Lent, Spring Cleaning and Easter...
"So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (Common English Bible)
I'm not sure when the association between 'spring' and 'cleaning' came into being, but an initial simple online search seems to suggest that it comes from a concept of clearing out the soot/dust in the house before a special event (such as the lunar New Year, or Passover). Recently, our household went through such an 'event' where I began by telling my two daughters that I would begin 'giving away' anything that was on the floor (or other places) that didn't belong there. They began to fervently go through their 'stuff' and got rid of (or decided to give away) what they deemed no longer necessary to make room for the things they wanted to keep.
I don't need to mention how pleased I was with the results (yay - less clutter in the house!), but I was intrigued with some of the conversation we had surrounding this whole ordeal. We talked about not only 'getting rid of stuff', but how that makes room for not only the things that we want to keep, but also for potential 'new things' that might be coming our way. (I think it's sufficed to note that this was 2 weeks before Easter!)
As we have walked the last 6+ weeks of Lent, that's exactly what we, as the church, has been striving to do. The season of Lent is one of inner reflection, examination, and making changes. It is the 'spring cleaning' of our spirits. By de-cluttering and cleaning out the dust in our spiritual lives, we are not only able to assess what we truly need, but we are able to make room for the 'new' that Easter brings.
Through Easter, God showed us that God is more powerful than any human power (human oppression, execution, etc.), or anything else for that matter - even death itself. And as we profess our faith in this God, we are invited to experience this power - both for our inner spirits and in the world around us. God is constantly re-creating us and everything around us. But we need to clean and make room in our otherwise dusty and cluttered hearts.
As we have moved from the season of Lent to Eastertide (the season of Easter), have you finished the 'spring cleaning' for your soul yet? Don't worry - it's never too late! Let us make space for God's resurrection power to transform us, to make us anew so that we can indeed be a 'new creation', being daily changed into the people we are called to be. And in turn, God's resurrection power empowers us to go out and take part in the God's re-creating.
Now, that's a lot of amazing new 'stuff' for us to receive! I guess it's time to go back to more 'spring cleaning'...
Easter blessings,
Pastor Grace
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
Hello Everyone,
If you notice that I haven't been at church lately it's because I have been working on Saturday and Sunday lunches since the middle of March. I know that you miss me at church and I miss being at church too. Things happen in our life that we have to do what we have to do. I can't get what I want every time but I am happy that I was able to go to church over the years. I have learned here and there over the years. When I became a Co-Moderator, I have learned a few things and still learning as the months go on. The Deacons whom I work with are very supportive, caring and other things too.
As Co -Moderator, it is a challenge to lead the Deacons because I am the youngest of the bunch. But if age doesn't matter, I will do my best to lead. So far, God is Good. All the time. All the time. God is Good.
If you would like to get a hold of me please email me at tanaka.ralph@gmail.com.
COFFEE FELLOWSHIP:
The Deacons would like to thank the individuals who have contributed to the coffee fellowship during the month of March.
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- Commemoration of Dr. Ernest Adolphus Sturge
(April 29-1856 - October 11, 1934)
Each year we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Ernest Sturge and remember him on this day, Sturge Sunday.
Dr. Sturge was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 28, 1856, and history tells us of his many years of dedicated service to the Japanese Presbyterian Mission, and in particular to our Christ Church. Dr. Sturge never became an ordained minister, but received two doctorates, an M.D. and a Ph.D. His career began as a medical missionary in Thailand, but because of health problems living in the tropics, he and his wife returned to the States. On his return, the Presbyterian Church appointed him to the superintendant of the Pacific Coast Japanese Presbyterian Mission and he devoted his work to the Japanese community.
During the worldwide Spanish flu epidemic of 1918, Dr. Sturge's wife Eugenia, contracted a fatal case of the flu. She was a very active person and had served the Presbyterian Church for 37 years as a devoted wife and assistant to her husband. So in memory of his wife, Dr. Sturge presented (donated) their house at 1516 Post St., which was next to our original Church and we were asked to keep the house and property community use.
Dr. Sturge retired from his position as superintendent of Japanese Mission in 1921, although he continued his work with several Japanese Presbyterian Churches including Christ Church until his death on October 11, 1934.
In 1975 as part of San Francisco Redevelopment of Japantown and Western Addition, our present facility at 1700 Sutter St was built and the Sturge building was erected at 1716 Sutter Street, adjacent to our Church. Although they are connected, it is a separate structure with a dividing wall and separate utilities to reflect the desire of Dr. Sturge that the building be available for use by the Japanese American community as well as our congregation. And this separate building is officially known as Sturge Memorial Building.
Many meetings are held here as well as fellowship gatherings, the choir and the Church Sunday School.
Many meetings are held here as well as fellowship gatherings, the choir and the Church Sunday School.
We are forever grateful to Dr. Sturge for his foresight to have a facility with the Church so the legacy of his work with the Japanese and other in the community will live on.
As we receive the yearly Sturge birthday memorial, these offerings are distributed to the following funds: The Enomoto Fund for the Nichigo, and the Marcia Hironaka and Michael Yee Scholarship funds, both administered by the Deacons. All three funds provide financial assistance for educational purposes to members of our congregation.
After worship, please join us during coffee hour for a piece of birthday cake for Dr. Sturge. THANK YOU.
Arisa Takahashi
Sturge Board of Trustees
