On 28th December, the annual year-end general cleaning was conducted in the Centre from 10:00 a.m. 12 Yoboku and followers sincerely engaged in hinokishin, cleaning the sanctuary and the Youth Hall.

On 30th, the rice-cake pounding was conducted at the Centre from 8:30 a.m. 19 people including followers gathered and had a good time. The rice-cake pounded was used for Kagami-mochi (a round rice-cake) to be offered at the New Year’s Day Service of the Centre as well as small rice-cakes and, after the service, they were provided to the attendees of the service, who enjoyed Japanese-style New Year’s Day.

Blessed with very hot and humid weather in summer in Queensland, the New Year’s Day Service of the Oceania Centre in the 172nd Year of Tenrikyo was performed joyously in high spirits from 11:00 a.m. on the first of January (36 attendees).

In the prayer, Rev Adachi, head of the Centre, thanked for God the Parent’s unlimited blessings we received throughout the past year, a year in which we made our utmost to nurture young people toward the next milestone through such activities as the Oceania Seminar for Successors, and expressed his joy and gratitude for the safe arrival of the new year. Furthermore, regarding the activities of Yoboku throughout this year, quoting the Shinbashira’s words at the Autumn Grand Service last year: “It is important to make sure that we do not get swept along by the current of the times or worldly common desires. We need to take to heart once again that this path was indeed begun by Oyasama alone and enhance our awareness that we are Yoboku, meaning building materials for the construction of the Joyous Life World. We need to work to expand the circle of the Joyous Life, starting wherever we can. Also, for those of us who are following this path, it is of prior importance to implement the teachings with an unwavering conviction that we will never go wrong as long as we live in full accord with what Oyasama has taught us. In this sense, I believe it is our urgent duty to convey Oyasama’s teachings to as many people as possible”, he pledged that all Yoboku and followers in the diocese would strive to engage in sprinkling the fragrance of the teachings and salvation work in their respective daily lives.

After the service, Rev Adachi made his new year’s greetings, instead of the delivery of a sermon, and all the attendees were provided with Japanese Sake, which had been offered for God the Parent. After that, Osechi-ryori (Japanese festival dishes for the new year) prepared by the Centre was served for lunch and all present had a good time in a friendly atmosphere of New Year’s Day.