Easter Sunday

Today is Easter Sunday. Holy Trinity Church, Miyazaki, like many other churches around the world, had a special service this morning. This was followed by a brief general meeting to approve the painting of the roof, and a special party for lunch.
Since Easter falls on the last day of March (the end of the academic year in Japan) this year, we were not only marking the new life implied by the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ, but also marking the end of various stages in people’s lives. For Kyushu Diocese, this includes the retirement of our bishop, Gabriel Shoji Igarshi. He takes up his new appointment as Senior Chaplain at Rikkyo University tomorrow. Thank you, Bishop Gabriel, for everything you have done for Kyushu Diocese!

Bishop Gabriel’s successor, Bishop Luke Kenichi Muto, will be officially installed as Bishop of Kyushu on Saturday, April 6th. Welcome, Bishop Luke, and Happy Easter! (Both Bishops marked today by taking Holy Communion services at churches without a resident pastor).