PASTOR'S PEN
Pilgrimaging
Along, Seeing Christ…
“While
the disciples were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and
said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’”- Luke 24:36
During
the week of 4/12, I will be in Austin, TX for one week of study leave. This is
my second time in Austin (it’s really a beautiful city), and my second time
being at Austin Seminary for the College of Pastoral Leaders conference, where
I will meet with my cohort of clergy women.
I know
I’ve written about my cohort group before…but for those who might not
remember…A couple of seminary friends called me in the fall of 2008 asking me
if I wanted to be a part of a cohort group of clergy women, who would participate
in a 2-year project, with the topic of their choosing. Upon qualifying, we
would receive a religious grant from the Lily Foundation administered through
the Austin Theological Seminary. For each of the two years, we would attend a
conference in April, where all the cohorts receiving this grant would gather
together, learn from and worship with each other.
The name
of my cohort is the “Way of the Pilgrim”. As we met for the first time as a
cohort last April, I must admit (and also admitted to my cohort friends) that
the topic of pilgrimages was unfamiliar to me. Our faith being a
spiritual journey, yes, is something that I’m familiar and
comfortable with. But pilgrimages – well, I didn’t know much,
and I didn’t know what to expect.
This
past year has been a pilgrimage toward pilgrimages for me. I learned of
pilgrimage sites that I had never heard of, and learned more of some that I
had. I also learned about pilgrimages themselves, and how/why people do them.
(I supposed this could be a separate topic another time) But I also experienced
the pilgrimage of life itself. Pilgrimages sometime involve
traveling down roads that are rugged, and places of wilderness. This year, the
lives of all our cohort members experienced rugged places and wilderness places
– like retirement, change in pastoral calls, major surgeries, crises in
congregations.
But we
also experienced the rich friendship and comfort of our pilgrimage companions –
praying for one another, checking up, following up, calling up…and offering a tender
word of advice when helpful. God’s healing and guiding presence was surely
among us. It was like Jesus was in our midst!
As we
have transitioned from the season of Lent (40 days before Easter) to Eastertide
(50 days after Easter), we are called to find the resurrected Jesus among us,
in our sometimes mundane, daily lives. For me, my cohort this past year became
an opportunity to see and experience this risen Christ. Just like the disciples
in the verse mentioned above (who were in the first days after Jesus’
resurrection), while we were talking with each other about our everyday joys
and troubles, Christ stood in the midst of all that and became a part of our
conversation.
As we
walk these days of Eastertide, how will you find the risen Christ in your
midst? How will you experience God’s renewing power of the resurrection in your
daily lives? You are invited to have open hearts as you look for and experience
glimpses of Easter, as Jesus stands among us and says, “Peace be with you.”
Eastertide
blessings,
Pastor
Grace Kaori Suzuki
DEACONS’ REPORT
The
Deacons hope that each and every one of you had a wonderful Easter. In one of
our past Deacon-Led Worship Services, the message was focused on “Gifts and
Talents”. These were God given “Gifts and Talents”. Given the unstable state of
the world, look over the following lists of “Gifts and Talents” and determine
which ones you are strong in and identify one or two that you would like to
become more effective in.
Humility
|
Prophecy
|
Compassion
|
Gentleness
|
Evangelism
|
Patience
|
Teaching
|
Musical
|
Reconciliation
|
Giving
|
Wisdom
|
Leading
|
Knowledge
|
Healing
|
Helps
|
Take the
one or two that you would like to develop and look for someone who you have
identified as having strengths in these gifts. Talk with them and share that
you would like to spend sometime praying and discussing with them how they have
developed these gifts. Make a commitment to God that you will work on
developing these gifts between now and Christmas.
By doing
this you will help lives and maybe even communities become a little more
stable. It will also become a process of “Spiritually Nurturing” yourself and
others.
Speaking
of gifts, especially during these difficult financial times, CUPC has been
blessed by one of our members who continues to financially support the
ministries of the Deacons.
A few
years ago one individual donated a large amount of money to the Deacons and we
created a special fund. These funds are being used to support the ministries of
the Deacons and the church.
A few
weeks ago, this individual made another large donation to the Deacons. We thank
God for all of our members who contribute their various gifts. However, at this
time we especially wish to thank this individual, whose gifts are helping CUPC
do God’s work.
COFFEE FELLOWSHIP:
The
Deacons would like to thank the individuals who have contributed to coffee
fellowship during the month of March.
The Deacon’s are aware there are others who do not sign up on the list, but
contribute. We at this time would like to thank you all.
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
ARTICLE OF INTEREST:
Sturge Sunday, May 16, 2010
A special
observation is held each year to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Ernest A.
Sturge. He was born April 28, 1856 so this will be his 154th birthday. Dr.
Sturge was called the father of Japanese Presbyterian Churches in America and
was not originally called to serve the Japanese. After spending sometime in
Thailand (5 years to be exact), in the summer of 1885 he arrived in San
Francisco to recuperate and regain his health after a grueling medical mission,
when he was assigned to help the Chinese in SF but found himself serving the
immigrant Japanese instead. Besides helping the Japanese in their religious
endeavors, Dr. Sturge assisted them in their social and physical needs as well.
We owe much to him for organizing the Japanese Presbyterian churches throughout
California, and he is remembered and revered in all Japanese Presbyterian
Churches on the West Coast.
Dr.
Sturge and his wife owned and lived in their SF home next door to the church on
1500 Post Street, our last address before we moved to the present site. He
bequeathed his home to the San Francisco Japanese community. When we built the
present church facility on 1700 Sutter Street, the Sturge Building was built at
1716 Sutter Street next to our church, just as it was on Post Street. This
building is separate from our Christ United Presbyterian Church, and is owned
and administered by the Board of Trustees of the Japanese Church of Christ.
Although the Sturge Building is separate, the facility is managed and operated
by our church. We are indeed blessed to have use of the building throughout the
year.
We invite
you all to join us in our celebration on Sunday, May 16 and give thanks to a
remarkable servant who gave so much to the founding of the Japanese
Presbyterian churches in the USA, and CUPC in particular.
Sturge
Board of Trustees
CUPC 125TH Anniversary Event
Invitations
have been sent out for our 125th Anniversary Event!
If you
are planning to attend, but not have received an invitation yet, please contact
the church office (415) 567-3988 as soon as possible! Please RSPV by Monday,
May 3.
Looking
forward to seeing you all there!
