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"Issei", "Nisei" are Japanese words which mean first and second generation respectively. They are also the names of the two Japanese United Church congregations in Toronto. The names are descriptive of the membership of the congregations.
Both congregations worship separately at Centennial United Church on Dovercourt Road and share the facilities and costs with the small Centennial congregation. The Japanese congregations pay 80% of the operating costs.
Although the two congregations support each other's efforts and do have some joint events, they are distinct congregations with their own staff and their own ministries. "An example is our joint coffee hour following services on Sunday," said George Tomita, minister of the Nisei. "Mingling between the two congregations, except for families, is somewhat restricted because of the language barrier." Issei is a Japanese-speaking congregation and Nisei is an English-speaking congregation whose members' parents or grandparents happened to be Japanese.

An ethnic ministry is new for George Tomita who is from Quebec and served his first pastorate in the Gatineau region. "Nisei continues to grow," said Mr. Tomita,"because for many Japanese Canadians, Nisei is home and roots are important. Others come because their parents are members of Issei. Some are here because they come out of a Japanese United Church experience elsewhere in Canada. For many, it is important to retain ties with the Japanese community."
Ben Murata is the minister of the Issei. Ben was born and educated in Japan and was ordained in the United Church of Japan. He took graduate studies at Emmanuel College, Toronto, and return to work in Japan. In 1968, he was called to the Vancouver Japanese United Church and later served the Lethbridge Japanese United Church before coming to the 300-member Toronto congregation in 1979.
Ninety members of the Issei congregation are over 80 years of age and more than half the membership is over70. The mix of the congregation reflects Canadian immigration patterns: the original immigrants, those who left and returned, and the post World War II immigration. The Issei congregation does not have a Sunday school; however, the children of recent immigrants attend the Nisei children and youth programs.

"Saturdays and Sundays are busy days here," said Mr. Tomita. "Because our congregation is so scattered, we program everything for everybody at approximately the same time. Rather than weekly programs we offer bi-weekly or monthly one. This really takes planning!"
Sue King, the Christian education director, oversees an active Sunday school, Explorers, CGIT, Tyros, Sigma C and young people's program. "Our young people are still here," she said, "because the church is where their friends are." Part of the church life is Camp Koyu, which is the former North Camp at Camp Scugog. In 1973, the congregations signed a lease with the Toronto United Church Council and the Toronto Conference Camping Committee. During July and August, the Nisei congregation leave the beautiful second-floor chapel designed by architect Raymond Moriyama at Centennial for services and relaxation at Camp Koyu. Congregational weekend and day retreats are frequent. During July 1980 there were three one-week camps for children and a one-week family camp. The Issei and Nisei congregations worship together at Christmas, Easter and Mother's Day. The two UCWs jointly produce the annual bazaar and the two congregations have recently sponsored members of a Vietnamese family.