Administration Ministry Team
The 150 Anniversary of Tokyo Union Church
By Catherine Sasanuma
Three years ago, in January 2020, we were looking forward to the Olympics and excited to welcome the world at our doorstep. Six weeks later we were in the midst of a global pandemic that closed us off from one another and the world. And our church doors were shuttered for over two years.
On Palm Sunday weekend, April 8th, after two years of physical isolation, we launched Tokyo Union Church’s 150th Anniversary. Finally, we were able to reconnect with our wonderful congregation and re-inaugurate Tokyo Union Church in a joyful celebration we named “Meet Pray Love.”
Through the heroic and tireless efforts of our AV, Tech and other volunteers, musicians, TUC pastors and staff we were able to launch the event both virtually and in person. Jonathan Oh conquered all technological challenges to make this happen.
“Meet, Pray, Love” was a homecoming of sorts with everything the word implies: we were coming back to God’s house, we were celebrating 150 years of our ministry and we were reaching out to former, current and future members both remotely and in person. This was designed to reach every alumni in every time zone. We broadcast in three time zones around the globe. Over 1,100 alumni joined us.
There were numerous elements to Meet, Pray, Love, all presented in a new and hybrid way. We kicked this off with eight hours of programming. Nine of our former pastors participated. We started with TUC’s history from Pastor Steve, updates from former pastors—talking about where they were, what they were doing, how their lives were. It was absolutely joyful to see so many of our former pastors who have led and ministered to us in so many ways, not physically together, but together via livestream from Sweden, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany and the United States.
And we discussed memories of how Tokyo Union Church developed and evolved, challenges and moments of grace and enjoyed humor and laughter.
And we talked about prayer and the meaning of prayer. Our pastors talked about what prayer is, how they pray and the role of prayer for both their lives and the life of a congregation.
Our youth challenged the congregation to perform 150 acts of love and kindness in the coming year—a remarkable act of wisdom from our young members. And we had a Taize song service dedicated to peace in the Ukraine. Tokyo Union Church is blessed to have a remarkable musical ministry.
1,100 people from 17 countries took part in this remarkable on-line event and 200 people filled our church. One of the beautiful things about this eight hour of messages was its fluidity. People would watch and listen and then perhaps wander downstairs for a cup of coffee and a muffin, or to reconnect with other friends and members whom they had not seen for the past two-plus years.
A special historical photograph exhibition welcomed Meet, Pray, Love guests in the entry foyer thanks to Ikuko Mori, Maki Yamamoto and Alison Yamaguchi. Murakami San led to tours to Tsukiji. In 1872, when TUC was born, foreigners were required to live in this area.
The Meet Pray Love April 8th event was only the start of TUC’s 150th anniversary. Through the coming months we continued to celebrate our Church in countless ways, big and small. We call them ‘pop-ups’ events because many of them were one of a kind.
We focused on building community with a series of small events. Pastor Hector led numerous coffee tastings with members of our church: the young adults, the choir, the ushers. We had a Family Fiesta, with a pinata, live guitar and authentic Mexican food. You have never seen so many children with their parents in tow. Our Mexican member Martha Gomez coordinated this 150th family celebration.
One of the most fun events was Chili and Movie night! Kane Mitani, a film producer (who worked on the film Silence with Martin Scorsese) organized this event. Kane selected the film Big Fish, a movie about relationships and then led a lively discussion afterwards.
The main and perhaps most memorable event was the Joyful Jubilee celebration, held October 1st and 2nd and it WAS truly a joyful! The church was filled. That weekend over 500 people attended the two days of dinners, lunches, and a special coffee hour. Our Church was beautifully decorated with lights, traditional antique Japanese linens and banners. On Saturday Nobu catered our special lunch and dinner with delicious bento boxes. It was an evening of beauty, celebration, music, laughter and thankfulness and JOY! To honor our Arts Ministry, a short dramatic ballet dance launched the evening dinner celebration.
The Sunday service was led by Pastor Barry Dawson, Pastor Matt Hardin and Pastor Johann, all of whom had been issued special visas to allow them into Japan. The choir dazzled us with the first live performance after covid. Flute and koto musicians reminded us of our special Japan heritage. MOHN’s Homeless Chef, Kudo San, prepared a delicious curry lunch, highlighting TUC’s commitment to our Homeless Ministry. The meal ended with a huge dessert buffet by members. To say it was a sweet ending is an understatement!
In November about ten members made a pilgrimage to Nagasaki, organized by Linda Hirata to recognize, remember, find inspiration and learn about the early Christians in Japan.
Our motto was to “Commemorate the past, Celebrate the present and Create the future”. Our tag line was, “A community of love for all people.” Our only regret is that Japan’s borders were closed, preventing TUC’s alumni from joining the 150th celebrations in person.
The 150th Anniversary Year was a turning point in TUC’s history. It was more than the sum of its parts. It generated a groundswell of love that will continue to buoy and sustain us going forward. There are so many to thank: our former pastors, current pastors, staff, our congregation members, our leaders and servants and the TUC 150th Anniversary Committee: Nick Ashley who guided us weekly, Russell Gesling, Ikuko Omori, Maki Yamamoto, Jonathan Oh, Linda Herata, Kane Mitani, Yasu, Kawabe, Hillary Disher, Curtis Jordan, Rika Nakajima, Jody Fuller, Josephine Alade, Martha Gomez, Jean Pengosro, Alison Harada, Florence Ene, Pastor Hector Herrera and Pastor Steve Yamaguchi.
Now we are prayerfully working on charting a course for the next 150 years!
Stewardship
By Alan Sorba
How have you seen God at work in your ministry over the year?
The regular and joyful gatherings of a committed group to study, share on, encourage, and grow spiritually in stewardship;
The carrying out of a stewardship season program with diverse and encouraging messages on stewardship;
An increase in the number of Time & Talent and Financial pledge forms received for 2023; and,
Our welcome new and enthusiastic members to the stewardship team in 2023.
Please list the activities of your ministry this past year.
We held early morning calls each month. As part of this, we enjoyed deepening our relationships by taking turns and sharing a bit about our personal experiences. We then delved in and studied various aspects and materials on stewardship. For example, we read the book Divine Time Management by Elizabeth Saunders and shared what resonated with us from it. We prayerfully decided on the stewardship season Bible verse to be Romans 12:15, “...so in Christ, we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others…". Leading up to Dedication Sunday in late October, our team members presented four moments for ministry (“MFM”). First, Julie Fukuda shared on a real-life story of how Vacation Bible School went so well because volunteers pitched in where needed. She then encouraged us to consider doing the same, that is, to help take care of TUC like it’s our home. Nick then reminded us through a Good News for Kids (and adults!) message that we’re all uniquely important and part of the same body of Christ. Brad followed with an inspiring message not to be afraid to take on new challenges because they can allow us an opportunity to use our strengths and for God to fill in for our weaknesses. Finally, Jackie shared on a practical and encouraging way to think about giving. On top to these MFMs, Pastor Steve and Pastor Hector preached all together four sermons on stewardship. TUC received 99 Time & Talent pledge forms for 2023 (compared with 36 forms received in the year before) wherein people expressed interests in serving in multiple areas including with livestream services, MOHN, communications, prayer, evangelism, worship, Koinonia, hosting and gatherings, crafts, property & use, connecting with alumni, stewardship, hospitality, children & youth, finance and accounting, and welcoming new members. In response to receiving these forms, TUC Elders were excited to reach out and welcome new members to their teams. TUC received 87 Financial pledge forms for 2023 totaling ¥38.2 million (¥ pledges: 76 / ¥16 million; $ pledges: 11 forms / $168,400). In the prior year, 68 financial pledge forms were received totaling ¥40.5 million (¥ pledges: 58 forms / ¥24.3 million; $ pledges: $184,500) In early 2023, we welcomed new and enthusiastic members to our team, affirmed our areas of ministry within stewardship, and are now brainstorming initiatives we’d like to focus on this year.