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ICU Founder's Day Commemorative Service

Update: June 13, 2019

A service to commemorate ICU's founding was held at the University Chapel on June 12 (Wed.).

The service is held every year in remembrance of the day when the university was officially established at a meeting of the organizing council of Japanese and North American Christian leaders who gathered at YMCA Tozan-so in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, on June 15, 1949. On the same day, the Board of Councilors and the Board of Trustees were inaugurated, and the founding principles as well as a fundamental education plan were laid down.

At the service presided over by Rev. Shoko Kitanaka, Hymn 267 "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" was sung by all attendants and the Gospel of John 15:1-8 was read. President Junko Hibiya delivered a message titled "The True vine."

Message by Junko Hibiya, President

In June 1949, Japanese and North American Christian leaders convened at the Gotemba YMCA Camp to establish International Christian University. Recently, exactly 70 years later, I had an opportunity to examine many items related to the "Gotemba Conference," such as documents and photographs housed in the University Archives.

The document "Minutes, Board of Trustees and Councillors of the International Christian University," typed in English and hand-written in Japanese on aged pieces of paper, started as follows; 'The meeting was called to order by Dr. Tadaoki Yamamoto, Chariman of the Organizing Committee. Rev. Hoitsu Kimura led the group in the opening prayer.' It lists 17 trustees, 2 auditors, 23 councillors, 2 representatives of the Japan Christian University Foundation in America, 8 staff representatives and 4 other persons.

The meeting on Tuesday, June 14 began at 9:30 a.m. The agenda included review of the development of ICU, the purposes and plans of the conference, organization of the council, constitution of the university. Voting on 12 items, it adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Next day, after the devotional service, conducted by Mr. Hidenobu Kuwada from 9 a.m., the participants discussed such items as the relation of ICU to the other Christian colleges, the proposed medical school, a statement on the financial campaign in Japan, plans for choosing the faculty and organizing the program, architects and the building program, date of opening, the relation between trustees and the foundation in America, organization of trustees, ratification of the constitution, selection of the ICU president and other officers, and appointment of trustee committees. Voting on 19 more items, the second day ended at 10 p.m. The Board of Trustees and the Board of Councillors were inaugurated. Every year, we commemorate the founding of ICU on that day. According to the minutes, it was voted to incorporate the following resolution: "Be it resolved that we the members of the Board of Trustees and Councillors of the International Christian University gathered at Gotemba thank Maurice E. Troyer for his clear-cut and comprehensive statement of the proposed program for the International Christian University, and that it be incorporated in the minutes of this meeting. Be it further resolved that this statement be recommended as setting forth the guiding principles in the development of the University." In this way, the founding principles and a fundamental educational plan were laid down. The first paragraph of the preamble reads as follows: "Whereas friends of Japan in the United States, Canada and elsewhere throughout the world, through the Japan Christian University Foundation in America, believing that Christian faith and practice are the basis of true democracy, have resolved to assist the funding and development of an institution of higher learning in Japan, and Whereas the Japanese people, recognizing with gratitude the gracious Providence of God in this fulfilment of a long cherished hope for such an institution, have eagerly undertaken a proportionate part in the effort."

ICU was established as an institution of higher education based on Christian faith and practice. What is expected of us, its current members, who are gathered here today? In the Gospel according to John, Chapter 15, verses 1 to 8, Jesus Christ compares his relationship with us to the vine and branches and regards His Father as the vinedresser. In these verses, let us note that the word "abide" is repeatedly used. The vine and branches are always in close union. The branch can never bear fruit if it is separated from the vine which is the source of its life. Likewise, we may receive a gift of life and wonderful blessing, be nurtured and be able to bear fresh fruit only by always firmly abiding in Christ. These passages stress the necessity of remaining in touch of Christ. However, abiding in Christ does not mean being static. Simply having faith does not bear fruit. Each of us must listen carefully to his words, pray and perform good works to become a branch that is firmly connected to the vine.

ICU was created through the good will of countless people who contributed to establish an ecumenically Christian university, despite the poor condition of life in the immediate post-war years. Let us trust in Jesus Christ, the true vine, and be engaged in our daily practice to meet the expectations of those who contributed to its founding.

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