Consul General of Japan Testuo Yamashita conveys his greetings
at the Sakura planting ceremony at the Japanese Gospel Church of Toronto
on April 10, while Toronto City Councillor Chin Lee looks on.
Sakura Adorns Japanese Church
The Japanese Gospel Church of Toronto (JGCT) and the Sakura Project held the project's first official ceremony for 2010, braving the unusually cold weather on the monring of Saturday, April 17. JGCT received 30 trees from the Sakura Project. This donation coincided with the Church's 50th anniversary.
On hand to unveil the plaque commemorating the donation were: Consul-General of Japan in Toronto and Sakura Committee Chair Tetsuo Yamashita; JGCT Pastors Haruo Sato, Ray Ebisuzaki, and Kevin Ueta; Pastor Emeritus Stanley Yokota; Toronto City Councillor Chin Lee; and Sakura Committee members Scott Fujita, Sid Ikeda and James Matsumoto.
"For us, Sakura blossoms represent the beauty of life, remind us of our brief presence here on earth and at the same time symbolize our friendship and brotherhood," Mr. Yamashita said in his greeting. Pastor Haruo Sato responded with words expressing acceptance of the donation and appreciation. A ceremonial planting was held, followed by refreshments inside the Church.
From left to right: Pastor Ray Ebisuzaki, Pastor Haruo Sato, Councilor Lee,
Consul-General Yamashita, Youth Pastor Kevin Ueta
and Pastor Emeritus Stan Yokota participate in the ceremonial planting.