November Message

REPORT TO THE CHARGE CONFERENCE

By Reverend Mark M. Nakagawa

Senior Minister

November 4, 2010

This is my 10^th Charge Conference at Centenary, and that fact alone gives me much joy in writing this report!

At the same time, there are so many reasons for me to be joyful as I write this report; this congregation is alive and vibrant in its many ministries and programs! Our worship life continues to be relevant and meaningful to a multitude of generations, from young toddlers all the way up to their great-grandparents. Add to that the arrival of “brand new” people who have had no family connection or previous experience with Centenary, and we increasingly reflect the diversity and pluralism that most congregations only talk about but struggle to model.

As worship is the heart of a congregation’s life, it inspires the many life-giving ministries that we carry out year-round: preparing and delivering meals to the homebound during the holidays; providing school supplies to underprivileged children; making and providing prayer shawls and blankets that give physical and spiritual comfort to persons who are hurting and healing; painting and repairing church buildings and structures; engaging and working with the surrounding community and stakeholders with a firm foundation of support. I can proudly say that all of our ministries and programs manifest the Four Areas of Focus that United Methodists defined at the 2008 General Conference:

• Combating the diseases of poverty by improving health globally.
• Engaging in ministry with the poor.
• Creating new places for new people and revitalizing existing congregations.
• Developing principled Christian leaders for the church and the world.

Certainly, we face challenges that many churches also face in these tenuous times. The generation of our elders that has sustained and supported Centenary throughout the past six decades is slowly setting into the twilight years of their lives. Related to that is the challenge of supporting our overall operations plus full-time ministry in two languages: English and Japanese. This church is now one of only three churches nationally that continues to provide this unique ministry.  The strong influence of a secular culture, combined with the expectation of being available to people on a “24/7” basis, stretches the human, financial and physical resources of this church and its staff in ways that churches have never experienced before.

But yet, our recent 114^th anniversary worship service gives me much reason to be proud of the strong legacy of faith that we continue to uphold. More important is the direction in which we are headed: Into a “future of hope” that will continue to shine the light and love of Jesus Christ through our United Methodist faith.

Later this month we will celebrate with Thanksgiving all of the blessings that we have from God. I want to take this time to thank God for the privilege of serving in this pastoral appointment. The times we find ourselves in are certainly challenging and exciting for the congregation and the larger church we are a part of, and I count myself as being truly blessed to be included in it all!

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October's Message

Dear Centenarians,

Throughout this year, we have been reading the Gospel of Luke in worship. Luke’s Gospel contains some of the more recognizable parables of Jesus: Pithy stories, which often leave the hearer (or reader) to provide the ending. Among the parables of Jesus that are found in Luke are “The Good Samaritan” and
“The Prodigal Son.”

Unlike a traditional story or fable, Jesus’ parables have no moralistic ending or nice, neat conclusion. Jesus often used parables as a teaching tool to awaken people’s consciousness of the surprising ways in which God operates in the world.

For this month’s Pastor’s column, I offer a modern-day parable that is based on an all-too frequent occurrence that happens at the church:

“On a Monday afternoon, the church door-bell rang. When one of the pastors answered the phone, the person on the other end of it said, ‘I need your help. I am a diabetic. I am not asking for money, just something to eat. My blood sugar is low and I’m weak.’

“The other pastor who was also listening quickly thought to open a carton of juice and pour some of it into a cup. The first pastor took it, went downstairs to open the door and gave it to the man. He took it, drank it, and thanked the pastor. The pastor then went into the church kitchen to find something for the man to eat. He brought out some bread, more juice, and offered it to the man. He took it, ate and drank, and thanked the pastor again.

“The man took out two sheets of paper from his pocket, showed them to the pastor and said, ‘I was released from jail over the weekend. None of the stores or restaurants would give me anything to eat, not even a little bit. Thank God for a few pieces of candy that a little old lady gave me, when she saw me being refused by one of the businesses. Thank God also, for this church. I don’t know what would have happened to me after today.’

“’Where are you headed?’ asked the pastor. The man replied, ‘I’m going to the train station. I think I have enough money to get back home. Thank you again for helping me.’ The man walked off the church property and headed down the street in the direction of the train station.’”

Those who have ears to hear, let them hear what the Holy Spirit is saying!

Grace and Peace,



Reverend Mark M. Nakagawa

September Chimes

Dear Centenarians:

There are several important worship events specific to us that will take place over the span of the coming month, but one in particular stands out for this month’s column.

Each year on the first Sunday in October Christians celebrate Worldwide Communion Sunday. Regardless of a congregation’s frequency in celebrating the Lord’s Supper (the 1^st Sunday of each month for Centenary), all Christians “worldwide” participate in receiving this gift of sacramental love from God.

Worldwide Communion Sunday was initiated by mainline Protestant denominations at the outbreak of W.W. II, as a response to the reality of war but as an expression of hope and peace among disciples of Jesus Christ. The yearly observance of this Sunday remained in place at the conclusion of the war, and United Methodists along with others continue its tradition.

Perhaps never before in the modern era, and especially in the young 21^st century, has there been a time when people are searching to find common ground amidst so many fractures in society.

The changing definitions of gender and family have brought both joy and pain for individuals and households. Our political system continues its gridlock at all levels of government. “Hot button” social issues such as marriage equality and immigration divide persons into different camps based on extreme ideologies.

Regardless of where you and I stand on these and other issues, the act of Holy Communion brings us together in the most important bond that defines us: That is our common identity as followers of Jesus Christ, who commit to following his ways as lived through his life, ministry, death and resurrection.

In a society where people are increasingly defining themselves (and being defined) by their individuality and uniqueness, the act of coming together through the Lord’s Supper enables us to recognize our God-given worth and value that far transcends the artificial and superficial identities that tempt us to assume them.

Because we are created in God’s image, that is all the affirmation we need, and sharing in the Lord’s Supper is the ultimate affirmation we receive as Christians.

I hope you can be with us on Sunday, Oct. 3^rd, as we along with Christians all over the world come together through the Holy Spirit to partake in the Lord’s Supper. Through this one important act of faith, we affirm the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for us and for God’s people throughout the whole wide world.

Grace and Peace,

Reverend Mark M. Nakagawa