The March 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. In line with Church Headquarters’ announcement made earlier in the month, the Service was attended only by the head ministers of directly supervised churches and the heads of dioceses on behalf of all other followers, who had been asked to refrain from returning to Jiba to attend the Service and instead worship from afar—whether from their churches, fellowships, followers dormitories, or their houses—with their thoughts focused on Jiba in unity of mind.
In his Service prayer, Rev. Nakayama expressed gratitude to God the Parent for the parental love that guides us toward the Joyous Life. He then said: “In light of the unsettling situation facing the world, we came to a decision to have only designated followers attend the Service in the Main Sanctuary on behalf of all other followers, whom we asked to worship from their churches, fellowships, or houses today with their minds focused on Jiba. We would like to express our gratitude for the blessings we are receiving in our daily lives and pray for a settling to be brought to the current situation even a day sooner. It is our deepest regret to perform the Monthly Service in this way, but we humbly ask You to accept our true sincerity as we pray for Your blessings.” Continuing, he said: “We followers of the path will not be simply overwhelmed by the current situation but rather see it as a manifestation of the parental heart of God the Parent, who wants us to take further steps forward toward the Joyous Life. We will reflect upon ourselves as we ponder over the course of life that we should take going forward and will carry out the work of Yoboku in ways that allow buds to sprout from this knot. I humbly pray that You will continue to use us as instruments to realize the Joyous Life as we make steady efforts to move forward on our journey of single-hearted salvation.”
The prayer was followed by the joyous performance of the Kagura Service and the Dance with Hand Movements.