June 2012

SUMMER CAMP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S PEN "So continue encouraging each other and building each other up, just like you are doing already." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 On several occasions during the last couple of months, I have been asked if I am excited to be leading a child care summer program. I usually mention that I am, of course, looking forward to working with energetic children, being at the park and enjoying the fresh air on sunny days instead of being confined to a cramped office, and also seeing campers that I have not seen for years, who have now grown to be quickly maturing camp leaders. But the terminology of "child care" has consistently irked me in my conversations with my peers. While there are surely several definitions of what child care looks like, when I think of child care in my mind it invokes a purpose of looking after children, providing a safe place for them when their parents are busy, usually due to work obligations. As the summer grew closer and closer, I began to critically rethink our mission statement on our summer camp website that describes CUPC Summer Camp as "striving to provide low-cost childcare services for families." While child care is certainly a noble endeavor, I don't believe this fully encompasses what has made our program prosper over the last 36 years. My years at CUPC, both as a camper and as a volunteer leader, were filled with scores of fun memories but some occasional frustrating moments too. A couple that come racing back to the fore is the time I made the entire bus stop on the way back from the overnight camping trip because I threw up on the bus since I was sick, and the time when I was a leader and I accidentally left the meat out in the kitchen for cookout the next day, leaving my group with no edible meat to make tacos for the campers. Needless to say, the campers were not happy that day. Despite these rough patches, I can consistently see a common thread of personal development throughout the camp experience. Not only in physical skills, like being able to play "kick the can" a little better as a camper or being able to make better-tasting ice cream for the campers when I was a leader, but more importantly it was a development of character towards others. It was invaluable life training in how to build a deeply affecting, long lasting community of friends that embraced each others unique strengths and also even their flaws and mistakes. So how does CUPC move from a mission of static child-care to an intentional community that strives for positive youth development? This summer, I would like to focus on three components: empowerment, vulnerability, and servant leadership. These elements are highly connected and influence each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 instructs us to encourage one another and build each other up. An empowering community commits to affirming self-worth and awakening potential in others. Empowerment often challenges our vulnerabilities. It pushes us to have the courage to be imperfect, yet live boldly with authenticity. Finally, a servant leader embodies and embraces his/her vulnerability and strives to understand and empathize with others. A servant leadership model champions the belief that true leadership emerges from those whose primary motivation is to serve God and serve others. Such an approach recognizes that everyone can be a leader. We are all put in places where we have opportunities for authentic influence over others in an empowering way. These servant leaders know that people have intrinsic value and seek to grow and strengthen their community. It is the confluence of these elements that can foster an intentional community this summer. What is great is that positive youth development can occur on several levels: amongst the campers, amongst the leaders and even the directors. I am excited to see how everyone grows this summer and build more fun memories in our 36th year of CUPC Summer Camp. MOMENTS FOR CHURCH FOCUS Continuing from last month, the following are ways in which CUPC's committees/board are trying to live out our church focus for 2012: Love God, Love Neighbor. The transcripts below reflect what each committee/board shared with the congregation during worship. Mission and Outreach Committee: Jackie Kwan, chair Sunday, May 13, 2012 The Mission and Outreach Committee's focus, for a long time, has been and continues its focus on "Loving God, Loving Neighbor." CUPC's members and friends have gone beyond the doors of CUPC multiple times and have given generously to our neighbors and friends, not only locally but nation-wide and world-wide. Think of the times that CUPC's members and friends have donated their time, talents, monies, as well as, genuine love and concern for people worldwide; think of Haiti, afflicted by severe flooding and the monetary support you donated. Then there was the earthquake and Tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, 2011. Again all of you gave generously to send money and hygiene kits to the survivors afflicted by the devastation in Japan. The children and youth of CUPC have also participated in Loving God, Loving Neighbor by helping infants and children affected by malnutrition worldwide... the children and youth of CUPC on Halloween night go out "Trick or Treating" for UNICEF to raise much needed funds for children all over the world. Locally, last year, the members and friends of CUPC donated funds to assemble gift bags and delivered them on "Outreach Sunday" September 2011 to the residents of Kokoro, Kimochi, and the Sequoias. It was a job well done as you all assembled the gift bags, with much enthusiasm here in the Sanctuary after Worship Service. Another example of CUPC reaching out is through Mission and Outreach's Nursing Home Ministry at the California Convalescent Hospital You should see our lead's interactions with the residents...she has a special gift for conversing and interacting with the residents. Our gifted piano accompanist plays so aptly as our CUPC members serenade the residents and also offers messages of joy and humor. I invite you all to join us in this uplifting ministry to the residents at the California Convalescent Hospital. CUPC will again go out beyond its doors and participate in the American Cancer Society's 2012 Relay for Life to raise monies to "save lives and create more birthdays." Join us to help celebrate more birthdays. "God is good all the time." Again I offer my Thanksgiving to all of you involved in reaching out to our neighbors. Loving God, Loving Neighbor are words which you have expressed through your "loving actions." Kudos... "Honor and Praise" to you all! Fellowship Committee: Wayne Hiroshima, chair Sunday, May 20, 2012 When one is treated with respect, love, care, and wonderful teachings. The person will reciprocate in the same way. The tendency is also to treat others as they have been treated. That is why it is so easy to Love God, because of the way God loves us. It is then our nature to Love our Neighbor in the same way. The Fellowship Committee's Purpose Statement reads: The committee will organize and support groups and/or activities for the church family to participate in, that will encourage spiritual growth and foster bonding within the Body of Christ. Through participation in the following fellowship groups and activities all are exposed to God's Word and Love and increases the bonding between all that participate. God Is Good (GIG): an incredible music ministry of ukulele and guitar. Youth Reaching out Loving Everyone (Youth ROLE): Prepared and distributed 40 bag lunches to those who were hungry on Mission Street, participated in CUPC's Nursing Home Ministry and feed breakfast to CUPC's congregation on that glorious Easter Sunday. Nursing Home Ministry: Provide fellowship and worship to the California Convalescent Hospital Community. Tuesday Night Fellowship (TNF): Provides worship, studies and fellowships for all age ranges and the Japanese Speaking Congregation. Outdoor Fellowship: Ministry of arranging walks in parks, Golfing and fishing, Japanese Speaking Ministries: Studies and fellowships. They are involved in manju making workshops and will have a manju sale to raise funds to support the 1st Baptist Church in Fukushima. On May 19th, they had a great all church Cherry picking fellowship to Brentwood. The Fellowship Committee will participate in the American Cancer Society's Fundraiser: "Relay For Life" to raise money to help fight and find a cure for cancer. The event will occur on August 4 & 5th. Know that God loves each and every one of you! Board of Deacons: written by Ralph Tanaka, co-moderator and read by Ed Murray, co-moderator Sunday, May 27, 2012 The Deacons' focus has been "Love God, Love Neighbor" throughout the years. We have helped others, assisted and cared for, and provided service to people of the congregation. The things we do are: checking up on people, praying, variety of other things and activities. All Deacons do their jobs to the best of their abilities. Each one of us has the strength and weakness that makes us whole. We overlap each other to show care for each other and to the congregation. The congregation has supported the Deacons over the years. You have helped us in bringing refreshments to coffee hour; brought food to potlucks, joined us for activities, and other things. We are asking you folks not to be shy in signing up for refreshments to bring for coffee hour or helping us out at any time. We are currently small in number on Sundays. We have been assisting others for so many years and we as Deacons are asking you to assist us and others to the best of your ability. It doesn't matter how big or small the task is. The bottom line is that it's very helpful when you assist us and others. Helping and supporting us every week makes our responsibility a lot easier and will make us all a lot happier. Personnel Committee: Gale Kondo, chair Sunday, June 3, 2012 A legal expert stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to gain eternal life?" Jesus replied "What is written in the Law? How do you interpret it?" He responded "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus said to him, "You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live." Luke 10:25 - 28 (Common English Bible) During the past several Sundays (for some, too many), you have been hearing about each committee's relation to the "Love God, Love Neighbor" 2012 focus - well, guess what? Here we go again... The American Heritage dictionary definition of personnel is: an administrative division of an organization concerned with the body of persons employed by or active in it, often acting as a liaison between different departments. This speaks to our area of concentration, the paid staff of CUPC. Committee members share their expertise from varied professional backgrounds toward ensuring appropriate staffing; requirements are documented and properly implemented in accordance with job standards and the ruling body of the church (the session) for level functioning of CUPC. The smooth procedures of CUPC demonstrate a body of caring into its beloved neighboring community. Consistent with the mission statement found each Sunday in the worship bulletin and on this wall hanging...we: "'Go Ye Therefore' into the larger community reaching out and sharing God's Good News". CLERK'S REPORT Everyone is invited to attend our regular session meetings. If you are interested in how the session, our governing body, discusses ministry at CUPC, please come and join us! You are also welcome to read the minutes, which are public documents. The minutes are available in the church office. DEACONS' REPORT June brings the end of school & the start of summer, June weddings, graduations, Father's Day, etc. As mentioned in a message to the nursing home folks this month, it's a time for change. For some, it's a big change... life-changing. I attended a graduation for our nephew this past weekend. The commencement message was given by a former science teacher at the school and he gave the graduates three things to remember...his parting homework assignment to them: Don't Be Stupid, Be Thankful, and Hold onto the Truth of God's Love for You. God's enduring love will equip each of them in fulfilling His perfect plan for their lives. Jan Der COFFEE FELLOWSHIP:  The Deacons would like to thank the individuals who have contributed to the coffee fellowship during the month of May. The Deacons are aware there are others who do not sign up on the list, but contribute. We would like to thank you all! ANNOUNCEMENT Relay for Life 2012 Christ United Presbyterian Church is participating in the Relay for Life walk with the American Cancer Society again this year. We've formulated a strong leadership committee for this ministry, and are currently recruiting members to join our team. The Relay for Life event happens on August 4-5, 2012 starting at 10 a.m. at Crissy Field in the Presidio. It's a unique, challenging, and fun way to raise money for the American Cancer Society. It involves forming a team to walk in honor of those who have been affected by cancer, and at least one member of the team must walk the track during the entire 24 hours. We're hoping and praying that everyone who worships at Christ United Presbyterian Church will participate in this outreach ministry. You can contribute in ways other than walking in the relay such as in praying; sponsoring a team member; joining one of our church teams; donating to help purchase refreshments, supplies + equipment for our teams, providing transportation to and/ from Crissy Field; and/or asking others to support our ministry. Our goal is to raise $20,000 as a group for the American Cancer Society to find a cure and fight the disease. You can donate either to the team or an individual team member by visiting CUPC's home page address below: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=37054&team_id=1115385. Find us on Facebook ("Friends of CUPC") for updates on how our team is progressing. Join our team and let's beat cancer together!