THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEICHO-NO-IE TORONTO CENTER’S COMPLETION CEREMONY
Attendees at a party after the ceremony
In Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the ceremony to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Seicho-No-Ie Toronto Center’s completion was held on May 24 at the Center under the sponsorship of the Toronto Missionary Area.
In attendance as guests of honor were Rev. Hiei Ando, (National Ordained Minister in the U.S.); and Mr. Ted Teshima, who designed the Center; as well as officers from the Vancouver District of the northwestern part of the country. It was also attended by officers and followers of the Toronto Missionary Area and followers from Vancouver and Chicago. The number of attendees totaled 76.
Words of appreciation and encouragement from Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, Vice President of Seihco-No-Ie, were introduced by the emcee. Rev. Ando gave a congratulatory message. Rev. Toshiro Kobayashi (Chief of Toronto Missionary Area) and Mr. Hisakatsu Shimizu (Chairman of the Eastern Division Executive Committee) gave words of gratitude and introduced episodes behind the building of the Center.
Gifts of remembrance were given to the attendees by the Toronto Missionary Area: eco-bags bearing the emblem of the International Peace by Faith Movement.
To coincide with the ceremony, an One-Day Truth Realization Seminar was held on the following day (May 25) and was attended by 58 people. There were two lectures by Rev. Hiei Ando (National Ordained Minister) and a Q&A session.
The building of the Toronto Center as the “center of the Movement for the new era” was planned under the leadership of the late Nana Ishii, former President of Seicho-No-Ie [Canada]. The center was completed in May 1998. Subsequently, it has played the role of the center for Canada’s International Peace by Faith Movement and various events are being held in English there.
Eco-bag
Mr. George Inouye, President of Seicho-No-Ie [Canada]. commented, “Around the time of the completion of the Toronto Center, Canada’s board of directors meeting was held, which literally was the beginning of Seicho-No-Ie Canada’s activities as an incorporated organization. Next year will mark the 35th anniversary of the completion of the Vancouver Center. I would like to pass down this Movement to the next generation.”
Rev. Kobayashi, Chief of the Toronto Missionary Area, remarked, “The planning for the ceremony’s preparation started a year ago. The members of the management team and Regional Lecturers offered their help in preparing and cleaning. Thanks to their help, we could have a great milestone event. I am deeply grateful that we had an opportunity to succeed the conviction of our forerunners and pass it to our future Movement.”