For those of us who already have that "significant other," it's a good time to reaffirm our love and commitment and not take him or her for granted.
もう結婚してるばいはおたがいのあいじょうとどりょくあたりまいとおもいないで、かんしゃするときです。

And that's one of the keys to a happy life: not taking anything or anyone for granted. And I believe this is part of the message conveyed by our recent speaker Mrs. Toshie Toriumi, who will be sharing her final Part 2 of her remarkable life in her faith experience speech this Sunday.
それがひとつのようきゆうさんのKeywordとおもいます。なんでも、だれでも、あたりまいとおもいないように。　これがこんどの鳥海敏江さんのお話のPointとおもいます。　先月のつずきPart 2のお話していただきます。

Please join us in prayer for universal brotherhood, of gratitude and joy.
どうぞ、よろずたすけのつとめをさんかに来てください。　感謝、つつしみ、よろこび。
Sunday, February 12, 2012
日曜日、２月１２日
10:00 a.m.
午前１０時
Tenrikyo Pearl Church
天理教パール教会
1634 10th Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii U.S.A.
Ph: 808-734-1449

Sincerely,
どうぞよろしくおねがいいたします。
Rev. Owen Nakao
パール会長中尾オウエン

The leadership camp and park cleanup was blessed with 8 participants including 5 girls and 3 boys of which 2 were first timers. There was a good mixture of experienced and beginner participants which enhanced the camp for all involved. The experienced campers helped out the first timers and newer leaders.

We would like to thank leadership workshop conductors Ms. Jennifer Kakitani (communication skills) and Mr. David Inouye (teamwork & general leadership skills) for conducting their workshops. The workshops provided opportunities for leaders to develop their skills as well as fine tune some skills. With different workshop conductors from previous camps, the leaders were exposed to different styles and different outlooks. Thank you Jennifer and David!

Also special thanks to Lt. Matthew Matsuoka for inviting us for a tour of the Barbers Point Coast Guard station in which camp participants got to see actual rescue equipment such as helicopters and planes first hand and up close. They also saw a video of rescue operations. Lt. Matsuoka, a helicopter pilot, said that Tenrikyo played a big role in his life especially in joining the Coast Guard, where he could literally "save people".

The Moiliili Stadium Park Cleanup and BBQ picnic went without a hitch with an estimated 70 participants. There were some new faces in among the participants and as always, is so hopeful to see small toddlers, working so hard to clean the park. A lot of white and man made trash littered the park and you could tell what a big difference we made in beautifying the park. It was a good time to reconnect with members of other affiliations. Thank you to the YMA for setting up the canopies, tables, chairs and help with the BBQing!

Sincerely,
Rev. Owen Nakao

Mahalo and aloha!
Rev. Owen Nakao

Roof recoating Hinokishin Volunteers: James Katsumoto and Morris Nakao

Taeko and I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your dedicated hinokishin efforts and sincere offerings in support of Pearl Church during this past year.  Mahalo nui loa!

We will be conducting the January Grand Service this Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 10am.  The January Grand Service is to commemorate Oyasama's withdrawal from physical life on January 26, 1887, when she "stepped out" (of her body) to "level the ground (for world salvation)."

2011 Report

1. Our monthly service attendance average was 20.8 in 2011, down from 24.5 in 2010.
2. The sazuke was administered 435 times.  Up 7 times from 418 times in 2010.
3. The highlights of 2011 were: Boy's & Girl's Association Spring Camp in March (4 adult volunteers, no children attendees), the Hawaii Convention (11 attendees), the Children's Pilgrimage to Jiba (6 attendees); the annual Tenrikyo Bazaar (16 volunteers) and the completion of a rain barrel system utilizing rain water for plants and car washing.  Numbers are based on attendees from Pearl Church only.The Hawaii Convention held on May 28-30 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village provided opportunities for members to share their faith with followers from around the world and learn different aspects of the teachings.  Members from Pearl Church held key positions in conducting and contributing to the success of the Convention.
4. We are now in the second year of the three-year, one thousand days before the mission headquarters 60th Anniversary on May 17, 2014 and the Pearl Church 80th Anniversay in the same year (date to be set).  We would like to set goals for spiritual growth in order that we may commemorate the anniversary in a manner befitting our maturity and the number of years since establishment.
5. In looking forward to 2012 we would like to again resolve to administer the sazuke this year is at least 500 times to remain focused on our mission as yoboku (useful timber: those who are using the sazuke) in buidling the joyous life world.  Please send me an email everytime you administer the sazuke so that we may record the event.
6. Also, in addition we would like to schedule service (hand dance & narimono) practices every 4th Sunday at 10am.  Please make every effort to attend as we work toward our 80th Anniversary in 2014.

Sincerely,
Rev. Owen Nakao

あけましておめでとうございます。　ことしもどうぞうよろしくおねがいいたします！
パール教会１月大祭
１月８日
午前１０時から午後１時まで
住所：1634 10th Avenue
Tel: 734-1449

パール会長より

明日はもちつきです！
１２月３０日午前９から
天理教ハワイ伝道庁
２９２０　Pali Highway

持ちつき、丸めるのてつだいお願いいたします。

Rev. Owen Nakao
パール会長
中尾オウエン

Everyone, please welcome Shoko Kazaoka from Osaka (originally from Hyogo Prefecture) who will be studying English in Hawaii for 6 months. A non-Tenrikyo follower, she will be attending the Institute of Intensive English. Please introduce yourself when you have the chance. English only please to enhance her educational experience.

12/26 9am Yohaishiki at Mission HQ and MHQ general cleaning
12/30 7am Mochi pounding at MHQ
12/31 9am Pearl Church general cleaning
1/1 7am Pearl Church New Year Service
10am MHQ New Year Service
1/14 9am MHQ Adopt a Highway cleaning　Hinokishin. No children under 12.
Wishing everyone a happy holiday season and joyous new year!

Rev. Owen & Taeko Nakao

今年も年末の楽しい季節がやって来ました。　皆さまいかがお過ごしでしょうか。　どうぞ元気で新しい年をお迎えください。
さて、
パール教会では英語学校のホームステイの学生さんをお預かりしています。
笠岡しょう子さんです。神戸市出身で６カ月間英語の勉強に来ています。天理教の方ではありません。どうぞ英語で話しかけてあげてください。

年末年始のスケジュール
１２/２６日　９時より　天理教ハワイ伝道庁　遥拝式、　年末大掃除
１２/３０日　７時より　伝道庁にて、餅つき
１２/３１日　９時より　パール教会　大掃除
１月　１日　７時より　パール教会　元旦祭
１０時　　伝道庁　元旦祭
１月１４日　　９時　　伝道庁よりＰａｌi High way 清掃ひのきしん　（１２歳以上から　大人対象）

パール会長
中尾オウエン

For many who attended the service it was a time to experience the joy of communion with God and share in the experiences of people who went through and survived very difficult times. Thank you to the speakers Carl Nakao and Yasue Uegawachi and all who contributed to making the service possible. Mahalo!

Wishing you all a happy holiday season!
Rev. Owen and Taeko Nakao

Please read "Saved from Cancer" by Carl Nakao and "Surviving the Atomic Blast in Hiroshima" by Yasue Uegawachi. And this month's prayer.

1. "Saved from Cancer" by Carl Nakao
2. "Surviving the Atomic Blast in Hiroshima" by Yasue Uegawachi

Saved from Cancer

By Carl Nakao

Thank you Pastor Owen for the opportunity to speak today and Taeko for translating.

I'd like to take this opportunity to share with you my thoughts on expressing gratitude. It's easy to remember during the holidays especially starting with Thanksgiving to be thankful for our many blessings. I am embarrassed to admit though how I sometimes take for granted the most important things in my life.

At the Tenrikyo Hawaii Convention this past year, there was one exercise where we had broken down into smaller groups for discussion. We were asked among other things to list people that have taken care of us and how we thanked them. The exercise reminded me not to take people in my life for granted and to express appreciation for them in not only words but also by my actions by doing things for them.

We are taught that our minds alone are our own, however our bodies are a thing lent and borrowed from God. It will be five years this coming March since being diagnosed with cancer. This is a big milestone, as they say that the chances of a recurrence after five years are almost as if I had never been diagnosed with it in the first place. The milestone is also a BIG reminder for me to be thankful for my health, by expressing gratitude to God the Parent in my thoughts and words through the service and in my actions by doing Hinokishin diligently. Taking the 60th Hawaii Dendocho Anniversary slogan to heart, "Now is the time for mutual help. Hinokishin with a smile. One world one family."

Today I am truly blessed with good health, a great family and friends.

I'd like to thank everyone - here and not here - especially Karen - for your kindness, thoughts and prayers over these past years.

Surviving the Atomic Blast in Hiroshima

By Yasue Uegawachi

This month on December 7th we commemorated the 70th Anniversary since the attack on Pearl Harbor which ignited the war with Japan. Four years later the war ended when atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima & Nagasaki. As part of our legacy to the younger generation, we have asked Mrs. Yasue Uegawachi to share her experience as an atomic bomb survivor.

Good morning! My name is Yasue Uegawachi. Mrs. Taeko asked me to give a short speech for today’s monthly service. It was a little difficult for me to remember what happen 65 years ago, especially for me, now 81 years old. I was born in El Centro, California. However, when I was 3 years old, my family was repatriated to the country side of Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. We lived on an island called Nishinomi-jima. In April 1942 my parents sent me to Yasuda Girls High School in Hiroshima City and stayed in a dorm. In my third (senior) year, all students were mobilized by the military to work at a factory everyday at a place called Misasa. That is the place I was when the atomic bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945 at 8:15 in the morning. I later learned that it was dropped from a B-29 plane. I was told that grass and plants wouldn’t grow for decades in the area where the bomb was dropped. When the bomb exploded at 8:15, the first thing I saw was a bright yellow light and then I saw a seven colored rainbow light and instantaneously I lost consciousness. When I came to, I was face down on the ground. It was total darkness so I stayed there for a while. Then I heard people talking so I woke up and I realized that the factory had collapsed.

Fortunately, the roof fell slightly away from me avoiding injury. I was going this way and that way in a crowd of people in this burning building. I started to run away from the building, deeper into the mountains. On the way, I rested in the bamboo forest and it started to rain. I then realized that the rain was black. It was black rain. Finally I came to a farm house where I met six other students. I was so horrified and shocked and totally confused. I stayed overnight. All I remembered was that the farm family gave each of us a rice ball with salted plum (musubi and ume) and that it was so delicious.

The next morning we thanked the family and headed toward Yokokawa Train station. However, it was such a long distance that we got very tired. I don’t remember where it was but we found a building which had a handwritten sign saying, “Yasuda Girls High School Office.” So I waited there, lost in thought. I don’t remember how many hours passed, but I saw someone approaching and when I looked carefully and I saw that it was a man. Because he was still far away I couldn’t see well, but he looked like my father. So I ran to him and asked if he was Mr. Goro Kobayashi. He responded, “Oh Yasue, you’re still alive!” and we were so happy to see each other. We left the office and started to walk over a long distance. Hiroshima City was burnt to the ground. I was so horrified and thought what a cruel bomb was dropped. I was so shocked to see this sight. Again my brain went empty and I couldn’t even think. I couldn’t even feel horrified and be fearful even though we were in such a hellish place. My mind wasn’t working. I was in a daze. My father gave me a handkerchief and told me to cover my nose and mouth as we walked. We went back to Nishinomi-jima where my family was waiting for our return.

Encounter with Mrs. Tomiko Nakao

In 1950, I got married to a Maui man, lived in Maui for awhile and moved to Honolulu.

In 1953, I went to Farrington adult night school and met Mrs. Tomiko Nakao. We were both young and we both came from Japan and we talked a lot. Years and decades have passed since then. I am humbled by Mrs. Nakao’s patience and spirit. No matter what hardship she went through, she overcame with her mind, spirit and patience. I was so fortunate to have a good friend and I really appreciate that. Also, all these 57 years, her husband, Rev. Yoshinobu Nakao, I really appreciate his care and compassion.

In 1995, I finally retired from my job, and I decided not to go out at night and when it’s raining to take care of my health. To prevent aging, I took calligraphy class at Moiliili Community School. Also, from 7 years ago, I started to take an abacus class to keep my mind active, through counting and calculating. In regards to my health, I am not doing anything special, but I try to get enough sleep, eat healthy and get some exercise.

I also took a shiatsu and got a massage license about 27 years ago. I do shiatsu on myself to keep in good health.

Three years ago I met Mrs. Taeko by chance, at Kalakaua housing Hale Makua. Through Mrs. Taeko and her husband Rev. Owen’s care and kindness, I am always looking forward to coming to this monthly service. I feel privileged to be able to give this speech. Thank you for listening to my story.

Announcements

1. Thank you for bringing your deposit cans and bottles for our fundraising drive. Please continue bringing your deposit cans and bottles and any yard work referrals. Recently funds have been used to purchase parts for a rain barrel harvesting system to utilize and for a recent gas leak repair. Thank you very much.
2. As announced last month we will be purchasing electricity at a discount from a company who will install their solar panels at no cost to us. After the 12 year contract expires, we will have the option to purchase the panels or have them removed. Installation is scheduled for sometime in January next year.
3. The mission headquarters 60th Anniversary will be celebrated on May 17, 2014. In preparation, the Hawaii Women’s Association is continuing their piggy bank fund drive to purchase new pew cushions in time for the 60th Anniversary. Please express your gratitude for your daily blessings by making a small daily contribution to the piggy bank.
4. Please recognize Elmer Nakao, who just completed the Honolulu Marathon.

God the Parent, we are grateful for Your constant protection and gradual instruction that guides us on the path to spiritual growth. In this last month of this 174th year of Tenrikyo we are all striving for the sake of single-hearted salvation while leaning on the ever-living Oyasama and we give thanks for the many and continuous blessings we have received throughout the year.

Today, for this December monthly service at Pearl Church, the service performers will now unite their hearts to perform the seated service and Teodori joyfully and in high spirits. Please accept our prayers as we brothers and sisters of this Path have looked forward to this day and have gathered before You to sing the Mikagura-uta.

Through your blessing the rain barrel project was completed in November thereby reducing the need for pure water from the city’s water supply. Twelve persons attended the thanksgiving dinner held on November 24 and also, two junior leaders and two adult leaders from Pearl Church participated in the Boy’s and Girl’s Association Leaders Fun camp held at the mission HQ on November 25 through 26. In addition, an average of two persons helped with the weekly yard work on neglected sidewalks and various private yards as well as the Tenri Cultural Center throughout the year. The Sazuke was administered a total of 31 times for the month of November and a blessing service was conducted for a place of business on October 8th. We thank you deeply for these blessings.

In the remaining days of this year we vow to work together engaging in hinokishin and salvation work with a unity of mind and continue to encourage as many people as possible to return to Jiba.

We pray that Your guidance will strengthen us into worthy Yoboku, striving with a single heart for the salvation of others. We hope that our efforts will bring joy to You and peace in this world where all people help one another as brothers and sisters. With our minds in unity toward the Truth of the Jiba, we would like to spiritedly perform the last monthly service of the 174th Year of Tenrikyo.

In union with the congregation, I pray for these blessings.

Also, this past December 7th we commemorated the 70th Anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack which ignited the war with Japan and ended with atomic bombs dropping on Hiroshima & Nagasaki.

Some of you may not know that Mrs. Yasue Uegawachi our regular monthly service attendee is a atomic bomb survivor. She will share with us some of her experiences on that fateful day in this month's sermon. And also a few words of gratitude from Mr. Carl Nakao.

Monthly Service
December 11, 2011
Sunday, 10am
Tenrikyo Pearl Church
1634 10th Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
Phone: 808-734-1449

パール教会月次祭
１２月１１日
午前１０時から午後１時まで
住所：1634 10th Avenue
Tel: 734-1449

パール会長より