March 22, 2020
Given the rapidly evolving coronavirus outbreak, Hawaii Betsuin ministers and staff are taking the following additional steps to minimize in-person contacts from March 23 until May 15:
- Closing the Betsuin business office and the ministers’ office (phone calls will be forwarded).
- Suspending in-person services including bedside services, memorial services, and funerals. Staff is contacting families with service reservations.
- March 27 update: Columbarium visits are now also suspended.
To provide access to spiritual care and essential functions during this period:
- The ministers and staff will be available by phone and email throughout the office closure. Calls to the business office may be forwarded to staff cell phones — if you have caller ID, be aware that you may not recognize the number used to return your call.
- Ministers are available to perform a chanting service by phone or a service with no one besides the minister in attendance.
- Mail delivery may call the office or use phone numbers on the flyers posted at the temple for access.
- Hawaii Betsuin is partnering with the Hongwanji State Ministers Association to offer online Sunday services streamed live and available on-demand on the HHMH YouTube channel.
- We will continue to offer access to dharma talks in English and Japanese on our website. See https://hawaiibetsuin.org/dharma-talks/.
- We recognize not all our members use computers. To stay in touch and to facilitate mutual support within the sangha, we are creating an outreach plan using diverse forms of communication.
Thank you for your understanding as Hawaii Betsuin responds to the latest developments and directives regarding containment of the novel coronavirus. In keeping with the HHMH 5-year theme and 2020 slogan, may we creatively embrace generosity and openness as we maintain a healthy sangha.
See Also
Hawaii Betsuin’s COVID-19 / Novel Coronavirus Page
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii’s COVID-19 updates and memos