December 2008

PASTOR'S PEN

Additional Grace …

“And the Word became flesh and lived among us…”
John 1:13

As some of you may know, my older daughter started to take ice skating lessons recently. (Thankfully, in contrast to what many people think, lessons aren’t much more expensive than taking piano lessons, or lessons in other activities.) Initially, when she was seriously willing to take a group class over the summer – where she didn’t know one single person – I knew she must have really wanted to take skating lessons. If you know her, you know that she would ordinarily NEVER be willing to do such a thing! In any case, long story short – she has continued taking small group lessons since that first group class.

Today, as I sit here at the rink, watching her take lessons in the midst of hundreds (I kid you not!) of other ‘public skating session’ people, I have been given the opportunity to ‘people-watch’ them as they skate. Now granted, these are just generalizations, but…most people are smiling, and some people look dead serious. Some are skating by themselves, even if they’re just beginners, some are holding hands as they wobble along. Some take risks while skating (like skating backwards, or trying to skate on one foot), some are clinging onto the edge for dear life.

And then, there are the ‘spectators’ – who are freezing and watch their children and loved ones skate, but would never dare to go onto the ice to experience the rush of gliding on the ice, and feeling like you are floating. (As you can tell, I love to ice skate myself!) These people sometimes look at their watches thinking, ‘When is this waiting going to end?”

This kind of reminds me of life and our journey of faith. Some are enjoying the experience, some are so serious that they forget that even Jesus laughed and had a great sense of humor. Some are ok and are rather ‘independent’ about living out their faith, some need someone else to coax them and hold their hand. Some feel called to take risks beyond their comfort zone, some are so afraid that they cling onto whatever they think they have a hold of.

And then, there are those who watch from the outside – into the life and journey of faith. Some have preconceived notions (whether right or wrong) of this experience, some find it just too much trouble or downright scary. Some may think that they could ever be that ‘religious’. However, the unfortunate part is that similar to those who have never experienced the excitement of ice skating, they may never experience the exhilaration - of sensing the blatant presence of God. They may never understand why certain people do ‘irrational, illogical things’ based on their faith. They may not be able to ever experience God in a positive, meaningful and powerful way.

But thanks be to God – that, unlike my skating observation, God invites and continues to invite all to the ‘rink’ of faith. Through life events, God nudges us to take those first steps, to put on the ‘shoes’ of faith. Through other people, God takes our hand and leads us to onto the ‘ice’. Through our situations, God teaches us to ‘glide’.

And, in addition to this grace, God sent Jesus, the Christ, to become human and to experience this first-hand. Being both fully divine, and fully human, at some level, Jesus had to learn what it was like to depend on God and be lead by God – just like us! Perhaps Jesus also experienced the fear, pain and frustration of it too.

It is this additional grace that we celebrate this season…the divine-made-flesh-to-live-among-us. As in the Bible verse above, God’s Word, God’s being, became human to live among us. And although Jesus is not physically with us any longer, his presence – God’s presence – continues to be with us and continues to invite us and prompt us into the journey of faith.

Although I don’t expect all of us to become ice skaters (although I invite you to, it’s quite fun!), I do pray that we will all accept God’s invitation to this amazing, wonderful, complex, challenging, frustrating, mysterious and fun journey that we call faith.

Won’t you join me on the ‘rink’ today?

Christmas blessings,

Pastor Grace Kaori Suzuki

DEACONS' REPORT

What a bountiful table we had for our annual Thanksgiving Dinner last weekend! Our cup did indeed run over. It was heart-warming seeing the church filled with people as we gathered to partake of the wonderful meal prepared by the Deacons and enjoying the turkeys, cooked to perfection. We thank all the hands that pitched in to prepare the meal and for your donations to the S.F. Food Bank that will help put food on the table for many needy families. It was an evening that gave us a brief opportunity to stop and give thanks for all our many blessings and be nurtured and filled with the Spirit as we begin the holiday season.

Our Pastoral Partnership training is now under way. The next training dates are December 6 and January 3. It is our goal that each person will feel loved and cared for and supported in their faith journey. If you would like to be a part of this important ministry, please let any one of your faithful Deacons know or contact the church office.

The Sunday School children and youth have begun their preparation and rehearsal for the Christmas Pageant to be held on Sunday, December 21. We hope you will be able to join us as our youth share the story of Christmas…of God’s hope, love, joy and peace for all of us.

We give thanks and praise for what God has given us, and would like to lift up those in our community and church.

COFFEE FELLOWSHIP:

The Deacons would like to thank the individuals who have contributed to the coffee fellowship during the month of November. The Deacons are aware that there are those who contribute but do not sign up on the list. We wish to thank you also.

Jan Der, Co-Moderator

ARTICLE OF INTEREST

New CUPC Directory for 2009…

As the New Year approaches, we are working on a new Church Directory! Since our last directory publication in 2005, we have had new members and others that have joined our church family. We would like to update you all with the latest contact information.

We are also hoping to add a new line for e-mail addresses as well. If you communicate via e-mail and feel comfortable sharing this information, please contact the church by phone: (415)567-3988 or e-mail church1700@earthlink.net Address Protected by OnlyMyEmail.com Encoder to let us know your e-mail address. We would love to hear from you!

Thank you & Happy Holidays!

November 2008

PASTOR'S PEN

It is All That Easy, and All That Hard…

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” 
Colossians 3:12-14

Now, by the time you read this, the November elections will be over, and we will have elected a new president. Whew – what an exciting presidential election season it has been! Although I’m not an American citizen and cannot vote, I can’t help but be affected by all the ‘hype’…but apart from the media coverage and the expected ‘hype’, this election has definitely posed interesting dynamics of race, gender, faith and ‘Americana’ (whatever that may mean).

One thing that has always bugged me about politics in general, (and perhaps this is ‘Americana’ too?!) is the need to prove one’s self over and beyond the ‘other’ by attacking them – either of their character (whether true or perceived), moral standards, history, etc… Having said that, I would be the first person to vouch highly for transparency, genuine dialogue for the welfare of the people, and serious debate in regards to what the role/office would mean to them, but I always wonder what message it gives to people when you have to position yourself at the expense of putting someone else down.

Maybe this isn’t going to happen until ‘thy kingdom come’, but I dream of a day when all people, not just politicians, are able to define, position and clarify their own sense of being just by doing that – defining, positioning and clarifying their OWN sense of being, not by using someone else’s sense of being and the attacking of them becoming their own stance. It’s quite a negative way to present one’s self, isn’t it – being whatever the other isn’t? Maybe I’m being too naïve or optimistic, but that’s not the way I was raised to behave among people – even if you’re a politician!

In any case, the election is over and now comes the time to deal with the ‘aftermath’ of our decisions. Granted, there are many groups of people who are angry because the ‘right’ president wasn’t picked or the proposition did/didn’t pass – and are wondering ‘what now’, how can I live in a place where….(you can fill in the blanks)? Sometimes it is in these situations that emotions are high and it’s easy to get back into the ‘attack mode’ explained earlier – ‘if ONLY so-and-so were/weren’t this way things would be fine’ or just plain give up.

But as children of God, perhaps it’s in these times that it’s even more crucial to think about how much more effective we can be if we framed our words and actions according to the One who calls us. In the above Bible verse, the apostle Paul is encouraging the followers of Christ to put on, or be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. In the previous verses, Paul mentions that in the past, they may not have acted that way. But because of Christ, they have been made anew and are therefore able to be transformed into this new way of being and doing. Paul continues on and invites them to bear and forgive one another. On top of everything, add love to the list – because it is what will unite them.

Paul’s time was no different from ours. There were conflicts and people didn’t always agree with each other in terms of what they thought the ‘right’ gospel would be. I’m sure they discussed, argued and even ‘attacked’ sometimes. Because Paul was aware of all of these dynamics, he made sure to prompt Christ’s followers in Colossians to act and treat one another in love – despite all of their differences – and remind them that they are all one in the Body of Christ no matter how different their opinions may be. It is in their working together and through their differences that the Holy is seen within and among them.

So, as we enter in a new chapter of American history, and even more so because of our challenging economic situation, I hope these same words become a guide for how all of us are called to live with one another. We may have differing political opinions. We may not always agree on what the ‘right thing’ is for our country. We may not see eye to eye on how we will get through all of the work and challenges ahead of us.

But we are also called, first and foremost, to be the one Body of Christ. And as we model the ways of Christ to one another, working through and within our differences and diversities, we, too, can become models for the rest of our world as to how we are all called to be with one another. So…maybe ‘thy kingdom come’ won’t be too far off after all! Would you like to join this journey with me…? I hope you will!

Peace and blessings,

Pastor Grace Kaori Suzuki

DEACONS' REPORT

What’s in your heart? The annual Deacon-led worship was held on Sunday, October 19. Our message was about developing your gifts and talents. On an insert in the worship bulletin, each person circled two gifts that God had blessed them with and then chose a gift that they wished to develop. The message then involved audience participation as the congregation tried to guess, through playing charades, what gifts members had chosen to develop.

There are so many ways that God can use us. We just need to be open to His calling and willing to step out in faith. In a sermon I heard a while back, the pastor said, “the greatest danger is that we will do nothing because we think we can do so little.” So this serves as the perfect segue into the Pastoral Partnership Program.

If yours is the gift of caring and you feel called to follow God's commandment to "Love One Another", consider becoming a pastoral partner. Each pastoral partner will keep in contact with five members of the congregation, building relationships and praying for each person in their group. The objective is that, eventually, every member of our congregation is cared for and supported in their faith journey. The training dates for the Pastoral Partner Program are Saturday, November 8, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., December 6, and January 3. Everyone is invited to join us for the training.

The Women’s Group hosted the annual Halloween Party this past Saturday, October 25, to benefit UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, whose program assist children, in developing countries, who struggle for survival against disease, disasters and other hardships. Participants brought some very creative Halloween “finger food” enjoyed by all. The same evening, the Middle School Youth had a lock-in.

In just a few short weeks, the Deacons will be hosting the annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday, November 23. Price of admission: adults - $7.00, youth - $4.00. CUPC will join together with Nihonmachi Little Friends in donating the proceeds from the Thanksgiving Dinner to the San Francisco Food Bank. So not only will you enjoy a wonderful meal and the fellowship of your favorite people, but you will make a difference in the lives of many families this holiday season through your donations. For every $1 donated, the Food Bank can distribute $9 worth of groceries. Mark you calendars for this annual gathering.

Please be in prayer for those in our community and world.

COFFEE FELLOWSHIP: 

The Deacons would like to thank the individuals who have contributed to the coffee fellowship during the month of October. We are aware that there are those who contribute but do not sign up on the list. We wish to thank you also.

Jan Der, Co-Moderator

ARTICLE OF INTEREST

 Let Us Extend Our Christmas Greetings!

We are once again offering a service of which you may wish to take advantage. It was felt that many people may wish to send Christmas Greetings to the members and friends of the church through the Visiting Pastor in lieu of sending Christmas cards, thereby saving the cost of postage and cards and allowing you the opportunity to use the money for some other worthy cause, a cause which may be especially meaningful to you at Christmas time.

What we are proposing is to make available several sheets which will be the Christmas Greeting pages of a special edition of the VP. There will be a large central Christmas Greeting message with little boxes of space (2 ½ X 1 ½ inches) surrounding it. Within these little boxes of space, you may place your Christmas Greeting message along with your name or family names.

If you wish to take advantage of this service, we ask that you contribute $10.00 for the space. The amount received will go towards off-setting the cost of publishing the V.P. during the year, so you will be helping the church also by participating in this Christmas Greetings project of the V.P.

For a copy of the reservation form, please call the office. WE MUST HAVE ALL RESERVATIONS IN BY SUNDAY, November 30th. The Christmas edition of the V.P will be mailed on December 6th in order to allow time for delivery before Christmas.

VP Committee

October 2008

INTERN'S PEN

My first visit to CUPC was on May 30, 2004, for Pastor Grace Kaori Suzuki’s ordination and installation. It seems like only yesterday that I was struggling while doing the important task of translating for Rev. Sarah Reyes of Bethel Community Presbyterian Church, and other ordained ministers who preached, gave the charges for Pastor Suzuki (who was about to be ordained) and the congregation. At that time, I was a student at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (GGBTS) and serving as an intern at 19th Avenue Japanese Baptist Church. Little had I imagined that four years later, I would become the intern at this church.

I would like to share with you a bit about how God has led me this far. My parents owned a liquor store in Japan, and I was born as their oldest daughter. I grew up in a house which had both a statue of Buddha and a Shinto shrine. Growing up not being exposed to Christianity, I began going to church only when I came to study in the US. One of my friends introduced me to Pastor Suzuki (Miss Ishihara at that time), who was a student at the SF Conservatory of Music, and we became roommates. Every Sunday, we would take her car and attend the San Lorenzo Japanese Christian Church in San Leandro. And two years later, I was baptized.

Five years later, God led me to attend seminary. I had taken part in the Bible studies at church regularly, and thought that I had some knowledge of the faith, but when I became the chair of the Evangelism Committee, I realized how much I didn’t know about the Bible. I initially began attending GGBTS wanting to study more about the Bible. But little by little, while I studied, God revealed to me my calling to dedicate myself and be involved in professional ministry.

As graduation drew near, I was praying about how God was leading me upon finishing my studies. And God heard my prayer. Upon graduating from GGBTS in Dec. 2005, I was given the opportunity to serve at this church. In addition to facilitating a small group study in Japanese, I was thankfully given the opportunity to preach occasionally. After I transferred my church membership to CUPC, I have also been involved in other ministries, such as the Japanese-speaking (Nichigo) Sodankai and Worship Team. Through these opportunities, God has continued to affirm my calling to dedicate my life to the ministry.

As I became an elder, I sensed the need to learn more about the Reformed faith and Presbyterian government. So I began attending seminary again last year. I entered the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, which is one of the Graduate Theological Union schools which enables me to learn more about Presbyterianism, Lutheranism, Methodism, Episcopalism and Catholicism. It has been a good learning experience and training to study with other Christians of various denominations.

I began my internship here in September, and look forward to continue working hard as a church member in the areas mentioned above, as well as the new areas as an intern: preaching once every two months, developing a discipleship program, events that promote the fellowship of the young adults both English and Japanese speaking and home meeting for those who feel uncomfortable with the church setting. Even through my many weaknesses, I pray that God will help me as I give my best as an intern this year. Please pray for me!

In God’s love,

Hiroko Suzuki, church intern

DEACONS' REPORT

The beginning of fall marks a lot of happenings here at the church. Sunday School teachers were commissioned on the first Sunday in September, and the Nichigo had another successful sushi/manju sale the following week. The Soko Bukai World Communion Sunday on October 5, 2008, will be held here at CUPC. Christ Episcopal and Pine United Methodist Church will join us in worship and communion, followed by a potluck luncheon. And the Deacons will be leading the worship service on Sunday, October 19, 2008. Please be sure to join us.

The Deacons introduced the concept of the Pastoral Partner Program last year which involves setting up a network of care which ensures support for every member of the congregation. A pastoral partner is a member of our congregation whose gifts include relationship building and offering care to others. A pastoral partner does not need to be someone who has been a member for a long time or who knows everyone or who is a leader of the church. A pastoral partner can be any one of us. We hope to begin the training soon, so if anyone is interested, please contact Pastor Grace or Diana Cheifetz.

We continue to ask for volunteers who are willing to provide transportation to church for those members who may need assistance or lack a means of transportation. Even if you can only provide transportation one way, please contact Rose at the church or Jan Der.

Please be in prayer for those in our community and world.

COFFEE FELLOWSHIP: 

The Deacons would like to thank the individuals who have contributed to the coffee fellowship during the month of September. We are aware that there are those who contribute but do not sign up on the list. We wish to thank you also.

Jan Der, Co-Moderator

ARTICLE OF INTEREST

Evening of Dancing to Benefit Seniors at Kokoro Assisted Living

Everyone will get a chance to dance to a lively beat and raise funds for the Kokoro Assisted Living, Inc. (KALI) center on Saturday, October 25, 2008. The “Shall We Dance” event will feature music, dancing and refreshments from 8pm to 11pm at JCCCNC. Tickets are $60 at the door.

The “Shall We Dance” event was conceived by a committee of the Kokoro Board of Directors. With a goal to raise $50,000 a year, the first annual fundraising event is to help underwrite activities and cultural events for the residents. It will also help to maintain its affordability to many residents.

“Kokoro has become a constant in Japantown and the greater San Francisco community,” says Vickie Ina, spokesperson for the event. “It cares for our seniors so we feel it’s important that we help to maintain the programs that enrich their lives. I believe that ‘Shall We Dance’ will be a great start to an annual fundraising effort.”

About Kokoro

Since its conception in 1995, the Kokoro Assisted Living Center has been dedicated to providing San Francisco area residents with elder care consistent with Japanese culture and customs. The idea was born from a recognition that first and second generation Japanese Americans would benefit most by having the option to live their later years with the food, language and activities reflective of their cultural heritage. As a result, the Japanese American Religious Federation (JARF) Senior Housing Task Force, and then later the Japanese American Religious Federation Assisted Living Inc. (JALFI), guided the development and building of the center. Today, Kokoro Assisted Living Inc. (KALI) provides corporate leadership for the facility.

We will need refreshments to serve during the evening and would really appreciate help from our church family. Anyone interested in either attending the event or donating refreshments, are welcome.

ARTICLE OF INTEREST

The Sequoias and Christ Church

The beginning of the Mission Statement of Christ Church is “Go Ye Therefore,” which in today’s term means, “Go and Reach Out,” to minister and serve beyond the church into our community.

The Sequoias, built in 1969, by the Presbyterian Church, is part of the church’s community. It is located only one block from us. Today there are about 40 Japanese American residents living there.

On Sunday, September 21, Christ Church had an opportunity to minister to the Sequoia residents in their ecumenical service. The Health Center patients were also visited and served. Our Rev. Grace Suzuki, representing the church, visited the Sequoias to minister to the residents and patients. She also gave a meaningful message and lead the afternoon service.

As a 2-year Sequoias resident, I’ve noticed that there are many residents who don't attend regular church services. The presence of Pastor Grace helped to introduce not only herself, but our church close by. I have heard wonderful comments of Pastor Grace’s visit, her message, and her personal demeanor.

Hopefully, Christ Church can become a community church for Sequoia residents, as they seek out spiritual direction in their golden lives.

Kathy Reyes

ARTICLE OF INTEREST

Annual Halloween Party to Benefit UNICEF

Date: October 25, 2008 - Saturday

Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm

Place: Christ United Presbyterian Church - Social Hall

RSVP: Please call CUPC office

The Women’s Group cordially invites families and all of you who are “Young at Heart” to its evening gathering of Halloween activities to benefit UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund whose program assist children in developing countries who struggle to survive against disease, disasters, and other hardships.

Join us for Halloween crafts, games, costume contest, dancing and more! A supper of Halloween “finger foods” will be served. Be creative and bring some of your own Halloween “finger foods” to share!

ARTICLE OF INTEREST

Let Us Extend Our Christmas Greetings!

We are once again offering a service of which you may wish to take advantage. It was felt that many people may wish to send Christmas Greetings to the members and friends of the church through the Visiting Pastor in lieu of sending Christmas cards, thereby saving the cost of postage and cards and allowing you the opportunity to use the money for some other worthy cause, a cause which may be especially meaningful to you at Christmas time.

What we are proposing is to make available several sheets which will be the Christmas Greeting pages of a special edition of the VP. There will be a large central Christmas Greeting message with little boxes of space (2 ½ X 1 ½ inches) surrounding it. Within these little boxes of space, you may place your Christmas Greeting message along with your name or family names.

If you wish to take advantage of this service, we ask that you contribute $10.00 for the space. The amount received will go towards off-setting the cost of publishing the V.P. during the year, so you will be helping the church also by participating in this Christmas Greetings project of the V.P.

For a copy of the reservation form, please call the office. WE MUST HAVE ALL RESERVATIONS IN BY SUNDAY, November 30th. The Christmas edition of the V.P will be mailed on December 6th in order to allow time for delivery before Christmas.

VP Committee