Bahai faithful prepare for 3-week-long fast
Members of the Bahai Faith in Hawaii are celebrating a time of festival and gift-giving this weekend in preparation for a three-week fast.Ayyam-I- Ha is the five-day period in which the Bahai calendar of 19 months of 19 days is balanced out to match the solar year of 365 days.
On Tuesday, members will begin abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset as a way to control material desires and reinvigorate themselves spiritually. The fast will end on the Bahai New Year, which begins March 21.
The religion founded in 1863 by Baha'u'llah, a Persian teacher who proclaimed his mission as God's messenger, teaches the oneness of God, religion and mankind.
Program explores religious mysticism
Mysticism in Eastern religious traditions will be explored in a program on "Inter-Religious Encounter" at 7 p.m. Monday at the Tendai Temple, 23 Jack Lane.Michale Saso, former University of Hawaii religion professor and a Tendai Buddhist priest, will lead the discussion of apophasis -- the unspoken or unknowing prayer -- in Buddhist, Sufi, Daoist and South Asian traditions.
The program is free and open to the public.
Couples are invited to speech in Kaimuki
The former chaplain of a Waikiki tourist ministry and the Honolulu Police Department will speak here next week.The Rev. Bob Turnbull and his wife, Yvonne, will be the keynote speakers at the Kaimuki Christian Church "Couples' Night" at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The gathering at 1117 Koko Head Ave. is open to any married couple. For information call 735-1771.
The Turnbulls, now based in Virginia, also will speak at the 10:30 a.m. March 7 service of Waikiki Beach Chaplaincy outside the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Turnbull founded the tourist ministry in 1970 and wrote a book, "Calling Angel One," on his experiences as HPD chaplain.
Fairs and sales galore at churches, schools
If there's any ritual that religions share, it's the annual benefit fund-raising sale or fair. Next month, the season begins:>> Until Monday: The Honolulu Community Jewish Preschool at Temple Emanu-El is taking orders through Monday for "hamantaschen," the traditional pastry of the Purim holiday. A box of a dozen (poppy, prune, apricot, berry, chocolate or an assortment) is $8, to benefit the school. Call 595-7451 to order, or fax 595-6306. Orders may be picked up Thursday to March 7.
>> Next Saturday: Super Spring Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Central Union Church grounds, 1660 S. Beretania St. Computers, furniture, clothing, books, plants and refreshments will be sold at the event, sponsored by the Women's Guild. Proceeds will be used for church mission projects.
>> Next Saturday: Grand Giveaway and Family Fair opens at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, 91-1010 North Road, Ewa Beach. There will be food booths offering Filipino pastries, hot dogs and malasadas, as well as game booths and inflatable jumpers. A silent auction, crafters and a country store will have items for sale. Paea, Inoa Ole and Studio 808 will perform.
>> March 13: First Unitarian Church, 2500 Pali Highway, will hold its 35th annual Rummage Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Housewares, furniture, toys, books and clothing will be offered. Especially nice items are set aside for "The Unique Boutique."
Religion Calendar
