Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Dec 10 Basques/Xmas, Jan 14 speaker, Congrats Doreen


Dear friends and members,

"Languages on the Periphery: A Linguistic Look at Basque and Japanese"

Ronald Thornton will explore some of the interesting similarities of languages from vastly different locations that share origins outside of the main Indo-European or Sino language families.  How can we explain some of the lexical and grammatical correspondences?

A retired professor from Otsuma Women's University and long time Japan resident (who started out a scholar of Russian language), Ron has actually been a member of our fellowship for many years but only recently started to attend again.

He plans a shorter than usual talk and discussion.

It will be followed by songs and carols of the holiday season in a sing-a-long led by Bonnie McClure. 

At  the very end we are expecting  a "pop in"  performance by our delightful opera singer friend, Emiliano Blasi,  who reports he will leave for Italy right after our sunday to perform on stage.  


Time:  3:00-5:00

Followed by drinks or dinner in the International House Cafe if you can join us.

Place: International House of Japan (国際文化会館)

106-0032 Minato-ku Roppongi 5-11-16

Between Azabu-Juban and Roppongi subway stations on Torii-zaka. 

Or please see their website for a map.

All are welcome (we ask only for a donation towards our room rental).

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Our January 14th meeting will feature Prof. Michael Polito (Sophia/Jochi University) who will talk on "Consumerism, Ecology and Love: the Personalist Revolution of Pope Francis."

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I am pleased and honored to announce that  our long term member Doreen Simmons has recently been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, for her services to Japanese culture.

We hope we will have a chance to congratulate her in person. 

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We might at this holiday season think about the traditional meaning of Christmas in words that come from the Christian heritage of Unitarians, although many Unitarians may not believe  the Christ-centered message (or even in God) today---

Christmas is the celebration of the historical event when Jesus was born into our world so that he might display the perfection and holiness of God.  Through his work of teaching and living perfectly Jesus provided a model for our lives, and then by  dying on the cross for our sins, promised that all who trust in him would be saved from the righteous judgment of God.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him," (John 3:16-17).

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Finally to all our members and friends  we wish you the joys of the holiday season, safe travels, and a good year in 2018.


Peggy Kanada, 

moderator of the fellowship

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