This year I have participated as an official observer in several general assemblies, including of course, the Kyodan General Assembly as well as several district assemblies where I gave greetings and participated in the discussion. Most memorable for me personally, however, was participating in two such assemblies in sister churches in Korea, where I went for the first time in my life. Those were ……
by Ito Mizuo, former Kyodan Vice-moderator
The Berlin Mission was founded in 1824 as a united church of the states of Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian and Upper Lusatia. It is the organization for overseas missions of the Evangelical Church of Anhalt and is called the Evangelical Church of Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian and Upper Lusatia (EKBO). Thus, this year is the 190th anniversary of its……
by Ueno Yosuke, member
Hanamaki Church, Iwate Prefecture
On Sept. 11, 2011, following the East Japan Earthquake (in March), two tents opposing nuclear energy were put up in front of the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry in Tokyo. People from all over Japan, as well as people from around the world, have visited this site, where information about nuclear energy and radioactivi……
by Gushiken Atsushi, pastor
Yomitan Church, Okinawa District
The sixth meeting of the Commission on Mission during the 2013-14 General Assembly period took place in Taipei, Taiwan, Oct. 6-8. On the first day we visited two churches, the first being Suang-Lien Church, which celebrated ……
by Sahara Koji, Kyodan missionary
Sycamore Congregational Church
El Cerrito, California
I am serving in the Sycamore Congregational Church in America in El Cerrito, California. This church is a part of the United Church of Christ. The UCC, especially, has a posture of struggling with social justice issues, valuing the various aspects of race, culture and sexuality, with the char……
On Sept. 16, the Kyodan and the Korean Christian Church in Japan celebrated the 30th anniversary of their Mutual Mission Agreement, which was established on Feb. 8, 1984 at the Tokyo Korean YMCA in Chiyoda, Tokyo. There were 25 members of the Kyodan and 34 members of the KCCJ present.
Kyodan (former) Vice-moderator Ito Mizuo presided at the opening worship, with KCCJ President Cho Joo……
The 39th Kyodan General Assembly was held Oct. 28-30 at the Ikebukuro Metropolitan Hotel, with 374 of the 400 delegates attending. There were also 13 overseas guests in attendance. The theme was “Building a Kyodan that Evangelizes: Promoting Evangelism Rooted in a Unified Faith.” The first part of the program was opening worship, with Nishi-Chiba Church Pastor Kishita Nobuyo giving a message entit……
by Nishinosono Michiko, pastor Takinogawa Church, Tokyo District
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:4-5, NKJV)
When I served at Wesley United Methodist Church (UMC) in San Jose, California, we held a Blue Christmas worship service. I had never heard the term before, and I was int……
Every year, each of the 17 Kyodan districts holds its annual assembly. This year, the process began on April 29 in Hokkai District and concluded on June 29 in Kanagawa District.The task of visiting each of the district assemblies was divided up this year, as usual, between the Kyodan moderator, vice-moderator, secretary, and general secretary, with each participating in four or five assemblies acc……
“ Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)I began work as a pastor at Wesley United Methodist Church in October 2013. Wesley UMC is located in the Japan-town section of San Jose, California. Wesley UMC was founded in 1895 by members of the Japanese-American Methodist Church in San Francisco, so it has an almost 120-year history.
……
