Religion Briefs
Star-Bulletin staff &
Associated Press
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Buddhists discuss global warming
Buddhist perspectives on global warming will be explored in an Earth Day program Thursday at Chaminade University.
Barry Sullivan of the Honolulu Diamond Sangha and Poranee Natadecha-Sponsel of the Association of International Buddhists will speak in the 7 p.m. presentation at the Ching Conference Center in Eiben Hall, 3140 Waialae Ave. "An Inconvenient Truth," the Oscar-winning film about global warming, will be shown, with comments by Stuart Scott of Trans Pacific Hawaii College.
"In Buddhism, global warming is not a political issue, it is a moral issue and a spiritual issue also," said Natadecha-Sponsel. "If nature is suffering, you suffer also. Global warming is considered community karma. We collectively have an impact; we have to correct it individually."
Hospital stresses spiritual health
Colorful handmade blankets will be blessed and given to seriously ill patients during Spiritual Emphasis Week at Castle Memorial Hospital.
"A Sense of God's Love" is the theme of the week of events that will open tomorrow with a 6:30 p.m. Royal Hawaiian Band concert on the front lawn. The concert and other events are open to the public.
Spiritual Emphasis Week "is designed to remind us that God reaches us through all of our senses and shares His love in many unique ways," said Dave Rasmussen, chaplain at the hospital, which is operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The celebration will include:
» Monday, "A Sense of Touch." An art exhibition from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the main hospital corridor will feature drawings and paintings by Patrick Ching, inspirational quilts by the Hawaii Quilt Guild and crafts by Castle employees.
» Tuesday, "A Sense of Seeing." Art and get-well cards made by local church school students will be displayed in the main corridor and later distributed to patients.
» Wednesday, "A Sense of Spirit." A 12:30 p.m. service in the chapel will feature Pastor Ralph Watts, president of the Hawaii Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and will be followed by a concert of inspirational music in the Pali Gardens restaurant. The "Mana Moments" program will also kick off the hospital's Kiheipua Project in which colorful island bed covers or "kihei pili" are being made and given to people who are terminally ill.
» Friday, "A Sense of Purpose." A communion service will be offered throughout the day in the chapel. A tribute to hospital volunteers will be displayed in the main corridor.
Psychologist will speak on parenting
Psychologist and author Kevin Leman, who puts a Christian perspective on family counseling, will lecture on parenting next week at two Oahu churches.
Leman will speak Friday on "Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours." The talk at New Hope Christian Fellowship Leeward, 94-050 Farrington Highway, Waipahu, is free and open to the public. To make a reservation for child care, call 678-3778 or see www.newhopeleeward.org.
Leman will speak next Saturday at Waialae Baptist Church, 1047 21st Ave. The 7 p.m. talk on "Value Packed Parenting: Raising Rock-Solid Kids in a Pleasure-Driven World" is free and open to the public. To reserve child care, call 735-5561, ext. 204.
The author of several books including "Single Parenting that Works" and "Home Court Advantage," Leman frequently appears on network television news magazine shows. He is founder and president of the Couples of Promise organization.
