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Local Religion / In Brief

Church offers discussion groupAla Lani United Methodist Church will launch an ecumenical discussion group about spiritually stirring issues of believers, beginning 6 p.m. Saturday with a talk on "Intimacy with God."It will be presented by the Rev. Lilia Lopez-Rahman.The event will include coffee and doughnuts. The church is at 50 S. Papa St. in Kahului.For more information, contact Lopez-Rahman at lilia2008@msn.com or 250-0372, or call the church at 877-0388.*****Spiritual disciplines classes to be heldPastor John Youell will teach three classes next week on the spiritual disciplines of ...

Scientist to speak

The Discovery Institute's Stephen Meyer will speak during the 9 a.m. Sunday Adult Bible Fellowship class and the 10 a.m. worship gathering at the Kihei Baptist Chapel.Meyer is a scientist and an advocate of intelligent design, according to an announcement.The chapel is at 1655 S. Kihei Road.For more information, call 875-2112 or send email to info@kiheibaptist.org.

Suit filed to prevent abuse at Honolulu diocese

HONOLULU - A Big Island farmer and five others who say they were sexually abused by clergy are suing the Catholic diocese in Honolulu and other related religious institutions to pressure them to change policies to prevent future abuse.A lawsuit filed Thursday is asking for more than just money. Greg Owen and others want the church to release victims from confidentiality requirements in past abuse settlements, create a phone hot line for victims and encourage others to come forward and report abuse.Owen says he was 8 when he was sexually abused by Catholic priests while serving as an ...

Local Religion / In Brief

Events planned for festival of PurimThe Jewish Congregation of Maui will celebrate the festival of Purim at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Beit Shalom Synagogue in Kihei.The event will include a contemporary reading of the Megillah by children from the Jewish School of Maui.The celebration follows a morning-to-evening fast on Thursday.At 9:30 a.m. Feb. 24, the morning service will be followed by a traditional reading of Torah and the Megillah. Those attending are invited to dress in costume and bring mishloach manot, or small baskets of food, to give to friends.The congregation also will be ...

Local Religion / In Brief

Church to focus on global warmingMakawao Union Church will take part in the National Preach-In on Global Warming during its 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service.Organized by Interfaith Power and Light, the event spans 37 states and calls for a faith response to climate change. Makawao Union Church is one of two congregations participating in Hawaii. The other is Church of the Crossroads in Honolulu.Makawao Union Church is an interdenominational community church located at 1445 Baldwin Ave. For more information, call 579-9261.*****Kihei Baptist Chapel has slate of eventsKihei Baptist Chapel ...

Church announces special Lent services

Emmanuel Lutheran Church has announced a schedule of special Lent services, as the church prepares for the Christian holy days of Good Friday and Easter.Services include:* Feb. 13, 6 p.m. Ash Wednesday.* Feb. 20, 5:30 p.m. soup supper and 6:30 p.m. Lent worship service.* Feb. 27, 5:30 p.m. soup supper and 6:30 p.m. Lent worship service.* Feb. 28, 6 p.m. Holy Thursday service.* March 1, 6 p.m. Good Friday service.* March 6, 5:30 p.m. soup supper and 6:30 p.m. Lent worship service.* March 13, 5:30 p.m. soup supper and 6:30 p.m. Lent worship service.* March 20, 5:30 p.m. soup supper and ...