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December 2018No. 400

Christmas: A Time to Celebrate the Birth of our Savior

by Chibana Sugako, Kyodan missionary Sakai Keishi Memorial Church Pirapo Free Methodist Church, Paraguay

Every year Christmas is celebrated around the world. Here in Paraguay, the Christmas vacation begins in mid-December. People who are working far from home use this time to return to their hometowns to celebrate Christmas and enjoy being with family. Once Christmas Eve becomes Christmas Day, people light fireworks, and the greetings “Felicidades de navidad!” (Merry Christmas) can be heard.

Why is Christmas a time to celebrate? Is it because families are able to come together to see each other and celebrate their growth and safety? Of course, that is something to celebrate. However, the real reason for celebration is something else. The reason is that good news “which will bring great joy to all the people” (Luke 2:10b) was announced. That good news was the birth of our savior, the news that Jesus Christ has come from Heaven to dwell with us on earth. Therefore, at Christmas we remember this event and worship together. Christmas literally means “Christ’s Mass,” or “the worship of Christ.”

The events of that first Christmas are recorded in the Gospel of Luke. On a winter evening, angels appeared and, in an instant, a dark sky became as bright as noonday. The angels announced the joyful news of the birth of the savior. This news was first announced to poor shepherds. It seems that shepherds were looked down upon by the average Jew in those days, and generally avoided. They were poor, with no social standing. However, it was to these poor and powerless people that God first chose to share the good news of Christmas.

After the angels announced the birth of the savior to the shepherds, they told them, “You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” As the surprised shepherds looked upward, a great army of angels gathered, singing “Glory to God in the highest heaven” in loud voices of praise.

So what do you think the shepherds did after they heard the chorus of angels? Did they doubt the angels, saying “There is no way that our savior will be born in the manger of a stable.” No they didn’t. They believed the angels and quickly took action. They hurried to the stable where they found Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus. With their own eyes they were able to see Christ.

After that, “The shepherds went back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel had told them.” (Luke 2:20) In this way, the first Christmas was presented to us by poor shepherds who dwelt at the lowest level of society. After praising the baby Jesus with great joy, they returned to their homes. But they did not keep their joy to themselves, they shared their story of Jesus’ birth with everyone they met. In other words, they were evangelists. It’s a great story, isn't it!

These shepherds did not yet know how salvation through this baby would work, but I believe that their experience had given them the conviction that this child would remember them and save them. Those of us living today know how Jesus saved us. Yes, we know that our salvation came through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Christ, through giving his life in our place on the cross, has atoned for our sins. And through his resurrection on the third day, our sins have been forgiven, and we have been given eternal life.

We are certain that Christ came to earth. And Christ has told us, “I will be with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20) Because the Lord is always beside us, there is no reason to fear death, nor is there a need for us to fear what the future holds for us. Rather, let us depend upon the Lord, and like the shepherds, let us praise Him as we continue our Christian journey. (Tr. JS)

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No. 400, December 2018Kyodan Newsletter 2

General Assembly Elects Officers, Signs New Mission Agreement

The 41st Kyodan General Assembly was held Oct. 23–25 at the Hotel Metropolitan in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, with the theme "Building Up an Evangelistic Kyodan—Recovering the Life and Vitality of Evangelism." Of the allotted 400 delegates, 376 were in attendance.

Moderator Ishibashi Hideo began with an apology for the 17-month vacancy in the possition of general secretary and reported on the process of choosing a new candidate, which led to the election of General Secretary Akiyama Toru who officially assumed this role in April 2018. The moderator's report contained the following statistic: The number of baptisms during 2016 was 939, the lowest number on record. Thus the need for the theme, "Recovering the Life and Vitality of Evangelism." To address this need, it was proposed that a task force on evangelism in the Kyodan be established, consisting of the Kyodan moderator, vice-moderator, and secretary along with eight district moderators and eight Executive Council members. This task force would prepare a proposal on structural reform to the 42nd Kyodan General Assembly in 2020.

In his report, General Secretary Akiyama Toru reported on the continuing recovery programs related to the 2011 Great East Japan Disaster and the 2017 Kumamoto/Oita Earthquake, along with the response of the Natural Disaster Relief Task Force he set up to deal with the various disasters that occurred this year during the period of July through September. These included the earthquake in northern Osaka, the floods in western Japan, the earthquake in eastern Iburi in Hokkaido, and Typhoon #21 (called Jebi by Western media).

The election of Kyodan leaders resulted in the reelection of Ishibashi Hideo as moderator for a fifth term. In the election of vice-moderator, the top two nominees continued to the second round, with the result that Kuze Sorachi was chosen for his first term. The selection of secretary was based on the recommendation of the moderator and vice-moderator, with Kumoshikari Toshimi being confirmed for a fifth term. Of the 14 clergy elected to the Executive Council for the two-year term of

the 41st General Assembly Period, 8 were first-timers, and 6 of the 13 lay members on the council will also be serving for the first time.

On the second day, the delegates discussed the mutual mission agreement with the Gereja Masehi Injili di Minahasa (GMIM) [Christian Evangelical Church in Minahasa]. The GMIM consists of about one million adherents in approximately 1,000 churches centered on the Minahasa Peninsula in the northern part of the island of Sulawesi.Relations with the Kyodan began in 1942, when the Japanese military began its occupation and the Education Ministry sent Japanese pastors there with a mandate to convince the Indonesians to cooperate with Japan’s war efforts. The Kyodan sent doctors and others to serve the people through “atonement activities" during the postwar years and then later under the Mission 21 Program. Other relationships were also formed, particularly with Kanto District. Following a question-and-answer session, the proposal was formally passed, and the signing ceremony for the mutual mission agreement was held in the afternoon. Following the signing, GMIM Moderator Hein Arina expressed his thanksgiving to God for divine guidance, and Moderator Ishibashi said, "I have signed this agreement in a spirit of repentance for our sins during Japan's war of aggression while asking for forgiveness from our neighbors. I rejoice from the bottom of my heart at this signing ceremony." (Tr. TB)

—Kato Makoto, executive secretary

Lft.-Rt.: Secretary Kumoshikari Toshimi, Moderator Ishibashi Hideo, Vice-moderator Kuze Sorachi and General Secretary Akiyama Toru

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No. 400, December 20183Kyodan Newsletter

The Spirit of the Founders of Tokyo Woman’s Christian University

by Sano Masako, professor of Christian Studies Division of Humanities, School of Arts and Sciences Tokyo Woman’s Christian University Tokyo Woman’s Christian University (TWCU), one of the first Christian schools of higher education for women in Japan, was established in 1918, making the year 2018 the 100th anniversary of its founding. According to the Japanese education system at the time, the door to higher education was closed to women, so we began as a vocational school with a curriculum that was equivalent to a university standard. The English name used at the time of its establishment was, “Woman’s Christian College of Japan,” and after World War II, it was renamed “Tokyo Woman’s Christian College.” In 1976, it was renamed again Tokyo Woman’s Christian University. The challenge faced when establishing the college was to open a new era of education in Japan and provide higher education for women.The reason the singular “woman” was used in the English name of the university was the desire to emphasize the importance of each individual.

The beginning of our university can be traced back to the World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh in June 1910. In the ecumenical spirit that was evident among the various denominations participating in the conference, a proposal was made to “establish Christian schools of higher education in the Orient.” The following year the head of the education committee in the U.S., Dr. John F. Goucher, came to Japan and met with teachers and missionaries of various denominations to discuss the possibility of establishing Christian institutions of higher education in Japan. As a result, in December 1912, a committee to promote education for women in Japan was formed in the U.S. with the cooperation of several Protestant denominations, and they worked to include the various special disciplines of women’s schools under one roof into one university.The six missions that collaborated in the founding of this university were:

1. The American Baptist Church,2. The Church of Christ (also known as The Disciples),3. The Canadian Methodist Church,4. The United Methodist Church,5. The Presbyterian Church U.S.A., and6. The Reformed Church in America.

At the time of our founding, the board of directors consisted of ten mission school representatives from the six missions and five Japanese Christians, and the establishment of TWCU was the result of the cooperation and prayers of those people from within and outside Japan.

Dr. Nitobe Inazo (our first president), Miss Yasui Tetsu (dean), and Dr. A.K. Reischauer (managing director) were the three persons who laid the cornerstone of TWCU. President Nitobe was a professor at Sapporo Agricultural College, the principal of First Higher School, Japan, and a professor at Tokyo Imperial University. Later he became an under-secretary general of the League of Nations. In his speech at our first graduation ceremony, he said the following concerning the type of education that is the goal of TWCU. “The principles of this institution are that we wish to take seriously individuality rooted in the Christian

spirit, see those who are known as the smallest in the world as God’s children, and accomplish this by choosing insight over knowledge, valuing character over academic ability, and cultivating persons rather than human resources.” Against the present trend of valuing usefulness, President Nitobe transcended the mindset of the time by encouraging “respecting one’s character” and “working to cultivate persons.”

Having worked with President Nitobe, the superintendent, Miss Yasui, became the second president in 1923 and worked diligently to keep the university on track by holding worship every day even during a period darkened by war with China and World War II. Meiji Gakuin High School Principal A.K. Reischauer supported us as a founding representative and senior director throughout the early years with our financial difficulties.

Along with the main building and lecture hall, the white chapel built by Antonin Raymond in 1938 escaped damage during World War II, in part due to it being painted black along with the other buildings so as not to be conspicuous. The white steeple of the chapel, seen at one’s right when entering the main gate, remains a symbol of our university. Worship takes place daily from Monday through Friday from 10:30 to 10:50 a.m., and is attended by about 100 students. The stained glass on the front center and on the left and right sides of the chapel enhances the beautiful morning rays of the sun while soothing music is played on the organ. Through hymns, Bible reading, and listening to the sermon, students meet God, reflect on themselves spiritually, and are able to experience transcendence. So I believe that the worship experience has nurtured the formation of personality.

For the last 100 years, we have valued education that enhances personality formation based on Christianity by fostering each student with care. This is our educational philosophy. We have inherited that spirit and philosophy from the founders of our university, and no matter how much the needs of society change, “all that is truth” (QUAECUNQUE SUNT VERA) will be remembered in our hearts. This phrase (taken from Phil. 4:8), is our motto, which is engraved in Latin on the front of our main building, and we are committed to continuing this course for the next 100 years. (Tr. WJ)

Members of the graduating class of 1927

The main building of Tokyo Woman's Christian University

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No. 400, December 2018Kyodan Newsletter 4

Youth Mission in Taiwan Report by Ishida Shinichiro, executive secretaryThe Youth Mission in Taiwan is an exchange of youth from the Kyodan and the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) and was held Aug. 17-27. Four Japanese youth who responded to an appeal in the Shinpo (The Kyodan Times) and one pastor visited Taiwan. On the Taiwanese side, four young adults (Taiwanese, Chinese, Japanese, and English speakers) guided the delegation from Taipei to Kaoshiung. Many of the members from both sides had become friends at the Youth Mission events in Japan (at Karuizawa, etc.) and the Tohoku District Camp of two years ago. This time, the Japanese side appointed a leader as well. A devotional time was held almost every morning and evening, with participants taking turns in leading as they read the Bible together and discussing what they read.

On Sunday, Aug. 19, we separated into four groups and worshiped in four churches in Taipei, interacting with youth of Sanyi Church in Miaoli County in the evening. From Aug. 20 we spent three nights at the PCT camp in central Taiwan. Built for the purpose of youth evangelism through assets given by Rev. Xia Wei, it is well used for nurturing the faith of youth. We learned that the continuation of the youth evangelism program has brought a harvest. The youth reciprocally introduced their churches and denominations and enjoyed going mountain climbing.

On Aug. 21 we met with persons in Snuwing Church (a church of the Seediq people) near the site of the Wushe Incident.* Those of advanced age spoke Japanese and were skillful in the art of weaving. The latter half of the day we toured the cities of Taichung and Kaoshiung and learned that during World War II, Kaoshiung had been bombed. That evening we enjoyed a “night market” there. On Sunday, Aug. 26, we all attended worship at Hsin Chuang Church in Kaoshiung (in Mandarin) and were given an opportunity to sing hymns in Japanese. The four churches

I visited had drum sets and guitars, offering up traditional and the latest hymns.

Many Taiwanese are favorable toward Japan, but we also met people with harsh feelings. This is because of Japan’s colonial rule between 1895 and 1945. We must not forget that fact. But the Youth Mission participants interacted cordially and experienced a wonderful stimulus to their faith. I really hope this program is continued. (Tr. RT)________________*The Wushe Incident, also known as the Musha Rebellion and several other similar names, began in October 1930 and was the last major uprising in Taiwan against Japanese colonial rule. In response to long-term oppression by Japanese authorities, the Seediq indigenous group in Wushe (Musha) attacked the village, killing over 130 Japanese. In response, Japanese forces led a relentless counter-attack, killing over 600 Seediq in retaliation. The handling of the incident by Japanese authorities was strongly criticized, leading to many changes in policy toward indigenous people.

The Response of the Kyodan and Its Districts to the 2018 Natural Disasters

In the early morning hours of September 6, a severe earthquake struck the eastern part of the Iburi district of Hokkaido. Measuring in spots up to a magnitude of 7.0 on the Japan Meteorological Agency’s Seismic Intensity Scale, the earthquake caused large-scale landslides, complete power failure across the entire island, and various disruptions of lifelines, resulting in 41 deaths. Reportedly, many families are still suffering with after-effects. Damage to churches and related buildings was not so severe, but with the help of other districts, Hokkai District has been transporting relief supplies to the heavily damaged areas of the eastern part of Iburi and is calling for funds from the entire church. Kyodan Secretary Kumoshikari Toshimi paid an official visit to the affected area, and the Kyodan is actively supporting Hokkai District in its efforts to provide mental and spiritual care.

There has been a spate of natural disasters in recent months. In July, the Kyodan set up the "West Japan Emergency Relief Fund" and called on all Kyodan churches to contribute. The donations received were added to the financial support received from the Presbyterian Church

in Taiwan (PCT) and has been used to repair damage to churches and for general relief efforts related not only to the floods in western Japan but also to the earthquake in northern Osaka, Typhoon 21 (Jebi), and now the East Iburi Earthquake. So the request from Hokkai District is being dealt with carefully to avoid wasteful overlap.

Unlike the response to the Great East Japan Disaster of 2011 and the Kumamoto-Oita Earthquake, when the Kyodan set up a Response and Support Center under the Executive Committee, this time a "Relief Planning Committee" has been formed under the general secretary, who will oversee these operations. In this time of climate change, there will no doubt continue to be large-scale natural disasters, so the Kyodan needs to take a further look at how best to respond.

Already the Kyodan is proactively working in mutual support with each district to send relief supplies and volunteers to disaster areas. Likewise, solidarity and exchanges are being furthered not only among Kyodan

Youth Mission participants with members of Snuwing Church showing cloths they have woven

(Cont'd on p. 5)

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No. 400, December 20185Kyodan Newsletter

churches but also interdenominationally—particularly among churches near affected areas —and internationally, as various church-related relief organizations send volunteers to assist. Thus, based on such experiences so far, the goal now is to further the development of this network of Kyodan churches and districts, together with other denominations both in Japan and overseas, to deal with these situations.

As mentioned above, the PCT as well as the United Church of Christ in the U.S. has sent funds to help with the relief efforts following the western Japan floods. Likewise,

the Kyodan responded to the earthquake disaster in the Donggala district of the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia by sending funds through the Gereja Masehi Injili di Minahasa (GMIM) [Christian Evangelical Church in Minahasa]. Also, the Kyodan sent $10,000 through the Evangelisches Missionswerk in Solidaritat (EMS) to help with the relief efforts in the state of Kerala in India deal with the floods that occurred there in July, which took the lives of over 20,000 people. (Tr. TB)

—Akiyama Toru, general secretary (Excerpt from a report given at the 41st Kyodan General Assembly)

Union Japanese Church of Westchester in New York by Ueda Yoko, Kyodan missionary Pastor, Union Japanese Church of WestchesterUnion Japanese Church of Westchester (UJCW) is a Japanese-language church in Scarsdale, Westchester County, New York that began worship in Japanese in September 1989. The church currently meets in the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church and receives support from the Reformed Church in America and the United Methodist Church. We are a small church, with an average Sunday worship attendance of about five people. The Japanese–language worship service is our main focus, but we also put effort into outreach activities.

It is important for Japanese Christians living abroad to have a church where they can worship comfortably in Japanese. New York has one of the largest populations of Japanese abroad, and the suburbs are home to many different kinds of people for whom Japanese is their native language, including students, businesspeople, permanent residents, and Japanese married to non-Japanese. In particular, the longer you live abroad, the more you may feel the importance of attending worship services and praying in your native language, so the majority of UJCW members and those who attend services are Japanese permanent residents of the United States. For these sisters and brothers, giving thanks and praise to God in Japanese, hearing God’s Word in Japanese, and praying together are special blessings. Worshiping every Sunday in Japanese is the reason the church exists.

Moreover, New York is the center of business in the United States, and Japanese businesspeople sent to the U.S. by their companies also come to our church. In recent years, many seem to be families with small children who have been sent for periods of three to five years. It must be reassuring for these people to have a church nearby where they can comfortably participate in worship in Japanese. In addition, because they are in the United States, some people come to church for the first time in their lives, and it is the mission of UJCW to proclaim the Gospel message to them.

With that in mind, besides our Japanese worship service and Bible study, we currently actively support the Japanese community and cooperate with the local community in doing outreach. In terms of contributing to the local community, UJCW has its own Book Club for Young Children and Families where we read English picture books to the children, and we also have a joint program with Hitchcock Presbyterian Church called Living in

America in which adults can learn English and American culture. In addition, we run a soup kitchen for homeless people in the area, and together with SMJ (Special Ministry to Japanese), a mission federation of Japanese-American churches and congregations in the New York area, we hold a summer bilingual camp for youth.

Along with all these activities, last year we launched a workshop for making seasonal crafts called Workshop@Union. It is also open to people whose native language is not Japanese, and with people from many different countries participating, has an international flavor. For people facing isolation in a foreign country with a different language and an unfamiliar culture without ties to one’s surroundings, this workshop offers a place of fellowship to connect with others and the local community through making things with their hands.

An important mission of UJCW is to serve as a bridge between U.S. and Japanese churches. It is my hope that through communication and fellowship with the people of local churches here, as well as through the outreach activities of the local people, our church will continue to be used to promote mutual understanding and to strengthen the relationship between the churches in the United States that the Kyodan partners with in mission.

UJCW will celebrate its 30th anniversary in September 2019. We give thanks to God for upholding us on this 30-year journey, and on the occasion of this 30th anniversary it is my hope that with fresh desire we will be able to serve by spreading the Good News in New York. (Tr. DB)

The author and Rev. Pete Jones and Hitchcock Presbyterian Church

(Cont'd from p. 4)

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No. 400, December 2018Kyodan Newsletter 6

Living With IllnessⅠ： A Woman's Desire to Continue Playing the Piano

by Ono Tomoko, member Oki Church, Shimane Prefecture, Nishi Chugoku DistrictNine years ago, when I was about 50 years old, I was suffering from various undiagnosed physical problems. I got tired easily; I felt lethargic; and my body hurt in various places. Furthermore, when it was cold, the tips of my fingers became white. My doctor at the hospital in Matsue told me that these symptoms were the result of scleroderma, a collagen-related disease. He further explained: “This disease cannot be healed with current medicine. We suspect that you have systemic scleroderma. Your blood flow worsens when it is cold; that is why your fingertips turn white. When that happens, be sure to warm up your fingers right away. If you don’t, your fingers may stiffen and become unable to move again. If this proceeds to your internal organs, for example, to your lungs, it could be life-threatening. Therefore, we are going to give you a large dose of adreno-cortical hormone.” When I heard this, my mind went blank.

I work as a teacher in a nursery affiliated with Oki Church, which is in Nishinoshima Island in Oki Islands. My original field of study, however, was piano, and I sometimes performed neighborhood concerts. Eventually, as my children grew up, I began to dream about spending more time on music than on my regular job; but I also often wondered whether or not I would still be able to play the piano. With fear and trepidation, I raised this question with my doctor, and this is what he said: “Stimulating your fingertips is not good. Though quitting the piano would be stressful for you, it is nevertheless very important that you change your lifestyle.”

I was speechless. I couldn’t understand why this was happening to me. Why did it have to be a sickness that limits my hand movements? I was sad and was often moved to tears. I spent much time praying, hoping for healing. My husband and family prayed fervently for me, and since I was in such a gloomy state of mind, a friend of mine who had heard that I was sick sent me a letter. In the letter, she said, “It’s regrettable that I won’t be able to hear you play anymore. I’m sending you a pair of cotton gloves in the hope that they will enable you to take care of your hands.” Inside the package was a cute pair of gloves. As I put on the gloves I felt a strange sense of happiness, and I wanted to play the piano. As I began to play a piece that I myself had composed, a soft sound that I had not previously been able to produce came out naturally. A Bible verse (II Cor. 12:9) resonated in my heart: “But he [the Lord] said to me [the Apostle Paul], ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.’”I was reluctant to talk publicly about my illness, but for reasons related to my work, I had no choice. People with the same disease, some who lived on the island and others who lived elsewhere, began to contact me. I learned that there were people who were hiding their conditions from others in their workplaces and communities. There were also people who even found it hard to go outside.

At that time, I was part of the prefectural collagen disease organization; however, because I lived on an isolated island, it was difficult for me to participate in the organization’s activities. Four years ago, however, I started an organization on our island for patients with this disease. I began this organization because I wanted to create a place where people with this same disease could congregate freely. I took this step after consulting with local doctors and health-care workers. We meet together twice each year to drink tea and participate in everyday conversation. Since doctors and health-care professionals are present at these meetings, we are able to discuss symptoms and treatment options about which we have questions. Meeting people who are experiencing the same stage of the disease has taught me and awakened me to the harsh realities of this disease. However, at the same time, these people’s approach to life has been encouraging to see.

When facing the reality that I cannot do something, I think it is necessary to trust the people at church and the various specialists I am meeting, whom God has given me, and to depend on others. In addition, I have learned that having peaceful connections with a wide group of people and relying on those around us who are experiencing similar situations is important for patients.Though my family has supported me fully, their support alone would not have been enough.

The church of which I have been a member, Oki Church, is a very small congregation. However, we pray for each other’s disabilities and sicknesses, and we look at our problems in the broader context of social structures and facilities. Oki has no medical specialists for different diseases, but there have been times when I have come to realize that nevertheless, I can live my life here on this island. The island’s doctor asked me what I wanted to do from this point forward. When I told her that I wanted to play the piano she replied, “I will help you to become able to achieve that goal.” Moments like this show me that staying on this island is a reasonable choice for me. During rehabilitation for rheumatism, which developed as a complication of my primary disease, the occupational therapist often told me that although doctors want their patients to get better, even more than that, want them to live a vibrant life.

Life on the island includes having to deal with a few busybodies, and there are also inconveniences. I have come to realize, however, that the island is also a society that gives one everything he or she needs. I will continue to play the piano and write music. Music is a gift from God. I am thankful for all the encounters I have had with people, and I am glad that God has guided me to this place. (Tr. DM)

—From Shinto no Tomo (Believers’ Friend), September 2018 issue Summarized by KNL Editor Kawakami Yoshiko

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No. 400, December 20187Kyodan Newsletter

Osumi Seko Church in Kyoto began its ministry as a group worshiping together at Osumi Kindergarten in Kyoto. The kindergarten itself was the result of the work of Rev. Enomoto Yasuro (1925-1977), well-known as “Pastor Chiiroba,” [chiiroba (little donkey), after the foal of a donkey on which Jesus rode into Jerusalem] and Ms. Miyamoto Wosue (1902-1967), a midwife who was the first member of the congregation. As a member of Osumi Seiko Church, Wosue worked tirelessly for the continued growth of the church in that area. From its beginning in 1952, Osumi Seko Church used the kindergarten as its sanctuary. However, for a variety of reasons, we have not been able to use the facility for the past seven years. Because an alternate location could not be found, three of the members travel 40 minutes by car to worship once a month at the church where I pastor. On the other Sundays, worship is held at the site of Wosue’s tomb. This tomb, which is a testimony to Wosue’s faith, was built by her family in a community cemetery near the kindergarten in the 1970s. Worship is held here regardless of the weather. The Bible, hymnal, and elements for the Lord’s Supper are placed on a small desk as there is no pulpit. On “Peace Sunday,” such things as a plowshare are also put on the desk to create a special atmosphere for

worship. [Referring to “They shall beat their swords into plowshares” Micah 4:3, Isaiah 2:4] Sometimes a guitar or portable organ is brought in to assist in hymn singing.

Osumi Seko Church celebrates the Lord’s Supper every Sunday. Each Sunday I bake a large loaf of bread for communion. Following worship, we divide what is left of the bread into six sections that we wrap and take to the house where Wosue lived, which is currently occupied by her nephew and his family. In distributing the “church bread,” we continue to share the memory of Wosue with the family and the neighborhood. In preparation for worship, we clean Wosue’s tomb and the area around it each Sunday. Periodically a local committee responsible for the cemetery comes to clean as well. This cleanup is usually done on Sunday mornings, but the committee understands that our worship comes first. Although none of our members is on that committee, we always cooperate by bringing a mower on a small truck and helping. Although this is an unusual way to worship, I believe this is allowing us to sow Gospel seeds. (Tr. JS)

—Kishimoto Hyoichi, Pastor, Osumi Seko Church , Kyoto District From Shinto no Tomo (Believers’ Friend), July 2018 issue

Even without a Sanctuary, Worship Held at First Member’s Tomb

Young Adult Study Tour: Vancouver, Canadaby Rev. Yoko Kihara, Kyodan Overseas Minister, Minister of the United Church of Canada

The first Young Study Tour to Vancouver was held between August 20th and 29th, 2018, welcoming ten young adults of the Kyodan, the Anglican Church, and the Korean Christian Church (KCCJ)in Japan sent by the Commission on Ecumenical Ministries, Kyodan.

First, they visited Vancouver School of Theology in University of British Columbia (UBC) on August 21st, welcomed by the Principal, Rev. Dr. Richard Topping. They listened to his presentation of their theological education and their unique programs such as Indigenous studies and Interfaith studies. Then, they moved to the Museum of Anthropology to learn about the history and culture of the First Nations people in the west coast, and the Botanical Garden to touch and smell the nature of BC’s coast.

The next day, on Aug. 22nd, they went to St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church in downtown Vancouver to participate in the Children Summer Camp called Camp Spirit and interacted with about seventy children, introducing Japanese traditional play such as Origami, top spinning and drawing pictures beyond differences of culture and language.

The highlight of the tour was their participation in Kairos Blanket Exercise on August 23rd to experience the First Nations’ history of grief, stolen lands and destructions of families and communities. The exercise was led by Janette McIntosh, a leader of Kairos Vancouver and Melaney Gleeson-Lyall, an Elder of the Musqueam nation. Everybody had a profound experience through this exercise and their experience was more deepened by listening to the sad family story of Melaney and her drum and songs inherited by her parents following the exercise.

Then, on August 24th, they also visited First United Church Community Ministry Society in Down Town East Side of Vancouver which serves homeless people providing food, shelter, and various services. All were deeply impressed by their excellent services based on the Prophetic voices in the Bible and Love of Jesus Christ.

Over the weekend of August 24th to 26th, ten young adults were divided into five families of the United Church Congregations in Vancouver and suburban area and experienced home stay and attended Sunday Worship Service in each congregation.

Although it had been terribly smoky in Vancouver due to wild fires, it was clear on the day they drove up to Whistler, on August 27th. They could enjoy the amazing view of glaciers on top of the mountains. At the end of the tour, they visited Steveston in the city of Richmond where the first Japanese people arrived to Canada and formed their community. Touched by the great nature of Canada; the mountains in Whistler and the Pacific Ocean from Steveston, they had a good reflection on the learning and experiences of the past 9 days. _______________*The KAIROS Blanket Exercise program is a unique, participatory history lesson developed in collaboration with the indigenous elders, the knowledge-keepers and educators who foster truth, understanding, respect, and reconciliation among indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. (Adapted from the KAIROS Homepage)

West Point Grey United Church, where Blanket Exercise is heldMelaney Gleeson-Lyall (1st row, far right, holding round drum)

Janette McIntosh, KairosVancouver staff (last row, with glasses)

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No. 400, December 2018Kyodan Newsletter 8

Mission Agreement with Indonesian Church; Change of Situation in Korea

movement towards reconciliation and reunification of the Korean peninsula that we were reminded anew of what church leaders had termed the "Tozanso Process." This is in reference to an international Christian conference held at the YMCA Tozanso retreat center in Gotemba, Japan from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2, 1984 under the theme, "Peace and Justice in Northeast Asia, the Peaceful Resolution of Conflict," which was the beginning of our present efforts

It was at the behest of the World Council of Churches and the Christian Conference of Asia that the way was opened up for the National Council of Churches in Korea and its North Korean counterpart, the Korean Christian Federation, to begin dialog. It was at the ecumenical gathering in Glion, Switzerland in 1986 that the North Korean representatives first participated, and ever since then, on a yearly basis, representatives from the two Korean governments have met for dialog even amidst the frosty relationship between the two countries. It is this process of reconciliation and unity, with the desire to remove military threats and to denuclearize, that has been called the "Tozanso Process."

Our voice may seem distant and small in the process of making this dream come to fruition, but we unite our hearts in prayer with churches around the world as we join together in concrete actions, seeking a world that is led by the Word of God. (Tr. TB)

—Akiyama Toru, General Secretary

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all KNL Readers

Publisher: Akiyama Toru Editor: Kawakami Yoshiko Copy Editor: Hazel Terhune, Timothy Boyle Executive Secretary: Kato Makoto Staf f Assistant:Niina Tomoko Editorial Committee: Kofukada Yutaka, Nishio Misao, Tokuta Makoto, Suematsu KozueTranslators: Timothy Boyle, David Burger, Wayne Jansen, Joe Stroud, Robert Terhune Note: The names of Japanese persons are listed in traditional order, with last names first.

The 41st Kyodan General Assembly has ended, and the 2018-19 general assembly period has begun. One of the highlights of the assembly was the signing of the mutual mission agreement with the Christian Evangelical Church in Minahasa, known as GMIM, the acronym of its name in Indonesian, Gereja Masehi Injili di Minahasa.

Beginning some 20 years ago, Indonesian Christians from the Minahasa area coming to Japan on work visas formed two churches in Oarai, Ibaraki Prefecture and one each in Oyama, Tochigi Prefecture and Suzuka, Mie Prefecture. There are now four such churches in Japan, so the signing of this mutual mission agreement further cements the cooperative relationships that have been formed with local Kyodan churches as well as at the district level. This is an historic development that needs to be celebrated, as it opens a new window of cooperation and fellowship among the churches of Asia.

There are presently about 2.56 million foreigners living in Japan, and when people of non-Japanese origin who have Japanese citizenship and the children of foreigners are included, that figure increases to more than 4 million. Many of these people have Christian backgrounds, so as we cooperate with churches around the world, being involved with common mission issues with them is a great opportunity and challenge for us.

The Kyodan was born under the shadow of World War II and cooperated with the Japanese war aggression against the nations of East Asia. We deeply understand that without confessing our sin and extending reparations, the Kyodan has no chance to recover full fellowship with our Asian neighbors, so we must not be hesitant to take concrete actions. Therefore, keeping this history in mind at all times, we seek to work together on common issues in our common mission.

In mid-September, I participated in the pre-conference and general assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, which was held on the island of Jeju. Just prior to the general assembly, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean President Kim Jong-un had held a meeting, and previous to that, Kim Jong-un had met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore.

Thus, this is a time of great geopolitical change on the Korean peninsula. The theme of the pre-conference was "Reconciliation, Peace and Unity in Northeast Asia," and representatives from churches around the world gathered to discuss this theme. It was in this climate of monumental

From the General Secretary's Desk:

The Kyodan Newsletter (KNL) is published by the Nihon Kirisuto Kyodan (the United Church of Christ in Japan) five times a year. Address: 4th floor, Asahi New City Building, 1-7-18, Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0072, Japan. Tel.: +81(0)3-3202-0546, Fax.: +81(0)3-3207-3918, e-mail: <knl-c@uccj.org> Kyodan English Web site: http://uccj-e.org/ No subscription fee, but donations welcome via International Money Order or by US dollar check, payable to The United Church of Christ in Japan

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