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
[email protected]. 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
[email protected]
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
[email protected]
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
[email protected] 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
[email protected] or Pam Cook at 03-3589-2562 or
[email protected] 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
[email protected]
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
[email protected]. 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
[email protected]
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
[email protected], 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:
[email protected] 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
[email protected] 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
[email protected] [email protected]
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:
[email protected]
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
[email protected]
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
[email protected] or Ikuko Ozawa at
[email protected]
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!