FINAL_SEPT_OC1
OPEN CIRCLE THE MAGAZINE OF THE TOKYO UNION CHURCH WOMEN’S SOCIETY
September 2008
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
http://www2.gol.com/users/tuc/tucws.html
Fall Kick-Off & Class Registration
Thursday, September 11, 2008
CLASS REGISTRATION 9:00 -10:00 A.M. & 12:00 -2:00 P.M. COFFEE & FELLOWSHIP FROM 9:30 A.M.
PROGRAM STARTS AT 10:30 A.M.
? ? TAIKO -Japanese Drum Performance-
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Hello Friends, For many of us summer has been a time of travel to visit family and friends. Others have remained in Tokyo, but had a break from their regular routine. Still others may be new to Tokyo and feeling overwhelmed. I hope that whatever your case may be that you have had a wonderful summer and are excited for fall. It is my pleasure to welcome all of you to another year with the TUC Women’s Society. We have an exciting year coming up with many ways for you to learn a new skill, meet new friends, serve the community and grow in your faith. I encourage each of you to think about an area where you might like to become more involved. The more we stretch outside of our comfort zone the more we will grow. I am sure that you will find, as I have, that TUCWS is filled with wonderful women waiting to welcome you. Many Blessings, Bonnie Henry, Co– President
THANK YOU
Special THANKS to Natsu Kikuchi for planning our Summer Coffees this year. Our summer line up included programs on Washi crafts, kimono dressing and Origami folding. Many thanks to all the coffee makers and bakers who make the coffee hour fun with delicious treats. Also thanks to Higuchi-San who is always available to Women’s Society. and who does so much for us!
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR NEW PICTURES & EVENTS!!!
http://www2.gol.com/users/tuc/tucws.html
GET INVOLVED
Would you like to give a little back to our community? EVERY morning we have small groups that meet in the church kitchen to make onigiri (rice balls) for the homeless. This is a once-a- week commitment...any day your choose. Most groups meet around 8:00 am and then go for cof- fee when they are done. Contact Debbie Hayman at debbiesan5@hotmail. com for more infor- mation.
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-Japanese Drum Performance- Presented by Kazue and Miyuki Kuno
With Group “Sazanami” Our September Program offers an exciting Japanese Drum performance of TAIKO!! Taiko has been one of the most important instruments in Japanese summer festivals and now it’s becoming more and more popular around the world. Kazue Kuno is a powerful drummer who has been teaching the group Sazanami for over 10 years with her daughter Miyuki. Miyuki is blessed with a talent for song composition and combination of Taiko drums and excellent drum techniques. This is their second appearance as a WS Monthly Program and last time in January 2007, the show finished with a big round of applause and loud cheers. Please join this fun experience to feel and get the power of their energetic performance!!
SEPTEMBER KICK-OFF During the coffee hour, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the Tokyo Union Church Women's Society. You can also….. • Become a Member • Register for a class this Fall • Learn more about our craft group - Ah Sew • Join our buddy program and make a lifelong friend • Sign up for one of our many volunteer activities • Become a Birthday Sponsor for Sekoryo Children’s Home • Catch up with old friends and make new ones • We look forward to seeing all of you, both new friends and old!
MOPS
Tokyo Union Church now sponsors a new MOPS Chapter, Mothers of Preschoolers. If you are unfamiliar with MOPS, please feel free to review their website at www.mops.org. Our next meeting is September 25th, from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon in the fellowship hall. Please join us for an inspirational time of fellowship, sharing, creative ac- tivities and of course eating. Childcare is provided at no cost. Moms, this is a great op- portunity to focus on YOU for a change. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Pamela Murray at pamelasmurray@roadrunner.com. Be sure to mark your calendar for September 25th because “Mothering Matters!”
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BIBLE STUDIES
Are you interested in being in a fellowship group that is studying the bible? We have several bible studies starting this Fall that you can get involved in. Please contact Lau- raleen Gaudio for more information. Everyone is welcome!! Call 03-3589-3070 or email at lauraleeng@aol.com
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Do you know how to crochet or knit? Would you be interested in making a prayer shawl? We are looking for women who would love to share their tal- ents with others who are in need. It would be great to have a several shawls on hand so when we hear of a member or a friend who is going through a dif- ficult time, we could send the shawl along with a prayer to them to brighten
their day. If you are interested in getting involved in this new group, please contact Lau- raleen Gaudio at 03-3589-3070 or by email at lauraleeng@aol.com
Registration for the Fall Classes will begin on the day of the September program. Some classes fill up quickly, so be sure to sign up for your fa- vorites as soon as possible. WHEN: Thursday, September 11th TIME: 9:00 – 10:00 before the monthly program in Fellowship Hall 12:00 – 2:00 pm after the program at the reception desk in the TUC lobby ALSO: Monday-Friday 10:00– 2:00 pm starting Friday, September 12 at the reception desk in the TUC Lobby Watch your mail for the upcoming catalog showing both new and re- turning classes for your enjoyment and learning experiences. Starting this session, there is no additional registration fee for classes. All mem- bers holding a 2008-2009 TUCWS membership card can register for any class and pay only the class fee. Your guests can also take a class for an additional fee. See the Fall 2008 catalog for details.
There are NO accidents with God!
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FALL FUNDRAISER
Proceeds from this event are donated to charity. Tokyo Union Church Outreach supports over 40 charities around the world. When you participate in this event through donations, purchasing and volunteering, you are helping people here in Japan as well as in Southeast Asia, China and India.
Volunteers are needed to help at this event. If you would have the time to help, contact Terry Kolodzieski at 03-3584-3527.
Our TUCWS—Ah Sew group will be selling their homemade craft items in the foyer during the Asian Furniture Sale. Here is a great opportunity to buy some early Christmas gifts or hostess gifts for upcoming events.
We are looking for donations of baked goods for our annual Bake Sale. From brownies to rice krispy treats to cakes, everyone loves something homemade. Please drop off your baked goods on October 22nd or 23rd. If you have any ques- tions, please contact Donna Lucovich at 03- 3505-8470 or the WS Desk 03-3400-0942.
3 Great Days to Shop
Thursday, OCTOBER 23 10:00 am —5:00 pm Friday, OCTOBER 24 10:00 am —5:00 pm
Saturday, OCTOBER 25 10:00 am —2:00 pm RAFFLE DRAWING on Saturday at 2:00 pm
ASIAN FURNITURE SALE
Last year the raffle raised over 167,000 YEN with no expenses needing to be deducted. Prizes included dinners, hotel stays, Costco gift certificates and even a screen print from Fuji Tori. Maybe you would like to donate a gift basket or if you know of a business that has something that could be donated to the raffle, it will be featured with other donor companies and it would be greatly appreciated by TUCWS. Please contact Terry Kolodzieski at pdmg@cox.net for fur- ther information. Many thanks if you can donate and help make this year’s raffle a big success!
It’s a great time to get involved!!
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DRIVERS WITH GLOVES AND TIPPING NOT DONE.
STREETS THAT ARE GLEAMING
NO LITTER IS SEEN
SHINE IN THE SKY.
ROBES MADE OF SILK,
FINE PAPER AND CHOPS, DOLLS MAKE OF WOOD, LACQUERWARE SHOPS.
RESTAURANTS APPEAR,
CHOPSTICKS TO LEARN
BOXES OF FOOD, PICKLES OF PINK.
TOILETS THAT WARM
SET YOUR SOUL RIGHT.
TUCKED IN HANDBAGS, MAKES EVERYONE SMILE!
WRITTEN BY KELLY BEALES* — TOKYO, JAPAN 2008
*Kelly and her husband, John, recently moved back to To-
ronto, Canada.
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It’s September again and time to renew your TUCWS Membership for the 2008-2009 year. If you are a newcomer, becoming a member will put you on our mailing list so you can receive our monthly newsletter! Everyone may sign up during Fall Class registration in September, at the Program Meeting on September 11th or at the Women’s Society Desk (see info on back cover). Membership is free to members of Tokyo Union Church and Y4,000 per year for all other members. This is a change from last year, there will not be a separate fee for classes this year.
If you have an email address, be sure to list it on the registration form as we are making more announcements through email. If you have any questions about Membership, please contact Yuriko Oshima at cherry@s2.ocv.ne.jp or Pam Cook at 03-3589-2562 or pkcooker@gmail.com Each year we strive to make our programs and classes more enjoyable and appealing for women to have the opportunity to fellowship together. Thank you for being a part of TUCWS. It’s a great time to get involved!!
MEMBERSHIP NEWS—IMPORTANT
OUTREACH
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
Sekoryo Children’s Home Birthday Sponsorship
At the September & October programs, we will be having sign-ups for the Birthday Sponsor Program. Each sponsor will be asked to give ¥4,000 which will be used by the committee to purchase a birthday gift for a child at the home. If you are already a birth- day sponsor, you will have the opportunity to sign up for the same child next year. Each sponsor will receive a brochure that tells about the Sekoryo Children’s Home and the child that they are sponsoring. Please consider getting involved in this program, as it’s a wonderful opportunity to bless a needy child. If you have any questions, please contact Reiko Takahashi by phone/fax 04-7185-9589 or Pia Keller at 03-3465-6080 or kellercentral@aol.com
2008-2009 MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE DUE NOW 4000 YEN FOR ALL MEMBERS
(FREE MEMBERSHIP TO ALL MEMBERS OF TOKYO UNION CHURCH)
It’s a great time to get involved!!
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SHINBOKU-KAI (INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP GROUP)
Next Meeting: Thursday, September 25, 2008 Everyone is welcome to join us for the first Shinboku-kai gathering for the 2008-2009 TUC Women’s Society year.
We will have a “Welcome Back” brunch at 10:00 a.m. at Nancy Schmatz’s apartment at Omotesando Court, Apartment # 405E. The building is up the side street next to TUC to the end. Please bring a small food item to share.
We will discuss our weddings, and compare the different wedding tradi- tions of Japan and western countries. Please bring a wedding picture with you. Please RSVP to nancyschmatz@yahoo.com. Feel free to bring a friend, as well as your ideas for future gatherings for Shinboku-kai. Any questions on that day, call Nancy at 03-5774-5851.
MAH-JONGG
PROGRAM TREATS
At the start of each of our Monthly Programs, light refreshments are provided. We need at least 3 volunteers to bring desserts for each meeting. If you don’t bake, feel free to bring purchased baked products as well! To sign up for the month of your choice, please contact Donna Lucovich a call at 03-3505-8470.
When we put our cares in God’s hands, He puts peace in our hearts!
Starting Thursday, Sept. 11th, 1 PM
Come and join the mahjong fun on Thursday afternoons at TUC. The basement will be open for members to come and play mahjong from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. every Thursday (except for Church or National holidays). This will be a fun time for mem- bers to come and enjoy fellowship together. Beginners are always welcome! If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Hayman at debbiesan5@hotmail.com or (03) 3324-3610 or the TUCWS Reception Desk. To be a regular player, we do ask that you join the Women’s Society (¥4,000 membership dues), and then you will be on our mailing list for all our other wonderful events!
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If you are looking to place a child between the ages of 2 and 5 in a pre-school or kinder- garten program, please consider the TUC Early Learning Center. We have an excellent program, a happy and supportive, Christian environment and a proven track record of placing graduates in their elementary school of choice. For more information and to ar- range a school tour, please contact TUC-ELC Director at tucelc@msn.com, phone at 03- 3400-1579, drop in at the 4th Floor office for a visit or check out their website at www.tucelc.com.
TUC EARLY LEARNING CENTER
SEPTEMBER TOUR - BOSO-NO-MURA VILLAGE
Our September tour group will visit an authentic Japanese village. This is an open-air museum in Chiba where you can have numerous hands-on experiences. You can make your own Japanese candle, tatami mat coaster, dying goods and more.
Date: Friday, September 19
Meeting time: 8:45 a.m.
Meeting place: Kita-Senju station, Chiyoda line [C-18] Back of the platform We switch to Joban Line together to Ajiki in Chiba.
Cost: ¥300 entrance fee, plus transportation & lunch
RSVP: tucws.tours@yahoo.com by Wednesday, September 17
In the Boso-no-Mura Museum, an ancient tomb group and a village forest environment are preserved. In addition, a street of merchant households, old samurai residences, and farm houses from the Edo era to the Meiji era are reproduced, complete with scenery and a natural environment. The Boso no Mura is a museum where traditional lifestyle and craft-making
techniques from the ancient times to the modern age can be directly experienced. The museum aims to encourage you to develop a love of history and nature, and support your understanding of traditional Japanese culture. Any questions on that day, call Hiromi at 080-5502-5230 or Nancy at 090-6954-6885
NEWCOMER’S LUNCHEON
After each of our monthly programs, all newcomers are invited to a Newcomers’ Lunch- eon. Lunch will be held at a nearby restaurant. If you are not available to go this month, then plan on going the next month. If you are new to Japan or to TUCWS, this a won- derful opportunity to socialize and share information with fellow members. If you have any questions, give DonnaLucovich a call at 03-3505-8470 . It’s a great time to get involved.
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BOARD MEMBERS 2008-2009
Would you be willing to take on any of the following positions within TUCWS? Or offer your time and support, perhaps along with a friend? Please contact Bonne Henry at 047-326-3108 or bonnieandfrank@yahoo.com to find out more.
WE STILL NEED YOU...
Press Release Secretary
OC Folding/Mailing OPEN Press Releases OPEN Ah Sew Helen Ott
Hatsue Tashiro 03-3597-6210 04-2304-0221
Pam Cook Yuriko Oshima
03-3400-0942 03-3400-0942
rose_naga@hotmail.com yrrehc39258@jcom.home.ne.jp
Reiko Takahashi Pia Keller
FELLOWSHIP Monthly Coffee Hostess
Terri Lamb Donna Faber
Terry Kolodzieski– Coordinator; Terri Lamb, Natsu Kikuchi, Nancy Schmatz, Mayumi Minagawa, Maria Smith, Kimiko Kajiyama
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CALLING ALL QUILTERS Normally meets the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays - Next Meeting September 17th, 1:30 pm
The Women’s Society Quilters is a group of ladies who gather together twice a month to work on their individual projects. Some of us are quilters, some knitters, some work on handicrafts and some on mending! Whatever your sewing project is, you are welcome. We have a lot of laugher and fun together. We meet at the home of Debbie Hayman. If you would like to join us, please give Debbie a call at 03-3324-3610 for more information.
SMALL INTEREST GROUPS Please check dates and times with the leader of a group before attending. It’s a great time to get involved!!
JAPANESE CONVERSATION CLASS Every 2nd Thursday - October 9th
This is a great way to learn the Japanese you need to get your hair cut, find clothes in 'gaijin' sizes, or practice making a restaurant reservation. Simple textbook Japanese be- comes easier and more comfortable to speak. Patient Japanese members are your teachers. This friendly group meets in the TUC library and often goes out for coffee afterward to discuss things about Japan and its people. Join us, no matter how little Japanese you know. This is a great place to meet new friends from many cultures. For more informa- tion contact Hiromi at: Hiromibeat@yahoo.co.jp
THE LUNCH BUNCH
The Lunch Bunch group is looking for venturesome women who like to try new res- taurants or visit various eateries for good food, fun, and fellowship!! If you would like to join the fun, please contact Natsu to be added to the e-mail list! You'll be no-
tified of the upcoming lunch adventure, and you can let her know if you'll be able to make it. Con- tact Natsu Kikuchi, 03-3913-0527 or natsuup@aol.com
SHINBOKU-KAI GROUP Meets on a Thursday - Next Meeting September 25th
Our name says it all ~ Shinboku-Kai means international friendship group and that’s just what we are. The wonderful ladies of our group meet the 4th Thursday of each month to discuss a selected topic, learn a new dance, and to share together in friendship, laughter and afterwards lunch. For more information contact Nancy Schmatz at nancyschmatz@yahoo.com or Ikuko Ozawa at ozawa@hs.catv.ne.jp
AH SEW Every Tuesday from 10:30 am to 3 pm - TUC Library
This group of wonderful ladies work throughout the year on craft and sewing
projects. The proceeds of these projects go to support of our outreach charities. For more information, contact Hatsue Tashiro 04-2304-0221, or Helen Ott at 03-3597-6210.
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TOKYO UNION CHURCH FALL SCHEDULE September 1—Rice Project starts September 6—TUC Alpha Introduction Dinner (6 pm) September 7 - 10 AM worship service. RALLY DAY. EPS at 4 pm. September 12 - 6:45 pm Alpha Course Starts September 13—Homeless Dinner (2 pm) September 14—Back to Regular Worship Schedule - 8:30 am & 11 am Sunday School starts at 9:45 am Care for the Earth" Seminar I after the 11 am service. September 19 - Alpha Course (6:45 pm) September 20 - Men's Ministry/Breakfast (8:30 am), Youth - Amazing Race (2 pm) September 21 - New Members Class (12:30 pm), Council Mtg. (2 pm) September 25 - MOPS Meeting. (9:30 am) September 26 - Alpha Course (6:45 pm) September 27 - Youth Bring a Friend Bingo Night (5 pm) September 28 - "Care for the Earth" Seminar II after the 11 am service October 7 - World Communion Sunday October 19-21 - TUC Congregational Retreat (@ Tozanso)
STARTING SEPTEMBER 14th—Sunday Morning Services: 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Evening Praise Service: 4:00 p.m. The first Sunday of the Month
TUCWS RECEPTION DESK The desk is open Monday –Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Our receptionist is Rose Nagakura. The phone number is 03-3400-0942.
NEXT MONTH: Asian Furniture Sale October 23-25
Program Meeting –October 2nd
YEN!