The United Church of Christ in Japan

Executive Council Prepares for Upcoming General Assembly

Oct 28,2014

WCC Representatives Officially Visit Prime Minister Abe’s Residence

Oct 28,2014

A delegation of seven persons, led by World Council of Churches General Secretary Olav Tveit, was scheduled to come to Japan on Aug. 1, 2014 for about a week to make official visits to various places around Japan. However, due to Rev. Dr. Tveit’s sudden hospitalization, all events on the schedule, other than the planned visit to Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s official residence, had to be postponed. The purpose of the visit to the prime minister’s residence was to hand-deliver personally to Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga two resolutions adopted by the WCC Central Committee at its July meeting. These resolutions, entitled “Towards a Nuclear-free World” and “The Re-interpretation of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution,” were written to communicate the voices of the 500 million followers of Christ in churches in 140 nations that are members of the WCC. Its head office in Geneva felt that the timing for communicating these resolutions was critical, so they decided that Rev. Dr. Chang Sang, head of the Asian region of the WCC, and Kim Donson, WCC executive secretary, should make the visit in place of General Secretary Tveit.

Rev. Chang was accompanied by Rev. Nishihara Renta, member of the WCC Central Committee; Rev. Kato Makoto, executive secretary of the Kyodan’s Commission on Ecumenical Ministries; Rev. Ueda Hiroko, former acting general secretary of the National Christian Council in Japan; and Noguchi Yoichi, executive director of the Niwano Peace Foundation. They met with Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga on Aug. 4, and after exchanging business cards, Rev. Chang communicated through an interpreter the message from the WCC for about 15 minutes.

Concerning the resolution entitled “Towards a Nuclear-free World,” Rev. Chang said that nuclear weapons and real peace were simply two things that cannot exist together and that nuclear power plants should be phased out. With respect to “The Re-interpretation of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution,” Article 9 is viewed not only by East Asian countries but also by the world at large as indicative of a country that loves peace and as a diplomatic asset for Japan. Likewise, the non-military aid Japan has

been giving, which is based on Article 9, is also viewed very favorably. In addition, Rev. Chang said that while Christians in Japan represent only a small minority of the population, the churches have been acting as a beacon of light and hope within Japanese society and that the WCC stands in solidarity with the Japanese churches and the issues they face and will endeavor to support them in every way.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga’s response was consistent with the Japanese government’s stance, but the total length of the meeting was about twice the originally scheduled time, having lasted 20 minutes. Thus, it was a very productive and meaningful meeting from the standpoint of communicating to the Japanese government the voices of both Japanese Christians and Christians from around the world and of indicating that the Christians of the world are watching what the Japanese government is doing. (Tr. TB)

WCC代表、首相官邸訪問

オラフ・トヴェイトWCC総幹事一行7名は、2014年8月1日（金）から約一週間の予定で日本各地を公式訪問する予定であったが、トヴェイト総幹事の緊急入 院により、首相官邸訪問を除きすべての訪日スケジュールが延期となった。首相官邸訪問の目的は、今年7月にWCC中央委員会で採択された「核から解放された世界に向けて」、「日本国憲法第9条再解釈について」の２声明を菅官房長官に直接手渡し、WCCに連なる140ヶ国の教会、5億人のキリスト者を代表して、2声明の語るところを伝えることにあった。ジュネーブの本部は、このタイミングで声明を伝えること の重要性を考慮し、チャン・サンアジア地区議長とキム・ドンソン幹事の訪日を決定した。

首相官邸を8月4日（月）訪問したのは、チャン・サンWCCアジア地区議長、西原廉太・WCC中央委員、加藤誠・教団世界宣教幹事、上田博子・前NCC総幹事代行事務取扱、野口陽一・庭野平和財団専務理事の5名であった。

名刺交換後、チャン・サン議長は約15分、通訳を介しつつWCCからのメッセージを菅官房長官に伝えた。「核から解放された世界」の声明につ いては、核兵器は真の平和とは全く相容れないものであること、原子力発電所は段階的に廃止するべきであることを伝えた。「日 本国憲法第9条再解釈について」では憲法第9条について、東アジア諸国のみならず全世界で、平和を愛する国としての日本の外交的資産であり、 第9条に基づく非軍事的貢献が高く評価されていることを伝えた。更にチャン・サン議長は日本の教会 は、少数者であっても、日本に光と希望を灯す灯台の役割を果たす存在であり、WCCはこれからも日本の教会と諸課題を共有しつつ、密接にサポートするつもりであることを語った。

菅官房長官の応答は、これまでの政府見解と変わるものではなかったが、会見の 時間は予定の倍の20分であった。日本のキリスト者 の声が、世界のキリスト者の声と共に官房長官に直接届けられ、世界のキリスト者の目が日本政府に向けられていることを伝えら れたことは、極めて有意義であった。（加藤誠）

“I love Taiwan Mission Camp” Impacts International Participants

Oct 28,2014

by Hosoda Joy, member

Higashi Nakano Church, West Tokyo District

I was given the opportunity to attend the “I Love Taiwan Mission Camp” as a Japanese participant from June 26 to July 12. A total of 155 people from 23 countries around the world participated in this event, which included 50 staff members, 4 volunteers, 32 local youths, and 69 overseas participants. Unfortunately, due to my own university schedule, I had to arrive in Taiwan two days late, almost at the end of the three-day orientation. As a participant from Japan, I was a rarity, and so was given a very warm welcome. After the three-day-orientation, we were separated into groups and sent out to 19 different churches to serve the local communities.

I was sent to the Tek-Tung Church together with one

Attendees at the 3-day orientation

participant each from Hong Kong, Malaysia, and South Korea, and two from both Hungary and Taiwan. Our main The second point involves my participation as a activity during the stay was to help at a summer camp for representative from Japan. One of the purposes of this ILTelementary students led by the youth of the church. I was program is summed up in the theme of the conference, surprised by the number of both the youth and children, “Embrace Taiwan with Love,” and this included learning with 25 youth leading activities for 100 children. Each of about the history of Taiwan. Japan has had a strong us used our talents to make this a very successful summer influence on Taiwan, and although we now have a friendly camp. We had a fun-filled ten days together at the Tek-relationship, it is a difficult thing for Taiwanese to forgive Tung Church, and then we headed to Tainan, where all of easily what Japan did during the World War II years, the groups gathered together again to share our stories. when they oppressed the native populations. Although it is

impossible for us to change history, we can still learn from There are two things I learned from my experience that I it. I feel strongly that Japanese education must include this would like to share. The first point is about the youth of point. The Taiwanese have studied this history and yet they Taiwan. The youth I met in Taiwan were so passionate. still love the Japanese. I hope to give back even more love They organized all the activities during the summer to Taiwan. camp as well as other activities for our enjoyment. It was obvious that they had themselves grown up in these The churches in Taiwan were filled with love and faith. summer camps and the church. I was deeply impressed by I received love from the Taiwanese as well as from the the words the pastor of Tek-Tung Church shared with us overseas participants who gathered in Taiwan. I would when he said that these children and youth are so important like to end this report with warm thanks to the United for the future. He said that it is because they are children of Church of Christ in Japan for sending me to Taiwan, to the God that they are precious right now at this moment. The members of the Student Christian Fellowship for choosing children know that they are cherished by the adults in the me, and to my own family and the participants of ILT 2014 church, and this will help them to remain in the Tek-Tung for their support. Most of all, of course, I want to thank Church in the future. God for being with me the whole way.

I Love Taiwan 報告

6 月26日から7月12日の間スタッフ50人、ボランティア4人、現地教会の青年32人、海外参加者69人、参加国23、総勢155人という大がかりなI Love Taiwan Missionに日本人として参加する機会を与えられた。学校があった私は、2日遅れの参加となったが、日本人の参加者が珍し かったらしく着いてすぐにみんなから大歓迎された。3日間のオリエンテー ションを兼ねた全体会の後、グループに分けられ台湾各地の19の教会に派遣され、そ こで奉仕を行った。

私 が派遣されたのは彰化鼎にある竹塘教会。年齢性別国籍言語の異なった８人という大型グループで香港、マレーシ ア、韓国、ハンガリー（2）、台湾（2）、日 本というチーム編成だった。教会で の主な活動内容は教会の青年たちの運営による子どもたちを集めての「サマーキャンプ」のお手伝い。まず教会の青年の数に 驚く、また通ってくる子どもたちの数に驚く。青年25人、子ども100人、さまざまなプログ ラムで子どもたちを楽しませた。海外参加者一人ひとりの賜物が 生かされキャンプは大成功に終わっ た。10日間楽しく過ごした竹 塘教会と別れを告げ台南に全参加者が再び集まりそれぞれの教会の報告会をもった。

ここから、私がこのプログラムを通して学んだことをふたつに分けて紹介する。

そ の1：青年について。台湾の青年はパワフルだった。サマーキャンプはもちろんだが、青年たちは私たちをも楽しませ るためのプログラムをいくつも用意してく れた。この青年たちは幼い頃こう いったキャンプや教会生活で育っていった青年であることは明らかであった。竹塘教会の牧師はもちろんこの子どもたち、青 年 たちは将来のために大切な存在であ るのだが、彼らは神さまの子どもであるから「今、この瞬間」に大切な存在なのだと語られた言葉が強く印象に残った。だか らこそ彼らは教会に残り続けているのだ。

その2：日本人として台湾のプログラムに参加したこと。ILTの目的の中のひとつに「台湾を愛す」という課題があるため台湾の歴史を学ぶ機会も多く与えられた。いくら親日 国の台湾でも戦争の場面や原住民弾圧は許しがたい出来事。歴史は変えることはできないが、学ぶことはできる。日本でも しっかりと教育してこの点を学ぶべきだと感じた。日本との深い歴史を知った上でなお日本を愛してくれる台湾。私はそれ以 上の愛を返したいと思った。

台湾の教会は愛と信仰で溢れていた。台湾人も、台湾に集まってきた外国人も愛に溢れていることを直接感じるこ とができた。

送り出してくださった教団のみなさま、すすめてくださったSCFの方々、サポートしてくれた家族とILTの仲間たち、そしてはじめからおわりまでずっと一緒にいてくださった神さまに感謝してILT2014の報告とさせていただきます。細田 じょい（東中野教会員）

Biennial Youth Mission Event Hosted in Taiwan

Oct 28,2014

by Kishi Hikari, member                                                                                               Chiba Honcho Church, Tokyo DistrictFrom Aug. 8 to 17, I participated in the joint Youth Mission event jointly sponsored by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) and the Kyodan. The exchange program has generally been held once every two years, with each country serving as host in alternating years. This time it was held in Taiwan. I learned a great deal from the experience and feel that we all bonded together as youth of the world. I would like to express my gratitude as I give a brief report.

Our tour from north to south along the east coast of Taiwan began in Taipei and proceeded through Yilan to three locations in the Taitung region (Zhang Guang, Hong Ye, Xin Xiang Lan) then to Tainan. There were five persons from Taiwan and three of us from Japan in the group. Three of these eight people, including myself, had also participated in the previous exchange program.

beginning with the evangelistic work of Dr. George Mackay. In addition, we visited the Taiwan Electric Company for one day to study the issue of nuclear power generation; another day we studied issues surrounding the natural environment by helping to plant sugar cane on an organic farm. In the three regions we toured in Taitung, we visited three villages where indigenous tribes reside: the Ami tribe in Zhang Guang, the Punon tribe in Hong Ye and the Paiwan tribe in Xin Xiang Lan. We learned about each culture and its surrounding environment and had fellowship with each group in its own church there. In Tainan, we stayed at the Tainan Theological College and Seminary and learned about the legacy of Dr. James Laidlaw Maxwell, a pioneer evangelist in that area, and also studied Christian theology while we were there.Kyodan-PCT Conference participants
After adjourning to have lunch on the campus of Hokkaido University, we gathered again to hear reports on mission to youth. First to speak was Rev. Chou Tsou-Wei, PCTchaplain of Taipei University Student Center, followed by Sato Takafumi of the Kyodan’s West Tokyo District and Rev. Noda Taku, a member of the Taiwan Cooperative Committee. After these reports, PCT General Secretary Lym Hong-Tiong and Kyodan General Secretary Nagasaki Tetsuo jointly presided over a lively discussion of the various topics and issues mentioned in the reports, in preparation for the joint proclamation to be ironed out the following day. As they had done the previous night, the Hokkaido District Women’s Society provided a delicious dinner, which was followed by a time of fellowship.On the third day we went by bus to Asahikawa, where we visited the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Center, the Asahiyama Zoo, and the Miura Ayako Literature Museum. There, even though the time was short, we were fortunate to have a chance to hear a presentation by the curator, Miura Mitsuyo (the husband of Miura Ayako).On the final day, back in Sapporo, Akiyama Toru, chairperson of the Commission on Ecumenical Ministries, presided as a joint declaration was crafted from the statements by participants from both churches. Kyodan Secretary Kumoshikari Toshimi preached the sermon at the closing worship. (Tr. GM) —Kato Makoto, executive secretaryThrough this program we learned a lot about Christianity in Taiwan, the current situation in this country, and how things should be in Japan. We were encouraged by the way the Taiwanese face their own difficulties and felt that we had a really significant exchange there, particularly with the young people. Even though we live in different countries, we could share together the thought that we belong to the one Kingdom of God as fellow Christians.Following this program, three of the Taiwanese participants came to Japan to participate in a youth conference here, for which we were particularly grateful. One remark made during the devotional time on the last day of the conference was: “Youth Mission will further deepen interchange in the future toward becoming a fellowship for the world church.” This indeed is the mission of this program and that of all of those who participated. (Tr. KY)

Participants pose by the bronze statue of Dr. George Mackay

In Taipei, we learned about the PCT General Headquarters, along with the history of Christian evangelism in Taiwan,

ユースミッション報告

台湾基督長老教会との青年交流プログラムに参加して

千葉本町教会　岸ひかり

8月5日から17日にかけて、台湾基督長老教会と日本基督教団の青年 交流プログラム、ユースミッションに参加してきた。これは、基本的に二年に一度、開催地を両国交互にして開くが、今回は台湾で行われ た。このプログラムを通して、多くを学び、青年たちと世界教会的な仲間となれた。感謝してここに報告させていただきたい。

今回のツアーは、主に台北、宣蘭、台東の三地域(長光、紅葉、新香蘭)、そして台南というよ うに、台湾を北から南まで、東海岸沿いに横断した。参加者は台湾から5

、日本から3であった。その中には、前回から引き続いての参加者も私を含め3名いた。

台北ではPCT総会本部や、台湾伝道をしたマカイ博士からキリスト教について学んだ。また、台湾電力 等を訪れて原発を考える日や、有機栽培農園でサトウキビを植えて自然環境を考える日を持った。台東の三地域では、それぞれに三部族の 原住民の村があり、各地域で彼らの文化やとりまく環境について学び、交流し、教会で過ごした。長光はアミ族、紅葉はプノン族、新香蘭 はパイワン族の地域であった。台南では、台湾伝道のマックスウェル博士の跡や、宿泊した台南神学院等からキリスト教について学んだ。

このプログラムから私は、台湾のキリスト教、台湾の現状、日本の在り方についてなど多くを学んだ。そし て、それらに向かう台湾の人々の姿勢に刺激された。また、台湾の人々や青年たちとよき交流ができたことは大きい。国境は違っても、同 じキリスト者として共に神の国に属しているという想いを共有した。そして、3人の台湾参加者は、このプログラム終了後に日本へきて青年大会に参加してくれた。決断 してくれたことに感謝しきれない。最終日のデボーションで、「ユースミッションはこれからももっと交流を深めていく、フェローシップ のように、世界教会のために」という言葉があったが、これこそがこのプログラム、そして参加した私達のミッションではないだろうか。

Joint Kyodan-PCT Conference Convened in Hokkaido

Oct 28,2014

A joint conference of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and the Kyodan was held at the Hokkaido Christian Center from Aug. 25 to 28. This was the 14th such gathering since the conference was begun, and the theme this year was “A Road in the Wilderness, Streams in the Desert” (Isaiah 43:19). The delegation from the PCT consisted of 18 members, while from the Kyodan 28 people, including 4 officers, attended.

The opening worship began at 6 p.m. with Rev. Lee Meng-Jer, a member of the Committee on Taiwan Church Relations, as liturgist and Rev. Jo Jen-Kuei, moderator of the PCT, preaching.

Following the worship service, Tanaka Fumihiro, chair of the Committee on Taiwan Church Relations, presided at the opening of the welcoming dinner, and Rev. Ishibashi Hideo, moderator of the Kyodan, gave welcoming greetings.

On the second day, we began the formal church-to-church consultations, in line with the purpose of our meeting together. During the morning session, we listened to mission reports by missionaries sent from the PCT and the Kyodan, which was followed by a time of questions and responses. Divan Suqluman, a missionary from the indigenous Bunun people in Taiwan, came to Japan in 2005. He has served several churches in Hokkai District and in his report focused on the indigenous Ainu people there. Next, Hayashida Yoshiyuki, a Kyodan missionary who served in Kaohsiung for 30 years, gave his report.

After adjourning to have lunch on the campus of Hokkaido University, we gathered again to hear reports on mission to youth. First to speak was Rev. Chou Tsou-Wei, PCTchaplain of Taipei University Student Center, followed by Sato Takafumi of the Kyodan’s West Tokyo District and Rev. Noda Taku, a member of the Taiwan Cooperative Committee. After these reports, PCT General Secretary Lym Hong-Tiong and Kyodan General Secretary Nagasaki Tetsuo jointly presided over a lively discussion of the various topics and issues mentioned in the reports, in preparation for the joint proclamation to be ironed out the following day. As they had done the previous night, the Hokkaido District Women’s Society provided a delicious dinner, which was followed by a time of fellowship.

On the third day we went by bus to Asahikawa, where we visited the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Center, the Asahiyama Zoo, and the Miura Ayako Literature Museum. There, even though the time was short, we were fortunate to have a chance to hear a presentation by the curator, Miura Mitsuyo (the husband of Miura Ayako).

On the final day, back in Sapporo, Akiyama Toru, chairperson of the Commission on Ecumenical Ministries, presided as a joint declaration was crafted from the statements by participants from both churches. Kyodan Secretary Kumoshikari Toshimi preached the sermon at the closing worship. (Tr. GM)

—Kato Makoto, executive secretary

北海道における教団とPCTの協議会

第14回台湾基督長老教会(PCT)と日本基督教団との教会協議会が、8月25日（月）から28日（木）の期間、北海 道クリスチャンセンターを会場にして開催された。主題は「荒れ野に道を、砂漠に河を」（イザヤ43:19）、参加者は台湾基督 長老教会から18名、教団からは4役を含め28名であった。開会礼拝は18時から行われ、李孟哲台湾協約委員が司式、羅仁貴台湾基督長老教会総会議長が説教を担当した。19時からは田中文宏台湾協約委員長の司会で歓迎夕食会が開かれ、教団を代表して石橋秀雄総会議長が歓迎の挨拶を述べた。二日目は「教会協議会」のタイトルに相応しく、充実した協議が 行われた。午前中はPCTと教団から派遣されて いる宣教師の宣教報告を聞き、質疑応答の時を持った。ディバン・スクルマン宣教師は台湾の原住民 （ブヌン族）出身で、2005年に来日。北海教区内 の諸教会の礼拝奉仕に加え、特に宣教の中心課題であるアイヌ民族との関わりについて話された。続いて教団から派遣され、高雄で30年にわたり教会に仕えてきた林田義行宣教師の報告を聞いた。北海道大学キャンパス内での昼食と散策の後、午後は青年への宣教についての発題が あり、PCTからは台北大学生セン ターチャプレンの周宇緯牧師が、教団からは西 東京教区から参加の佐藤飛文氏と台湾協約委員の野 田沢牧師がそれぞれ発題を行った。17時からはPCTの林芳仲総幹事と長崎哲夫総幹事の共同司会により、そ れまでの諸報告と諸課題を総括し、翌日作成予定の共同声明のために、活発な意見交換と質疑応答がなされた。前夜に引き続き北海教区の 婦人会が中心となった手作りの夕食が振舞われ、夜は交流会が持たれた。三日目は一同バスで旭川に行き、川村カ子トアイヌ記念館を訪問 後、旭山動物園、三浦綾子記念文学館を訪れた。特に三浦綾子記念文学館では三浦光世館長から直接、短時間 ではあってもお話を伺う機会を得たことは幸いであった最終日は秋山徹世界宣教委員長の司会 により、双方の参加者の積極的な発言を通して共同声明が作成された。閉会礼拝の説教は雲然俊美書記が担当した。(加藤誠）