Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the Crab Feed! There were so many of you who came to help that everything went smoothly and everyone had a great time! The Crab Feed was a profitable fundraiser that will help SLOBC’s programs and maintenance of the facilities.

I know it is a little early to be giving information about the 2027 World Buddhist Women’s Conference (WBWC), but it is important for those who may be interested in attending on September 11 & 12, 2027 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Registration is now open. You have to make a reservation at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort for two nights before you can register for the conference. There are 260 rooms reserved for the conference and you have to make your reservations before they are sold out. Once you make a hotel reservation, you will be given a hotel confirmation number. You need to have this hotel confirmation number to make a CVENT registration for the conference. Everyone is required to stay at the Hilton Resort for two nights. (I know…I don’t like it, either, but I understand because of situations that happened at other conferences).

The WBWC is an awesome event, and I am looking forward to attending. The conference is held every four years and is hosted by one of 5 districts (kyodans). In 2019 the Buddhist Churches of America Federation of Buddhist Women’s Association hosted the conference in San Francisco. I was really looking forward to going but developed shingles 2 weeks before and could not attend. In 2023 the Japanese Kyodan hosted the conference in Kyoto, Japan. I was disappointed not to be able to attend again. So I am looking forward to 2027 and, especially, because it is in Hawaii.

There will be more information about the speakers and programs that will be presented but for now the important thing is to book a hotel reservation and get a confirmation number to register for the conference if you are planning to attend.

SLOBWA continues to seek your help with Hana toban or flower arrangements for the altar. Preparing the flowers and cleaning the Onaijin is a privilege reserved for members of the church. We need more members to help with this very important task. I thought I would not be able to do the flower arrangements, but, if I can do it…you can, too. They may not be as beautiful as some of the arrangements prepared by other ladies but I keep trying. Please give it a try. We will pair newcomers with more seasoned ladies until you feel comfortable. If you have any questions, please contact me.

In Gassho,
Sandy Hongo