Religion Briefs
Star-Bulletin staff &
Associated Press
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Honolulu pastor to lead counseling center
Samaritan Counseling Center of Hawaii has chosen the Rev. Jonipher Kwong as executive director. He was installed in a ceremony Sunday at Central Union Church parish hall.
Kwong was pastor of the Ohana Metropolitan Community Church of Honolulu. He is chairman of the Interfaith Alliance of Hawaii's committee on community building. He earned a Doctor of Divinity degree from Claremont School of Theology in California.
Samaritan Counseling Center, founded in 1989, provides professional psychological counseling sensitive to the spiritual or religious orientation of clients. It operates from offices in five Oahu churches and in Hilo. Information is available at www.scchawaii.org.
Church bazaars offer food, sales and more
The season of fall bazaars continues with events planned at several churches.
» Today, Kahikuonalani Church in Pearl City is throwing a party for the neighborhood. The Community Celebration will continue from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 757 Hoomalu St. It will include a craft fair, plant sale, food booths and musical entertainment.
» Next Saturday, Harris United Methodist Church's fall sale will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 20 S. Vineyard Blvd. The Harris bazaar offers one of the largest church rummage sales on the island. Quilts, books, toys and games, arts and crafts will be offered. The Kau Kau Korner will feature Spam musubi and marinated beef kabobs. Cash purchases only. The proceeds will benefit the Missionary Effort Fund.
» Also next Saturday, the Pearl City Hongwanji Mission will be the scene of the annual craft fair. It will be open from 8 a.m. to noon on the grounds at 858 2nd St. Homemade jams, pickled vegetables, baked goods and sushi will be sold, as well as craft items, produce and cookbooks. The sale sponsored by the women's organization will benefit mission projects.
» Olive United Methodist Church in Wahiawa will hold its bazaar and chicken sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. next Saturday on the grounds at 108 California Ave.
Program focuses on global warming
Stewardship of God's creation in the face of global warming will be addressed in a two-session program that begins tomorrow at Church of the Crossroads.
The Al Gore documentary film, "An Inconvenient Truth," about the global warming crisis will be shown at noon tomorrow in Weaver Hall, on the church campus at 1212 University Ave. Lunch will be available.
The church's Creation Mission Team will sponsor a follow-up discussion at noon Nov. 5 at the same location. The Rev. Neal MacPherson and Chuck Burrows, team leader, will lead the discussion about what people and churches can do to address the environmental crisis.
Happier Halloween alternatives offered
Some island churches will offer alternatives to the dark side of Halloween with parties that ban scary, violent or devilish costumes.
» "Heroes Unmasked" is the theme of the party tomorrow afternoon at Calvary Church, 45-435 Aumoku St., Kaneohe. Children are encouraged to dress as their favorite heroes. The party from 4 to 7 p.m. will feature storytelling by Wally Amos, a bouncer castle, games, prizes and refreshments. The Heroes Hangout Coffee Bar will offer music, food and beverages for parents. It is open to the public.
» Calvary Chapel of Honolulu will sponsor a Family Fun Night, its annual Halloween alternative, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Game booths, food and prizes will be offered on the campus at 98-1016 Komo Mai Drive, Aiea. Call 524-0844 for information.
» The Penny Carnival at United Church of Christ, 467 N. Judd St., will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. "Small Wonders" is the theme of the party, which will present magic tricks, live music, prizes, games for a penny and food. It has been held for 14 years as a safe alternative to trick-or-treating. Call 536-8418 for information.