Religion Briefs
Iolani Palace ceremony marks end of pilgrimage
A local group of peace activists will gather on Iolani Palace grounds tomorrow to mark the end of the Hiroshima Flame Interfaith Pilgrimage across the United States.The 1:30 p.m. Hawaii celebration will coincide with the New York finale of the four-month demonstration for peace and nuclear disarmament, said local organizer Gabrielle Welford.
Participants on the peace walk will visit the World Trade Center site in New York City tomorrow evening. They have carried a lantern lit from a monument in Hoshino, Japan, which reportedly can be traced to embers collected in Hiroshima after it was hit by the 1945 atomic bomb. Marchers led by an ecumenical group from Japan began in Suquamish, Wash., and staged vigils at nuclear research and military facilities along the way.
Welford's daughter, 15-year-old Annie Elfing of Kailua, a freshman at Waldorf High School, participated in the pilgrimage, which was chronicled at www.dharmawalk.org.
Christian Science Church tour set May 19
A continuing educational tour of Oahu places of worship will resume next weekend with a program at the Christian Science Church in Makiki.The service, at 4 p.m. May 19, is open to the public.
The church at 1508 Punahou St. is affiliated with the international movement founded in 1882 by Mary Baker Eddy. It stresses the healing power of Jesus and teaches that sickness can be overcome, and healing can be achieved through faith.
The "Open Table Pilgrimage" series is sponsored by the Open Table organization, whose members foster education and understanding about all beliefs and religious groups. The organization meets at 7 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at 15 Craigside Place. For information, call Alfred Bloom, 263-8567.
Jehovah's whistle-blowers claim fellowship reprisals
NEW YORK >> Jehovah's Witnesses who publicly criticized how their denomination handles claims of sexual abuse say the religious group has started the process of ousting them from the fellowship.A former elder, a former researcher in the Jehovah's Witnesses' Brooklyn headquarters and the parents of a girl who was abused say they were summoned to meetings with their local judicial committees.
J.R. Brown, a national spokesman for the Jehovah's Witnesses, confirmed the four had been called to the hearings, but he said the proceedings may focus on "sins" unrelated to any public comments on sexual abuse. He would not provide specifics.
Join United Church of Christ in golf on May 23
Here's a ministry that's open to even those folks who haven't entered a church in years!The Oahu Association United Church of Christ is inviting golfers to join in its May 23 tournament at Ala Wai Golf Course. The $135 entry fee will not only pay for greens fees, cart, lunch, door prizes and a Chinese dinner, but will also benefit three of the denomination's programs.
Proceeds will help support the Nuu Ministries for Samoan youth, the Lani Kamahao Peace Village camp and retreat center and the Oahu Mokupuni Scholarship Fund for seminary students.
For information, call the Rev. Ron Ching, associate pastor of Central Union Church, at 440-3007.
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