The 54th annual Nuuanu Valley Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration will feature inspirational words, music and a youth presentation underscoring the event’s theme, "The Joy of Service to All."
The longest-running interfaith Thanksgiving service in Hawaii is open to the public, 7 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Community Church of Honolulu, 2345 Nuuanu Ave. Congregations in Nuuanu Valley take turns hosting the annual celebration, according to a news release.
Participants are encouraged to bring snacks to share after the service.
This year organizers have designated Family Promise of Hawaii to receive the entire offering collected at the service. Family Promise’s mission is to use community resources to aid homeless families with children and help them become independent.
Among the event’s sponsors and organizers are Baha’i Faith in Hawaii, Community Church of Honolulu, First Unitarian Church of Honolulu, Harris United Methodist Church, Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, United Church of Christ-Judd Street, Nuuanu Congregational Church, Soka Gakkai International-USA and Temple Emanu-El. For more information visit facebook.com/nuuanuinterfaith.
Hongwanji temples host range of events
Shin Buddhist temples under the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii will be holding a music seminar and memorial services this weekend, and a family craft fair next weekend.
Here are the details for the events:
>> A seminar titled "Modern American Buddhist Music" will be held 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today at Moiliili Hongwanji Mission, 902 University Ave. A suggested donation of $10 includes refreshments and lunch. The seminar will be conducted by B.J. Soriano of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin. Call 949-1659.
>> Eitaikyo major memorial services, featuring the Rev. Shingo Furusawa, resident minister of Honokaa Hongwanji Mission, will start at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin temple, 1727 Pali Highway. Board elections and a special presentation will follow.
>> The Hongwanji Mission School’s Family Fun and Craft Fair is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Betsuin temple. Among the highlights: food and game booths, a bounce house, a photo booth, a rummage sale, holiday crafts, live entertainment and "President Arthur Nakagawa’s famous chili," according to a news release.
Faith groups focus on climate change
Hawaii Interfaith Power and Light and the Church of the Crossroads Honolulu are hosting a climate change teach-in to address the impacts of global warming.
Speakers include staff from the University of Hawaii, Christian and interfaith leaders, and representatives from environmental organizations such as the Sierra Club, Blue Planet Foundation and 350.org Hawaii.
The event is slated for 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 21 at the church, 1212 University Ave.
In addition to a discussion about ecosystems in Hawaii and elsewhere, presentations will be made on how Hawaii’s faith groups and congregations have responded to injustices and challenges tied to climate change, and what can be accomplished in partnership with local groups.
The teach-in and other climate change events are sponsored by Hawaii Interfaith Power and Light in advance of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, which takes place Nov. 30 to Dec. 11. More information is available online at hipl.org.
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Star-Advertiser staff
