STINA’S MESSAGE

Visions of terror flash across the screen, screams of victims and their families and friends, the sounds of explosions, repeating over and over until we turn off the television and computers and radio, and there is silence. But it keeps going in our heads, doesn’t it?

One of the problems that Jesus commented on was that you cannot simply remove a bad spirit. If you do, it will return with its friends. No, when you remove something bad, you must immediately replace it with something else to take that place – do not leave it empty. So yes, it is a good thing to limit the amount of information about terror, to turn off the news media that has very little news content and a lot of sensationalism, and then replace that space with good, with prayer, with tapping, with beauty, something that nourishes your soul. Then you will be in a position to consider how you can help, without being gravely wounded yourself.

One of the things we do as a community is to celebrate, even in the face of terror, perhaps especially in the face of terror. When the bombings went off at the Olympics in Atlanta, like many others, we went down to the Olympic Park as soon as they opened it. We had not planned to go at all. We could not afford the tickets, and we were not thrilled about being in mobs of people. However, like the others who came when we did, like the others in Boston who went about their business the next day, it was a way to say “NO, you cannot shut us down.” So in the face of the Boston bombings we celebrated, baptizing Landyn, Carl and Keiko’s grandbaby, and we celebrated at the Cherry Blossom Festival. We stayed in gratitude for life.

And things keep happening, like the garment factory collapse in Bangladesh. It seems that the owners put three more stories with heavy equipment on a building that could not support it. It seems that greed is the motivating factor. We can shake our heads and be disgusted, or we can take this as an opportunity to examine our own areas of greed. Where do we hold on to too much, where do we push to get things more cheaply, unwilling to pay more – the very issue that leads to poor pay to poor people in the first place. This is not easy work, it is a costly but rewarding alternative to apathy.

I welcome your thoughts on this.

Peace,

Stina

 

BC NOTES

• Program: Stina will start offering Episcopal 101 courses again at the request of the BC
• Building: Stove has been inspected; chapel floor will be refinished after the EAM conference; back doors to be replaced hopefully during the next preschool break; back stairway needs work
• Memorial Day: Colma cemetery clean up May 18, JARF Memorial Day service there May 27
• EAM@40 conference: starts Thurs eve, June 20. Friday, June 21, the Japanese Convocation will come to SKK for dinner. We will order bento, ask everyone for help with food and setup. Sunday, June 23, NO Sunday morning service. We hope everyone will join the big EAM service at Grace Cathedral. The Presiding Bishop will preach. After the service, there will be a big dinner in Chinatown. Everyone may buy a $30 ticket to that dinner (advance only!). There is also a golf tournament. If you know anyone who plays golf, we will have flyers for you to pass on! If you have not been to EAM before, this is a great chance to do so. The Early Bird subsidized commuter registration is only $185, which covers all of the meals, including the banquet.

 

EASTER OFFERING DONORS Many Thanks!!
Anonymous, Itoko Akuhara, Minoru & Tamae Akuhara, Jeff & Satoko Boris, Carl & Keiko Gishifu, Tad & Satomi Ishida, Tanya Ishiguro, Sharon Kato (in memory of Joe Tondo) Michi & June Kawaguchi, Yuki Kawaguchi, Candace Kika, Bill & Sally Kimura, Kuni Koga, Connie Miu-Sheung Lam, Frank & Veronica Morino, Frances Morioka, Alice Nakahata, Beatrice Nakahata, Mary Ota, Gordon & Carol Park-Li, Larry & Florence Small, Kevin & Celeste Takei, Glen & Ryoko Tadakuma, Dennis & Miya Tsukamoto Chiu, Will & Myrna Tsukamoto, Kim Uyehara, Natsuyo Wong

 

SPECIAL THANKS    To Connie Lam for all of her work, to Kathleen Kaplan for filling in on the organ, to Kevin Pope for singing, to all those who helped with the Mother’s Day Brunch

BON VOYAGE!!  We wish the Rev. Connie Lam all the best in her new position in Boston’s Chinese mission. Mother’s Day will be her last day with us.

 

THE LAST WORD
May the troubled waters of your life be calmed, may the rising winds that surround you be stilled. May you find the time you need just to think, may you dwell in a space that allows you to breathe. May the voices you hear be hushed from any distraction, may the sound of a single friend reach your waiting ear. May love abide all around you, may peace be your garment of grace. May your steps be as sure as the direction you follow, may the destination quicken your heart with the thought of homecoming. May you be who you are, may you find what you seek. Bp Steven Charleston

MESSENGER’S NOTESI

The Messenger will strive to provide:

1. Information regarding events of significance to the whole congregation.

2. Information regarding the customs and practices of the Protestant Episcopal Church, USA and of our Nikkei community.

3. Information regarding efforts made to advance the program goals established by the Vicar, Bishop’s Committee as the goals themselves are made known.

4. Information regarding events relevant to the mission of the church.

The Messenger will not list individual monetary gifts or donations as it has no direct access to such information. However, donors will be acknowledged as their names are provided. Institutional grants for project goals of the Mission will be acknowledged as a part of information regarding the programs themselves.