Dear Friends:

The Church of the Good Shepherd in Manhattan was the scene of gWa no Yube,h a harmonious evening, the highlights of which were a concert and a silent auction. It was a very special evening for us because we were able to hold our annual event at our home church in Manhattan for the first time in MJMfs history. Over 100 audience members were enchanted by the music in a program featuring taiko (drum), shakuhachi (bamboo flute) and koto (a stringed instrument), and planned by our own Kyoko Toyama, Shoji Mizumoto and friends. Both Kyoko and Shoji, playing the taiko and shakuhachi, respectively, gave wonderful performances. Everyone enjoyed the sake wine and hors dfoeuvres prepared by our members in the beautifully decorated undercroft. The space resonated with the voices of guests expressing their joy at seeing each other again at the silent auction tables: gHow are you? Itfs been a long time,h as well as conversations signaling the beginning of new friendships: gItfs so nice to meet you.h

Twenty years ago, MJM hosted a concert at Christ Church in Bronxville every year. Ten years ago, at the Church of St. James the Less in Scarsdale, we inaugurated an annual Advent concert, and later, the silent auction and dinner, which we offered for seven years in a row. As I recalled the programs I have been involved with over the past 20 years, I was reminded that events like gWa no Yube,h which brought joy to the hearts of so many people, are just as important as other MJM programs, such as services in the Japanese language and Bible study.

Wa (peace, harmony) is an MJM symbol as well. The logo on the back cover of Kiryusha is MJMfs crest. The circle of three refers to Matthew 18:20: gFor where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.h The idea is that Jesus is sitting in one of the chairs or standing at the center of the circle. If 100 gather, Jesus is there; even if only two or three gather for Bible study, Jesus is there. Wa is born when you have Jesus at the center. It is not we who make wa. I always wanted to be mindful of His presence during my journey with you. Our strength MJMfs strength is a gift from Jesus.

It has been more than 11 years since I became the editor of this bimonthly publication, Kiryusha. It has been 10 years since I was appointed to serve as missioner, a position that carries great responsibility. Without the blessings of our Lord Jesus, the prayers of and encouragement MJM members and readers near and far, I could not have completed this task. Thank you very much for your support. For the next few years, I would like to spend my time translating several spiritual books into Japanese and visiting friends whom I havenft seen for a long time. I am grateful to the Board for accepting my resignation and starting the search for a new missioner. Our savior, Jesus, is always at the center of MJM. He will come to us soon weak and small. Please ask God to grant MJM a new leader as we await our Saviorfs birth. The president of the Board and our long-time friend, David Eddy, has graciously agreed to serve as editor-in-chief of Kiryusha. Please continue to support MJM and Kiryusha. May this Advent and the coming Christmas be a season of wa peace and harmony for each one of you. Come, Prince of Peace! Come Jesus, our Lord!

Kyoko Mary Kageyama