The Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin BWA113th Shinnen Enkai (new year’s party) and general membership meeting and luncheon will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26, at the Sangha Hall in Hilo.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. The theme is “Building Healthy Sanghas: Embracing Generosity and Openness.”
The service will be conducted by Rimban Shindo Nishiyama. Also on the program is welcoming new members and an oral and slide presentation of the 16th World Buddhist Women’s Convention by the five BWA members who attended their first world convention, which was held in San Francisco. After lunch, a great program is planned, along with Bingo.
“Our BWA members and guests will enjoy learning about the experiences of the delegates who attended the World Buddhist Women’s Convention,” said Bessie Kubo, general chairwoman.
Those who attended are: Hilo BWA President Carole Tsutsumi, Ellen Okano, Barbara Fujimoto, Theo Kushi and BJ Soriano.
There were 1,700 delegates from around the world in attendance.
The BWA World Convention is presented every four years, and the next convention will be in Kyoto, Japan.
When asked what impressed them the most at the convention, President Carole Tsutsumi said: “I enjoyed meeting members from the different countries as well as other states.”
Tickets for the BWA Shinnen Enkai are available at the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo office at 398 Kilauea Ave. until Jan. 19.
Cost is $5 for BWA members and $10 for nonmembers and includes lunch. For more information, call Bessie Kubo at 959-5543 or besskubo@twc.com