Text Box: from the Editor’s Desk . . . Text Box: On March 20-23, 2003, they came to CJUC from Montreal in the east and Vancouver from the west to attend yet another Kyogikai gathering of ministers and lay delegates. As usual, the days were filled with such things as “workshops” and “elections”. However, one of the reasons, yours truly continues to attend these functions is because of one of the Kyogikai (National Japanese United Church Conference) constitutional statements. It reads in part ... “to promote Christian fellowship amongst Japanese Christians (Ministerial and Lay) of the United Church of Canada”. Over the years, I have had the privilege of attending several of these events with our incumbent minister of the time. My first such experience was with Rev. George Tomita in Vancouver, B.C. I dutifully attended the formal portion of the meet. It proved to be very challenging but in the same token, it was also a rewarding learning curve ... I sat and listened to some of the stories of hardships encountered by the smaller congregations spread throughout B.C. One minister spoke of his tiny congregation, situated deep in the snow-covered B.C. interior. As he emotionally began to speak of this small band of parishioners and of their deep Text Box: and abiding Christian faith, the pastor began to cry for them ... He explained that these gentle people felt badly that they could not afford to buy him a set of snow tires ... Among the fringe benefits of the Vancouver event was the food. The UCWs provided a festive and delicious pot-luck supper of Japanese delicacies. Then, afterwards, I was picked up by my billet, Charles and Lil Kadota. Charles was deeply involved in the Vancouver Japanese community at the time, so we spent long hours, which often ended up well into the night, discussing a number of issues. It was enlightening. Winnipeg, Manitoba My sojourn to Winnipeg, Manitoba was with Rev. Seiichi Ariga. All I remember of the Winnipeg gathering was the horde of mosquitos, good food and the long and stimulating discussions with Rev. Ariga after we finished our day of dutiful business. Lethbridge, Alberta In 1998, I travelled to Lethbridge, as the CJUC rep. That year, one of the many highlights of that meeting was when Pastor George Takashima arranged for the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden to be opened to Text Box: the delegates before the official season began. And the hospitality and friendliness of Mike and Sharon Tamura, who billeted me, was greatly appreciated. During a break in the proceedings, Mike drove me out to Picture Butte to visit the Oliver family that befriended me during the WW2 hostilities. It was heartwarming to see these folks, again. Toronto, Ontario This year was no different. The wonderful Christian fellowship was ever-apparent. For yours truly, it was a special experience, because CJUC/TJUC was offered an opportunity to co-host this event. Through this joint effort, this event proved very fruitful. Special thanks to people like: re-elected chair-Rev. Bob Baird, Rev. Steve Willey, Rev. Shinji Kawano, Fudeko Uchida, Rev. Jennifer Ball, Kim Uyede-Kai, all the billets - Audrey and Roy Fukuzawa; Tina and Henry Ichiyen; Grace and Tosh Omoto; Kim and Tats Sakauye and Fred Sasaki and all the drivers, headed by Mickey Kaneko and UCW ladies, who generously gave of their time and effort. When people ask, “What is the purpose of Kyogikai?” I guess for me, it is like the constitution states... “it promotes Christian fellowship”... Perhaps, after all, that is what Church is all about!!