Weible, Conference Minister
Rev. Davena Jones, Associate Conference Minister
Rev. Daniel Ross-Jones, MPA, Associate Conference Minister
Joy Davis, Conference Administrator
Elane Johnson, Administrative Assistant

The United Church of Christ acknowledges that its buildings and ministries in all of its settings are on traditional territories of Native, First Nations, American Indian, and Indigenous Peoples. Our Conference Office is on traditional Miwok land.






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Northern California Nevada Conference, United Church of Christ · 1320 Willow Pass Rd, Suite 600 · Concord, CA 94520 · USA