ELEVENTH YEAR ITCH

     Only once in eleven years has our Brazos Association hosted the Annual Meeting of South Central Conference in Austin. This is that year. The theme of our gathering will be "Pentecost 2000: One Spirit, Many Gifts." Did you notice, I said, "our" gathering? Yes, Brazos Association is our Association, South Central Conference is our Conference, and we all belong to our United Church of Christ. But, wait.
     The recent responses to the questionnaire by our Pastoral Search Committee show something very alarming. That "our church needs a minister who. . ." is "an effective preacher/speaker" was selected as the highest choice by our members. But the two items, "regularly encourages people to participate in UCC activities and programs" and "has strong commitment and loyalty to the UCC" came in the bottom nine choices. Ouch! Did I do something wrong on these items? I've been very active in our Association, Conference and UCC, and also in some ecumenical activities of many kinds all through my over 34 years of ministry. The majority of this church's members did not, however, think their minister's involvement in the larger church as important and necessary. Maybe, I have not advocated this area of ministry with much noise and enthusiasm. If so, that's my fault!
     But, wait, again. Maybe, our members have never been exposed to our larger church's meetings yet. Maybe, the majority of our members have never attended some real exciting, stimulating and greatly moving meetings, worship services, programs, workshops, conferences, etc. whatsoever. If so, that's not my fault!
     My friends, the chance of your lifetime will be here with us very soon! ALL OF US will attend the Pentecost Worship Service Sunday, June 11, at Huston-Tillotson College Chapel at 10:30 am. The preacher is Rev. David R. Ray whose conviction is that any small church is large enough to be and do everything that God expects a church to be and do. Let's all participate in it en masse. Mark your calendar right now! Wear something red for celebration.
     I'm feeling sort of the eleventh year itch for that great worship service and also other programs and workshops that weekend. Our Conference has begun to breathe a new life. Oh, how fitting to eagerly anticipate still another blowing of a new life by the Holy Spirit on Pentecost 2000! BE SURE TO JOIN IN!

May God of Newness satisfy our itch that weekend!

-Yoshi

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBER: Sunday, May 28, 2000

Enid Lackey Ross (Mrs. James Ralph)
5229 Meadow Creek Dr. 78745
(h)416-9023 e-mail: ross@io.com
Children: Lucas James 8/25/82, Julia Elizabeth 1/31/87, Celia Rebecca Ross 11/2/90
Hobbies: Music; Violinist; Composer (7/2)
Occupation: Seeking Ordination as a Pastor

CONGREGATION APPROVES PARKING GARAGE

Dave Ross

NEWS ITEMS

Paul Deisler has made an enormous effort to compile a Draft Report, of over 100 pages, for the former members of the Site Selection/Building Program Committee. When completed that document becomes the major "Guide" for our church's future relocation process. The document is currently being reviewed.
     Eight delegates and guests from our church attended the Spring Meeting of the Brazos Association on Sunday, May 7, at Friends Congregational Church in College Station. The program was presented by the Just Peace Institute of College Station and was meaningfully combined with worship which was led by Joe Hudson. Rev. Mark Miller, Conference Minister, spoke briefly, and in a moving way, about some of the "exciting happenings" in our conference. Following Roll Call, our guests, Rev. Larry Bethune of University Baptist Church and Rev. Steven Lucas of Highland Park Baptist Church in Austin, spoke, with candor and humor, of their experiences/vision re. "ecumenical partnerships." (Alliance of Baptist and UCC are now in the process of becoming "partner" denominations within two years.)
     Charlotte Albert and Yoshi made brief reports of their trip to Okinawa, with some visual aids, and asked the churches of our Association for their prayers, especially during the G-8 Summit this July.
     Did you know that our Sara Ross has retired from her position as Association Treasurer, after four years of service?
     The Recognition of our Association Conference Coordinator, Rev. John Towery,and Eleanor, marked the climax of the whole meeting. After Rev. Christine Tinker, Association Moderator, presented a cute water pot, with monetary gifts inside, to John and Eleanor, a long, loud, standing, ovation was given for their eleven years of service. Frankly, without John's leadership, our Brazos Association would not have functioned as effectively, and in unity. Three Cheers to John! ! !
     Our Tommie Pinkard, Chair, Association Minister Search Committee, made a report and moved to select Rev. Ernie Dean as new Association Minister, with an annual review of his job performance. Welcome aboard, Rev. Dean!
     Mark McCoy and Yoshi attended Brazos Association Shrimp Boil in the evening of May 23 in St. John's UCC, Burton. We heard talks in support of Back Bay Mission Capital Fund Drive given by Bruno Schroeder and Peggy Johnson. With sincerity on their part, they invite us to participate in the campaign. Watch for further information.

A John Gage Update to Share:
At the APTS Graduation Ceremonies, on Sunday, May 21, John received the Preaching Award! Congratulations, John!

 

RESERVE OCT. 6-8 FALL RETREAT SLUMBER FALLS
Dr. Michael Murray, Pastor and Consultant who has trained over 210,000 seminar participants, especially in Change Management, Strategic Planning and Team Building, will be with us all day Saturday, October 7.

Begin to ask vital questions re. our Church's Relocation Process, such as:

-How to arrive at crucial decision-making without polarization
-How to reach a concensus without getting mad at one another in our Church Relocation Process
-How many options do we really have to choose from
-Do we have "fire in the belly," or do we need a renewal experience to proceed
-Are we just postponing the pain of decision-making until after a new pastor arrives

Michael and Yoshi will sit down sometime in September to set the stage for this meaningful and important step toward our future.

 

Nominating Committee update:
The Nominating Committee named Cecile Ervin as the candidate to represent us at the Annual Meeting of South Central Conference, held in Austin, June 9-11. Cecile replaces Kristin Galle who is now in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for a summer Internship.

A Communication from Choong Hyun Presbyterian Church, 5/21/00
Dear Rev. Yoshi Kaneda
Thank you very much. God bless you and your church. We will pray for the revival of your church

CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS

4     U.N. ENVIRONMENTAL SUNDAY WITH HOLY COMMUNION
          Psalm 1; John 17:6-19
          Sermon: "That We May Be One" -Rev. Kaneda
          12:20 pm Board of Christian Education Meeting
5     7:30 pm Women's Book Club hosted by Catherine Hubbs
6     7:30 pm Refugee Family Support Team Meeting
7     7:30 pm Board of Deacons Meeting hosted by Matt Blackstock
8     7:30 pm Centennial Committee Meeting
9 - 11 SOUTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE ANNUAL MEETING IN AUSTIN
11   10:30 am ALL JOIN IN THE PENTECOST WORSHIP SERVICE at HUSTON-TILLOTSON COLLEGE CHAPEL.
              Sermon: Rev. David Ray. Offerings: CCM & Retired Clergy Ins. Fund
12 -15 JOINT INTERGENERATIONAL VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL with University Presbyterian

          Yoshi will be on vacation.    
18     GUEST MINISTER SUNDAY
25     GUEST MINISTER SUNDAY

JULY
SUMMER HOLY COMMUNION SUNDAY
12:20 pm Boards of Trustees and Christian Education will meet

Note:

posted in the Fellowship Room. Thanks.

 

Worth Repeating, Worth Repeating: Thoughts on Vision. . .
     "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."-Proverbs 29:18

NOTES FROM REV. BEV:

     It seems to me that we are all talking about many kinds of changes these days: relocation, or not; a pastor leaving, an Interim pastor, then, a new one to come; shared parking with partners, adjustments, exciting opportunities. We are even in the season of transition, with graduation, moving up a grade or moving on, preparing for new teachers, students, and friends.
     How do you react to change? Maybe you see newness and gains, excitement and challenge in the unknown. Maybe, to you, change is not such a good thing...so many things can go wrong, we've always done things this way, no one will like it, and we like things just the way they are. Or, maybe, change just makes us feel unsettled, unsure, uncomfortable.
     For sure, however, change is inevitable. It has been promised: the Revelation of John declares that "I am making all things new." Indeed, even our retreat was structured to help us "face the transition." And, from the extent and richness of that discussion, it was apparent that many of us have been thinking about changes on the horizon. What word do you like for this period? In the meantime? Threshold? In between? Liminal? Time for taking stock? You decide.
     In this context, I discovered in Strategic Youth Ministry some material that is designed for assessment and taking stock. I hope you find it interesting; we may one day want to include it in some group discussion.

One part sets out Nine Indicators of Faith Maturity: see what you think.
#1. TRUSTS AND BELIEVES: In God's saving grace and in the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ
#2. EXPERIENCES THE FRUITS OF FAITH: As a sense of well-being, security, and peace in one's life. as part of one's religious life.
#4 CELEBRATES THE GOOD NEWS: By recognizing the good news of God's work in individuals' lives.
#5 SEEKS SPIRITUAL GROWTH: Through study, reflection, prayer, and discussion with others.
#6. NURTURES FAITH IN COMMUNITY: By being part of a community of believers in which people give witness to their faith and support one another.
#7. HOLDS LIFE-AFFIRMING VALUES: By commitment to the equality of all people, an affirmation of cultural and religious diversity, and a personal sense of responsibility for the welfare of others.
#8 ADVOCATES SOCIAL CHANGE: For improving human welfare.
#9 ACTS AND SERVES: Serving humanity consistently and passionately through acts of love and compassion.

The second part (here, in summary) looks at Qualities of Faith-Nurturing Congregations: What do you think?
How are we doing?
#1. ENGAGING CLIMATE: Warm and energized and where youth are encouraged to participate
#2. CARING COMMUNITY: Where members know and care for each other and for people in the community.
#3. EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: For all ages, with strong leadership and interesting interaction.
#4. EVANGELISM AND MISSION EMPHASIS: All members encouraged and taught to share their faith and to "go and make disciples."
#5. INSPIRING WORSHIP FOR YOUTH: This has a special niche because adults are more likely to be satisfied in worship than are youth members.
#6. SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES: Congregational help for families in nurturing the faith of children.
#7. A CLEAR VISION: One that is known, that undergirds congregational life and work, and can be articulated by our youth.
#8. EMPOWERING LEADERSHIP: Where many people serve, address problems, and involve youth in decision-making.

I find that reflecting on these key indicators is both sobering and meaningful. As the Deacons and Board of Christian Education engage in planning our congregational activities for faith-development, mission, and support for families, we will be inviting and welcoming your ideas. I have certainly heard some interesting ideas for small groups, such as a revised Wednesday evening program, Bible study, parent/family/marriage discussion. And, discussion groups for such justice issues as the death penalty moratorium and a revised rerun of the gay/lesbian discussion. Please speak up with your interest. Would you like to lead or participate or help?
     AND DON'T FORGET...we have the opportunity to gather with our Presbyterian neighbors for a Family and Intergenerational Vacation Bible School, June 12 -15. See the accompanying Registration Form. Join in and Bring your friends.

To Open the Doors of Our Hearts. . .

"I was a stranger and you welcomed me..."Matthew 25:35, NRSV

     Global Ministries missionary Jeff Mensendiek is the director of the student center in Sendai, Japan. For ten years he has been taking Japanese students on study tours to south Asia. This spring he took seven students to Kerala in the southern tip of India. For three weeks they visited village people, stayed in their homes, and learned about social service work being done by local non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
     On these visits, they spend time, not in five-star hotels, but in the homes of local people, the visits made possible by contacts through the church. "It is a way to share from the heart," Jeff writes, "as a simple home becomes the sharing ground for a newfound friendship. Japanese youth are astounded by the hospitality and acceptance. These trips open the doors of our hearts to the richness of life which is the Gospel."
     As Jeff wrote, his students had just gone off for their home-stays. "They will stay two nights with Harijan families who are the lowest cast of Hindu society. Never have these people had foreign visitors in their homes. This was arranged by a friend who runs an NGO to aid poor families by providing them skills training, which can be the beginning of sustainable income for their future village life."
     With both India and Pakistan involved in nuclear testing, Jeff said that on this particular trip he was thinking about the world's increasing dependence on nuclear power and weaponry, and efforts to change this. "My host here has been involved in inviting Hiroshima nuclear bomb survivors (Hibakusha) to India to speak about the horrors of the bomb. He is trying to educate the people who have so little information about the bomb, and who only identify the bomb as a 'Hindu bomb,' a symbol of strength against India's rival, Pakistan."

THE CHURCH IN ACTION

CHURCHES do two kinds of social action work: charitable giving and working for social justice.
     Most churches do a good job of charitable giving. Our church has been involved in such charitable works as sponsoring an immigrant family, donating to the food bank, and fixing up the home of a poor person.
     However, in the area of working for social justice, most churches are not doing as much. Amos 5:24 has this challenge, "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." So we have the complementary tasks of working to change those factors that make people disadvantaged and in need of our help in the first place.
     My late friend Paul Blanton had a sign in his office that said, "I fed the poor and they praised me. I asked why they were poor and they stoned me." Doing charitable work is universally recognized as being a Christian act: however, fighting to change unjust social conditions is not always seen as appropriate work for Christians because it might involve controversy, conflict, and work in the political arena. Having grown up in Alabama, I remember our white churches taking up collections to feed the poor starving faraway Africans (not a controversial action) while not going to city hall to fight for social justice for our African-American neighbors (a very controversial action). The thinking was that nice Christians do not make waves. But the reality of social change is that there will be conflict with those who stand in the way of justice. There will be work in the political arena because that is where public decisions are made and public money is spent.
     My hope for his church is that we will do as well in the area of social justice as we do in the area of charity. Working in Austin Interfaith has given our delegation the opportunity to work here in Austin with church and synagogue members from across the city to advocate for specific improvements in the school system and in government spending on human development.
     I welcome all church members to participate in any area of interest including playscapes in elementary school, smaller fifth grade classes, jobs with benefits and wages above minimum wage, health insurance for all low-income kids in Texas, and city spending on summer youth employment.

-Kathleen Strong

"HAPPY JUNE BIRTHDAYS"

To:
Ches Towery Stephanie Phillips Debbie Appel-Knowlton Katy Phillips, Maggie Towery Rizer Everett, Tania String
Cherly Appel, Jonathan Briggs
Andrew Barrett
Nodie Murphy
David Ashton Garry Cole Marilyn Gaddis Pat Oakes, Vic Appel

OTHER "HATS OFF"
     Matt Blackstock installed the rubber gard for the organ cord across the doorway into the sanctuary. He was ably assisted by Chester Rosson.
     A Special Thanks, and Congratulations, to Rev. John R. Gage, guest preacher on Sunday, May 21. John traveled to Austin from New Haven, Connecticut where he serves as Associate Pastor of New Haven United Church on the Green, to be with us, and to attend his graduation ceremony at APTS in the afternoon. Thanks, John. It was good to have you with us again, and we look forward to other "visits" to come.
     Special music on Sunday, May 21, included cellist, Ken Pruitt, who will be away during the months of June and July, but back with us in the Fall. Also, J. Craig Headley, was soloist for the opening hymn, "Eternal Father, Strong to Save." The hymn was a request in recognition of Armed Forces Day.
     Sunday, May 21, was also a special time of Fellow-ship, when members and friends welcomed back John Gage and give their "Farewells" to Lillie Kate Webb who will be moving to San Antonio soon. A well-deserved thanks goes to the Fun & Fellowship Committee for coordinating the delicious Potluck meal enjoyed by all.
     Weren't we proud of our Youth who led worship on Sunday, May 28, Church School Sunday! Susan Ashton, led the Call to Worship; Scripture Readings were given by Ava Deiser and Sarah Ashton; Jamie Adams conducted Time With Children; Joys and Concerns and Prayer was led by Bree Domingue-Hawes; Andrew Barrett gave the morning's talk; Jake Burlinson conducted the Offering, Prayer, Commission and Blessing. Acolyte was Jennie Ashton, Greeters included: Jennie Ashton, Olivia Deisler, Katherine Ashton and Ian Ross. The entire worship service was under the guidance of S. S. Teachers, Doyal Pinkard, S. S. Superintendent and the Board of Christian Education. Thank you, Youth, for your gifts to this meaningful worship experience.
     Following the worship service, on Sunday, May 28, a Reception was held during the Fellowship Hour in recognition of Andrew Barrett's graduation. Congratulations and Best Wishes, Andrew!
     Congratulations, also, to Enid Ross, a graduate of APTS, Sunday, May 21. Enid is the newest member of our church, as you read elsewhere in this news-letter. Welcome, again, Enid!
     We would be remiss, if we did not recognize the significant contribution to the life of this church our choir, trio, and pianist-organist make Sunday after Sunday. Following the summer months hiatus, the choir will take up their duties again in the Fall.- We thank, and appreciate, each and every one!

AN OPPORTUNITY

Are you searching for a valuable and rewarding experience?
ONE CHURCH - ONE MENTOR
(Community Mentoring Network)
Sponsored by AMM
Call John or Elliott for training dates:
472-7627
A Communication from the Adult S.S. Class

A HISTORY LESSON

     On June 18,10:00 am - 10:45 am, in the church sanctuary, we will be privileged to hear a presentation by Bill Livingston, U.T. Vice President and Professor of Government. Bill's expertise in comparative governments includes considerable background knowledge about the formation of Church-State relationships. What makes this more than intellectual curiosity is the fact that the early Congregationalists (Pilgrims) played a decisive part in shaping Church-State relations - not only between the Church of England and the Crown but in other western republics as well, including our own. With the exception of our former member, Dr. Paul, a historian at APTS, most of us will be surprised to learn of the pivotal roll we Congregationalists played in Church-State relation-ships.
     Professor Livingston's visit was arranged by the Adult Sunday School Class which has been studying the roots of Congregationalism and the other three components of the UCC. The class decided that Dr. Livingston's presentation would be of interest to the entire membership, and has scheduled it for a time when members of the choir and others in the congregation would be able to attend.
     Join us for what we confidently believe will be a memorable lecture by Vice-President Livingston.

From: Thoughts of Steven Wright . .

A bus station is where a bus stops.

A train station is where a train stops.

On my desk, I have a work station. . . . . .

AN INITIAL REPORT TOTHE CONGREGATION

From: The Newly Reconstituted Bldg. & Grounds Committee

We're all aware that it has been several years since we've had an active Bldg. & Grounds Committee. We are pleased to report the flurry of activity that has taken place attempting to accommodate the backlog of things needing attention. We are delighted to report four major projects which should be completed within the next month:

We are actively making plans for our Workday to paint the entire sanctuary.
Since we're on a roll, as the second major effort: painting of the Fellowship Room and Church Office.
Plans are underway to clean and refinish the hardwood floor in the Fellowship Room. Remarkably, that task will be professionally done by the Boatright Hardwood Company. They have agreed to do the job at no charge to the church, in recognition of the historic involvement of our church in the community.
Update: The beautifully finished work was observed on Sunday, May 28, as members gathered for the Fellowship Hour.
The 15' x 18' carpet in the Fellowship Room

The Bldg. & Grounds Committee will be meeting with the Fun & Fellowship Committee in an effort to determine how to expand the available space in accommodating our Potluck meals and other events requiring kitchen facilities. 

CHURCH DIRECTORY NOTICES:

If you picked up a first copy, please correct, as follows:-
Inside cover: Fax: 899-8030

p. 1. APPEL-KNOWLTON, *Debra & Robert
APPEL, *Victor H., Ph.D. & *Jean
e-mail: vappel@mail.utexas.edu

p. 10. HUBBS, *Clark, Ph.D. & Catherine
e-mail: hubbscathubbs@aol.com

p. 17 ROSS, James & *Enid (new member) (7/2)

p. 27 NET 6, 3)

Add:
Catherine & Clark Hubbs 453-6795

Congratulations!
     It's June, and students and teachers can take a long breath, rest and join the summer fun. But especially we congratulate Andrew Barrett, who just graduated from Westlake High School fifth in his class and is looking forward to the fall, when he enters the University of California at Berkeley. Meantime he is working for the summer at the U.T. Applied Science lab. Craig meanwhile will be interning with IBM this summer. Their grandparents were here for the graduation and attended church last Sunday when Andrew was the speaker at our May Church School Program.
     Congratulations, Rosses! How does it feel to have two new Doctors of Medicine in the family? Sara and Dave spent two days in Houston this past week watching Andrew Ross and his wife, Leslie Poer, receive their degrees from the Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. DeBakey of heart-transplant fame, handed out the diplomas. Andy and Leslie will be separated for one year since he will go to Galveston to the University of Texas medical Center there for further study as an opthalmologist, and she will specialize in general surgery in New Orleans at Louisiana State University. Then Andy will join her, working at Tulane University School of Medicine.
     Congratulations, Mardie Oakes! She recently enjoyed a trip to Washington, D.C. She was there along with her boss and two members of the board of the Fifth Ward Community Re-Development Corporation to accept the Maxwell Award for Excellence given by the Fannie Mae foundation which selects outstanding low-income housing projects each year and recognizes them with $35,000 grants. Mardie was the project manager for Lyons Villages, the first mixed-use development in Houston. It has twenty-four three-and-four-bedroom apart-ments and eight storefronts. The awards ceremony was on Capital Hill. Mardie was able to arrange her trip so that she could stay for several days with her sister Sarah and brother-in-law, John, who live in nearby Kensington, Maryland.
     Congratulations, Paula and Michael Fracasso! They are about to become parents in October! How wonderful, both of you! And congratulations to Fran and Rambie Briggs too! Paula is continuing to work for Austin Entrepreneurs Foundation, which gives consulting support to emerging high-tech companies in development of their corporate philanthropy. More about Michael ahead.
     We haven't seen much lately of one of our members, Lana Harris, Bee Polome's daughter, who, with her husband, Scott Duff, have been busy as parents of Kayla, now three years old. But they have just added to their joy with the birth of Alan Scott Duff on May 1, 2000. He weighed seven pounds, seven ounces, was nineteen inches long, and came about a week early. He is happy, healthy, and keeping the family busy. Lana is managing a little legal work out of her home, but music is more or less on hold for right now. She hopes to let us get a glimpse of the family by coming to see us at church, hopefully when her sisters and their families come to visit. Please come, and congratulations, all of you!
     We were delighted to see John Gage again and to offer him our congratulations once more as he returned to Austin for his official graduation from APTS after already having been ordained and having ministered since January in our United Church of Christ in New Haven. It was only a glimpse but a very welcome one, and we owe him our thanks for the thoughtful sermon he shared with us. He had the experience of taking confirmands to Washington, D.C. for the Jubilee 2000 debt relief rally on The Mall and be a part of this impressive debt-forgiveness movement, which has spread from a beginning in England to a point at which even members of the U.S. Congress know to what Leviticus 25 refers.
     Another Austin Seminary graduate who deserves our congratulations is our newest church member, Enid Ross, who has completed her seminary work and who joined our church last Sunday. Congratulations, Enid, and welcome to you and your family: husband James, Celia, nine, who just finished third grade at St. Elmo Elementary, Julia, thirteen, a Kealing eighth-grader; and Luke, seventeen, a new graduate of Crockett (Congratulations to you too!)

We have two other Austin seminarians with us: Kristin Galle, who is working between her second and third years, and Cecile Ervin, who is fitting in a six-week course in Greek this summer and hopes to find a part-time job at something above minimum wage to make ends meet. Did you know that she has a law degree? She would like to find a research job, so if you hear of anything, please let her know. She hopes to finish the summer with a Wilderness and Spirituality class the last two weeks of August, hiking in southern Colorado. The experience will include rock climbing, a ropes course, and hiking at 8,000 to 12,000 feet for a week. She will turn sixty somewhere along the Continental Divide!
     George Carruthers and Marilyn Gaddis ask our prayers for George's son-in-law, Allen Erler, who is very ill with prostate cancer, complicated by respiratory problems. Fortunately most of our members are in pretty good health this summer. Judith Karasi, mother of our refugee family from The Congo is taking antibiotics and we hope is better by now. Rizer and Hildegard Everett were hoping that a series of three shots of a new medication called synvise in Hildegard's knee would relieve the severity of her arthritis, but it didn't work, and the doctor is encouraging her to take some painkillers. Hildegard says she doesn't want to become an addict, but her doctor reassures her. As this is being written, their daughter Dot has come to pay a Memorial Day weekend visit to the Everetts. She tells us that her daughter Kate and little Megan are in Hawaii but that Kate's husband Donny is on a Navy cruise of Asia until October. So Kate and Megan will spend two months in Albuquerque with Dot and Bryan. She will also be helping Donny's parents with their music store business and hopes to spend a long weekend in Austin with her grandparents. Then she returns to Pearl City, Hawaii, in August in order to enroll in a Masters of Social Work program at the University of Hawaii.
     Mary Halladay's right leg continues to heal slowly. She still cannot put any weight on it, but her spirits are good and she enjoys the Summit at Lakeway. A van equipped with a wheelchair elevator transports them for necessary shopping three times a week, and there is a Thursday night party with entertainers. They have a special building for patients with Alzheimers. And she looks forward to the time when she can walk again with a walker because there is space to walk outdoors on the property.
     Music is a strong thread running through and connecting our church members in worship, work, and play. On June 30 Michael Fracasso is playing at Gaby and Mo's at 9:00 pm. A few days earlier on June 24 Conrad Deisler and the Austin Lounge Lizards are playing at Antone's at 7:00 pm And we understand that on May 26 Conrad arranged for Jonathan Ashton to go over to the recording studio on Spicewood Springs Road and play trombone on one of the cuts off the upcoming Lounge Lizard album out in August, Never a Dull Moment. Jonathan will be in Band Camp this summer at McCallum High School. And we are fortunate enough to have the help of Robin Rosson, cellist, this summer in the instrumental trio with which Florence Castle makes magic each Sunday.We all know the beautiful arrangements with which Nodie Murphpy, Norma Hawes, and Melanie Wilkinson have blessed us in the choir and the church. Nodie, Melanie, and Sally Tomasek have also been deeply involved in a heady brew of song, dance, glitter, and lighting called Swanee, now just finished another incandescent spectacular in Round Rock. If you've never gone to see it, you owe yourself an evening with the Round Rock Civic Chorus next spring.
     Stella Morrison continues to enjoy herself and provide enjoyment for many others as one of the Tap-Dancing Grandmas. This last weekend they performed at the Pfulugerville High School Performing Arts Building. (She was impressed that Capital Metro Bus Service goes to Pflugerville.) They perform the first weekend of every month at Esthers. One of the most popular of their numbers begins with them as little old ladies in raincoats with floppy rain hats.Then as the dance progresses, they doff the raincoats and appear in rakish T-shirts. The raincoats were most appropriate when they recently performed outdoors at Umlauf Sculpture Gardens because just as they came onstage, it began to rain. Stella says when she slung away her raincoat, it fell in a puddle, but the performance was a success.
     We have heard of some of our students' activities and will be glad to hear more. We already told you about Jonathan Ashton's trombone recording. He will be in the Marching Band at McCallum. Sarah Ashton will be in Honor Band at Lamar. Katherine's softball team is called The Hotshot. They were season champions for the Minor League. Ava Deisler just finished fourth grade at Brykerwoods. She was on the honor roll every semester. Olivia goes to the Isely School and is finishing second grade. Eric will be five in July and was in pre-kindergarten.
     This last Sunday we should have said goodbye to Lillie Webb, but it was too hard to do. We gave her a card, but she is going to have to come up to see us and tell us how to find her in San Antonio. We wish her all sorts of good luck and good fortune. On Memorial Day she was to take a U Haul down to San Antonio and return for a Wednesday doctor's appointment. Then she'll settle in and do some job hunting in San Antonio before leaving for a six-week course in Yiddish at Columbia University. Who knows what will happen next? Promise to keep in touch, Lillie!
     We all have been shocked by the rise in Austin property values, but Florence Castle tells us that her land has been reappraised at 127% of its former value and her house at 118% more! She is contesting the appraisal.
     Flo Chiles tells us her son-in-law in Bryan has decided to run for City Council. He has a BS in Communications and has been quite involved in the community, so if you hear of Randy Haynes running for Bryan City Council, you'll know who it is.
     Our member and UCC minister Bill Phillips tells us that wife Betty just left for Europe as one of three adults with young performers from the Austin Chamber Music Center. They will visit several places in Europe during the month of June. Betty Phillips teaches in the Music Department of Central Texas College at Killeen and also conducts a noonday concert series at Central Presbyteian Church. Bill, in addition to being a staff member in an assisted-living program connected with the Brown Schools, is presently editing and finishing a book called Two Can Ride A Camel, a satire on a mainline Protestant experiment to build religious kiosks in the Texas panhandle.
     Frances Alford has been to Washington D.C. twice recently to attend a yearly reunion of former peace corps volunteers to Korea from the 1970's to 1984 (where they worked with tuberculois or leprosy patients, taught English as a Second Language, and rehabilitation education of the blind) and also to visit the Korean Ambassador. Several of them are interested in further diplomacy and/or volunteer work in Korea.
     Marilyn Gaddis and George Carruthers have been anywhere but home. On Palm Sunday they were in the Christian Church at Perry, Missouri, a little town of 400. Her cousin was directing over 100 musicians, of whom sixteen were family members from her mother's family. They sang the last part of the Messiah and Vivaldi's Gloria. At the end of April they flew to California to participate in the fiftieth anniversary of Marilyn's graduation from Pomona College (Congregational). When they talked to Catherine, they had just returned from an Amtrak trip to Wisconsin, where they participated in a reunion of the Board of Visitors, School of Education, University of Wisconsin and then went up to Eau Claire. There were weather problems which caused a seven-hour delay during their return but only minor inconvenience.
     Two of the Oakes daughters and their husbands spent Memorial Day together. Beth and Eugene had gone east for the wedding of Amos Yang, the cellist for the Maia Quartet for which Beth is the violist, and stayed with Sarah and John in Kenningston, Maryland over the holiday.
     Tommie and Doyal Pinkard had a chance to see Joe Nordstrom when they went down to Houston. They said he is in good spirits in spite of his eye problems. He has good peripheral vision and manages to ride his bicycle back and forth to his daughter's home. He says the only thing he might miss is a child's sudden running right in front of his bicycle.
     Mary Sinclair and Richard Jackson had a little well-deserved vacation when they went to Monterey, California, where Richard had a business meeting. They sat on the beach, waded and got sunburned, ate seafood, saw harbor seals swimming, went to Big Sur, and spent four hours whale watching. What fun!

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