Dear Friends, I grew up in this church back in the 50’s and 60’s. My parent’s generation, known as the Nisei, and their parents, the Issei, had just relocated to Berkeley after their internment during the war. Japanese-American communities sprang up all over the west coast and for the next 30 years, provided a community for their children, my generation.

Many churches sponsored boy scout troops, basketball teams, Japanese language schools, and most of them held an annual summer festival that continue to this day.

Just as my parents experienced exclusion for being of Japanese ancestry, we understand the need to reach out to those who have been excluded because of they way they look, their national origin, their sexual preference and many other reasons that make people feel different and even unwanted.

We also recognize that many people never grew up with “organized religion” but have a basic belief in spirituality and are looking for a community in which they can grow and to which they can belong.

I’d like to invite you to drop in for a visit, drop us an email or even call if you have questions. With the vision of my grand-parents fulfilled, it is our turn to build a community for 2012 and beyond.