Religion

Local Religion / In Brief

Pianist to perform, share life testimony

Sam Rotman, a renowned international concert pianist,

will perform a free concert at 6 p.m. Sunday at Waipuna Chapel in Kula.

He will also share his life testimony.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., to an Orthodox Jewish family, Rotman became a Christian in college. For more information about Rotman, go to www.samrotman.com.

Waipuna Chapel is located at 17 Omaopio Road (at the corner of Kula Highway). For more information, call the church office at 878-6343.

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Screening coincides with Baha’i effort

The Baha’i community will join the launch of the international “Education is Not a Crime” campaign with the screening of Maziar Bahari’s new documentary film, “To Light a Candle,” at 7 p.m. today.

The screening will take place at the Maui Baha’i Center, 3574 Kekahi Place in Makawao.

The event is open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. There is no charge for the event.

Over the last 40 years, Baha’is have periodically publicized the persecution of their fellow believers in Iran, according to an announcement. Since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, persecution and imprisonment have increased dramatically. As recently as Nov. 19, the United Nations sent a strong signal to Iran, exhorting its government to live up to its international human rights obligations in dealing with Baha’is and others.

The film is aimed at exposing social injustice and religious intolerance through personal stories and rare footage – often smuggled out of Iran at great personal risk.

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Lenten retreat at Trinity-by-the-Sea

Trinity-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church will host a Lenten retreat, “Proclaim, Seek, Strive: Justice as Sacrament,” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 7 at 100 Kulanihakoi St. in Kihei.

Registration is requested for this brown bag lunch event. Beverages will be provided. Donations to A Cup of Cold Water, a joint outreach of Maui Episcopal and other churches, will be accepted.

For more information or to register, contact Deacon Cris South at crissouth1@gmail.com.

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David McDonald to lead service

David McDonald will be ministering at Grace Church at 10 a.m. Sunday.

The service will take place at the Kamehameha Schools Middle School, 270 ‘A’apueo Parkway in Pukalani.

McDonald will also be having tent meetings at 6:30 p.m. Sunday and Wednesday on the Grace Church property, at 10 Kupaoa St., across from Longs.

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Purim to be celebrated on Maui

The Jewish Congregation of Maui will celebrate the festival of Purim at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, and everyone is invited.

Purim celebrates the Jewish people surviving the genocidal plans of the tyrant Haman, who wished to annihilate all the Jews of Persia.

At 9:30 a.m. Thursday, there will be Shacharit service followed by a traditional reading of the Torah and the Megillah. In the spirit of the holiday, people are asked to come in costume and bring mishloach manot, or small portions of food, to give to friends and acquaintances.

The congregation’s annual food drive continues through April 1 in observance of the directive to help the needy from Purim to Passover. Packaged and canned foods and monetary donations will be collected for the Maui Food Bank.

The Jewish Congregation at Beit Shalom Synagogue is at 634 Alulike St. in Kihei, on the corner of Kaonoulu Street.

For more information, call the office at 874-5397 or send email to jcom@hawaiibiz.rr.com.

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Planning meeting for Easter service

A planning meeting is set for the Easter sunrise service at the War Memorial Stadium, which has been sponsored for over 30 years by the Maui Christian Ministers Association and the Kiwanis Club of Maui.

The luncheon meeting will be held at noon Thursday at the Faith in Jesus Church, formerly known as the Wailuku Door of Faith Church, on Waiehu Beach Road.

All churches that would like to participate should send a pastor or representative and call in their reservation for lunch at 244-1286 by Tuesday.

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Husband and wife team to minister

Steve and Barbara Arbo will be ministering at the Faith in Jesus Church, formerly known as the Wailuku Door of Faith Church, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday.

The public is welcome to attend.

The Arbos have traveled extensively for over 35 years, preaching the Gospel throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Caribbean.

For more information, call 244-1286.

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Bible classes to begin in Wailuku

Transformation School of Ministries will hold Bible classes from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Faith in Jesus Church, formerly Wailuku Door of Faith, on Waiehu Beach Road.

Pastor Tony Atkinson will be teaching on “Team Ministry.”

Introductory tuition for the classes is $20. Tuition for students auditing the course is $50. Tuition for degree students is $150.

For more information, contact Ronnie Farren at 633-5750 or ciamaui@yahoo.com.

Religion

Local Religion / In Brief

“How To Make A Buddha Land: A Journey Through the Larger Pure Land Sutra” is the title of a class that will be offered from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, March 4 through April 8, at the Kahului Hongwanji Mission.

This class, facilitated by Kahului Hongwanji minister Richard Tennes, will focus on the “Larger Sutra,” a Buddhist text that the founder of Shin Buddhism, Shinran Shonin, believed best and most authentically expressed the true understanding of Buddhism. Through presentations and discussions, this class covers the story of Bodhisattva Dharmakara, who becomes Amida Buddha, the Buddha’s 48 vows, especially as understood by Shinran Shonin, the gathas Sanbutsuge and Juseige.

Class donation will be $15 for six sessions, and handouts will be provided.

For more information, call the Kahului Hongwanji Mission office at 871-4732. The mission is at 291 S. Puunene Ave.

Religion

Local Religion / In Brief

Maui author wins medal for book

Maui author Ayin M. Adams is a medalist in the Jenkins Group’s second annual Illumination Books Awards contest.

Jenkins Group is a Michigan-based book marketing company. The contest honors the best Christian-themed books published during the past year, according to a news release.

Seventy-seven medals were awarded in 23 categories, covering everything from Bible study and devotionals to family-oriented subjects like education and children’s picture books.

The medalists come from 28 different U.S. states, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and France.

Adams’ book, “Good Orderly Direction,” contains daily affirmations. Each day’s entry begins with the words, “Yesterday, today and tomorrow I live and move in the one,” followed by some inspiring words, and ending with the advice, “I receive. I accept. I embrace.”

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Congregation to work on project

The Jewish Congregation of Maui will be celebrating Tu B’Shevat – the Jewish New Year of the Trees – from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the Kaheawa Wind farm by performing a restoration project with FirstWind.

Participants are asked to meet at the parking lot of Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea in the area nearest to Carl’s Jr. restaurant and bring gardening gloves, gardening tools (optional), jacket or raincoat and a bag lunch.

Participants should wear long pants and closed-toe shoes and are advised to apply sun protection. Liability forms will be provided and must be signed prior to departure at the parking area. No children 4 or younger will be permitted to work on the project.

Those planning to participate should call 874-5397. More four-wheel drive vehicles are needed, and people willing to use their four-wheel drive vehicle to transport people are asked to call that same number.

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Children’s program to have Bible theme

A spring program for children ages 4 to 8 will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 16-20 at Soul Space Maui Renewal Center, 483 S. High St. in Wailuku.

There will be a daily lesson with a Bible theme. Children will receive guidance in their behavior toward themselves, others and the Earth, according to an announcement. Activities of the day also will include play, art and music.

The fee is $20 a day. There is also a sliding-scale fee. Rhonda Felix is the facilitator. To register, call 205-8302 or email Ronda@soulspacemaui.com.

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Listening to higher self object of class

A weekly class being offered at Soul Space Maui Renewal Center will help participants listen to the Holy Spirit or their higher selves, according to an announcement.

The free class meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays at 483 S. High St. in Wailuku. For more information, call 244-8985.

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Outreach program aids 7,957 in 2014

A Cup of Cold Water Outreach program conducted 157 mission runs and served 7,957 neighbors in need in 2014, according to its annual report.

The mission serves 150 to 200 people weekly and distributes chilled water, food packets, basic first aid, hygiene, clothing and Bibles on its weekly driving routes in Central, West and South Maui.

ACCW is a ecumenical Christian outreach program with members and support from 10 different churches, including Kahului Hongwanji. It is an all-volunteer program with no salaried positions and is funded only by individuals, churches, church grants and charitable trusts. It accepts no government money.

The full report is available on www.epsicopalhawaii.org. Click on the ministries tab and mission beyond the church. To volunteer, call 419-1637.

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Event to help residents in need

Keawala’i Congregational Church will hold a catered luncheon and silent auction Feb. 15 on the church grounds in Makena.

Proceeds will help Maui residents in need, according to an announcement. Luncheon tickets cost $15 for adults and $7 for children ages 5 to 12. Children younger than 5 will be admitted for free.

The silent auction will be held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to noon. Winning bidders can pay for and pick up their items at 12:45 p.m.

Auction items represent a variety of donations from local merchants and artists. For more information, call the church at 879-5557.

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Meditation on inner light and sound

The ancient art of meditation on the inner light and sound is a way to awaken and nourish the soul and enjoy lasting happiness, according to an announcement from Soul Space Maui Renewal Center.

A free meditation program will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at the center, 483 S. High St. in Wailuku. For more information, call 879-0871.

n Local Religion in Briefs is published every Friday and 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. The deadline for submitting releases is 10 a.m. Tuesday in order to be considered for publication the following Friday. To submit material, call 249-6846 or send email to community@mauinews.com. “Church Listings” advertisements also are published on Fridays. For information, including cost or to update an existing listing, contact the The Maui News advertising department at 242-6316 or adsales@mauinews.com.