Religion Briefs
Buddhist scholar to speak at Mililani Hongwanji
Mililani Hongwanji Mission will present a lecture by internationally known Buddhist scholar Taitetsu Unno as a feature of the temple congregation's celebration of its 25th anniversary.Unno's talk on "Shin Buddhism: Bits of Rubble Turn into Gold" at 7 p.m. Monday is free and open to the public. The mission is at 95-257 Kaloapau St.
Unno is professor emeritus of Smith College and is the author of "River of Fire, River of Water."
Virginia churches utilize ads to boost attendance
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. >> Churches in southeastern Virginia are using ads on matchbooks, movie screens and -- coming to a men's room near you -- partitions that separate urinals.From bars to gentlemen's clubs, churches are targeting males aged 18 to 34.
Said pastor John Redmon of Open Door Community Church: "Most people live in an R-rated culture. Movies. Music. Personal issues in people's lives.
"We want to reach out to people where they're at."
Open Door's membership has grown in the past five months to 150 from 26.
Another area church, Hope Community, plans advertising on cable TV sports and ordered 2,500 matchbooks to tout its new "Night Service."
Ken Tombley, Hope Community's pastor, borrowed the idea from Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati, which used everything from car washes to urinal partition ads as membership gradually grew to 6,000 from 37.
Passover observance to include Seder meal
Chabad of Hawaii will sponsor community Seder meals Wednesday and Thursday in celebration of Passover.The Jewish holiday marks the Hebrew people's liberation from slavery in Egypt more than 3,300 years ago.
Dinner will follow a 6:30 p.m. service each night at the Hawaiian Monarch Hotel, 444 Niu St. Reservations must be made by calling 735-8161. The cost to visitors is $65 for adults and $45 for children 12 years old and younger. Kamaaina rates are $10 less.
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