February 2013 Edition
- STINA’S MESSAGE
Lent??? Already!!!
Well, yes, we just had Ash Wednesday, and so this Sunday is the First Sunday in Lent. We have started the Bible Challenge, and for the 5 Sundays of Lent, we will be looking at the Gospel readings after church. It is not a lot of reading, 7 pages or less per week. I think everyone can handle it!
But I also want you to consider what you will do for Lent this year, and, as usual, to make a suggestion. Try giving up fear, or worry, for Lent. This is a much more interesting thing to do than giving up chocolate (which can also be a spiritual exercise for some of us!). I talked about this at Kokoro for the Spiritual Talk I gave there. I suggested that every time a worry gets invited in, that we imagine picking it up and handing it off to God or Jesus to handle. At first, this will be very difficult. We have gotten so used to inviting the fear or worry in, that it will feel like we will be working at this every minute! However, inviting worry or fear in has become a habit, and so handing it off can also become a habit. Furthermore, as we get used to not having the fear or worry as a constant companion, we will get more attuned to when it tries to creep in the back door!
But what about when there is a real problem? Well, it really does not help solve the problem when we worry about it. We can let go of the worry, and still work to solve the problem. And, when we are not worrying any more, we can see that perhaps there are other people willing to help us solve this problem.
Finally, sometimes problems get so big, especially if they have their “worry friends” surrounding them, that we feel like there is nothing else in the world. This again is not true. If we will remember, we can always choose to focus on the problem, and we can always choose to not focus on it. It is always our choice. We can choose to focus on the small but beautiful flower growing in the concrete of the concentration camp. Viktor Frankl taught us that. When we choose to focus on the small beauty instead of the large problem, we do not deny that the problem is there, but we deny its primacy in our lives.
So what will you choose to do for Lent?
Stina
BC NOTES
Financially we are in good shape, thanks to everyone! At the Day of Remembrance, Stina will be representing JARF as the new President; we will give a sponsoring donation and food donation. The website is close to completed, thanks to Michael! Our next physical project is to redo the carpeting on the stairs and hallway, then the floor of the chapel level. Our new altar and plant stands are in place. The formal dedication will be during the Bishop’s visitation. We will take time next BC meeting to talk about two other major building expenses, reconditioning the big stove, and reroofing, and what kind of grants we might want to make with the Nihonmachi Terrace money.
UPCOMING EVENTS – Please mark your calendars!
Day of Remembrance, February 17 – Kabuki Theater, free!
SF Deanery, March 9
Bishop’s Committee, March 10
JARF, March 19
Palm Sunday, March 24
Maundy Thursday at CUPC, March 28
Good Friday, March 29
Easter, March 31
EAM @ 40 – please mark your calendars for the weekend of June 22-23, 2013. The main part of the conference will be held in Burlingame. The Sunday afternoon service will be at Grace Cathedral, with the Presiding Bishop.
Asian Music Festival at Grace Cathedral, August 25, 2013
SPECIAL THANKS
To the family of George Yasukochi for the beautiful altar, to the family of Bill Kika for the matching plant stands, to Carl Gishifu for helping with the plaques and installations
REMINDER! If you have not gotten your pledge in to Kuni, you can simply call her to let her know you are supporting SKK this year!
THE LAST WORD
Here is a blessing for any who pass by and see themselves in this mirror of hope: Yes, you made a difference. Yes, your life has mattered. Yes, the price you paid was sufficient to the good you were able to do. Yes, someone has noticed and cared. Yes, God intended it so. Needed so. Your faith made it so. Yes.
Bp Steven Charleston, Hope as Old as Fire
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.