World Communion Sunday Was Celebrated October 6

Bethany observed World Communion Sunday—the day Christian congregations across the globe all take communion together—at the October 6 worship service. Many thanks to those who contributed items from their own family cultural heritage or travels to help decorate the worship table!

Rev. Janice Kamikawa, who serves on the Presbyterian Church Committee on the Self-Development of People, delivered a message entitled “God Who Sees and Listens to the Voices of the Suffering.”

Assisting in the serving of communion today were Jim Davis, Cathy Sapunor and Tom Uhrhammer.

"Samurai's Garden" is Summer 2020 Book Study

Join us for a book study of S.F. Bay Area author Gail Tsukiyama’s acclaimed 1994 novel The Samurai’s Garden. We’ll meet in an outdoor, socially distant-appropriate setting (or you can participate through Zoom) three Thursdays at 10 a.m.:

• July 9

• July 16

• July 23

You can attend any or all of the sessions. 

Location: Home of Cathy Sapunor. Contact the church office for directions or Zoom log-in details.

Wear your mask. Chair and table surfaces will be sanitized before each gathering. We will have ample shade, but please bring your own water because you know how warm these Sacramento mornings can get! Probably fewer than 8 people will be in attendance.

Books (good-quality used paperback) will be available for $6 each starting June 30.

Set in Japan in days leading up to WW II, The Samurai’s Garden features romance . . . a story of isolation due to illness  . . . and memorable characters struggling with prejudice, distrust and anxiety . . . set amidst the appreciation of nature — making it an ideal read for the turbulent and uncertain times of our 2020 summer.

To sign up, send an e-mail indicating your interest. Let us know if you need a book ordered for you.

“An extraordinary graceful and moving novel about goodness and beauty. Tsukiyama is a wise and spellbinding storytelling.” —Booklist

The book study will be co-led by Rev. Janice Kamikawa and Cathy Sapunor. 

All are invited to attend.

Sacramento Area Presbyterians Speak Out Against Racism

Leadership of Sacramento Presbytery and Stockton Presbytery issued a letter denouncing the rising mistreatment of Asian Americans since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people in the U.S. continue to place blame for the virus on those of Asian descent—another example of racial discrimination that is too prevalent in communities today. Bethany’s own Rev. Janice Kamikawa assisted in drafting the letter. You can read this very important letter here.

1,000 origami cranes (right) were placed on the memorial site at Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Plaza.

The origami crane—tsuru—symbolizes hope, compassion, healing and peace. On June 4th a group of us came together as 1,000 tsuru—from Tsuru for Solidarity and Florin Japanese American Citizens League—were brought to the César E. Chávez Memorial Plaza in memory and honor of George Floyd and many Black lives tragically killed. Our hearts are broken, and we grieve. I join with others in crying out for justice and systemic changes and reforms, and for the future hope that everyone would be treated equally with dignity and respect. I hold in my heart that God is a God of justice and a God of mercy and hope.
—Rev. Janice Kamikawa.

““The church has an opportunity to be Jesus that confronts the dangerous virus of racism by creating a ‘social distancing’ of such behavior … Racist behaviors spread if nothing is done to stop them. The church can isolate such hatred by speaking against it clearly, unwaveringly and continuously. If we remain silent, we condone it. It we cease to call it wrong, then we normalize it.””

— Quote Source— Rev. Samuel Son, PC(USA)