Our hearts go out to the families of those who have lost loved ones to the COVID-19 virus. We lift our prayers for God’s healing of those who are infected with the virus and for God’s protection of the medical staff and researchers who are doing everything possible to combat this pandemic. We pray that the many people whose lives are affected by this situation and who face anxiety and difficulties will receive the help that they need. So many churches around the world have had to close their facilities, so their members are no longer able to meet together. Nevertheless, we can lift up our prayers together as one Church in the Lord. (Tr. TB)
—KNL Editor Kawakami Yoshiko
ＫＮＬ編集委員会より
新型コロナウイルス感染症（ＣＯＶＩＤ－１９）により、命を落とされた方々に哀悼の意を表し、ご遺族の心の痛手を思います。今、罹患されている方々のご回復を祈ります。治療と研究に尽力なさっておられる医療関係者方のお働きが守られますよう、祈ります。生活の影響がでている多くの方々、不安と困難が増している方々に、助けが届きますように。
全世界で、会堂(場所)での礼拝が捧げられない教会があり、集えない信徒の方々がおられます。主にある一つの教会として、祈りを合わせます。川上善子KNL編集委員長
On Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, the Second National Convention of Kyodan Laity convened at Fujimicho Church, with 155 ministers and lay members in attendance. It was a celebration of the 160th Year of Protestant Evangelism in Japan.
In the first part of the celebration worship service, Kyodan Moderator Ishibashi Hideo gave a sermon on the theme “The Restoration of the Life and Power of Evangelism,” stating that “The compassion of the Lord has flowed into the Kyodan’s history, and along with gratefulness for God’s having led us, we embrace hope.” He ended the message strongly, saying: “Let us unite and move ahead with the motto ‘Let us pray together; let us proclaim together; and let us present our offerings together.’”—a promotion of the Kyodan’s basic evangelism policy. Following the worship service, Mochizuki Katsuhito, chair of the National Laity Association, appealed for “two persons to invite one non-believer to church.”
During the second part of the program, a lecture followed by a forum, Rev. Masuda Shohei explained the theme of the convention: “Youth Evangelism.” Then Oshima Shigenori, pastor of Hatogaya Evangelical Free Church, Evangelical Free Church of Japan ascended the platform to speak on the subject “Joyful Worship with Devoted Young People.” He asked the question: “During our history we have evangelized youth, but haven’t we neglected to connect them to faith? During my college days, one of the church elders asked me to pray for him, and I clearly remember now praying with no knowledge of how to pray.” Through reading Luke 24, which tells how the eyes of two men on their way to Emmaus are opened and they return to Jerusalem and begin to evangelize, we receive hints as to how we can be changed through fellowship.
By introducing examples of youth worship, with the theme “10 persons reaching 1,” Rev. Saito Atsushi presented various images of youth leading worship. At the forum that followed, questions and opinions were received regarding the lectures and the examples, during which a vital appeal was made for the young and old to spend time together. The conveners of the Tokyo Convention of Kyodan Laity appealed for messages of 160 written characters, and 76 persons responded. In the Commemorative Pamphlet, the voices of lay persons in the 160th year of evangelism were recorded, which will connect them to the 200th year of Japan’s evangelism. (Tr. RT)
—Suzuki Isao, Mejiro Church member
North Subdistrict, Tokyo District
From Kyodan Shinpo (The Kyodan Times) No. 4916
プロテスタント日本伝道160年記念 全国信徒会第二回大会
2019年10月14日（月）に、全国信徒会第二回大会が富士見町教会で開催された。教師、信徒一五五人が出席した。プロテスタント日本伝道160年を記念したものである。
第一部記念礼拝で、石橋秀雄教団総会議長は「伝道の命と力の回復」と題して説教した。
「教団の歴史に主が憐れみを注ぎ、導いてくださったことに感謝と共に希望を抱いている。『共に祈ろう、共に伝えよう、共に献げよう』教団伝道推進基本方針の展開を一つになって進めよう」と力強く結んだ。礼拝後、開会挨拶で望月克仁全国信徒会会長は「二人が一人の未信者を教会に招こう」と訴えた。
第二部講演・フォーラムでは、大会主題「青年伝道」について増田将平牧師による主旨説明の後、「若者と献げる喜びの礼拝」と題して大嶋重徳鳩ヶ谷福音自由教会牧師が登壇した。
「私たちの歴史の中で伝道はしてきたが、私たちの子どもたちに信仰を繋いでくることを怠ってきたのではないか」と問いかけた。「学生時代に長老から自分のために祈ってほしいと言われ、祈る言葉も知らないまま祈ったことを今も明確に覚えている」。ルカ書24章をひも解きつつ、エマオへの途上で二人の目が開かれエルサレムへ戻って伝道が始まることに重ね合わせて、我々も交わりの中で変えられたい、という示唆を受けた。
若者の礼拝事例紹介で、齋藤篤牧師は「十人が一人を」と題して、若者が主体となって礼拝を守るワーシップの数々を映像で紹介した。
つづくフォーラムでは、講演と事例紹介についての意見質問を受けて、高齢者も若者も共にまじわることの大切など意見が交わされた。準備に当たった東京信徒会は、160字メッセージ寄稿を呼び掛け76人が参加した。「プログラム記念冊子」には伝道160年目の信徒の声が活き活きと記録され、日本伝道200年に繋いだ。鈴木功男
This year, the annual Beginning of the Year Enrichment Gathering, an important event of Hokkai District, was welcomed for the 69th time. It was held Jan. 13-14 at Hanabishi Hotel in Hakodate, with 270 participants, including about 20 children. Miyajima Yuko, the featured lecturer, spoke on the theme, “The Starting Step Opens the Road,” by sharing steps in the life of Christian author Miura Ayako, whom she served as her original private secretary.
Hokkai District has seven subdistricts, and each year one of the subdistricts takes responsibility and organizes this gathering, but not without bringing into play its area’s character or their original ideas. For more than ten years there were over 400 participants, but recently this has decreased to about 300.
A one-night, two-day event, this gathering is held in January, as its title indicates. Sometimes differing opinions on the timing are expressed, such as: “Since we are closed in with snow during this season here in Hokkaido, why not hold the meeting in the summer when there would be no icy roads to travel?” There are also other conclusions: “We could drive and gather during the season when the leaves are changing color.” However, directly and indirectly, many participants are engaged in farming or fishing, so the advantage of scheduling during the winter period, when there is scant need to fish or go to the fields, may be something particularly unique to Hokkaido.
The program consists of a lecture by the main speaker, a meal together, baths in hot springs, an independent program, an early morning prayer meeting, etc. But no matter what is shared or where it is held or who the lecturer is, the main point is that a decided number of people attend this gathering. Generally, there will be some change in attendance related to how well-known the speaker is and general interest in the theme. But otherwise, there is little change in regard to this gathering.
Participants do look forward to studying, but more than that they enjoy gathering once a year from throughout the vast area of Hokkaido and seeing nostalgic faces. The opportunity to meet colleagues who live far from you and those you seldom see is always a joy. Without a doubt, the atmosphere is that of a Hokkai District alumni meeting.
The strong ties of lay colleagues could be identified as a distinctive character of Hokkai District. The chief cause may be the heart for helping one another in the midst of a harsh natural environment, or perhaps it is the necessity of the many small churches to help one another. Or, it may be both. No matter what the reason, this gathering means seeing a broad smile. And nowadays, there are many attendees from other districts, which is a boundless joy. My hope and heart’s desire is that someday there will be a Kyodan-wide gathering at the beginning of the year. (Tr. RT)
by Hara Kazuto, moderator
Hokkai District
北海教区年頭修養会について 北海教区総会議長 原和人
年頭修養会は今回で69回目を迎えた、北海教区の一大イベントである。今年は2020年1月13〜14日、函館の花びしホテルで、テーマは「始める一歩が道を拓く」～初代秘書の見た三浦綾子さんの歩み～としてと題して、講師に宮嶋裕子さんをお迎えし、参加者は約270名（うちこどもは約20名）でした。
北海教区には7つの地区があり、毎年各地区が担当し、その地区ならではの地域性や独自性を発揮した内容の年頭修養会が開催される。10年以上前は400名を越える参加者があったが、現在は平均して300名前後を推移している。
年頭修養会はその名の通り、年頭つまり1月初旬に1泊2日で開催される。雪で閉ざされる北海道、何も凍てつく道を走って集まらなくても、夏に開催すれば？というご意見があったり、あるいは紅葉の時期にドライブがてら集まるのも良し、と考えてしまうのだが、直接間接的に農業・漁業に携わる方々が多い故、農閑期や漁に出ることが少ない冬の時期に設定されたのは、北海道特有のものかもしれない。
プログラムにはメイン講師による講演、一同に会する食事、温泉、自主プログラム、早天祈祷会等々様々あるが、参加する方々は何処の場所にせよ、どんな講師になるせよ、一定数の方々が集まってくるのが年頭修養会の最大の特徴と言えよう。
通常、集会は講師の知名度やテーマの興味如何で参加者の変動がある。だが、年頭修養会にはそれによる変動があまりない。無論、学びを楽しみにしておられるのだが、それ以上に年に1回、広大な北海道から集って懐かしい顔を見つけられるのが嬉しいのである。日頃、離れていて会えない仲間がこの機会を通して会える喜び。まさに北海教区同窓会と呼ぶに相応しい雰囲気がそこにはある。
北海教区の特徴に、信徒同士の繋がりが強いことが挙げられる。厳しい自然環境の中での助け合いの心が大きな要因なのか、小規模教会が多く互いに励まし合う必要性が原因なのか。あるいはそのどちらもなのか。いずれにしても、皆さんの破顔一笑が見られるのが年頭修養会である。そして、最近は他教区からの参加も多くあり、喜ばしい限りである。いつかは全教団的な（年頭）修養会が拓けたら…と願う。
Founded in 2010, the “Ring no Kai” is mainly a lay work group in Dohoku Subdistrict of the Kyodan’s Hokkai District whose goal is “service and fellowship.” It includes all the church members in the subdistrict. Dohoku Subdistrict encompasses 270 kilometers from north to south and 180 kilometers from east to west and has ten churches. We experience great joy as we work together and support one another, because almost all the churches are small.
This organization began as the continuing form of what was originally the subdistrict women’s society whose numbers had decreased, and finding persons willing to serve as board members had become difficult. Thus, the Ring no Kai has no designated board. As the group operates spontaneously, each church has only a designated contact person. It’s an organization that has as its chief characteristic, “There is nothing that just has to be done.”
Why is the work chiefly for the purpose of helping other churches; or in other words, what is the purpose of having this unofficial group? The reasons are likely so that the churches in this expansive subdistrict do not become isolated and because they have cherished their connections with each other.
For example, presently the three official members of Wassamu Church hold a Thursday worship service once a month. The middle-aged group at Asahikawa Rokujo Church, where I belong, decided to send two people to attend each worship service and also to cover the cost of their travel expenses. Many members from the various subdistrict churches eagerly come, so an average of 23 persons attend the worship service. The people of Dohoku Subdistrict know Wassamu Church’s situation as well as each of its members.
When there is a pastor’s installment service in the subdistrict, a bus is provided and everyone avidly gathers; and families attend the subdistrict enrichment meetings as well. The Asahikawa Rokujo Church Bazaar offers space for Bibaushi Fukuin Church and Asahikawa Seiko Church. I understand that Asahikawa Seiko Church was able to hold its own bazaar in 2019. There is joy that comes with mutual growth through relationship, and Dohoku Subdistrict members know that.
The Ring no Kai has no membership fees. In October, the blueberries supplied at no charge by Asahikawa Rokujo Church are made into jam, and the jam is sold at some subdistrict meetings and by various churches at gatherings in their areas. These sales bring in about 30,000 yen, which basically becomes the organization’s management fund.
The churches are contacted about decisions made regarding the year’s activities, including making jam, cleaning, grass cutting, etc., and this information is passed on via weekly church bulletins, etc. In this way volunteers are solicited for each activity, and the needed number of persons is provided.
The Ring no Kai has been able to function, even without a board, due to the periodic gatherings at Wassamu Church worship services, which perhaps has become the activity base. The worship service at Wassamu Church is followed by a shared potluck lunch that is delicious and fun, and necessary information is exchanged.
One activity of the Ring no Kai since its beginning is mowing the grass at Bibaushi Fukuin Church. Finding someone to mow the grass on the church’s extensive property had become a real concern, so everyone went to help. Every year since then, people have gone to cut the grass. Even if they cannot take part in mowing the grass or shoveling the heavy snow off the church roof, when the Ring no Kai takes responsibility for helping with the Wassamu Church worship service, elderly members also take part, so this has become a subdistrict activity.
Within the district as well, there are discussions both for and against the Ring no Kai’s service and a questioning of whether the group has been too aggressive about helping other churches. However, I think there are times when a church is experiencing difficulties but cannot say, “Please help us.” So, it’s important to make relationships daily when you sympathize with its perplexing issues and can address them. If there is something that can be done, the subdistrict members act. I think that making preparations for that kind of system throughout the Kyodan will become more and more important from now on. (Tr. RT)
by Kaneko Tomoko, member
Asahikawa Rokujo Church, Hokkai District
Ring no Kai Organizer
—Compiled by the January 2020 Shinto no Tomo
(The Believer’s Friend) Editorial Committee
Summarized by KNL Editor Kawakami Yoshiko
教会を超えてゆるやかな活動を
北海教区道北地区リングの会＊
金子智子 リングの会世話人
北海教区・旭川六条教会員
リングの会は２０１０年10月に結成された日本基督教団北海教区 道北地区の「奉仕と交わり」を目的とした信徒の自主活動団体です。地区の教会員全員が会員です。道北地区には、南北270キロ、東西180キロの地域に10の教会があります。規模の小さい教会の多い道北地区にあって、共に奉仕し、支え合うことが大きな喜びを生み出していると実感しています。
この会は、もともとあった地区婦人会の集まりを引き継ぐ形で始まりました。地区婦人会は人数が減り、役員のなり手がないことも問題だったので、リングの会に役員は置いていません。自発的に活動する団体として、教会ごとの連絡係だけ決めています。「これを絶対にしなければ」がないのが特徴です。
なぜ、主に他教会のための奉仕活動を行うという、いわばおせっかいの会が成り立つのか。それは広大な道北地区の教会が孤立しないよう、つながりを大切にしてきたためでしょう。
例えば現住陪餐会員３名の和寒わっさむ伝道所は礼拝を月に１度木曜日に行っていますが、私の所属する旭川六条教会の壮年会はこの礼拝に必ず２名を派遣すると決めており、交通費の補助もしています。地区の多くの教会から駆けつけるので、礼拝出席平均は23名です。道北地区の人は、和寒教会がどのような教会であるか、教会員が誰なのかを知っています。
地区で牧師就任式があればバスを用意して皆で駆けつけますし、地区修養会も家族連れで参加します。旭川六条教会のバザーは、美馬びば牛うし福音伝道所や旭川星光伝道所などに売り場(スペース)を提供してきました。旭川星光伝道所は今年度は自分たちの教会でもバザーを行うことができたそうです。関わり合うことで互いに成長していく喜びがあり、道北地区はそれを知っているのです。
リングの会に会費はありません。旭川六条教会員から無料で提供されるブルーベリーを10月にジャムにして、各教会や地区の集会などで販売すると３万円くらいの収入になり、これが会の基本的な運営資金です。
ジャム作りや教会の清掃や草刈りなどを含め、年間で行うことが決まると各教会に連絡し、週報などで告知してもらいます。このように毎回奉仕者を募り、必要な人数が与えられています。
役員がいなくてもリングの会を運営できているのは地区の人が和寒教会の礼拝に定期的に集まるので、そこが活動拠点となっているからかもしれません。和寒教会の礼拝は、昼食を持ち寄って礼拝後に皆でいただきます。おいしく楽しく、絆を深め、必要な情報を交換しあいます。
リングの会が発足当初から行っていることの一つは美馬牛びばうし福音伝道所の草取りです。敷地の広い教会の草取りを誰がするのかと気になり、皆で手伝いにいきました。以来毎年草取りを行ってきました。
草刈りや雪おろしには参加できなくても、和寒教会の礼拝応援をリングの会が担うときには参加する高齢者もいて、全地区的な活動となっています。
一方、リングの会の奉仕については地区内でも賛否両論あり、他の教会にばかり一生懸命になりすぎているのではないかという意見もあります。しかし本当に困っているときは、「助けてください」と言えないと思うのです。ですから困っていることが見える関係を日ごろから作っておくことが大切で、困っていることを察したら声をかける。できることがあれば地区の皆で動く。その体制を整えておくことが今後ますます重要になっていくと思います。＊（リングの由来：祈りの輪、交わりの輪、平和の輪）
（まとめ・信徒の友編集部）および、川上善子KNL編集長
On Saturday, Oct. 19, the 3rd EcuPro (Ecumenical Project) event was held, joining the voices of our staff and participants at the Tokyo Lutheran Church, Japan.
The overarching theme of our work is “Let Christian unity begin from the youth!” The many young people who joined in the planning and management were from various church backgrounds, including Roman Catholic, Kyodan, and Anglican/Episcopalian. Originally, this work began during the 2017 lead-up to the celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Our first ecumenical gathering was held under the banner “Let’s Do Something Together!” These events became an important meeting place for Christian young people to gather beyond the usual circles of our respective churches, denominations, schools, and companies. Through these events, we were able to meet and to pray together.
The theme of this third event was “prayer,” so it was entitled “PrayStation3.” In addition to the 40 members of the steering committee, more than 70 young people attended the event, for a total of more than 100 participants. Furthermore, about one-third of the participants were first-timers, and two-thirds were early career people from the business world.
One of the steering committee members, Ms. Ikemoto Anna, a believer from Totsuka Catholic Church and a career woman, explains about the theme “PrayStation3” as follows.
1. First, the key to understanding this theme is that “play” and “pray” have nearly the same pronunciation in Japanese. Remember that our first meeting was about “doing something together” while our the second gathering was centered more on matters of “faith.” Now in this third session, we gathered to ask, “When young people of the same faith meet together, let’s ask each other what we pray for?” We had questions about “prayer.”
2. The second key word in this theme is “station.” A station is a place where people gather, but it is also a turning point from which those who have gathered head to their respective destinations. Here young people gather, meet, gain something, and are sent out to their respective destinations. “EcuPro” is a place that plays such a role.
3. Lastly, there is the allusion between our theme “PrayerStation3” and the common game machine “PlayStation 3,” which was popular when we were growing up. The desire of our staff is to value prayer. This is at the heart of the entire project. We are a prayer-centered gathering. We begin with an opening prayer and we pray together in the last joint service.
This event included a rock-style service led by Pastor Sekino Kazuhiro, who is famous as a “Rock ‘n’ Roller” within the Japanese Evangelical Lutheran Church. He taught about the Lord’s Prayer. There are four versions of the Japanese translation of the Lord’s Prayer used in different denominations, and all were included in the program.
Then after we worked up a sweat in an ice-breaker game, we went into small group sessions to reflect on our prayers and there shared our feelings about prayer. Then, we continued to consider how to make progress toward someday holding a joint Sacrament of Communion. We need to recognize our differences but also find our agreement in Christ. We made time to meditate on unity, hoping that the day will come when we will be able to share a joint sacrament of communion.
At the joint service, Father Sato Naoki of the Order of Salegio presided over the ceremony along with Pastor Masuda Shohei from Aoyama Church of the Kyodan. They were responsible for the sermon and for leading the prayers during the session.
Ms. Miura Kotono, who is a member of the Japanese Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ikebukuro, participated in “EcuPro” for the first time and shared her impressions of the meeting. “In the small group session, I learned for the first time that there are differences in the way we pray. For example, some pray using a Catholic rosary, whereas, others use meditation, such as in Protestant devotions.I was moved to see how Father Sato Naoki, Pastor Sekino of The Lutheran Church, and Rev. Masuda of the Kyodan talked to God, and later talked to each other, like friends. Through this experience it has become my honest prayer to become able to say anything to God without inhibitions.”
Although there is some unfortunate history of criticism between our various backgrounds and denominations, here we transcend this through prayer-centered fellowship. It was encouraging to have participants from so many backgrounds, including the Non-church Movement. Many of the participants enjoyed talking together even after the meeting and many want to meet again. Based on these experiences, we think that we are gradually achieving our objective. We could glimpse the hope of the Church in Japan as we learned from each other’s differences and worshiped as one. (Tr. NB)
—From Shinto no Tomo (Believer’s Friend), January 2020 issue
Summarized by Kofukada Yutaka, KNL Editorial Committee member
第３回エキュメニカルプロジェクト開催
違いから学び、一つになって礼拝
１０月１９日（土）、日本ルーテル東京教会を会場に開催された第３回“えきゅぷろ”（エキュメニカルプロジェクト）についてスタッフと参加者の声と共に報告する。
“えきゅぷろ”は、「キリスト教各教派の一致を青年たちから始めよう！」をスローガンに、カトリック、日本基督教団、聖公会を中心とした青年たちが企画も運営もすべて手掛ける。宗教改革五百周年に向け「一緒に何かしよう！」との機運が高まり2017年に最初の集いがスタートした。教派を超えた青年が集まり、互いを知り、祈ることを目的に始められた集いだが、青年同士の出会いの場となる事も大切にしている。
第３回となる今回のテーマは「祈り」、「PrayStation3」と名付けられた。参加者は運営委員スタッフ40名に加え、70名超の参加者があり100名を超える青年たちが参集し、約三分の一が初参加、又社会人が三分の二を占めた。
今回の「PrayStation3」について、運営委員スタッフの一人池本安奈さん（カトリック戸塚教会信徒、社会人）は、こう説明する。
第一に、一語目は“Play”ではなく“Pray”(日本語では同じ発音)であることがキーです。第１回は
「出会い」、第２回は「信仰」をテーマとしました。第３回は集まったスタッフたちが「同じ信仰を持つ青年が出会って、みんなは何を祈っているのだろう？」という疑問を持つにいたり、「祈り」について考えることになったのです。
二語目の“Station”は、皆が集まる場所であると同時に、そこに集まった人がそれぞれの目的地へと向かう分岐点でもあります。青年が集い、出会い、そして何かを得てそれぞれの目的地へ派遣されていく。“えきゅぷろ”はそうした役割を持つ場です。
そして“３”は“第3回”です。
若者ならだれでも知っているゲーム機“Playstation3”に因んで“PrayStation3”となりました。
「祈り」を大切にしたいスタッフの思いは、プロジェクト全体の構成にも込められています。開会の祈りに始まり、最後の合同礼拝で共に祈るという、祈りを中心に据えたものです。
当日は、会場となった日本福音ルーテル東京教会の“ロックン・ロール牧師”として有名な関野和覚牧師のロックな開会礼拝で始まり、「主の祈り」について説教、式次第には四つの「主の祈り」のパターンが示された。次に皆でゲームで汗を流した後は、小グループセッションに入り、自らの祈りの生活を振り返り、夫々の祈りへの思いを分かち合った。続いて、違いを認めつつキリストにあって一致するための「聖餐を考えるためのプログラム（仮称）」では、共に聖餐に与れる日が来ることを願いつつ、“一致”のために黙想する時を持った。
合同礼拝ではサレジオ修道会の佐藤直樹神父が司式し、増田将平牧師（日本基督教団・青山教会）が説教を担当、セッションの中で作られた祈りの言葉が捧げられた。
初めて“えきゅぷろ”に参加した三浦ことのさん（日本福音ルーテル東京池袋教会会員）は、会の印象を次のように語る。
少人数のグループセッションで、カトリックのロザリオを用いた祈りや、プロテスタントのデｲボーションという祈りと黙想など、祈り方にも個人差や教派によって違いがあることを初めて知りました。
又カトリック教会の佐藤直樹神父、ルーテル教会の関野和覚牧師、日本基督教団の増田将平牧師などの登壇者トークで印象的だったのは、登壇者の方々が友達のように神様に話しかけている事です。もっと神様に何でも言っていい、それが飾らない私の素直な祈りであると知りました。
教派はどちらかといえば否定的に捉えられところがあるが、ここではそうではない。無教会の青年も参加している。集会終了後も話し込む人、再会を約する人たちが多く、会の目的は達成されたようだ。互いの違いから学びつつ一つになって礼拝する姿に日本の教会の希望を見た。 （「信徒の友」編集部）2020年1月号。小深田裕KNL編集委員要約
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