Religion Briefs
Saturday, December 29, 2001
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Honpa Hongwanji to ring in New Year at midnight
Members of the largest Buddhist congregation on Oahu will strike the temple bell to ring in the New Year Monday night, while other Buddhists also celebrate this as a time to express gratitude for the past year and look forward to future good fortune.The New Year's Eve service at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin will begin at 11 p.m. Monday at the temple at 1727 Pali Hwy.
The Rev. Hiromi Kawaji will give the year-end message in Japanese, and the Rev. Shigenori Makino will give an English message.
Bishop Chikai Yosemori will give the first sermon of 2002 at a 10 a.m. Shusho-E service Tuesday. Rimban Hirom Kawaji will present remarks in Japanese. The service looks forward to opportunities to deepen awareness of Amida Buddha's infinite light and life in the New Year.
Jan Brenner to perform at Holy Nativity church
Professional singer Jan Brenner will perform music from her new religious music CD, "Trust Him," at a 9 a.m. special service tomorrow at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church in Aina Haina.A former Waikiki club entertainer, Brenner has operated her own event-production business for years and performs at conventions and local charity functions. She has co-hosted the annual Jerry Lewis telethon for muscular dystrophy and is a member of the Word of Life Christian Center praise and worship team.
The service is open to the public.
Church of Light joins global prayer for peace
The Honolulu Church of Light will participate in a global effort Monday to seek peace through prayer.The "One Billion Person Peace Prayer Meditation" will be under way from 10 a.m. to noon in Hawaii. The timing is coordinated with other time zones so the worldwide effort is under way simultaneously, according to church spokeswoman Karen Nielsen.
People may participate by joining the meditation lead by the Rev. Fred Sterling and the Rev. Carol Morishige. For information, call the church, 952-0880, or tune in to the live Internet broadcast at inward.com/radio.
New York rabbi leads sessions on Judaism
A series of three talks about "Simple Serious Judaism for Today's Seeker" will begin Friday evening at Kalama Beach Park, 248 N. Kalaheo Ave., Kailua.Rabbi Natan Margalit, a professor at Bard College in New York, will lead discussions at 5:30 p.m. sessions Friday and next Saturday in the Boettcher home at the park.
The sessions, sponsored by Congregation Sof Ma'arav, are intended for members and others interested in Jewish study and prayer. They are free and open to the public.
Register by calling 373-2561 or writing to HFMarg@aol.com. A vegetarian potluck picnic will follow.
Margalit will also speak at the 10 a.m. Saturday Shabbat service held by Congregation Sof Ma'arav at the First Unitarian Church, 2500 Pali Hwy.
Shinto shrine observes New Year's traditions
Thousands of people are expected to visit a historic Chinatown Shinto shrine next week in observance of Japanese New Year tradition.A midnight service is planned for Monday at the 79-year-old Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii at 215 N. Kukui St., but people will continue visits on Tuesday and Wednesday to offer thanks for the blessings of the past and pray for well-being in the New Year.
The traditions for the Hatsumoude New Year observance include rituals such as washing hands as a symbolic spiritual cleansing and ringing the bell to summon "kami," or gods, to pay attention to the prayers.
The Shinto shrine represents the indigenous Japanese religion brought to Hawaii by 19th-century immigrants.
People may visit the shrine from midnight Monday through Tuesday evening for the traditional blessings.
New "ofuda" and "omamori," talismans and amulets for the protection of person, home and business, are available.
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