Plan now to attend!

THE 2007 WOMEN’S CONFERENCE at Amagisanso, Izu Peninsula
January 26-28, 2007
Share this information wioth women friends and women in your congregation!!

The Women’s Conference began as a gathering of missionary wives in 1957; now it has grown to embrace all women who wish to share in the unique tradition of the Women’s Conference. Though the numbers may vary (between 60-100 each year), women of faith come from all over Japan and sometimes Asia, making us ecumenical and international. The programs are rooted in God’s love and sharing that love with one another. There is no parent organization; each year the focus on Christian love and care is entrusted to a new planning committee for the following year, and each year hearts are warmed and spirits are renewed in blessings and friendships.

“Gold” can be God or golden opportunities or whatever is most precious to you. “Purple” may stand for women or sacrifice or meditation or service. Hiromi Tabuchi, a quilting teacher in Kobe, is preparing a special banner for the conference, and Judy will bring her purple and maroon and blue Amish quilt; Sarah Oba will display a colorful table cover. Do you have something to share\an object or an idea?

Let’s celebrate 50 years of women’s conferences with JUBILATION, with worship, with discussion, and with two terrific speakers:

(1) Rev. Mariellen Sawada Yoshino is minister of Wesley United Methodist Church in San Jose, California. She’s a top preacher, who teaches sermonizing at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley. Her parents were once missionaries in Japan, and she has a special love for the country. Often, she leads Bible groups, such as “Disciple.” She’s had a recent bout of Guillian Barre syndrome, but has bounced back. Several members of Wesley Church will be coming with her. Oh, she’s a great listener, too!

(2) Dr. Talia McCray is from the other side of the continent--Rhode Island. She is now an assistant professor at the university there, with a specialization in transportation systems. Judy studied Global Health with her several years ago. As an African American, she is particularly concerned with attitude and behavior on school and city buses. Also, she’s eager to explore how we use SPACE. Her faith is expressed through social witness. Among the countries where she has lived and taught is Japan.

Each year about one-third of the attendees are new; old-timers keep coming back. ALL are welcome. This is a time for YOU to become more open to the leading of the Spirit, eagerly embracing new thoughts, and new friends. Let’s make the 50th year one to really remember!

Workshops

BIBLE FOR THIS YEAR:
Leader: Judy Newton of Hiroshima Jogakuin University
We will relive the Old Testament book of Ruth, with special emphasis on loyalty and enterprise. From the Apocrypha we choose Judith, featuring a wise, beautiful woman with a daring plan. From 2001 to 2003 I taught the Bible study with the minister of Kobe Union Church, surveying the entire book, then concentrating on Genesis-Exodus, Luke-Acts, with classes of 15 and 8. What a disturbing, comforting book, full of stories, rules, and inspiration!

CHRISTIAN NOH
Leader: Yuko Yuasa of Doshisha University
For years now, Yuko has studied Noh drama and written adaptations for Christian use. She has produced a striking video. Masako Nakajima will join her in demonstrating this art.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Leader: Leny of Kalakasan
This seminar will focus on mistreatment of women from the Philippines.

JAPANESE DRUMS
Leader: Jun Stinson (Yuri Mori’s daughter)
Graduate of Claremont. Wadaiko is the heartbeat of Japan. It takes more strength than you can imagine, but practice leads to great satisfaction.

PSALMS AT THE BEDSIDE: PASTORAL MUSIC MINISTRY IN HARP AND VOICE
Leader: Carol Sack, missionary of Evangelical Lutheran Church
According to Carol (adapted), “Having served in Japan since 1972, I am now based in Tokyo, with special interests in social service, including mentally challenged, homeless, imprisoned, and terminally ill. Currently director of Lyra Precaria Lyre-Prayer”, an 18-month training program that teaches Japanese women to use harp and voice in prayerful presence at the bedside. Volunteers in Sanya.

PUPPETS AND SERMONS
Leader: Ruth Ingelsrud, based in Tokyo
With a blend of Bible and humor, Ruth lets her puppets lead us toward a greater understanding of divine messages.

TEA CEREMONY
Leader: Mary Beyler, Mennonite missionary in Hokkaido
Mary writes (adapted), Studying tea ceremony (Omotesenke) has been an oasis in my life since 1978. For my M.Div degree, I wrote Tea Ceremony as My Training for Ministry in Japan. To sustain me in my work with Mennonite churches, I find restorative time and space not only through tea ceremony, but also by walking and in onsen. I will whisk up matcha (thick green tea) in tea bowls. No experience necessary. I will provide simple instruction and intend to create a calm, relaxing atmosphere.

WRITING FROM WITHIN
Leader: Angela Jeffs, columnist for Japan Times
In this two-hour workshop, Angela will guide us to draw on the Writer Within. This workshop will focus on Propriopceptive Writing a form of soul searching on paper that uses Baroque music, candlelight and one simple question to lead you into self-revelation (limited to 10 participants)

Registration Information

How to Register

Use Postal Money Order (furikae) and send to Acct. # 00240-3-29031, “Women’s Conference”; send above registration form to:

Sarah Oba, Treasurer of Women’s Conference
Room 51, Japan Christian Center
2-3-18 Nishi Waseda, Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo 169-0051 FAX: 03-3202-9647
E-MAIL: SarahOba@gol.com

If you need FINANCIAL HELP, please let Sarah know. Priority is given to those who are in fulltime Christian service positions.

More questions? Get in touch with the chair, JUDY NEWTON, 082-228--1178 (mayjudy3@aol.com) or registrar, IKUKO CHUJO (amagi2007@yahoo.co.jp).

Getting There

AMAGI SANSO RETREAT
Yugashima 2860, Amagi Yugashima-cho
Tagata-gun, Shizuoka-ken 410-3206
Telephone: 0558-85-0625
Fax: 0558-85-1705
Toll Free: 0120-85-0625

AMAGI SANSO is a well-known retreat center in the midst of nature’s beauty.

Ñ Train:

Ñ Car: Tomei Expressway to Numazu I.C., exit straight ahead on Route 161 to Route 1 (follow signs to Shimoda all the way), continuing onto Route 136. Turn right at 'GOTO' onto Izu Chuo Do Toll Road; OR Straight ahead past Shuzenji (about 1 hour). Take Route 414. Amagi Sanso is about 20 minutes beyond, on right. (Numazu I.C. to Amagi Sanso 37 km.)

GOLD and PURPLE in the BIBLE

Gold

Genesis 41:42 Removing his signet ring from his hand, Pharoah put it on Joseph’s hand; he arrayed him in garments of fine linen, and put a gold chain around his neck.

Exodus 25:17 Then you shall make a mercy seat [or cover] of fine gold...

Exodus 32:2-4 2 Aaron said to them, “Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took the gold from them, and formed it in a mold, and cast an image of a calf; and they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” [plural used!]

Psalm 19:10 More are [the Lord’s ordinances] to be desired than gold, even much fine gold;...

Proverbs 11:22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without good sense.

Matthew 2:11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and [the wise men from the East] knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Revelation 21:18 The wall is built of jasper, while the city is pure gold, clear as glass.

Gold and Purple

Esther 1:6 There were white cotton curtains and blue hangings tied with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and colored stones [in the king’s palace].

Song of Solomon 3:10 [King Solomon] made [the palanquin’s] posts of silver, its back of gold, its seat of purple; its interior was inlaid with love.

Daniel 5:29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed in purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made concerning him that he should rank third in the kingdom.

Judith 10:21 Holofernes was resting on his bed under a canopy that was woven with purple and gold, emeralds and other precious stones.

AddEs 8:15 Mordecai went out dressed in the royal robe and wearing a gold crown and a turban of purple linen. The people in Susa rejoiced on seeing him.

Sirach 45:10 . . . [Aaron], with the sacred vestment of gold and violet and purple, the work of an embroiderer.

1 Maccabees 11:58 [Trypho] also sent [Jonathan] gold plates and a table service, and granted him the right to drink from gold cups and dress in purple and wear a gold buckle.

Purple

Luke 16:19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.”

John 19:5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”

Acts 16:14 A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul.