News from Christ Church
Search for New Chaplain/Rector
The Mission to Seafarers have begun their search for our new Port Chaplain and Rector here at Christ Church. Please feel free to share this information with anyone you know who might appreciate this opportunity.
CLICK HERE for more.
YCC Charitable giving
With thanks to our members at the recent Annual Vestry we have approved our charitable giving for 2025. We decided to continue to support four of our existing charities and added a new one that had been suggested ahead of the meeting. Here are the five charities for 2025 together with links to their websites where available.
Announcement
Yokohama Christ Church
Pentecost Sunday 8th June 2025
As many of you know, Christ Church is a place shaped by constant movement - new faces arriving, familiar ones departing. It's part of the rhythm of an international congregation, and something we’ve come to embrace. But today, I find myself not merely observing that cycle, but preparing, once again, to step into it myself.
After much thought and prayer, I want to let you know that from next year (2026) I will be taking up a new role with The Mission to Seafarers. This new position will see me serving both in Hong Kong and here in Japan. I will be based in Tokyo, assisting the Regional Director with the Mission’s work across East Asia, while continuing to support the ministry here and representing the Mission within the Diocese of Tokyo. So, this won’t be the last you’ll see of me! I expect to be back from time to time to support my successor and remain connected to this community.
Many of you will remember that this isn’t my first farewell! I served here from 2012 to 2018, before moving on to roles in Jordan and Hong Kong. My unexpected return at the end of 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, was never part of the original plan - but I have no regrets. It has been a joy and a privilege to serve you again these past four and a half years. I’m immensely grateful for this ‘second coming’, and for the support and friendship I have received during this time.
Together we’ve weathered a pandemic, restored and rebuilt the life of our church family, and seen the community deepen and grow. Christ Church is in a strong and healthy place, and the Port Chaplaincy likewise is thriving. That gives me real confidence that this is the right time to step aside, allowing a new priest to continue the journey and lead both church and mission into a new chapter.
Because I will continue to be based in Japan, my final Sunday is flexible – and I won’t be going anywhere until a new Rector has been appointed and is well settled in. I’ll work closely with those involved to ensure a smooth handover and the best possible welcome for my successor.
In the meantime, I ask for your prayers – for me as I prepare for this new chapter, for ourselves as this church family during this time of transition, and for the new chaplain and rector who will, I trust, be as richly blessed by this community as I have been.
Let us pray.
Almighty and ever-living God, you call your people to serve you in every time and place: we give you thanks for all that has been shared in this community of faith, and we entrust to your keeping the season of change that lies before us. Comfort those who feel sadness, strengthen those who look to the future, and guide us all by your Holy Spirit, that in every step we may follow the way of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sunday School
Children of all ages are welcome at Christ Church! For more information of Sunday school activities please contact Audrey using the contact page of this website.
Ministry of Prayer
Please let us know of any people you would like us to pray for. Names for prayer can be sent in through our YCC email or via the contact page on our website HERE.
Making Music ~ Praising God!
If you would like to contribute to the music ministry here at Christ Church please send us a message through the contact page. You can sign up to our weekly email that includes the hymns for the coming Sunday. We welcome all instruments, so long as you're prepared to turn up for the practice on Sundays at 9am.
Church Flowers and Cleaning
YCC continues to provide flowers, normally for the 4th Sunday of the month, subject to Yamate Sei Ko Kai events and schedule. If you would like to donate flowers on a future date please contact Noriko using the contact page of this website. Since we are a small congregation, YSKK do not expect us to join the regular roster for cleaning but we did pledge full support twice a year, at which time please lend your support; many hands make light work and a couple of hours will be much appreciated.
YCC Parking
Please park your cars in the lot next to the Parish Hall. The parking lot on the Rectory side of the church is reserved for YSKK members.
John Berg
John Berg wrote a short memoir of his life and experiences in 2016 entitled 'One more step'. It is now available in electronic form and can be accessed HERE
Supporting the People of Gaza
Many will have seen the shocking pictures of suffering experienced by the people of Gaza at this time. If you would like to support work that seeks to alleviate the suffering of the Gazan people please consider the following charities that are continuing to work in the region.
The UN agency UNRWA and also Central World Kitchen are working tirelessly to bring food aid into the region. You can find ways to donate to support their efforts by following the links below:
Ukraine Emergency Appeal
USPG and the Church of England Diocese in Europe need your help as we support humanitarian work both in Ukraine and with refugees fleeing into neighbouring countries. Churches and agencies are already responding to the crisis.
This appeal will provide critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of people still in Ukraine and those who have left as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery.
Here's the LINK
YCC Tea Towel
We have souvenir tea towels available for sale at a cost of ¥500 and Notelets with envelopes for ¥100. The tea towels are 100% cotton and made in England.
Please ask at Church for more details.
