Worshipping on Vacation

Do you attend worship while you are on vacation?  Honestly, I would have never thought about doing this before we moved to Tokyo.  Vacations are usually full of activities, guilty pleasures, and rest. Worship just never made my list of "vacation activities."

Almost every Sunday at Tokyo Lutheran Church, we have visitors on vacation come through our doors. We love visitors.  As an international congregation, they often connect us to our own countries.  They bring opportunities to speak our native languages and share similar experiences. They give us a chance to share our current city and culture. We give travel advice and take them to unknown locations. It's a reminder of God's global church.

This summer we took some time off to go visit family.  While we were home we had the opportunity to visit several congregations.  Nozomi and I worshiped at Messiah Lutheran Church, in Galva, Illinois.  This was a great chance to visit one of our new sponsors.  While we were in Wisconsin, we all drove down to Green  Bay, where Erik preached at Calvary Lutheran Church and Nozomi and I made an early morning visit to Grace Lutheran Church.  It was great to reconnect with old friends and co-workers.  It was wonderful to sing in 4-part harmony with a large congregation.

We also had the joy of taking Erik's 91-year-old Grandmother Betty to her church, Shepherd of the Bay in Door County, Wisconsin. Nozomi sat quietly for an hour and half next to her great grandmother.   (Nozomi had so much fun with the busy bag, she asked to go to church the next day). While we were there, we met another couple and their toddler from Tokyo that were also visiting their Grandmother.  We also bumped into two ELCA missionaries that serve in Hong Kong.  After a short conversation we learned that the husband serves at Sekino Sensei's advisor at the Seminary in Hong Kong.  What a small lovely world!

When we visit other churches on vacation we are reminded that we are really one church.  It's moving to sit with strangers on Sunday and sing the same liturgy.  It's powerful to know that around the world Christians are saying the same words together: asking for forgiveness, praying for each other, building community, hearing words God's grace, mercy, and love that give us hope for a better world.

Gift Giving

Hey You!  You know I'm just going to play with the box,
so why don't you give to Global Mission this Christmas.  

We have been in a bit of a slump in our house.  I was sick, Nozomi had some strange rash, and now Erik has a cold.  We decided to cheer ourselves up and get out the Christmas tree.  I had scored big last spring at a sayonara sale.  I purchased a 6ft tree with ornaments and lights for $30; a purchase well over $300.  Erik carried the tree home on the subway.  This was the first time we opened the box. We were delighted with our purchase.

We're excited for Christmas this year.  Nozomi is capable of opening presents, and she likes to be very dramatic when she is surprised.  We're also excited for some of the advent activities at church, like making cookies and giving them to the adult center for those with mental disabilities.  This year there are two women at church that put together an English singing choir.  We're going to sing Christmas carols as people come to worship on Christmas Eve.

Many times at Christmas we get care packages from those in the states.  Many times people ask for some ideas for what to send.  I thought we give you some ideas.

First, you don't need to send us anything.  We prefer you give money to Global Missions.  See our how to give page.

If you want to give outside Global Missions, we recommend giving to ELCA Global Gifts.  We love the idea of giving a gift to women and children.

We also love Heifer International.  Nozomi loves animals and wants you to purchase a cow. Moo!

If you do want to send something, we like gifts that we can share with the congregation and our friends.
Some ideas:
-Candy (Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Starbursts, Twix)
-Cake/Brownie Mixes (I will bake these for coffee hour.  Erik will help stir.)
-Something your area is know for (example, Wisconsin:cheese)
-Yarn (550-600 yards/color.  Yarn is very expensive in Japan, because most of it is imported. We have launched our prayer shawl ministry and currently have six faithful knitters.  Sending yarn would be a great way to knit Tokyo Lutheran and our supporting congregation together).

Again, we really don't need anything for ourselves, but, if you do want to send things to us, here are some ideas: gold fish crackers, graham crackers, Kraft Mac'n'Cheese, Velveeta Mac'n'Cheese, Soup Mixes (like Bear Creek), Pudding, Magazines (Goodhousekeeping, Real Simple, Cooking Magazines, Parenting Magazines) Board books (for Nozomi), Jigsaw puzzles (for us)

Blessings to you as you prepare for this busy holiday season!