CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION!
1901 - 2001
by Catherine Hubbs, Chair, Centennial Celebration Committee
From the front of the church, computer paper held by willing hands unfolded itself along the outside of the pews around the entire sanctuary and came back to the group of children sitting in front of Pat Oakes for Time with Children. "If each of these sheets represents one year, then this is how many years old our church is going to be on its next birthday!" she said. "Each sheet is one year. Our church began in 1901. That's the first year. Right now our church is 99 years old, and on April 1, 2001 it will be 100 years old!" We celebrated with a Centennial Celebration Committee birthday party, cake made and decorated by Pat with a sign saying "99 and still counting." The "still," Pat says, was an inadvertent addition, but it indicates we're still here, counting in the community and counting the days until our great celebration. The computer banner, by the way, is being kept in the Fellowship Room, and members are asked to fill in events from their memories.
The Centennial Celebration Committee has plans for interviews and displays of pictures, so watch for coming attractions. Dave Ross showed us some very interesting group photos from the early days, and Michael and Jamie Adams, our new historian, are planning a display, coming soon. If you have pictures or memories you can share with us, the whole church will be delighted.
Already Fran Briggs and Conrad Deisler are collaborating on a hymn for the occasion. Brenda Tingle is editing a compilation of writing by Hildegard Everett, Matt Wilding, Ralph Bickler, Annie Doom Pickrell, and Mathis Blackstock.
And we are excited to announce that Rev. John Towery, Rev. Rollin Russell, and Rev. A. Bertram Miller have all agreed to participate in the great weekend of March 31-April 1, 2001. Plans include a banquet on Saturday night.
Mark the calendar. Spread the word. And suggestions are welcome!
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EASTER WORSHIP: A MEMORABLE OCCASION
What a pleasure to see a full church! Our Easter Service provided us that opportunity. The choir was in full harmony, joyfully bringing several special Easter anthems. As has come to be the usual custom in recent years, Melanie Wilkinson, soprano, was guest soloist. Her rendering of "The Holy City" was so captivating that the congregation's response was a burst of spontaneous applause. Yoshi delivered a moving and appropriate Easter Proclamation: "Rabbouni." What a pleasure to see the entire Towery Family. We know of no other that can fill two pews all by themselves. Also, it was a special and rare treat to see Earl Cornwell who, for 40 years, served as violinist in our church trio.
To mark this memorable Easter 2000 occasion, the entire congregation assembled in front of the church for a historic 100th Anniversary Year photograph taken by Dave Ross, who managed to set the camera and then run back to be in the picture. We'll all be eager to see the final photograph developed. Hopefully, copies will be available for purchase.
The Fun & Fellowship Committee truly outdid itself in a sumptuous repast. The Easter Brunch was a delicious feast appreciated by all. Special thanks to Suzanne Vanderpoel, Chair, members of the committee, and all others who assisted.
SIXTH ANNUAL EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE BREAKS RECORDS
While some may disagree whether or not the Sixth Annual Easter Sunrise Service was the best, all agree it was the largest. Attendance for this event, Easter 2000, exceeded 300.
Rev. Bill Royster's thought provoking and beautifully delivered Easter address, entitled: "eastersurprise.com" was very well received.We were again treated to Melanie Wilkinson's melodic soprano voice, singing "He Lives," which was such a hit that the worshippers broke the ususal church service reserve and applauded. She even involved everyone in joining her in the chorus.
This year's Easter Sunrise Service had three significant additions:
First: Jim Tomasek conceived, wrote, and directed the brief dramatization of Mary Magdalene's discovery of the empty tomb. It was beautifully enacted by members: Sally Tomasek (Mary Magdalene), John Burlinson (Peter), John Moore (John), George Lemley (Jesus). Sally was particularly moving in her role. The large stone atop Mt. Bonnell, originally intended to memoralize the establishment of Mt. Bonnell Park, served as a perfect prop for the "stone rolled away." It was a highly appropriate addition to the worship service.
Second: We were able for the first time to obtain television coverage. Channel 7, Fox Services News provided an extensive review, and interviewed three members. A tape of the 5 o'clock news is available for those who missed the extensive coverage
Third: We added the professional services of Conrad Deisler, guitarist, who played the prelude and pre-service music for early arrivals and accompanied group hymn singing.
Yoshi is to be thanked for his usual competence in serving as service coordinator and, especially for the very meaningful closing service prayer circle, affirming Easter Joy. The Board of Deacons planned and organized the event and truly deserve our appreciation for the many hours spent. More than 30 persons were involved in one way or another. Included in this number were the very early arrivals who established squatters rights, those serving as ushers, the refreshment team, transportation providers, and those who placed signs and flyers advertising this annual event.
Although no offering was officially taken, $60.00 was given from three persons, which seems to be tangible evidence of appreciation for the service.
"HAPPY MAY BIRTHDAYS TO CELEBRATE !"
2 Louise Froelich
3 Joyce Sinclair
4 Steven Luna
5 Fran Briggs
11 Mel Oakes
13 Florence Castle
15 Jim Tomasek
16 Mary Charles Williams
23 Heather Cole Fernandez
23 Ben White
26 Matthew Wilding
29 Matthew Tomasek
30 Kathleen Hawes-Domingue
A NOTE
To the Saint who washed the Communion paraphernalia on Easter Sunday, THANK YOU! I want to reciprocate in whatever Way possible. Many Thanks.??????Matt Blackstock
APRIL "HATS OFF"
OUR CORPORATE WORSHIP
Communion Steward:
2, 23 - Matt Blackstock
Scripture Readers:
2 - John Burlinson
16 - Doyal Pinkard
9 - Matt Blackstock
23 - Michael Adams
30 - Vic Appel
Time With Children:
2 - Pat Oakes
16 - Beverly Lawson
9 - Cecile Ervin
23 - Michael Adams
Ushers:
2 - Don & Sharon Brown
9 - Debbie Herst & Nannette Strickland
16 - Lillie Webb
23 - Paul Deisker & Carol Barrett
30 - Steve Domingue
Acolytes:
2 - Sarah Moore
16 - Alie Herrera
9 - Jeff Lemley
23 - Katherine Ashton
30 - Sarah Ashton
Host, Fellowship Hour:
2 - Centennial Celebration Committee
9 - Rambie & Fran Briggs
16 - F & Fellowship Committee
23 - Easter Brunch/Reception
30 -Setsuko Kaneda & Joe McMillan, Jr.
OTHER "HATS OFF"
Many Thanks, Spirited Workers!
In the light rain, Saturday, April 1, the following persons appeared for ALL CHURCH WORKDAY:
Vic Appel, Cecile Ervin, Carol Barrett, Anonymous,
Paul Deisler, Yoshi Kaneda, Setsuko Kaneda, John Moore, Doyal Pinkard, Dennis Murphy, Ned Murphy, Gary Pickens, Marilyn Pickens, Karl & Andrea Putz, and Suzanne VanderPoel.
Our Church's Centennial Celebration Committee hosted a "Happy Birthday to Us" Party, April 2, following the celebration of our 99th Anniversary.
Thanks to:
Cecile Ervin, Vic Appel and James (hired help) who worked diligently, painting walls, refinishing pews, and other general refurbishing around the building, the week of April 10, prior to the wedding of Debbie Appel and Robert Knowlton, Saturday, April 15. Also, Andrea Putz worked late into the evening, Thursday, April 13, giving finishing touches of paint. Have you taken a look, expressing your appreciation?
Also, Michael & Jamie Adams were a big part of the refurbishing activities, giving a second coat of varnish to the pews in the sanctuary, April 20.
More than enough Palm Branches were on hand for Palm-Passion Sunday, April 16. The Palm crosses were part of the Mid-Week Program's activities, and under the direction of the Board of Christian Education.
N E W S, NEWS, News, news . . .
Sara Ross and Yoshi represented our church, participating in the Ecclesiastical Council of the Brazos Association, Sunday afternoon, April 2, in examining Darrin G. Holub for ordination. Darrin was unanimously approved for Ordination which took place Sunday, April 30th, at Weimar UCC, his home church. Yoshi and John Towery attended. Lyons UCC has called Darrin as their new pastor.
The Maundy Thursday Service, April 20, held jointly with University Presbyterian Church, was a creative and unique spiritual experience, comprised of spoken prayers and prayers set to music, using worship resources from the Taize community, a tiny village hidden away in the hills of Burgundy, in the eastern part of France, home of an ecumenical community of brothers whose prayers, three times daily, are at the center of their life. Jacques Berthier, friend of Taize, composed the songs used in this Joint Maundy Thursday Service. Both choirs (9 from CCA), instrumentalists (1 from CCA), provided leadership through music. San Williams, Pastor, UPC, brought the Meditation: "A New Commandment." Others from both churches led worship through The Eucharist, Foot Washing, and the "Stripping of the Church."
Do you know? We prayed the Lord's Prayer together with "Debts/Debtors."
Have you heard?
We have a web page up and running, thanks to Sara Ross. Please help us to keep it current and up-to-date. congregational.faithweb.com
Rev. Paul R. Warren was installed as Pastor of St. Paul's UCC at Schulenburg in the afternoon of April 30. That small church has experienced a strong sign of "Resurrection" with his new leadership. He comes to our Association from the Alliance of Baptists.
We welcome both Darrin G. Holub, who was mentioned earlier, and Paul R. Warren to our Brazos Association. Rev. Mark Miller, Conference Minister, preached the Installation sermon at Schulenburg and Rev. Glen Schoenberg preached the Ordination sermon at Weimar. Oh, the messages of both preachers were outstanding!
Personals
by Catherine Hubbs
We are happy to report that Hildegard Everett has stayed away from the hospital this month. Rizer says that the arthritis in her knee is so bad that she is having a hard time getting from their cottage to the central dining hall, even using a walker, but she is in the process of receiving a series of three shots to the knee to act as a lubricant, somewhat like greasing the car. So far, she can't notice any difference, but we all hope for the best, Hildegard! They have been entertaining Rizer's brother, wife, and daughter, who are in Austin attending his sixtieth Austin High School class reunion.
Zona Galle also uses a walker as she continues to recover from her rattlesnake bite. The swelling has gone down a good deal, but her foot is still swollen, and she can't drive yet. Plans include surgery soon to remove dead tissue. Best wishes to you and your family, Zona! Of course we knew that rattlesnake venom is deadly, but we had no idea of the ramifications.
Mary Halladay is glad to be back in Summit at Lakeway. Her leg is continuing to heal, but she has had to exchange her soft, velcro cast temporarily for a hard one to give added protection while healing because the doctor discovered a loose screw. Mary's sense of humor remains intact. She told the doctor, "Wait a minute! That's not very complimentary, telling me I have a screw loose."
Ben White is up and about. His back is better, and he treats it gently because he wants to avoid surgery. He and Marguerite recently went to Brady to attend his sixtieth high school reunion.
Do you remember Jennifer Bratton? She, her husband Shawn, Chris, and Sam were here while Shawn was a graduate student. Kristin Galle reports that the family moved to London to continue Shawn's studies and that Jennifer recently spent eighteen days in a London hospital. She developed a blood clot on the brain, which caused double vision. What a scare for everyone! Please send her our love, Kristin, and keep us up to date.
There seems to be a flue-type bug that is still making its way around Austin this spring. Two of our refugee children have had it: Kyria and Israel Karasi. Mary Sinclair and Ellen Deisler have also been temporarily laid low but are now recovered. In fact, when Catherine phoned, Ellen was actively grandparenting. Her daughter, from Corpus Christi, where Jane is Curator of Collections, Corpus Christi Museum. While she was attending a museum conference, husband and children visited Austin. Cousins came to play at grandparents house. And grandparents grand-parented. Ellen was preparing to take them out to a park.
In the Bukasa-Karasi family Martin was working from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am five to six nights a week assembling computers. Nineteen-year-old Eric was on the bus or at work at La Madeleine Bakery all day and now is working some evening shifts. Kyria and Gedeon started school after spring break, and Judith and Israel escort them back and forth to Cook Elementary. The adults all take English as a Second Language at the church next to Stanford Court and from our church members. There have been medical emergencies. Martin had x-rays for stomach trouble, and Judith, who is pregnant, had a medical alert which proved groundless.
With all this going on and no other adults at home, Judith needs some help with grocery shopping once a week at the local HEB, either in the morning when the two older children are in school or in the evening if Eric or Martin is there to baby-sit. Once a month she would like to go to Fiesta, where fish are more plentiful and less expensive and there are many ethnic grocery items. There will be a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Room, and if you think you could help, you will be very much appreciated. It's also an opportunity to help a new family avoid consumer traps. They are trying to save money, and on a recent trip, Judith needing bottled orange juice, picked up Sunny Delight. She was shown the label: "5% juice" (plenty of water and high fructose corn syrup, however!) They settled on one which read "100% juice."
Where did April disappear to? It went so fast! Seemingly everyone was on at least two committees. No wonder the answering machine answered us if we tried to phone each other.
On April 9 Austin Interfaith held an Accountability Session with the mayor, candidates for three city council seats, and three school board seats. The churches are banding together to empower citizens so that they will find it worth while to vote to make changes: in affordable housing, classroom size, minimum wages, housing fund savings accounts. They say, "We don't want to be another San Jose, California {where no one can afford to buy a house.}"
On April 15, Debra Appel and Robert Knowlton were married in our church. For those who remembered Debbie as a child growing up in our church it was a beautiful occasion. The bridal couple seemed to enjoy it as much as those who attended and went around greeting everyone. It felt like a family reunion, and it was wonderful to see Hildegard and Rizer Everett there, seeming enjoying it all. Rizer reported that they had no difficulties, either then or thereafter. Thank you, Debbie and Bob, Vic and Jean. And a special vote of thanks to Vic and those who helped do such a beautiful job of repairing and painting the sanctuary walls as well as needed outside pruning.
Then came Easter and with it the Easter Sunrise Service. The work of the Deacons and Vic Appel was obvious. This year's attendance was even larger than in the past. It was estimated at more than 300. Rev. Bill Royster, Interim Conference Minister, spoke, Melanie Wilkinson sang. Church members supplied refreshments. And those who attended went away filled with more than food.
Then came an Easter egg hunt for the children and an Easter service filled with music and another two offerings by Melanie. Melanie, you poured music and Easter faith into our Easter. Thank you!
Only a week later came Spring Retreat at Slumber Falls. Those who were responsible for presentations did a wonderful job. Jim Tomasek made us stop to think what it means to be a church. It was a thought-provoking exercise and bears returning to in the future. We know what our vision is as a church. Can we analyze and come together in our mission?
Doyal Pinkard thoughtfully explored our partnership experiences with other churches. The group felt that some good things had come out of combined church school classes. We can continue carefully and reflectively.
Dennis Murphy and the Pastoral Search Committee led us skillfully through questions posed by the Committee constructed to provide congregational input into the selection process. We felt privileged to participate in such a thoughtful approach to an extremely important process.
After supper John Moore led us in an interesting exercise to explore our individual pasts and futures and then our society's past for the last fifty years and a guess at the years ahead. He pointed out that the future tends to look better than the past and enables us to look ahead, learn from past experience, seek our way around rocky shoals, and plan for the future.
It was altogether an extraordinarily well-organized program. We thank all of you. The only fly in the ointment was misbehavior on the part of Vic's car. In spite of help from many people, the car refused to operate satisfactorily, and Dennis took Jean and Vic home. Vic was to return to Slumber Falls Monday to get it towed and repaired.
Paul Deisler recently announced an interesting piece of information. The Hunger Site on the World Wide Web lets anyone who visits its website donate food to the hungry merely by clicking a point on site. It is sponsored by various organizations who can change from one day to the next, and only one click per day is allowed. But depending on the number of sponsors underwriting the donations, up to two or two-and-a-half cups of food will be donated per click from each visitor.
Ben White is doing some of his own work to stop hunger through his service on the Homeless Committee of the Austin Metropolitan Ministries. He acts as a liaison between AMM and Austin churches in picking up food for distribution to the homeless. The Capital Area Food Bank is another organization dedicated to fight hunger, salvaging food donated by groceries and food drives and making it available to the churches for distribution to those in need. Mary Charles Williams and Catherine Hubbs spend a couple of hours with friends on Wednesday afternoons at the CAFB, salvaging usable food turned in by groceries and packing canned goods in cartons. They can testify to the effectiveness of the Capital Area Food Bank.
John Towery is completing his work as liaison between the Brazos Association and South Central Conference, but we will believe that he is retiring from retirement when we see it. Probably we can find out by asking Eleanor! We understand that on Sunday, April 30 alone he is attending the 100th birthday of St. Paul's UCC in Schulenburg, the installation of Paul Warren as their new pastor, at 2;30 pm, and the ordination of Darrin G. Holub at Weimar UCC at 4:30 pm (Actually, Yoshi is also attending the 2;30 and 4:30 events also. Birds of a feather?) But we can testify that John has never stopped working for Association and Conference for as long as we've known him, and we are greatly in his debt. Congratulations and thank you, John!
We got in touch with John's and Eleanor's daugh-ter-in-law, Maggie, and she sounded as if Krystal and K.C. are as busy as their grandfather. This coming summer there will be a residential camp for soccer in June and two weeks of tennis camp for them both (and guess who is driving them there? Eleanor. It's not only John who doesn't retire!) Both grandchildren are in basketball.
On May 13 the Blackstocks are attending the wedding of Mary's nephew, David Langlinais. More about that next month. Catherine tried to get in touch with Frances Alford but found out that she was attending a former Peace Corps workers' reunion. More about that, too, next time.
Louise Whitworth and husband, Lavoy, celebrated Easter by going to Cleburne, Texas, where their son Bill directs the orchestra and wind ensemble at the First Baptist Church. (Last year the orchestra celebrated its ten-year anniversary under his leadership.)
The Briggs had another kind of celebration when they made a six-day boat trip from Mississippi to Pensacola, Florida. They took it easy, spending time in marinas. They also anchored at night. They had a very rough crossing of Mobile Bay east of Biloxi but then reached the Intercoastal Waterway and at last Pensacola Bay. Congratulations, Briggses! It sounds as if you have your sea legs!
A date to remember:
ALL CHURCH POTLUCK
SUNDAY, MAY 21ST
A Farewell to Lillie Kate Webb
-A Welcome Back to John Gage
______________________________
AN APPEAL
Martin Bukasa would like to send children's shoes to the refugee camp in Berin. If you have shoes that your children have outgrown, and are still wearable, please bring them to the church.
____________________________________
CAMPERSHIPS AVAILABLE
SLUMBER FALLS SUMMER CAMPS
Please contact the Board of Christian Education for schedule and details.
Questions, questions...
We know the speed of light. So what's the speed of dark?
If it's zero degrees today, and it's supposed to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold is it going to be?
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INTERGENERATIONAL VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
June 12 - 15
5:30 - 8:30 pm
Theme"2000 ARK AVENUE"
Activities
--Evening Meal
--Bible Study
--Crafts, Music
--Opportunity for Mission
--Organ Recital (first evening)
--Worship (last evening at CCA)
Cost: $15.00 per individual
$25.00 per family
Includes:
4 meals Craft supplies
Register by June 4th
SPECIAL FIRST NOTICE: CHURCH WORK DAY
Saturday, June 3rd
8:00 am to 5 pm
The Bldgs. & Grounds Committee, in consultation with the Board of Trustees, is asking for your help on long-delayed projects. Painting bids were unrealistic for our financial resources, and there are other tasks to complete. SO, please reserve June 3rd, and join us with your special gifts and talents!
NOTES FROM REV. BEV.
We are arriving at the end of our current mid-week program. I have really treasured the time with the children who have attended and the opportunities to work and plan with several of the adults who have been so generously helping. Every one who attended has really added to the activities and meaning of the program.
The study topics have included some of the language of the Apostles' Creed, what it means to be church where we learn and worship and serve, and, finally, the meaning of living sacramentally. The focus here is on consciously living in God's presence, creating family rituals to build faith, praying without ceasing and humble service.
Here is one of the prayers to remind us:
Govern all by Thy wisdom, O Lord, so that
my soul may always be serving Thee as Thou
dost will, and not as I may choose.
Do not punish me, I beseech Thee, by
Granting that which I wish or ask, if it offend
Thy love, which would always live in me.
Let me die to myself, that I may serve
Thee; let me live to Thee who in Thyself art
The true life. Amen.
(Teresa or Avila, Faith Home Material.)
As we take a short break now, we know that our next Intergenerational activity is planned for June: An evening Vacation Bible School with University Presbyterian Church. The theme: 2000 ARK AVENUE. There will be an evening meal, Bible study, music and drama activities, and crafts for mission. All ages are invited to participate. Everyone
Please register by June 4.
Notes from Kathleen Strong
RE. AUSTIN INTERFAITH
Mary Charles Williams, Catherine Hubbs, Flo Chiles and Kathleen Strong, our church's representatives, welcome church members' participation in activities of Austin Interfaith.
Some issues:
-Social Justice concerns challenge us.
-Helping to change factors that make people disadvantaged
-Facing conflict, controversy, working in the political arena.
-Advocacy for improving the school system
-Government spending on human development.
YOU ARE INVITED TO BECOME INVOLVED.
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OGHS OFFERING RECEIVED $1,070
A THANK YOU
To all who contribute material to our monthly newsletter, The Visitor, we appreciate your specialcontributions, which help to make it a viable tool for informing the congregation of happenings in the lives of our members and friends. Also, we hope to share, in part, the vision, mission , and ministry of the Congregational Church of Austin.
Editor
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Thought for the month:
"...the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.
Matthew 4:16, NRSV
NOTES FROM REV. BEV.
I really like the cycle of our newsletter. There is always so much to review and to anticipate.
For instance, just in the recent past, we have welcomed our refugee family. Yoshi and John Towery, along with some other companions have been in Okinawa. Jim Tomasek set us off on our Lenten Journey, and a Wednesday night motley crew has been gathering for food and study, music and fun.
So you'll know, these are a few of the Wednesday night particulars. The focus of the series is to provide some activities and material that will assist us all in being more committed to faith development and practices in our homes. The initial part of the program has been study and reflection on the language of the Apostles' Creed. We have used crafts, music, and discussion at each meeting. After our lesson for this week, the topic will shift to life in the church with topics such as worship, service, and scripture. We are roughly at mid-point.
The evening starts with a casual meal, and we are deeply grateful for the efforts and talents of Lisa Kirch and the Pinkards for the pleasure of sharing a common meal. They have been very generous and creative, and we have all noticed and enjoyed their culinary delights.
This project has been a bit of a "pilot" to see what works in an evening study. At the end of the program, we will assess and "tweak;" I was directly informed that the music we have used has not been great. If you are curious, come along at the conclusion. We will make plans for appropriate next steps. I am very grateful for the encouragement of the Board of Christian Education and the enthusiasm of the participants and the interest of many others. Please let any of the C.E. Board know if you have any recommendation.
Another very interesting activity is the work of the Partnership Dialogue Committee. This is just a note to let you know a few details so you can give this project some thought. We will definitely be asking for your guidance and ideas. We have had good discussions and read some material that was created by a multi-denominational group looking at issues of Gems,
Which is God's Ecumenical Ministry Shared.
As we have discovered here in our local partnership activities, there are many ways of sharing ministries with other congregations. We were grateful for the assistance of Shepherd of the Hills Christian Church preparing for the refugee family. We have shared some youth activities with the University Presbyterian Church, and we are sharing Sunday School activities with the University Baptist Church.
There are some upcoming activities that look very interesting. On April 8, we are invited to the University Baptist Church for an evening with the choir and the senior minister from the Riverside Church of New York City. Then, on Maundy Thursday, April 20, we are invited to join the University Presbyterian Church for an evening of worship and music. In June, Yoshi and Dr. Bob Landry, from Central Christian Church, have scheduled a morning for a pulpit exchange.
I would say there is a lot going on a much to anticipate and celebrate. Your Partnership Committee will be interested in your reactions to these planned ecumenical activities and your suggestions. The committee members are Steve Domingue, Nodie Murphy, Doyal Pinkard, Sara Ross, and Lillie Webb. There will be sometime at the Retreat for this conversation, as well as in the meantime. As we have explored the possibilities, the overriding questions are both what will strengthen our ministry and what is the vision of the congregation. Help us with the answers.
