"BUKASA FAMILY, WELCOME!"
For several months our church family has waited for the arrival of a Refugee Family from Congo. Just 15 minutes later than the scheduled time, a TWA landed safely at Austin airport where Mary Sinclair, Matt Blackstock, Nodie Murphy, Rev. Rod Coleman, Jerome Cox of AMM and Yoshi were eager to meet them. Martin, father and husband of Bukasa family, quickly sensed our welcome, noticing the sign of "Welcome!" with a BIG SMILE. The youngest boy was fast asleep at 11 o 'clock at night, Thursday, February 17.
They are a family of five plus one. Martin, 36 with 14 years of education, speaks a bit of English. Judith, 27 with 13 years of education, has been very quiet, but controls her three little ones with authority. Gedeon, 6, Kyria, 4, and Israel, 2, are all lovely and active children. Can you imagine that they have only one bag as their possessions for the whole family? Eric Mubiriki, 19, has arrived a week later and, we believe, he is closely related to the Bukasa Family.
They are from Democratic Republic of Congo (see the following article about the tragic situation of this nation) and have stayed in a Refugee Camp in a neighboring country for five and a half months before granted to enter the U.S.
Oh, the quality and quantity of love and care of our church family has been overwhelming for this family. Please see the names of many hard workers, willing donors, and support team members elsewhere. Added to our efforts, members and Pastor of the Shepherd of the Hills Christian Church were most appreciated by us all. The whole weekend of February 18 through 21 saw our great effort of accommodation toward this family. Within just a few days of stay they have been provided all necessary items for their life in a three bedroom apartment, including clothing, food and even a TV!
One important caution! Compassion is good, but giving too much is not. The goal of sponsoring a Refugee Family is to let them be totally independent from any material and monetary assistance within four months. ESL Classes and Job Search are crucial for the family to become independent. Martin is already very eager to get a job. Let's continue our support with friendship and care. Then we will all know that giving is receiving. (If you want to get involved in supporting the family, please let Mary Sinclair know of your intention.)
Sunday of the same weekend, I expressed my sincere appreciation to Matt Blackstock, who worked so hard to welcome and settle the family. Did you know what he said? "Yoshi, I am having the best time in my life!"
-Yoshi
Democratic Republic of Congo: Health Care System in Ruins
Following 30 years of "kleptocracy," the Congolese must now contend with a regional conflict being played out on their soil. The country is effectively cut in two by fighting between government forces based in the western capital of Kinshasa and rebel factions in the east, both of which are heavily supported by neighboring countries' governments and opposition movements. Although the front line has been stable for six months following an August 1999 peace treaty, fighting continues in some areas. In eastern Congo, which is cut off by destroyed roads, the major city Kisangani is without medicines or salt. Despite the nation's rich resources, the only functioning health structures are those supported by foreign agencies, including Doctors Without Borders. Without a national primary health care system, epidemics like plague, cholera, measles, meningitis, and hemorrhagic fevers break out frequently. There are 830,000 internally displaced persons within the country as well as more than 250,000 Congolese refugees living in neighboring countries. High rates of malnutrition exist in the capital ? a city of six million ? where more than a tenth of the population is malnourished and among displaced
populations throughout the country. Each year there are 50,000 new cases of sleeping sickness ? a deadly disease that was nearly eradicated in the 1960's.
MARCH CALENDAR OF EVENTS
1 Wednesday 10:00 am Brazos Association Clergy Meeting at Burton
6:15 pm Mid-Week Program starts. Classes/activities follow supper
2 Thursday 12:30 pm Pastoral Search Committee Meeting, with sack lunch
4 Saturday 9:30 ?2:00 pm Association Workshop on "Worship" at Burton, with Gail & Bill Royster, resource leaders
4:00 ? 6:00 pm Reception for the Bukasa's (Refugee Family)
5 Sunday TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY with HOLY COMMUNION
2 Kings 2:1-12 Mark 9:2-9
"The Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ" -Rev. Kaneda
12:20 pm Board of Trustees Meeting
12:20 pm Board of Christian Education Meeting
2:00 pm CROP WALK, Fiesta Gardens/Town Lake area
6 Monday 7:30 pm Centennial Celebration Committee at church
8 Wednesday 6:15 pm Mid-Week Program with ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE (TBA)
12 Sunday AMISTAD SUNDAY
Rev. Jim Tomasek, Guest Preacher
"The Mayflower, Amistad, TWA ? Tossing Rainbows for God"
12:20 pm Board of Deacons Meeting
13 Monday ? Tuesday, 21 Charlotte Albert, Carol Kolsti, John Wickey and Yoshi will visit our partners in Okinawa.
14 Tuesday 11:30 ? 12:15 Prayer Group meets at the church
15 Wednesday 6:15 pm Mid-Week Program. Classes/activities follow supper
19 Sunday LAY PREACHER'S SUNDAY
Mr. Dennis Murphy, Guest Preacher, with Rev. Beverly Lawson, Liturgist 3:00 pm Yoshi preaches at Okinawa District Joint Worship Service at Christian Junior College
22 Wednesday 6:15 pm Mid-Week Program. Classes/activities follow supper
25 Saturday 10:00 am Brazos Association Executive Committee Meeting, Burton
26 Sunday THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
Ezekiel 6:8-14 John 2:13-22
"Idolatry and the Gospel" -Rev. Kaneda
Noon March Birthdays Celebration.
***News items/articles due for April issue of newsletter
29 Wednesday 6:15 pm Mid-Week Program. Classes/activities follow supper
30 Thursday 7:30 pm Men's Book Club, David Ross, Host, 6705 Lexington Rd. (451-1114)
Book Focus: "Guns, Germs and Steel" by Jared Diamond. JOIN IN !
APRIL 2 Sunday O.G.H.S. SUNDAY, HOLY COMMUNION **Daylight Saving Time begins
John 3:14-21 "John 3:16" -Rev. Kaneda
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 15, Saturday ? Wedding Bells ring for Dr. Debbie Appel !
April 20, Thursday ? MAUNDAY THURSDAY. Foot Washing and Tenebrae Service (TBA)
April 21, Friday ? GOOD FRIDAY VIGIL (TBA)
April 23 ? EASTER SUNDAY! Sunrise Service,Mt. Bonnell, Rev. Bill Royster, preaching. Easter Worship, Special Music
April 28-30 SPRING RETREAT, Slumber Falls. Theme: "Facing the Transition"
MAY 7, SUNDAY Brazos Association Spring Meeting, College Station
NEWLY ELECTED CHURCH OFFICERS
Board of Trustees: Board of Deacons
Chair: Suzanne L. Bradford Chair: Sharon Brown
Vice-Chair: Kristin Galle Vice-Chair: Paul Deisler
Scribe: Richard Jackson Scribe: Matt Blackstock
Rep. To Coord. Council: Loretta Lewis Rep. To Coord. Council: Karl Putz
Rep. To Enlistment & Stewardship Committee: Tommie Pinkard
Liaison to Bldg. & Grounds Maintenance Committee: Dennis Murphy
Board of Christian Education
Chair: Andrea Putz
Vice-Chair: Carol Burlinson
Scribe: Lynne Lemley
Rep. To Coord. Council: Michael Adams
CHURCH COMMITTEES:
Retreat: Fun & Fellowship: Publicity:
Sara Ross, Chair Suzanne VanderPoel, Chair Vic Appel, Chair
Catherine Hubbs Lisa Kirch, Co-Chair Members:
Geneva Ross Members: Tino Herrera
Jim Tomasek Michael Adams Kristin Galle
Julia Deisler Loretta Lewis
Lynne Lemley Tommie Pinkard
Tommie Pinkard Chester Rosson
Lillie Webb Brenda Tingle
Jean Appel
Sally Tomasek
Centennial Celebration: Pastoral Search:
Chair: Cathy Hubbs Chair: Dennis Murphy
Vice-Chair: Lisa Kirch Scribe: Paul Deisler
Scribe:: David Ross Members:
Members Susan Ashton
Michael Adams Sharon Brown
Jamie Adams John Burlinson
Vic Appel Lynne Lemley
Pat Oakes Tommie Pinkard
Yoshi, Ex-officio Suzanne VanderPoel
Partnership Dialogue Committee:
Steve Domingue, Nodie Murphy, Doyal Pinkard, Sara Ross,Lillie Webb, Beverly Lawson, Ex-officio
_____________________________________________________________________________________
ANYONE FOR NOMINATIONS? South Central Conference, UCC
1) Nominating Committee (One from each Assn.; 2) Back Bay Mission (Three for Class of 2003) 3) Eden Home Board of Directors (One for Class of 2003); 4) United Campus Ministry (Two for Class of 2003); 5) Texas Conference of Churches (Two for Class of 2002); 6) Personnel Committee (Four for Class of 2002): 1 from North Texas Association; 1 from Houston Association; 2 from Brazos Association. _____
Excerpt from letter, from: Dr. Mark H. Miller, Conference Minister, SCC Feb. 17, 2000
Dear Pastors and Moderators,
South Central Conference needs your help. Please nominate member(s) from your congregation where we have openings.
The committee hopes for folk to be nominated who perhaps have not served in the conference level organizations. Please
return your nominations (be sure to get their permission) to our office no later that March 10, 2000..
HATS OFF FOR FEBRUARY
Our Corporate Worship
6 -Communion Stewards: Michale Adams, Matt Blackstock
Scripture Readers: Time With Children Ushers
6 Paul Deisler Kristin Galle David Ross, John Burlinson
13 Joint Service Joint Service Joint Worship Service
20 John Burlinson Brenda Tingle Ellen & Paul Deisler
27 Michael Adams Michael Adams Doyal Pinkard, Mel Oaks
Acolytes Fellowship Hour Hosts:
6 Sarah Ashton 6 - Geneva Ross
13 Joint Service 13 - Joint Service
20 Jennie Ashton 20 - F& F Committee, Celebrating Birthdays: Matt Blackstock,
27 Ava Jean Deisler Nancy Brown, Hildegard Everett and Flo Chiles
27 Brenda Tingle & Julia Deisler, F & F Committee
OTHER HATS OFF:
Thanks to Dennis Murphy for another three-months supply of mailing labels for processing our church newsletter. A gift of time, materials, and energy on our behalf.Vic Appel worked all day Saturday, February 26, to care fortrees and bushes around the church. On Sunday, February27, several men helped in trimming one of the big trees along San Antonio Street. (A plea from Yoshi: Since no onehas signed up to serve on the Bldg. & Grounds Committee,I will ask the Board of Trustees to appoint an ad hoc groupto keep our facilities in shape, especially for our upcomingCentennial Celebration.)
A THANK YOU February 14
New Church Committee at Work: Dear Friends,
The Partnership Dialogue Committee continues to work hard, This acknowledges receipt of your generous sharing ideas for upcoming church school, worship/fellowship contribution to our work. Gifts such as yours make experiences. If you would like to have input, please contact a possible our presence here on the Gulf Coast for 75 member of the committee. (See list elsewhere in this newsletter.) Thank you, for helping us to continue caring for those who have so much less than we.
Did You Know?
An anonymous gift of a set of dishes was picked up from New Braunfels by Kerry Manning, after Michael Adams shopped for them. Thanks to Michael and Ava Deisler for washing them. John M. Gantt, Interim Executive Director
Junior Bowles vacuumed after the coffee hour on Feb. 20.
HAPPY MARCH BIRTHDAY TO:
9 Debbie Herst
14 Lisa Leaf, Margit Frances Briggs 28 David Rossitter
15 Clark Hubbs, Mary Sinclair
17 Lori Gooding
20 Beverly Lawson
22 Kristin Galle
23 John Herst
26 John Towery
27 Mary Herst
28 David Rossitter
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
You might be in Texas if. . .
-The Preacher says "I'd like to ask Bubba to help take up the offering" and five guys stand up.
-Prayers regarding the weather are a standard part of every worship service.
-A singing group is known as the "OK Chorale."
-The Pastor wears boots;
-The Church Directory doesn't have last names.
-The restrooms are outside.
-Baptism is referred to as "branding."
-When it rains, everybody's smiling.
Offering Received: Sunday, April 2
One Great Hour of Sharing
"Gifts of Living Water"
This year's theme conveys a double meaning. The open hands say it all. We open our hands to receive God's living water. But we also open our hands to give someone a drink of God's living water. Open hands signify both receiving and giving. Isn't that the meaning of sharing?
When disaster strikes in this country or overseas, One Great Hour of Sharing responds. Thanks to our giving, relief and recovery resources are always at hand all year round.
________________________________________
FROM THE BOARD OF DEACONS
-EASTER SERVICES APPROACH-
As you're all aware, the Easter Services will soon be upon us, and we need to begin to plan for them. We're especially concerned for the Easter Sunrise Service, an event of great importance to us, and because it will require more hands than the Board of Deacons can provide. We are appealing to the congregation for assistance.
For accommodating 300 worshipers we will need persons to serve as ushers; provide and serve refreshments; contact media for public service announcements; supply Easter Lilies.
To help: please contact Sharon Brown, Chair, Board of Deacons (459-1984) THANKS.
_______________________________________
ALSO, For your information . . .
For the past 10 years, we have celebrated the Luther Burbank Memorial Plant Swap. After some soul searching and conversations with previous suppliers of plants, we have to admit that time has caught up with us. Some of our most avid gardners are no longer involving themselves with plants, and an increasing number live in places that would not accommodate a garden. So, we will not have a
Plant Swap this year.
Should anyone else in the congregation feel passionately about continuing the Plant Swap, please know that you would be more than welcome to do so, with our blessing.
Vic Appel
MISSING: Keys/adaptors for turning on the church's outside faucets.
UPDATE:
MID-WEEK EVENT COMING
Just in case you may have missed the earlier announcements in the church bulletins, or the "snail mail" letter, here's yet another reminder about the upcoming mid-week program:
STARTING DATE: MARCH 1ST DAY: WEDNESDAY.
6:15 PM (Light, easy meal)
7:00 PM ? PROGRAM
Adult Class, Children's Class (up to age 12, children over 12 may attend the adult class or assist activities
for younger children.)
PLEASE SIGN-UP (to provide a count for our meal!)
For further info:
Chair, C.E. Board, Andrea Putz (794-5812)
Rev. Beverly Lawson's office: (472-8465)
AN IMPORTANT APPEAL
Annual crop walk
Sunday, March 5
2:30 pm town lake
This annual event helps purchase crops and food supplies for hungry people both in Austin and around the world. There are two ways to help: 1) walk the lkm or 5km trail on Sunday, March 5th; or 2) sponsor a walker.
Sign-up sheet: Fellowship Room and the Form each walker should have for sponsors to sign.
For questions: John Burlinson (795-9222)
A HYMN FOR EVERY CALLING
Boxer: "Fight the Good Fight"
IRS: "All To Thee"
Gossip: "O For A Thousand Tongues"
Dieter's: "And Can It Be I Should Gain
UFO's: "Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown"
Baker: "I Need Thee Every Hour"
Electrician: "Send Thy Light"
Politician: "Standing On The Promises"
Contractor: "How Firm A Foundation"
Dentist: "Crown Him With Many Crowns"
Airline Captain: "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me"
Hello Family!
Thank you for inviting me to participate in the combined service with the Central Christian Church. As each of you know, I really do enjoy new learning experiences. I am so thankful to GOD for our relationship; you've always been so loving and kind to me. May GOD BLESS each of you and all who you love, overwhelmingly ! ! !
With much love,
Melanie Wilkinson
* * *
February 17, 2000
Dearest Beverly,
Thank you so much for the beautiful job that you did on Sunday. Both the service and the message were inspiring, meaningful and presented with real dedication. Also, many compliments were heard on the choice of musical selections. We were happy to have your congregation as guests and enjoyed visiting with many of them. Thank you again for sharing your time and talents with us.
With love,
Carey Taylor, President, CWF
________________________________________
From AMM
Re. Community Mentoring Network (CMN): A program of AMM serving the city of Austin and Travis County. The program matches positive role models with youth in the juvenile justice system.
What better way to bring in the new millennium than by reaching out to help the youth of our community.
Offered:
Training sessions; focus group meetings with guest speakers, mentor support groups, group outings, helpful tips, bi-monthly newsletters.
Mentors: Must be 21+ years old.
Concept: "One Church, One Mentor"
Churches are encouraged to become advocates of this beneficial effort. Please contact John Williams or Elliott Brown , Community Mentoring Network, at 472-7627, for more information. Or contact Rev. Beverly Lawson (472-8465)
________________________________________
AN IMPORTANT NEED:
Baby Sitter(s) for the Bukasa Family when mother/father have conflicts with working or attending classes. One and a half hours, approximately, in the evening would be of great help. Please call Mary Sinclair (338-9315) if you are available, on occasion, to help out. Thanks.
____________________________
News Release February 14, 2000
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Re. Fellowships to Graduating Seniors
In 1984 an endowment was established in honor of Leo V. Pile, Helen Porter Pile, and Edmond Holland Morgan of Harlingen, Texas, and Estella Martin Morgan of Dallas, Texas. The recipient of the $6,000 Pile-Morgan Fellowship for 2000 is John R. Gage. An Austin native, John Gage is the son of Les and Winnie Gage. He received a B.A. degree in religious studies from Yale University in 1992. Having completed his class work in December, John was ordained in the United Church of Christ and is presently serving as associate pastor of the Church on the Green in New Haven, Connecticut. While at seminary, John was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and the Congregational Church of Austin. He completed a year-long internship at First Presbyterian Church, Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Congratulations, John!
______________________
HATS OFF (cont'd.)
On Sunday, February 6, UCC Women's Week Sunday, we were happy to welcome Carol Kolsti
to the pulpit. Carol, an active church woman, is presently serving in various areas of our Brazos Association, SCC, UCC. Thanks, Carol!
Thanks to Rev. Beverly Lawson who preached at our joint service with Central Christian Church (her home church) on Sunday, February 13. Also, we want to include our choir, Nodie Murphy, director and Melanie Wilkinson, friend of the church, for their gift of music on that day.
Following, in this issue you will find reference to our church's involvement in the relocation of a family from the Congo, the Bukasas. We are deeply appreciative to all who helped in this effort, under the leadership of Mary Sinclair, Chair, and members of the Refugee Family Support Team of the church.
7 The Visitor, March 2000
WORKERS ? DONORS LIST
FOR REGUGEE FAMILY
(Underlined: labor and donation)
Frances Alford Catherine Hubbs
Vic & Jean Appel Richard Jackson
David & Susan Ashton Mary Sinclair
Andrew Barrett Yoshi Kaneda
Mathis Blackstock Setsuko Kaneda
Frances Briggs George Lemley
Carol Burlinson Lynne Lemley
Jake Burlinson Nodie Murphy
Florence Castle Dennis Murphy
Flo Chiles George Carruthers
Gage Furniture Doyal Pinkard
Andrea Putz Tommie Pinkard
Karl Putz David Ross
Jim Tomasek Sara Ross
Sally Tomasek Lori Gooding
Marty Gooding
(A partial list)
Shepherd of the Hills Christian Church:
Rod Coleman
Suzy Lynskey
Matthew Lynskey
_________________________________
NOTES FROM REV. BEV.
Here we are on the cusp...that just means a lot of things are ready and coming about. For instance, the Adult Sunday School Class has begun its very interesting study of Paul's Letter to the Romans. We are using a plan to rotate the leadership for each session. The discussion is lively and interesting as we study this most important Letter from Paul. Now in our 3rd session, we will still welcome anyone who would like to join us. Or, perhaps, this is the sort of study we could repeat for an alternative daytime group. Let me know if you have any suggestions.
This week, as you have been hearing, we will begin our Wednesday Evening Mid-Week Program, open to anyone. The material will focus on studying the language of the Apostles' Creed. The goal is for each of us to develop habits that will increase our emphasis on topics of faith in our homes and daily lives. We will begin each evening with a light supper. to take some pressure off hurried families...and then have our study and activities. We have a good number signed up, and you can still join if you have not yet signed up. Let us know, please, so we can get a count for food. If you want to add your help to the food planning, call Lisa Kirch or this office (472-8465).
We are also almost at the season of Lent...a time for reflection and self-evaluation and re-dedication. I hope you have picked up your Booklet for study and meditation during Lent. We can mail one, if you have not been here to get yours. Let us know. The Season of Lent begins on March 8, and we will celebrate Ash Wednesday, with the leadership of Jim Tomasek, during our Wednesday evening program on March 8. Also, during the Lenten Season, we will have a daytime prayer group. The first session will be March 14 at ll:30 am. You are all invited for this time of prayer in the life of our church.
You surely see that a lot is happening. That makes it apparent that I want to thank so many of you for your interest and support and kindness during these months of getting started. I am excited and grateful. I also want to thank you for participating in the beautiful service at Central Christian. It was an honor to lead their women's service and a joy that we could do it together. Thank you for your interest and kind words.
Finally, please join in an ongoing prayer for the participants and planners of the Mid-Week Program:
Almighty God, you have blessed us with the joy
and care of children. Give us calm strength
and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that
we may teach them to love whatever is just
and true and good, following the example
of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
(From our Faith Home material)
Let's all celebrate that we are on the cusp of "new things" and the beauty of Spring! ! !
M E M O
To: Members & Friends:
Re. Last Call for E-Mail Addresses
The new/updated Church Directory is almost complete. If you have an e-mail address that you wish to include, let us hear from you. Also, if you wish to update the present information, we want to accommodate you.
Re. Church Web Site
Our new ad hoc Web Site committee is not only working to get the Web Site operational, it is also working to get a church e-mail address.
P E R S O N A L S
by-Catherine Hubbs
The refugees are here in their own apartment, and the oldest son, Eric, has already joined them. The Bukasas , after a thirty-five-hour trip from the Congo, arrived in Austin on Thursday, February 17, and were met by Yoshi Kaneda, Matt Blackstock, Mary Sinclair, and Nodie Murphy. They stayed in a motel overnight and the next day were escorted to their apartment at Stanford Court on Rutland Drive.
It was the culmination of a month of meticulous preparation and hard work. When Yoshi told Mary Sinclair to delegate, she delegated, and the teams which resulted did a fantastic job. Mary and Setsuko Kaneda poured over apartment choices, had the help of Flo Chiles and a good real estate rentals agent, and found a place in Stanford Court, where the Bukasas have already met refugees from other countries and the children will be within walking distance of Cook Elementary (a U.N. in itself?) There are even two levels of English as a Second Language classes held right in the apartment complex in the evenings. On Friday, February 18 Richard Jackson drove over a truckload of furniture, and bands of willing helpers put it in place, making use of the piles of bedding, towels etc. Setsuko had assembled. The cupboards and refrigerator had been stocked by Fran Briggs and Frances Alford. It looked as if half of the church members were there. We even had the help of Suzy Stanfield Lynskey and her son Matthew, members of the Shepherd of the Hills Christian Church. Their church had a good experience with their refugee family and would like to help us.
So many have helped that we're sure this doesn't cover everyone. Matt and Mary have gotten acquainted with a lot of federal and state offices. Andrea and Karl Putz are in charge of transportation. Carol Burlinson, Cecile Ervin, Norma Hawes and Frances Alford are involved with Catherine in the ESL effort. Now we hope everyone will have the opportunity of meeting Martin and Judith and their three happy children (It's amazing how they accepted all the excitement.) If anyone has good ideas on possible jobs, please tell Vic Appel. Martin has a good deal of English, two years of Junior college, and is interested in computers, which he studied for two years in the Congo.
Meanwhile a lot of other news has been happening. Hildegard Everett celebrated her eighty-fifth birthday on Sunday, March 20. Both the children, Dot and John, were here for the event and took their parents to Sunday brunch at Fonda San Miguel along with Eleanor and John Towery, at whole house Dot lived for her last year of high school when Hildegard and Rizer were in Indonesia. Congratulations, Hildegard!
Flo Chiles has her birthday on the same day as Hildegard. She celebrated with her son Eric on the following Wednesday. He had the day off, so they drove to see the Hindu temple Barsana Dham, which she had read about in The Visitor when the Everetts visited it. See what you started, Rizer and Hildegard! Like the Everetts, they were only able to see the outside of the building because they read that they would have to wait until 3:00 o'clock for the building to open. So they opted to go to the Salt Lick for lunch. But they plan to return for a look at the inside. Sounds like a fun birthday, Flo!
The church celebrated both birthdays with a special cake decorated for the occasion. Yoshi delivered the remainder to the Everett's doorstep and was met by a beaming Rizer.
Catherine was sorry to hear, when talking with Terri Ocean, that her father died in September, but was glad that the long vigil for the family is over. He had been slowly and steadily failing, and Terri had spent her weekends driving down to Cuero to take some of the burden from her mother. Her mother, eighty-two, continues to live there and is doing well. Terri, a nurse, works mornings at Shoal Creek Hospital. We send our love, Terri, and hope now we'll have a chance to see you.
Mary Halladay improved steadily following her second leg operation. She returned to the Specialty Hospital of Austin and expected to be there in rehabilitation for a month but was obviously a model patient and is now back in her own quarters in the Summit at Lakeway. Congratulations, Mary! Ben White is also improving slowly and surely. We know that it is the "slowly" part that is most trying with a herniated disk, but he is now able to drive himself to his physical therapy two times a week for an hour at a time. More power to you, Ben! Frances Alford says her sister is also showing improvement. So we have good news from all our convalescents.
An enthusiastic John Moore reported that he and Yoshi are just back from an inspiring Thursday-Friday conference seminar at Slumber Falls for clergy and laity, with ideas for retreat and for facing our transition. Karl Putz, liaison for Deacons, will transmit them to the Board of Deacons.
Yoshi also attended an uplifting, all-day workshop on "Equipping the Saints 2000" at Shepherd of the Hills Evangelical Lutheran Church. A former bishop of the Lutheran Church spoke of the indispensable role of social concern in our faith and made his point using the Book of Hosea.
Yoshi is also a participant in a new organization among Austin clergy committed to racial reconciliation (ACCRR). It first met in December, 1999 and is meeting bimonthly at the University Baptist Church. Rev. Larry Bethune is one of the conveners and urged Yoshi to join. Yoshi attended the second meeting and was very much impressed. On February 17 he and Beverly attended. He said the energy level was very high. Larry asked Yoshi to recruit new members.
On February 12 Nodie Murphy and Sally Tomasek attended a choral music clinic led by Hal Hopson at the University Presbyterian Church. Thank you both. Please don't do too much.
Kristin Galle has a busy semester ahead at the Presbyterian Seminary. She is taking courses in: New Testament, Mission and Evangelism, Medical Ethics, and the Spirituality of Medieval Women Writers.
Stella Morrison phoned Catherine, saying, "This is the kind of news you don't want!" She's right. She had a burst pipe. Moreover, it was at the house on Placid Place, built in the forties on a slab foundation that was some concrete and a
lot of fill. So the source of the trouble was almost impossible to reach, and no one knew what other pipes down there were ready to go. So they decided to run new pipes through the attic, and in the process part of the ceiling in the hallway mysteriously came down. They had to tear out part of the wall to take out some of the piping between kitchen and bath and then treat for termite prevention in the areas where water damage had taken place. What a can of worms! We sympathize, Stella, and hope it's 'll repaired for the next hundred years! The kind of news we like to hear is what Jean Appel told us--of a quick visit from Debbie Appel, who is planning an April wedding. She came on February 19 from a snowy New York, where a delayed flight postponed her dress fitting until Monday. But she did it all and fitted in a trip to Kerrville on Sunday to see her niece, Abbey Appel celebrate her two-year-old birthday.
Catherine also enjoyed a telephone conversation with Jeffrey Lemley, who told her his concussion is almost entirely gone. He is working on his red sash in karate, and he praised Junior's achievements in Kung Fu. He also mentioned that Junior had a singing part in a Martin Luther King play at Burnet Junior High. Congratulations!
The Scheels were not at church for two weeks recently because their car was in a slight collision. No one was hurt, but the back right door had to be repaired and painted, and as usual, these things take longer than expected. We're glad you're safe and sound, Scheels. They are enjoying watching spring steal across their garden--daffodils, narcissus, purple hyacinths. Marie saw a flock of geese fly over one day, and cardinals are serenading them with a special spring song that she hears no other time of year.
Lisa Kirch has been gardening too, with Sara. She loves her garden, and it's a good way to unwind. The faculty recently voted to nominate her for a University Continuing Fellowship contingent upon approval by the University administration, and on March 3 she is speaking to the College Advisory Council on how those in art history use the campus art collections to teach and what benefits the students gain from them. Congratulations, Lisa! You would enjoy talking to Maggie Taylor, who has been awarded a Fellowship through the School of Nursing and is busy writing her dissertation, which will be about health experiences of homeless, adolescent girls. She says she has just finished enjoying a three-week visit from her mother, who was here from Chicago (good time of year to be here instead of there!)
Congratulations are also in order for John Burlinson. Last week Carol and John attended a Texas State Department of Health banquet at which John was awarded an Administrative Excellence Award for his work on their web page. And Kathleen Hawes-Domingue received a I rating on her English horn solo, Sicilienne by Gabriel Faure, at the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest held at Southwest Texas State University, on February 26th. Congratulations, all!
Pat tells us that Mardie and her friend Allison paid an overnight visit her the third week in February. They both serve on the board of an arts cooperative in Houston and went to see an exhibit in San Antonio. They and another board member had given a tour of the cooperative to presidential candidate Bill Bradley's wife, Ernestine Bradley. The exhibit featured photos and other art from Jasper, Texas, and Ms. Bradley was very moved and distressed by the racial and ethnic slurs that were all over town. She evidently grew up in Nazi Germany. Mardie will be checking out Harvard in March since she needs to let them know by April 15 whether she will be in their MBA program. Things look good.
She and Sarah and John had a weekend visit in Annapolis and that Beth and Eugene have traded exercise in the snow for swimming at the nearby community center. Mel made a brief appearance in an advisory role on the Robbie Knievel Steam Train Jump program on the Fox Network on Feb. 23. Catherine had a conflict, but Clark watched carefully and swears he didn't see Mel. Maybe he blinked?
Marilyn Gaddis and George Carruthers report that they recently made a quick trip to Plano to celebrate grandson Jonathan's two-year-old birthday. Did you see George in action, carrying furniture up to the Bukasa's apartment? How do you do it, George? You put us all to shame!
We welcome the Pinkards back from their two Elderhostel trips to Mexico. The first was a six-day expedition, starting at Brownsville, then going down to Monterrey, Mexico, and on to Baltillo. Tommie had a hard time with the air pollution in Monterrey, which affected her eyes. They drove around, viewed the esplanade and the orange beacon with a green laser light, called the Faro de Comercio. After Saltillo they raced h ome, washed their clothes, and embarked on the second trip, a ten-day expedition to Copper Canyon. They went first to Fort Davis, where
they explored the area, viewed the mountains, and visited the McDonald Observatory. They learned that the Observatory has learned how to do more with less, paying only a few million dollars to fashion a conglomerate of smaller lenses into a whole capable of astronomical wonders. They also visited the Chihuahuan Desert Research Center. Crossing the border, they stopped first in Chihuahua City, spending an afternoon and evening there before and after their visit to Copper Canyon itself, where they ate meals at the hotel perched on the canyon edge. They took the train to the Canyon and then bus tours of the area, stopping at different places for views, and visiting Creel and Divisadero. The last night they had a big party, during which Doyal wore a Mexican hat and beat the drum. Tommie took photographs to prove it. In Chicuahua City they visited the palace of the Governors and ate in a restaurant where they were feted with folk dances put on by college students. These were not professional dancers, but they took a patriotic pride in showing their skill and obviously enjoyed their participation.
Tommie mentioned the wonderful hummingbirds they saw. The Aztecs evidently adopted this bird as their symbol because of its energy and aggressiveness. She says they came back knowing a lot more about Indian culture as apart from Mexican culture, and they want to learn more Spanish. Please let us see your photos, Pinkards. We'd like to see Doyal playing the drums in the Mexican hat and also the Copper Canyon itself.
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