May 8 Meeting Doreen Simmons - Religion in Japan

Dear members and frieds of the Fellowship,

We had a lot of participants turn out for our April meeting.
Jim Dorsey, a Dartmouth professor on sabbatical in Japan, made an excellent presentation about the Japanese folk song movement of the 1960's which was thought-provoking about issues related to society at that time (and now) and such themes as the anti-war movement.

His presentation with photos and videos/sound was made possible by our member Chuck Olson's investment in a projector/speakers, which he will loan to us in the future too. Thank you Chuck from all of us.

Next meeting comes early in the month --- Sunday May 8th 3:00 p.m. Internationa House. (Intl House reception for any quieries is tel 3570-4611)

Our speaker will be long-time Tokyoite and early member of our fellowship from the time that founder Ken Woodruff was our leader -- Doreen Simmons. You probably know Doreen, who has been active under many hats and enriched the lives of so many of us English speakers in Japan. She has been the commentator/expert on Sumo. Formidible actress. Singer including in the British Embassy Choir and a stallwart member of St. Alban's Anglican Church. Contributor to many groups and causes (for which she modestly refuses recognition).

She will speak about her experiences of religion in Japan.

Peggy Kanada, moderator

Meetings from May

The English-speaking International Buddhist Congregation (sponsored by Rissho Kosei Kai--the lay group dedicated in Nichiren's tradition to gleaning inspiration from the Lotus Sutra) celebrated the birth and Nirvana of the historical Buddha (Shakyamuni or Oshaka-sama).
--This annual Hanamatsuri or festival--was held this year on April 12th at the Niwano founder's hall out in Suginami-ku. It was a beautiful day and a colorful, inspiring, and flower filled ceremony with many other Buddhists and several embassies and many people (some in lovely traditional costumes from their countries like Sri lanka or Korea) also participating in thanksgiving and a general prayer for world peace. Delicious food and activities like a tea ceremony were also provided.
Gene Reeves (who preached the sermon or Dharma talk), Bonnie M. and Peggy from the Unitarian fellowship attended.

At 3:00 on 4/12 --on what was also Easter--the Fellowship met with Father O'Leary, a professor from Sohpia Univ, to hear his challenging presentation about Dostoyevsky (especially his 19th c novel Crime and Punishment) and the Resurrection.

Next Meeting:
May 10th 3:00-5:00
At International House (near Roppongi and Azabu Juban subway stations)
Our speaker will be the Rev. Katsuji SUZUKI (who has attended our fellowship meetings and actually studied and rec'd a degree at the Lombard Unitarian Divinity school in Chicago). He is with Rissho Kosei Kai and can answer questions about the ties of this group with Unitarians.
His topic: Buddhism for Sustainable Peace.

Our June 14th meeting will welcome Denis Morrel who will show slides of his extensive hiking forays amidst the beautiful sites (like Monument Valley national park) of the American southwest.
unitarianfellowshipoftokyo@gmail.com

Past and future speakers

Sam just informed me the following. I certainly am sorry I missed the rabbi. It sounds like it was just the kind of talk that makes this group worth going to on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

Past speaker

Sep. 14 speaker Rabbi Henri Noach (Tokyo's Jewish Community Center)

Our first meeting of the fall was a wide-ranging discussion of Judaism that started with Jewish ideas about death and ended with

deep thoughts about the purpose of life. Thanks to the energetic Rabbi Henri Noach .

next speaker

Oct. 12 speaker Dr. Lornz Poggendorf

“Shinto’s role in preserving our natural environment”

3:00 International House, Roppongi

Hope I can make then next one. See you there.