THE VISITOR
The Congregational Church of Austin, United Church of Christ

408 W. 23rd Street, Austin, TX 78705-5214 (512)472-2370
Fax: (512)472-1175   e-mail: ucausti@SWBell.net
http://congregational.faithweb.com
Rev. Yoshikuni Kaneda, Pastor
Rev. Richard Austin Thompson, Interim Pastor
"SAYONARA!"

     To apply for the upcoming Social Security Benefit I dug out my first "Passport of Japan" issued June 5, 1964. Oh, I couldn't believe my own picture attached to it. He looks so young, vibrant, ambitious and. . . cute! Yes, my fantasy went wild in all directions. If I could start all over again. . . if a bit of twist in my life's path has occurred. . . if I could control the time-machine. . . "No, Yoshi, you are going to retire very soon, for sure!"

     As I get older, I find that my body is sending out some distress signals that I haven't had to deal with in prior years. Even a simple thing like tying the shoe strings has become needing much more efforts. I, too, am aging. Once or twice I remember I preached about "aging with grace." Now, it's my turn to take the message seriously. I myself must accept the change that is unavoidable.

     Like it or not, change is one of the few things in our life that is permanent. Political changes occur, as we all witnessed them just recently. If we look at a world map that was published just five years ago, we will find that it is woefully out of date. (Remember Zaire and Burma?) With knowledge doubling every five years, encyclopedias are often out of date as they are published. Technological changes happen quickly. It is stunning to think of all the things that we have grown dependent upon today that were not available just 20 years ago - compact discs, fax machines, cellular phones. . .

     Change, change, change. We can all count on change. Some changes we like; others we are not sure about. Of course, some drastic changes frighten us, but we know that we have to accept them with grace after all.

     My retirement from active, full-time ministry will come soon. It is with mixed feelings that I write this greeting piece. I will no longer be pastor of the Congregational Church of Austin after January 9, 2001. Setsuko and I look forward to our happy retirement in San Diego. I am the one, however, who is frightened by this change.

     Leaving the people at the Congregational Church of Austin is extremely difficult for me. No group of people could have been more supportive to me and Setsuko. I question if I will ever feel as close to a church family as I do here. In my Christmas letter I wrote, "It has certainly been a high privilege and honor to serve as pastor at this GREAT/SMALL church!"

     THANK YOU, my dear friends! May God of Change richly bless you!

Yours in Christ,         

Yoshi Kaneda, Pastor         

 

 INTERIM MUSINGS   

What a wonderful opportunity to be with you good folks again! As your Interim Minister in the fall of 1995, when Yoshi was on sabbatical, I found my experience with the congregation soul-satisfying indeed. I'm now looking forward to sharing ministry with you a second time, beginning January 10, when Yoshi begins his retirement.
Obviously, The Congregational Church of Austin is now at a different point in its history than it was five years ago. Now you have a Search Committee, which is already in the process of looking for the next permanent minister. You have undertaken a location review. The membership is largely the same, but I am delighted to be meeting those who have become part of this faith community since I was last with you.
In the midst of this transition, I intend to help provide stability and to lead in the celebration of what a special fellowship you are. The 100th Anniversary observances during the first weekend of April will provide the occasion to rejoice at what this particular United Church of Christ has meant to its members and to the larger community. But I look forward to continuing to facilitate that good spirit beyond that time, for as long as I am with you.
My agreement with the church is through May, with the option provided to continue afterwards, if the search process continues. The agreement is for me to be available to the church four days a week. Besides Sunday, I will be in the office on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. I plan to do pastoral calling and to attend meetings on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and evenings. Of course, I will be available at any other time if emergencies arise or if called upon to conduct weddings or funerals. I will be pleased to take home communion to those unable to attend services. My hom
e phone is 472-3420, my e-mail richthom@inetport.com.
As I did five years ago, I would like to let you know in advance something about the way in which I conduct worship. Most often I preach from the lectionary, that cycle of scriptures which cover the main portions of the Bible. These texts will be announced in the newsletter for your advance reading. I also wear different colored robes and stoles according to The Christian Year.
You will find that I bring some changes in the order and style of worship. I will be consulting with The Board of Deacons and Music Director, Nodie Murphy, in this regard. So while providing continuity, I will also be offering new experiences which is one of the benefits of a congregation's entering an interim period.
Finally, I share with you what I did with First Congregational Church of Houston, while serving as its Interim Minister in 1999, - the five developmental tasks of a congregation during the interim time, as defined by The Alban Institute. During an interim period:

A congregation often needs to discover a new identity.
A congregation needs to come to term with its own history.
A congregation often experiences shifts in lay leadership.
A congregation finds itself relating to the denomination in new ways.
A congregation needs to be consciouslypreparing to make a commitment to the new pastoral leadership.

You have my assurance to be supportive in the completion of these tasks. But like in a good marriage, in the church you play at your relationship, as well as work at it. So as much as anything, I look forward to having a good time with you.

HAPPY JANUARY BIRTHDAYS TO:
1 Bob Breihan
3 Suzanne VanderPoel
18 Brad ferguson
20 Betsy Ferguson, Paul Deisler, Kaitlyn Newell
22 Mary Masters
23 Danny Masters
28 Yoshi Kaneda
31 Joe Nordstrom

WELCOME AND GATHERING
 How do you feel about entering an unfamiliar place? Undoubtedly, our visitors feel the same way?

HOSPITALITY WORKSHOP
- Gail & Bill Royster, Leaders
JANUARY 20 9:30 am - Lunch

Let's get together to become more skillful at inviting and welcoming visitors and inspiring them to return to worship and be joyful with us. We have so much to share and much to gain.
Please call Louise (472-2370) to say you'll join us and so we'll know how many pizzas to order!

SEE YOU THERE!

-Sharon Brown, Chair, Board of Deacons

Introducing:

1. Officer Mary Heselroad, APD District Representative for our neighborhood 974-5492 e-mail: Mary.hesalroad@ci.Austin.tx.us

2. UAP Officers:
Cathy Norman, President (Church of Scientology) 474-6631
Rick Hardin, Treasurer (Hardin Interests) 322-9292
George Mitchell, Chair, Clean-Up Initiative (University Co-Op) 476-7211
Mike McHone, City Council Liaison (McHone Real Estate) 481-9111
Ida Malina, Newsletter Editor (St. Austin Church) 477-9471

DECEMBER "HATS OFF" RECOGNITIONS

OUR CORPORATE WORSHIP
Scripture Readers
 3 - Lynne Lemley 10 - J. Craig Headley 17 - Church School Pageant 24 - Tommie Pinkard 31 -

Time With Children:
 3 - Enil L. Ross 10 - Lisa Hall 17 - Church School Pageant 24 - Doyal Pinkard 31 - Ushers:
3 - Vic Appel 10 - John Moore 17 - Steve Domingue 24 Paul Deisler 31 - Paul Deisler
Cecile Adams Suzanne Bradford Bree Hawes-Domingue Ellen Deisler Ellen Deisler Acolytes:
3 - Sarah Moore 10 - Ava Jean Deisler 17 - Jennie Ashton 24 - Mariah Newell 31 - Kathryn Ashton Communion Steward:
 Matt Blackstock

Host Fellowship Hour:
3 - Mel & Pat Oakes 10 - J. Craig Headley, Mark McCoy 17 - Christmas Cookie Swap
24 - Fran & Rambie Briggs
31 -

OTHER "HATS OFF"

Another spirited work crew came on December 2 to paint/repair the basement. Thanks go to David Ross, Craig Headley, Mark McCoy, Vic Appel, Karl & Andrea Putz and Ben White.

On December 9, Vic and Ben returned to continue the basement refurbishing.

Ben White kept the communications pipeline open with the Homeless Commission on behalf of our church. He reports that our church accommodated homeless individuals on December 16, when other churches could not accept the overflow. "It's a good start," Ben said. And we say, "Thank you, Ben!"

Our Church School children, under the supervision of teachers and Church School Superintendent, produced a Christmas pageant (in costume), bringing a delightful worship experience to us all, on Sunday morning, December 17. Thanks, especially, to Jamie Adams, for dialogue and Craig Headley, pageant director.

On Sunday evening, December 17, our Annual Christmas Candlelight Service was held at 7:30. The service was observed with worshipful reverance, and all left in silence. Special thanks go to the Joyful Noise Band, Florence Castle, pianist, Percussionists, Steve Domingue, Bree and Kathleen Hawes-Domingue, Ushers, Mary Sinclair and Richard Jackson, Readers: Dennis Murphy, Craig Headley, Dr. Joe McMillan, Enid L. Ross, Sally Tomasek, John Burlinson, Jake Burlinson, Sarah Ashton and Lisa Hall. The entire service was the concept of Dr. Nodie Murphy.

Yoshi expresses his appreciation to Louise Whitworth, Administrative Associate, for her special assistance in compiling the Candlelight Service booklet.

Tommie Pinkard has once again brought her beautiful nativity scene characters for display on the fireplace mantle. These unique figures were acquired by Tommie when she made a trip to Portugal.

One of our newest members, Enid L. Ross, was guest preacher on Sunday, December 31st. Thanks, Enid, for your gift to worship.

GOOD NEWS, News, news. . .

We congratulate John & Eleanor Towery on their 50th Wedding Anniversary and Mary & Danny Masters on their 25th Wedding Anniversary, celebrated together on Friday, December 1, at a delightful downtown hall. Many members and friends were in attendance, giving their best wishes to the couples.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to:

Kathleen Walsdorf and Yutaka Kono on their marriage in our sanctuary on Saturday, December 16. Rev. Yoshi Kaneda officiated.

Kristin Galle and Brent Hampton on their marriage, December 28 in our sanctuary. A reception was held at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Rev. Rollin Russell officiated.

In the Fall issue of Austin Area Interreligious Ministries (formerly AMM, Austin Metropolitan Ministries), the VOICE, you'll find articles about Refugee Resettlement, highlighting our church's refugee family, the Bukasas (see p. 4).

Also, watch for the 2001-2002 issue of the Calendar of Prayer, UCC, which includes an interview with Mary Sinclair about our church's sponsorship of the Bukasa family.

_____

A PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR, 2001
O Breath of Life, come sweeping thru us,
Revive Thy Church with life and pow'r,
O Breath of Life, come cleanse, renew us.
And fit Thy Church to meet this hour.
Revive us, Lord! Is zeal abating
While harvest fields are vast and white?
Revive us, Lord - the world is waiting!
Equip Thy Church to spread the light.

Bessie Porter Head

____________________________________

Worth Repeating, Worth Repeating. . .
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."

From the Bldg. & Grounds Chairman

On December 15, an unknown individual threw a tile into the large west window of the education wing. The church incurred an expense of $264.00 in replacement.

Although we do have coverage under our insurance for vandalism, our $250.00 deductible meant we only recovered $14.00 of our expense.

Surely many sermons have been preached about similar occasions of desecration in other places of worship.

At this blessed time of the year, this incident serves to remind us of the rage felt by some in this land, and the fact that many persons feel they have no home to go to.

An incident of this kind often elicits polarized opinions. Some would say "build walls which would insulate us," others would express the fact that this need should be addressed. What do you think the position of the church should be?

We all recognize that this type of incident has happened before and will probably happen again. The Board of Trustees will be discussing this issue, but they will surely appreciate your views on the matter.

-Vic Appel