Ramblings

Updates

There will be no sermons posted for May 6th, May 13th and May 20th.  The May 6th sermon will not be posted because of technical difficulties, somehow it is lost on the computer and may have been deleted.  The May 13th sermon because I woke up ill that day and did not preach.  And there will be no sermon for May 20th because I attended the Southwest Texas Synod Assembly in Corpus Christi.  The sermon on May 20th was prepared by our Bishop, to be read by lay members at the churches were pastors were attending Synod assembly.  I hope to get back on track this summer.

“ARD”

A wonderful homily presented by the former presiding Bishop of the ELCA – Herbert Chilstrom. It was forwarded to me by email and I am posting here for some of my blog readers. Enjoy!

 

ELCA Retired Bishops' Gathering

Buffalo, Minnesota

October 24, 2011

"…we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is form God and not from us. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4: 7, 16

 

About a year ago I felt enough discomfort in my back to see my physician. She ordered an X-ray. She called a few days later and rendered this wonderful diagnosis: "Age-related degeneration." I felt like shouting back, "So what else is new!"

I know you all understand. At an event like this the words "Oh my!" go through our minds in the first hours. We meet a couple we haven't seen for some time and think, "Oh my, she hasn't changed a bit in the last four years." Then we look at him and say, "Oh my, what happened to him!" Let's face it – for even the halest among us the story is about the same. We all have an identical diagnosis: "Age-related degeneration." Some jars of clay are less cracked than others. But all are cracked.

In his book "Healthy Aging," Andrew Weil suggests that if possible all older persons should have a pet. First, they make wonderful companions. But there's a more important benefit. As we watch our dog or cat age at a comparatively rapid pace it reminds us of our own mortality.

Our pet is a friendly little tail-wagging Cairn terrier named "Jonah." He joined our family a year after we retired. If he lives that long he'll turn 15 on New Year's Day. He used to jump up on our bed at the crack of dawn to sleep for another hour, cradled among our tangled feet. Now we wake him, even when we sleep late. He's getting white around his eyes and under his chin. If he hears the neighbor's dog barking he just rolls over and keeps on napping.

Do I see myself in Jonah? Oh, yes, it's all too familiar. I got hearing aids three years ago. Corinne, after some gentle encouragement, got hers three months ago. Several days later I said something to her and she didn't respond. So I raised my voice and asked if she remembered to put in her hearing aids. That was a huge mistake. She looked at me and said, "Yes, I have them in. But hearing aids don't help if you don't make sense."

My vision, to take but one more example, has taken a huge dip in the past year. I'm now legally blind. Like Paul, I now say, "See what large letters I use as I write…." (Galatians 6:11) Your faces out there are like blank slates. I miss the gleam in the eye, the smile and, yes, a tear on the cheek. I keep planting them, but I can't enjoy the loveliness of my flower gardens.

Last January my eye specialist said, "Herb, you've dropped below the threshold where it's safe for you t drive." It was sobering to go to the dresser the next morning and, after decades of freedom to go when and where I pleased, leave my car keys laying there.

When I walked Jonah after breakfast that morning I met my crusty neighbor Dennis. He comes from Duluth. In that part of Minnesota, and even more so up on the Iron Range, folks speak plain English. When I told Dennis that I had to stop driving he turned to me and said, "Oh, shit! Oh shit!" I looked back and said, "Thanks, Dennis. That's exactly the expression I was looking for.

The more I reflected on what Dennis said, the more sense it made. Most of the things that happen to us at this stage of life are not the stuff of lament Psalms or of what the theologians call "deus absconditus" – the hidden or absent God. Those are for times in life that make no sense whatever and drive one to wonder why God has abandoned us.

At this stage of life, however, the natural process of aging will bring all kinds of evidence of cracks in our jars of clay. For me it's loss of vision. For most of you it's something else. A few may slip through unscathed. But even they will finally face the BIG D-generation. There's no point in being angry or bitter when things happen that are part of the aging process. That only makes matters worse, both for us and for those who live with us. Without being irreverent, isn't it better at times to use Dennis' expression and just say, "Oh shit!" or, if that's too strong for you, "Oh shucks!" and then get on with life? I think so.  We should, of course, add a prayer that God will help us to be tolerable to live with at these times. Yes, and also a prayer that God will preserve for us a bit of good humor in the midst of it.

That leaves the question: Is that all there is? Is that all there is?

"Sunrise, sunset; swiftly fly the years.

One season following another,

laden with happiness and tears."

Is that all there is?

We who believe have an answer. On the one hand, we say, "Yes, that is all there is. We are in the grip of age-related degeneration." But we also say that there is something else: "Non-age related regeneration."

"We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

We believers have this scandalous, unbelievable, ridiculous idea that we have already died.

"We were buried with (Christ) through baptism into his death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Romans 6:4)

Last Tuesday I marked the day I was born 80 years ago in a small town hospital an hour west of here. At three minutes after midnight I took my first breath. I've been breathing --and degenerating -- ever since.

That's why I look forward to November 29^th. On that day 80 years ago I was baptized. My godparents couldn't make it out to the country for the morning service. The pastor agreed to baptize me at my parents' farm home. My mother placed this cut-glass bowl on the dining room table. She filled it with water from the pump outside the kitchen door, heated on her cook stove.

Gathered round the table were my godparents, my mother and dad, my grandparents, and, with some heads just barely above the table top, my four wide-eyed older sisters, all atwitter over what was about to happen to their new baby brother. Pastor Gottfried Larson took me in his arms, held me over the water and baptized me "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The Spirit will keep regenerating   that faith until I take my last breath.

Whenever and wherever it happened for you, we were all "sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked by the cross of Christ forever."

Some of you may have known Paul Holmer, professor of religion and philosophy at Yale.  I heard him only once. He was a rising young star at the University of Minnesota. He crossed the river one evening to lecture at Augsburg College. It was electrifying. That high forehead of his seemed to burst with brilliance. He was indeed a fine jar of clay, embellished with marks of intelligence.

When he moved to Yale he was a colleague of those other Lutheran luminaries – Sydney Ahlstrom, George Lindbeck and Jeroslav Pelikan. Though I never know him personally I've learned that his was a rather complex personality. On the one hand, he was known to visit bars and get acquainted with men with drinking problems. If they ended up in jail or the state prison he visited them. Some students recall wonderful evenings with Holmer and his wife in their home.

But Holmer also had a dark side. He could not suffer fools, even slightly. He could be intimidating and domineering.

My friend Hal was Holmer's pastor at Bethesda Church in New Haven in those years. Hal tells how Holmer would come to church, sit near the front, and take out a legal pad on which he scribbled notes while Hal preached. Hal was certain the notes had nothing to do with his sermon.

Another friend, Alan, was a student at Yale in those same years. When he arrived on campus he was told Holmer would be his advisor. On the first visit Holmer asked Alan, "Why are you here?" After giving what he thought was a reasonable reply Holmer observed, "Oh, another student who should have settled these questions in confirmation class." The exchange went downhill from there. Alan never returned a second time.

Fast forward to the year 2002 – nine years ago. We had just moved to St. Peter, Minnesota when my friend Bernhard Erling told me that Holmer, now in his 80s, was a resident in one of our local nursing homes. He suggested I visit him. Having heard only of his reputation for being rather irascible, I wondered if I even dared go to see him. But I did. I found a man whose body was completely ruined from Parkinson's disease. That once magnificent jar or clay was now cracked and shattered. Others had to attend to his basic physical needs.

Over the next weeks we had good visits. He enjoyed it when I brought flowers from my gardens. Now I discovered the tender side of Holmer. He appreciated my prayers.

On my final visit before his death I asked Corinne to accompany me. After a good exchange she asked him what this experience was doing to him. He pondered her question for a moment and then, completely choked up with emotion and with tears welling up in his eyes he said quietly, "I'm learning to love God. I'm learning to love God."

In these years when age-related evidence of degeneration is a certainty we have a choice to make.

We can turn bitter.

Or we can learn to love God.

"…we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away; yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Herbert W. Chilstrom

Jesus Is Risen!

I wish I could sing in Arabic!

Christ is Risen!

Christ is Risen! Alleluia. Have a blessed Easter!

Groupon

“Groupon” according to Wikipedia is a “deal of the day website that is localized to major geographic makers worldwide … As of October 2010, Groupon serves more than 150 markets in North America and 100 markets in Europe, Asia and South America and has amassed 35 million registered users.”

I have found “Groupon” to be a good opportunity to receive discounts to a variety of businesses in the general area where we live.  (I don’t know how successful it is in all parts of the world)

If interested, what you do is open an “account” and register an email address.  Thereafter, a daily email will arrive in your inbox, informing you of a particular “deal” offered by a local business.  If you are not interested you can simply delete.  However, if you are interested you have the option to buy into the coupon for example, $30.00 (USD) in a meat purchase for $15.00.  If enough people buy the coupon (for $15.00 USD) then the coupon is activated but if not enough people do not buy the coupon you are charged nothing.  Typically there are a limited number of coupons available so there is the chance you may not get the chance to buy.  I have missed out on a couple of coupons because I delayed.  In order to purchase you must use a credit card.

If you have purchased a coupon you can then go to your “Groupon” account and print using your home computer printer.  If interested follow this link: www.Groupon.com

How can you help?

There is more information regarding the earthquake and tsunami in north east Japan.  The death toll is officially over 137 (reported by BBC) and will most certainly continue to climb.

The information I have is that all the ELCA personnel in Japan are fine.  I do not know the status of the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sendai, Japan.  Sendai, a city over one million people and the largest city in the Tohoku region, was seriously damaged but reports are still coming in.  I do not know how the one Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sendai fared or the status of its members. 

The ELCA has set up a way to provide financial assistance.  Please consider a gift.  Here is the link to Pacific Earthquake & Tsunami site to provide financial assistance.  Thank you. 

Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan

There was a 8.9 earthquake on March 11, 2011 off the northeastern coast of Japan off the main island of Honshu.  The earthquake shook many parts of Japan and caused a tsunami nearly 23 feet in height.  One particular area that received major damage from the tsunami is Sendai.  There are various new sources where you can find more information.  One source is NHK World in English.

No one we knew has been killed or injured.  Nevertheless please join in prayer for the people and country of Japan.  In particular please keep in your thoughts and prayers the families of those killed and injured.  If I receive any particular news from the Japanese Evangelical Lutheran Church I will post that information.

Antwerp - Sound of Music

 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all our friends and family!  明けましておめでとう!  Feliz Año Nuevo! 新年好! Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!  Farsælt komandi ár!

Merry Christmas

From our family to you and yours around the world, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Charles, Beth, Mary and Anna.

Happy Thanksgiving

What follows is the original proclamation that set the original day for America's national day of Thanksgiving.  According to what I have read it was written by William Seward.  Enjoy and have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

Fallen Short

"We have fallen short in honoring all people of God and being an instrument for that grace. We have disciplined, censured and expelled when we should have listened, learned and included.” "

--A quote from "A Rite of Reception" from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), used Saturday (Sept. 18) to welcome three openly lesbian pastors onto the ELCA clergy roster. The ceremony was sponsored by the Synods of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minn., and was quoted by The Star Tribune in Minneapolis, MN, USA

Rain and more

"Tropical Storm Hermine pounded San Antonio with record rainfall" was the local headline in the San Antonio Express-News.  That is probably the best way to express it.  Who knew that after experiencing typhoons in Nagoya, Japan we would experience rain like this in San Antonio, Texas more known for it temperate climate than rain.  Well, we survived in our 2nd floor condo.  All the damage we received was some water through out front pane window, a small wet spot on the ceiling in one of our rooms and a broken plant pot.  Thank you all for your emails.  I did not know that the rain would make international news.

Well, on to other updates.  We have settled into San Antonio.  I will finish up with my last missionary sponsor visit this coming Sunday at Salem Lutheran in Port Lavaca, Texas.  As to a new call, that is still pending.  I hope God's unveiling will happen soon, but patience is hard.  Although this free time has enabled me to clean and throw away old files and papers.  Something that is necessary but not fun.  I would rather be working!

Meito Junction Bluegrass CD

Great news!  Some of the members of the Meito Christ International Church, where I have been the pastor for the last four years have put together a CD.  It is a collection of hymns done in a bluegrass style, and performed by members of the band.

The recordings are ‘live’ and done at the church. After rehearsing, they set up recording sessions and then did 3 takes for each song.  When they have finished their second session, they had a little time left, so they pulled up a few other songs and filled out the time.  Several of those made it to the CD as well.

All proceeds from the sale of the CD will go to support providing English worship at Meito Christ International Church.

To place an order from anywhere, to anywhere in the world via your credit card, please go use this link.  Meito Junction Bluegrass CD.  All orders are safe and secure.  Thank you! 

New Global Updates

ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP RESPONDS TO GAZA SHIP CONVOY INCIDENT

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Expressing regret for the deaths and injuries that resulted when Israeli military forces intercepted a ship convoy seeking to deliver humanitarian goods to Gaza, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), called for "a full, international and independent investigation into the matter," in a June 1 public statement.  Read more at www.elca.org/news.  Read the full statement at http://www.elca.org/bishop/messages.  Find other statements, analysis and background information about Israel/Palestine, including Gaza, at www.elca.org/peacenotwalls.  Learn about the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land at www.elca.org/israelpalestine.

 

MULTIPOINT PARISH – BY BOAT

In North America, pastors sometimes spend hours Sunday mornings driving to the next congregation for worship.  In Malaysia, Pastor Mathius of the Basel Christian Church spends an hour on a river boat through virgin rain forest traveling to one of his congregations.  See http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand and scroll down to the story.

 

GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD

Watch or download this compelling two-minute video introducing the theme of the LWF Assembly in Stuttgart, Germany, July 2010. See www.elca.org/lwf and click the link in the upper right.  Other Assembly congregational resources and information are also available by clicking the blue box in the middle of the page.

 

CELEBRATE. THANK. HONOR. REMEMBER.

Give a gift to dads and grads that says "you mean the world to me" with a donation to support ELCA missionaries (see www.elca.org/4missionaries). To donate and request gift cards "Honoring," "Celebrating," "Thanking" and "Remembering", call 800-638-3522.

 

For the Sake of the World:  ELCA GLOBAL MINISTRIES

This concise six-minute video introduces ministries that make a world of difference: ELCA Mission Support, Missionary Sponsorship, and World Hunger. View and share the presentation to better understand "who does what," how we work together, and where to learn more. Find it at www.elca.org/handyresources toward the bottom of the page.

 

THE LAZARUS EFFECT

Have you seen The Lazarus Effect?"  Find out how 40 cents a day can save someone's life.  Watch it on YouTube - then donate online at www.elca.org/aids to support life-saving HIV and AIDS ministry around the world.

 

GLOBAL MISSION MAP BROCHURE - 2010 version now available 

See how your church is engaged around the world with pictures, stories, and a global map.  Great for classes, congregational meetings, or children sermons.  Find order information at www.elca.org/globalmission/resources.

 

Revised COMPANION SYNOD HANDBOOK for ELCA synods and congregations

This new edition has updates on international funds transmittals (p. 9), companion synod profiles (p. 16), and advocating for your companion (p. 17).  See www.elca.org/companionsynods and click on the English version of the handbook.

 

PROFESSORS SOUGHT FOR MANY COUNTRIES

Professors are requested to teach a variety of academic subjects at seminaries in Egypt, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Singapore, and Taiwan.  Short-term (3 to 9 months) volunteer opportunities.  See www.elca.org/globalserve and click Global Service Opportunities to search the database at the bottom.

 

MISSION FESTIVAL in Sandusky, Ohio, Aug. 6-8

Hear speakers Mark Allan Powell (Trinity Seminary) and Jacqueline Bussie (Capital University) at Daybreak:  Renewing Our Hope.  See www.elca.org/localevents and find the link under Synod Events.

 

GLOBAL HEADLINES at www.elca.org/news (click News Releases)

+ ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Gaza Ship Convoy Incident (see also above)

+ ELCA Awards Phoebe Herman Scholarships to 15 International Students

+ ELCA Global Seminary Teachers Take Pride in Nurturing Future Pastors

+ ELCA Presiding Bishop Meets with African, Asian Church Leaders

+ ELCA Leaders to Respond to Actions, Comments by Lutherans in Africa

+ ELCA Bishops Express Concern for Israeli Orders' Effect on Palestinians

 

IN OUR PRAYERS

Give thanks for the work of Linda Gawthorne among the indigenous Kogi people of Colombia displaced from their land in the Santa Marta Mountains by violence, many now outside of their traditional lands.  Linda provides spiritual nurturing and is helping translate the Bible into Kogi. (This prayer for June 4, the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, is available along with daily prayers from around the globe at http://archive.elca.org/prayerventures/.)

 

 

This issue of Global Links (June 2010) contains highlights from elca.org of ELCA ministry or connections in other countries.  Please forward Global Links in whole or in part to others, use it in publications with attribution, or encourage others to read it or subscribe at www.elca.org/globalmission/engage. 

Global Links

GLOBAL LINKS

Connect to the global church through elca.org

 

PRAYERS NEEDED FOR THAILAND

The situation has not improved since April 10 when 24 people were mortally wounded and over 800 injured in clashes between the security forces and the ‘red shirt’ [anti-government] demonstrators. Since then the tension has escalated.  See http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand.

 

LUTHERAN MALARIA INITIATIVE

Watch a 2-minute video featuring a school for orphans in Mozambique where a clinic is being built in partnership with the Lutheran Church in Mozambique and the Lutheran Malaria Initiative. See www.elca.org/lmi and click the link under Watch a video.

 

YOUNG ADULTS IN GLOBAL MISSION SELECTED FOR 2010-11

During the coming year, 43 young adults will serve in eight countries with the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program.  Contact heidi.torgerson@elca.org for a list of these young adults and their countries of service. 

 

CHINA EARTHQUAKE

On April 14, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck Yushu County in the Qinghai Province.  See www.elca.org/disaster.

 

BISHOP HANSON:  Daily bread on the way to Stuttgart

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA and president of the Lutheran World Federation, brings a daily bread reflection on behalf of the Lutheran World Federation Assembly in Stuttgart, Germany, July 20-27, 2010.  See www.elca.org/lwf and click the links on the bottom right.

 

A PENTECOST STORY FROM CAMEROON

Two young men sat on the steps of the Bible School, reading the Bible by themselves for the first time ever.  See www.elca.org/handinhand under Summer issue; use the downloadable bulletin insert for worship on Pentecost Sunday, June 12.

 

HEALTH PERSONNEL SOUGHT FOR LIBERIA

Phebe Hospital and the School of Nursing are seeking a variety of medical personnel for service in Liberia, Africa.  See www.elca.org/globalserve and click Global Service Opportunities to search the database at the bottom.

 

IMMIGRATION

As background for participating in the current public discussion on immigration, read the ELCA's 1998 social message at www.elca.org/socialstatements or the 2009 social policy resolution at www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues/Social-Policy-Resolutions.aspx

 

10 THINGS YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT HUNGER AND THIRST

See http://blogs.elca.org/hungerrumblings

 

PICTURES OF THE WALL

View or download a PowerPoint presentation of the separation barrier between Israeli and Palestinian territory.  See www.elca.org/peacenotwalls  

 

GLOCAL MISSION GATHERING in Austin, Minnesota, July 16-17
Connect with other Lutherans interested in global and local mission.  See www.elca.org/globalevents and click on 2010 Glocal Mission Gatherings.

 

THE ANSWER IS 4,035 and 98.  WHAT'S THE QUESTION?

Celebrate the first anniversary of the Hand in Hand Blog Digest and see the year's most-visited stories at http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand/post/happy-anniversary-hihbd-16042010/

 

GLOBAL HEADLINES at www.elca.org/news (click News Releases)

+ ELCA Pastor, Physician in Guyana Combines Spiritual, Medical Well-Being

+ ELCA Presiding Bishop Joins Call for Protection of Christians in Iraq

+ Lutheran Youth Lead Efforts to Fight Malaria, Build Awareness

+ Lutheran Diocese Bishop Dies Returning from Poland President's Funeral

+ ELCA Provides $50,000 for Earthquake Response in China

+ ELCA Presiding Bishop Hopes for Open Conversation with Tanzanian Bishop

+ Tanzanian Bishop, African Churches Comment on ELCA Assembly Decisions

 

IN OUR PRAYERS

Give thanks to God for Pastor Richard Young's ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana (ELCG), where he serves in a parish of four congregations. Also a medical doctor, he continues to coordinate and develop health programs for the ELCG. (This prayer for May 5 is available along with daily prayers from around the globe at http://archive.elca.org/prayerventures/.  See also the news release at www.elca.org/news)

 

 

This issue of Global Links (May 2010) contains highlights from elca.org of ELCA ministry or connections in other countries.  Please forward Global Links in whole or in part to others, use it in publications with attribution, or encourage others to read it or subscribe at www.elca.org/globalmission/engage. 

Palm (Passion) Sunday

Worship on March 28th at our English worship service as Meito Christ International Church (MCIC) began with palm branches waving in the air and concluded with singing the hymn Go to Dark Gethsemane.  I did not preach, instead together we read in parts the Passion Narrative according to Luke.

After worship we had an important congregational meeting.  Those who attended affirmed having Rev. Lowell Sheppard serve as pastoral leader for renewable one year terms beginning in July 2010. The attendees also affirmed the budget for 2010 which for the first time includes an honorarium.  MCIC will begin to give an honorarium to its pastoral leader beginning in July with Lowell.  These two decisions are important steps forward, as Meito Christ International Church has relied on ELCA missionaries from the United States to provide pastoral leadership since its inception.  Please join me in praying for mission and ministry in Nagoya, Japan.

It was an excellent way to begin Holy Week. 

Meito Junction

Music lovers rejoice.

 

The band that leads our worship at Meito Christ International Church (MCIC) --- the English language worship service were I am pastor --- is putting together a CD of some great music.  If you are interested in hearing a sample of the music please go to this link: http://meitojunction.com

 

The CD, titled Sunday Sessions, will have 15 songs of bluegrass gospel.  We are all looking forward to the CD that is in the production stage.  When it is released I will post a note on this blog.  Just a reminder that proceeds of the sale of the CD will go toward supporting MCIC and its music ministry.

 

Thank you for listening.

Covenant Players

There is no sermon posted for the English worship at Meito Christ International Church for March 21, 2010.  We were blessed to have a message in drama skillfully provided by a team from the Covenant Players.  For more information please go to this link: http://www.covenantplayers.org/

 

They team not only provided a play for the sermon, but also a children’s message and a call to worship.  All were well done and I would highly recommend the organization and our particular team led by Kurt.  Thank You!

Earthquake

Thank you all for the emails wondering if we were affected by the recent earthquake in Japan.  For more information on the earthquake please go to this link from the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/03/14/world/AP-AS-Japan-Earthquake.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

In short we did not know there had been an earthquake until Sunday evening during English worship at Meito Christ International Church.  We did not feel the earthquake in Nagoya at all.  In the Japanese news there have been a few reports of some minor damage but it seems that no one was killed.  We are thankful that the earthquake was not more serious.  Yet, earthquakes are a reality with which we live here in Japan.

Urban Ministry

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that "The city is recruited from the country."  I think about that as I travel around this city of Nagoya, a city of over 2 million people.  You would think that a city in Japan that is hundreds of years old, interestingly, there are not many people who I have met who are from Nagoya.  They may be from another city like Tokyo or Osaka, but many of the people were born out in the country, small towns and smaller cities and either moved to Nagoya out of their own volition or came as children with parents who sought work since World War II.

That unscientific observation would support what Conn & Ortiz noted in their wonderful book, Urban Ministry: The Kingdom, the City & The People of God, "Urban life, ancient and modern, swings between two poles: movement and settlement, diversity and constancy, innovation and tradition (p.219).

I see that struggle played out in the local Japanese Lutheran churches with whom I work.  On one hand they are a place of quiet strength; people stop by the church during the week to pray --- the doors are always open, and on the other the diverse programs that make up the ministry from the kindergarten to the requests for money and food from the homeless.

I think urban churches are at the center of ministry in Japan.  But perhaps what I have experienced here is what is happening around Asia.  Just ponder these facts from the United Nations Urbanization Prospects Here :

Since 2008, for the first time in history, more than 50% of the world's population lives in urban areas;

61% of the global population now resides within Asia;

In 1950 the New York, USA metropolis was the only world mega-city (cities of 10 million or more).  Today there are 26 and 11 are in Asia with Tokyo (33 million) topping the list;

And finally 75% of the global population is expected to concentrate in cities by 2050.

Mission is no longer about working in the dark corners of a jungle but in the teeming cities of Tokyo, Jakarta and Shanghai.

 

Ordination

This is a picture of a poster that was sent to all the Japan Evangelical Lutheran churches announcing the upcoming ordination of a man --- Mr. Takamura --- as a pastor in the Lutheran church.  This year there is one person being ordained as a pastor from the one Lutheran seminary in Japan.  Therefore, you can imagine it will be quite an event.  It will be held on the 7th of March at 7:00 pm.

Ordinations worship services are held in Tokyo at the largest Lutheran church building on Sunday evenings so that pastors and members of churches from around the country can attend.  Usually everyone as a class is ordained together --- this year that is one person.  Last year there were three seminarians.  In times past there have been years where no one has been ordained.

Obviously the low numbers of seminarians is of prayerful concern as there are sometimes more pastors wanting to retire than new pastors coming.  Please join with me in pray for God's Holy Spirit to grant Takamura-san strength in the days ahead as he begins serving as a pastor.
 

Shrove Tuesday

2^nd Annual

Meito Christ International Church

Shrove Tuesday

Pancake and Waffle Supper

 

February 16^th --- Serving from 6:00 – 7:30 PM

 

All proceeds will be donated to Haiti Disaster Relief through the Red Cross (Japan)

 

Suggested donation --- 500 yen per person.

 

“Shrove Tuesday” is the day before Ash Wednesday.  Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent; a 40 day period of reflection and spiritual discipline, at times marked by fasting, to prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ remembered during the week of the Passion and on Easter.  Shrove is the past tense of the English verb to shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by way of confession and doing penance.  The roots of this day are what some countries and cultures celebrate as Carnival or Mardi Gras.

 

In England and some other countries the day was observed by eating rich foods made with eggs, sugar and butter (such as pancakes) to the extent that some call the day --- Pancake Day.

 

Join us as we raise money for the needs of many in earthquake struck Haiti.

 

All are welcome!

Stand Firm

You may have seen an earlier post in which I indicated my support for Malaysians Christians use of the Arabic word "Allah" for God.  In the post I also expressed my surprise at the ignorance of Muslim Malaysians regarding the use of "Allah" for the One True God by Christians.  Thankfully, according to this recent article in the New York Times (here) it has been reported that Malaysian Christian leaders have not been intimidated by a violent minority of Malaysian Muslims and will stand firm.

I will continue to pray for God's grace to continue to shine on the Christians in Malaysia.  I am also praying that God will give Malaysia new governmental leaders or change the hearts of its present leadership so that they will protect all its citizens and not encourage sectarian violence for power. For those interested in the Lutheran church in particular you can find more information on their web site: here

On the top right had side their are links to comments and information particularly regarding the arson attack on Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Petaling, Jaya. 

Muslim Malaysians Ignorance

It is deeply unfortunate that once again Muslim Malaysians have shown their ignorance, not simply by showing their ignorance in court, and not accepting the verdict of their own judicial system but that a minority have chosen violence.  For the most recent example see here:Malaysian Churches Attacked

It seems as the article pointed out that "Many Muslims in Malaysia have refused to accept the argument that ''Allah'' is an Arabic word that predates Islam, and that it is used by Christians in countries such as Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Indonesia regularly in their worship."

To a certain point I can understand that ignorance because on the surface some may be simply arguing for example, that the English word "God" and the Arabic word "Allah" are not interchangeable.  They may be threatened and angered by the concept of a Christian saying that "Allah became incarnate in Jesus Christ."  But what is clear is that some Muslim Malaysians are ignorant of the etymology, the pre-Islamic and non-Islamic history and the usage of the word "Allah."

I pray for the day when their ignorance is overcome by the overwhelming historical, textual, and archaeological evevidence that substantiates that the word "Allah" was a designation of deity before the time of Muhammad.  I pray for the day when Muslim Malaysians listen to their own revelation in that Arabic speaking Christians and and Jews used "Allah" before Muhammad received his revelation.  For example, by the Qur'an's own testimony, monotheists, known as hanifs used the the word "Allah" for the One True God.

It is unfortunate that some Muslim Malaysians are ignorant of the fact that Jewish people migrated into Arabia long before the birth of Jesus Christ.  The numerous references to Jewish scriptures, practices and even dietary practices that appear in the Qur'an are ample proof that Muhammad had ongoing and sustained contact with Jewish groups throughout his life.  Furthermore, the Christian presence in Arabia dates back as early as a brief visit on the way to India by the famous Alexandrian scholar Pantaenus in AD 180.  By the 3rd century there were bishops among the Arab Christians particularly for the Christian ascetics seeking solitude and the Christians fleeing persecution.

And the first mission specifically targeting southern Arabia dates back to the 4th century, when Constantius (son of Constantine) sent the Arian deacon Theophilus to the southwest corner of Arabia, now known as Yemen.  What word would that missionary have used but "Allah!"

It is clear that by the time of Muhammad, Allah was widely used by monotheistic Arabs (hanifs), Jews and Christians as the word for God.  But perhaps the Muslim Malaysians who have turned to violence are not ignorant but instead threatened by that very fact that Christians have, will and can use the Allah to refer to the One True God.  And because Christians have, will and can use Allah to refer to the One True God, the light of the revelation of the One True God through Jesus Christ will one day bring all to Allah.

God's Secretaries

"You've got to go out and ask the mother in her house, the children in the street, the ordinary man at the market.  Watch their mouth's move when they talk, and translate that way.  Then they'll understand you and realize that you are speaking German to them."  Where did I find this tidbit from Martin Luther about Biblical translation?  A couple of weeks ago, I finished reading God's Secretaries: The Making of the King James Bible (P.S.) .  A book by Adam Nicolson on the making of making of the King James Bible.  Even though time has passed, the topics covered from history to Biblical translation are still with me.

It was a fascinating telling of the "why" and of the "how" regarding the King James Version of the Bible.  Woven into the story were not only historical events, the death of Queen Elizabeth and the arrival of King James, the Separatists and intrigue in English politics but also the thoughts and ideas that were sweeping England and Europe.  In a captivating tale the author lays out why the King James Version is like no other in the English language.

A link to the book can be found above through Amazon or borrow a copy at your local library.  I highly recommend the book.

Do not go to Hiroshima and Nagasaki President Obama

Will President Obama support the wrong issue if he visits Nagasaki and Hiroshima?  In his attempt to reduce and eliminate nuclear weapons will President Obama reinforce a myth?  In an interview with Japanese national media organization and broadcaster NHK aired today, (Tuesday, November 10, 2009 - Japan time) President Obama said he would be “honored to have the opportunity to visit those cities at some point during my presidency.”

I am deeply disappointed that President Obama has seemingly chosen to reward the perception of Japan as victim during World War II.  I can see it already; ill-informed US political observers and media will focus their attention on rehashing the decision to drop the atomic weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  The topic of conversation will be: Is this possible future visit by President Obama an “apology?”

Rehashing the decision by the US of 1945 is a waste of time while the crucial issue of today is being ignored, the re-interpretation of history by Japan.  The myth of Japan as a perpetual victim and Japanese responsibilities leading up and during the war in Pacific will be ignored.  It is unfortunate that President Obama may waste political capital when the focus should be on eliminating the world of nuclear weapons, not rewarding false myths.

 

Can President Obama also schedule a visit to a museum in Japan that focuses on the atrocities of the Pacific War?  The reason he can not is because it doesn't exist!  Instead he visit what will be propaganda for Japanese militarists.

To see my earlier comments go to: http://nagoyamission.typepad.com/nagoya_mission/2009/10/obama-say-no-to-a-visit-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki.html.html

Forget Capital One

Ok, I just have to get this off my chest!  When we return to the United States, I will be canceling our Capital One credit card.  If I did not have several recurring payments on that particular credit card, I would cancel now.

 

Capital One is a good card if you are traveling outside of the United States because unlike other credit cards they do not add a service charge when you use the card in a foreign currency.  However, if you plan on living outside of the United States, forget it --- Capital One is a horrible credit card. Over the last three years we have had ongoing problems because our billing address is outside of the United States.  So for example, if we use our credit card in Japan --- we live here --- it kicks into their fraud department and the charge is either denied or we cannot use it again until I call to verify.

 

(Just a note: we do not have a Japanese based credit card because my salary is paid in US dollars in the United States, so when we applied, they did not recognize my income!)

 

Well, today Capital One pushed me over the edge so to speak.  Capital One has a reward system in which you get points.  You can then use the points for cash back or merchandise.  Today, I called to use the points for a reward.  “No can do” because our billing address is outside of the United States.  So, if I change my billing address to a USaddress I could get the reward, but then I would have problems using the card!  This is simply a symptom of our ongoing dilemma with Capital One.

 

Thankfully, we have an American Express credit card.  The fees are higher, but it sure saves on telephone calls and overall irritation, because American Express is an excellent card around the world.  For example, when I was traveling this summer to China, I called American Express to tell them and the customer service agent said there was no need because they "Trust us."  No such experience with Capital One.

 

So, if you are thinking of traveling outside of the US, Capital One is fine, but if you will be living outside of the US for any length of time, forget it!  Get an American Express card, you may not receive “No Hassle Rewards” but you will have a “No Hassle” experience.

Loving Father

Some of you from the United States, have contacted me regarding the news report of the Mr. Christopher Savoie.  For those who are unfamiliar with the news story, Mr. Savoie came to Japan to reclaim his children that were taken to Japan by his ex-wife, a Japanese citizen.  Mr. Savoie has been granted partial custody in their US divorce and his ex-wife was barred from taking the children to Japan.  However, she took the children and is now living near Fukuoka, Japan.  Mr. Savoie came, took his children as they were walking to school and tried to reach the US consulate.  However, he was arrested for abduction before he could reach the consulate.  The Japanese court does not recognize US law on this matter.  Furthermore, Christopher and his wife were also married in Japan where they lived for a time before the divorce.  They have not filed a divorce in Japan.

His children were returned to his ex-wife and Mr. Savoie went to Japanese jail.  He was recently released.  As has been noted in other places, Japan does not recognize divorce and divorce with children the same way as in other countries.  Also Japan has not signed some international treaties regarding the issue of divorce, children and spousal rights in international, cross-cultural marriages.

Here is another story on a similar vein.  This is a link to the story of Spencer and his father Craig.  Craig and Spencer came once to our English worship service and some of us heard about his story.  CNN has recently aired a newscast about this particular story. 

http://www.edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/13/japan.us.custody.battles/index.html

Thanks for you support and keep Craig and Spencer in your prayers.  If you would like to support Craig their is a place to donate at http://www.foreverfathers.com

If you are particularly interested in the issue of international divorce and custodial rights in Japan there are several petitions available to make your voices heard.

Thank you.

Obama Say No to a visit of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Open Letter to United States President Barack Obama – do not visit Hiroshima or Nagasaki, Japan

 

   Congratulations Mr. President on your recent award: the Nobel Peace Prize.  As stated by the Nobel Prize Committee, this award comes partly out of your stated determination to eliminate nuclear weapons.  Although I applaud, support and pray for the total elimination of nuclear weapons, I am concerned that the recent Peace Prize award, well publicized voices including Japanese fashion designer and Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor Issey Miyake, the demands will not only increase but compel you to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.

   Although there are no publicized plans for you to visit either city during your scheduled visit to Japan in November 2009, as the recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize, your determination to eliminate nuclear weapons and for many other reasons, the demands for a visit will become more intense as your presidency continues.  I would strongly caution against a trip to either city.  If you were to visit, you would be the first US president in office to make a pilgrimage to the only places bombed with a nuclear weapon.    

   But it is not only precedent President Obama you need to seriously consider, rather there is a very good reason not to visit.  There has been a good reason US presidents have not visited in the past.

   The reason not to visit has nothing to do with political opinion or anything feeding off of American political theatre, rather, the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and then on Nagasaki, Japan were a conclusion to a war that Japan initiated.  Certainly as you clearly pointed out in your speech in Prague in the Czech Republic, the United States is guilty of using atomic weapons: “the only nuclear power to have used a nuclear weapon.”  But Japan is guilty of years of war.  To visit the memorials at either location is not an issue of moral equivalence, or even acting to rid the world of nuclear weapons, rather the memorial locations and museums show the consequence of one view of history --- a view of Japan as victim of war not perpetrator.

   As a frequent visitor over many years to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I am well experienced in discussing what is presented well --- citizen victims, Japanese --- largely ignoring the non-Japanese victims --- of a horrible weapon.  In short, Japan is portrayed as an injured party while Japanese as colonial Asian war aggressors is largely absent.  To be fair, neither location can be a history of a defeated nation in war, but as innocent victim both memorial locations and museums are zealous.

   So, listen to the voices, including my own, President Obama to those who caution against a visit. 

   However, if a visit is politically warranted, and I trust you as the judge of that, then I would suggest that you take it not as opportunity to focus on nuclear weapons alone.  For example, do not go alone, but with President Lee Myung-Bak of South Korea, President Hu Jintao of China, and other nations attacked and occupied by Japan during the war in the Pacific.  And as condition of your attendance of the invitations, demand an unequivocal apology at both cities and at memorial sites, in your presence and the presence of other notables in clear Japanese --- which is possible --- from Emperor Akihito for the war and an apology for his own father’s responsibility and for the many Japanese atrocities in the Pacific and Asia including the responsibility of the war time Japanese government for the dropping of the atomic bomb.

   Then include and visit publically the small memorial sites on the grounds of the peace park in Nagasaki and Hiroshima where Korean slave labor atomic bomb victims are remembered and lay wreaths.  While in Hiroshima or Nagasaki, schedule a visit with an elderly Korean woman who was a sex slave for the Japanese Imperial Army.  Consider laying a wreath at the site where seventy Australian and two Americans prisoners of war were killed during the Nagasaki bombing.  Then President Obama join with other world leaders and remind us all that “this is only the beginning” in the process of healing of World War II --- the War in the Pacific --- and the world wide goal for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

   The work toward the abolishment of nuclear weapons is not a basis for the consideration of rights and wrongs, and that should not be the intent of a visit to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, yet neither is it an opportunity for nations to forget, or perpetuate myths especially Japan.

   I think we all recognize that visiting Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan by you, President Obama will not lead to the abolishment of nuclear weapons but it should not help a nation … and the world forget.

 

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Charles Fredrickson

Nagoya, Japan

 

Typhoon Melor

Thank you to all who contacted us regarding Typhoon Melor.  Although not completely gone from the area, the worst is over.  We had a lot of rain --- about 500 mm --- and high wind, with the peak velocity hitting this area around 5:00 – 6:00 am --- our time (October 8, 2009).  However, as we are not located close to the ocean, nor at the point where the eye came ashore, we were not affected as severely.  Reports are still coming in from various parts of Japan regarding the damage, but we at least in this area, remain unscathed.  Around us on the street are some tree limbs, branches and leaves.

Beth and the girls stayed home as school was cancelled for the day.  We never lost electricity so we are all fine.  I tried to take some pictures but the photos do not show much.   Here is a link to a web site in English. 

 

http://www.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/08_08.html

 

Thank you again for your concern and prayers.

Dense

 Nagoya Train Station on a typical spring day

 

Density

 

  One way (that I have seen used) to comprehend just how crowded Japan's big cities including Nagoya --- can be is to unfold a couple sheets of newspaper and lay them on the floor.  Adjust them so they occupy about a square meter (10.7 square feet). Then stand in the middle of the newspaper and invite four friends to join you on the paper. During rush hour, the Tokyo subway system has about five people per square meter.

   For some newcomers to Japan, the population density is a difficult challenge.  (On the other hand, Japanese people going to a relatively empty part of the world can find it disconcerting).  I remember the first time I experienced the press of people in a train during the late 1980’s in Tokyo.  I found myself tightly sandwiched in between complete strangers in a train car with only enough room to breathe.  As I am claustrophobic, initially I had to close my eyes and imagine myself out in a field. Another added benefit was (at that time!) that I was a head taller than many of the people around me. Eventually, I became accustomed to, but never quite comfortable with, the press of people around me.

   Evangelism takes on new dimensions in this type of environment.  Meeting people is not a problem; rather it is how to break the ice.  Most cities do not have empty suburbs inhabited only when people are home from school or work.  Instead, all I need to do is step out the church door and within seconds several people will have walked by.  In a dense, stress producing environment, people tend to take on what is termed in New York City as the “purposeful look;” seeing but not looking at.

   I tried to explain this recently.  One afternoon, my doorbell rang and to my surprise, standing at the door were two visitors from Germany.  After introductions I found out that they felt compelled to come to Japan to share the good news of Jesus Christ.  They had found my name and address on an ELCA web site and had taken it upon themselves to come and help the entire Christian church share the Good News because “the time was getting short” before the return of Jesus Christ.  Therefore, they got on a plane and flew to Nagoya, Japan for three days of witnessing before heading back to Germany.

   Neither one spoke any Japanese (their English was good), but here they were at my door because they wanted information on the location of where some other Japanese churches might be located.  Also, they wanted me to give some appropriate Christian tracts and good locations where to distribute.

   Over coffee I listened to their story.  In response, I welcomed them to Japan, rejoiced in their enthusiasm, choosing not to enter into a dialogue about the “end times” --- as I am of the view that it will come as a “thief in the night” --- and tried to give them a short cross-cultural lesson.  Handing out tracts was certainly one way to share the good news; although it was not the most effective method.  The Japanese church focuses on relationship building with the experience and knowledge that many Japanese do not become Christian until after years of Bible study and discussion.

   I told them that the Japanese church with which I work hands out a select number of handmade paperback books appropriate for children and adults about Jesus Christ during the Christmas season.  They distribute the books after Christmas Eve worship, and to any visitors attending their local community Kindergarten Christmas pageant.

   I told the German visitors that mass produced small tracts were not a cost effective method because with many people concentrated tightly in cities, many businesses hand out flyers and brochures at train stations and on the sidewalk.  Businesses try many different ways to have people look at their information including providing free items like small packs of Kleenex.  People are very accustomed to having strangers try to push paper in the front of them while walking by.  Most people (like myself) have become accustomed to throwing them away after taking out the Kleenex, or if in a particular hurry, brushing past those outstretched arms.  The Japanese church finds that a small handmade card or book means more than mass produced tracts.  The handmade nature is important because it adds an extra note of a human relationship.

   However these two Germans were persistent and instead I gave them six New Testament Bibles that I had received from the Gideons.  They were thrilled with the Bibles and a map that I gave them with some nearby churches, although not receptive to my cross cultural suggestions.  After a prayer, off they went!  About a week later I received a long email detailing their work and thanking me for the Bibles with information on where they had distributed them --- all went to police and fire stations.  They received a polite reception at the Japanese churches but, I sensed from their email, not much more.

   That Sunday after English language worship I happened to mention my experience during fellowship.  One of the people (a American entrepreneur) with whom I was sharing this story shook his head and asked rhetorically, “How much do you think it cost for them to fly roundtrip to Nagoya from Germany, and pay for a hotel and food?”  Those of us in the conversation estimated that it would have cost at the minimum $2,500.  We then conferred on how much better it would have been to have found a way to support the Japanese church here --- denomination beside the point --- or given even a portion of that to the Japanese branch of the Gideons!

   I then remarked how they could have used that money and their time and worked with their church and their pastor and shared the good news in Germany.

The model of ministry that the ELCA follows is termed “accompaniment.”  Our partner churches around the world chose how to use the gifts of the ELCA that we have to share.  It isn’t a critique of the model shown by those two German women; rather “accompaniment” is a more cost effective and respectful way to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.  The partner churches with whom we work are the ones who best know their own culture, its people and language.  Our partner churches make decisions and choices about how to carry out Christian ministry in their own cultural contexts.  That is why we “accompany” them; as a soloist chooses to sing the song, the accompanist follows the singers lead.

   Through your gifts and support of the ELCA, I am in Nagoya, Japan at the request of our partner, the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church, responding to their requests and what is needed, helping the Japanese Church to break the “ice” and continue to develop relationships.  Thank you.

   You can continue to follow our ministry together at www.nagoyamission.typepad.com where you will find an electronic copy of this note and others.  Information pertaining to our English worship can be found at www.meitochurch.org 

 

Your Prayers are needed:

 

   In the summer of 2010, our 4 – year term as missionaries in Nagoya, Japan will be coming to an end.  The Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church (JELC) has decided to use the available resources and gifts of the JELC and ELCA in other areas.  After our departure, there will not be an ELCA missionary in this area of Japan for the foreseeable future.

  Since my arrival, the English worship service --- Meito Christ International Church --- has come to the point where they will be come a more fully independent congregation in partnership with the local Lutheran Church.  Shortly, they will begin an international search for a Christian part-time pastoral leader.  The lay or ordained leader will have to come with some financial support or with a position in Japan because Meito Christ International Church is not a full time ministry.  Please pray that a pastoral leader with those gifts can be found.

  However, my Japanese work involving teaching and Bible studies will come to an end.  We are thankful to God for seeds of God’s grace that have been planted and look forward in the years to come in how our work together will grow.

  Therefore, as you make plans in your budgets for 2010, please prayerfully consider moving your support to another missionary.  In that regard, I will be available in the summer of 2010 upon our return to visit our supporting churches and individuals.  As I will be in the process to find a new call I will not have as much time as in 2008.  In the spring of 2010, I will be sending a more detailed list of dates that are available for a visit.

 

In Christ,

Charles Fredrickson

Nagoya, Japan

Below is a recent letter/email that was sent to all of the friends of the English worship service where I am pastor.  Please add your prayers to all of ours for the smooth transition of this English speaking ministry and congregation in Nagoya, Japan.  I will be sending a letter to all of our misisonary sponsors that will update you on our Lutheran Church missionary work with the Japanese Lutheran Church.  Thank you.

 

 

Dear Friends of Meito Christ International Church,

 

In August 2006 my family and I came to Nagoya, Japan on a 4-year term as Missionaries.  Part of my ministry was to be the pastor for the English worship service that had grown to be called Meito Christ International Church (MCIC) - a ministry of hospitality to English speakers in Nagoya.  It was a ministry that began years ago under former Lutheran missionaries  Rev. Steenburg and continued under Rev. Mason.

 

I also came with the message from my church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and its partner in ministry, the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church (JELC) that MCIC could not expect Lutheran missionaries to continue to be pastors after my term expired in 2010.

 

In the spring of 2009 MCIC filed an application for a new missionary in conjunction with the application of our Japanese Lutheran host the Tokai district of the JELC to begin in 2010.  Recently, we received the news that the Japanese church (JELC) has decided to end the ELCA Lutheran missionary presence with my term. 

 

This means that after my term ends in July 2010, there will no longer be an English speaking Lutheran missionary from the US in the Nagoya area for the foreseeable future.

 

In preparation for the possibility of this time, in 2006 MCIC renewed it's partnership with Nagoya-Kibo Lutheran Church, a merger of three Japanese congregations including the former host of the MCIC - Meito Christ Lutheran Church.  MCIC began to have its own budget and responsibility for some expenses and began to save some money with the goal of financially supporting its own pastor.  MCIC formed a church council with two elected positions, a president and co-treasures and includes two volunteer representatives who attend MCIC faithfully as well as myself.  Although we took those steps, MCIC is not an official congregation or legal entity.  MCIC continues to be a ministry of hospitality to English speakers who want to worship in a Christian inter-denominational congregation.

 

However, now with the recent decision by the JELC the time has come for MCIC to continue to evolve.  The council of MCIC met on Sunday and discussed MCIC's various options.  The will meet again shortly to continue that discussion.  The council will share their suggestion and the next step at a general congregational meeting on November 1st immediately after worship.  This meeting is an important one and on behalf of the council I encourage all to attend.  On the agenda will be to discuss the recommendation of the council.

 

Please continue to pray for MCIC in this time of transition and for God's Holy Spirit to continue to direct and guide our path.

 

Be assured that worship will continue at 5:00 pm with Sunday school and Adult Bible Study at 4:00 pm.  As always, MCIC welcomes all to worship to God's glory.

 

In Christ,

 

Pastor C.

Nagasaki, Japan

This is a short article that I wrote for Nagoya-Kibo Lutheran Church newsletter that will be published shortly.  A Japanese version of this article follows.  The picture is of the epicenter (where the Atomic bomb exploded 500 meters in the air) Nagsaki, Japan.  I am on the left and Mr. Murabara from Nagoya-Kibo Lutheran Church is on the right.

 

 

On August 25-27^th, I went to Nagasaki.  The trip brought back many fond memories of my brief time in Nagasaki as a lay missionary in 1986-1989.  In those years I served Nagasaki Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church, taught English at the church and in the community as part of the church’s evangelism program. 

 

This visit to Nagasaki with members of Nagoya-Kibo reminded me of some important experiences.  Once, I remember vividly being asked by Pastor Oka, the pastor of Nagasaki Lutheran at that time, about my feelings about the atomic bomb and its use on the civilian population in 1945.  For a Christian coming from the US, it is quite a difficult question.

 

On one hand, if I were to use the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to defend nuclear weapons as essential to end World War II, particular after the US experience in the Battle of Okinawa, I would be like many Americans forced to adopt a sort of “celebratory triumphalism” about the massive, indiscriminate killing of civilians.  For me, this contravenes every principle of being a Christian.

 

On the other hand, if I were to use the experiences of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to decry nuclear weapons, I could find my self in a position that seems to impose a false moral equivalency, meaning that the immorality of the atomic bombs could seemingly excuse the immoral conduct of World War II-era Japan not just in the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for example, but the rape and massacre of hundreds of thousands of civilian Chinese by Japanese troops in Nanking, China.

 

I told Pastor Oka that the sinful dropping of atomic bombs sends me to Jesus Christ.  In Luke 7, at a dinner table Jesus responds to criticism that is leveled at him when he allows a sinful woman to clean his feet with tears and dry them with her hair, with these words in particular: “But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”

 

After those words, Jesus concludes his teaching as he often does, with: “Your faith has saved you go in peace.”  I believe that Jesus is pointing out in this episode that measuring and comparing sins is fruitless and wrong because in doing so, we become like those around that table that day, people who “forgive little” and thus “love little.”  Rather, I recognize that I am like the woman, full of the sin of the world, full of tears, silently pleading for forgiveness.

 

The use of atomic weapons is sinful, just as were the Japanese atrocities during the war.  But the point is not to compare sins in order to avoid sinning in the future; rather Jesus reminds us the final word is forgiveness and then peace, the peace that come on the cross in Jesus Christ.

Japanese version:

８月25日から27日まで長崎に行ってきました。旅行をしながら、1986年から89年にかけて信徒宣教者として長崎に住んでいた頃のなつかしい思い出がよみがえってきました。当時私は、日本福音ルーテル長崎教会の奉仕者として教会で英語を教えていました。また、教会の地域伝道の一貫として近隣の方々にも教えていました。

 

今回、なごや希望教会のみなさんと一緒に長崎を再び訪ね、あの頃の貴重な体験の数々を思い出したのです。なかでも強く印象に残っているのは、ある日、当時の長崎教会の牧師だった岡先生に、原爆が民間人の上に落とされたことについてどう思いますか、と訊かれたことです。アメリカから来日したクリスチャンにとって、とても答えにくい質問でした。

 

仮に私が、沖縄戦を経た米国にとってヒロシマとナガサキへの原爆投下は第二次世界大戦を終結するために不可欠だった、と核兵器の使用を擁護するようなことを言えば、「勝利をもたらしたのだから良かったのだ」という、いわゆる勝者の論理を刷り込まれているその他大勢のアメリカ人とたいして変わらないことになってしまいます。でも、原爆が民間人を無差別に大量に殺戮した事実は厳然とあり、私が勝者の論理を使うことは、あらゆる点でキリストの教えに反することになります。

 

その反面、もしも私が被爆したヒロシマとナガサキを根拠に、核兵器廃絶をことさら声高に主張したとすると、ある意味で偽善的な「道徳の等価」を課しているような立場に陥りかねません。つまり、原子爆弾の非道徳性を非難することによって、真珠湾の奇襲のみならず南京におけるレイプや大虐殺など、大戦中日本軍が犯した非道徳的な残虐行為への非難に対抗するようなことになりかねません。

 

岡先生の質問に対して私は、「原爆投下の罪深さを思い、私はイエス・キリストへ導かれます」とお答えしました。ルカ7章で、食事の席に着いておられたイエスに、一人の罪深い女性が近寄り、イエスの足を涙でぬらし、自分の髪の毛でぬぐいます。その行為をなすがままにされたイエスを非難した者に対して主は「赦されることの少ない者は、愛することも少ない」と応じられました。

 

イエスはそう言われたのちに「あなたの信仰があなたを救った。安心して〔英語で in peace平和のうちに〕行きなさい」と、お話の最後によく使われた言葉をこの時も言われました。この出来事でイエスは、罪を比較することがいかに無益で間違ったことかを示されたのだ、と私は信じます。そのような比較をすれば、私たちはその食事の席についていた他の者たちと同じような「赦すことの少ない」者、すなわち「愛することが少ない」者になってしまいます。そうではなく、私はむしろその女性のごとく、この世の多くの罪に満ち、涙に満ちて、声もなく赦しを願います。

 

核兵器の使用は罪深いことです。大戦中の日本軍の残虐行為もまた罪深いことです。しかし、将来罪を犯さないようにするためには、これらの罪を比較することは意味がありません。イエスがお話の結びで言われた通り、最終的には「赦し」があって「平和」があると気付かされます。それはイエス・キリストの十字架における安心と平和にほかなりません。

 

Are western style weddings in Japan racist?

Are western style weddings in Japan racist?  White men preside at western style weddings; women and people of color do not.1  Racism is the belief that race is a determinant of human traits and capacities and those racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.2  In the case of western style weddings in Japan, these events are racists because white men are perceived and believed to have an inherent superiority in officiating at a western style wedding because of their race. 

Let’s review.  In the last thirty years or so, Japan has experienced a large increase in the number of couples who chose to have a western style wedding.  Although there are no accurate national surveys, anecdotal and other evidence suggests that these western style weddings largely if not mostly, are officiated by white males hired for the express purpose and because of their racial make up.3  These western style weddings make up from 60-80 percent of all weddings celebrations and blessings of those who choose to have a wedding celebration.4

A couple does not need to have a service, celebration, or blessing of any type to be considered married in Japan.  All a couple (male/female) has to do is go and register (typically free) at the governmental office.  After the registration they are considered married.  Many couples however choose to have a wedding celebration of some type with family and friends as well as a honeymoon.

For many years --- even possibly centuries although I have not investigated this fact --- some of these marriage celebrations may have included a Shinto worship service with an appropriate wedding blessing led by a Shinto priest.  Shinto is an indigenous Japanese religion with a long history of which I will not detail here.  In general, modern Shinto weddings are formal affairs that include the bride and groom wearing certain type of clothing for example, and generally include immediate family and may include friends.5  Over the past thirty years or so, there has been a shift away from Shinto weddings ceremonies to western style weddings.

What is a western style wedding?  Some Japanese couples will travel outside of Japan for a wedding, combining a blessing service with a honeymoon, similar to couples in the United States who will travel to an island in the Caribbean for a wedding.  Popular destinations include places like Hawaii, New York City or Paris or other locations.  But generally speaking a Japanese western style wedding occurs prior to a reception and is about twenty minutes long at a hall, or a building or hotel.  These wedding celebrations are arranged and presided over by employees of a wedding company and other staff.

Initially, a couple will begin the process by contacting a wedding company or business that sell package weddings and will consult with the wedding company about an appropriate date --- lucky versus unlucky dates for example.  Wedding fairs are one way that people see the variety of packages available.  The packages offered may include a western style wedding and reception for say 50 people at a particular rented locale ending with a reception and a wedding cake in which the couple may symbolically cut.  The wedding cake used for the symbolical cut by the couple is not served.  One of the options offered to couples may include a chapel.  Some companies and hotels have developed western looking chapel buildings or halls that could in some cases on first glimpse be mistaken for a church.  For example, I happened to talk with a graduate student from a country in Africa.  He told me that one Sunday, shortly after they had arrived in Japan, he and his family walked over to what looked like a church in their neighborhood, only to find out that it was a wedding chapel that belonged to a wedding company.  There were no Christian worship services.  To add to the confusion, the chapels or halls may include a cross and other type of church accoutrements.

After choosing a package based on budget, the couple will send out invitations and otherwise prepare for the day.  If a couple chooses a western style blessing service the scripted event begins with a processional, an invocation of some type, a reading from the Bible (1 Corinthians 13 in many cases) followed by possibly a homily or message with a general emphasis on love and vows with the same words used all the companies weddings, all officiated by a wedding company employee, a white male.  The most important part of the event is the exchange of vows and in many cases an exchange of rings.  The event concludes with a blessing and recessional.  Some of these western style wedding events include a small choir that will sing at the procession and recession and possibly a song during the service.6  On many (if not all!) occasions, the groom wears a tuxedo and the bride a white wedding gown.  Much of the flow of the service would be understood by many westerners either from personal experience or from general western culture; thus western style weddings.7

One obvious question that comes up and troubles me besides the racism is the confusion: are these western style weddings Christian?  Ignoring the fact of the sad confusion of western style with Christian, a small percentage of Japanese --- Christian or not --- have chosen to contact a local Christian congregation in which to have a wedding celebration.  Many of these Christian churches would follow a wedding service that many Western Christians would be familiar with and thus correspond to this western-style wedding offered by wedding planners and businesses.  

Furthermore, some missionaries and Japanese churches have decided that this desire is an important opportunity for evangelism or as some have termed pre-evangelism; meaning making Christianity more familiar and comfortable to the general population.  As is well known, Christians currently make up about 1% of the Japanese population and opportunities for sharing are difficult to find.8  Some missionaries in particular have established their own competing “businesses” that try to include some Christian education and message around the event.  Yet, they in many cases as well, provide Caucasian men as wedding leaders.

I should note at this point that I do not participate in western style weddings as I do not consider them appropriate evangelism for many reasons; racism being one.  At this point, no one has contacted me to officiate at wedding and unless the couple wanted an English speaking Christian pastor, I would suggest they contact a Japanese pastor and congregation.  However, I did get a request to be part of a wedding at one of the Japanese churches where I assist.  The Japanese pastor who was officiating forwarded the request but both he and I felt that it was not appropriate for me to be part of the service.

Yet as I noted, the main reason why I do not participate and why I am troubled with western style weddings that employ white men including fellow missionaries is what I alluded to at the beginning; Are “western style” weddings in Japan racist?  I believe they are racist and therefore, not appropriate for me a white, male missionary and pastor.  Not only are they at their core racist events, but they undergird the notion that Christians are westerners and therefore Christianity cannot be truly Japanese.  Although I deeply understand those white male missionaries who decide to participate for the sake of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, I believe that the racism and the association of western with Christian undercuts the good news of Jesus Christ.

Some have suggested that in Japanese thinking these events are not racist per say, rather the western style wedding is more a “performance” with Caucasian actors.  Although that may be accurate in that perceptions are unique to cultures to some degree, that does not take away from the fact that they are racist.  For example less than a hundred years ago, in many western nations some actors would perform in “black face” for comedy or drama.  These “black face” actors would perform stereotypical views of black American and/or “African” culture.  Now very few people would deny that those performances where not racist.  The same are true with western style wedding events in Japan.  Western style weddings in Japan are racist events even if they are performances or has some emotional meaning for the couple.

Finally, in conclusion, not only is the racism troubling, but so is the juxtaposition of this happy and blessed event for couples marred under this evil cloud.  What can one do to stop these events?  First, like me, do not participate or preside, particularly if you are not a pastor.  Second, if you are invited to attend a Japanese western style wedding with a white male employee, please understand what they are; employees hired because they are white and if you do not find out differently assume the white males employees are not Christian pastors.  And third join with me in a prayer for a long and happy marriage for couple in spite of the evil of racism over their event.

1 Please note: I am not using quote marks around western style weddings as some do. Quotes marks are a device I considered using but chose not to do.
2 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racism
3 At times, I interchange “white” and Caucasian.  I realize there are some problems with that but I did it more for stylistic reasons.  I apologize for any offense taken.
4 I have seen a wide range given.
5 For a variety of reasons, Shinto weddings are considered more expensive than a western style wedding, which some observers have suggested is the reason for the growth of western style weddings. Very few couples choose to have a Buddhist wedding; possibly because in Japan, Buddhism is reserved for end of life, funeral, events.
6 “What A Friend We have In Jesus” is a popular choice because many people can sing along and because of its association with the “west.”
7 Observers have commented that media in general and Japanese celebrities in particular, who have chosen a western style service as part of their marriage celebrations, have played an important part in legitimizing and popularizing these weddings i.e. western style weddings are supposedly more romantic for example.
8 “Christian” includes people of a variety of denominations and beliefs that not all Christian would term Christian.

Since I have first published this article, I have received many comments, not posted here.  Thank you.  However, I needed to make some minor grammatical corrections and also restate that this was posted on this blog as comment.  This was and is not to be considered a sermon.

Call for Prayer

In an ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) memo dated April 3, 2009, (sent to us by email), the following was shared:

ELCA Global Mission (GM) is experiencing a “perfect storm” with three distinct elements:  (1) a 7 percent ($1.087 million) reduction in the ELCA’s regular budget (funded primarily from Mission Support, the gifts that flow from congregations through synods to the churchwide organization); (2) a 9 percent ($1.34 million) reduction in World Hunger income, which makes up over 40 percent of GM’s budget; and (3) a $1.27 million loss of purchasing power between 2008 and 2009, relating to a variety of global factors and earlier budget reductions.  (It costs GM $850,000 million more in 2009 to support roughly the same number of missionaries supported in 2008.)  Any one of these factors would be difficult to deal with.  But each of the three amplifies the impact of the others.  Putting the three together, the effective budget reduction that GM will have to deal with in 2009 totals $3.7 million, or 12.2 percent. (Emphasis is in Memo)

 

The memo then details how the Global Mission is dealing with the 2009 budget reduction.

 

I share this information not to complain, because as many of you know many people are in dire financial pain in the US and around the world.  Rather, I cannot emphasize enough the need for prayerful support of the ELCA.

Please continue to pray for the church around the world, that the present financial difficulties do not lead us down the path of pessimism but that the church learns to use our limited resources in new and exciting ways to bring the good news of Jesus Christ around the world.

March 2, 2009

This week, there is no sermon posted as I did not preach at the English worship service at Meito Christ International Church in Nagoya, Japan.  Instead we had a guest pastor from South Carolina, Rev. Robert T. Byrne preach.  Pastor Byrne is the first "exchange pastor" from the South Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to serve the JELC or Japanese Evangelical Lutheran Church in Japan.  He and his spouse, Chris are on exchange for six months (October 1, 2008 - March 31, 2009) and are now visiting the "Tokai" district (one of five districts of the JELC) and thankfully, I was able to have him preach on Sunday, March 1st.  Rev. Byrne serves as pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aiken, South Carolina.

On March 2nd, Pastor Byrne, Chris and myself were able to take some time to visit "Meiji-Mura."  Meiji-Mura is an open air architectural museum housing various buildings from all over Japan and a few from around the world.  Many of the buildings are architectural gems from the Meiji period  明治時代 of Japan.  In Japan, periods of time are associated with the reign of various emperors.  Therefore, the Meiji period from October 23 1868 to July 30, 1912 corresponds from the enthronement of the Emperor Mutsuhito to his death.  After the death of an emperor a posthumous name is given, in this case, Meiji.

We had wonderful afternoon together visiting many of the buildings and having conversations on a variety of topics.  Attached is a photo of Pastor Byrne and myself (Chris took the photo) outside one of highlights of the museum, the lobby of the old Imperial Hotel from Tokyo.  The building was designed by the architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, and the lobby was moved to this site.  After the photo, we sat and had coffee on the second floor of the lobby overlooking the grounds.  Pastor Byrne is providing a blog of his time in Japan.  It can be found at: http://scepreports.blogspot.com

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!