July 2013 Edition
Stina’s Message
Where do we turn when we get into trouble?
One part of that question looks at whether we turn inward or outward. Do we look inside first to see what is going on? Do we trust our inner strength and knowledge? Or, when trouble happens, do we automatically assume that we have done something wrong? Do we mistrust our inner guidance?
If we look outward first, do we look to see who can help us? Do we trust that the world around us is fundamentally positive? Or, are we fearful of our circumstances and the people around us? Do we look to see who can be blamed?
The answers to these questions provide a great deal of information about how we approach life in general, and some about how life has treated us. However, our past does not need to predict the future. Just because things have not gone well previously does not mean that they will not go well again – unless we expect bad things! That expectation is powerful.
We are reading from the prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures right now, and it is very clear that one of the reasons that people got so upset by what the prophets said was that they understood that saying something out loud started its manifestation. We now have scientific proof that this is true. When you focus on something and especially if you say it out loud, things start moving in that direction. So it makes a difference whether you expect good to happen, or bad to happen. It makes a difference whether you expect people to help you or to hurt you. Sometimes we get surprised, but we do have influence, whether we know it or not.
Finally, when we look at the question of where do you turn when you get into trouble brings up the question of community. One of the things I treasure at SKK is the sense of community. When there is a need, there is response. Of course, you have to admit to having a need, which is difficult sometimes. However, if you have a need and do not admit it, you are denying someone else the joy of responding to your need. Think about it!
Stina
Bishop’s Committee Notes
Festival: the beneficiaries this year will be the Japanese Bilingual Bicultural Program at Rosa Parks, EAM, and Jikeikai-Benevolent Society; Gordon will be the General Manager, Stina will be the Stage Manager, the letter and tickets will be mailed out this Sunday, tickets will be available online, Gordon and Keiko will co-chair the food, Myrna will coordinate the table decor, Kuni will coordinate the ticket table, Don Umemoto will coordinate the ushers, Kei will take pictures, Lisa Tsukamoto will be the MC, and Satoko and Wendy will do publicity.
Special Thanks!
To Carl Gishifu for taking everything out of the chapel before the floor refinishing, and to Gordon Park-Li, Josh Hart, Minoru Akuhara, and Jeremy Anderson for putting everything back! Also special thanks to Kathleen Kaplan for the donation of the electric piano. Also thanks to everyone who helped out with the EAM@40 celebration. It was a great success, and our visitors were very grateful for our hospitality.
To Carl Gishifu for taking everything out of the chapel before the floor refinishing, and to Gordon Park-Li, Josh Hart, Minoru Akuhara, and Jeremy Anderson for putting everything back! Also special thanks to Kathleen Kaplan for the donation of the electric piano. Also thanks to everyone who helped out with the EAM@40 celebration. It was a great success, and our visitors were very grateful for our hospitality.
Important Dates:
August 25, Music Festival
Sept 8, Bishop’s Visitation
Oct 13, World Communion, Dr Hinohara
please put these on your calendars!!