Religion Briefs
The Hawaii Association of International Buddhists' annual Harvest Moon festival will present Asian music, dance and drama as usual but will also include a solemn memorial this year in recognition of tragedies that have affected Hawaii. Buddhist festival will
remember isle tragediesThe Dharmachakra Festival will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday at McCoy Pavilion. It traditionally celebrates the anniversary of the first sermon by Sakyamuni Buddha and this year, the sponsoring association is also celebrating its 10th anniversary.
A candlelight service will be held for the victims of Sept. 11 terrorism and the Feb. 9, 2001, sinking of the Ehime Maru. "Buddha teaches us how to deal with suffering and tragedies in life," said association president Albert Lui.
The program will include dancers from South East Asian countries, the Honpa Hongwanji taiko drum group and choir and the Chaminade University drama club. Chaminade University President Sue Wesselkamper will be keynote speaker.
The event is free and open to the public. Co-sponsors are Buddha's Light International Association and Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii.
Siddha Yoga center next Pilgrimage stop
The Siddha Yoga Meditation Center will be the next stop on the Open Table Pilgrimage's continuing educational series on religions and belief systems in Hawaii.The session at 4 p.m. Sept. 15 at the 1270 Ala Moana center is open to the public.
The Open Table group sponsors a monthly visit to a different church, temple or place of religious practice. For information, call 263-8567.
Open house scheduled at MacCray UH center
The Episcopal diocese will hold an open house next Saturday at its new campus center for UH students.Bishop Richard Chang will dedicate the George W.R. MacCray Campus Center at 2324 Metcalf St. at 5 p.m. Refreshments will be served at the reception, open to the public.
Advice on moral ways to use wealth offered
Advice on moral ways to use wealth will be offered at a special program at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Honolulu Baha'i Center, 2165 10th Ave.Joseph Appolito, financial planner with Wachovia Securities Financial Network, will speak on "Financial Prosperity with Spirituality." His talk is free and open to the public. For information call 738-5683.
Prayer day rally planned at UH Manoa
A rally for high school students planning a "See You at the Pole" prayer day will be held next Saturday at the University of Hawaii.Kelii Akina, executive director of Hawaii Youth for Christ, will be the keynote speaker at the 7 p.m. rally at the UH Art Auditorium.
The student-led annual prayer event is held before classes on campuses around the country, usually in a gathering at the flagpole.
Police cite church for homeless on lawn
MILWAUKEE >> The police have declared St. James Episcopal Church a public nuisance because it allows the homeless to sit outside during the day and sleep on the lawn at night.Police say some of the homeless harass passers-by and commit crimes. The action means the church must pay up to $275 each time police respond to a complaint.
Police officials met with the Rev. Debra Trakel but decided the church had no plan to solve problems. "I am utterly outraged," Trakel said.
Alderman Paul Henningsen said the church deserves praise for helping the poor but needs to provide services to the homeless if it continues to allow them on its property.
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