Transitional pastor introduced
WAILUKU - Pastor Bob Duffer has been introduced to members of Valley Isle Fellowship as their transitional senior pastor as the church searches for a new pastor to replace the Rev. Richard Smith.
Smith resigned in May.
Duffer retired in 2006. He was pastor of Kihei Baptist Chapel from 1975 to 1984 and served 23 years as director of missions for the Maui County Baptist Association. His wife, June, was preschool director for Kihei Baptist Preschool.
Valley Isle Fellowship meets at 8 a.m. Sundays in the Wailuku Elementary School cafeteria. A second service is at 9:45 a.m.
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Thanksgiving Satsang Sunday
HAIKU - Ram Dass hosts his annual Thanksgiving Satsang from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at The Studio Maui in Haiku.
Musical guests Sruti Ram and Iswari from Woodstock, N.Y., will perform. Their new "Fire of Devotion" CD is said to offer an authentic experience of bhajan and interweaves harmonies through Indian ragas to create a stirring, emotional effect. They will be supported by Maui kirtan musicians Raj Agni, Jagadeesh and Stephanie Reiter.
In addition to the musical performance, the program will include meditation, an interactive dialogue with Ram Dass and a potluck dinner. Participants are encouraged to bring a potluck dish, a friend and aloha. There is a suggested donation of $15. For more information, call 575-9390 or visit www.thestudiomaui.com.
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Service of Advent Lessons, Carols set
MAKAWAO - Makawao Union Church will hold a service of Advent Lessons and Carols at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
This special service marks the beginning of Advent, the season of preparation for Christmas, with Scripture readings and Advent pipe-organ music performed by music director Clayton Logue.
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3-week Bible study begins Wednesday
MAKAWAO - Makawao Union Church will present a three-week Bible study titled "Christmas Stories," beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
The first week will look at the story of the birth of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew. The study continues at 6 p.m. Dec. 9 with the Gospel of Luke and concludes Dec. 16 with the early Christian book "The Infancy Gospel of James."
All are welcome, and there is no cost.
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Hadassah group to meet Sunday
WAILUKU - A Maui Hadassah group will host Andrea Silagi, National Hadassah Development Division coordinator, Sunday as it organizes itself as a local chapter of Hadassah, an international Jewish women's organization.
Men and women of all faiths who support Israel and Hadassah's humanitarian work in health and education are invited to the event from 1 to 3 p.m. at a residence.
For more information and directions, call 841-8020 or 242-5047, or send e-mail to tolliver@hawaii.rr.com.
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Lee Shapiro to speak Sunday
WAILUKU - Lee Shapiro will speak on "The Art of Melting Conflict," or the Aikido approach to ending power struggle, at Unity of Maui on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.
Tickets are $25 at the door or $20 in advance. Call 875-9477 for tickets or more information.
Unity is located at 483 S. High St. in Wailuku.
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* The Religion page is published every Friday. This page welcomes news releases and announcements from churches and religious organizations in Maui County that wish to publicize guest speakers, special events and programs, and news items.
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For information, call 242-6340 or send e-mail to religion@mauinews.com.
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