Leaders' Workshop and Public Lecture in Southern California Draw A Total of About 380 People
Study of Coexistence between Nature and Man
The Southern California Missionary Area’s Leaders’ Workshop (Japanese and English) was held on September 26 at the United States Missionary Headquarters in Gardena, California and was attended by 30 people. On September 27, Public Lecture (Japanese and English) was held at the Japan America Theatre in Los Angeles under the sponsorship of the Southern California Missionary Area. The number of attendees was 352, 41 of whom (10 %) were first-timers.
The study at the Leaders’ Workshop included study of the coexistence between nature and man and natural world view of the major traditional world religions based on the content of the Seicho-No-Ie Special Conference for World Peace held in Brazil in August 2009 as well as the use of the Internet to effectively spread the Movement.
The Leaders’ Workshop was guided by Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara (Ordained Minister, Bishop of the United States Missionary Headquarters) and Rev. Mario Kawakami (Ordained Minister, Chief of Southern California Missionary Area). Using the Seimei no Jisso (Truth of Life), Vol. 7 as her text, Rev. Teshigawara gave two lectures, including “Seicho-No-Ie’s Mission for the Realization of World Peace.” Rev. Kawakami lectured on “The Religious Significance of Dealing with the Environmental Issue and the Importance of the Internet.” He also gave another lecture.
The Public Lecture, which was attended by more than 350 people, was held on the theme, “Change Is the Opportunity for Happiness and Prosperity.” There were lectures by Reverends Teshigawara and Kawakami as well as testimonial presentations by members.
To promote the Public Lecture flyers were printed and distributed at Readers’ Meetings and Sunday Services. Also the flyers together with the Truth of Life Magazines were given to stores and other places around the lecture site. It was also advertised on local television and in newspapers.
According to the Southern California Missionary Area, a simultaneous interpretation system was used at both the Workshop and the Public Lecture. This allowed the attendees to listen to the lectures either in Japanese or English, so that they gained a deeper understanding of the teachings. It was well received.
REMARKS BY REV. MARIO KAWAKAMI, CHIEF OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MISSIONARY AREA
“The Leaders’ Workshop, which was held with the objective of contributing to world peace as a Missionary Area, included the study of the importance of honesty and obedience, gratitude and joy, in addition to the practice of prayer and the teachings. The Public Lecture was a great success, thanks to the help of many leaders and members who made plans from a few months before and managed the event. I hope to build on this experience and strengthen activities in the future.”