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

Nov. 12 - Violin Maker Andreas Preuss

Dear members and friends of the Fellowship,

Our regular second Sunday meeting features "Luthier (violin maker) Andreas Preuss".

 Sunday November 12

International House of Japan (国際文化会館)

Between Roppongi and Azabu-juban stations on Toriii zaka.

See their website or call them for directions.

3:00-5:00

With simple dinner or drinks in the International House cafe for those who want to continue the discussion.

Andreus Preuss,  originally from Juelich Germany, is a meister (official master craftsman) who  established his atelier for the making and repair of violins/stringed instruments in Toshima-ku more than a decade ago.

His life story is a fascinating account of international apprenticeship, study and effort to make once again the great violins of the 18th century produced by Stradivari and Guarnieri. 

 While we will let him tell his story and discuss a few  of the interesting technical aspects of violin making, let me begin by saying we Unitarians are seekers--how do you set nearly impossible goals and persevere to create  a life with meaning and impact for good on others?

 To spark your interest however  let me say that around 40 years ago Andreus (born in a violin producing tiny German community), as a violin loving but naive 19 year old, plunged into learning Japanese and living in Japan in order to apprentice with the most dedicated meister he could find>> MURATA Zoroku (the first Japanese to be trained in Germany  to receive the certification of meister). 

Andreus' research and work then took him again to Europe and to NYCity, before he came back to open his own business.

I look forward to seeing you on November 12.

Please being a friend (we have a larger room).

Your moderator (who has been distracted traveling in Vietnam),

Peggy Kanada 

Sept Meeting - NOH and Unitarian priniciples

Dear friends and members of the Fellowship,

I have more details about our upcoming meeting.

Sunday September 10   3:00-5:00 pm.

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

Everyone welcome for refreshments or dinner in the I House Cafe for those who can stay and join our speakers.   

See the International House website for map or call for directions. 

Between Roppongi and Azabu Juban subway stations.

The presentation is entitled "Like Leaves of Autumn." 

It is  a joint project (lecture, visual presentation and discussion) of  Kenneth Lawrence and his wife, sumi-e painter Kumiko. 

It will explore how themes (especially grounded in Buddhism)  in the traditional performance of NOH link up to core values expressed in Five Principles of  the Unitarian/ Universalists---

>inherent worth of every person

>compassion

>our search for meaning/truth

>importance of personal conscience

>respect for the interdependent web of existence.

The Lawrences are  based in the Seattle area, but in recent years have traveled to make presentations in many places. This includes  recently at Sakuracon (Pacific Northwest anime convention) and Hawaii (2015). 

Kumiko, whose paintings we will see, comes from a family of Noh performers. 

They met in 1990. 

Kenneth is an educator(ESL) , author and journalist.  He studied music and Asian theater, receiving an MA from the University of Hawaii in 2003 after many years in Tokyo, including at the International Theater Institute of the National Noh Gakudo (1988-96) and later as  journal editor and  writer all while studying Noh performance.  I understand his later studies of Asian theater traditions have also made him an expert in Himalayan singing bowl healing. 

 He writes that he hopes the presentation will help us to transform "life's uncertainties into a sense of tranquility, appreciation and wonder."

your moderator,

Peggy Kanada

PS 

October 8 Fellowship meeting will feature Paul McCarthy talking about  "The recent movie "Silence" (based on Endo's famous novel)."

November 12 Andreas Preuss

 "Making Violins in Japan--the search to replicate a Stradivarius instrument"

July 17 summer gathering details

Dear friends and members of the Fellowship, All (including your guests) are welcome to join our informal summer gathering. July 17 (Monday holiday) 5:00-8:00 Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan 20th Floor Denki Builiding Yurakucho Station (Denki biru is one minute diagonally across from BIC camera.) Also accessible from subway underground (be careful there are two sets of elevators). Please let me know if you will attend to hold seats for you (but last minute attendees are welcome--should be no problem). Pay as you go (very reasonable prices>> at most 4,000yen for full course dinner with drinks(note plural) and dessert/coffee if you choose). Wide variety of food including vegetarian. Snacks and light foods like pizza also available. We will ask for a donation of 500yen towards our FCCJ member sponsor's dinner since our Fellowship member Pauline Reich will not be able to attend. It was Pauline's good suggestion to meet at FCCJ and we are sorry that our initial date of July 9 and also the 17th did not in the end work with her schedule.             Have a good sumer if we do not see you! Next regular meeting at International House on Sept a10 at 3:00. Peggy Kanada, moderator

Summer meeting postponed to July 17

Dear friends and members of the Fellowship,

Unfortunately our member Pauline is still away and my backup sponsor for our gathering at the Foreign Correspondent's Club is unable to come after all on July 9.(We must have a FCC Jmember present to use the dining room).

It is such a convenient location and reasonable price for nice food that we have tentatively rescheduled

for Monday July 17 (a holiday).  

5:00 to 8:00

Please let me know if you are planning to come.

 I will send out a RECONFIRMATION and more detailed directions as soon as we have the OK from the club again.

I had a very busy time in New Orleans with the Unitarian Universalist Association (of N America) annual meeting-- called the General Assembly. I returned June 30th.

 Eliminating the mindset (sometimes unconscious) of white racial supremacy was a main theme.

Among many workshops, music, and services  interesting speakers included legal activist Bryan Stevenson (most recent book is "Just Mercy") and CLF (the newsletter we often use) leader, the Rev Meg Riley "Improvising Faith Off the Binary." 

President Tom Andrews of Unitarian Universalist Service Committee presented the 2017 E.Roosevelt award to Linda Sarsour-- Palestian-American political activist and one of the leaders of the Woman's March on Washington in jan 2017-- who gave another a stirring progressive speech. 

Susan Frederick-Gray was elected the new UUA president. The first woman in the history of the organization.

Looking forward to seeing you on July 17 --or else at our NEXT regular meeting on September 10th.

Peggy Kanada, moderator

Cancel and reschedule for Summer Gathering July 9 >July 17?

Summer gathering 2017 of Unitarian Fellowship on July 9 CANCELED but rescheduling it, (possibly to July 17,Monday.) Dear friends and members of the Fellowship, Unfortunately our member Pauline is still away and my backup sponsor for our gathering at the Foreign Correspondent's Club is unable to come after all on July 9.(We must have a FCCJmember present to use the dining room). It is such a convenient location and reasonable price for nice food that we have tentatively rescheduled for Monday July 17 (a holiday). 5:00 to 8:00 Please let me know if you are planning to come. I will send out a RECONFIRMATION and more detailed directions as soon as we have the OK from the club again. I had a very busy time in New Orleans with the Unitarian Universalist Association (of N America) annual meeting-- called the General Assembly. I returned June 30th. Eliminating the mindset (sometimes unconscious) of white racial supremacy was a main theme. Among many workshops, music, and services interesting speakers included legal activist Bryan Stevenson (most recent book is "Just Mercy") and CLF (the newsletter we often use) leader, the Rev Meg Riley "Improvising Faith Off the Binary." President Tom Andrews of Unitarian Universalist Service Committee presented the 2017 E.Roosevelt award to Linda Sarsour-- Palestian-American political activist and one of the leaders of the Woman's March on Washington in jan 2017-- who gave another a stirring progressive speech. Susan Frederick-Gray was elected the new UUA president. The first woman in the history of the organization. Looking forward to seeing you on July 17 --or else at our NEXT regular meeting on September 10th. Peggy Kanada, moderator

June 11 Jewish Belief and Practices - Rabbi Sudekevich

Dear friends and members of the Fellowship. 

We are holding our usual second Sunday of the month meeting.

Sorry for the late announcement --it was difficult to confirm our speaker.

3:00-5:00 pm

at International House of Japan.

(Near Azabu-Juban or Roppongi stations).

We are fortunate to have Rabbi Mendi Sudakevich who will talk and answer our questions about  the basic principles of Jewish Belief and Practices and will touch upon the history of Jews in Japan.

Please join us for a convivial and undoubtedly interesting discussion.

Rabbi Mendi is a teacher/leader with the Chabad Lubavitch group.

He will not join us for dinner because the Cafe does not provide Kosher food service.

And save Sunday July 9 (5:00 to 8:00pm) for our relaxed summer get-together.

Details to follow soon.

 Note: There are no REGULAR meetings in July and August.

Your moderator

Peggy Kanada