August 2010

PASTOR’S PEN

Thinking about Our Youth Ministries…

“Remember your creator in the days of your youth…” Ecclesiastes 12:1

Recently, a ‘task group’ from session was put together to think and re-think about CUPC’s ministry to the youth. As many of you know, we have had quite a few Youth Directors in the past, but it has been difficult to move forward in our overall ministry with the youth. This, by all means, is NOT to negate the amazing, wonderful ministry that has been done by the former Youth Directors and those who have worked (and continue to work) with them! For them, the church is most grateful – and we hope to build on top of their ministries. However, on the whole, our recent youth ministry has not had a clear direction or focus, which I believe has hindered us from moving forward.

Our youth ministry is unique – we have a major summer camp program that brings in not just elementary school children, but also many middle and high school youth who are invited to attend Friday Fellowships and Sunday Worship during the summer. Many of these youth do not come from families who are regularly a part of CUPC, or have been a part of CUPC growing up. Unfortunately, this uniqueness has not always been compatible with traditional models of doing youth ministry. For years, although there has been positive steps made, our church has had its challenges in trying to incorporate the program as a ministry of the entire church such as trying to connect these youth to the year-round programming of the church.

In light of the above, the leadership of CUPC decided that, (instead of ‘moving ahead as usual’ by looking for another youth director right away), we needed to take intentional time to take a good, hard look at our youth ministries. What is working in our ministry to youth right now? What might need attention? Who are we trying to serve? And most importantly – where is God trying to lead us in our next step in our youth ministries?

Our task group came up with a ‘short-term’ plan to offer youth programming for this fall, but we are also planning to do a ‘long-term discerning process’ in the meanwhile. We recognize that God does indeed call us to minister to the youth, as seen in the Bible verse above. And I am pleased that we are trying to be as mindful and intentional as possible to discern where God is leading us in the next steps of our important ministry to the youth.

We would love to hear your input regarding this issue, and covet your prayers for us as we meet, plan and discern together. In fact, there will be an all-church town hall meeting on August 22 (after worship) where you are invited to attend and voice your thoughts. We hope that you will come and be a part of this town hall meeting – it is all an important part of our discerning together as an entire church. Thank you!

Summer peace and blessings,

Pastor Grace Kaori Suzuki

DEACONS' REPORT 

In the June Visiting Pastor, part of the Deacon’s report focused on seeking individuals who may have the gifts of becoming a CUPC Pastoral Partner.

      A Pastoral Partner has the gifts of caring and nurturing and assumes responsibility for praying and staying in contact with up to five individuals in the church. They work closely with the Deacons and in some instances when necessary, with Pastor Grace

We were all made in God’s (“Trinity’s”) image (Genesis 1:26) and therefore all possess the gifts required for being a Pastoral Partner. We must also realize that we all have busy schedules, whether it is due to school, work, or retired things. Free time is very difficult to program into our busy lives.

You may not choose to become an official CUPC Pastoral Partner and that is ok. However, you should use your God given gifts (caring, nurturing and praying) for others in this world. It is part of our calling and ministry as Christians to help God in this area. By using these gifts in the world, those receiving the care, nurture and prayers will be supported, appreciated and know that through you, God is there for them.

Therefore, the Deacons encourage you to utilize your gifts so those in our congregation and those outside the church will know that God loves and cares for them.

COFFEE FELLOWSHIP:

The Deacons would like to thank the individuals who have contributed to the coffee fellowship during the month of June and the June 13 special coffee fellowship (Farewell to the Associate Pastor)

The Deacon’s are aware there are others who do not sign up on the list, but contribute. We would like to thank you all. Also, if you haven’t signed up recently, I encourage you to sign up on the bulletin board next to the social hall. Thank you in advance!

Wayne Hiroshima, Vice-moderator

SUMMER CAMP MOMENTS

Kevin Lew
Sunday, June 20, 2010

I was extremely excited for CUPC summer camp to begin. My Brother is the Omega department director this year, and my Mother is on the summer camp committee. My Dad is also active in the worship team. Having strong roots in the church helps me understand and participate in a more active way.

This is my tenth year at CUPC, and my second year being a leader. CUPC has been a huge part of my life. I enjoy all the people and activities I embark on during the fantastic 6-week extravaganza. This summer, I have met some new campers and leaders, who are all nice and fun to be around.

This first week was thrilling, because I met my campers and settled into the summer camp. Friday was Track and Field day. The campers raced in relay races and competed in various games such as Mario Cart, Broom Stick Hockey, and jug Baseball. At the end of the day, we had Tug-O-War between teams, and raced to form a pyramid. My team, the Brown Team, won first place, which made the day all the more fun.

To celebrate the survival of the first week of camp, the leaders headed to the SF County Fair, right behind AT&T Park. It was filled with game booths, rides, and a ton of heart attack food. A few friends and I, foolishly rode spinning and flipping rides after devouring BBQ chicken sandwiches, chicken strips, and chili fries. Luckily, everyone came home with a clean shirt, except for the kids who rode before Harrison and I. Other leaders tried their luck at winning giant stuffed animals in impossible games. Try after try, only a few succeeded, taking home a giant banana and bear.

This week has made me feel even more excited for the weeks to come. I can already tell this summer of CUPC will be one of the best. Happy Fathers Day Pops and Yeh Yeh.

Nicholas Lam

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Right now, I am the head leader for Group B which consists of 1st and 2nd graders. Last week, I had seven campers and worked with three other leaders. Overall, it was a pretty fun and eventful week, though a little tiring and stressful at times.

We went to Speedway Meadows from Monday to Thursday and went kite flying at the Marina Greens on Friday. Last Tuesday was Stone soup day. Every year the directors read a book called Stone Soup and everyone helps create it but adding a certain ingredient. My group had hot dogs which is usually fairly easy since they’re soft and easy to cut. So we get this box of hot dogs. We put it on the table and open it and inside were 50 completely frozen hot dogs. I had to pry these dogs from the box with my bare hands. And as you know, last week wasn’t the hottest week we’ve had. After about half way through the box, my fingers were completely numb. Though losing bout three to the mighty winds and careless hands, my group toughed it out and successfully cut the hot dogs. And soup at the end of the day was excellent and really hit the spot.

Thursday was probably thee coldest day of the week. So instead of going to Speedway Meadows we went to Lafayette Square up on Sacramento and Laguna which is much closer. On every Thursday we make ice cream for the kids and last Thursday we made a Hazelnut Coffee ice cream and added a little bit of blue food coloring. Alright we added a lot of blue food coloring. So much, that after we gave the ice cream to the kids, my entire group had blue teeth, mouths, and some blue mess design on their shirts. So most of the day I was making ice cream, serving ice cream, and cleaning ice cream.

After I finished cleaning, I was going to play on the small play structure there. I was all ready and excited to play, and right when I entered the gate, one of my campers go, “someone’s crying.” Oh no. I rush to the crying and in-pain camper and find him with another leader holding his chin. He had scraped his chin on one of the structures and started bleeding. So for the rest of the day we’re sitting there trying to calm this camper down and stop him from crying. I especially felt really bad because I’m in the same boy scout troop as his brother and the day before I saw his dad. And the last thing his dad told me was, “Take care of him.” Shoot. But I went over to their house yesterday and he was fine and his dad didn’t get mad at me which I guess is pretty good considering.

The rest of the week went by fairly smoothly and I have no complaints. Although it is hard work and tiring, camp is really fun. I’m really glad my grandma introduced me to this church when I was really young. I’ve had some pretty fun times and met so many people. It’s been an amazing experience. Thank you for listening and I hope you all have a great Sunday.

Khulan Erdenebaatar

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Good morning everyone. I am the head leader of Group A which consists of 8 monsters. I mean cute first and second graders. Early Monday morning, one of my campers came up to me and said “what are we doing today?” and I responded with a simple, “oh, the children’s playground” and she slouched and slowly started walking away and of course being the great leader I am, I asked her “Hey, how come you look so disappointed?” and she looks up at me and goes “Being a camper is hard” and just walked away.

Now I have never been a camper before so I guess just I don’t understand the hardship of playing games like toilet tag and singing silly songs such as I wish I was a little piece of soap. After spending the day at the playground, Tuesday was Carnival day one of my personal favorite days of camp. My station in the morning was making funnel cakes, although I couldn’t quite match up with Great America’s funnel cakes, with a lot of practice by the end of the day I learned that if I cover up the burnt pieces with powdered sugar and with a hint of chocolate syrup, no one could tell the difference! The rest of the day was spent catching goldfishes for those who made the ping pong balls into the ‘swans” which were a just bunch of bowls floating around.

Wednesday morning majority of the older kids went on their overnight trip which meant that there were less kids but we were all stuck with the little ones. With them we did a 15 minute workout session where 2 leaders were the instructors telling everyone to do jumping jacks, different stretches, and running while chanting… “We are CUPC, mighty mighty CUPC” then later in the day we went all the way by the zoo to watch a play called “Vince and the Shooting Star” the moral of the story was be careful what you wish for and always listen to your parents.

Thursday we all went to Baker Beach where the campers can’t quite grasp the rule of going into the ocean ankle deep. And for some reason after their whole bottom half is wet, my campers think that rolling around in the sand with wet pants will dry them up. Luckily, their smart parents packed a change of clothes which made our job much easier.

After an eventful week we ended Friday with watching movies. As much as I wanted to just sit back and relax, Friday was also the day for the leaders to perform in the Talent Show. Being the way that I am of course I wait until last minute and after 2 or more hours of stressing and getting ready to break an arm or a leg just so I don’t have to perform, 2 leaders came to the rescue and we performed a wonderful trio singing/dancing piece to Quit Playing Games With My Heart by the Backstreet Boys. After worrying so much about performing something great at the talent show, it wasn’t until I was sitting with the campers watching the other leaders perform that the campers adore the leaders whether we just stand there and tell a knock knock joke or even do an amazing drum solo, the kids love us. Some might not admit it, some might not realize it, but they spend much their whole summer with us and they do look up to us.

There are some days where I’m exhausted and I go home and just lay in bed and I think, man am I really working 6 weeks? Then I come in the morning and I get greeted by kids that aren’t even in my group and I realize that by me being here and by everyone working at camp being here we are helping every kid grow and shaping them to become wonderful teenagers and adults and we are a part of the reason why they will be so amazing one day. And that is by far the greatest feeling. Thank you.

Ryan Chang

Sunday, July 11, 2010

I have been a CUPC leader for 2 years now and both years I have been placed in the Alpha Department. It’s not the easiest thing being in the Alpha department because both years I have been assigned to the youngest groups and you know how little kids they have energy which last for days.

Last year I was assigned to Group B which consisted of first and second graders, and this year am assigned to Group C, which consists of the same. Last year was nice I had, I thought which was the perfect group, they listened, sang songs very enthusiastically, and overall wasn’t any trouble for me, so this year I thought I would have it easy as well. The first day the campers were all very cooperative, oh boy was I wrong. They started acting up, but the things they did were very cutely done, so I thought maybe I’d let a couple slide. Then it started to get out of hand and I’d have to come in with some authority so they would listen and ironically, they listened . So I am going to explain what we did this week.

This week started off nicely with a day off on Monday and I sure got a lot of sleep. Tuesday, we went to Lindley meadows and played games and sang numerous songs at the park. Oh my, Wednesday one of the craziest days this week, first off me and my group leaders thought it was okay to buy frozen pot stickers for cookout, but then later on we found out that frozen pot stickers were not considered a cookout because all it was, was reheating. Secondly, I had a camper; one camper who would consistently act up, it was really tough to handle. Lastly, the bus rides seemed longer than it actually was.

Thursday, we made ice cream, my group made chocolate raspberry, it turned out alright, kind of in the form of a milkshake though. Friday, we had a family picnic, I met a couple of parents and helped with the game station. I have to say this week hasn’t been the easiest, but it sure has been a lot of fun.

Overall CUPC has been amazing. I have developed a second family, which I can always turn to. Cupc is one thing that I will always love and remember. Thank you.