THE CHURCH SEASON OF EPIPHANY

Open my eyes that I may see.
Open my ears that I may hear.
Open my mind that I may know.
Open my heart that I may live.

To meditate to this Kristopher Lindquist chant:


“UPON BEING SHOWN” is how the word “Epiphany” translates from the Greek “epi-phanein.” The three wise men were led by a star and “shown” the savior of the world. God is always showing something of Godself to us – through creation, people, scripture, ritual, meditation, and the events of life, including struggle and suffering. During this season our discipline is to pay attention. We become more aware of God manifesting Godself to us.

Pray, Meditate, Journal through the Season of Epiphany

THE GUEST HOUSE

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning is a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows
that violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out for
some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
Meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes
because each has been sent as a
guide from beyond.

Jellaludin Rumi translated by Coleman Barks

Music for Meditation during Epiphany

In addition to the Kristopher Lindquist chant, here is another favorite:

The More I Seek You, by Kari Jobe



Morning Coffee Inspiration from Pastor Gae
Friends,

I love that poem by Rumi. It was shared at an NVC (non-violent communication) class that Suzanne Kobayashi leads. I find it so fit for this season of Epiphany as I discipline myself to be more aware of God’s presence in my life. I pay attention to the parade of thoughts that march through my mind throughout the day along with the feelings they produce. I tend to want to embrace the joy-filled thoughts and resist the negative ones, but this poem reminds me to honor them all, and when they appear, ask, “God what are you showing me right now? “I am finding with the more negative thoughts that only when I honor them am I able to release them. Honoring them doesn’t mean dwelling on them. Just like a guest who overstays their welcome, we meet, greet and then say good-bye.
I especially appreciate the last verse of the poem: “ Be grateful for whatever comes because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.” It reminds me that everything in life is indeed in God and has a purpose on the journey.

Thank you all for your responses to Morning Coffee. I’d love to hear about the epiphanies you are experiencing!

Joy, joy, joy,
Pastor Gae+



CONNECT

Centering Prayer with Dr. Matthew Miller
Sunday, January 13
4:00 - 5:30 pm in the Sanctuary
Centering Prayer is a wonderful way to quiet our minds and be present to our God. There are many gifts that come with a centering practice: relieving stress and anxiety, creative inspiration, awakening of the senses, and a sense of becoming one with Mary, Jesus and our God.

Most of us know Dr. Matt Miller from Sunday worship as the guitarist with the beautiful bass voice, who wrote several music settings to the Advent scriptures. Dr. Matt graduated from UCLA with a PhD in Medieval English Literature in 1993, and decided the most useful thing he could do would be to teach people literacy skills. He did so until 2016, working at various locations including Island School and Kauai Community College. Now he is doing something even more useful — teaching Centering Prayer, a discipline he says is “paradise.”


Bishop’s Committee Meeting
Sunday, January 13
10:45 am - Noon in the Parish Hall

Our Bishop’s Committee oversees the “business” of the church. All are invited to observe the meetings. This will be the final meeting for the 2018 Bishop’s Committee.

Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 27
11:00 am in the Parish Hall
A Celebration!

~Where we’ve come in a year
- State of our church report from Pastor Gae
~Budget presentation from Treasurer Scott Oliver
~Goals for 2019
~Announcement of 2019 Slate Bishop’s Committee

Recovery Groups

If you know of anyone interested in starting an AlAnon group or a Grief support group, and need a place to meet, please see Pastor Gae. Christ Memorial would love to expand our recovery ministry.

Alcohol Anonymous (AA) groups meet at Christ Memorial’s Parish Hall every week:

  • Tuesday at 10:00 am
  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday at 7:30 pm

GLOBAL OHANA

The Doors of Christ Memorial are Open Weekdays
Monday-Friday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
All day long, the local community and island visitors stop in to walk the burial grounds, take photos of the church, or come into the sanctuary for reflection and prayer. Some recent comments we received from visitors:

Joan: “ Stunningly beautiful and peaceful.”
Linda & Robert: “ Amazing! God is so good! Thankful for your open door!”
D. Paulin: “ A Holy Place. God be with all who come here.”
Randy: “ I felt the Holy Spirit come over me.”
Kelley: “ Married my late husband here in 1992 ~still as beautiful as I recall. ”
Gary, Jane & Anna: “ Inspirational & a great place for prayer.”

Prayer Requests

Our Sunday prayer list includes those whom our visitors have asked us to pray.

Live off island? If you have a prayer intention or would like to pray for those on our prayer list, email Pastor Gae at gdchalker@gmail.com .


GIVE
Money can buy a bed, but not sleep.
Money can buy a wedding ring, but not love.
Money can buy a clock, but not time.
Money can buy an education, but not wisdom.
Money can buy jewelry, but not beauty.
Money can buy insurance, but not safety.
Money can buy a crucifix, but not a Savior.
Save the Date: Church Work Morning
Saturday, February 2
9:00 - 11:00 am

Do you like to garden or do you like to organize? You have your choice of projects at our next work morning:

  • Plant Star of India around the highway side of the burial grounds.
  • Clean out and organize the kitchen in the Parish Hall.

All ages invited to help. Sustenance (donuts) provided!

Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop

We need your help!
Friends of Shared Blessings,

This past year we have worked very hard to discourage people from bringing donations when the Shop is not open. The reason for this is because there are “scavengers” who climb the fence, rummage through things, help themselves, and leave many items dirty and unusable. If you ever need to drop off items when we are not open, please contact us and we can make arrangements to meet you. If you ever see someone dumping their donation over the fence, please stop and kindly ask them to come back when we are open. Mahalo!
Our Thrift Shop volunteers dedicate their time to create our island’s most popular thrift shop. They sort countless donations and Auntie Helen prices each one. They make the effort to know most of our customers by name. They work hard! And they also have good times together.

Consider joining our team. We work hard, have fun, and make a difference!
To get involved contact Rebecca Hullum, rhullum@me.com.


(808) 828-1825
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Sunday, Monday: closed

Newsletter Mission: Our weekly newsletter was launched this year to inform our island community, as well as connect with our broader community of old and new friends, near and far. Whether you live on Kaua'i, visit seasonally or joined Christ Memorial for the first time during vacation, we welcome you into our global family. We endeavor to include inspiration, new ideas, practical advice and updates on news and events of Christ Memorial. Let us know how we can serve you best in 2018 by replying to this newsletter or emailing us at ChristMemorialKilauea@gmail.com

Have you met Pastor Gae? Pastor Gae wants to get to know you all – phone chats, home visits, morning coffees, afternoon teas or walks on the beach. Near or far, reach out to meet or share your thoughts at gdchalker@gmail.com or (623) 208-9436.
Christ Memorial Episcopal Church
2509 Kolo Road, Kilauea, HI 96754
Mailing: PO Box 293, Kilauea, HI 96754
Phone: (808) 482-4824

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