Religion Briefs
Community college hosts disciple of 'hugging saint'
Hindu teacher Bramachari Dayamrita Chaitanya will speak at a free program Wednesday at the Kapiolani Community College cafeteria.Dayamrita is a disciple of Mata Amritanandamayi, best known as Ammachi "the hugging saint" of India, who has spoken to the United Nations and been recognized internationally for her creation of shelters and vocational education programs for the poor.
The program from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday will include music and meditation. It is open to the public.
Bahai followers fast to prepare for new year
Followers of the Bahai Faith began a 19-day fast today as spiritual preparation for their new year, which begins March 21.Members from 15 to 70 years of age are obliged to go without food or drink from sunrise to sunset as a way to realize the importance of detachment and self-restraint. Individuals use meditation and prayer to reflect on their spiritual life. Families traditionally arise before dawn to share prayer and a morning meal.
A spokesman said periodic fasting is a concept that validates Bahai teachings about the unity of science and religion.
The religion, which arose in Iran in the mid-1800s, teaches the oneness of God and the oneness of the human race, and it holds that all religions agree in essentials. It has about 1,000 followers in Hawaii and more than 5 million members worldwide.
Church begins campaign to build elder care facility
Kilohana United Methodist Church plans to begin construction later this year on a day-care facility for senior citizens.The Niu Valley church has launched a campaign to raise $500,000 for a Senior Enrichment Center. It will be operated as a nonprofit organization with a 12-member board and a staff of professionally trained nurses and aides. Construction is expected to begin on church grounds in the fall, with the opening anticipated in 2003.
"Our primary objective is to provide day-care services for the elderly in a safe and pleasant environment and enable them to live at home and within the community setting that makes them happiest," said board Chairman Richard Kato.
The Rev. Alan Mark, church pastor, said the need for elder care is a priority with many local families that "are uncomfortable leaving a family elder at home alone or placing them in a rest home. Our center will give them an option to ensure their well-being in the day and keep the entire family unified."
The church currently takes Alzheimer's patients for day care on Saturdays to give family members respite.
Ministries conference holds 'Youth Jam' concert
The Hawaiian Islands Ministries annual conference of workshops and worship events, which usually draws more than 3,000 adults, is putting a stronger accent on youth evangelization this year.Recording artist Geoff Moore and other Christian musicians will perform at the "Youth Jam" concert and rally from 5 to 9 p.m. April 6 at the Hawai'i Convention Center.
A "Live the Life" series aimed at teenagers in middle and high school will include sessions April 4-6 blending music and inspirational and motivational speakers. Mike Worth, national director of DC LA Ministries, Danny Lehmann, director of Youth with a Mission, and Danny Yamashiro of Jesus Christ Is Calling You Ministry will speak in the youth series, which is co-sponsored by Hawaii Youth for Christ.
Nationally known Christian speakers and entertainers are booked to appear at the main Honolulu 2002 conference April 4-6. "I Believe" is the theme of the evangelizing event, which will include six general sessions and 95 elective seminars offering help for church leaders and volunteers on topics from worship and prayer to finances and leadership.
Conference speakers will include the Rev. Bill Hybels, founder of the 16,000-member Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago; the Rev. Tony Evans, founder of Urban Alternative intercity ministry in California; Tony Campolo, founder of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education; and the Rev. Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship and founder of Harvest Crusades.
Monday is the deadline for discount registration rates of $169 per person. The fee will be $225 after that. Special rates are offered for groups, pastors, students and previous attendees. Individual Youth Jam tickets are $10.
Registration information is available by calling toll-free 877-988-9777 or at Web site www.himonline.org.
Advocate for the disabled keynotes prayer breakfast
Former American automobile industry executive Douglas Mazza will be the keynote speaker at the annual Hawaii Prayer Breakfast later this month.Mazza, former executive with the Suzuki and Hyundai companies, is now executive vice president of JAF Ministries for the disabled. He speaks about his family's involvement in causes for the disabled, which began with the birth of his disabled son, Ryan.
The breakfast is scheduled for 7 a.m. March 28 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. About 1,500 people, including federal, state and county government officials, attended last year.
Tickets at $20 per person may be ordered by calling 486-8986. Checks may be mailed to Hawaii Prayer Breakfast, P.O. Box 29804, Honolulu, HI 96820.
This is the 23rd year of the event, which is patterned on the congressional prayer breakfast. It is sponsored by several island businesses and produced by a corps of volunteers from churches and the community. Jan E. Dill is chairman of the steering committee.
The breakfast was formerly called the Governor's/Mayors' Prayer Breakfast, but the name was changed after a complaint that sponsorship by the top government leaders violated the constitutional mandate of separation of government and religion.
A mailed invitation this year carries a statement signed by Gov. Ben Cayetano and the mayors of the four counties indicating they intend to attend.
Rare female leader in Islamic mysticism to speak here
The founder of an interfaith peace organization in Mexico City will speak on the Sufi approach to spirituality in a public lecture and at a private retreat this month.Sheikha Amina Teslima al-Jerrah is the rare woman leader in Sufism, the Islamic mystical tradition, according to information from the sponsoring organization, Jerrahi Order of Hawaii. She is the head of the Halveti Jerrahi Sufi Order in Mexico City and a founder of Light Within Light Interfaith Institute.
Her talk on "The Human Heart -- Beyond Cultural Identity" will be at 7:30 p.m. March 15 at Paki Hale, 3840 Paki Ave. It's free and open to the public.
The retreat on "The Joy of Spiritual Companionship" will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 16-17. Register by Wednesday for a reduced fee of $40 per day or $70 for both days. For registration information, call 943-9664 or check online at www.sufihawaii.com.
Cattle rancher helps promote vegetarian diet
Howard Lyman, who rose to national fame when he and television talk show host Oprah Winfrey were sued by Texas cattlemen for bad-mouthing beef, will speak here next week.Lyman will speak at 7 p.m. next Saturday at the Honolulu Central Seventh-day Adventist Church. The author of "Mad Cowboy: Plain Truth from the Cattle Rancher Who Won't Eat Meat" is an advocate of a plant-based diet. His appearance, free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii, Down to Earth Natural Foods and Castle Medical Center.
He will also speak at 7 p.m. March 10 at Maui Community College.
RELIGION CALENDAR
