Everyone is welcome to attend any of the scheduled meetings.
Gatha Fest slated for Feb. 26
The theme of the 38th annual Gatha Fest is “Live the Nembutsu in Harmony.”
Puna Hongwanji Mission at Keaau will be hosting this year’s Gatha Fest on Sunday, Feb. 26.
Hongwanji temples island-wide will participate in this event. Each temple will be presenting their selected gatha. Additional groups such as Jr. YBA, Island Ministers and Dharma School Teachers will take part.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and a short service will begin at 9 a.m. followed by the Gatha Fest.
This year’s gathering will be dedicated to Jane Imamura, wife of the late Bishop Kanmo Imamura. Jane Imamura died on Dec. 26, 2011, in Berkeley, Calif. She wrote many children’s gathas and was very active with the BWA. The Rev. David Fujimoto will be elaborating more on Imamura and her contributions. Her gatha, “Nirvana’s Bliss,” will be sung during the service.
The gatha chosen this year for all participants to sing is “A Flower Grows,” written by Linda Castro.
The songfest is under the sponsorship of the Hawaii District Hongwanji Dharma School Teachers Association.
Church to host Stake Conference
There will be a Stake Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 25-26, at the Stake Center, 1373 Kilauea Ave. in Hilo.
The adult session will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, in the chapel.
On Sunday, Feb. 26, there will be a meeting in the Religion Society Room at 8:30 p.m. for new members, reactivated and investigators. The General Conference session will be held at 10 a.m. in the chapel for everyone.
Everyone is welcome to attend any of the scheduled meetings.