Newsletter

- Samuel Davidson

Ten years ago when the Bulls won their last NBA championship Tamil UCC began meeting at this Westchester facility. Since then the Bulls have been building and rebuilding! And so have we.

I love my church. I want to invest everything in my church and I want my church to invest everything in God. I make sure that I do my best for the church and the church does the same. It sounds simple. But it is as selfish as it sounds. In the movie Ben-Hur, Messala, the Roman friend of Judah Ben-Hur angrily shouts at a centurion for not respecting Ben-Hur, "This was his country before it was ours. Don't forget that". I can imagine God chiding me, "This is my church before it was yours. Don't forget that. And it will always be".

Every time I think of this as my church, I've learnt to realize that it is God's church, a small part of his universal church. There is no room for my personal wishes, preferences, feelings or agenda. The body has many members. Every part has to do what it is supposed to do and stop worrying about the others.

Scott Skiles was fairly successfully in the post-Jordan era. He coached the Bulls to three consecutive playoffs seasons. But I read somewhere that he was fired this year because he lost faith in the players. Looking back at the past six years I've been here, I must admit that I had given up hope a few times. I had looked at events and people. I had been quick to judge and I had judged without mercy.

I've realized that it is no use beating up people (figuratively!) for the good of the church. After all, people are the church. Paul's advice to the Philippians to consider others better than themselves makes sense. My righteousness, filthy rags as Isaiah calls it, doesn't benefit me. It is of no use to God and it is a stumbling block to my brother. I'd rather lose my righteousness and lift up my brother than thump the Bible and prove my point.

So, what have the Bulls achieved the past ten years? Not much frankly, but they have built a team. They've played like a team. And as long as they are a team there is still hope. They might not win the NBA championship for a few more years but they will continue to play and so will we.

- தேவப் பிரியன்

திருக்குறள் says,

பொறுத்தல் இறப்பினை என்றும் அதனை
மறத்தல் அதனினும் நன்று (குறள் #152)

வரம்பு கடந்து பிறர் செய்த தீங்கை எப்போதும் பொறுத்தல் நன்று, அத்தீங்கை நினைவிலும் கொள்ளாமல் மறந்துவிடுதல் பொறுத்தலைவிட நல்லது.

Forgiving trespasses is good always; forgetting them hath even higher praise.

திருமறை says,

யாக்கோபு 1:2-4ல் நீங்கள் பலவிதமான சோதனைகளில் அகப்படும்போது, உங்கள் விசுவாசத்திம் பரீட்சையானது பொறுமையை உண்டாக்குமென்று அறிந்து, அதை மிகுந்த சந்தோஷமாக எண்ணுங்கள். நாம் பொறுமையாய் இருந்தால் கர்தருக்குள் முழுமை அடைகிறோம்.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

- Joe Kingsly

தகாத சிந்தனைக்கு ஒப்புக்கொடுக்கும் தேவன்

The ulahanathans are the oldest family in our church, not by age but by attendance and membership! They have been attending our church since November of 1998. In fact, only pastor has been here longer than them. In recognition of their long service to this church here is a short interview with them about their experience with our church.

Preethi : How and when did you first come to our church?
Ulahanathan : The first event I attended was the Monthly Tamil fellowship. I was asked to give a ride to that day’s speaker by someone at the church I was attending. That is how I came to know of this church.

Preethi: What was your first reaction and experience at this church?
Ulahanathan/Sashi: We both enjoyed the Tamil fellowship very much. It was very different from the experience at the American church we were attending.

Preethi: What was your first involvement at this church?
Ulahanathan : I took responsibility for the carol rounds, preparing the schedule and contacting everyone.
Sashi: I started helping out in the Sunday school from January of 2001 after the person responsible for the Sunday school left. We were a team of about three volunteers.

Preethi: What made you stay?
Ulahanathan : It was the Tamil fellowship. We were so happy to be in a group of our own people.

Preethi: Do you miss anything now that you had then?
Ulahanathan : There were some elderly people in our church before. They were like father figures to me. I was touched by their hospitability and affection. I miss that kind of a fellowship.

Preethi: Would you like to say something to our new members and visitors?
Ulahanathan : Yes, I would advise them to stick with the church for their own good. There will be petty differences, misunderstanding and problems. But they should learn to compromise. It will benefit them in the long run.

Crossword No. 13 (Interactive)

Congratulations! Correct entries for Crossword No. 12 submitted by
Edith & Adeline Andrews, Chennai, India
Charles, Cynthia and Kids, Hoffman Estates, IL

TUCC newsletter is a publication of Tamil United Church of Christ, Chicago
All articles represent the views of the authors only (whether disclosed or undisclosed) and should not be assumed to represent the view of TUCC.