Message from Pastor Mori
Dear RFUMC Family
Happy Lunar New Year
Last Tuesday was Lunar New Year Day. Since I have lived in America, it is so unusual to say, "Happy New Year," in February, however, having two New Year Days is a blessing because I feel like I have a second chance to restart. I can remake New Year's resolutions and I can plan again for the new year.
My New Year Prayer remains the same: I pray every day for Ravenswood Fellowship and our ministry; I prayed to God for clear vision for the church during January. I need a clear vision. I don't like the vague situation that COVID-19 creates. This unknown pandemic leads us to believe that everything is uncertain. As pathology data is updated, things change everyday and it is hard to make long-term goals, we don't even know tomorrow's situation. So, I was frustrated in my situation and prayer to God since I want to have clear ministry goal.
On Lunar New Year Day a ministry vision for the RFUMC became clearer.
When we worked last Tuesday, Donna gave me the 15th Anniversary booklet of the Fellowship Church. It was published in 1965. I saw the picture of Rev. Victor Fujiu and Assistant Pastors Rev. D. Goodloe Love, Rev. Finess Flores, and Rev Issei-ken Ide. They wrote about the purpose of the Christian Fellowship church.
- The church is to be a Neighbor in the world giving practical sympathy patterned after the Good Samaritan. Christians today must act in group and social situations with sympathetic concern for justice and fairness.
- The church is the maker of disciples. Disciples are individuals who are free to love God and man and thereby able to fulfill the great commandments. Th church encourages individuals to act courageously and work sacrificially and redemptively in the world.
- The church is to be a working and sympathetic Unity. Instead of feelings of jealously or superiority, Christians should have feelings of sympathy; suffering when others suffer and rejoicing when others receive honor. There are no cultural or racial barriers a Christian cannot overcome with a spirit of adventure and sympathetic love under the brotherhood of God. (If you want to see the original statement, click here)
When I read the purpose of the church, I felt my heart filling with courage and hope. I cannot meet Rev. Fujiu and the other pastors, but I feel like they said to me, "Mori we have started, and we have walked through this way. Now, it is your turn to walk." Fifty-seven years ago "the purpose of the church" they wrote is not much different from RFUMC's current statement. We are still working for "justice" and "fairness" and "making disciples" and "loving God" and we are still suffering together for our marginal neighbors.
This little old book from 1965, said to me don't give up dreaming.
They gave us the legacy of Ravenswood Fellowship and today I stand here as a young, female, Asian immigrant pastor.
As I read their strong voice about the church and the world, I hear their love toward God and I clearly see that what I need to do during 2022.
So I am saying to you: Happy New Year !!
Mori | 
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