■ 2003 March

Fire Drill
On March 1, Konko Church of Izuo had a fire drill in cooperation with fire office’s “Spring Fire Prevention Champaign.” Sadogatake-beya, Sumo wrestler team, has a camp at Izuo Church for the Grand Sumo Osaka Tournament and attended. There are more than 100 attendees and all the local medias paid the attention to the drill.

Sumo wrestlers made bucket brigade

They made a provision for the fire drill that several believers breezed smoke at the Sacred Hall and fell into a faint. It was so serious drill that they broke out an imitation door with a deluge gun and a power saw.

rescue team broke out an imitation door

Then they tried artificial respiration using an effigy under rescue member’s direction. Sumo wrestlers and other attendees took part in awkwardly but seriously because the first a few minutes are so important for emergency that it would decide the fate.

water-discharge drill by Sumo wrestler and fire fighters

At the end of the drill, Taisho Fire Office members showed water-discharge drill with Sumo wrestlers from a hook-and-ladder truck and a fire engine. The Sumo wrestlers experienced how strong pressure the hoses has when the professional fire fighters control them.

Guests from UUA
On March 2, Konko Church of Izuo had distinguished guests from Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) in the US, President William Sinkford and his partner, Chair D. Olson and her husband, International Director O. Homes.

UUA and Izuo Church have had deep relationship since 1960’s when Rev. Dana Greeley, Founder of UUA, and the late Rev. Toshio Miyake, Founder of Izuo Church, had communication. They successfully established trusting relationship beyond the difference of nation and religion, so that they contributed to open door for the interfaith dialogue in the late 21st century leading the world to the foundation of World Conference of Religion and Peace (WCRP).

President and Chair of UUA offered a sacred twig to the altar

Considering the above, it was meaningful that the party that had arrived Japan just the previous day visited Izuo Church for the first of their tour of Japanese religious organizations. They paid a visit to the Sacred Hall and offered a sacred twig to the altar as well as offered a prayer for the late Rev. Toshio Miyake.

Senior Chief Minister exchanged the opinion with them

Then the party had a meeting with the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister, to analyze the tensioned international situation around Iraqi War and exchange opinions on the management of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) that has difficulty in the finance with Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake.

Cultural Communication Program
On March 3,6, and 11, each five consul generals to Osaka from PRC, Russia, Switzerland, Thailand, and Indonesia visited Konko Church of Izuo to exchange opinions on the international issue.

the most reverend meeting with counsel generals

This is the annual program, and the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister, and Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director, attended analyzing international issues including Iraqi problem and exchanging opinions on Japanese politics.

counsel generals enjoying Chanko-nabe

The consul generals attending the program saw the training of Sadogatake-beya, Sumo team, that had a camp at Izuo Church for Osaka Tournament, and tried Chanko-nabe*.

*Chanko-nabe: the traditional Sumo Wrestlers’ stew with vegetables, meat, and fish

Medallist Skaters Visited KCI
On March 4, Mr. Philippe Candeloro and 21 Olympic Games Medallist Skaters who came to Osaka from Europe to perform an Ice dance show “Fantasy on Ice” visited Konko Church of Izuo.

medalists visiting KCI

They watched training of Sadogatake-beya, Sumo team that had a camp at Izuo Church, first. Even though there is a big difference between Sumo and skating, they could have something in common as a well-trained athlete, so the skaters concentrated to watch the training for no less than tow hours.

Mr. Candeloro competing the muscle force with Sumo wrestler

After the training, the skaters and some of Sumo wrestlers had communication each other, such that Ms. Surya Bonaly who succeeded quadruple jump for the fist time as a woman asked eagerly about the unique training of Sumo wrestlers who had a huge but pliant body.

medallists paid a visit to the Sacred Hall

Then all the medallist skaters paid a visit to the Sacred Hall of Izuo Church receiving a lecture about Konko Church from Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director. There attended a lot of Russian skaters among them, so Rev. Miyake who had majored the ritual of Russian Orthodox Church at the Doshisha Divinity Scholl illustrated that of Konko Church comparing Russian Church. His lecture acquired a favorable reputation to understand easy.

skaters receiving a lecture from Rev. Y. Miyake

Reception for UUA
On March 6 members of International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) Japan Liaison Conference (JLC) had a reception to welcome executives from Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) at a famous traditional Japanese restaurant in Kyoto. Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, who serves IARF as an International Council member, attended the reception from Konko Church of Izuo as Executive Director.

reception flourished

It was the only opportunity that UUA executives had a meeting with JLC members all together while they visited around some of JLC member organizations and Hiroshima Peace Park starting with Izuo Church. They as main members of IARF discussed the management and several issues that would be the focal point at the Council meeting held in Oxford, UK in late March over enjoying traditional Japanese cuisine at a famous restaurant that had been a stage for Meiji Restoration.

Guest from UN Association Japan
On March 11, Mr. Tetsuo Hayashi, Chair of Executives of U.N. Association of Japan, visited Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director, at Konko Church of Izuo.

Izuo Church has had a long relationship with UN Association of Japan since the era of the late Rev. Toshio Miyake, the founder of the Church, and the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister, belongs it as a full member in present. Rev. Y. Miyake recently has worked as contact between the association and the church, and he is one of the members of a voluntary study group.

Mr. Hayashi and Rev. Y. Miyake

Mr. Hayashi asked Rev. Y. Miyake for recommendation of a lecture for the seminar that the association holds 8 times a year, in anticipation that Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake has broad connection in various field.

The 3rd World Water Forum, Opening Ceremony
On March 16, Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister’s Designated of Konko Church of Izuo, offered a prayer at the opening ceremony of the 3rd World Water Forum (March 16-23) in Kyoto, Osaka, and Shiga Prefectures.

opening ceremony with the attendance of HRH Crown Prince and Princess

The opening ceremony was held at Kyoto International Conference Hall with distinguish guests from the world including HRH Crown Prince Naruhito and HRH Princess Masako. It was opened with the message from HE Mr. Jacques Chirac, President of the Republic of France, who was against the US and the UK tending to attack Iraq despite the UN resolution. The 3rd World Water Forum was as if it were a mirror reflecting the confused world situation. The sponsor carried out a portentous body check on the alert for terrorism at the opening ceremony with Crown Princes of Morocco and the Netherlands it could be said it did not fit for “Water Forum.”

opening prayer

Rev. Miyake who serves as Chair of Development and Environment Committee of World Conference of Religion and Peace (WCRP) and other 6 members from various religious groups of WCRP poured “sacred water” that they had brought from every part of the earth into one bowl on the stage in the main hall wishing the much result of this forum.

Oyobidashi Service
On March 20, Oyobidashi Service was held at Konko Church of Izuo. All the names of the Church members’ ancestors those who are enshrined Izuo Church since the foundation in 1927 were called out in the Spring and Autumn Oyobidashi Service.

Senior Chief Minister and his successor called out the names

The Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake and his three sons, Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister’s Designated, Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Chief Minister of Kasugaoka Church, and Rev. Osamu Miyake, Chief Minister of Kobe-Nada Church, kept calling by turns for more than seven hours.

Spring Grand Ancestor’s Service

Rev. M. Miyake and priests toward the Prayer’s Pagoda

On March 21, Spring Grand Ancestors Service was served at Konko Church of Izuo. At first, Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister’s Designated, offered a special prayer in front of the Prayer’s Pagoda for those who newly enshrined in this half year. Bereaved family attended the service.

Senior Chief Minister offering a sacred twig

Then the Grand Service was held at the Sacred Hall. The perishables from field and sea were dedicated to the altar and the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister, offered a prayer and a sacred twig as the Chief Priest. And he offered the huge sacred twig to the altar on behalf of all the believers to express their appreciation for the ancestor, and he delivered a sermon in the end of the service.

Senior Chief Minister offering the huge sacred twig

The Iraq War was broke out on the previous day, so the most reverend wondering a lot of citizens would be wounded requested the congregations to stand up to chant a prayer for peace hand in hand wishing the ASAP conclusion of the war and the safety of civil people.

Wish Children's Healthy Growth and Good Results at School

On March 30, Konko Church of Izuo held a special service for children in order to celebrate their graduation and enrollment and wish their further accomplishment at school. Japanese school year starts April 1. Many students from kindergarteners to college students attended the service leaded by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister’s Designated.

representatives received a gift from Senior Chief Minister

Ms. Megumi Miyake, who passed to Teikyo University in Tokyo this spring, delivered a speech at the gathering. Then representatives of new students received a gift from the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister, and at the end of the ceremony, the most reverend offered a prayer wishing their good health and achievement.

attending kids listing to the most reverend