The March Monthly Service was solemnly conducted at Tenrikyo Church Headquarters with the Shinbashira presiding as chief officiant. Among the large number of worshipers attending the Service were many children since the Service day fell during their spring vacation. There were also many high school and university students who had returned to the Home of the Parent in conjunction with the Students’ Spring Pilgrimage to Jiba.<\/p>\n
In the Service prayer, the Shinbashira expressed gratitude to God the Parent for the blessings we receive day after day. He then said: “The Head Ministers Seminar in Oyasato, for which preparations have been underway for some time now, will be beginning in April. By holding this seminar, we are providing an opportunity for all head ministers to take turns gathering here in the Home of the Parent, so they may deepen their understanding of the teachings, discuss things with one another, join together in a unity of mind, strengthen their faith, and commit themselves to making progress in the cause of single-hearted salvation. We ask for Your blessing in this endeavor and pray that You respond by making this seminar a springboard to enable buds of salvation to burst forth everywhere.”<\/p>\n
The Kagura Service and the Dance with Hand Movements were then performed joyously while the congregation spiritedly sang the songs for the Service.<\/p>\n
The sermon was then delivered by Honbu-in Yoshiaki Nakayama, who encouraged the listeners to implement the request with which the Shinbashira closed his sermon at the Spring Grand Service: “I should like to ask all of you to maintain a unity of mind with the other members of your churches and to perform your tasks diligently so that all churches may, once again this year, draw even a step closer to being in accord with God the Parent’s intention.” He went on to say that it was important for all Yoboku and followers to reflect on themselves and work assiduously on their minds so that they could avoid getting selfishly caught up in their personal interests and family concerns.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The March Monthly Service was solemnly conducted at Tenrikyo Church Headquarters with the Shinbashira presiding as chief officiant. Among the large number of worshipers attending the Service were many children since the Service day fell during their spring vacation. There were also many high school and university students who had\u2026<\/p>\n