Partnership

2015 Work Camp

The 2015 Work Camp in the Philippines is now under way. All the campers arrived safely on Friday and were warmly welcomed by our friends in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Philippines. There are four campers from Kobe Diocese, three from Kyushu and two from Okinawa, including one member of the clergy from each diocese. They will be working in two groups, one at Banlic and one at Jamboree Agape Episcopal Church, both under the pastoral care of Joe Medina.

Advent Tour

Members of various churches in Kyushu, together with Bishop Luke, Rev. Osada of Kobe Diocese and Rev. Iwasa of Okinawa Diocese, took part in this year’s Advent Tour to the Philippines (December 1st to 4th). We visited Sta. Ines and Banlic as well as EDCP offices in Quezon City, and enjoyed meeting many old and new friends. The fellowship and hospitality, and the extensive preparation especially by Rev Joe Medina (Akay), was much appreciated. The photo, taken by Rev. Echanes Cadiogan, shows all members of our group with one of the Banlic congregation at his home.

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Pastoral Changes 2014

Rev. Francis Horio has retired after his long service to Kyushu Diocese, and we wish him well as he spends more time with his family in retirement.

Since we have no new clergy this year, this has meant a series of changes to our pastoral coverage:
Rev. Mark Shibamoto has moved to Nagasaki to take over Holy Trinity, Nagasaki and the Church of the Resurrection in Sasebo.
Rev. Michael Lee has moved to Kokura to take over Immanuel Parish; he will also visit Tobata and Tsushima.
Rev. Stephen Nakamura is now pastor of our main church (cathedral), St Paul’s, in Fukuoka, and is also responsible for St John’s, Izuhara (Tsushima).
Rev. David Nakano has moved to Kurume, where he will also be responsible for St Luke’s, Saga.
Rev. John Lee has moved to Oita, and will also visit Nobeoka.
Rev. David Nakashima is still responsible for Okuchi, but has also taken over the Church of the Resurrection in Kagoshima, where he is now based.
Rev. Barnabas Ushijima is still in Nogata, but is now also responsible for Tobata rather than Tsushima.
Since Rev. Nakashima’s added responsibility for Kagoshima means he cannot visit Miyazaki regularly, and Rev. Catherine Yoshioka is still responsible for Nobeoka as well as Miyazaki, members of our congregation will now lead services twice a month at Holy Trinity, Miyazaki.

Bishop Dixie Taclobao of our sister diocese (The Episcopal Diocese of Central Philippines) suffered a heart attack last Friday. Please pray for his full recovery.