The May Monthly Service of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters was performed on the 26th in the Main Sanctuary, with Successor-Designate Daisuke Nakayama serving as chief officiant on behalf of the Shinbashira. On the 14th, the day the state of emergency was lifted in many parts of Japan including Nara Prefecture, where Tenri City is located, Church Headquarters informed the heads of directly supervised churches and dioceses that they would be allowed to attend the Service on behalf of other followers, providing that they complied with the general measures being taken by each local government to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
In his Service prayer, Rev. Nakayama expressed gratitude to God the Parent for disclosing the truth of all things through Oyasama as the Shrine and guiding us toward the Joyous Life by opening the path of single-hearted salvation. Continuing, he said: “Assembled before You are Service performers and other designated followers who are attending the Service on behalf of all other Yoboku and followers, who are worshiping from their own places to express gratitude for the daily blessings. I humbly ask that You will also become spirited by seeing us pledge to make further spiritual growth to near the intention of the Parent in this current challenging situation. Always trusting in Your guidance, all of us followers will ponder over what we can do in these circumstances based on the teachings and implement it as we strive to overcome the current knot in a way that leads to our further spiritual growth.”
The prayer was followed by the joyous performance of the Kagura Service and the Dance with Hand Movements. No sermon was delivered after the Service.