February 2026 Voice of the Divine Parent
- Jan 30
- 9 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Vol. 26# 2
真心の ただひとすじに 祈れかし 身のことどもは 神に任せて。 |
Pray with an undivided, truthful heart. leave the matters of your life to Kami. |
This Japanese poem means: “Pray from the heart, with single-minded devotion. And as for the various matters concerning yourself, entrust them to Kami.” |
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Rev. Mitsuo Tamai - Grandma Carrying a Bag - continued from January
“To practice faith is to turn our hearts toward Kami”
We have received a heart that is similar to the heart of Kami. Yet we must not simply hold on to it. We should connect our hearts to the divine ties by which Kami calls out to us. But merely making that connection is not enough. From there, we ourselves must cultivate our own hearts.
In “The divine favor depends upon one’s own heart (waga kokoro)”, waga kokoro refers to the Founder’s heart. The Founder was an ordinary person. Yet through his own faith and effort, he gradually cultivated and developed the same heart as Kami. One’s heart of Kami, which is awakened by faith and mediation, is further achieved by the mutual trust between Kami and people. We must practice faith and nurture the divine heart that resides within ourselves.
For the development of one’s heart, it is most important to confirm one’s starting point—where one began. If you do not know your starting point, you cannot tell how much you have grown, how far your path has deviated, how to correct it, or how much room you have to grow. First, firmly grasp your starting point. Then, after five or ten years have passed, compare your present heart with your original heart regarding your personal growth, areas of deviation that need to be amended, and ways to get back on track. Comparing yourself with your starting point and fostering your growth is most crucial.
Most of us compare ourselves with others. We say, “That person hasn’t worked very hard, and yet look how far they’ve gotten.” Please don’t say such things. Many of you are likely church-affiliated, so let me speak frankly. Around the time of the Grand Service, do you find yourselves thinking, “That church had many people attending, but ours had only this many worshippers,” and making comparisons? Even if you do not say it aloud, you compare with others. If you do this, your faith will not grow.
The comparison you should make is between your heart five years ago and your heart now; that is how you grow. The Founder teaches this in the Konkokyo Kyoten, (Sacred Scriptures) Admonitions, “Understanding the True Way,” no. 3: “To forget one’s childhood is unfilial to one’s parents.” This does not merely refer to the worldly idea of forgetting the debt owed to parents who cherished you when you were small and thinking you grew up all by yourself. Konko Daijin’s teaching is not limited to that alone, but is conveyed as a reminder of the significance to remember the starting point of your faith which means not to forget your childhood—the beginning of all matters. If you forget this, you will not be able to measure how much you have grown.
Exercises for the Mind/Heart/Spirit |
022 When getting into a car |
First, you get in, fasten your seatbelt, check the mirrors, release the brake, start the engine, and then off you go! For experienced drivers, this might be a routine sequence of actions. But wait a moment; let’s first say, “Kami, please grant us safe travels.” Don’t forget to express gratitude for the car as well. Passengers should join in this sentiment too. |
“Humans, as well as grasses and trees, all live on earth sustained by Heaven’s blessings.” |
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When we awaken to the fact that we are being kept alive by Kami, We may come to feel the great love of Kami. |
I am who I am today because of Kami. |
Life doesn’t stand on its own; it rests in a web of air, water, soil, sun, and the care of others.
The humility of realizing that we are being “allowed to live” deepens our gratitude and reverence, cultivating the sensitivity to divine love.
Daily Practices
A bow and a greeting in the morning and evening
Morning: “We will be entrusted with our lives today.”
Night: “Thank you for carrying me through today.”
Gratitude before and after meals
Say “Itadakimasu/Thank you” with awareness of lives and labor to prepare the food.
Experience nature
Take time to focus on the wind, light, and soil to consciously feel the blessings.
A breath before reacting
In anger or haste, recall “I am being allowed to live,” then choose your words.
Small acts of service
Pick up a piece of trash, help someone, reduce waste—acts in response to blessings.
Ecological: From human-centered to life-centered—seeing nature as a community of life, not just a resource.
Questions for Self-Reflection
When did I most keenly feel “I am being allowed to live” today?
What small response can I make to that awareness—gratitude, concern, restraint/flexibility, or service?
The following teaching may be considered a universal attribute:
“Humility and gratitude cultivate the capacity to feel harmony and love.”
Konko Church of Gardena and Los Angeles Announcements
Morning Service, Shinto-Kai meeting, and Setsubun Ceremony
On Sunday, February 1, we will be holding the morning service at 9:00 a.m. After prayer, let us clean the inside and outside of the church. Please also join us for the Setsubun ceremony and invite your children and grandchildren. The Shinto-kai meeting will be held after the ceremony.
What does “Setsubun” mean?
The word “Setsubun” is said to mean “dividing the seasons.” In old Japan, spring was regarded as the beginning of the year and was treated with special importance. Because of that, people came to call only the day before spring begins—the day that divides winter and spring—“Setsubun.”
Why do we drive out evil spirits on Setsubun?
It is said that at seasonal turning points, bad influences (evil spirits) tend to appear, and the symbol of those “bad things” is the “oni” or devil. What image comes to mind when you hear “devil”? Many people probably imagine a scary figure with horns, often red or blue. In fact, there wasn’t originally a fixed form for the devil. People used the word devil for invisible evils, and through various stories, the image gradually became what we picture today.
Why do we throw beans on Setsubun?
We throw beans to drive away bad things (oni) and invite good fortune (fuku). The idea is to throw roasted soybeans at the evil spirits to expel evil. This is said to come from a long-ago tale of defeating an evil spirit with beans. The beans used—soybeans—are full of nutrients, so they’re said to be packed with the power to drive away evil spirits!
Monthly Service
On Sunday, February 8, we will be holding the monthly service at 10:00 a.m. There will be a study session on From Farmer to Founder-Biography of Konko Daijin from 11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Participants are asked to bring their book.
Southern California Regional Seminar
The Gardena Church will be hosting the Southern California Regional Seminar on Saturday, February 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The theme is “Praying to the Divine Parent of the Universe.” Please notify Rev. Nobuharu Uzunoe by February 17 if you are interested in attending.
Gardena Church Work Committee Study Group
GCWC will be held on Sunday, February 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please note that GCWC will now be held on the fourth Sunday of every month.
Changes to Church Bylaws
Last fall, the revised church bylaws were presented and discussed after a monthly service. At that meeting, requests were made for more background and clarity on the new document. The desire was 1) to have an overview of the changes between the 1976 bylaws and the revised set, and 2) to cut through the “legalese” to better understand the meaning and purpose of each section. In this month’s newsletter, the board will briefly explain the purpose of each Article and any significant differences from the original bylaws.
Church bylaws are a set of rules and guidelines for how decisions are made for the church and its membership. They are required in order to operate as a nonprofit religious organization in the United States and must be filed with the State of California. Most bylaws derive directly from state and federal law.
This year, the Board of Directors embarked on a comprehensive review of the current bylaws of the Konko Church of Gardena. Because they have not been updated since 1976 and state and federal laws have changed considerably since then, the board decided to draft completely new bylaws guided by three types of sources: 1) the current 1976 bylaws, 2) examples of bylaws from other churches, and 3) a legal bylaw template for religious institutions. Overall, the new version adds clarity and details not included in the old bylaws. While they may seem wordy and cumbersome, well-crafted, legally-reviewed bylaws protect the church, its directors and its members.
Major Changes to the Bylaws
Preamble added. The Board felt it was important for a church to declare a faith-based statement to undergird the legal guidelines for decision-making. It is not technically a bylaw, but it precedes and supports the bylaws and the philosophy of the church.
Objectives and Purposes added. These are a suggested addition to ensure that board decision-making aligns with the church’s stated objectives and purposes.
Number and Terms of Office for Directors changed. The board shall now be made up of 3 to 5 members. Variable-number boards are a legally-approved option for nonprofit organizations. The term of office was changed from one to three years to ensure continuity over time.
Duties of the Secretary and Treasurer expanded. Duties for each office are provided in greater detail to clarify board roles and to reflect required practice.
Financial practices clarified. Article 6 provides more details, absent in the old bylaws, on financial and contractual practices. The new language ensures better oversight of church assets and future actions that involve such. Similar protections are provided through Article 10.
Conflict of Interest section added. Article 9 is a new addition to ensure that church leadership and members comply with laws on conflict of interest. Along with these guidelines, board members will attest annually that they are in compliance with related laws.
Membership sections added. Articles 13 and 14 provide detailed guidelines on how members are defined and how they can participate in the governance process through meetings and board elections.
Updated for the digital age. Additional text was added throughout the document to allow for things like digital storage of minutes, remote meetings (e.g., on Zoom) and electronic communications.
Overall, the new bylaws enhance legal protections, clarify duties to ensure consistent practice and legal compliance, and are updated to reflect changes in governance going forward. The bylaws have been approved by the board and were ratified by the Membership in December 2025. Bylaws can be viewed in pdf below.
Nominations for the KCG Board of Directors
Following the ratification of the revised church Bylaws that took place last year, elections will be held for the church Board of Directors. The general purpose of a church board is governance and management. Directors perform any and all duties imposed on them by law or by the church articles of incorporation and bylaws. These include:
Regular or as-needed meetings (Article 3)
Fiscal management (Article 6)
Maintaining corporate records (Article 7)
Ensuring conflicts of interest are avoided (Article 9)
In addition, Directors ensure that the church remains aligned with the objectives and purposes stated in the bylaws (see Article 2, Section 1 Objectives & Purposes).
According to the Bylaws, “elections will be held annually. Each director shall hold office for a term of 3 years with elections held every year for one to two directors to ensure that director terms are staggered to maintain experience on the board. … Directors serve without compensation.”
Nominations for the Konko Church Board of Directors are due by February 15 to Sue Nakayama via phone or email. You may nominate yourself or someone else who is a current member of the Gardena church.
Those nominated will be contacted and we will get approval to submit their names for the election. Candidates for the board will be published in the March newsletter.
Ballots will be printed in the March newsletter and are due by Sun., April 12, 10:00 am at church. Each member may mark up to 3 votes per secret ballot.
You may also mail your ballot to church. Please ensure that the ballot is received at the church well before the Sunday deadline.
Ballots will be counted after the April 12 service and the new board of directors will be announced at lunch and in the May newsletter.
The new board will assume duties immediately after the announcement and serve for up to 3 years. (Some terms of this initial board may be shorter to allow for staggering of director terms.)
What is the time commitment to serve on the Board?
The time commitment can vary depending on the needs of the church and the assigned role of the Director (President, Secretary, or Treasurer). The meeting frequency is at least annually, but the elected board may decide to meet more frequently.
Do I have to have experience to serve on the Board?
No. No experience is necessary. But candidates must make themselves familiar with the church corporation documents (articles of incorporation and bylaws) and pledge to participate openly and honestly in church management as it relates to these documents. Actions of directors should also align with the objectives and purposes.
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