THE PASSAGE MAY-JUNE 2015

Christ Church of Chicago 6047 N. Rockwell Chicago, IL 60659

Phone (773) 338-8170 Fax (773) 338-8730

ChristChurchChicago.net

One cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life’s morning;

for what was great in the morning will be of little importance in the evening, and

what in the morning was true will at evening have become a lie.

- Carl Jung

Nobody knew this timeless truth more than Jung. He underwent a major transformation from his early student days with Sigmund Freud to his death at age 85. Not only did Jung’s views on psychology and psychoanalysis change, but so did his understanding of human existence and the cosmos. In later life, Jung become a veritable mystic and felt that there was a much deeper place within from which life sprang forth. This was the home of the mind and the essence of all consciousness. As New Age as this may sound, we all have experienced to some extent that there is something greater than ourselves that dwells within. We may call it our own individual spirit, or we may call it God - that which connects all of us. I like to picture this as a deep well within each of us that leads down to a great subterranean (or subconscious) ocean. At this deeper level, we are not only all connected, but we also draw our energy from it. Through such practices as meditation, we open our awareness to such a “place” and become able to draw a greater and more meaningful existence from it. Some may call this wisdom. In his book, Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of

Life, Richard Rohr says that there are two spiritual halves to our lives. The first half is marked by creating a container by answering the essential questions: “How can I support myself?” “What makes me significant?” and “Who will go with me?” The task of the

second half of life is to “find the contents that this container was meant to hold and deliver.” Many of us live our lives in the first half like there is not a care in the world. We are sometimes beset with physical hurdles, but spirituality is left for when we have an existential crisis. What would life look like if we went deeper and further into our spiritual lives at an earlier stage? Some say that we are spiritual beings having a human or physical experience. Others would argue that we are physical beings that develop an awareness for the things that lie beyond our five senses. Even atheists note that there is “something” (although they wouldn’t call it “God”) that, even from a matter of physics, is at the core of our existence. If this spiritual aspect of our lives is such a significant one, why wouldn’t we want to be more holistic in our approach to living and develop it as we would our physical bodies? We tend to point to our heads when we speak of the mind. Our western post-enlightenment thinking has led us to see the “mind” as the result of neurotransmitters being fired across synapses creating the illusion of another aspect of being that lies beyond the physical. Is this all it is? Ancient Greeks pointed at their guts while Japanese and Chinese still point to their hearts when speaking of the mind. So who is right? You got it - I think they all are. The mind or spirit exists in every fiber of our being - both within the realm of our five senses and at the depths of our presence. I have mentioned many times of those with dementia being able to connect on a deep spiritual level, even when there is no cognitive awareness of the present. These folks are able to recite ancient prayers, sing along to old songs, and recognize the spirit within others. Those who are caregivers for aging parents can see this most often. There is a certain spirituality that comes with age perhaps as a matter of necessity or maybe because of gleaned wisdom. Why must we wait for old age to seek the deeper things? If we could learn to be at one with ourselves and one another and to discover our true selves while living a life that is true to ourselves, how much more wonderful could our lives be?

IN MEMORY OF FRANCES SUGAI Alyse Azuma Venise Beres Martha and Ernest Fujimoto Allen Fujiwara Eleanor Fujiwara Gary & Joy Fujiwara James & Jean Goodman Christine & Harry Gunther Patricia & Albert Hara Mary Harakawa Arlene Hayn Sharon & Jeff Hidaka Robin Hirano Gene & Janice Honda Matsue Honda Harriet Ito Richard & Susan Kadowaki Jane Kaihatsu Elaine Kaneshiro Sachi Kato Henry & Jo ann Kawanaga Chieko Kimura Kazumi and Nobuo Kurita Stan & Barbara Kurokawa Yurie Kushino Marcia Kushino Brian & Joanne Matsumoto Kazuko Mayahara Masao Menda Dorothy Miyake Susan Nakagi Ruth Nishimura Donna & Scott Nitahara Kenny & Jackie Nitahara Timothy & May Ogawa Rose Okabe

Kevin & Sharon Okazaki Robyn & Gregg Oshita Daryl and Stuart Ozaki Family Atsumi Ozawa Bess Ozawa Peggy Sakai Jiro & Molly Sakamoto Pat & George Schlauder Mary and Leon Sellers Steven Shikami Iku Shimizu Josie and Mark Sugai Tomoe Sunahara Sachi Suzuki Edith Takaki James & Ketty Takaki Susan Takaki Kiyo, Michi, Chris Takemoto Phyllis Tamada-Brown Alvin & Jenny Tamura Yosh Tanaka James Terada Dahlia & Hiro Toyama Sue Uyeda Mie Watanabe Juana & Willie Wong Susan Yamanaka Alyce & Rocky Yamanako Dick & Karen Yamasaki Julia and Ronald Yano Lorran Yano Paul & Ukie Yano Susan Yano Thomas Yatabe Miko and Carl Yoshimine Carol & Bill Yoshino

PRAYERS AND CONCERNS Please remember Betty Moriguchi and Ed Kemp in your prayers. And prayers of comfort of Mieko Nasu’s family and the family of Ikue Itami.

EASTER OFFERING Donna and Ralph Fujiwara Joy and Gary Fujiwara Robin Hirano Harriet Ito Rose Kaihatsu Rosalie Kato Chieko Kimura Marcia Kushino Susan Kuse Karen and Terry Nakagawa Donna and Scott Nitahara Rose Okabe

Atsumi Ozawa Pavlatos Family Diane Sakai-Furuta Pat and George Schlauder Lois and Jim Shikami Mikiko and Henry Shimabukuro Bill Steele Nancy and Bob Takagi Joan and Bruce Toyama Juana and Willie Wong Alyce and Rocky Yamanaka Karen and Dick Yamasaki

DONATIONS Thank you to all the Friends and Members of Christ Church of Chicago for your generous donations during the period of January-Easter.

Sallie Allen Linda Brandeis Matching Donation Cheryl Hara & Dan Kawako Christmas John & Sandra Lovestrand Rosalie Kato In Appreciation of the Woman's Fellowship Don Kawamoto Dorothy Miyake In Memory of Mieko Nasu Ruth Nishimura Passage Appreciation Donna and Scott Nitahara In Memory of Mieko Nasu Jackie and Ken Nitahara In Memory of Mieko Nasu Patricia Okita & Allen Porter In Memory of Ted Okita Janet Okubo Passage Appreciation Phyllis Pavlatos Family In Memory of Mieko Nasu Peggy Sakai In Memory of Mieko Nasu Peggy Sakai Projector Fund Peggy Sakai In Memory of Harky Tademoto Peggy Sakai In Memory of Lila Letchinger Peggy Sakai In Memory of Mits Fujishima Mikiko and Henry Shimabukuro Yoneko Shintani/Scott Shintani Donation Sachi Suzuki In Memory of Mieko Nasu James Terada Nancy Toyama Cookbooks Nancy Toyama Thank You from the Third Eye Theater Ensemble Kathy, Nancy, Abby Tsuchihashi In Memory of Mieko Nasu Wellness Group Robbie Williams Peoples Fund Woman's Fellowship

Need some more direction on seeking a deeper spirituality? Come see me; I’d be happy to chat! In the meantime, check out these two books. You’ll be glad you did. Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr A Season of Mystery: 10 Spiritual Practices for Embracing a Happier

Second Half of Life by Paula Huston Pax, Brandyn

_______________________________________ THANK YOU Dear Christ Church of Chicago, Thank you so much for the opportunity to attend Okaeri: a Nikkei LGBTQ gathering this past November. It was amazing and new for me to be in a place with about two hundred other Japanese LGBTQ people and our allies and loved ones. I was truly inspired by the people that I met, the stories I heard, and the various work that I learned people are doing around LGBTQ and other social justice issues. One of the most special aspects of Okaeri for me is that I invited my mother, and she flew from Honolulu to L.A. to attend with me. Out of everyone in my life, I think my mom has had the most difficulty accepting my queer identity. It meant so much that she would come to the conference. She said she learned a lot, and connected with several people, including other family members of LGBTQ people, and LGBTQ affirming Christian leaders. None of this would have happened without your generosity. With much gratitude, JJ Ueunten

SAFE HAVEN RETREAT

South Haven, Michigan April 10th & 11th (2015)

On a crisp and sun-splashed Friday, eight Tri-C members said “Yes to Pure Michigan” – South Haven that is – and left town on a spiritual retreat designed to brainstorm ideas and formulate teams to facilitate improvement projects in and around our Church. Robin graciously opened her second home in The Haven community perched along the shores of Lake Michigan. In attendance, besides Robin, were the following pilgrims: Pastor Brandyn, Co-Pastor Jon & his bride Tracey, Russ, Elaine, Brent and yours truly. Friday evening was spent breaking bread and sharing cup, as each of us shared our stories of how we wound up worshiping at Christ Church of Chicago. Those stories, and that sharing, continued beyond midnight, and we all sacked out around 1 am. Bright and early the next morn’, Jon was out the door for a run, followed shortly thereafter by Brent. Others awoke and went for walks along the beach, with its rhythmic waves and endless horizon. Jon and Tracey then treated the group to a mouth-watering, home-cooked breakfast, after which Brandyn prompted us to walk together down to the wind-swept shores of Lake Michigan – to center before we began the task at hand. As we gazed out upon the blue-green water, cool wind in our hair – well, for most of us anyway! – Brandyn inquired of all: “What do you see…?” Someone insightfully answered: “Home”, which served as a springboard for Brandyn to connect the metaphorical dots between that which we can envision (in the distance) but cannot see (at present). He then invited us to close our eyes and “see” our Church five years into the future, and to imagine all that lies ahead. Inspired by that spiritual centering, we returned to Robin’s place and began presenting our respective ideas for improvements that can be made, in and around our Church.

Jon – The Icebreaker

NEW MINISTRY OF CARING MEMBERS At the beginning of the year, a call was put out to any interested members to join the Ministry of Caring. The caregiving members to join this ministry are Marcia Kushino, Donna Nitahara, Jim and Lois Shikami, Jon Shimabukuro, Nancy Takagi, Nancy Toyama, and Alyce Yamanaka. The aim of this ministry is to provide care to church members in need. We are excited for this ministry and look forward to serving you. Nancy Takagi

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CONFIRMATION 2015

Please join us on Sunday, May, 10, which the United Church of

Christ designates Christian Family Sunday. In addition to Mother’s

Day, we will be celebrating the CONFIRMATION of Cameron

Fujiwara, Kara Fujiwara, Sara Fujiwara, Jake Lovestrand, Tristan

Lovestrand, Jack Shimabukuro, and Westyn Simmons. LUNCH

WILL BE SERVED!

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CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to 16-year-old Jarrett Takaki! He won First Place in the Open Senior Piano Division, competing with over 200 musicians from all over the country in the 19th Annual Walgreens National Concerto, hosted by Midwest Young Artists. Due to winning, he will be performing in Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall on April 19 and also at Carnegie Hall on May 30. Proud Grandparents

UDON SALE This year's Udon/Bake Sale at Christ Church of Chicago will be held on Sunday May 3 from 12:00 to 3:00 pm. Japanese treats and baked goods donations will be accepted from 9:00 to 12:00 in the fellowship hall on the same day. Woman's Fellowship ____________________________________

DELIVERY WITH A SMILE On March 15, delicious meals were delivered by church members to other members who are confined to their homes.

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PROJECTOR! Our dream has come true! Our new projector and descending screen have been installed! Come and see how we are using it in Worship on Sundays. And help us think of new ways this technology can enhance our ministries and programming…the possibilities are endless! We are so grateful to all of you that contributed to this project!

Special thanks to Sharon Hidaka and Amy Kato who spearheaded

the Luau fundraiser and for the awesome team that took charge of

the logistics…Kent Ijichi, Elaine Kaneshiro, Amy Kato, Brandyn

Simmons, Nancy & Bob Takagi, Robby Williams!

Jon broke the ice by pitching his “Passions & Pleasures” invitation, complete with poster-board (artwork compliments of Tracey!), and led off by volunteering his own joys and interests, each noted by a post-it which he then stuck on the board. He shared a few words as to each one, and made the point that, rather than assign people to life-time-indentured-servant committees, perhaps it would be better to discover folks’ Time & Talent, and then see if there might be small groups or teams that could be formed around them. A more organic, natural approach, in short.

Tracey – Signage Tracey has been exploring signage improvements, within and without the Church building. For the exterior, she mentioned as an example signage adorning a church located around Damen & Irving (south toward Belmont), and suggested that we might able to adapt that with our own description. For the interior, Tracey focused on the immediate entrance, to the left, and imagined an eye-catching banner hung high from that ceiling, angled just so to face the entrant, with the artistically scripted greeting: “CHRIST CHURCH OF CHICAGO. WELCOME HOME.”

Brent – Bike Rack(s) Brent followed next, with a professional-looking Power Point display illustrating the benefits (green, health, family) and relative ease of installing bike rack(s) in the tree line(s) along Rockwell and/or Glenlake. He also explained that the 10’ x 10’ required concrete dimension already exists in the rear of the Church, off the alley. Brent’s thorough research revealed that the City of Chicago has an ongoing program through which bike racks can be obtained for free.

Brent – Pride Parade Brent then conveyed his efforts to coordinate the logistics of having our Church walk in the Pride Parade, to be held Sunday, June 28 at noon in Lakeview. He informed that 25 other churches were already participating, and advised that Tri-C might even have the opportunity to host a joint worship service the weekend before the Parade. Brent included in his presentation a montage of still-frame photos of person after person, from all walks of life, each one donning a beautiful smile – and holding a handmade sign in front of their chests with messages along the lines of: “LOVE IS ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL!”

Elaine – Leading by Teaching Elaine shared her life’s work as a teacher, and how she sees herself forever in a mentoring role, and how teaching remains her great passion. She delights in spending time with and helping to guide our Youth in their confirmation journeys. Elaine also emphasized how being of service to those most in need remains vital, and ingrained in her own personal mission, and she remains dedicated to leading teams that provide food as part of Night Ministry and other Homeless Shelter gatherings.

Russ – Peace Garden Russ described the front yard as the “entry point” to our Church, and he is eager to lead a team to enhance that area by and through a number of suggestions, such as: building a soil berm to serve as an “island”; engaging a landscaper to plant (1 to 3) mature trees; installing boulders; installing benches – photos of which he displayed from his visit to Gethsemane Gardens on Clark Street. Russ also showed us before and

after pictures of his own back yard, as he worked with a landscaper to shore up water drainage issues and convert that space into a beautiful oasis. He envisions creating that same type of Japanese-influenced Peace Garden in our Church yard.

Robin – Social Justice & Finances Robin explained how her graduate studies at Loyola, a Jesuit University, impacted her intuitive sense of social justice, and how those lessons galvanized her eagerness to teach to the mission. Her keen awareness of finance makes her uniquely fit to educate and inform as to the financial aspects of “keeping the lights on” in our Church. Beyond general revenue stream, Robin also addressed the need to remain fiscally vigilant with respect to Capital Campaigns (for more general projects) and Team Funding (for specific projects). She mentioned “Seven Components of Growing Leadership” by John Duggan, and how instructive those stages have been, and suggested that those same lessons would serve us well in these efforts.

JL – Youth Room Makeover Yours Truly floated the idea of updating and enhancing the Youth Room, and of enlisting our Youth to participate in that effort, so that they might take “ownership” of such a project. Initially with de-cluttering, and re-organizing, and then with adding items as needed.

Brandyn – Butterfly Effect Brandyn played an inspirational video clip of a man’s attempt to demonstrate how a simple act of kindness could float halfway around the world and land in the hearts of our brothers and sisters in Africa, to the betterment of us all. He then pivoted to offering a number of ideas to further The Crossing efforts, such as: yoga; reiki; spiritual library; couch ‘n coffee; and empowerment – whether from guest speakers or from our own congregants. Brandyn also mentioned that he applied for and was approved for a $10,000 grant from the UCC to be used on The Closing, and provided an update regarding his expectation that the projector screens would soon be up and running in the Sanctuary.

Amen – Popcorn Prayers We concluded our retreat by giving thanks and praise, each in our own way, to God… for blessings unbounded, for limitless opportunities that lie ahead, and for the love and compassion that

welcome us home. Amen. JL

SAVE THE DATE: PRIDE PARADE IS JUNE 28 This year, TriC joined the Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches. We have the opportunity to partner with over 25 other churches and religious organizations marching in this year's Pride Parade, the cap to a month of celebrations in the LGBT community. There will also be a multi-demoninational service during the month. More info will be coming in the next few weeks.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all of those celebrating in May and June!

May - Warren Hidaka, Kelly Ijichi, Harriet Ito, Sydney Johnson, Alice Payton, Roger Payton,

June - Jane Kaihatsu, Bill Kato, Kevin Osten, Carolyn Smith, Kirsten Takaki, Sue Takaki, Alyce Yamanaka

Please accept our apologies if we omitted anyone! If your birthday is not listed here, chances are that we do not have your updated information. Please contact the church office.