Dear Church, This Sunday, we begin a new church year.

The first Sunday of Advent is the first day of the year according to the church calendar.

we eat together so often? In our society, we live very private lives. In fact, ours is the most individualized society in earths history. However, when we eat together, we are saying that lifes not about me, its about us. In our society, you usually have to be invited to attend dinner with others, or pay money. When we eat together, everyone is welcome, and in the case of our Wednesday Night Dinners is welcome to pay as much or as little as they can. But we never turn anyone away, because Jesus never turned anyone away. Often when we gather to eat, we have more than enough food. Occasionally, though, we find that we have to limit

From The

Pastor

when we eat together, we are saying that lifes not about me, its about us.

And what better way to start the year than by eating together! This week, we have the return of our Wednesday Night Supper. On Friday, our Hanging of the Greens will include a light supper. And every Sunday, we include a meal the Lords Supper during our worship, and then enjoy refreshments (and sometimes a meal) after worship. Ive decided, in this new church year, to use a number of my newsletter articles to answer questions about why we do what we do. It seems appropriate, then that the first question is: Why do

our portions, either because more people showed up than we expected, or less food was prepared than we expected. This is not a bad thing, because it reminds us that, in our world, some have more than they need, others not enough, and we are called to share with one another so that all may be fed. Eating together is a sign of fellowship and friendship. Its easier to just throw something in the microwave for yourself, but we are called to build community. We know that in building community, our lives are ultimately enriched. I look forward to eating with you, this week and every week! Blessings, Pastor Danny

BKCC and Open & Affirming

Article by Gretchen Rugh The Elders would like to let you know that based on our churchs Mission Plan we recently discerned what it would mean to be an Open and Affirming congregation. Due to what we discussed and the instruction of the Mission Plan we have decided to move forward and create an Open and Affirming committee.
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We want you to understand that this does not mean any decision has been made to formally call ourselves an Open and Affirming congregation. What it does mean is the committee will be providing our congregation with opportunities to openly learn, discuss, and decide if this is what BKCC wants to officially proclaim and become. The Elders have instructed the committee

to move slowly and thoughtfully guided by God. Based on the questions, comments and opinions the Elders came up with we expect this to take at least one year if not more. Of course, the committee will be reporting to the Elders. The Elders are asking the congregation to be open and willing to participate in this process. Please feel free at

any time to speak to anyone on the committee, the Elders, or Pastor Danny. The first step will be the dedication of the committee on December 9th during the 10:15 service. We would like as many as possible to be there to be a part of this dedication.

Khmer Thanksgiving Celebration

What an evening celebration at Bixby Knolls Christian Church! There were more than fifty people attending the Khmer worship third annual Thanksgiving celebration which took place on Sunday, November 18th, 2012. The guests were members from different churches within Long Beach and its vicinity. Some of our guests were from the Church in Norwalk, Santa Ana, Friends Church, Cambodian United Methodist church, and Cambodian CMA in Long Beach. The evening was filled with wonderful people and great Christian songs sung by all who attended and by the womens group and the mens group. Monica Sar was the Khmer soloist for Bixby
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Knolls Christian Church, followed by our guest singers from other churches. Everyone who attended was mesmerized by the master pianist, the old-timer Sok Chan Racy and a few others. We were fortunate to have these master musicians who kept our guests entertained throughout the event. Our Thanksgiving celebration also included a lot of food! Members brought fruit baskets, sugar canes, melons of all kind, and lots of roast turkey! Tables were filled with home-made food cooked and brought by members of Bixby Knolls Christian Church. One member brought a big basketful of can food, which will be donated to the Holiday Can Food Drive. The ta-

bles were beautifully decorated with Harvest theme an inviting atmosphere for the Thanksgiving Feast. Pastor Danny, Robbie Charbonneau, Angela Sar, and Vanessa Sar joined us for a Thanksgiving dinner right before Rekindle workshop. Guests packed some food to take home since there were a lot left over and they each had a bag of fresh fruits to take home, in courtesy of Racys sister, Ms. Sophear. It was a fun-filled celebration with great music and great food. Now everyone is looking forward to the Christmas celebration, which will take place on

the 23rd of December, 2012 at 2:00 pm!

It was a fun-filled celebration with great music and great food.

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Sock Drive
Thank you to everyone who donated socks for our sock drive, benefiting Love in the Mirror, an organization founded by Jonas Corona three years ago when he was six. These socks will be taken to Jonas later this week, helping him reach his goal of 10,000 socks for those in need.

Junior High JANboree & FebCamp

These are our winter camps for youth in middle school & high school, respectively. Jr. High JANboree (for grades 6-8) takes place January 18-21, and FebCamp (for grades 9-12) takes place February 15-18. We have not yet received registration materials, but when we do, it will only be a short time until the registration deadlines. If you are interested in going, let Pastor Danny know.

O music thou hast taught us to see with our ears and hear with our hearts. -Kahlil Gibran

My daughters teacher was telling the class about the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. She explained that theirs were the only angel names we know. What about Hark Harold? one precocious boy asked. You know, the angel who sings.

Scout News
On Friday, November 23, scouts and other youth from throughout the Long Beach area participated in a Ten Commandments Hike that included a stop at Bixby Knolls Christian Church. Pastor Danny spoke to
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the hikers about the commandment Do not murder.

What Are You Doing Next Summer?

The dates for 2013 summer camps at Loch Leven have been announced. Registration materials will be available later, but please mark these dates on your calendar: Mini (entering grades 2 & 3): July 7 10 Junior (entering grades 4, 5 & 6): June 23 29 Chi-Rho (entering grades 7 & 8): June 30 July 6 CYF 1 (entering grades 9 & 10): July 21 July 27 CYF 2 (entering grades 11 & 12, and 13 grads): July 28 August 3 Special Needs July 7 10 Camp:
God became a man. Divinity arrived. Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious one in a human womb. The omnipotent, in one instant, became flesh and blood. The one who was larger than the universe became a microscopic embryo. And he who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl. God had come near. -Max Lucado, God Came Near

The General Assembly

The General Assembly is the biennial gathering of Disciples from across North America. For five days, children, youth and adults will gather in Orlando for worship, mission, business, workshops, and more. Info at www.disciples.org/ga.

Thank You!
Weve received a thank you note from the Marine and Family Program in Okinawa, Japan. We would like to thank you for taking the time to contribute to our coupon program. Your work has truly made a difference in the quality of life for miliFellowship News

tary personnel and their families and has made them feel closer to home. Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan Pat Cohen Community Action

When you have an excess of coupons and / or expired coupons, consider our military personnel and how you can help them. Just cut them out, bring to Fellowship Hall and place in the designated box.

If you wish to order any scrip, remember December 16!!!

This is the last day to place your order.

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At a Glance
The December 11 issue of the Fellowship News will be the last one for 2012. Our next issue will be on January 8, 2013.

Vacation Bible School

Bixby Knolls Christian Church July 22-26, 2013

Were online! Visit us at:

Bixby Knolls Christian Church recently received an Excellence in Evangelism Award from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). BKCC received this award for its excellence in evangelism during 2011 in the baptism of 11 persons into the congregation, which is in the top 5% of similar-sized CC(DOC) congregations.

www.bixbyknollschurch.org www.facebook.com/bixbyknollschurch

The Fellowship News A publication of Bixby Knolls Christian Church of Long Beach (a Disciples of Christ Church) 1240 E. Carson Street Long Beach, CA 90807 www.bixbyknollschurch.org Editor: Monica Lanz 562-426-0428 bkcchurch@aol.com fax 562-426-0429 Pastor: Daniel Bradfield The Fellowship News is published twice monthly.

Upcoming Scripture December 9 Luke 3:1-6

BIXBY KNOLLS CHRISTIAN CHURCH

CHURCH STAFF: Pastor Daniel Bradfield -Minister Monica Lanz -Church Secretary Barbara Neal-Peebles -Music Director/Organist Christine Perkinson - Church Child Care Suzie Romero - Custodian -Vice President Pat Cohen -Secretary Angela Hillig - Treasurer BOARD OFFICERS: David Rugh -Board President

(Disciples of Christ)
SUNDAY SCHEDULE: 9:00 a.m. Sunday School for Adults 10:15 a.m. Morning Worship and Childrens Church OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.