Symposium examines impact of Japan on Hawaii, world

The All Believers Network’s seventh annual symposium, "From Conflict to Community: The Spirit of Aloha — Japanese-style," will be held Sept. 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Harris United Methodist Church.

Panelists will discuss the impact of Japan’s development as a nation on Hawaii and the rest of the world. Speakers include Hawaiian cultural practitioners Kauila Clark and Ishmael Stagner; educators George Tanabe and Pat Masters; the Revs. Yasuhiro Yano, Edna Yano and Tatsunori Kamiya, teachers of Japanese spiritual traditions; and others.

Among the topics to be discussed are the historical overview of Japan; the contributions of various spiritual/religious movements; parallels with conditions in Hawaii, the U.S. and the world; and personal and future significance.

For phone registration or scholarship applications, call 225-7976. A requested donation of $20 includes lunch. Register at www.from-conflict-to-community.eventbrite.com.

For information, email Bishop Stephen Randolph Sykes at info@allbelievers.net. The church is at 20 S. Vineyard Blvd.

Workshop looks at how Bible is used against gay community

The Church of the Crossroads is holding a workshop on "Biblical Self-Defense" at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to help people understand how Bible passages are used to justify the oppression of homosexuals and how to respond with scriptural authority.

The Rev. Kyle Lovett and attorney Ellen Godbey Carson will share information from a recent conference sponsored by the United Church of Christ Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns. This workshop will provide useful tools to understand ancient texts often used to disparage the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, and explain the meaning of these passages in the context of biblical times, a church news release said.

Church of the Crossroads, 1212 University Ave., can be reached at 949-2220 or by email at ccrhi@hawaii.rr.com or RevKyle@hawaii.rr.com.