■ 2003 November

World Peace Champaign of WFM Japan
On November 25 and 26, the World Federalist Movement (WFM) Japan Religionist Committee held the 25th World Peace Champaign in Nagasaki, Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister Designated of Konko Church of Izuo, attended and contributed to govern and draft the declaration.

H.H. Pope John Paul ll who had visited Nagasaki 22 years ago send a message to the opening ceremony held at Urakami Cathedral with approx. 1000 citizens, and the leaders from various religions in colorful robe offered each prayer.

Mr. Hisanori Isomura, Director of the Museum of the Japanese Culture in Paris, delivered a commemorative lecture, and then they had a symposium under the title of “No More War” on 26th.


Thanks Giving Service
On November 23, Thanks Giving Service was held at Konko Church of Izuo by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister’s Designated.

attendees received the first lucky harvest

Farmers among believers of Izuo Church offered the first harvest of this year to express their appreciation. Therefore, many offerings were sent from Hyogo prefecture and Wakayama prefecture where a lot of farmers reside. After the service, all the congregations received the first lucky harvest at the sacred hall, then tasted radish soup delivered by Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director.

Preparation Meeting for Aichi EXPO 2005
On November 19, Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director of the Church attended the 2nd preparation meeting of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) and the World Conference of Religion and Peace (WCRP) for Aichi EXPO 2005.

they discuss seriously

It was just before the dead line of entry, they check up and discuss the plan and budget to participate to the one of the main event of the EXPO, that was the Global Village managed by NGOs and NPOs.

Memorial Ceremony for the Late Patriarch of Shoroku Shinto Yamatoyama
On November 18, Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister’s Designated, attended the memorial ceremony for the late Patriarch Toyohiro Tazawa of Shoroku Shinto Yamatoyama. The memorial ceremony was served for four days, more than one thousand attendees from religious world and international organizations were attended the ceremony on 18th.

Following the condolence message by the successor of the late Patriarch, Rev. Kiyonobu Tazawa, and other distinguished guests, all the attendees offered a sacred twig to the altar.

Prior to the ceremony, the widowed wife of the late Patriarch and Rev. and Mrs. Tazawa visited Izuo Church on October 26 to express their appreciation to Rev. Miyake for his attendance at the family funeral in September.

IARF Executive Board Conference
On 9 and 10 November, Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director of the Church, attended International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) Executive Board Conference held in Oxford, the UK.

the board conference

IARF is one of the consultative body for UN Economic and Social Committee as the oldest organization for interfaith dialogue established in Boston in 1900, but its activity is reducing recently. The confusion of the management appeared at the 31st World Congress in Budapest in 2002 had not yet absolutely settled, therefore this conference was called to prepare the drafts for the International Council being held in the UK in the next March.

Rev. Miyake who served as one of the deliberation committee of the rules and procedures took leading role as the representative from Izuo Church. Konko Church of Izuo had contributed to this organization supplying a member for the International Council for more than 30 years at the same time, Rev. Ysohinobu Miyake as the person who knew the organization and its some ten years history the most.

Seven-Five-Three Festival
On November 9, Konko Church of Izuo Cerebrated the Seven-Five-Three Festival to wish children’s healthy growing; children (who were seven, five or three years old) paid a visit in gala costume with parents.

children were pleased with special candy

The 23rd International Convocation of Prayer for Enduring Peace
On November 6, the 23rd International Convocation of Prayer for Enduring Peace was held at NHK Hall in Osaka. Mrs. Sugako Miyake, wife of Senior Chief Minister of the Church, as Board Chair of Religious Women Association Osaka Prefecture and Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director of the Church, on behalf of the most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, attended the convocation.

Mrs. Miyake gave an address at he representative meeting

This ceremony is well known by Osaka citizens as an annual event to seek the new possibility of art as an ensemble of Western music and Japanese traditional religion hosted by Ven. Ryusho Kobayashi. It starts with memorial service for the war victims.

The first part was panel discussion on interfaith dialogue, and the second part was religious music demonstration by 50 monks and Chinese ancient instrument players.

Mrs. Miyake and Rev. Miyake on the stage

At the end of the event, Mrs. Miyake and Rev. Miyake were introduced to the audience with other distinguished religious leaders as a representative of supporting organization from the religious world.

Exchanged Opinions with LDP Chair of Policy Research Council
On November 6, Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director of the Church, had a meeting with Mr. Fukushiro Nukaga, Chair of the Liberal Democratic Party's Policy Research Council, who visited Osaka for general election campaign, to exchange opinions on the election and the strategy afterward.

they met at Mr. Yanagimoto’s office

They had kept contact since Rev. Miyake had delivered a lecture at LDP seminar conducted Mr. Nukaga, then Deputy Secretary General of LDP, on August 6th.