Report to Charge Conference

CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

REPORT TO THE CHARGE CONFERENCE

December 9, 2012

By Reverend Mark M. Nakagawa

As we come to the end of this year, I look back and marvel at the transformations that are taking place in and among the congregation.

While we face the stark reality of seeing longtime, established members riding off into the eternal sunset, we are excited to greet the new persons who are entering through our doors and giving new life to the congregation.

Our program and outreach ministries are described in the detailed reports contained herein, and they speak to the individual and congregational transformations that I am privileged to witness through the lens of the Pastor. These transformations aren’t just of human making; they are witness to the Holy Spirit moving throughout the people who gather here for worship and ministry throughout the year.

While our ministry is strong and vibrant, it is not without its challenges. The generational transitions taking place also bring different attitudes and expectations. A corollary to this is competing demands for existing resources and a healthy, objective questioning of long-held assumptions and values.

At the same time, I believe that challenges always present new opportunities, and there is no hurdle too high for God’s faithful! Our faith tells us of a God who liberates slaves, makes the hungry full, gives direction to lives that are lost and new life to those who once were dead! This faith is alive and well here at Centenary, and it gives me hope at time when so many congregations are simply satisfied to settle for what happened in their past, and not visioning what they can become in the present and the future.

It is a privilege to be in ministry at Centenary United Methodist Church. I thank God for this privilege, and to the people here for allowing me to be a part of this exciting ministry!

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Change and Diveristy

Dear Centenarians,

I have recently returned from Nagoya, Japan, which I had the privilege of visiting for the second year in a row as Nisei Week Foundation President.

From this particular trip, I came away with a fonder appreciation for the central part of Japan than I’d previously realized. Unlike cosmopolitan Tokyo or tradition-bound Kyoto, Nagoya is an exciting blend of those two cultural extremes.

As I traversed through Nagoya on foot and by train, I could sense an “international” atmosphere that combines 21^st century realities such as technology and cultural diversity with historic Japan. It may be due, in part, to the commonality that Nagoya and Los Angeles share: Both cities are the largest and busiest commercial ports of entry in their respective countries (which is one reason why we are sister-cities).

This led me at various times during our travels to reflect on the life and ministry of the apostle Paul, who wrote (or is credited with writing) almost 2/3 of the New Testament books. Many of these books were written from coastal cities and towns where he ministered and established churches. Among those places were Rome, Corinth, Ephesus and Thessalonica.

From his travels, Paul experienced much in the way of  religious and cultural diversity throughout his ministry, due in no small part to the geographic and demographic reach that he covered. We hear and talk about the increasing religious and cultural diversity in our own time. Yet, my hunch is that Paul encountered much, much more of it than we do today.

The Christian faith is grounded in diversity and change, an important truth that I recovered on this trip to Japan. This truth is also reflected in our ministry at Centenary; As a congregation in the Little Tokyo area of Los Angeles, as a congregation of the United Methodist Church, and as a congregation that welcomes newcomers enter into the church on Sunday mornings.

Grace and Peace,

Reverend Mark M. Nakagawa 

Church Leadership

Dear Centenarians,

In a few short weeks, the citizens of our nation will decide who will lead us over the next four years. This will include the election of a President, along with national and local elected leaders.

We also find ourselves, as the church, in an “election season” as well. Each year at this time, the committee on Nominations and Church Leadership works to insure that committed and capable leaders who take our mission and ministry seriously guide Centenary into the new year.

I have always valued the leadership training I learned as a church member before I entered the ministry. Whether it was as a Sunday School teacher, youth advisor, or simply picking up issei seniors in the church van, I learned very important leadership lessons along the way.

I always like to point out that two nationally known and respected political leaders got their first taste of leadership in a United Methodist church, before they went into politics: U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, and former U.S. Transportation Secretary and Congressman Norman Y. Mineta. The late congressman Robert T. was also active in a local United Methodist congregation throughout his political career.

Now, this is not to say that being a leader in the church will automatically translate into a position as a U.S Senator or Congressman! However, it does point to the important role that the church plays in developing people into leaders, and how that benefits our society and larger world on various levels.

I hope you will be receptive to being a leader at Centenary when you are approached for a certain task. Like the biblical leaders who responded to God’s call as leaders, such as Moses, Esther, Ruth, Jesus and Paul, we follow their example in leading people to know the fullness of God and the Gospel of Jesus.

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Mark M. Nakagawa

Season of Change

Dear Centenarians,

The fall season is already underway, and usually is a time for people and families to “get back to normal” after a busy summer!

For Centenary, it is a “season of change” on several levels. Our annual conference will welcome new resident Bishop Minerva Carcano at a celebration on Sunday, Sept. 23^rd, in Pasadena.  

We are now in a new district, the “West District,” which became official at annual conference session three months ago. We will celebrate this new beginning with our new District Superintendent, the Rev. Kathey Wilborn, at an event next month.

You have probably also noticed a change in the Chimes this month, as the front page features an article on an important mission in which Centenary is involved. We are trying out this new format to highlight the significant ministries that take place within the life of Centenary, and in which we hope you will want to develop further interest.

We are coming off a very eventful summer here at Centenary, and I commend you for enabling all of the events that either took place at the church or in the larger communities where our presence is known.

But, now is not the time to rest….Change is in the air, and it’s a very exciting time to be involved in the ministries of Centenary United Methodist Church! 

I look forward to seeing you in church, and at the celebration events that will be forthcoming soon!

Grace and Peace,

Reverend Mark M. Nakagawa

August Post

Dear Centenarians,

The month of August is known by the annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival which takes place in Little Tokyo. It is the largest and oldest ethnic festival of its kind in the U.S., and in recent years it has attracted people from many communities that are beyond the immediate area.

Since Centenary U.M.C. moved back to its historic home in Little Tokyo 25 years ago, it has served as a constant supporting presence in the life of Nisei Week. Our building and property is “parade central” on the day of the Grand Parade. Mark Nishinaka has served as the parade coordinator for many years. Many Centenary congregants volunteer throughout the festival at the various events. I havc had the privilege of serving years as Nisei Week Foundation President for the past two years.

Centenary’s involvement in Nisei Week hasn’t begun just recently. It stretches back many decades to the time when the festival’s original organizers thought of it as a  way to attract business to pre-WW II era Little Tokyo.

Some of those businesses were owned by first-generation issei shopkeepers who were Centenary members. Centenary can count two women who have been selected as the Nisei Week Queen over the decades, and another two women who were members of a Nisei Week court. A historic note is that the first Queen to be selected in the post-internment camp era during the 1949 festival was a Centenary member.

This year will be the 72^nd Nisei Week Japanese Festival. Judging by its huge success there will be many more to come, and Centenary will continue to serve a life-giving, vital presence and role in them!

Grace & Peace,

Rev. Mark M. Nakagawa

From the Desk of Reverend Mark

Dear Centenarians,

On June 6, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors took action on a motion to “rescind and revoke the Resolution of the Board of Supervisors dated January 27, 1942 which supported the relocation of Americans of Japanese ancestry from their homes and businesses.”

I was included in a group of persons representing Japanese American organizations who were asked to speak on behalf the motion, which was authored by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. He began the hearing by reflecting that when asked “why now?” by people, he responded by saying that “it is never too late to right a wrong.” He also explained that there is no statute of limitations in correcting previous constitutional legislation of a governmental body.

As part of my testimony, I considered this motion to be an “act of repentance” in spiritual and theological terms, that would remove the burdens of guilt and shame from Japanese Americans, both individually and collectively, who were forcibly removed from their communities during those tumultuous historical times.

I was humbled by the presence of Muslim Americans who came out to show their support of the motion. A nationally known leader of the American Muslim community spoke of the support they received from Japanese Americans in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedies, during which times Muslims were being targeted and vilified for the attacks.

This year is the 70th anniversary year of Executive Order 9066, which authorized the evacuation and internment of Japanese Americans in the spring of 1942. It is humbling that this action is taken by a governmental body that recognizes an injustice that was previously done long ago, but that also recognizes the moral imperative to correct it regardless of the amount of time that has passed.

I was honored to be included in this historic moment, and count it as one of most significant and important experiences of my life and ministry.

Grace and Peace,


Reverend Mark M. Nakagawa


revmmn@aol.com

From the desk of Rev. Mark

Dear Centenarians,

Our annual “Arigato Bazaar” held earlier this month was a contemporary model of interfaith practice and inclusiveness. This was reflected in a community dance that was done in the Japanese “ondo” tradition, a first for Centenary and, I believe, for any Christian church.

The ondo tradition is generally associated with the Buddhist observance of “obon,” held during the summer months. In truth, ondo is a Japanese folk-style music tradition that claims no particular religious connotation.  It is a community-oriented way of including everyone in an art form that celebrates communal spirit and participation.

In these ways, our ondo dancing was a big success! People of all ages, generations and ethnicities (and religions, I assume)  danced together for almost an hour, as contemporary and traditional renditions of ondo music blared through the sound system.  The experienced dancers who came dressed in their beautiful, traditional kimono, and who had to maintain their composure all throughout the day while waiting for the ondo to begin impressed me!

The inclusiveness of the bazaar was reflected on a broader level throughout the downtown area that day. A Japanese Children’s Day also transpired at the cultural center just a few blocks away, while the annual “Cinco de Mayo” festival offered opportunities to celebrate and observe an important Latino tradition in greater downtown Los Angeles.

We at Centenary are blessed with a strong tradition of affirming our historic Japanese American ethnic culture and unique way of sharing and evangelizing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our location in an urban environment that is rapidly becoming a “Noahs Ark” which embraces people of all cultures, religions and lifestyles puts us at the nexus of 21^st century life and faith and gives us new opportunities to share our heritage in the context of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ, the One who said “behold, I make all things new,” continues to reveal God in new and exciting ways in new and exciting times.

We are privileged to be partners in this grand endeavor, so let us continue to reveal God in new and exciting ways in all that we do!

Grace and Peace,

Reverend Mark M. Nakagawa

From the Desk of Rev. Mark Nakagawa

Dear Centenary Faithful:

This year marks the 100^th anniversary of Japan’s gift of 3,000 cherry trees (“sakura”) to the U.S. in 1912.  Communities around the country are celebrating this milestone, and recently a local celebration was held to commemorate this occasion. Centenary has received a cherry tree as a result of this, and it is planted in the front area along Central Avenue.

You won’t notice it, however, unless you look closely. It is a small, bare tree at the moment. In fact, it was a “bare root” when we received it, and our volunteers took great care as they planted it! By this time next year, its branches will be filled with beautiful cherry blossoms, and I envision our front entry way into the narthex to be covered with them!

I believe that this gift of a young, small cherry tree is symbolic for the season of Lent that Christians currently observe. This is the church season when we go “back to our roots” of Christian faith: confession, repentance, forgiveness, renewal….which leads to new life.

The Lenten season is a special time for meditation and prayer, and an increased understanding of Christ’s sacrifice and Resurrection. It is also a time to prepare for baptismal vows and recommitment to the Christian life.

Like the young cherry tree that will eventually grow into a full, mature tree, we also strive to grow in our Christian faith and understanding of God’s ways for the world.

During this Lenten season, take some extra time to pray, meditate, fast, doing good works, so that you will grow further in faith.

I look forward to seeing you throughout the Lenten season, and especially on Easter, when we will celebrate our resurrected Lord in worship together!

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Mark M. Nakagawa

January 2012 Message

Dear Centenarians,

“It’s not where you’ve been, but where you’re going.”

This quote from a recent movie is appropriate as we find ourselves in the Season of Epiphany, and the start of a new year.

In the Epiphany story from Matthew’s Gospel, the magi traveled from afar to witness the birth of Christ, being guided by the light of the star. While at the manger, they experienced God’s manifestation (the translation of the Greek word epiphaneia), and were transformed in the process.

At the end of their visit they departed for their home country, but went by another road, on the counsel they had received through a dream. They were to travel back home on unfamiliar terrain, without benefit of familiar landmarks, and certainly without a GPS!

Yet, they were obedient to the message given them by God, and left the manger not knowing exactly the route they would take to return home.

This account of the magi speaks to us as we begin a new year, especially in these continuing, turbulent times. We may have our new year’s resolutions in place, and our best-laid plans and intentions defined. But in the end, we really don’t know or aren’t sure if all will go as we plan throughout the next 11 months.

We are in many ways like the magi, who had a fixed idea of the road they had traveled, but then had their plans changed by God. 

The magi serve as models of faith by their unyielding commitment to follow God’s leading, while leaving gifts to the Christ child in thankfulness for the gift of life they had witnessed. They placed their faith and fates in the guiding light that God provided them to the manger, and the guidance that God would provide them on their way back home.

Let these magi lead us through their example as we begin the journey of another year, not knowing what will happen, but trusting through faith that God will be the light that leads us.

Grace and Peace,

Reverend Mark M. Nakagawa