PASTOR'S PEN
This month’s Pastor’s Pen comes from Jackie
Kwan, our lay pastor for Congregational Care. One of her responsibilities is
to be the director for CUPC’s Pastoral Partner Program. Originally
launched as a part of the Deacons’ ministry, Jackie became the program director
last fall. Here she gives an overview of the program and some current
happenings.
The Pastoral Partner Program is an ongoing
congregational care program where pastoral partners are each assigned a small
group of families or individuals which make up their pastoral ‘cluster’. The
pastoral partner is any member/friend of the congregation who enjoys connecting
and keeping in touch with people of the congregation, and feels called to
participate in this ministry. They are asked to keep in contact with their
cluster and prays regularly for the people for them. If the pastoral partner
identifies any needs of concerns that require more skilled responses or wider
support, a referral is made to the pastoral leadership team.
Pastoral partners are first trained, then meet on
a regular basis for education, support and prayer. He or she is intentional
about identifying members of his/her cluster who have not been attending
worship, usual gatherings or activities. Working alongside with the pastoral
leadership of the church, pastoral partners are the shepherds of the
congregation, caring for their flocks and alerting the congregation and/or pastoral
staff to special needs or current crises.
Currently, there are six trained deacon pastoral
partners along with several young adults who have expressed interest in
becoming pastoral partners. They will be participating in training to become
pastoral partners in the near future.
We always welcome any of you who might be
interested in participating in this ministry, which is still in the developing
phases. Please feel free to contact me, or any of the pastoral staff. We hope
to configure the Pastoral Partner Program as a care ministry that encompasses
the entire church by the end of this year.
Thank you for your continuing prayer, support and participation in this ministry!
Jackie Kwan
Commissioned Lay Pastor
DEACONS' REPORT
Easter Greetings! The church focus for the year
is to “Love God, Love Your Neighbor as Yourself”. As we reflect on the life of
Jesus and His teachings, and how it led to his dying on the cross so that we
may all be saved, may we know the power and greatness of His Love and go forth
and proclaim it in all we say and do. Join us on Easter Sunday as we celebrate
Christ’s resurrection and the baptisms of God’s children, and the church
membership of two people.
For those of you who may not know, a member of
our congregation passed away on March 7 in Memphis, Tennessee. No one could
have strived more to fulfill our church focus of loving God and loving his
neighbor as he did. His care and concern for those around him were boundless.
His clear, booming voice from the back of the sanctuary will be deeply missed.
Please continue to lift up your prayers for his sons.
COFFEE FELLOWSHIP:
The Deacons would like to thank the individuals
who have contributed to the coffee fellowship during the month of March, and
a special coffee hour on 3/6.
The Deacons are aware there are others who do not
sign up on the list, but contribute. We would like to thank you all.
All the blessings of Easter! How great is our
God!!
Jan Der, Vice Moderator
ANNOUNCEMENT
From the Sturge Board of Trustees
The
Commemoration of
Dr. ERNEST ADOLPHUS STURGE
(April 29, 1856 - October
11, 1934)
While we are still celebrating a Joyful and
beautiful Easter season, there will be a special observation, celebrating the
155th birthday of Dr. Ernest A. Sturge on Sunday May 15th.
He was called the father of the Japanese
Presbyterian Churches in America. The history of Christ United Presbyterian
Church is not complete without mentioning his dedication to the Japanese
Presbyterian mission, and in particular, to Christ Church.
He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on April 28,1856.
After he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in 1880,
he went to Thailand as a medical missionary. He stayed five years, but because
of health reasons he was transferred to San Francisco. As the superintendent of
the Pacific Coast Japanese Presbyterian Mission, Dr. Sturge helped organize the
First Japanese Presbyterian Church and established the Japanese YMCA in 1886.
This was also the case for the Japanese YWCA in 1912.
Dr. Sturge’s passion and love were directly
especially toward young Japanese students. Through his encouragement, many of
these students returned to Japan to do Christian missionary work and many entered
the ministry in California. He cared about not only religious needs but also
social and material needs. And his involvement with the Japanese community went
beyond specific evangelism. He helped a priest of the Hongwanji
Mission to organize the Young Buddhist
Association in San Francisco.
In memory of his wife, Eugenia, Dr. Sturge
bequeathed his home (1500 Post St.) to the Japanese community. In this way, the
legacy for his work with the Japanese and others in the community and elsewhere
could live on. When we built the present church on 1700 Sutter St, the building
next to it was designated as the Sturge building, just as it was on Post
street. This building is separate from CUPC and is owned and administered by
the Board of Trustee’s of the Japanese Church of Christ (‘Sturge Board’). We
are indeed blessed to have use of the building throughout the year.
The memorial stone erected in 1941 in Colma for
Dr. Sturge reads: “In loving memory of Dr. E.A. Sturge M.D., Ph.D., Physician,
Author, Artist & Poet. Spiritual Father to us. He loved the Japanese. He
dedicated his life to us. He lived a Christ–like life & left to us a High
& Holy example.” Lets celebrate the very special birthday of Dr, Sturge and
reflect on his Christ-like life, who truly loved God and loved his neighbor.
Yukiko Tanaka Sturge Board of Trustees
