Day 3: Sunday a leisure time with family, children went mad at a park running themselves ragged and I sat in the shade enjoying the heat! Wonderful feeling to have grandhcildren around and feel fully part of them all here in Japan.
Day 4: Travel time to Tokyo by the legendary Shinkansen - " Bullet Train" so advanced a technology, they connect all parts of Japan and have their own designated stations, a smooth running operation. Chimes on the train get you ready for an announcement - only trouble is the first 4 bars sound like the opening of God Save the Queen and I have a nationalistic urge to stand up!! My train has 16 coaches and when full will seat 1440 passengers! Arrival in Tokyo 35 second early prompts an abject apology if the early arrival is an inconvenience to passengers. My mind races to leaves on the track and all that sort of British stuff. Soon checked into the hotel after being met on the platform by a staff member from United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ). Out for evening meal withThe Revd. Makoto Kato, Executive Secretary for Ecumenical Ministries. A good evening spent chatting around the life our two churches and for me discussing ways in which we might
advance relationships between our sister churches.
Day 5: 38th General assembly starts today meeting in my hotel. Opening worship at 1.00 p.m. & afternoon session, my speech at 5.00 p.m. bringing greetings from President & Vice-President of The Methodist Conference. Moderators dinner tonight on the 25th floor with stunning night time views of Tokyo. Dinner given for executive committee of UCCJ overseas representatives and ecumenical guests here in Japan. Should be a fascinating day. Assembly comprises around 450 delegates from the 16 districts of UCCJ from all oevr Japan.
Alan Ashton.
Day 4: Travel time to Tokyo by the legendary Shinkansen - " Bullet Train" so advanced a technology, they connect all parts of Japan and have their own designated stations, a smooth running operation. Chimes on the train get you ready for an announcement - only trouble is the first 4 bars sound like the opening of God Save the Queen and I have a nationalistic urge to stand up!! My train has 16 coaches and when full will seat 1440 passengers! Arrival in Tokyo 35 second early prompts an abject apology if the early arrival is an inconvenience to passengers. My mind races to leaves on the track and all that sort of British stuff. Soon checked into the hotel after being met on the platform by a staff member from United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ). Out for evening meal withThe Revd. Makoto Kato, Executive Secretary for Ecumenical Ministries. A good evening spent chatting around the life our two churches and for me discussing ways in which we might
advance relationships between our sister churches.
Day 5: 38th General assembly starts today meeting in my hotel. Opening worship at 1.00 p.m. & afternoon session, my speech at 5.00 p.m. bringing greetings from President & Vice-President of The Methodist Conference. Moderators dinner tonight on the 25th floor with stunning night time views of Tokyo. Dinner given for executive committee of UCCJ overseas representatives and ecumenical guests here in Japan. Should be a fascinating day. Assembly comprises around 450 delegates from the 16 districts of UCCJ from all oevr Japan.
Alan Ashton.
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