Report of Regular Meeting December 2003
Tsuyoshi Hosokawa, Secretary
The Christmas regular meeting of this year was planned by the vice-president, Mr. Yamamoto. The Christmas worship began in the church presided by Ms. Shigemi Sato with the organ performance of Ms. Naomi Tanaka. Prelude, hymn No.115, reading of the Gospel by John chapter 1 paragraphs 1-5 and 14, hymn No.269, reading of the Gospel by Luke chapter 2 paragraths 1-7; then Ms. Shigemi Sato prayed peace being anxious about the war. Then Mr. Hironori Furuya, shepherd of the Koishikawa-Hakusan church, member of Tokyo Club, gave the sermon entitled "We are messengers of the words of Jesus Christ". He said: "The activity of YMCA in Japan reached the 101st year. We have begun a new step to the 2nd century. Now, we have acquired an ideal opportunity to become messengers who tell the hope, peace, love and pleasure." Next, hymn No.280, donation; Mr. Matsuda prayed to thank the donation; the donation was sacrificed to the international cooperation fund of Tokyo YMCA. Prayer to Lord, hymn No.106, celebration; the worship ended.
Next, the regular meeting began, presided by Mr. Yoshioka, with the opening chime of the gorgeous timbre of the small bell by the President Mr. Tanaka. Y's song, Y's principles, introduction of guest, each business committee's report: Mr. Ryozo Matsumoto, chairman of the CS-Wellness committee, thanked for our success of the "Edo Castle Family Walk" in which we acquired 115 participants. Report of the council of the Toshin District: Mr. Ryozo Matsumoto was elected the DG of the after next term; Mr. Kenzo Sato the DSD of Service Activities of the next term. We advanced speedily: Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary, Fund of Bangladesh, smile fine, song of YMCA, closing chime of the President, Mr. Tanaka. Next, we arranged the place and Mr. Shoji took a commemorative photograph.
[in the Bancho church]
We had dinner meeting, presided by the vice-president, Mr. Yamamoto, in the "Cologne Avenue" of the Diamond Hotel, situated 10 minutes on foot from the church. First, Mr. Mochida thanked and prayed before meals: he reconsidered and confessed that the Tokyo YMCA lost the Kanda hall; he prayed that we would go back to the starting point, cooperate fast and continue our service for the YMCA. Mr. Kawamura toasted on behalf of Mr. Chino who was absent reluctantly in the urgent business. We began dinner harmoniously. Between one plate and another one, several members made a table speech: First, today's guest Mr. Toi introduced himself and greeted us; next, Mr. Ryozo Matsumoto, the DG of the Toshin District in the after next term, asked for our cooperation. Mr. Shoji told his remembrance of the white Christmas in the Yamada pasture at the altitude of 1500 m. Ms. Michiko Matsumoto told her remembrance of the hearty Christmas present charged with the feelings. Mr. Tsujimura told his remembrance: he saw Christmas illuminations in Geneva at the New Year; he noticed that there was habitude to assume Christmas the period until the January 6th, Epiphany, the day when the three wisemen met Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. Mr. Kawata who had his 87th Christmas told his remembrance of his father who was a Y's man, too; of the YMCA, Y's men's clubs, and church of his time of child.
[in the "Cologne Avenue" of the Diamond Hotel]
Next, we exchanged our present, guided by Ms. Yamamoto, playing the game "Follow Me" with "scissors-paper-rock" game; each person opened his present; we enjoyed greatly.
Next, we did a very difficult bingo game, guided by the President, Mr. Tanaka: we must guess the Christmas terms which he associates. We expected words, puzzled, cooperated and guffawed in unexpected lucky answers; we were excited. After singing "Silent Night" last, we closed a pleasant meeting.