May Chimes--From the Desk of Reverend Mark

Dear Centenarians,

Our “Arigato Bazaar” held just two weeks ago was a huge success on all levels!

“Congratulations” and “Thank You” to all Centenarians for showcasing Centenary at its finest!

Each year, the bazaar reflects what I consider to be its most important function, which is in bringing people together. Just like the “regional connector” that will be built in Little Tokyo, bringing together (“connecting”) train riders from all across the southern California region, so also does the bazaar serve a similar, important purpose.

As I made the rounds throughout the day, I could see and hear these connections in many ways: Friends greeting one another; grandparents and grandkids laughing with each other; long-lost church members reacquainting themselves with each other, and meeting new church members.

The bazaar also provided a global dimension in its connections that day. A booth selling beautiful tee-shirts continued to raise disaster relief funds for the survivors of the Japan “3.11” earthquake and tsunami. Those funds will be given through U.M.C.O.R.

Additionally, a news crew from the Turkish National Broadcasting group was on hand to film scenes throughout the afternoon. They will use this footage in a program on global culture to be broadcast in Turkey sometime in the next month. To add to this interesting twist, the following morning in worship we heard the scripture reading from Acts 16, highlighting the discipleship role of a woman named Lydia, whose birth is traced to Asia-Minor, which is modern day Turkey!

In an age when our sense of connecting with someone is decreasingly “human” and increasingly “digital,” it was heartening to witness the “spiritual” connections being made throughout the Arigato Bazaar, all made possible by your dedication to Jesus Christ and his church.

Once again, congratulations, and thank you, for another successful and outstanding Arigato Bazaar!

Grace and Peace,

Reverend Mark M. Nakagawa