Religion Briefs
Farewell service for Nuuanu pastor
Members of Honolulu's ecumenical community and Nuuanu Congregational Church will honor the Rev. Yoko Asada tomorrow at a service and dinner at the church.Asada is returning to Japan after a four-year term as associate pastor to the church's Japanese-speaking and English-speaking congregants. She has been active in interdenominational services here, including a prayer gathering of the local Japanese community soon after the Ehime Maru sinking last year, and a service following the Sept. 11 attacks.
She's hosted Japanese- language shows including "Lifeline in Hawaii" on KIKU TV and on KZOO AM radio. She previously ministered in New York and Chicago and has held several posts in Japan.
A joint worship service will be held at 9 a.m. tomorrow. The farewell dinner begins at 4 p.m. at the church hall.
St. Theresa's plans luau to mark 70th anniversary
The Catholic Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa will celebrate its 70th anniversary with a May 4 luau. Entertainment will be continuous during meal service, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the church grounds at 712 N. School St.April 15 is the deadline to make reservations by calling 521-1700. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for children 8 years old and younger.
Takeout dinners will be available. People must be present to win door prizes.
United Church of Christ to hold rummage sale
Small appliances, toys and books will be on the tables next Saturday at the rummage sale of the United Church of Christ on Judd Street.The sale will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parish hall at 467 N. Judd St. Parking is available in the church lot.
Proceeds will go toward renovation of the sanctuary and grounds.
Grants are available for aspiring organists
The people who provide organ music in Hawaii churches are offering money to students interested in joining their ranks.Scholarships good for half the cost of organ lessons are offered by the Hawaii chapter of the American Guild of Organists. The grants are open to Hawaii residents.
There is a shortage of musicians to play for services, weddings and funerals, the guild announcement said.
May 10 is the deadline for applications. Call Ruth Urben at 623-5140 for information.
Naval Academy reviews lunch prayer after ruling
ANNAPOLIS, Md. >> Mealtime prayers at the U.S. Naval Academy might cease if the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond upholds a lower court's ban on saying grace at Virginia Military Institute.In light of the VMI case, Naval Academy officials are reviewing the legality of traditional prayers at lunch.
The 4,000 midshipmen are required to be present at mealtime, but praying is up to them, Navy officials said.
A judge ruled in January that grace before meals at VMI is unconstitutional, supporting an American Civil Liberties Union claim based on separation of church and state.
The Virginia case could set a precedent covering religious practices at military schools and other public colleges.
In another prayer issue, the Illinois House voted 95-0 for a bill allowing "student-initiated prayer" in public school assemblies if there is no direction from school administrators. It now goes to the Illinois Senate.
Nebraska Supreme Court to define what's a church
LINCOLN, Neb. >> The Nebraska Supreme Court is being asked to decide what defines a church in a case stemming from a liquor license granted to an Omaha convenience store that was challenged by a nearby church.The city denied the Kum & Go store a liquor license because it is within 150 feet of the House of Faith. The store then got the state Liquor Control Commission to grant the license on grounds that the House of Faith does not meet criteria for a church.
The commission says a church is "a building owned by a religious organization used primarily for religious purposes" but that House of Faith rents space in its building.
Backing the church and city, the American Civil Liberties Union called the commission's ruling "nonsensical, discriminatory and unconstitutional."
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