MAPPING
OUT A RIGHT DIRECTION
With my little daughter on the back seat, I ventured out to enjoy the beautiful scenery of fresh snow at the Box Butte Lake, some five miles north of Hemingford, Nebraska. That was the first winter of 1966 when I could not overcome the powerful temptation of driving my first car acquired from a church member. I had been there a few times before and knew where to park. Oh, the clean fresh snow covered all the parking area, and I got stuck in the snow. After several attempts to try and get out of there, I had to face up an inevitable outcome, that is, walking back to town all the way with my daughter. As I stepped out of my car, I saw a farmer"s pick-up approaching toward me. I waved at him in desperation. Oh, he was quick to observe what happened to me, pulled up his pick-up closely and got out to help me. With a smile on his face, he took out an old blanket and laid it down under the stuck tire and also took out a strong rope and tied it to my car and his pick-up. Within a minute he pulled my car onto the paved road safely. He didn"t even tell me his name.
Isn"t our church put in the same kind of situation? As far as the relocation process is concerned, we can say, "Yes, we"ve got stuck in the fresh snow!" Back in October, 1999, we voted to delay the relocation process until after a new pastor arrives. Also, we voted to instruct the Dialogue Task Force to proceed with specific short-term joint activities with other churches. . . and to explore long-term partnership commitment options, and to report back to the church on or before October 1, 2000. At our Spring Church Retreat the Dialogue Task Force reported back to us, saying, "We need a direction from the congregation at large." Adding to this "uncertain" and "suspended" status, we"re confronted with a recent change in parking garage plans with neighbor churches. Some of us have been victimized by the comments, "We"re going to stay right here forever."
This is the reason why the Board of Deacons approved of a special resource leader to guide us at our Fall Church Retreat. John Moore, our Moderator, and I participated in his seminar at Slumber Falls last February. Dr. Michael Murray has worked with clergy and laity for over twenty years in the call to be envisioners of a more valued and creative future. In his consultative ministry he has trained over 210,000 seminar participants, especially in change management, strategic planning and team building. Folk who participate affirm the productivity and synergism experienced. John and I would endorse him with enthusiasm. Yes, he promised me to be the leader at our Retreat, Saturday, October 7, at Slumber Falls. Yes, he has a blanket of expertise and a strong rope of tremendous skills to get us out onto the road.
Then we will start to map out a right direction where we wish to go. That process will, no doubt, help our Search Committee, our new Pastor, and all of us with renewed vision for our future. So. . .
MARK YOUR CALENDAR, RIGHT NOW, FOR OUR FALL CHURCH RETREAT ! ! !
-Yoshi
A CELEBRATION
TO NOTE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 BABY SHOWER SUNDAY
Today marks the closure of the sponsorship of our church for the Bukasa/Karasi family.
Just two years ago, we were approached by the United Church Board for World Ministries to sponsor a refugee family. The Board of Deacons discussed the possibility for awhile. AMM, Austin Metro Ministries, also asked us to sponsor a family and invited us to participate in the one-day workshop. Matt Blackstock attended.
We had three Congregational Meetings to make sure that we could do it, and fund-raising began. Lo and Behold, we went over the goal amount.
The Refugee Family Support Committee was organized, and the committee met a few times before the family arrived in mid-February. Not only did we raise money to cover the four months rent, but also we donated furniture, dishes, pots/pans, silver, clothing, and toys for the family, helping them to get ready for their new life in Austin. Many of us got together on the weekend in February and worked hard to help the family settle into the "old" apartment. Remember that day?
The family has adjusted to their new life very, very well. A small family crisis occurred in June, but all things have been resolved on that issue.
I cannot believe that 6 months have gone by. Just two weeks ago, 11 of us helped the family to move into their "new" apartment. When they arrived at the airport last February, they came with just one bag. Now we had to load their belongings in two truck loads!
After all, supporting and sponsoring the family has been the source of our joy and pride! Giving is receiving! By giving, we receive in turn.
So, let us introduce to you the happiest persons in this project. Those who gave so much to the family and have received so much by giving. Very special recognition goes to: Richard Jackson and Mary Sinclair, Cathy Hubbs and Carol Burlinson (ESL), Matt Blackstock, Ben White, Setsuko Kaneda (Transportation), Refugee Committee and all donors and helpers. THANK YOU ALL ! ! !
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH (shared by Joyce Sinclair, Mary"s mother.)
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.
Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared is doubled. -Unknown
"HAPPY SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY"
4 Weldon B. Scheel
7 Marilyn Pickens
8 Ava Jean Deisler
9 Alessandra Herrera
10 Tamya Isenberg
10 Bill Phillips
13 Seth Murphy
13 Chris Pinkard |
15 Steven Miles
20 Earl Cornwell
21 Ellen Deisler
22 Larbi Sennour
24 Allison Cole Stutz
24 Mary Halladay
27 Rambie Briggs |
A L A B O R O F L O V E
by the Publicity Committee
All of us are aware that our church has been the sponsor of a refugee family (see reference p 2, Sept. newsletter) from the Congo: The Bukasa"s, Martin and Judith and their four children, arrived at the Bergstrom-Austin International Airport (BAIA) last February where they received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from our church"s Refugee Sponsorship Committee. From that time on, Chairperson Mary Sinclair and the other members of the Committee: Catherine Hubbs, Matt Blackstock, Ben White, Carol Burlinson, Karl & Andrea Putz, Vic Appel, Setsuko & Yoshi Kaneda, Fran Briggs, Richard Jackson, Dennis & Nodie Murphy and Jim Tomasek have spent count-less hours in assisting the family with virtually every facet of their adjustment to this unfamiliar land. The Committee (with the input and suggestions of many other church members) have helped the family secure affordable housing, locate basic furnishings for their apartment, find suitable employment for Martin and his 20-year old son, Eric; helped them learn English (since their level of literacy initially was either low or non-existent), gotten the children registered and started in public school, introduced them to community services available to low income persons, and assisted them with their transportation needs. Most important of all, the Committee has become extended family members of the Bukasa clan.
Six months after their arrival in Austin, we are able to say that the family has made incredible progress in accommodating to an utterly different culture. The children"s current level of literacy is, perhaps, the most obvious example of their growth. But there are others. Martin has not only gotten a position with Selectron, his probation- ary employment status has been changed to permanent. He has even gotten a promotion. Eric has found a second position; a full-time one with benefits, at HEB, as contrasted to his part-time, no benefits, initial placement at La Madeleine. With the Committee"s help, the family has just moved into a newer and less costly apartment compared with their original one. The entire church recently held a baby shower to celebrate the forthcoming birth of a daughter into the family.
How does the Bukasa family feel about the assistance they have received from us? No better indicant of the depth of their appreciation can be seen than the fact that the new baby will be given the name Mary Sinclair. What a tribute to her efforts!
Despite the above accomplishments, the Committee"s work is not done. Mary anticipates that the Committee"s efforts will continue to be needed until at least Christmas. While the task clearly has been a far more formidable one than was ever envisioned, and will last far longer than the four months originally expected, for those Committee members who have given so unstintingly of themselves, this labor of love has truly enriched their lives...and someone above is smiling.
C O M I N G:BRAZOS ASSOCIATION FALL MEETING, SATURDAY, OCT. 21
FRIEDENS CHURCH OF WASHINGTON, UCC.
A PANEL DISCUSSION, with 2 Okinawan Pastors, 2 Germans, 2 Brazos Assn. Members
Focus: Our Global Partnership. Also: Small group discussion and Okinawan Dancers
"HATS OFF" RECOGNITION
THANKS TO ALL THOSE who came and especially to those who helped make the dinner for Back Bay Mission support ("Shrimp Boil") such a success on Tuesday, August 29th, in the church Fellowship Room. Members of the planning committee: Yoshi Kaneda, Rambie Briggs, Nodie Murphy, Craig Headley, Mark McCoy, Carol Barrett and Fran Briggs. Special thanks to those who helped set up on Monday (Paul Deisler, Mark McCoy and Yoshi), to the clean-up crew, members of the F & F Committee, Nodie Murphy for keeping track of the money, Mark McCoy and Craig Headley for tea and salad, Carol Barrett for keeping the committee organized with her great notes and filling in where needed, and Setsuko Kaneda for the sherbet.
Lynne & Jeffrey Lemley were seen around the church on 3 consecutive days the second week of August, cleaning the rugs, scrubbing and refinishing the tile floor, along with other straightening-up chores in the nursery. What a nice gift, resulting in a more attractive, clean and sparkling room for our children. (Katelyn came along for moral support.)
Vic Appel, Chair, Bldg. & Grounds, is a frequent visitor performing all kinds of needed tasks around and inside the church. He was joined by George Carruthers on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 15, 16, repainting the ceiling in the Fellowship Room -- quite a task!
A Big Hurrah to all the dedicated workers who helped move the Karasi/Bukasa family into a new apartment on Aug. 11:
Mary Sinclair, Richard Jackson, Carol Burlinson, Jake Burlinson, Fran Briggs, Yoshi Kaneda, Setsuko Kaneda, Karl Putz, Andrea Putz, Catherine Hubbs and Ben White.
The Parents/Children Work Day (a first) accomplished tasks including plastering; baseboard cleaning/painting; fire place/chimney upgrade; painting walls in the nursery; attention to ceiling and outside fences. Thanks to Karl & Andrea Putz, Geneve Ross, John Moore, Vic Appel, and Doyal Pinkard.
Louise Whitworth is very appreciative to Mary Sinclair for filling in at the office on Thursday and Friday, August 24, 25, due to the emergency hospitalization of her husband, Following tests, along with heart catheterization, he was released on Tuesday, Aug.29 with new medications and instructions to re-order his life style as to over-exertion. Thanks, Mary, and to everyone for their prayers, calls and concern expressed.
Communion Steward:
6th 13th 20th 27th
Paul Deisler
Scripture Readers:
Vic Appel Catherine Hubbs Paul Deisler Lynne Lemley
Time With Children:
John Burlinson Lisa Kirch Vic Appel Michael Adams
Acolytes:
Jeff Lemley Sarah Ashton Olivia Deisler Kaitlyn Newell
Ushers:
6th Mary Sinclair, Richard Jackson 13thJake Burlinson, Ned Murphy
20th Suzanne L. Bradford, John Moore 27thVic & Jean Appel, Ushers
Hosts, Fellowship Hour:
6TH Vic & Jean Appel 13thSuzanne L. Bradford & John Moore 20thLynne & George Lemley 27thChurch/Baby Shower
THE REDEDICATION OF OUR SANCTUARY
On Sunday,
August 20th
the church celebrated a rededication of our recently renovated sanctuary.
The occasion was initiated by a processional in which eight of our youth,
led by Jeff Lemley holding high the altar cross, made a ceremonious entrance
carrying the newly restored tapestry down the center aisle. Their entrance
was integrated with the choir's and congregation's singing of the
beloved old hymn, "Lift High the Cross." Climbing up two ladders already
positioned at the altar, Jake Burlinson and Ned Murphy, two of the six
tapestry bearers, re-hung the tapestry. Immediately afterward, Sarah and
Jennie Ashton, Junior Bowles and Sarah Moore returned the cross and candles
to the altar. Olivia Deisler, acolyte for the day, lit the candles to complete
the restoration.
Vic Appel, spoke to the youth about the tapestry, and invited them to identify figures and shapes semi-hidden within the tapestry. He then offered this rededication prayer:
Our Heavenly Father, this church is Your House. In this year, when we are celebrating our Church
reaching 100 year"s of age, we especially want this building to be the best we can make it. So, for as
long as we stay in this house, we want this church to be worthy of You. Equally important, we want
it to be worthy of us. That is why we have been working to fix the cracks, repaint the walls, re-stain
the window frames and clean the tapestry that has not had a bath for 25 years.
And so today, we are rededicating this sanctuary and ourselves to serve you with all our hearts,
minds and deeds. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen..
Tapestry Symbolism
The center is the United Church of Christ symbol; the orb, the bar, and the rising cross, with the crown of Christ the King at the top. Green is for the earth. Gold is for God. Put a little Christ in your life and sparkle, put a lot of Christ in your life and glow.
Behind the UCC symbol is the lamp of knowledge, a symbol of study and preparation for the coming of God"s Kingdom.
The two green fish at the base of the cross represent Christians. They are born of blue water and green earth, ready to receive Christ into their lives. They grow, attain knowledge, and prepare by rising past the lamp into the yellow light of God"s love. The fish now look upward and wear orange crosses, thus proclaiming they belong to the Lord.
The other colors represent the parts of the body of Christ and our history as Christians:
Red is for loving, outstretched arms, for the martyrs, and for the Saints.
Green is for the human life of Jesus and for the earth.
Blue is for birth, for Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and for the water of life and baptism.
Purple is for the royalty of Christ the King, and for penance.
Yellow and Gold are for the light of Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven
.
"The joy of making this banner cannot be measured and it was indeed my pleasure to have God use my hands for the gift. May you enjoy its symbols and may they inspire you as they have me." -O Hinkel Johnson, Designer/Craftsman
P E R S O N A L S
By Catherine Hubbs
At the same time we rejoice with the Bukasa family, who are settled in their new apartment. Martin"s employment at Selectron assembling computers has been made permanent, and he has just finished welding training. Ged?on and Kyria have started school at Barrington Elementary, and Judith awaits the arrival of their new baby at the end of September. On August 27, the whole church hosted a baby shower after the worship service. In a fluent five-minute-long speech in English, Martin thanked all those who have helped them and touched us all when he announced that the new baby, who is a girl, will be named Mary Sinclair after our mary, who has looked after them all like a parent.
We welcomed back with open arms Kristin Galle, her children, Kaitlyn and Mariah and her fiance, Rev. Brent Hampton. Kristin spent ten weeks this summer in Stillwater, Oklahoma, serving an internship under Rev. Gordon Edwards at the First Presbyterian Church, a 750-member church where John Gage also served his internship. She was a leader in the Vacation Bible School program, led an adult book study, and worked in their Christian education program with Rev. Trudy Morphew, Associate Pastor, a former graduate of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, from whom she said she got a lot of good ideas. She preached three sermons, all of which were broadcast. Kaitlyn and Mariah spent all their visitation time with her there and attended a YMCA day camp program. The last two weeks before coming back to Austin, Brent and his daughter Rachel joined Kristin, Kaitlyn, and Mariah for a trip to Washington, D.C., where they enjoyed a vacation, visiting lots of parks and museums. Now Kristin and Brent are considering possible wedding dates. Brent is also a Presbyterian Seminary graduate, an ordained minister presently serving a church in Woodward, Oklahoma. They plan to be married here in Austin at the Congregational Church. Our love and best wishes to all of you, Kristin!
Sharon Brown tells us that Don just made a trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina to meet their son, Andrew, who is twenty-seven. He has been clerking for a civil rights judge, but is now returning to start his second year in law school at the University of Texas.
Have you said hello to Jeri Winter? She comes from Freeport, Illinois and is a student in Latin American Studies here at the University of Texas. Welcome to Austin, Jeri!
Florence Castle and her son Paul broke in Paul"s new truck when they took it down to the coast at Rockport and stayed overnight.
The Appels stayed at a bed abd breakfast in Winedale when they accompanied Debbie to a reception and retirement party for the director of Shakespearean drama. As a U.T. student Debbie had participated in a couple of courses which culminated in Winedale performances and enjoyed meeting three of her former classmates.
Clark Hubbs had back-to-back meetings in St. Louis, so Catherine had the opportunity to tour the city of red brick. (The bricklayers union at one time decreed that all buildings should be made of red brick) and see the amazing Catholic Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, with its gleaming mosaic Byzantine style interior, supposedly the largest mosaic collection in the world, begun in 1912 and finished in 1988, employing 7,000 colors. We expect to see golden cathedrals in Central and South America, but this is an American display of beauty and wealth that is staggering. Later Clark and Catherine had the change to spend a morning on a Mississippi barge, go through two locks, witness barges filled with coal, oil, and grain being tugged along the river, and learn that one fifteen barge tow can equal 870 large semis going along our highways. Here"s to the Mississippi and its barges!
Andrea Putz asked Catherine to let families know that children"s Sunday handouts will now be available along with crayons and pencils at the back of the sanctuary with the regular Sunday bulletin. School has started, and we hope soon to catch up on all of our y oung people. For starters, Catherine understands that Ned Murphy has just earned his brown belt in Kung Fu. Robin Rosson has rejoined the Austin Youth Orchestra.In August we had another occasion to rejoice when we celebrated Music and Memories Sunday with the Centennial Celebration Committee and honored some of t hose who have given us such a rich musical heritage. Earl Cornwell was able to be there, and Weldon Scheel read the tribute he originally wrote to present to Earl in 1976 when we celebrated our church"s seventy-fifth birthday. Pat Oakes was liturgist for the service to which Weldon and Marie Scheel and Florence Castle contributed their memories. In a church which continues to grow its own musical talent from one generation to the next, we still are collecting memories and need contributions from our members and friends. Our trio, for example, has included the Harris sisters and their mother, Bea Polome, David Pinkard, Beth Oakes, Seth Blackstock, and this summer has included Robin Rosson. And what about our pianists and all the musicians in the Joyful Noise Band? Please send your memories along. They don"[t have to be musical. We are hoping to compile a comprehensive history of our church.
On Saturday morning Suzanne VanderPoel gave Catherine a scoop. She told her to tune in to KUT FM, which was hosting a visit with The Austin Lounge Lizards. And there they were. Conrad Deisler and his fellow musicians, who entertained listeners with selections from their latest CD, Never an Adult Moment, which included an hysterical "Forty Hillbillies in a Haunted House," "A Hundred Miles of Dry," and "I"m Not the Me I Used to Be." They were advertising their Saturday night show at Antone"s, which evidently was standing room only. Congratulations!
Bea Polome tells us that in July her family had a wonderful reunion in Flint, Texas, where they were able to meet. Carol Marie came from Norway with her three boys and a friend to help out. Her husband had to stay home. Marilyn came from California, Lana and Evan from Austin. All together there were fourteen from Bea"s family and fourteen or fifteen from her sister"s family.
Some of us looked for cool places. Frances and John Alford spent a month in Taos, New Mexico, and Frances went to Houlton, Maine for an all-class reunion at Ricker College. (John especially enjoyed celebrating the first birthday of his grandson, James Alford Young.) Meanwhile Fran and Rambie Briggs went to Santa Fe the first week of August to attend a performance of The Marriage of Figaro and happened to see Barbara Burnham there. Ben and Marguerite White have just returned from a trip to New England, where after meeting friends at Providence, they went to Newport and Hyannis Port, toured Plymouth and its recreated village, and visited Mystic with its history and display of old whaling ships.
Sara and Dave Ross are back from their adventurous camping and hiking trip. This year with the West in flames they said that they tried to stay farther east than usual. The country looked drier and the wildflowers less colorful and abundant, but they were successful in their assault of Mt. Massive, the second highest mountain in Colorado. They worked up to it slowly, going up through Colorado. Medicine Bow, north of the Colorado border in Wyoming, gave them training practice. Sara said that Medicine Bow was perhaps their most outstanding stop. The wildflowers were beautiful. From there they went on to Steamboat Springs and then to McCoy, where they made a collection of different kinds of rocks for Bambi. Bambi gave them high marks for the rocks they chose. They went to Lake City and tackled the American Basin and a road one-lane wide with horrendous drop-offs. When a car came in the opposite direction, the one coming downhill had to back up to let the other through. When they dot down to the bottom, they both said to each other, "Let"s not do that again!" In New Mexico they went south into the Pecos wilderness area. It was the only time that they got rained out. Their last stop was in the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, and then it was back to Austin and civilization.
Michael, Jamie and Julie Adams enjoyed a weekend car trip to attend Michael"s youngest cousin"s wedding in Shreveport, Louisiana. Although it was hot, they had a "super" time. "A trip they will long remember as a family."
FROM THE CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
TO: MEMBERS
The committee, in planning on-going Centennial Cele-bration activities, would appreciate your help. In an attempt to contact persons who are not listed in our current church directory, and that you feel might be interested in receiving mailings regarding our up-coming events,please let us know. (Catherine Hubbs, Chair, and members of the committee, would welcome your suggestions.)
SMILE,
SMILE, SMILE, AWHILE . . .
ADAM AND EVE AND THE APPLE
How many apples did Adam and Eve eat? Some say Eve 8 and Adam 2 -- a total of 10 only. Now I figure the thing out differently. Eve 8 and Adam 8 also. Total of 16.
And yet the above figures are entirely wrong. If Eve 8 and Adam 82, certainly the total would be 90. Scientific men, however, reason something like this: Eve 81 and Adam 82 -- a total of 163.
Still another solution: If Eve 814, Adam 81242 oblige Eve the total would be 82,056. We think this, however, not a sufficient quantity. For though I admit that Eve 814, Adam, if he ate 8081242 keep eve company -- total: 8,082,056.
All wrong. Eve, when she 81812 many, and probably she felt sorry for it, but her companion, in order to relieve her grief, 812. Therefore, when Adam 818142-40fy Eve"s depressed spirits -- Hence I conclude both ate 81,896,864 apples. What do you think???
Contributed by Hildegard Everett
AMONG OUR FAVORITE HYMNS
Words: George William Kitchin and Michael Robert Newbolt, 1916 alt.
Music: Sydney Hugo Nicholson, 1916 CRUCIFER
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
Till all the world adore his sacred name.
Come, Christians, follow this triumphant sign.
The hosts of God in unity combine.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
Till all the world adore his sacred name.
Each new-born servant of the Crucified bears
On the brow the seal of him who died.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
Till all the world adore his sacred name.
O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
As thou hast promised, draw the world to thee.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
Till all the world adore his sacred name.
So shall our song of triumph ever be:
Praise to the Crucified for victory!
