METHODISTS' MERGER MAY SIGNAL FUTURE TWO CONGREGATIONS UNITE DESPITE SOME RESISTANCE.

Byline: HOLLY J. ANDRES

Staff Writer

CHATSWORTH -- The biases of two congregations, one ethnic and one antique, have been cast aside for the strength of Christian unity.

West Valley United Methodist Church, a mostly Japanese-American congregation, and Chatsworth United Methodist Church, proud of its 118-year-old longevity, voted overwhelmingly in May to merge and become Chatsworth West United Methodist Church.

"What did Billy Graham say? 'Sunday is the most segregated hour of the week.' I heard people say, all the time, 'Why don't they merge, you all speak English?'" said the Rev. Ruy Mizuki, who has been pastor of both churches since 1997.

"It's hard to give an answer without sounding racist. Some people are unable to understand the ethnic dimension."

The road to the merger was gradual. West Valley United Methodist was chartered in 1987. Its members met in various locations until 1991, when they met at Chatsworth United Methodist's site.

Two years ago, the two churches agreed to worship together at four special services a year, including Easter and Christmas. That arrangement was agreeable and they added meeting the first Sunday of every month when they took Communion.

Finally, Chatsworth United Methodist, with more elderly members and dwindling membership, made a formal proposal in October 2005 to merge with its sister church. West Valley United Methodist wanted time to consider.

They met every Sunday for eight months and then set a vote for May 5. In July, they voted on the name change.

The process of how these two congregations came together is very important this year because about 20 United Methodist Church congregations in the San Fernando Valley could find themselves walking down a similar road.

The Santa Barbara District of the United Methodist Church is interested in revitalizing its presence in the Valley. That could mean mergers or even closures for some churches, Mizuki said.

West Valley and Chatsworth United Methodist had to come to grips with a couple of issues before their merger.

"Early on, there were scars left over from World War II. If there's one thing that turns Japanese-Americans off, even a hint, it's questioning our patriotism. That's what we fought against," said Phil Shigekuni, a longtime member of West Valley United Methodist.

"If even one person said it, it's a poison. It brings back bad memories. You try to rationalize it, but it's still there."

Mizuki, who said he walked a fine line during the merger process, was candid about the hesitations on both sides.

The members of West Valley United Methodist still have a lot of pain and hurt about the Japanese-American internment during World War II. Mizuki, who went to an ethnic church while growing up, can relate to that pain because his mother was interned as a child at Manzanar and Tule Lake.

Some in the Chatsworth congregation, even though they proposed the merger, felt a little like they were in a corporate takeover. Finances and sharing of volunteer church jobs were other concerns.

The ethnic identity and keeping cultural values and customs alive was an issue for West Valley United Methodist.

"If white people were honest, they would agree that they probably wouldn't be as comfortable in a mixed ethnic church," said Shigekuni, a retired guidance counselor at Cleveland High School. "But, allowing the old neuroses, that's not the Christian way. The merger is a way of reaching out and stretching. Doing something that's not easy, that's the upside for me. I think it's worked out well."

Millie Black, co-chair of the joint parish council, lay leader and member of Chatsworth United Methodist Church since 1962, said he wanted the merger "from the very beginning.

"I prayed to the Lord to witness this merger," he said. "I've never, ever felt the love like I have with these people," said Black about her friends from West Valley United Methodist. "I've been in tears because of the help they've given me."

Black gives Mizuki high marks for his leadership and tackling issues head-on before they fester.

"The ideal is to have a multiethnic church because we are the body of Christ, regardless of culture or race," Mizuki said. "It's so wonderful to worship together."

The Rev. Ruy Mizuki will lead the 10 a.m. Sunday service at Chatsworth West United Methodist Church, 10824 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Call [phone].

holly.andres(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color) At Chatsworth West United Methodist Church, left to right, are the Rev. Ruy Mizuki, Millie Black and Phil Shigekuni on Tuesday.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer