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Seminar examines business and religion

Businessmen and church members will look at Christianity and commerce in a seminar next weekend at the Blaisdell Center.

"Transformation Hawaii" will explore the concept of "marketplace ministry" in discussing ways that business ethics and religious principles mesh.

The program opens Friday at 6 p.m. and continues from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Ed Silvoso, founder of the Harvest Evangelism of San Jose, Calif., and author of "Anointed for Business," will be the keynote speaker. First Hawaiian Bank Chief Executive Officer Don Horner, Kaneohe Ranch Chief Executive Officer Mitch D'Olier, attorney David Monroy and Dr. Robert Flowers will speak. Also appearing will be the Rev. Dan Chun of First Presbyterian Church; the Rev. Marc Alexander, Hawaii Catholic diocesan theologian; the Rev. Ralph Moore of Hope Chapel Kaneohe; the Rev. Cal Chinen of Moanalua Gardens Missionary Church; and the Rev. Francis Oda of New Life Church Honolulu.

The $50 registration fee will include Silvoso's book and other workshop materials. To register, call 888-852-9269.

Hawaii's new Baha'i leadership elected

Members of the Baha'i Faith in Hawaii have elected nine members to serve as leaders for the next year.

Named to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Hawaiian Islands were Terrence McVay, Chris Cholas, John Spock, Bruce Dusseault, Dr. Bijan Yeganeh, Mollie Sperry, Lynne Ellen Hollinger, Byron Hobdy and Thomas Ralya. They serve without pay on the body that is in charge of administering the church in Hawaii.

Hawaii has its own "national" assembly separate from the governing body of the 48 contiguous United States. Similar elections are held in Baha'i communities around the world.

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.

Scholarship available for aspiring organists

They are a shrinking species of musician, and the Hawaii members of the American Guild of Organists are trying to do something about it.

Scholarships are available for students interested in learning the complex instrument that is the core of music in traditional Christian churches. The guild will pay half the cost of organ lessons for one year. Applicants of all ages are eligible.

May 31 is the deadline for applications, which can be obtained by calling Karl Bachman at 550-2632 or by writing to hawaiiorgan@lava.net. Applicants will audition on organ or piano on June 18 at Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 1730 Punahou St.

The scholarship program was begun in 1992. About 30 people, ages 8 to over 70, have been recipients. Some have continued and become church organists, said guild spokeswoman Kathy Crosier.

Directory lists Hawaii churches offering help

Many Hawaii churches offer health promotion programs for members and provide meeting space for 12-step programs that are offered to the public.

The state Department of Health has compiled an online directory of faith-based organizations and the health services they offer. It can be found at www.hawaii.gov/ health.

Health activities at churches include exercise classes, blood pressure and cholesterol screening, and programs focused on cancer, diabetes, heart disease, mental health and substance abuse education.

The directory is based on a survey conducted by QMark Research and Polling, a local market research company.