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Sign up with Elynn Mizuta. Social Hour Donations are being accepted by Dick Harada. Check out the Art Display with George Gledhill. Joint the scrapbooking workshop with Delores Wood.
All of you have worked so hard to prepare for the Northwest District Buddhist Convention, you must already be tired. There is still much work to be done as I write this piece. I am sorry that I can only be of limited help in the capacity of Supervising Minister of the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple. I am honored to do what I can to help keep your temple alive as a spiritual and social center. One day, however, you will find someone who cn come here as your new Resident Minister. You will then remember how much there is for a minister to do that a Supervising Minister can't really accomplish.
Unfortunately, one of your members has already passed away since I took on my responsibilities here. Mrs. Hiroko Hasebe will be missed by her many friends here in Ontario and surrounding parts. She will also be missed by family and friends now living far away. I was honored to preside at her funeral and that was my real start as a minister who tries to provide service to this temple.
I hope you will have a chance to come in for the Sunday services on the weeks I can be here. Some of you may be so busy in your work that I will only meet you at times like funerals, and the District Convention, events we can allow to take a primary concern no matter how busy we are. I am grateful for the opportunity to see many of you some of the time I hope you will all remain well from one visit to the next. I hope you may enjoy saying the Nembutsu aloud when you can. Even sitting at a bus stop we can silently reflect on teh Buddha's name, and the kindness which surrounds it, saying "Namu Amida Butsu". I will meet you in the Nembutsu until we meet at the temple again.
Gassho, Rev. Jundo Gregory Gibbs
This is the first time we can say that we had a winter season to talk about. Sure wish for some sunshine to lift our spirits up a little - the days seem so long with the inversion hanging around for so long. Cold weather takes a toll on furnaces when we notice the heat wasn't circulating one day. Thanks to our "Master Fixer Uppers", Yasu Teramura and Sagie Nishihara who came to our rescue. The Temple appreciates their time and their knowledge for immediate attention when it's needed.
Before I forget - would like to thank Shiz Inouye and her crew for overseeing the Temple mochi use for New Year's Day and the Hoonko service. Also, would like to thank Ken Hiramatsu who helped her with the steaming of the rice, etc. A couple of automated "mochi machines" were used for the"pounding" part, so it made it easy to make.
Every January, our Choir Director, Jeanne Ozawa, has her annual potluck party. Some 30 people attended the party. This year, with the weather being so bad with ice and snow, it was decided the party would be held at the church for safety. It's hard to stay on diets when you see all those potluck dishes! We practiced on our songs that we will be singing for the Convention and the New Years party. Card playing followed.
Kathy Chatterton had a NW Convention Meeting on January 11th. We're beginning to feel the pressure of getting all the details in order. There were some changes which is normal - nothing goes 100 percent! Another meeting will be held in February to finalize for the last time. Most of the Temple had sent in their registrations. We're also getting a lot of response from our own chapter, too.
Activity Day is still going on despite the bad weather - the cooking still goes on. We've had some wonderful demo's going on. Diane from Matsy's made her family's famous "Chicken Noodle". The noodle recipe is from her grandma, and mother's recipe. Kikue Hondo made "Okara" - she had all kinds of goodies which made her "Okara" so tasty!
Fujinkai meeting will be held on February 1st at 1:00 p.m. Don't forget your $5.00 Dues!
The teachers are doing their part to keep things going in the absence of a Reverend. They are not only chairing the services, but also giving the Dharma talk and setting up the onaijin.
December 7th: Bodhi Day. Chairman was Jamie Hasebe, who also gave the Dharma talk and Karen Hata read about Bodhi Day. The children placed Bodhi leaves on our Bodhi tree.
December 14th: Sandy Belknap was chairman and George Gledhill gave the Dharma talk.
December 21st: Mary Ann Shimojima was the chairman and Reverend Gregory Gibbs, our supervising minister, gave the Dharma talk. The 21st was also our year-end party, with a delicious lunch chaired by Jayne Kameshige and Karen Hata, and the Ontario town toban. The children enjoyed a visit from Santa.
Applications are now available for the Murakami Scholarship. The application deadline is April 15, 2004. Minimum requirements are to be a high school senior, a 3.0 GPA and be a member of the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple. Contact Mike Iseri at 889.8691 for an application.
16819 Mariposa Avenue
Gardena, California 90247
Phone 310.715.1740
11/30/03 - Chairman and Time to Share: Glo Shimojima with Kathy Chatterton (sermon).
12/7/03 - Chairman and Time to Share: Ann Nagaki with George Matsuura (sermon).
Temple Clean-Up on December 28th - George Matsuura, Ken and Jeanne Ozawa, Randy, Tamiko and Payton Aarestad
Idaho Oregon Buddhist Temple
286 SE 4th Directions
PO Box 397 (mailing address)
Ontario, Oregon 97914
541-889-8562 (office)
541-889-8662 (fax)
10:00 am - IOBT Choir Practice
10:30 am - Adult Study
10:30 am - Dharma School Service
11:00 am - Adult Service
11:00 am - Dharma School Class
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