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to announce that, thanks to your support,
we were able to meet all the orders for our“Lutheran Kelp” despite the fact that theharvest is limited to summertime only.
When we think of how the kelp is helping
your lives, we feel thankful for being
connected to the CW. Our newsletter
Olive was also issued at the end of lastyear and shared news like this. We
receive newsletters from other districts
and learn so much from their activities.
We circulate the newsletters among thechurchwomen’s groups in Hokkaido. I
believe they can be read on CW’s website,
so I hope CW lets the members know
about them.
Hokkaido was visited by severe cold inJanuary, and the Doto region (Obihiro &Kushiro), which used to experience littlesnow, had more severe snowstorms due tothe recent climate change. A life innorthern Japan is one in which you worry
about how much snow you would have toshovel around the house before you leave
for a Sunday service.
Even in thesituation like this, women’s groups here
are holding General Meetings to elect newofficers and plan this year’s activities.
This year is the 100th anniversary of theFinnish missionaries bringing the Gospel
to Sapporo Church. This means it is also
the anniversary of the arrival of theLutheran Reformation faith. We will havea Reformation service in October, but ourCW is planning a get-together for thisoccasion. Our CW does not have many
JELCW or district registered churches,but please remember us in your prayers,
so that we can tell
our neighbors theLord’s will.

Mie Haga, President

Those of you in Hokkaido and Tohoku
must be longing for spring to come.
I have planted violet and pansy seeds
which I harvested in the beginning ofSeptember. For a long time, only theleaves occupied my flower garden, but
finally the flowers started to bloom. Everytime I see the small seeds germinate, theleaves grow from two to three and bear
beautiful flowers, I think of the wondersof life and God’s work. From seeding toblooming, I enjoy watering and weeding
while waiting for my flowers.
In May I sow the seeds of aikibas andsmall hibiscus (about 15 cm high). Trenia
seeds are very small, so I wait for them togerminate from where they spilled on theground, and then transplant the seedlings.
In summer the flowers like the ones in thepictures bloom. Ever since I moved to thishouse 20 years ago, I have been collecting
and sowing seeds. In November I sowed
King Tut’s peas. By mid-April, beautiful
wine colored flowers will be seen and peas
in purple peapods will be harvested. I
relish the feeling of being part of nature.

Our Activities: Hokkaido SpecialDistrict
Masako Kondo, President
In November, the HSD’s president,
secretary and treasurer participated inthe CW officers’ training program and met
officers from CW and other districts toexchange ideas. We are thankful for thevaluable opportunity that gave us
different perspectives. We would also like

Obihiro Church
members2

Activities: East District

and had supper together. Being touchedby the seminarians’ straightforwardness
and honesty, we realized that we needmore understanding for those who are“called for mission” and felt theimportance of actively connecting withand supporting them.
Through the activities listed earlier, therealities of each CW and church arebecoming clearer as the seasons go by.
Knowing what we can and cannot do, andalso praying to seek creativity and care forothers to compensate each other will leadto a joyous walk together through the year
2016.

Kumi Yagi, President
We sincerely thank the prayer, support
and work from each member of CW, withwhom we sang the new song to the Lord
as we went through 2015.
Our main activities were:① Presidents’meetings
andChurchwomen’s gatherings (twice ayear) at Den-en Chofu Church, Omori
Church② Attending
thegraduationandentrance ceremonies at the seminary③ World Day of Prayer service④ District general meeting and coffee
shop⑤ CW general meeting⑥ Supporting Teens’ and Children’sSpring Camps⑦ Running a mini-shop at the “One-DaySeminarian” event⑧ Visiting the “Time at the Seminary”
event⑨ Visiting Tokyo Nursing Home
⑩ ACWC training⑪ Support for other organizations andgroups⑫ Publication of the newsletter“Sharon’s flowers” (issued twice ayear)

Activities: Tokai District

Kunie Sakurai, President
I am relieved that we were able to takeover the activities of the previous CW,
hold two meetings, and publish the firstand second issues of the CW’s newsletter
Agapanthus for the first year of the 21stterm. Also, we are thankful that we could
continue supporting Fukushi-mura bymonetary contribution, heartfelt bazaar
donations from the sisters of the CW andthe offering of Christmas presents. In theMay gathering we held an organ andpiano concert and received worship
instruction by Ms. Keiko Ooki of Ojika
Church. In the afternoon, we discussed
the agendas set by the JELCW’s general
meeting. In October, we hosted a lectureby Catholic priest, Father Hisaaki
Haresaku, followed by a group discussion
in the afternoon. Both events wereencouraging, filled with grace of sharing
faith and favorably received. As for theCW newsletter, we set the goal high tomake it interesting to read and filled withpower to teach the gospel.
We pray that this year again, our sisters
can walk together hand-inhand, powerfully, and move forward.

Visiting the Tokyo Nursing
HomeTopics:
For the “Time at the Seminary” event
planned by seminarians, we visited theLuther dormitory on October 27. At theirrequest, we discussed the topic “thepurpose and significance of the CW”
including the history using presentation
slides. In return, we requested theseminarians to discuss “what theseminarians are currently concerned,
interested in and having problems with.”
After they shared with us their concerns
for the church, families and vicarage andtheir interest at the moment, we allattended an evening service andcommunion held by Rev. Hiroko Hiraoka

Handmadeandcookies

cards
for

children at PastureHome3

There is a lot to say about what I have acquired
from the theological education throughout thepast 4 years, but I would like to sum it up with athought that came through my mind a few times
recently. In my first year, a lecturer said to me,"the more you learn, the more you know that you
have yet to learn." Today I can feel what thelecturer was talking about. The more I study, themore I feel the profoundness of our Lord and His
kingdom, which makes me want to strive evenmore to understand. I realize that the day I cancompletely comprehend all this will not come,but I also realized that God has guided me all
the way through my doubts, my questions, andmy journey to study His Word and all it takes toget involved in His ministry. Therefore, with all
I have acquired from the past four years, I shallgive all I have to the church to shepherd thepeople of God and to make them His disciples asin the Great Commission in Matthews 28:18-20,
I personally believe that God has given me thegift of teaching among all wonderful gifts.
I would also like to mark my highest gratitude tofellow sisters (and brothers) in Christ in JELCW,
that you have partaken this very noble journeyin raising many servants of God. Our Lord has
His good will on your participation to bring thisministry to a higher level, and I strongly believethat more needs to be done, and shall be done in
the hands of our Lord, as we commit ourselves toHim in faith.
Finally, I am grateful to have reached anothermilestone in my life of service to our Lord. Ibelieve the beginning of my next journey marks
the flip to another glorious page in our Lord's
faithfulness and providence as I begin to serveat the Basel Christian Church of MalaysiaChinese Congregation in the beginning ofDecember 2015. May our Lord grant me ahumble spirit, a watchful heart and a focused
mind as I walk on the road ofbeing the witness of theGospel. May all glory andpraise be to our Lord Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Your brother in Christ,

Activities: West District
Nami Matsumoto, President
It is our reality that each district
churchwomen’s league already has enough to dowithin the district. Last year we attempted tospread the use of email-based communication.
While it was met with both positive andnegative responses, the senders and receivers
are slowly getting used to it. Because theJELCW is becoming weakened, we need tosecure a method of communication that utilizes
minimum effort. We continue to pray and ask
for your understanding and cooperation for thischange.
Every two months, we are sharing event
information of each church and CW. Theinterest level seems to vary and it is uncertain if
it helps with building the “connection.” However,
we are hoping that it gives us an opportunity tothink of neighboring churches, and we havedecided to continue this effort. We will also
continue the West District’s newsletter
Hanamizuki, for the same reason, despite thevoices that question its necessity. Thenewsletter will mainly focus on introducingchurches.
It is the CW officer’s understanding that thecore purpose of CW, district churchwomen’s
league and JELCW is either being “movingbodies of church members that pray and support”
or “moving bodies of the church which you cansupport by participating, even when you cannot
be directly involved.” But on the flip side, it alsomeans the moving body does not have to be CW.
In reality, there are churches whose CWs are
not functional by themselves.
How do we, church members, accept thissituation and what do we want to do? We would
like to pray and think about these questions inthe area and district meetings and liaison
meetings.

JELCW

Support:SABAH

Thanks be to God for his indescribable
gift! (2 Cor 9:15)
Jeremiah Lo, Graduate

4

Evelyn Yong Kah Khee

Wong Lee Tzu

Elphy Sikana

Anitah Laria

Date of Birth: 24/9/1986
Sex:
FemaleMarital Status: Single
Programme: M.Div 1

Date of Birth : 11/3/1987
Sex ：FemaleMarital Status: Single
Programme： BD(2nd year)
Department ： Chinese
Race :
ChineseDate of Birth: 02/10/1990
Sex:
FemaleMarital Status: Single
Programme:
B.D(3rd year)
Department:
MalayRace:
Murut

Date of Birth: 10 April 1991
Sex:
FemaleMarital Status: Single
Programme:
B.Th(3rd yr)
Department:
Malay
Race:
Murut

Wong Lee Tzu came from
Sandakan. She believed inGod and received God’s
calling since she was 10years old. She has been
taking part in church
activities, including youth
fellowship and Sunday
School since she was akid.
Before she decided torespond God’s calling, she
had been working in
MSIG Insurance Companyfor more than 4 years.
After that, she enrolled for
BD programme at STS inyear 2014.

Elphy comes from Christianfamily and active to Sunday
school since young age.
When in Sunday school she
was touched by pictures ofJesus holding small children
and felt Jesus loves her too.

Anitah was born in a Christianfamily and was active in
Sunday school. But when
teenager she felt going tochurch
isboringandmeaningless.

(2 d year)
ChineseChinesenDepartment:
Race:

Evelyn is the only child in
the family, grown up as the
4th generation Christian.
Since she was young, she
has been actively involvedin various church activities.
After her A-level course,
she continued her study atUCSI Univeristy in KL,
taking Bachelor of Nursing(Hons.). Then, she cameback from KL uponcompletion of her study but
she was not offered to workin any government hospital.
After waiting for 1 year,
she decided to try looking
job vacancies at private
settings. By God’s graceand guidance, she wasemployed by one of thelocal private Obstetrics &Gynaecology setting andworked for about two years.
During her working life,
she was deeply touched toshare gospel to the people
when she came across withthose
abandonedorneglected pregnant ladies.
She had the urge to do morebeyond taking care of thephysical health of thepeople. She received God’s

As she active in church
activities she motivated andburdened by the ministries
that needed full time pastors.

calling and took a year toprepare herself in a 1-year
preseminary
programmeorganized by BCCM CGC.
Then, she enrolled for M.Div
1 programme at STS in year
2015.

５One day a group of visitor
came to her homechurch andheld a revival meeting. She
was touched by God’s Wordandrealized
shewasmeaningless without God. She
surrendered her life to God andlonging to teach children toknow God personally as theirsaviour.

Welcome to the Kyushu District!
The Kyushu District is divided into Kita-Kyushu, Fukuoka, Ooita, Kumamoto,Chikugo, Minami-Kyushu and Nishi-Kyushu. Each area has its characteristics
and our sisters with unique talents are conducting regional activities. This pageintroduces a small portion of the activities.

“Craftwork”“Having fun at craft workshop”“Christmasservice

wasvery

busy!

Many

people came from other churches of the area.
The sanctuary was filled and bustling withpeople. We welcomed them with all our hearts.”

In all churches, large and small, each member is giving everything she could toGod. With friends from the area, we are one body of Christ. Even those who are in
their 80’s contribute. Oh, those in their 90’s, too?

６The Kyushu District Churchwomen’s League this term would like to hear from eachone of the sisters: how they met God, things they cannot forget, the first time they
visited a church, and what their lives are like now. We believe the love of God is in
the center of everything. We want to talk, listen, communicate and pray. At theretreat, we learned about “gender” in a seminar and workshop and focused on ourexistence as important individuals God created.

We realized that there were thoughts and feelings within us that tie ourselves andothers down. We also learned the importance of having nversations. Voicing ourfeelings as well as listening to and respecting others’ feelings is the first step topeace. We will start sharing many sisters’ voices from now on. May the love of theLord reach as many people as possible!

IKOINO MIGIWA
The senior project of the District Churchwomen’s League’s finally bore fruit. The
booklet “Ikoi no Migiwa” has Bible verses and the words of the hymn in large prints.

It is intended for worship and visits with those who are in hospitals and nursing
homes. The project was made possible by the passion of the senior project committee
members. The first edition has been distributed to all churches of the District and,by request, will be reprinted again. One booklet costs 2,000 yen plus tax. If you
would like to purchase one, please contact us at Murozono Church CW’s. Fax (096)335-7800
７