English Class of Head Minister Qualification Course One Held

The Head Minister Qualification Course One was held at the Home of the Parent from August 27 to September 14. This course is designed to train and nurture ministers (kyoto) who have a heightened awareness of being Yoboku and a strong sense of mission and who aspire to work for single-hearted salvation. This year, eight participants attended the course: Lois Ann Don, Marguerite Meyer, Jeff Page (the U.S. mainland); Simon Sebaggala Kato, Emmanuel Lusiba (Uganda); Ferdinand Cabrera, Gina Filoteo (the Philippines); and Julius Ochieng Odalo (Kenya). The daily schedule began early with the morning service at the Main Sanctuary, followed by breakfast, morning assembly, and classes. The classes, conducted throughout the day at East Right Wing 4 of the Oyasato-yakata building-complex, were taught by English-speaking instructors. This year’s homeroom instructor was Rev. Teruo Takemoto, former head minister of Stockton Church, located in Long Beach, California. In the morning, lectures were given on such subjects as The Doctrine of Tenrikyo; The Life of Oyasama, Foundress of Tenrikyo; and the Mikagura-uta, The Songs for the Service. In the afternoon, the students practiced the dance and the musical instruments for the service as well as the ritual procedures. In addition, a couple of lectures were given by guest speakers, who provided their insights into the teachings besides sharing their own experiences in faith. The students also had opportunities to visit some historical sites associated with Oyasama so that they could better visualize the content of The Life of Oyasama. All the students in the English Class successfully completed Course One and are now registering as minister (kyoto). One of them is planning to attend Course Two of the Head Minister Qualification Course, due to start on September 27 and last until October 19.