■ 2003 January

New Year's Service
On New Year's Day, the special service was held at Konko Church of Izuo leaded by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister's Designated; a lot of believers attended in formal ware.

the altar was decorated with perishables

In front of the altar decorated with all sorts of perishable, the service was offered wishing good health and achievements of the year.
The Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister, delivered a sermon and handed a message card to each of attendee. Believers made a long cue to receive it during New Year Holidays.

line of believers to receive a message card

Coming Age Festival
On 3 January, Konko Church of Izuo held a service to cerebrate those who are coming age (20 years old) this year.

offered a sacred twig in a gala costume

Those who are coming age this year offered a sacred twig to the altar in a gala costume then received a card of pray from the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister.

Cerebration for Golden Ager
On 5 January, the special service for golden ager was held at Konko Church of Izuo, prior to centennial of the late Rev. Toshio Miyake; those who become 80 years old were awarded with a medal.

Izuo Church cerebrated the late reverend's birthday on 7 Jan. in his life, and in present, the service was offered wishing golden ager's further long and healthy life following his long 96 years life.

commemorative photo

Service for Traffic Safety
On 12 January, the annual service for traffic safety was held at Konko Church of Izuo leaded by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister's Designated.

each car was purified

Following the service held at the sacred hall, each of more than 120 drivers and cars was purified appreciating the safety in the last year and wishing safety also in this year in front of the Inori-no-to, Prayers' Pagoda.

Dondo Matsuri
On 15 January, Dondo Matsuri was served at Konko Church of Izuo to express appreciation for protection of Kami* of all things, and to drive away evils by burning out the New Year's decoration or amulet.

Dondo Matsuri

*Kami: Divine existence of Shinto

76th Anniversary Service
On 26 January, the 76th Anniversary Service was held at Konko Church of Izuo with approx. 1,200 congregations to commemorate that the late Rev. Toshio Miyake, the Founder of the Church, had started his missionary work here in Izuo on 24 Jan. 1927 at his age of 24.

Rev. Mitsuo Miyake delivered a lecture

Prior to the service, Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister's Designated, delivered a lecture. Then the service was started by opening the huge door of the altar that is the largest one in Japan. In front of the altar decorated with various perishables, the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister, and Rev. Mitsuo Miyake put on a candle reconfirming their decision to succeed the late reverend's mission.

the reverends put on a candle

The most reverend read a Norito prayer before offering a sacred twig to the altar in order to express his appreciation that all the services relating the late Rev. Toshio Miyake including the 75th Anniversary Grand Service in January 2002, the 3rd memorial service in September 2002, and Centennial of his birth, had been concluded regardless of the unprecedented economic recession. The most reverend also announced to Oya-Kami * the decision of Izuo Church to unite much closer for the 120th Memorial Grand Service of Founder Konko Daijin.

the most reverend chanted a prayer

Then all the congregations chanted together a prayer leaded by Rev. Mituso Miyake to offer tributes for the late Rev. Toshio Miyake, and some representatives offered a sacred twig to the altar.

the most reverend delivering a sermon

The Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake delivered a sermon as the Chief Priest, he insisted that the situation when the late reverend started his missionary work and that in present was very similar. The situation in 76 years ago was that the economy rapidly slowed down after the World War�T, the Great Earthquake hit Tokyo, the Depression destroyed Japan economy, and in result, Japan went strait to militarism as the present Japan suffers from long recession after bubble economy, is damaged by Hanshin Awaji Great Earthquake, and faces financial collapse. He emphasized it's the time to show belief of Izuo Church that provides relief in the land of the living. He mentioned the possibility of military attack against Iraq by the US, and then closed his sermon with a request for the US to desist from armed attacking.

*Oya-Kami: The Principal Parent of the Universe