September 2025 Voice of the Divine Parent

Rev. Nobuharu Uzunoe
Sep 1
5 min read

Vol. 25# 9

Rev. Mitsuo Tamai - Grandma Carrying a Bag - continued from August

When you practice faith for a long time, you develop various companions, and I would like to share a story about an elderly couple. They currently live in Tokyo, but are originally from Kyushu and were members of my church. After working in the banking sector, they moved to Tokyo and are now in their 70s.

They called me and said, "We would like to ask you for advice on a certain matter.” The content of their call was that their eldest son and his wife suggested, "Mom and Dad, it's lonely for you two to be alone as you get older, so let's build a new house to live in together." The elderly couple was deeply moved by this plan and wanted to consult me about it.

The couple said they would decide about living with their son and his wife after praying to Kami and hearing my opinion. Their daughter-in-law is not familiar with this faith; therefore, they expressed hope for her to learn about it after they moved in together.

The husband was grateful for his son’s plan and that his years of hard work had finally paid off. He also spoke of his desire for a quiet retirement and to spend the rest of his life peacefully.

I conveyed their story to Kami and advised them to value the discussions with the younger generation. Over the years of our relationship, I felt that we understood each other's feelings, but I also had some concerns.

Later, when they asked me, "Is it really okay to live together and build a house?", I replied, "It's your house, so if you think it's good, then that's fine." However, they sensed my feelings and felt that I might have some concerns.

When I said, "After all these years of acquaintance, you should understand my feelings," they responded, "We understand. We cannot build the house unless you are satisfied. If you have any concerns, please let us know." I replied, "Do not worry, we will be discussing this tonight.”

I first addressed the wife, saying, "I do not like what was said during mediation. Your son has faith, but your daughter-in-law does not. You think that by building a house and living together, she will learn about faith, but that is a naïve thought." The wife said, "It's my wish," but I expressed my concern, saying, "Faith is not that simple."

Next, I turned to the husband and asked, "Regarding what was said during mediation, are you seriously considering retirement?" He replied, "I truly think so. Since my son suggested it, I believe my time for retirement has come." I explained, "Retirement does not mean you do not have any responsibilities. It is about completing your life's journey."

I conveyed that “reflecting on past hardships and reassessing one's life is the meaning of retirement. Simply doing what you like does not constitute a true retirement life.” They were trying to understand my worries while accepting my words. I hoped that they would accept their son's plan and continue their faith in a way that would allow them to move on to the next life with a peace of mind.

In this way, I provided heartfelt advice to them and conveyed my concerns about their thoughts.

To be continued in the next issue.

Exercises for the Mind/Heart/Spirit

017 Say Hello With A Smile

Good morning. Hello. Thank you. The first step in connecting with people is through greetings. Why not greet them today with a more cheerful tone than usual? Let’s not forget to smile.

Daily Calendar

“Now, hear the sound of the heavens opening and wake up.”

It’s truly amazing when you start to feel the great work of Kami, you become filled with gratitude.

“Ah, morning… I’m still sleepy, and getting up feels like a hassle.” But it’s because I have

life that I can wake up. I’m really grateful.

“Those who believe should have the mindset to express gratitude even when resting on a tree stump. “

The heart that offers thanks for everything that supports us in life is the same as the heart that thanks Kami. If we live our lives without forgetting to express gratitude for everything, kami’s heart (divine spirit) will naturally manifest within us.

Thank you for your support. I appreciate it.

“Put your own concerns aside and prioritize praying for the well-being of others. If you do so, Kami will take care of your own matters in a good way.“

Those who pray for the salvation of others will never be neglected by Kami.

"I wish my grades would improve." In that case, why not pray to Kami for everyone’s

grades to go up?

Bylaws Revision Project

The church is in the process of reviewing our current bylaws in order to bring them up to date. Church bylaws are a set of rules and guidelines governing operations, the nonprofit decision-making structure, and general practices, especially related to how decisions are made. They include church purpose, membership, officers and various procedures.

Bylaws are revised periodically to reflect modifications to the law and changes in how the church operates over time. A small group is currently working with Rev. Uzunoe to ensure that the new bylaws reflect any such changes. The revised bylaws will require ratification by the church membership after approval by the board.

Timeline:

April-August: research, review and revision of bylaws
September: final revisions; board review and approval
November-December: membership meeting to ratify revised bylaws

The new bylaws will take effect immediately after ratification. More information will be shared in the October newsletter.

Konko Church of Gardena and Los Angeles Announcements

Morning Service

On Sunday, September 7, we will be holding a morning prayer at 9:00 a.m. After praying, let us clean the inside and outside of the church. The Shinto-Kai meeting will follow the cleanup. Everyone is welcome to join us.

Autumn Memorial Service

On Sunday, September 14, we will be holding the Autumn Memorial Service at 10:00 a.m. Please bring your favorite dish to share at the potluck following the service. Below is a spirit register, so please fill in the age and date of death of your ancestors and mail it or submit it by the day of the ceremony.

Chicken Teriyaki Sale

The Gardena Church will be hosting a Chicken Teriyaki Sale on Sunday, September 21. If you are interested, please complete the attached order form and submit it by Monday, September 15. Please join us for cutting preparations on Saturday, September 20 at 10:00 a.m., cooking chicken on Sunday, September 21 at 7:00 a.m., and packing containers on Sunday, September 21 at 8:00 a.m. We look forward to seeing you and we appreciate your support.

Gardena Church Work Committee Study Group

The GCWC will meet on Sunday, September 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If you are interested in joining, please contact Rev. Uzunoe for more information.