Hello, Everyone!
Today my heart is filled with awesome gratitude to see so many people come here from all over to support and encourage us. Thank you, each and every one, so very much.
In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. very famously declared to the world, "I have a dream...." on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
Like Dr. King, I too have dreamed of being of service in this world. Actually, I've envisioned a number of dreams in the last 12 years. In welcoming you to this dedication, my greatest dream has come true beyond all measure through Kami's blessing. Here's why.
My family and I decided to come to Chicago in 1997. But I believe Mr. & Mrs. Shinkichi & Ume Nishimura may well be the guiding pioneer spirits of this ministry. The Nishimuras became Konko believers in Seattle, WA some 90 years ago. Mr. Nishimura died in a WWII internment camp. After the War, Ume Nishimura moved in with her family to Chicago upon their release.
The Nishimura family has kept the spark of their Konko faith alive and followed their beliefs in Chicago all these years. We have acknowledged our appreciation to the Nishimuras as the inspirational foundation of this ministry since we opened the doors of the Konko Propagation Hall. And this was another dream I had. I prayed that one day I'd see all the Nishimuras descendants gathered here in celebration with their parents' Mitama spirits. This dream has come true today. The Nishimuras are here.
Another dream has to do with my friends and family who live in Japan. For more than a decade I have dreamed that one day they would come to Chicago and enjoy a meaningful time with us. This too also has come true.
Rev. Keiki Otsubo, assistant head-minister of my home church of Airaku, has led a group of 20 guests from Japan, including his uncle, Rev. Mitsuaki Otsubo, who also happens to be my brother-in-law, and his wife, Mrs. Emiko Otsubo, who is, of course, my sister.
I met Rev. Keiki's grandfather, the Rev. Soichiro Otsubo, when I was 15. The more I saw of him, the more I was awestruck by his nature and great dignity. This impression only grew when I trained my faith under his guidance for 20 years. I was moved to tears to see all of the guests from Japan here in Chicago.
But as far as this country is concerned, none of these dreams might have happened without the Uzunoes. Rev. Nobuharu Uzunoe
generously supported my desire to do missionary work in the United States. He and his wife, Rev. Michie's, unwavering faith in Kami have been guiding lights to the success of this ministry.
To them must be added Head Ministers Rev. Takao Kishii of the Toronto Church and Rev. Michihiro Yuasa of Seattle, who are here today as prominent leaders of our faith in North America. Rev. Mrs. Toshiko Kishii also played the Koto and Miss Stephanie Laite of Toronto shared a lovely Sacred Dance (Kibimai). Your presence has enriched today's ceremony and we thank you very much!
I would also like to thank Rev. Mitsuaki Otsubo for today's impressive sermon, which feeds my vision for this new church. His wife, Mrs. Emiko Otsubo, my sister, played the Koto music to precede the ceremony. I am deeply grateful for both.
I have dreamed that believers and friends in Chicago and even local people from different religions might join in this kind of celebration to discover our ideal of religious harmony and become an example of tolerance for a world family of faiths.
Finally, and most importantly, I have had a dream that we would have a church in Chicago some day and that the Dedication Ceremony of the new Konko Church of Chicago would be filled with loving, peaceful, joyful hearts united by Kami's glory. I am humbled to invite you to look around, you are all the proof that dream appears to have been miraculously fulfilled beyond all
measure.
Konko Daijin assured us, "When people live out the following statement daily in their lives, 'On this very day pray with a single heart.
Divine blessings are within your own grateful and caring heart full of harmony and joy,' the glory of Kami will appear and true world peace will be attained."
It is through the demonstration of Kami's glory by our faith and lives that we can help achieve the happiness this world definitely needs. This is the foundation on which to bring about true harmony in our homes and genuine peace in the world. This is the essence of the Divine Reminder.
To commemorate today's ceremony, we would like to present each of you your own framed Divine Reminder. Please put it in a prominent place. Keep this message in mind and use it at any time. Then I believe you will be blessed fully.
I hope you all feel, as I do, that something of great importance for our lives has taken place in this ceremony. I thank you.
- 150th Anniversary -
Ikigami Konko Daijin Grand Ceremony and Dedication of the
new Konko Church of Chicago
―立教150年記念―
生神金光大神大祭並びに開教記念祭
Konko Church of Chicago
6447 N. Albany Ave.
Chicago
IL,
60645
Tel/Fax (773) 465-5406
E-mail:
masanoritakeuchi@sbcglobal.net
Home Page: http://www.chicago.wagakokoronet.org
SERVICE
ORDER
1.
Opening Address by Emcee
(Mr. Tim Ogawa)
2.
Processional
参向/着席 –
Officiants
3.
Solemn Greeting*
拝礼 –
Congregation
4.
Mediation Prayer –
Congregation
取次唱詞奉唱
(Please
join in reciting together)
Let us seek the Mediation of Konko Daijin
with a pure and single heart
each and every day.
May we receive the Mediation anew
with all our hearts and souls
On this day, this very moment.
Ikigami Konko Daijin Sama, Ikigami Konko Daijin Sama.
Ikigami Konko Daijin Sama, Ikigami Konko Daijin Sama.
5.
Adoration Prayer -
Congregation
神徳賛詞奉唱 (Please
join in reciting together)
We lift our eyes in awe toward heaven, soaring above, (Leader)
We lift our eyes in awe toward heaven, soaring above.
We bow our heads in prayer toward earth, rich and
deep.
Living amid such gifts of Kami's great giving,
How happy and grateful we are!
The Mediation of the Living spirits does not stop for
a single day.
The protection of the Parent Kami embraces all, far
and wide.
The blessings of Kami flow without limit through all
generations.
The ways of Kami are mysterious and wondrous,
beyond our understanding
Day by day, every day, earnestly and reverently,
We praise the virtues of Kami,
We honor the power of Kami.
6.
Ceremony Prayer
祭詞奏上
-
Head Officiant
7.
Symbolic Offering of True Heart
– Head Officiant
祭主玉串奉奠
8.
Recitation of Divine Reminder –
Congregation
天地書附奉体
(Please join in reciting together)
Ikigami Konko Daijin
Tenchi Kane No Kami
Isshin ni negae
Okage wa waga kokoro ni ari
Knogetsu konnichi de tanomei
Pray sincerely,
With all your heart.
Be one with Kami.
Kami's blessings begin within
Hearts grateful and caring,
In harmony and joy.
Look to Kami always,
Now and forever.
On this very day, pray.
9.
Symbolic Offering of True Heart by Representatives
参拝者代表玉串奉奠
Guest speaker:
Rev. Mitsuaki Otsubo (KC Airaku)
KCNA CAM:Rev. Roderick Hashimoto (KC Vancouver)
Ministers from other religions:
Rev. Lee Barker (Meadville/Lombard Theological School), Rev. Masahito Kimura (Tenrikyo Washington Church),
Mrs. Yoshiko Murakami (Rissho Kosei Kai Chicago Branch)
Representatives
in the Japanese American Community in
Chicago:
Mr. Ralph Fujimoto (CJAC), Mrs. Akiko Sugano (NCJAA),
Mrs. Yoshiko Urayama (Chicago
Shimpo)
Parent
Church in Japan:
Rev. Keiki Otsubo (KC Airaku)
Parent
Church in the
USA:
Rev. Michie Uzunoe (KC Portland)
Ministers in the
USA:
Rev. Michihiro Yuasa (KC Seattle),
Rev. Joanne Tolosa (KC San Francisco),
Rev. Toshio Ota (KPH
Lancaster)
Ministers from
Japan and Brazil:
Rev. Aiko Ikejiri, Rev. Fukuyo Otsubo, Rev. Sumio Ikemoto,
Rev. Ryoichi Iwai
Believers'
representatives in the USA and Canada:
Mrs. Setsuko Yoshida (KC Toronto),
Mr. Randy Akagi (KC Portland), Mrs. Miyako Dusek (Tacoma
Fellowship), Mrs. Jean Kawahatsu (KC Sacramento), Mr. Shigeo
Kosugi (KC Gardena), Ms. Vivian Spies (KC San Diego)
Believers'
representatives from
Japan:
Mr. Katsumi Ikejiri, Mr. Yuji Ando, Mr. Takanobu Yasutake,
Mr. Tetsuo Iida, Mrs. Toshiko Kumai
Representatives
in KC Chicago:
Mrs. Masae Ogawa, Mrs. Shizuko Kusumoto, Mrs. May Ogawa, Mr.
Harold Noji, Mrs. Ruby Noji, Mr. Tony Berardi, Mr. Michael
Knuppel
Shintokai
president:
Mr. Tim Ogawa (Everyone, please join him)
10.
Sacred Dance
吉備舞 –
Miss Stephanie Laite,
『今日の御祭り(Celebration)』Konko Church of Toronto
11.
Hymn "In Praise of Konko Daijin"
「親神のよざしのままに」斉唱
– Congregation
(Separate Paper)
12.
Sermon
御教話
- Rev. Mitsuaki
Otsubo,
Interpreter:
Mr. Takanobu Yasutake,
Konko
Church of Airaku,
Japan
13.
In Gratitude on the 150th Anniversary of
the
Founding of the Konko Faith –
Congregation
立教150年御礼祈願詞
(Please
join in reciting together)
Let us praise Tenchi Kane No Kami, the Divine Parent
of the Universe
Let us praise Ikigami Konko Daijin, the Divine
Mediator
Our Founder, Konko Daijin, worshipped Kami as the
Divine Parent
And answered Kami's Call to Mediation.
The work of Mediation has continued since that time,
From the Founder through five generations,
And the blessings of Kami have been revealed to the
world.
Through the years and across generations,
This sacred Way of Mediation has been handed down to
us
By the dedication of numerous predecessors.
Mysterious are the Workings of Kami that led us to
this Faith,
Countless are the blessings that we have received.
As we celebrate 150 years since Kami revealed the
Call,
Let us give sincere thanks for the blessings of this
Way.
Now, on this day, we bow our heads in prayer,
And receive the Truth of Divine Mediation.
Daily, we renew our joy at being allowed to live
In Kami's infinite love, in Kami's limitless virtue.
Let us share with others this Way of Mediation,
That all may realize Kami's blessings and be saved.
Let us answer Kami's earnest Wish for the happiness
of all,
For the mutual fulfillment of Kami and humanity.
Thus we pray, believers all,
United with a single heart,
That Kami's great Wish be fulfilled.
14. Greetings
御挨拶 – Head
Officiant
15. Solemn
Acknowledgement*
拝礼 -
Congregation
16.
Recessional
退下 – Officiants
17.
Closing Remarks by Emcee
*Clap four times together----
As a tradition of the Konko religion, we begin our
prayers and services by clapping our hands four times.
This gesture, performed with whole-hearted sincerity,
symbolizes our concept of working together---"Mutual
Reliance" between the Principle Parent of the Universe and
human beings.
One hand alone, cannot make a sound.
Together, both hands are needed to create a clapping
sound. In the
same way, we believe that we need the Principle Parent in
order to live/survive, and the Principle Parent needs us
"children" in order to be fulfilled, so together, we have a
mutual reliance and can be happy.
Officiants
祭員
Rev. Nobuharu Uzunoe
Rev. Masanori Takeuchi
Asst. Head Officiant-副祭主 Head Officiant-祭主
KC Gardena
Rev. Byron Ishiwata
Rev. Takao Kishii
Prayer Leader-先唱 Service Emcee-典礼
KC San Jose
KC Toronto
Rev. Yoshiko Ota
Rev. Lisa Uzunoe
Tamagushi Assistanst-玉串後取 Saishi Assistant-祭詞後取
KPH
Lancaster
KC Portland
Rev. Dick Dusek
Rev. Hironobu Nakahara
Assistant-賛者
Assistant-賛者
Tacoma Fellowship
KC Portland
Musicians
楽人
Koto
琴 -
Rev. Toshiko Kishii,
KC Toronto or
Mrs. Emiko Otsubo, KC
Airaku
Japanese Cross Flute
龍笛 –
Mr. Jamal Leki-Albano
Dancer
舞人
Miss Stephanie Laite,
KC Toronto
Reception
(祝宴)
Opening Remarks by Emcee (Mr. Tim Ogawa)
Congratulatory Address, Before Meal Reminder &Toast
ご祝辞・食前訓・乾杯の音頭
Reverend Nobuharu Uzunoe
-Before Meal Reminder-
As we partake of
this food and drink
Provided by the
Divine Parent,
Let us be
thankful and remember they
Sustain our gift
of life.
Luncheonご直会
Congratulatory Address
ご祝辞
Reverend Roderick Hashimoto (KCNA CAM)
Reverend Lee Barker (Unitarian Universalist)
Mr. Katsumi Ikejiri (KC Airaku)
Introduction:
Japan, KC Portland, KC Toronto & Other Churches
Entertainments:
Dedicatory Dance
奉納舞
Kazume Mizuki (水木歌寿女)
『菊の盃(Chrysanthemum's
Sake Cup)』
Koto Music
琴演奏
Chicago Koto Group
『日本のわらべ歌 (Japanese Children's Songs)』
『さらし風手事(Sarashi
fu Tegoto)』
Chorus
コーラス
Soyokaze
Chorus
『花の街(Street
of Flowers)』
『野ばら(Wild
Rose)』
『喜びの歌(Song
of Joy)』
Taiko Drum
太鼓演奏
Open to All
飛び入り
Closing Remarks by Emcee
|
Konkokyo
|
1814
|
Sep. 29 –
Konko Daijin (Founder) was born.
|
1859
|
Nov. 15 –
Bunji (Founder's boyhood name) received the Divine
Call (founding date of Konkokyo).
|
1868
|
Nov. 11 –
Bunji received the Divine Title, Ikigami Konko
Daijin, from the Principle Parent of the Universe.
|
1873
|
Apr. 11 –
Konko Daijin received the Divine Reminder.
|
1883
|
Oct. 10 –
Konko Daijin passed away.
|
1919
|
Propagation in the North
America began.
|
1961
|
Konko Churches of North America (KCNA) was
incorporated.
|
2000
|
Konkokyo celebrated the 100th anniversary
of its independence.
|
|