Lenten Journey: Day 5 (Tokyo)

Today was a very busy day and the official start of our seminar on Climate Justice in Tokyo. We started this morning by going to the Tokyo Union Church and having worship there. The interesting thing about Tokyo and Japan is that there are not really specified denominations within Protestant Christianity here. There might be churches founded by Methodist missionaries or other denominations, but the churches are just general Christian services. The service was in English and it was a very diverse congregation. I even met someone from Massachusetts again!

After church my fellow vegetarian, Melissa, and I found an organic peace co-op to eat lunch at called the Crayonhouse. It reminded me a little of Evo in Worcester back at home. They had many vegetarian options and all of it was organic. There was also a little store attached.

We then headed back to the Wesley Center to meet the other participants who had arrived from Japan, China, and Korea. We went over some basics of the Climate Justice Seminar, played some get-to-know-you games, and made some guidelines for our community.

After a delicious meal homemade by some women's organizations in Japan, we settled down for a more serious time of sharing about ourselves. We were asked to bring something (an item or a picture) that represented home to us. Then we answered the questions: what is unique/special about where you live and what makes it home for you? I brought a seashell from Rocky Neck State Park where my family goes camping in Connecticut along with a picture of myself with my siblings. As I began to share what I love about my home I became very emotional. I had not reflected on the idea of home for awhile since moving away from it to go to seminary in Chicago. It really feels like I have two separate lives sometimes because my family and friends from Massachusetts do not intersect or interact with my new friends or boyfriend from Chicago. It's a very strange dynamic and so it was almost awkward talking about home. I know it's cliche to say home is where the heart is, but I honestly feel that way. My heart is with John in Chicago and also with my family and friends in Massachusetts. It was easy to share why my home was Massachusetts and what was special (family, the beach, mountains, camping). It was really interesting, though, that when I though about what made Chicago home it honestly was John (my significant other). Hearing from others about their home was not only interesting because of the diverse places, but also because almost everyone else lived away from home.

We closed our evening with a lovely song about who we are because of home and family. I didn't really feel like going to bed after that even though I was tired so I started talking with Hikari, one of the women working at the Wesley Center in Tokyo. Small world again as I found out she is a pastor from the New England conference! She even knew many of my fellow delegates (We and Sandra) as well as my own pastor!

Today's God moments have truly been seen through other people. Building community is very important to me and it has been wonderful getting to know people and finding glimpses of home in them. I am excited to see what tomorrow brings as we start learning more about the environment and each other.