Origami Cranes Peace Project

Lily Inouye has launched an idea to promote “PEACE” in remembrance of the 199,000 atomic bomb casualties in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The publicity states: “The Peace Committee of Honoka‟a Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, the 199,000 Cranes Project is running the ambitious project to gather 199,000 origami paper cranes. When the project‟s goal is reached, massive “flocks” will be presented to memorial organizations in cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a gesture of mindfulness of the many individual tragedies of war.”

Excerpts from Lily‟s note: “ “Peace” is an elusive subject but the words of the first line of the song haunts me: “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me”. Please accompany me on this last mile of my life to lift this project to fruition in remembrance of the 199,000 atomic bomb casualties in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I am
asking you to join me to raise our voices of peace on earth for all mankind- through the Peace Project.” Peace is an ecumenical concern.

You are invited to help us gather at least 1,000 of the cranes by September. You may pick up the origami sheets on Sunday or come during the workshop times to fold the cranes at your leisure. Don‟t know how to fold them or need a refresher? Join us at one of these times in the Lounge or J‟s Café:
Monday, June 23 from 9-10:30 a.m.; Tuesday, June 24 from 9 to 11; Thursday, June 26 from 9 to 11; or Sunday, June 29 after worship.

It‟s a learn/refresh, practice and make at home project. Call Margaret at 895-0994 if you can‟t make it at the listed times or have questions about the project.

Lily closes with “With heartfelt thanks, let us walk together in Christian love and God grant us grace and peace.”

Update: October 1, 2014

Thanks to many of our congregation that we already sent over 8,000 folded origami cranes to the Honokaa Hongwanji’s The “199,000 Cranes Project”. The Peace Committee, in collaboration with the Family-Community Education group, is collecting the origami cranes in memory of the casualties of the nuclear bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Cranes will be sent as a combined “flock” to the memorial.
We’re still collecting the cranes so please bring them to church, anytime. The cranes got a special blessing during the Sept. 21st worship.
We thank Lily for encouraging us with this project. Paper for the origami
cranes can be picked up in the church office.