Morning Coffee Inspiration from Pastor Gae

Aloha Friends,

My granddaughter, Gabriela Scout Chalker is now three months old. I’m blessed that my family Facetimes me so I can see the changes in her that are occurring daily. Today, she learned how to grab a rattle! When I see her, my heart just explodes with love and joy. She is truly a gift from God.
As I contemplate our upcoming national holiday, I do worry though about the kind of country Gabriela was born into. What has happened to our country? We’ve become a country with income disparity so pronounced but with no embarrassment or shame... and p harmaceutical companies (supposed to heal?) who have gotten very rich by producing hundreds of thousands of addicts who have little promise for recovery…. and what about the resistance and even refusal to gun controls even though epidemic gun violence is now killing children in school?…. and dehumanizing families from Central America who are migrating because of poverty and violence none of us can come close to imagining… and now Alabama abolishing a woman’s right to choose, claiming “pro-life” while allowing their own schools to rank 49th of all 50 states. Where is the authenticity?

The shadow of our country is in the spotlight right now. The extreme selfishness, pride, arrogance, greed and ego are making headlines.

I’m reminded of the old 80’s song by Tracy Chapman, “Why?”

Why do the babies starve when there's enough food to feed the world?
Why when there are so many of us are there people still alone?
Why are the missiles called peacekeepers when they're aimed to kill?
Why is a woman still not safe when she's in her home?
Love is hate. War is peace. No is yes. And we're all free.
But somebody's gonna have to answer. The time is coming soon.
Amidst all these questions and contradictions, there are some who seek the truth.

I’ll be honest. I am overwhelmed by the questions and contradictions. And so I pray, pray, pray to God for an answer, and I trust that it will come soon. I know there are people out there who do seek truth. I know that for sure. I would like to be among them, because I want to do my little part to make America a better place for Gabriela.

As always, your thoughts please.

Blessings for a contemplative, peaceful Memorial Day weekend.

In the love of our Master,
~Pastor Gae+

To listen to Tracy Chapman’s “Why?”   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP9FCBqdiZw

CONNECT
Engaging the Labyrinth — Using Scripture on the Walk

One way to walk the labyrinth is to use scripture. For example, this Sunday’s gospel reading is from John 5.  It’s the story of the lame man healed by Jesus:

After Jesus healed the son of the official in Capernaum, there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids — blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me." Jesus said to him, "Stand up, take your mat and walk." At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk. Now that day was a sabbath.
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Read and meditate on the passage. Imagine yourself as the lame man and Jesus asking you, “Do you want to be made well?” At the entrance to the labyrinth, consider your response. What needs to be made well? What is holding you back? Meditate on his words as you walk the inward path. When you reach the center, imagine Jesus saying to you, “Stand up and walk.” On the journey out, repeat those words and walk with confidence that healing is taking place.  


Notes from Bishop’s Committee Meeting

Our Bishop’s Committee met last Sunday. Key notes from the meeting:

  • Our income and expense statement for the fourth month of 2019 shows income was greater than expenses by $6,500. Pledge income is running slightly behind. There needs to be awareness that tourism on Kauai has been running 15% off, which could affect our plate income.

  • Rental income has increased thanks to the work of Bishop’s Committee member Suzanne Kobayashi.

  • Final payment was approved for church restoration work.  

  • A fee of $500 was established for church services (marriages, funerals, etc) for those not a part of the Episcopal family.

  • Pastor Gae requested a mutual ministry review as she is half way through her contract.   Suzanne Kobayashi will create an anonymous church-wide questionnaire soliciting feedback.
 
Dr. Michael Foley Moves his Therapy Practice to Christ Memorial

On June 1st, Dr. Michael Foley (our 8:00 am service musician) will be moving his mental health treatment practice to our Christ Memorial office complex. We are very excited about this as our property is becoming a place of renewal in body, mind and spirit. Here are Michael’s services:

Michael E. Foley, MSW, D.MIN., PSY.D.
CSAC, ICADC, Board Certified Diplomate

  • Individuals, Couples and Families
  • Treatment of Mood and Anxiety Disorders
  • Anger Management Specialist
  • Chemical Dependency, Alcohol and Drug Assessment, Treatment and Interventions
  • Marriage Therapy and Human Sexuality Issues
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Eye Movement Desensitization Response (EMDR)
  • Expressive Therapies (art, music, psychodrama)
  • Marriage Therapy and Human Sexuality
  • Spirituality and Psychotherapy
  • Myers-Briggs Type Inventory
  • Enneagram
  • LIFO Survey

North Shore Mental Health Treatment Services
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm
808-651-8269, seanhi1234@gmail.com
licensed/ insurances accepted
Telemedicine as well as in office treatment
Emergency appointments: weekend or evening when possible


Men’s Fellowship Meets Every Monday at 9:00 am
Kilauea Bakery and Pizza (Kong Lung Market Center)

Christ Memorial Men’s Fellowship group is growing! We meet every Monday morning at 9:00am for coffee or breakfast at the Kilauea Bakery. For more information, see Patrick O’Connell at worship or email him at paoco65@gmail.com .

SERVE
Thrift Shop Hours for Shopping and Donations

Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 2:00 - 5:00pm
Wednesday: 9:30am - 12:30pm
Saturday: 9:30am - 3:00pm
Sunday: closed (fellowship 11am - 12pm)
Monday: closed

PRAY
Special Ministry of Christ Memorial ~ Open for Prayer
Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Feeling a little overwhelmed with life? Just drop in to Christ Memorial for a little peace and quiet.

One important ministry of Christ Memorial is the opening of our church doors, Monday through Friday, during the day. It’s amazing the number of people who drop in to pray, meditate, or just to seek a few minutes of quiet. Unfortunately fear has crept into many churches. Pastor Gae believes our country would be very different if all churches kept their doors unlocked.
GIVE
Ways to Support Your Church
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your financial support and generosity allow us to create and enhance the beautiful environment and worship that you and your family enjoy on a weekly basis.

Change to Automated Giving
Thank you to those of you who automate your giving and have a plan to support your church. Your consistent, planned generosity makes it possible for us to budget and dream responsibly. Want to change to automated giving? It makes life easy, especially if you travel. Contact our Treasurer Scott Oliver for information at j.scott.oliver380@gmail.com .
Check
Thank you to all of you who still like to write checks. Please make checks payable to Christ Memorial Episcopal Church and mail to PO Box 293, Kilauea, HI 96754.

 Stock
Through the decades, many have given stock to Christ Memorial, enabling us to be a consistent presence in Kilauea. For more information on contributing stock, contact Scott Oliver at j.scott.oliver380@gmail.com.

Easter Appeal
Thank you to all who gave to our special Easter appeal. Easter is 50 days, so you can still give. To read Pastor Gae’s Easter letter, click Easter 2019 . To give to our Easter Appeal 2019, please click on one of the buttons below:



Sharing our Property for Support and Recovery Groups
Christ Memorial wants to be known in the community as a healing place for the body, mind and spirit. We are seeking support and recovery groups to meet on the property, either in the Parish Hall or the Office. If you know of a group looking for a place to meet: grief support, eating disorders, anxiety, Al-Anon, Gamblers Anonymous, etc., please tell them to contact us.

If you know of a group looking for a place to meet: grief support, eating disorders, anxiety, Al-Anon, Gamblers Anonymous, etc., please tell them to contact Pastor Gae.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) groups meet at Christ Memorial Parish Hall every week on these days and times:

  • Tuesday at 10:00 am
  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday at 7:30 pm
Sign Up for the Diocese of Hawaii E-Newsletters

We invite you to sign up for the Diocese of Hawaii E-News and E-Chronicle to stay informed and to learn about happenings taking place around the Diocese.

E-News is published twice monthly and announces upcoming events and activities throughout the Diocese.

E-Chronicle is magazine-like and publishes special feature stories.

To sign up for the Diocesan E-News and E-Chronicle, click HERE .

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 2019 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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