WHERE WE WORSHIP
'Spiritual mediums' deliver readings

Advertiser Staff

• Name of organization: Aquarian Foundation, a nondenominational group.

The Rev. Doug Werner meditates with a rock crystal at the chapel of the Aquarian Foundation in Waikiki. Photo courtesy of Aquarian Foundation

• Our pastor: The Rev. Doug Werner is the local leader. The Rev. Jann Werner, his wife, is head of the international group, which includes study groups in South Africa, Canada and Australia as well as the United States.

• Our numbers: Seating available for up to 30 people. "Sometimes it's full, sometimes there's less than that," said Doug Werner.

• What's special about us: During services, there are readings given by what are called "spiritual mediums" from the church. A spiritual medium is "someone who can contact someone who has passed over," said Doug Werner.

• What we believe: "Aquarian Foundation studies and practices the principles of affirmative prayer, meditation, spiritual healing and the existence of a life after death," said Doug Werner. "Our teachings include a vast number of subjects which encompass contemporary social and lifestyle issues."

Members of the Aquarian Foundation believe in God, and that Jesus was an example of the divine manifest in flesh, and that Muhammad and Buddha were great teachers, Werner said, adding: "We encompass Christianity among other religions."

Their sacred text is a series of lessons brought through their spiritual founder, he said. "We feel that spiritual development is the core to any spiritual path and feel that this development is more beneficial to the truth seeker than adhering to any specific ceremony, dogma or creed."

• Our history: The group was founded in 1955 in Seattle by the late Rev. Keith Milton Rhinehart, whose "scientifically tested adept mediumship" focused on the spiritual development of the inner person.

There are currently more than 20 branches and study groups throughout the world, Werner said.

• What we're excited about: The monthly spiritual healing and medium readings, which will be March 1.

• Contact: 536-3055 or 926-8134.

If you would like to recommend a faith organization for a Where We Worship profile, e-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com, call 525-8035 or write: Where We Worship, Faith Page, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.