New Year’s Ceremony Volunteers Needed!

November 28, 2024

Volunteer for Shinto Ceremonies!

アメリカ出世稲荷神社では、今年もお正月にリトル東京に神社ブースを出して、皆様の初詣の機会をご提供します。神社ブースを手伝っていただけるボランティアを募集しています。

We are seeking volunteers for our New Year’s event at Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, California. This is a RARE opportunity to learn about Shinto. The best way to learn about Shinto is to experience it! New Year’s Day is a significant day in Shinto, so there will be a lot to learn and experience!

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On-site Shrine event takes many hands to be successful. This is also a great opportunity if you need community service hours for school, college, or work.

  • We need 3-5 volunteers per section. You do not have to volunteer for the entire day, just complete your shift.
  • Volunteers are welcome to observe/attend/participate in ceremony but once you join, please don’t leave until the ceremony has ended.
  • We always welcome people to travel to us to volunteer in-person. Transportation and accommodations expenses are your responsibility.

If you want to be a Miko or a priest’s assistant, you must participate in the volunteer opportunities you sign up for. You must undergo training from lead (Rev. Izumi) and be able to follow instructions 

**Shinto items contain kami (spirits) and must be handled
in a specific way under the guidance of the Priest**

!! Volunteering for events like these are a great opportunity to learn about Shinto and Japanese culture in person !!

Please fill out this form to volunteer for the Shrine.
If you have any questions please email our volunteer coordinator, Kit Morgan at  Kit@ShintoInari.org 

Volunteer Duties and Details

December Date TBD

Pre-event work

Time TBD: 4 hours minimum. Assist in preparing for new years celebration. Variety of tasks to be completed.

December 31

Storage load-up

2 pm-4 pm: Meet at our storage unit and pack the Shrine supplies into the rental van. None of the shrine items are particularly heavy, but we must move them with care, so this takes time. Please be able to stand for long periods of time, endure cold/warm weather, bend, carry, and move up to 50 pounds.

Volunteers are welcome to participate in Toshikoshi-no-oharae and Joya-sai ceremonies at the Shrine office after load-up is complete but space is extremely limited.

January 1

Shift A, Setup and Booth attendant/Shrine attendant

8 am-Noon: Meet at the event location and help unload the vehicles. Altar tables and items can’t go on the floor (or on areas where people walk) so please place these items mindfully. When unpacking, save all packing supplies in the box they came in. In all boxes, there will be a laminated page showing the set-up of the item. When the item is set up please store personal belongings and storage containers should be stored in an orderly fashion. Please make sure the ceremony site is clean and there is no trash on the floor.

Help set up and run Shrine Juyohin booth where Ofuda, Engimono, and Omamori will be available. There will be an area for you to return old omamori, ofuda, engimono, and other Shinto items for Otakiage. Provide Shrine information, accept donations for Shinto items. Provide general assistance to attendees with praying method, directing them to the proper areas and reminding them of Shrine etiquette.

Assist Rev. Izumi as directed. Help maintain the cleanliness of the Shrine booth site. 

Please be able to stand for long periods of time, endure warm/cold weather, be able to bend, carry, and move up to 30 pounds.

Shift B, Booth attendant/Shrine attendant

Noon- 4pm: Help set up and run Shrine Juyohin booth where Ofuda, Engimono, and Omamori will be available. There will be an area for you to return old omamori, ofuda, engimono, and other Shinto items for Otakiage. Provide Shrine information, accept donations for Shinto items. Provide general assistance to attendees with praying method, directing them to the proper areas and reminding them of Shrine etiquette.

Assist Rev. Izumi as directed. Help maintain the cleanliness of the Shrine booth site.

When directed by Rev. Izumi break down Juyohin booth and pack items up. Please do this in a manner that does not disturb the Shrine altar booth. 

Please be able to stand for long periods of time, endure hot/cold weather, be able to bend, carry, and move up to 30 pounds.

Load out

4pm- 6pm: After offerings are removed, help take down and repackage all items. Remember to treat all items mindfully and do not throw away any zip ties (most are reusable) or packing supplies. Help pack the cars to move items to storage. 

Please be able to stand for long periods of time, endure cold/warm weather, be able to bend, carry, and move up to 30 pounds.

Storage Unload

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Meet at the Shrine storage facility and help unpack the vehicles and return Shrine instruments to their correct place inside the storage unit. The Shrine will provide dinner for volunteers who have worked all day.  

!! Volunteering for events like these are great opportunities
to learn about Shinto and Japanese culture in person !!

Please fill out this form to volunteer for the Shrine.
If you have any questions please email our volunteer coordinator, Kit Morgan at  Kit@ShintoInari.org 
Copyright© Shinto Shrine of Shusse Inari in America. All right reserved.
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