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Date Original

1944 June 01

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Program from Jerome Community Christian Church at Jerome Japanese Relocation Center.

Biographical/Historical Note

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9022, creating the War Relocation Authority (WRA). The WRA selected ten sites in which to imprison more than 110,000 persons of Japanese ancestry, over two-thirds of whom were American citizens. Two of these centers were in the Arkansas Delta, one at Rohwer in Desha County, and the other at Jerome in sections of Chicot and Drew counties. Over 16,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated in these two centers between October 1942 and November 1945.

Transcription

JEROME
COMMUNITY
CHRISTIAN
CHURCH

GOD BE WITH YOU
God be with you till we meet again;
By His counsels guid, up hold you,
With His sheep securely fold you;
God be with you till we meet again.

Chorus........
Till we meet,... till we meet,
Till we meet and Jesus' feet;
Till we meet,... till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again;
'Neath His wings protecting hide you,
Daily manna still provided you;
God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again;
When life's perils thick confound you,
Put His arms unfailing round you;
God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again;
Keep love's banner fleeting O' or you;
Smite death's treat'ning wave before you;
God be with you till we meet again.

"The Lord watch between me and thee, while
we are absent one from another."

YOUR NISEI MINISTER SPEAKS

"On the triple-door ways of the Cathedral of Milan
are these inscriptions: on the one is, "That which
plases is but for a moment; over the other is, That
which troubles is but for a moments," but over the
entrance of the main aisle are these words, "That
only is important which is eternal."

Daily we must face new experiences and no one know
what future will bring. Now we are facing on impend-
ing transfer movement as a result of the closing of
Jerome Relocation Center and we will be separated
from our friends and we may not meet again, but let
us not forget the important thing in life, that is
to build our lives in eternity transforming our
daily experiences-- joy and sorrow, pleasure and
pain and all the rest, into the eternam value with
our Eternal Contemporary, Jesus Christ Who is the
same yesterday, today, and forever.

In Him is our peace and piose midst of confess-
ion and chaos.
Rev. Isamu Nakomura.

"During the past year and a half I have enjoyed
working with you. I sincerely appreciate your
fine cooperation and patience, with me during
these trying and difficult days.

I earnestly desire that each of you has receiv-
ed some inspiration through our worshipping togeth-
er, I pray that God's guidance and protection
be with each of you, "Until we meet again."
Rev. Shinpachi Kanow

The Jerome Christian Church ahs been an answer
to a definite spiritual need of this community
Breach of circumstances surrounding our camp
experiences, many problems biger than we our-
selves were able to solve have arisen. Through
our church here, we have been able to keep clos-
er to Divine Guidance who helps us in our needs.
It seems that the young Christians with whome I
have been associated have been far better ad-
justed and able to retain a more normal life in
camp than those without the help of our church.
To me, the church ahs served a definite, vital
need of our community.
Etta Neel Mayhan
As long as I love, the one year at Jerome
will stand out... for the ears, for the joys,
for the challenges: Remember? Our first strange
Christmas in camp? Not the wire nor the con-
finement but the inspiring spiritual experiences
that came during the Christmas season.

Remember Easter? Our Magnificent Hallelah
Chorus! We knew then... 'though our bodies were
confined, our souls could be free!

Then the unforgettable Christian Mission at
Jerome-- Remember? Stanley Jones! New courage
and home came to our tired, bewildered, dispair-
ing hearts. Somehow, we were gripped by the truth
-- God has been with us always!
Mrs. Merry Tsukamoto
827 Lay Blvd.
Kalamazoo, Michigan

"Best wishes and may God always abide with
each of you now and forever!"
Misao Izumi

"The Lord is my Shepherd..."
Psalm 23

Much credit goes to Miss Mary Kasai, who gave much of her
time and talent to the directing of the choir. Also our
thanks goes to Miss Alice Imamoto and all the choir mem-
bers for their fine cooperation in making it a great suc-
cess.

The most outstanding event of 1943 was the Christian
Mission which was held during the week of May 16-21 st.--
Some of our outstanding speakers were Dr. Jesse Bader, who
make the Christian Mission possible for us here in Jerome
Center, Dr. E. Stanley Jones, Dr. Albert P. Shirkey, Mrs.
Jessie B. Eubank, Rev. John B. Cobb and Miss Jessie Trout.

During the month of September about a thousand evacu-
ees from Tule Lake were transfered to Jerome Center. Their
arrival not only added many new members, but also leaders
in our church.

We held our first anniversary during the firrst part of
October 1943. Rev. Harper K. Sakaue, Mr. Webb and Dr. W.
Maxfield Garrett were among our speakers.

Christmas of 1943 was a great disappointment to all of
us in that we were not able to hold any services nor meet-
ing for quite a long time due to "flu epidemic" hitting
this center. But throough the fine attitude and generous-
ity of the outside church organizations and Christian fri-
ends many of our children were cheered and made happy.
The spirit of Christmas was not forgotten!

April 12-16, 1944-- Pre-Easter Meetings-- Dr. Gordon K.
Chapman was our Seminar leader on "What it Means to be" a
Christian", Rev. Harper K. Sakaue was our Devotional leader.

Easter April 16, 1944- "Alleluia Christ Arose!"
Because it rained on Easter morning the Sunrise Service
was held in Dining Hall #33. The High School band under
the directorship of Mr. Rennick played the opening and
closing number for the worshipers. Rev. Shinpachi Kanow
and Major M. Imai spoke respectively for the nisei and issei
group. Rev. K. Inori served as chairman for the joint ser-
vice.
Dr. W. Maxfield Garrett spoke to the English Morning
service on "Following the Living Christ". Rev. Shinpachi
Kanow was the chairman.

With the help of Caucasian christian friends on the
outside, many of our young people were relocating. This
cased the less of many of our find young leaders in the
center. To this some of our center caucasian answered
the call. Our heartest thanks goes to Miss Marrow, Miss
Tidball, Miss Light, Miss Janet Smith, Miss Walker, Miss
C. McCrory, Mrs. Dorothy Wheeler, Miss Palmer, and to Mrs.
Theye.

Among our active high school students were George
Takeda, the Masade brothers, Joseph Fukuda, Teruko Yeya
Anna Sakaizewa, Misao Izumi, Rinko Shimasaki, Ruth Himse,
Clare Hasegawa, Edna Sakamoto, Phoebe Ichinaga, Jessie
Yokota.

Inspite of all our handicap together with indecisive-
ness and the indifference on the part of some people we we-
re able to hold services every Sunday. From time to time
we were piveleged to hear outside ministers. Through their
message and the work of our ministers and lay people many
were led to confess Christ as their Lord and Saviour. We
sincerely believe that God's spirit led us in all our ser-
vices and endeavors. Even though our center is being close
ed. Let us continue to work with more zeal and foever for
Christ and His Kingdom.

May God bless and guide each of you wherever you may
go.

JEROME COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
YOUNG CHRISTIANS SPEAK:

"In a shirt time that I was here I have enjoyed you
fellowship. May God's leading hand be with you forever."
Joseph Fukuda
"May God be with you as you journey again."
Ruth Hijikata
Buffalo, New York

OUR CHURCH
During the past two years we who are of Japanese descent have
gone through a variety of experiences; bitter and sweet, discourag-
ing and hopeful, sad and happy. Some, through their experiences,
have become bitter and pessimistic while on the other hand many
have cheefully made hte best of their situation. Wh this great
difference an the outlook of Life? There can be but one answer--
CHRIST.

Even though our Church is compose of members of many denomi-
nations from various parts of California, Oregon, and Washington,
we have been able to work and worship hamoniously fo rour Lord
and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

As in th ecase of our experience in the assembly center most
every thing was a bit confusing. Yet in spite of this condition
we were able to have our first regular worship service soon after
the arrival of many from the Santa Anita and Fresno assembly centers.
During the remainder of 1942 our center's church was gradually
organized. Representatives from various denominations and church-
es met under the leadership of the ministers to formulate consti-
tution.

On Christmas our choir under the very capable directorship of
Miss Mary Kasai and accompanied by Misses Grace and Alice Ineneto
the choir sang at the service. Our Sunday School also observed
Christmas by giving special Christmas play.

The year was brough to a close by an inspiring New Year's--
Eve Service under the chairmanship of Mrs. Seichi Mikami.

Our first Easter in Jerome Center was observed by several speci-
al services. The traditional Sunrise Service was held in the
Denson Park East of Block 30. Rev. Hideo Hashimoto delivered the
Easter message- Rev. Shinpachi Kanow served as chairman. The
Church choir under the directorship of Miss Mary Kasai and acoomp-
anied by Miss Alice Imamoto the choir sand "The Messiah" by Handel.

What is Christian Education?

"Many of us in a casual manner would reply: "Why Christian
Educaiton is an education in a denominational school which
provides a curriculum of religious study."

It is more than a dunking into religious objectives. Christ-
ian Educaiton re-creates an individual, it develops a sernse
of true value.

When one appreciates the ture worth of personality, there
is a natural desire to show others this fuller richer life."
Chiaki Renge
A student in a Christian
College
The Jerome Community Christian Church has meant much to us
in that: we have made many new griends, we have spent many
happy moments of Fellowship, we have spent many hours worship-
ing God together, and we have studied together the words of God.

We shall long cherish the memory of the Jerome CHurch and
for what it stood-- spiritual elevation and development of high
morals.

We pray that wherever each of the members may go that God's
richest belssings with- be upon you all."
Ernest and George Takeda

"Though Jerome Center will be closing its doors-- I shall long
remember and cherish the friends, the great experiences and
inspiration I have gathered while working in the Church Office
of the Jerome Community Christian Church.

I wish to take this opportunity in thanking all those who
have been so patient-- so helpful during the past year. I will
take along the fond memories of Jerome, then 'Til' we meet
again', may God richly bless and guide you."

Mary Kouchi
Church secretary

FAREWELL
As this Jerome Center closes and bid its
friends "Good-bye" we wish to take this oppor-
tunity to thank each and every member who for
the past year or so, made it possible for our
Jerome Community Christian Church to "Carry--
On".

We want to thank our Christian Caucasian
friends and church organizations for helping
us both materially and spiritually. We shall
never forget their generous and timely help.

We also wish to thank all of you for your
contributions to our church.

Though this center closes and as we part
one from another let us remember that God is
still with us.

"May God bless you all!"

Christian Church staff.

Physical Description

Program, 7.25" x 8.75"

Subjects

Internment camps; World War, 1939-1945--Concentration Camps--United States--Arkansas; Japanese Americans--Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945; Churches; Programs; Jerome Relocation Center (Ark.)

Contributor

Jerome Community Christian Church

Geographical Area

Jerome, Drew County (Ark.)

Language

English

Identifier

MS.000643, Box 1, Folder 6, Item 5

Resource Type

Text

Collection

Hazel Retherford papers, MS.000643

Publisher

Arkansas State Archives

Contributing Entity

Arkansas State Archives

Recommended Citation

Jerome Community Christian Church program, Hazel Retherford papers, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Rights

Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.

Disciplines

United States History

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Additional Content

Amon Guy Thompson papers, MG04582-MG04586; Austin Smith papers, 1942-1945, MG04350; Beauty Behind Barbed Wire: The Arts of the Japanese in Our War Relocation Camps, MG01299; Community Analysis Reports and Community Analysis Trend Reports of the War Relocation Authority, 1942-1946, MG03846-MG03847; Japanese Camp papers, MG03848-MG03869

Jerome Community Christian Church program

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