Rev. Nakamoto spoke about sustainability and how it starts with just a little act, like bringing a reusable mug to Sunday service.
September 2017 Newsletter
Rededication & First Sunday Family Service
Our first Family Service since our summer break was also our Rededication Service. Rev. David Nakamoto gave today's Rededication Dharma Talk and reflected on his conversations with the late Rev. Dr. Alfred Bloom, who recently passed away.
Being that it was also our First Sunday Family Service, children and adults alike participated in two fun craft activities after the service: making peace bracelets in celebration of Peace Day later this month, as well as coloring paper dolls. The dolls are on display in the church.
The new uchishiki (altar cloth) donated by the Kailua Hongwanji Buddhist Women's Association (KHBWA) was on display on the alter. Rev. Umitani helped to order and pick up the uchishiki on one of his trips to Japan.
International Peace Day is on September 21, 2017
Ikebana Display at Bon Dance 2017
A few of the Ohara School of Ikebana arrangements that were on display a few weekends ago at our Bon Dance.
Sunday Family Service
Today was our final Sunday service for the month of July, as well as the last service before our "summer vacation." Rev. Umitani gave the Dharma Talk, recounting his recent experience at the Accession ceremony and explaining the meaning of Kailua Hongwanji's newsletter, Kalyana Mitra, or "Good Friend."
Prudence gave us a preview of the next First Sunday craft activities. We will be making peace bracelets and coloring peace dolls.
There will be no Sunday services through the month of August. Our next service will be our First Sunday Family Service on September 3, 2017. In addition to the First Sunday activities, it will also be our Rededication Service. See you then!
Bon Dance 2017
Hundreds came together to eat, dance, and remember those who've passed before us at Kailua Honganji's Bon Dance on Saturday, July 22, 2017.
Food Booth
Jr. YBA's shave ice booth proved popular on a warm summer night.
Hastubon Service
We held our Hatsubon Service today, remembering those who passed before us and those in particular who passed since last year's obon. Families of those who passed in the last year were called individually to offer incense.
Rev. Umitani gave the Dharma Talk, focusing on the hatsu ("first") portion. The left side of the kanji character for hatsu represents clothes and the right side is a sword. To make clothes, one must first cut the cloth.
Bon Dance: Building the Yagura
Members and friends of Kailua Hongwanji assembled the yagura (the musicians' stand) and strung the lights in preparation for our 2017 Bon Dance on July 22.
Kailua Hongwanji Bon Dance is on Saturday, July 22nd.
Sunday Family Service
Betty Okamoto shared her thoughts about previous guest speakers' Dharma Talks.
Rev. Umitani shared that Hongwanji Mission School's summer session performance is Honk! Jr., a musical adaption of the Hans Christian Anderson story The Ugly Duckling. Performances are on July 14 and 15 at Honolulu Myohoji Mission, Maluhia Hall. More information and tickets are available here.
First Sunday Family Service
Dennis Tashiro gave today's Dharma Talk, highlighting several key events happening for him in July: Kailua Hongwanji's Bon Dance on July 22, the 4th of July holiday, and the upcoming Tashiro family reunion, which takes place every 5 years. While all three are distinctly unique events, they are all opportunities to express gratitude for those who've come before us.
After the service, we had two First Sunday craft activities for both kids and adults. We decorated fans, perfect for our Bon Dance, and we made 4th of July lanterns to hang at home.
