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KOINONIA
WINTER 2018
www.tokyounion.org
Faith
in the workplace
Christmas traditions
from around the
world
Pastor Patter Editor's Note
Pastor Patter Editor's Note
Richard Man, Koinonia Editor
As we approach the Christmas season I think it’s important to Christian faith and work are prominent themes at TUC at the
acknowledge the Stewardship season we’ve just finished. The moment. Personally, I find that this has been a challenge for me
month of November is a time that we focus on the year ahead at times in my career. I read the very inspirational testimony
and the resources that each one of us can release to fuel the by Nick Ashley. It reminded me of my journey, when my world
church’s mission in the world. was turned upside down by a similar loss of a dream job at the
end of December 2016. With the sands shifting under my feet,
Did you know that advent is actually the beginning of our seismic changes rippled into my life at home and at TUC.
liturgical calendar? In the church’s calendar, November
represents the end of a year, a closing of one chapter, pointing The new found time I had on my hands meant that I could
to the opening of another. That is why we ask the church to not turn down the communication ministry’s request to be an
consider the way that God has blessed each and every one of us interim editor for Koinonia as there was a gap with Yuko Fujino
and why we ask each person to dedicate a portion of that to the moving on. Reluctantly, I said that I would do it until a new
Lord, through the church. editor could be recruited. Never having edited a publication
new Koinonia. There are times when we literally start with a
in my life, I was nervous but was surrounded by a supportive
blank canvas with a few odd smudges on it but ultimately we
In the ancient church, the gifts of the people provided the ministry team which showered me with encouragement. I never
always end up with a wonderful smorgasbord of TUC action
resources needed to facilitate the worship of God. In one guessed that my faith in our Lord would be so strengthened (and
and love, such is God’s guiding hand. I hope you enjoy this
church, there was a need to have seven altars in order to provide at certain times, tested!) by taking on this role. It really has
issue and this special advent season.
a space for the people’s offerings. From these offerings the priest been a joy to serve and I have learnt much about myself in the
would select bread and wine to be used for holy communion. process.
Have a peaceful Christmas and much joy in 2019.
If the people didn’t bring it, there was a problem. These days
we struggle with the connection between our giving and our Two, years on, into my “interim” role, this is now my seventh
worship. We give our money and someone else goes and buys Koinonia and I have a demanding day job now but enjoy the
the bread and juice we use in church. Perhaps we would all do constant creative challenge of keeping things fresh inside each
Additionally, next year TUC plans on launching a new
well to remember that it is our gifts that provide the means for
leadership/spiritual formation program for recent university
our worship.
grads.The Fuji Fellows, as we are calling them, will come to
Tokyo to live in community with one another, engage their
We now turn towards Christmas and the celebration of the
coming of the Christ child as the savior of the world. I think
that Christmas and the time just after, are some of the most
vocations, and serve our city. They will do this through the
community they find in TUC. In order for this program to
work we imagine the need for about 80-100 volunteers, all
Women's
Fellowship
important days of the year. It’s a time where we can reconnect
told. Perhaps you might want to be a host family, or a mentor,
with friends and family, eat plenty of unhealthy food, but
or provide a meal. There are many ways, large and small, to
most of all practice the fine art of giving. Christmas is a time
fund raiser
give the fellows the gift of hospitality. In whatever way you
where we are called to recognize the true gift of grace that Jesus
represents to the world. As an act of worship and obedience we give, know that when you do you are participating in a holy
following after Jesus Christ, who thought that it is more holy to
give gifts to one another, as a sign, not only of the affection we
serve than to be served, to give rather than to receive.
have for each other, but also in view of the fact that in so doing
we are participating in what God has done in Christ.
Personally, I feel that TUC is a church that knows how to give.
This is a church that is rich in faith, love and hope. I pray that
There are many ways to give this season
this coming season you might find a way to give to someone The Women's fellowship held their annual Asian Furniture Sale
Perhaps you would like to help a child have a nice Christmas
in Christ’s name. And as we do, may we all be blessed by the on Nov. 8-10, working with local vendors to sell beautifully
where he or she otherwise might not. Perhaps you would like
celebration of the birth of Christ, reminding ourselves of the crafted Asian pieces. At the same time, the Ah-Sew! ministry
to give some of your time to the poor and needy here in our
great gift that has been given to us. sold hand-sewn Christmas decorations. The sweet finish was
community. MOHN and the rice ball delivery is a good way
to do that. Perhaps you’d like to pledge a number of hours to provided by other volunteers who offered delicious home
Merry Christmas, baked goods for sale. The tireless efforts were rewarded with
volunteering in the church in the upcoming year as a gift to
Christ’s body. a significant amount of money raised to feed our homeless
Pastor Ivan Martinez neighbors and to help some other charities.
2 3
Meet the Members Women’s Fellowship
Meet the Members The 62nd Annual Women’s Conference
The Hayashis The Beatitudes: God's Paradox of Everyday Blessings
Sarah Oba
Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall see God.
TUC: Anything else you'd like to tell us about? Matthew 5:9
HAYASHIS: Life is full of challenges but we are constantly
lifted by God’s rich blessing and boundless love. When Naomi Tokyo Union Church women, Mark your calendars and save the
had to close her flower shop after a fire about 2 years ago, we dates of February 15 - 17 for the 2019 Women’s Conference.
received so much support from our Pastor and many church
members. We will never forget the kindness we received, and Enjoy the warmth of Christian fellowship and hospitality on the
we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone from campus of the Asian Rural Institute in the beautiful natural setting
the bottom of our hearts. of Nasu Shiobara, Tochigi Prefecture. It is meaningful to explore
God's calling as peacemakers in such a special place of service and
TUC: Can you tell us a bit about your family and your roots? ministry.
HAYASHIS: We (Matsuhiko and Naomi) were both born and
raised in Minato-ku, Tokyo. Matsuhiko’s family has been living
in Tokyo since his grandparents’ generation, while Naomi’s
family goes back even longer, since the Edo-era. Naomi is a It is a great joy to welcome back Rev. Gail Godwin Mundt as a guest
retired f lorist. Matsuhiko worked as a nephrologist/general speaker for the conference. Gail will be leading Sunday morning
TUC: What brought you to TUC for the first time? internist for more than 40 years at Keio University Hospital. worship and her own faith journey with the Beatitudes. Many TUC
HAYASHIS: We attended Tokyo Baptist Church for more than Our two sons are also physicians. Our elder son, Masanori, members remember Gail's faithful ministry as interim Associate
15 years after returning from the US. We met some wonderful is a pediatric oncologist in Denver, while our younger son, Pastor with Pastor Johann. She is now a pastor or the Evangelical
pastors and members there. However, the worship style there Hiro, is a hospitalist in Chicago. On a side note, Hiro attended Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and serves a church in
abruptly changed into a “purpose driven church” after the preschool at TUC for 3 years. Our family is planning to get Colorado.
arrival of a new pastor. There were aspects of the purpose driven together in Denver for Christmas, and we are looking forward
church that did not resonate with us, so we started attending to seeing everyone, including our 5 grandkids. The theme of The Beatitudes: God's Paradox of Everyday Blessings
TUC, which happened to be near our home. The worship style will be explored in sessions led by Veronica "Roni" Daniels on
here suits us much better and we are now happy members. TUC: Tell us about your journey of faith. Friday and Saturday. Now retired, Roni has served in healthcare
HAYASHIS: Naomi attended a Christian school, so she was roles as a Benedictine sister in many places of need. She will share
TUC: What do you enjoy most about TUC? familiar with the Bible. Matsuhiko had minimal exposure to how these blessings are experienced in day to day life.
HAYASHIS: It brings us great joy that we are able to worship Christianity while growing up but first attended church with
with people with various backgrounds from all over the world. Naomi while living in Chicago for a research fellowship. The In addition to lodging in ARI Dorms, there is also an option to
It is as if Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech, “I have people there warmly welcomed us, and we started to attend stay in the Nogi Onsen Hotel. (Only 16 places are available at the
a dream” has become a reality at TUC. We also love to listen to Sunday school. Under the guidance of a wonderful couple we hotel.)
the choir’s beautiful voice! met, whom we would call our American “Mom & Dad”, we
were baptized on Christmas Day in 1984. We learned that To register or for more information, please visit the Women's
TUC: What are your favorite Bible verses and why? every moment in life, both happiness and misfortune, is a result Conference website: woconjapan.wordpress.com
H AYA SHIS: “Come to me, all you who are wear y and of God’s gift of love. This lesson really resonated in our hearts,
burdened, and I will give you rest. “Matthew 11:28 and we made a commitment to follow the Lord’s teachings. Plan ahead and register early.Discounted early bird rates are
available for payments issued in 2018.First-timers to Women's
Conference qualify for a discount if staying in the ARI Dorms.
Mothers and daughters (age 14+) are also eligible for a special rate
if staying on the ARI campus.
For questions, please contact the 2019 Women’s Conference
Planning Committee: info@woconjapan.org
4 5
Special Feature Feature
Bells resonate a brighter future Blast from
Devon Arthurson the Past
Noriko Sakoh
Dramas and bells are words not ordinarily associated
with abused youth. However, Carillon Children Center is You know Wally. Yes, Wally Higgins who is a former elder
not an ordinary organization. Established as a non-profit of the Outreach ministry and active both in Outreach and
organization (NPO) in 2002, Carillon’s founder, Ms. Setsuko Stewardship ministries. He is also quite well known outside of
Tsuboi came to speak at TUC on September 9. In 1986 the Church, especially among railway enthusiasts in and outside
the Tokyo Bar Association began consultation for abused Japan. Actually, he is a famous railway photographer.
children who often have no protection from abusive parents
or access to safe housing because of parental rights. Working Since his first visit to Japan in 1956, Wally has been taking
as a lawyer, Setsuko met with many abused children. In 1994, photographs of the railways as well as the daily lives of people
Setsuko wrote Mogareta Tsubasa or “Plucked Wings” which in Japan. As you might guess, color films were precious in the
is a story about abused youth in a children’s center. After the 50s and 60s, especially in Japan. As an American photographer,
first performance (it still continues to be performed annually), he took many full-color photos which turned out to be valuable
she said, “Many people began to say, ‘Let’s make the real records of the post-war history.
Carillon Children Center. If we do not do anything, their
dream would remain a dream. We have to step forward.” As a From his enormous collections of photos, we picked about 400
result Carillon Children Center became a reality. photos taken in the 50s and 60s and published them as a full-
color paperback. There is a photo of unpaved Omotesando, a answer questions about individual photos. Some of the photos,
picture of a very woody Aoyama Cemetery with a tram and especially those showing trains or trams, also were used in a set
the yellow train cars of the Yamanote Line. Just enjoy how this of large format, hard-cover books that JTB Publishing issued
society has changed in the last half a century. several years ago; the new book, from Kobunsha Publishing, has
a much lower price, 1500 yen (plus the inevitable consumption
It is unfortunate that the book is not bilingual but only in tax), and is designed to appeal to readers whose memories don`t
The center was established as an NPO in June 2004 by attorneys, child welfare staff and citizens and in 2008 it became a social Japanese. Yet it is worth a look as it is filled with many photos. go back 60 years, and is much easier to lift and carry.
welfare corporation. A publication from the center points out that: carillon is a musical instrument consisting of bells arranged in Go to a bookstore, pick up a copy and enjoy time travel to 50 If there is an overall theme to the photos, it would be that they
sequence. Just as a number of bells are rung together to produce harmony, we hope that this activity for supporting children will years ago. show what I found especially interesting, and, put together
grow further.” This harmony is continuing today through various homes and services for abused youth. In the past four and a half as a book, why I wanted - and still want - to live here. There
years, 130 children, with 75% being girls, have benefited from the Center. Depending on the youth’s needs there are the children’s aren't any Tokyo Union Church scenes, for our church was
emergency center, the self-reliance assistance home and the corporate family home for youth who are unable to attend school or work Footnote from Wally Higgins introduced to the wider Tokyo world on NHK TV two years
because of mental illnesses due to abuse. Also there is a housing unit for daycare services and recreational activities based on what "60 Years Ago, Tokyo and Japan" is designed to give today's ago. Tokyo scenes are on pages 20 to 133 (our offshore island
the children want to do, such as singing and music lessons, learning another language, reflexology, acupuncture and counselling. readers a look at what I saw in 1956-1965 and photographed, of Oshima is here because it is part of metropolitan Tokyo) and
fortunately in Kodachrome, which has kept its color through the book then goes farther afield, even to Okinawa when it was
“Our light is small, but we hope if many small lights are lit up all over this country, many lonely children will be rescued and find the years. This is the book that I presented to Pastor Johann still under American control.
that their lives are valuable.” said Setsuko. The Outreach Ministry provided a financial donation to Carillon this past spring to several weeks ago, and there's a copy at the reception desk.
help cover their operating expenses. In December we will let them use our fellowship hall for their annual Christmas party as well The text and photo captions are all in Japanese, and there Browse and enjoy!
as provide the drinks and desserts. Those members of the congregation who wish to provide financial support to the December 8 aren't any plans to publish an English version. But I can easily
Christmas party can talk to Akito Ishibashi or Devon Arthurson.”
6 7
Ministry Feature Advent Feature
A chat with Yuka use this time for prayer and meditation. No applause is needed
or expected.” since it is not a concert. We sometimes present
uplifting music. This does not mean you should hold your
TUC family every Sunday!
Some of the back numbers of the Koinonia related to the Choir.
(TUC web → Menu → Resources → Koinonia Newsletter →)
Yuka Omi is TUC’s Choir Director natural reaction. Remaining in silence or saying "Amen" may be Spring 2018 “Hall of Hearts” (Valentine’s Day Tea Time
a way to participate in a God-centered service. Choir members Concert)
I also sometimes select songs to fit in with a personal event (a appreciate any personal comments after the service. Not only Autumn 2016 “My Souls Magnify The Lord” (Sanctuary Choir
favorite one for a member’s sayonara, etc.). do singers feel motivated by it, but Sunday’s at TUC)
Sometimes members tell me the songs they like to sing, and I try it helps us grow spiritually. Fall 2014 “Meet our members and
to bring them in as much as possible if they match the conditions We hope that this is reflected in our friends” (Yuka Omi)
mentioned above. service.
From a technical point of view, I consider balancing the difficulty We are serving God with joy, and
of the pieces, so that some are challenging yet not too much work we look forward to serving with our
for the singers and accompanist, and something to bring out singer's
ability and character.
For the introit, I usually select a hymn that matches the Bible
reading, sometimes discussing with singers during the rehearsal to
TUC: What is the selection process to join the TUC choir?
YO: There is no selection process. Experience in choir singing
select suitable hymns For special Sundays like Easter and Pentecost,
or Christmas Eve, I select from other sources like Taizé music, prose,
Poems for Christmas
is not a requirement. Many people come to the rehearsal and etc. Selected by Yuka Omi
see how they feel. Ability to read music is preferred, but not
a must. Some of our members do not read music, but they sit TUC: What are the favorite hymns that you like performing? The Shepherds Sing and Shall I Silent Be? For him all stars have shone
next to a person who knows music well, and also listen to the YO: I like simple but beautiful melody and harmony that express Words: George Herbert Elizabeth Jennings (1926-2001)
part practice recordings at home. For people new to choirs, we the meaning and reflect our spirit well and/or give us power. These
encourage them to come to rehearsals and sing with us during include: The shepherds sing; and shall I silent be? He is so small the stars bow down
the service when they feel ready. “Fairest Lord Jesus” My God, no hymn for Thee? The fierce winds ease their breath,
“In Christ there is no East or West”(Gospel Type) My soul’s a shepherd too: a flock it feeds And careful shepherds look upon
TUC: How often do you practice? “Personent Hodie” (Gustav Holst’s version - great unison singing Of thoughts, and words, and deeds. The one unsullied birth.
YO: The SC practices every Sunday and Thursday, except for and organ baseline with descending parallel chord) The pasture is Thy word; the streams, Thy grace They kneel and stare while time seems gone
the summer break. I always plan to practice songs for several “Let Us Break Bread Together on Our Knees” (version that TUC Enriching all the place. And goodness rules the earth.
weeks ahead. uses with the third verse 3 with modified melody) Shepherd and flock shall sing, and all my powers The blight on man is all undone,
“Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah”(great Bass line and descant) Out-sing the daylight hours. And there will be no death,
TUC: What happens if some choir members are unable to “Lift High the Cross” Then we will chide the sun for letting night For though this child will be nailed on a cross,
attend regularly? Take up his place and right : he’ll be so since He is the jewel of untold worth.
YO: They are encouraged to catch up at home, and check TUC: How much preparation do you need to put in for Choir We sing one common Lord ; For him all the stars have shone.
some markings of the score from the missed rehearsal by next Sundays? wherefore he should
rehearsal from someone in the part. YO: The choir usually starts working on Choir Sunday pieces 3-4 Himself the candle hold. Jesus, Springing
For difficult parts, either I or someone from the choir will help months prior to the day. At the regular rehearsal, the choir practices I will go searching, till I find a sun, Shall stay, till we Kevin Crossley-Holland
them before or after the rehearsal. Our mission is to present the offertory anthem, the introit and Choir Sunday pieces. have done ;
God's message with beautiful harmony in 'team singing'. If a In the fall, we have Intensive practice at the choir retreat. A willing shiner, that shall shine as gladly, I am the heart that houses the cone,
singer has not practiced together enough in the group, he or she TUC: What is the next Choir Sunday Program? As frost-nipt suns look sadly. the cone enclosing the cedar,
is encouraged to cooperate by not singing during the service, YO: Our Next Choir Sunday is Dec.2, at the 8:30 and 11:00 Then we will sing, and shine all our own day, I am the cedar sawn for the cradle, forest of the body, body of
just listening to us and telling us what they felt about the choir services. And one another pay: the tree.
singing. We will present a selection of Advent and Christmas pieces by Bob His beams shall cheer my breast, and both so twine, I am the cradle rocking the baby,
Chilcott, a British Composer, beautiful settings on poem by British Till even his beams sing, and my music shine. I am the baby containing the man, I am the man nailed on the
TUC: How do you select the hymns for each Sunday? writers Kevin Crossley-Holland, George Herbert, Christina Rossetti, cross, tree of the body, body of the forest.
YO: For the offertor y anthem, I select and make plans etc. Note: This is an excerpt from a longer poem, All After I am the cross sawn from the cedar, I am the cedar enclosed in
considering the church calendar and the weekly lectionary. I Pleasures As I Rid One. the cone, I am the cone housed in the heart, here in my heart
balance the range of music (traditional - modern, praising - TUC: Do you have any requests for the congregation? Source: The Book of Christmas Hymns Jesus, springing.
meditative, Jesus - us). YO: As in the bulletin, after the offertory anthem,“We hope you (London: T. Nelson and Sons, 1868), pp. 42-43.
8 9
Advent Special Advent Special
Christmas around the World HONG KONG
Linda Hirata
AUSTRALIA
Gesling Family Religion and faith in Hong Kong is characterized by a multi-
faith diversity of beliefs and practises. The greater part of the
population of Hong Kong are of Chinese descent. As such they
The north wind is tossing the leaves. the follow Chinese religious traditions of worshiping local gods
The red dust is over the town; and revering the ancestors, and in most cases not declaring their
The sparrows are under the eaves, religious affiliation in surveys.
And the grass in the paddock is brown; During the British rule of Hong Kong of 100 years before 1997,
As we lift up our voices and sing, the many Christian schools and hospitals established by the
To the Christ-child the heavenly King. British had a significant impact upon the people of Hong Kong.
However, with the end of the British rule and the handover of
the sovereignty of the city to China, there has been a renewal
So begins a famous Christmas carol sung in Christian churches
around Australia on Christmas morning. In Australia Christmas
occurs during the long, summer holidays at the end of the
school year. A week or two earlier schools have broken up for the
summer, and just prior to that there were graduation ceremonies, of Buddhist and Chinese folk religions. In a 2016 city survey,
speech nights and end-of-school year events and work Christmas it appeared that only 12% of the population in Hong Kong are
parties keeping everyone busy. The Christmas shopping has been Christians.
completed Christmas (fruit) cakes, Christmas puddings and mince During Christmas time Hong Kong offers many social and
pies have been baked. Legs of ham, fresh prawns, salads, BBQ commercial events celebrating the theme of Christmas for the
ingredients and some turkeys have been prepared and everyone is younger population of the city. Hotels and shopping centers are
now ready to spend time with family and friends. Caroling events decorated in Christmas a theme to attract consumer spending.
take place in the warm summer evenings under the stars in local It certainly is a colorful spectacle Chinese lanterns and street
neighbourhoods and in big cities. Houses are decorated with vendors offering their specialities to tourist and locals alike.
Christmas lights – some even requiring a donation to charity prior
to viewing.
As Christmas morning dawns early, new bicycles are being ridden outside, or trampolines are being jumped on in the backyard, and roller However, December is a busy month for churches with outreach
skates are causing their first grazed knees. Churchgoers attend worship in t-shirts, thongs (flip-flops) and shorts; presents are unwrapped activities such as choirs singing Christmas carols on the busy
and the feasting begins. A lot of food is consumed on Christmas Day and some of it accompanied by alcohol. Some families gather at streets or at various church venues. Surprisingly, there are three
home, but others gather at the beach, by a river or in a nature reserve. Wherever people gather however, by about 3 PM, the stomachs are Japanese churches in Hong Kong. It's easy to find and join one
so full that hardly anyone can move. Rest is encouraged, and later in the afternoon, a lighter meal is made up of lunch leftovers! The day of the Church services if you have a chance to visit Hong Kong
after - Boxing Day is another Public Holiday and people enjoy another relaxing day sleeping, eating Christmas leftovers and watching the during Christmas.
cricket – or the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
10 11
Advent Special Advent Special
UGANDA SOUTH AFRICA
Akech Okullo Hennie Symington
Christmas is one of the days Ugandan Christians celebrate
yearly. Most town dwellers migrate to the villages to be with the
extended families which come together to give, receive and share Of course Christmas in South Africa is different from
gifts even with neighbors. New clothes and shoes are bought for Christmas in the US, Britain and Europe simply because
family members.The home is collectively cleaned and decorated. Christmas comes during the summer. So no cosy fireplaces,
On Christmas Eve,Christmas carols are sung by mobile church snow on the the ground and hot chocolate and turkey with
choirs in some peoples’ homes. cranberries sauce and gluwein.
So how do we celebrate? Well there are the diehards who
continue to dish up a turkey with cranberry sauce. But for
most of us, Christmas is a lot simpler with mostly cold dishes
and salads, a large ham, and maybe turkey.
After Christmas services, every family brings potluck dishes to
the home of the eldest relative and feasts while sitting according
to age groups.
After the meal, children play together while the elders sit
around campfires conversing and drinking. It is also the time
when young babies are baptized in the church. It is a happy In South Africa “braai” or bar-be-que is our national
time of the year. “sport”. When in doubt, whip out the “braai grill” with
steak, lamb chops, and if you live hear the ocean, you
could just “braai” a fish on the grill. As far as dessert goes,
it’s mostly trif le (an assortment of jelly, fruits, cream,
custard and what have you). I recall my grandmother
making “tickey pudding” which was a large fruit cake
filled all sorts of charms and tikeys (three penny silver
KOREA
Ghim Hong-Il
In Korea, Christians greet each other with
the words which is Merry Christmas. Christmas is
a National holiday so cities and broadcasters are celebrating the birth coins) baked into the pudding. Great excitement!
of baby Jesus with many places celebrating this day with colorful Of course Santa will be there but definitely not arriving on a
decorations. sleigh!
Shopping centers and streets are crowded by people who are looking for But what is not negotiable in most South African households,
presents and restaurants. To add to the crush, the traffic in Seoul is also is attending the Christmas Service on a Sunday morning
terrible! wherever you may be. Usually the pastor would have a short-
Many middle and high school Christian students will stay in church with ish sermon so that the kids, which include adults like me
their church friends from Christmas Eve night to the next morning to who love gifts as much as a mouse loves cheese, can rush
attend the Christmas service. home and open their gifts.
Yes, Christmas in South Africa is a joyful day!
12 13
Ministry News Ministry News
Fuji Fellows Bible Studies @ TUC
Michelle Roberts
What is Fuji Fellows?
The Fuji Fellows Program is a 9-month leadership experience
for recent college graduates that integrates faith and vocation
while discovering their best selves through work, service, and
cultural engagement. Fuji Fellows are a diverse group of young
adults who have demonstrated leadership and academic success
in college, and want to serve in the marketplace with excellence
while living out their faith.
While there are similar fellows programs in other countries,
TUC has developed our own program as we have much to
offer young people. With a diverse congregation who has the
gift of hospitality, we provide the base for the fellow to grow in
wisdom and stature.
The application can be found at FujiFellows.org. Please share
The Fuji Fellows experience consists of six areas: with your home church, universities, and young people you
may know.
• Work -Three days a week professional work placement Opportunities for you to love, serve, and interact with the
associated with the fellow’s field of study, training, and
interest.
fellows include:
Couples Fellowship
• Being a host family (4 months or 9 months)
• Theologica l Study -- t wo days a week - focus on • Application reviewer or Admissions Interviewer Linda Hirata
integration of faith, work, and calling through the lens of • Providing/contributing to a meal
the Kingdom • Meeting a fellow at the airport on arrival Marriage is a lifetime commitment. Facing the complexities
• Teaching the Japanese language of commitment, the Bible gives us guidance. Church family
• Service – weekly - commitments in Tokyo Union Church • Assisting with trips to the ward office, etc encourages each other to make a good marriage into a better
and in the community • Many, many more! one.
• Contact Michelle Roberts at fellows@tokyounion.org
• Hospitality – communal living with host families or in a for more information. Tokyo Union Church Couple Fellowship started from an
share house evening watching a movie named "Fireproof " on October
Marvellous Mystery 2010. Many of us felt the need to meet from time to time to
• Community time with other fellows at weekly roundtable invest in our marriages. We started to gather once a month to
Hennie Symington
dinners and retreats study marriage related books together since 2010.
God is not a moth
• Self Discovery/Cultural Engagement – Provided with a enticed by lit candles to come forth
mentor and professional development; outings and special from sacred spaces
events in rock hardened church faces.
God is the mystery inscrutable The group meet once a month for around 2-3 hours on Saturday night with potluck meal. After sharing food, we focus on building
Requirements include: applicants must be at least 21 years of who laid his his cards on the table saying: relationships based on the study book. Currently, the group is studying on "The Meaning of Marriage" by Timothy Keller. We also
age, no more than three years after graduation from college, "There is my Son." have celebrations from time to time instead of Bible studies. Strong marriage builds up strong family!
Christian faith, and a teachable spirit. There is no Japanese He, the One I am thankful for TUC couple fellowship for friendship we built up there. We laugh together and cry together. It is life in Christ.
language requirement. who once became like us The current coordinators are Ester and Piet Strydom. You are welcome to sign up and find out more. See you there next time!
so that we could see God's body language thus:
the Child born to die on a cross!
14 15
Testimony Testimony
Faith & Work
For months we had been praying that everything would go It had notes about companies and interview preparation and to
A testimony by Nick Ashley smoothly, and thank God, the labor was relatively quick (I can't do lists but it also had prayers, poems, reflections and doodles.
say easy!) and she was born a wonderful healthy baby. Looking back on this journal the other day, I realized it tells the
Soon after my mother-in-law came up to Tokyo to stay with us story of how I came to think about God at work.
My name is Nick Ashley and I've been a member at TUC for immediately put on 5kg despite the cycling) and help out.
about 7 years. There was even an office dog who had his own name card! Soul seeking
I'd like to share with you the story of a time when I really felt It wasn't perfect, of course, but for me it was as close to a dream A week later my company were due to go on a trip to Mt.Takao. There are a few points in the book where you can see from
God at work in my life. job as I had ever had. Since everything was OK at home, I thought some time outside my annotations that my thinking or understanding changed
the house would be refreshing, so I decided to join in the fun and about halfway through, after struggling with the decision
A dream job What's more they were very understanding about my family with my new colleagues. It was a beautiful spring day, and felt about what work I should do, I wrote "My real work is to be a
It was a little over a year ago and I had just joined a new situation because soon after I joined the company, my daughter great to be out in the open air. We were just enjoying the view Christian"
company in January. I was simply loving it.. Emily was due to be born, and they agreed to let me have two at the top of the mountain when everybody's phone started
The people were super friendly and interesting and the office months paternity leave. Everyone was so supportive and so buzzing. What did I mean?
was like a Starbucks, located in Shimokitazawa, which is a excited to meet the new office baby! I went on paternity leave Obviously I need a job to make a living and look after my
really cool part of town. looking forward to a new adventure, and looking forward to family.
I could bike to work which was great and also, I had more returning to my dream workplace as a dad. We had an urgent message from the CEO, who had stayed And of course I want to do meaningful work that makes a
responsibility than before, with a great boss who listened to my behind: we must come back to the office immediately for an difference in the world.
ideas and gave helpful advice. The dream collapses urgent all-staff meeting. But that's not the most important thing.
The perks were amazing! We got free massages on Fridays, On March 30th Emily was born, and she was just the cutest The most important thing is simply, that I love God and my
free sandwiches on Tuesdays, endless fruit and biscuits (I thing! When we arrived back in Shimokitazawa, the CEO was pacing neighbour and myself.
back and forth with papers in her hand talking to a man I'd That's what I do as a Christian. I love.
never seen.The tension was unbearable. My real work, as a Christian, is to love.
That way, when I work, God is at work.
To cut a long story short, on that day, a week after Emily was
born, they announced that the company was closing. One
minute I had a dream job, the next moment, I have a baby and Epilogue
no job! In fact, none of us had a job! So you might be wondering if I did find a job at the end of it.
I did, and I'm blessed with work I enjoy and wonderful
In God's hands colleagues.
At that moment, I was too shocked to panic. And even now, if I ever think "what am I doing here?" I come
I knew that now things were beyond my control. back to that journal, and remember the journey God took me
This is a time where I would simply have to trust God. through.
That doesn't mean being lazy, of course. I prayed, and I also My work is to be a Christian
contacted friends, brushed up my resume, applied for jobs. I I'm here to love, and to witness God at work.
made a daily routine to keep myself busy.
And of course I looked after Emily and helped out at home.
If I kept doing these things, and kept praying and reading the
Bible, I was sure that God would find a way. Another thing I
did was to start a new notebook and this ended up being a real
mixture of work and faith.
16 17
Testimony Christmas Devotional
Spiritual Spinework—a personal When hope fails us
reflection Hennie Symington
A testimony by Jean S. Wilson
followers, and being so utterly human, we to are prone to
missing the signs of hope.
To what can I compare this generation?
“We played on the flute for you, What are the signs of hope?
And you did not dance … Matthew 11:16a; 17a Hope is not born of the vain expectations of a culture, which
A few months ago I began to visit a chiropractor for help to has abandoned the promise of salvation along the way a long
straighten out and untwist my back and re-establish balance. time ago or has bartered it for the empty promises of the rich
The degeneration of my spine has not happened overnight. It is and the mighty. Hope comes to pass where new life is born.
the result of years or even decades of improper or insufficient May you celebrate Advent this year as a time of renewed hope
body care, bad habits and lack of good posture, which I had and rekindled joy for you and your loved ones.
failed to recognise or chose to ignore until the damage was done
and pain forced me to give it my attention. Now I need to work
daily on maintaining my progress and preventing my spine
from degenerating further.
Over this same period, I was studying the first 12 chapters of
the Old Testament book of 1 Kings, which relates the life of
King Solomon. I saw that his story revealed a similar pattern of During this season, as we anticipate the celebration of Jesus’
degeneration, except in his case, it was in his spiritual life. birth, in the 18th Advent of the 2nd millennium A.D., the
Solomon’s story starts out in a blaze of glory. He is chosen to Yet, once the temple was completed Solomon began to focus on question asked by John the Baptist languishing in prison comes
succeed his father, King David, and tasked with the enormous accumulating more wealth, military and economic power, and to mind. He sends Jesus a message asking: “Are you the one
job of building the Temple in Jerusalem. Overwhelmed by wives. Just three chapters later we read, “As Solomon grew old, who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Mat.
the immensity of his responsibilities, he asks God for wisdom, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was 11:2b). For John this was an existential question: Had his life
which God gives him in abundance, as well as wealth and not fully devoted to the Lord his God…” (11:4).The spiritual and preaching been in vain? Did the hope of encountering Jesus
honour. degeneration took place over nearly two decades. It frightened as the Messiah vanish into thin air? Did he get it wrong and put
Solomon is fervent and faithful at first. His prayer recorded in 1 me to think that in his old age, after years of walking closely himself out on a limb? Was there perhaps another Messiah with
Kings 8:23-61 is one of the most glorious in the Bible. “…Praise with God, he ended his life worshipping other gods. a more respectable lineage born somewhere in a palace and in
be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he Did he not notice he was going astray, or did he no longer care? another age?
promised… May the Lord our God be with us as he was with Did he think his past relationship with God was enough to see
our ancestors; may he never leave us or forsake us. May he turn him through? Did he get bored with serving God, or did he Like John the Baptist, we too are familiar with the attributes
our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the think that his position entitled him to some spiritual adultery of the Messiah but often our expectations lie elsewhere. Often,
commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors. And may without any consequences? Whatever the reason, I wondered we are enticed by the promises of other Messiahs we meet along
these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be how to make sure I avoid the same tragic mistake. the way: Our love of material goods, success, security, luxury,
near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold I need the Holy Spirit to be my spiritual chiropractor, selfishness and pride, which all promise to save us from our
the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel correcting the misalignments in my walk with Jesus. 1 Timothy sense of hopelessness. How then shall we recognise the Messiah
according to each day’s need, so that the peoples of the earth 4:1 warns that some people will abandon the faith; I don’t want in the midst of all the attractions and distractions of the “festive
may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other (vv. to be one of those people. I want to be as vigilant about my season”?
56, 58-60).” spiritual condition as I now am about my spine. Like Paul in 2
Timothy 4:7, I want to be able to say, “I have fought the good Perhaps we should tune our ear to the words of Jesus addressed Prayer:
fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” to John’s followers who were possibly expecting someone other Lord, as we celebrate the season of hope, remind us once again of
than this strange man from Nazareth. So, what does Jesus do? the shepherds who took the message from the angel to heart and set
He tells them: “Go back and report to John what you hear out to find the Child. May we celebrate this Advent season with
and see: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have stars in our eyes and great expectations in our hearts. But above all,
leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the empower us to keep the hope alive in our hearts as we wait for the
good news is preached to the poor (Matt. 11:4-5). Like these new birth symbolized by the birth of the Child. Amen
18 19Celebrating Advent & Christmas at Tokyo Union Church
Sunday, December 2 1st Sunday in Advent (8:30 & 11 am worship)
The Sanctuary Choir presents Carols for the Advent Season
by Bob Chilcott “Selections of Bob Chilcott”
God@Work Service (1:30 pm)
Sun., Dec. 2 – Sun., Dec. 9 International Nativity Scene Display
(10 am – 7 pm; *Closed Sat., Dec. 8th)
Thursday, December 6
Women’s Fellowship “Gospel Christmas Celebration with Ron Rucker & Sound of Grace”
Potluck Luncheon (10:30 am)
Saturday, December 8
“Light of the World” Christmas Concert - Christmas Music & Ballet (7:00 pm)
Sunday, December 9 2nd Sunday in Advent (8:30 & 11 am worship)
with the Bott Memorial Home Handbell Choir (11am)
Tokyo Embassy Choir Christmas Family Concert (2:30 pm & 5:00 pm)
Sunday, December 16 3rd Sunday in Advent (8:30 & 11 am worship)
Christmas Caroling @ TUC (12:30 pm)
Wednesday, December 19
Taize Blue Christmas Service (7:30 pm)
Sunday, December 23 4th Sunday in Advent (8:30 & 11 am worship)
* No Sunday School
Christmas Caroling @ TUC (12:30 pm)
Monday, December 24
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Services (4 pm, 6 pm & 8 pm)
* 4 pm Worship – A Special Focus for Children
Tuesday, December 25 Christmas Day Worship Service (11 am)
Christmas Potluck Luncheon (after the service @Fellowship Hall)
Sunday, December 30
Worship Service (11 am ONLY) * No Sunday School
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
New Year’ s Day Breakfast for Homeless (10 am)
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Worship Service (8:30 & 11 am)
About Koinonia
Koinonia is the seasonal magazine of Tokyo Union Church, available online at www.tokyounion.org/koinonia-newsletter
This issue was created by the Koinonia team, part of the Communications Ministry:
Richard Man - Editor and Co-ordinator, Anita Gesling - joint co-ordinator and copy/editor, Ollie de Bidaph - publishing
designer, Hennie Symington - copy/editor, contributor, Ayah Kakinuma - Front/back cover artwork, Wally Higgins -
copy/editor, Kei Morito - graphics contributorYou can also read
