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 72nd 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
