Edwina Thomas, the national director of Sharing Of Ministries Abroad USA, will discuss her experiences in a free talk at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Calvary Episcopal Church, 45-435 Aumoku St., Kane'ohe

Thomas has participated in more than 70 short-term missions and has co-developed a training program for mission team leaders.

Information: 247-2733.

ALL BELIEVERS TO HOLD SYMPOSIUM

The All Believers Network holds its third annual daylong symposium — Celebrating Our Spiritual Similarities; Savoring Our Ritual Differences — at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 3 in the University of Hawai'i-Manoa art auditorium.

Cost for the daylong symposium is $25 (includes vegetarian lunch and beverage). Scholarships available for students.

There also will be a workshop at 7 p.m. the night before — an introduction to "Tibetan Zen: Mahamudra, Dzogchen and Chod" — at the Tendai Institute of Hawaii, 23 Jack Lane.

Information: Harendra Panalal, 538-6202.

'SOCIALLY ENGAGED BUDDHISM' MEET

Robert Aitken will be on hand for a free introductory meeting on the topic of "Socially Engaged Buddhism," 3 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Palolo Valley sangha, 2747 Wai'amao Road.

Aitken, a Zen roshi, is a co-founder of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship and serves on its international board of advisers. He has been active in peace, social justice and ecological movements, and his writing reflects his concern that Buddhists be engaged in social applications of their experience.

Information: 371-6080 or www.bpf.org.