LEADERS’ WORKSHOP AND PUBLIC LECTURE MEETING IN HAWAII ATTENDED BY A TOTAL OF 185 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 40 FIRST-TIMERS
On November 10, 2007, a Leaders’ Workshop (English) was held at the Seicho-No-Ie Hawaii Jisso Center on Oahu, Hawaii. On the following day a Public Lecture Meeting was held at the Ala Moana Hotel (in English in the morning and in Japanese in the afternoon). The number of attendees totaled 185.
The Leaders’ Workshop was attended by 27 leaders, while the lecture meeting drew 158 attendees, including 40 first-timers. This was an increase of 53 people (66%) over the previous time.
158 people attended at Public Lecture Meeting
in Honolulu City
The Hawaii Missionary Area attributed the reasons for a large turnout at the lecture meeting to: (1) the lecture site was the hotel next to a large shopping center; (2) the schedule was extended to all day from an afternoon event; (3) a promotional advertisement was placed in three local newspapers; and (4) attendance was encouraged at Sunday Services and via telephone calls.
The lecturers at the Leaders’ Workshop were Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara (Ordained Minister, Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie United Missionary Headquarters), Rev. Tetsuya Abe (Ordained Minister, Acting Chief of Hawaii Missionary Area), Rev. Hiei Ando (Ordained National Minister), and Rev. Leslie Iwatani (Ordained Minister). Their lectures centered around the content of the Seicho-No-Ie Special Conference held in New York in August 2007. Using the English translation of Shinko ni yoru Heiwa no Michi (Realizing Peace by Faith) by Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi and other publications, they studied Seicho-No-Ie’s teaching that all religions emanate from one universal God as well as an overview of Islam and realization of world peace through correct faith. In addition, there were group discussions and the content of the discussions were later presented by topic of study.
At the Public Lecture Meeting Reverends Teshigawara and Ando lectured on the theme, “You Can Achieve Your Goal by Believing—the Wonderful World of Your Mind.” They gave an overview of Seicho-No-Ie and talked about the fundamental truth on such teachings as the law of the mind and creative power of words, using a projector. The comments from the attendees included: “I enjoyed the lectures, which were filled with humor. I felt continuously uplifted”; and “I hope a lecture meeting will be held next year, too.”
Remarks by rev. Tetsuya Abe, Acting Chief of the Hawaii Missionary Area
“At the Leaders’ Workshop we were able to study Islam in depth. It was a good opportunity for leaders to correctly understand Seicho-No-Ie’s teaching that all religions emanate from one universal God. At the lecture meeting there were many newcomers, thanks to concerted efforts by the Chairman and leaders to promote and manage the event. It had a warm atmosphere. The lectures by Reverends Teshigawara and Ando were well received. I am confident that this helps propel the Movement in Hawaii in the future.”