Welcome to Konkokyo International Center！

KIC Staff visit North America

Between the 18th and the 24th of November, a group of staff from KIC went on a trip to North America. The group included Rev. Shinji Yamada, Director of KIC, Rev. Masafumi Kimoto an intern of KIC and Rev. Shinji Kawasaki, Deputy Director of the Outreach Department at the Konkokyo Head office.

The itinerary included visits to the Vancouver Church in Canada and churches in Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco in the USA. The group had discussions with ministers and members of the Churches as well as an administrative meeting with office staff of the KCNA was held at the San Francisco Church.

The main topics of the meetings were: “What kind of problems we are facing concerning the situation of world outreach activities?” and “How we have to improve: and what trials do we need?”.

The group also eagerly mentioned about the necessity of outreach materials and publications in English as well as the importance of the outreach vehicles such as animation and music of Konkokyo, cultivating human resources, and so forth.

At the conclusion of the meetings, we shared the common wish that all of us would do our best to promote world outreach, keep in touch more tightly with Headquarters, KIC in Japan and KCNA. Thus, the trip was very beneficial to all involved.

KIC office is close during year change period from December 28th to January 4th.
We wish you have a nice holiday season and a happy new year!

This year’s KCNA conference was hosted by the Los Angeles Church and was held at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The theme for the conference this year was Toritsugi Mediation: what is it, why we do it and how we do it.
The keynote speaker was Futaba Takashima, a believer from the South San Francisco Propagation Hall, about her introduction to Mediation and how it changed her and her family’s lives. This was Futaba’s first conference, and her presentation was absolutely wonderful. We are all so thankful she and her family could join us!
A new feature at this year’s conference was a Minister’s Panel, where most of the KCNA ministers prepared little speeches about their thoughts on Mediation, or something they wished the group to realize. It was a very interesting and useful feature, and also opened up a lot of discussion.
I believe everyone had an amazing time at this year’s conference, as we always do. There were lots of great discussions during the discussion time, and everyone enjoyed catching up with old friends.
The next conference will be hosted by the Sacramento Church, and it will be focusing on “the Konko Faith: Our Creed” and its meaning and purpose. We look forward to seeing you there!!

Reported by Ms. Stephanie Laite,
Konko Church of Toronto

In Brazil there is a group named “Wakaba”, which means “young leaves” in Japanese. They perform Japanese drums and the Japanese dance Yosakoi Soran.
The group was formed in 2002 by Reverend Katsuyuki Kajiwara, Head Minister of the Konko Church of Critiba to nurture young people.
On July 31, the 8th Japanese Drum Championship was held in Brazil and “Wakaba” became the champions!! Also on the same day, the 9th Yosakoi Soran contest was held and “Wakaba” won third prize!!

Please check the videos of “Wakaba” winning! Enjoy Japanese drumming and dance!!

Japanese Drum
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWZdWxTzPF0

Yosakoi Soran
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-KITNpFz6w&feature=channel_video_title

Mr. Carlos Frederico Hasselmann Martins, a believer of the Konko Church of Butantan, provides Konko teachings in Portuguese on his blog page everyday https://sites.google.com/site/konkokyonobrasil/home and he is creating a Brazilian website for the Konko Faith. https://sites.google.com/site/konkokyonobrasil/home