Vol. 22 # 9
Kami and People, Living Together
The Gardena Church Shintokai held its first chicken teriyaki sale in three years. Many people helped with preparations the day before and the day of the event. Kami also looked forward to having this event.
“People, who are able to live because of the blessings of Kami, should work for Kami every day. The daily work that you do is your faith training. Therefore, if you work with a thankful heart, you can receive great blessings every day.” --Voices of the Universe 28
Kami is always waiting for human interaction. Kami hopes that we receive blessings by practicing faith and Konko Daijin taught us that we practice true faith by turning our hearts toward Kami.
Living together with Kami is practicing faith. Whether we are at home, at church, or in the community, everything we do is of service to Kami. We should not think that “I am performing a service”, but rather “I am grateful that I can perform a service.”
“Practicing faith on your own won’t bring divine blessings. Practicing faith with the support of Kami will.” –Voices of the Universe 103
To live with Kami means that we ask Kami to help us with our daily tasks. When coming to church, we first enter the foyer then we go to the altar to greet Kami. We then proceed to perform our church duties. It is important to be grateful and practice our faith in everything we do. The following is another important teaching of faith practice.
“Right now the world is a human-centered world. All things are done by people’s own strength, and many people are going against my teachings. Those who do as Kami states will become a kami. Long ago, there was a kami-centered world. Now it is a human-centered world. Because of this, I will teach people how to return to a kami-centered world. Difficulties and sufferings are caused by people’s own heart. Whether or not they can live in a peaceful world also depends upon their own heart.” --Voices of the Universe 72
A human-centered life is believing that we are doing everything on our own, without Kami’s assistance. A kami-centered life is focused on communicating with Kami at all times. In other words, we involve Kami in everything we do.
I remember, our founding minister, Reverend Isao Goto, taught, “Kami comes first.” True faith is focusing on Kami and manifesting Kami in our daily lives.
We live amidst Kami’s blessings. This month, let’s be mindful of the following:
If we think of Kami as our parent, Kami will think of us as children.
True faith is turning our hearts toward Kami.
If we suffer, Kami will suffer.
Practice faith and receive blessings.
Notices from Konko Church of Gardena
Morning Service, Church Clean-up, and Shinto-kai meeting
The morning service will be at 9 a.m. on September 4. After praying, everyone will clean the inside and outside of the church. After lunch we will have a Shinto-kai meeting. Anyone can attend and participate.
Autumn Memorial Service
The Autumn Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, September 11 at 10 a.m. Let us express our appreciation to the founding Reverends Isao and Tomoyo Goto, previous head ministers, late believers who supported this church, and to each of our family ancestors. Please join us in commemorating their lives and memories.
From Farmer to Founder Study Group
The Konko Daijin biography study group will not meet in September. The group will resume after the October service, when we will discuss the end of Chapter 3 and continue on to Chapter 4. As you read the biography, please make a note of questions or thoughts about faith, Konko Daijin or cultural/historical practices. We look forward to meeting again on October 9. See you then!
Notice from Konko Church of Los Angeles
Autumn Memorial Service
Although the Los Angeles church activities ceased due to the pandemic and Reverend Alfred Tsuyuki’s health condition, an Autumn Memorial Service will be held at the Konko Church of Los Angeles on Sunday, September 25 at 11 a.m. Let us express our appreciation to the founding ministers, Reverend A. Tsuyuki and his family, late believers who supported this church, and to each of the ancestors of the Los Angeles church believers. Let us attend this service to commemorate their lives and memories.
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