News from Christ Church

"Dear all, I'd just like to send out huge thank yous to everyone who was able to contribute in some way to the success of this evening's Nine Lessons and Carols at Yokohama Christ Church. Including choir members we had around 100 in attendance which was a nice turn out. Our soloists sang the opening carol 'Once in Royal David's City' from the back of the church on the balcony. It was a beautiful opening to the service. Another first was the choirs of Sacred Heart and YCC filing themselves around the perimeter of the congregation in readiness to sing together with everyone, the last carol 'Silent Night', in candlelight - so moving.. Thank you to Fr. Simon for leading us in prayer, to our Sacred Heart and YCC choristers including our soloists (amazing singing everyone), our greeter, our readers, our refreshment helpers (set-up and clear-up) , our musicians and directors, our acolytes, our programme makers and printers, those who contributed food (including soup for the choir members) and wine, and those who gave donations in support of the MtS and building fund - hope I haven't missed anyone except finally, special thanks to our congregation for joining us for this special occasion during the season of Advent. On behalf of the YCC Vestry and our dear close friends from Sacred Heart, thank you so much one and all. We wish you all a blessed Christmas season." Dennis, People's Warden  

"Two vestry members and Fr. Simon, attended the Commonwealth Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Hodogaya. It was a lovely service and on behalf of the Anglican Communion, Fr Simon offered prayers to those worldly servicemen and service women who lost their lives in wars and conflict since the start of the 20th century. In conjunction, YCC hosted Evensong this evening...The choir sang beautifully as usual (thank you so much) and Fr. Simon and Fr. Daniel devoted their time to lead the service of prayer, meditation and song. Once again, thank you to our choral director Yuka who led the choir with her virtuosic skills. Also thank you to our organist Yoshiko who worked so hard , and her assistant Nozomi and to our choir soloists Migiwa and Dean who sang beautifully. In addition, our gratitude to those who supported in some way the provision of refreshment after Evensong - so richly appreciated." Dennis (People's Warden)  

The MtS Japan celebratory maritime event was held on October 13th at Yokohama Christ Church with the presence of HRH Princess Anne, who is the president of MtS. HRH Princes Royal was joined by her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, along with other guests including diplomats and businessmen representing Japan's shipping industry, who all attended the service and celebratory reception.

The Mission to Seafarers has a proud tradition of supporting seafarers here in Japan since 1880s, when a small centre was opened in the fast-growing port of Yokohama, initially as a refuge from alcohol but quickly widened its purpose to offer a welcome to all seafarers. Since those early days, the Mission has expanded its presence to Kobe and Tomakomai and today, all three locations offer a range of services for visiting seafarers, irrespective of nationality, race or creed.

Revd Canon Andrew Wright, Secretary General of MtS, said: We are very proud that the Mission to Seafarers Japan is part of our global family of welfare centres, chaplains, staff and volunteers in over 200 ports around the world. For well over a century, seafarers visiting Japan have benefited from their support and it is an honour to celebrate their contribution to the wellbeing of the men and women serving at sea."

Ms Lisa Bond, Priest’s Warden of YCC, said: “Today was a special Celebration of Mission to Seafarers, and it was a privilege to welcome Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, Sir Timothy Lawrence and Ambassador Madden along with guests from near and far to help in the celebration. It was a particularly beautiful celebration -- made all the more so -- because of the beautiful sunshine and smiles of relief on the faces of everyone present. Even the special police remarked at how they were being awoken all through the night with alarms going off and loud speakers blaring warnings in Japanese. But even so, they were all smiles and quite happy to be at Yokohama Christ Church today.

Primate Nathaniel Uematsu spoke with us about his personal connection to Mission to Seafarers. His grandfather, the second son of a Nichiren Buddhist family, wanted to become a "hero" and make a lot of money. Back during the middle of the Meiji Period, one way to do that was to become a sailor. On one of his trips transporting goods to Europe, the empty cargo ship he and his fellow seafarers were on (over 150 seafarers) ended up in rough waters during a very bad winter storm. The vessel was damaged and he and his fellow seafarers ended up staying in England for 5 months as the ship was being repaired. It was at that time that his grandfather met a missionary with the Mission to Seafarers and from that time on he began to study the Bible with the missionary every day. His grandfather subsequently was baptized and well ... though he never became the "hero" he had first imagined ... he did in fact become an Anglican priest and began to spread the Gospel in Japan. Primate Nathaniel no doubt traces his own Christian beginnings to the shipwreck and care and dedication of the missionary in England more than 100 years ago. That service and dedication is what Mission to Seafarers is all about, and I pray that we can continue to support the mission and the chaplains and volunteers that reach out to the seafarers that visit the ports here in Japan.

Today, I would like to personally thank the other Vestry members for all their hard work in helping with the planning and executing of today's service. Special services always take special preparation and care, but today's was a little beyond the normal special preparation. Even so, the service went without any problem, and in Japanese style prompt and timed exactly so that Her Royal Highness could proceed with her other activities this afternoon. A special thanks to Yuka Ito for organizing the joint choir with Mr. Agata from YSKK and for working with the choir and congregations to make this service meaningful for all who were there. THANK YOU EVERYONE!”

"Dear all, yesterday evening, YCC hosted its Choral Evensong Service with around 50 in the congregation. It proved to be a wonderful occasion, as always, and our 12 choristers sang beautifully. Fr. Daniel and Fr. Simon led the service and the congregation joined in the singing with the opening hymn 'Praise to the Holiest in the height' and closing hymn 'Abide with Me'. it truly was a memorable evening of prayer, meditation and music and our acapella choristers concluded their solo pieces with an amazing rendition of 'The Anthem'A huge thank you to our choir, our choral director Yuka and to both Fr. Daniel and Fr. Simon. Lastly many thanks to all those who supported this event. Our next Evensong will be on the evening of November 10th (Remembrance Sunday) starting at 6pm. Be sure to mark this in your calendars. These are wonderful occasions not to be missed. Hope you can make it." Dennis (YCC people's warden)

Christ Church has a low-traffic Yahoo Group mostly used for announcements and discussion of upcoming events. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ycc/

We are pleased to have copies of John Berg's memoirs available at Christ Church. Entitled 'One More Step' the book offers a fascinating insight into his journey thus far. If you want a copy, they're available in the Rectory during coffee hour. A donation to cover the printing costs is requested - ¥500