Morning Coffee Inspiration from Pastor Gae

Aloha Friends,

What is on my mind this Maundy Thursday morning as we begin the Holy Triduum?

We come to the Lord’s table for Holy Communion every Sunday, and we profess a faith that in receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, we are drawn into communion with Jesus, with our God, and with each other. But here’s what I have been wondering ~ Do we go home on Sunday morning with greater love in our hearts for each other? Do we walk away desiring to be in a closer relationship with one another? Do we imagine what our world would be like if it was filled with real love, the kind of love Jesus had for everyone?
I suppose that’s why I’m looking forward to tonight’s service. Aside from the fact that the music is heavenly, to me it contains a powerful message in very few words. You remember we hear the story on Maundy Thursday from the gospel of John about Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, and in the service, we are invited to wash each other’s feet. There isn’t enough space in this newsletter to explain how outrageous that action was in Jesus’ time. But even though the action was symbolic, its message was clear — this is how we are to be with one another. It’s what love is like in the Kingdom of God. It’s real, it’s intimate, it’s close and personal, and… it’s a little scary.

Think about it. Can you imagine letting go of all your attachments to image, role and power? Can you imagine allowing yourself to risk being more intimate and vulnerable with others? Can you imagine sharing not only the bright side of yourself, but also the shadow, the fears, the mistakes, and the sorrows?

Once I went to a Roman Catholic Maundy Thursday service, and they washed hands instead of feet. I’m sure it was a practical thing, but the message was lost. It’s not the same. Our feet are personal space that we typically don’t let anyone touch, except maybe our partner or the licensed cosmetologist giving a pedicure. For sure, I don’t want people to see my feet. My feet were size 10 when I was 14 years old, and after pregnancy, they grew a size. And I inherited my mother’s and grandmother’s veiny legs and feet. But even if you don’t have ugly feet, chances are there is a level of discomfort to the idea of letting someone get that close to you.

Whether we participate in the foot washing or just observe it (it’s totally optional), this service gets us thinking. And that’s what Jesus wants us to do. What does real love look like? What would the world be like without all the barriers we put up to distance ourselves from one another? What might be different when we receive Holy Communion on Sunday mornings? How much closer might we be to even beginning to understand our Master’s words, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.”

I can only imagine.

Blessings my friends for a beautiful Triduum. For those on island, I hope to see you tonight. If you are on the mainland, check out your local Episcopal Church. As always, your thoughts are welcome,

In the Light and Love of the One we follow,
~Pastor Gae+

P.S. A story of interest on foot-washing ceremonies from The Episcopal News Service: Maundy Thursday foot clinics offer loving care rooted in Jesus’ command to serve others


A Statement on the Cathedral of Notre Dame

The cathedral of Notre Dame is more than an icon of the city of Paris; it is an ancient place of worship at which Christians have gathered for nearly a thousand years. In this most sacred of weeks in the Christian year, all Christians mourn the damage caused by the ravages of a terrible and destructive fire in that holy place.
The Episcopal Church throughout Europe, with its seat in the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Paris, expresses its sympathy to the people of Paris and to all who sense the immense loss of this priceless and historic house of worship.

We extend to Archbishop Aupetit and to all his people our sincere condolences and our readiness to offer any hospitality that would be of help to the community and congregation of Notre Dame in this most holy season of the faith we share.

And we send our prayers in this week that ends in what we know to be the sure and certain promise of resurrection for the future life and restoration of this monument of Christian faith.

The Right Reverend Mark D.W. Edington
Bishop in Charge, Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe
The Very Reverend Lucinda Laird
Dean, American Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Paris
The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry
27th Primate and Presiding Bishop, The Episcopal Church


CONNECT

NEW! Labyrinth Ministry at Christ Memorial
Labyrinths are a wonderful way to quiet the mind and move deep into the heart. We are exploring creating a labyrinth on the grass next to our burial grounds.

For those interested in being part of our Labyrinth Ministry, see Pastor Gae. For more information on the spirituality of labyrinths, go to https://veriditas.org/ .

Men’s Fellowship: Every Monday, 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. 

The first book we are reading together is Lee Strobel’s “The Case for Christ.” Lee was an investigative journalist and a self professed “atheist” when his wife had a conversion to Christ. He attempts to dissuade her by trying to find evidence that the resurrection wasn’t real. Our plan is to follow the questions provided at the end of the chapters as our discussion starting points. Books are available at the gathering, so please feel welcome to jump in at any time.

For more information, see Patrick O’Connell at worship or email him at paoco65@gmail.com .


SERVE
Easter Shopping at the Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop
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, drop-in help tidy up with our fellowship team 11am-12pm
Monday: closed

PRAY
A Prayer for Holy Week

Lord God,
I give you thanks, for you are good, and your mercy is endless.
Here I stand, at the start of this holy week,
This week in which your church remembers Jesus’ passion and death,
And I am distracted by many things.
Turn my eyes now to the One who comes in your name
The one who opens the gates of righteousness
The one who answers when we call.
I bless you, Lord, for shining your light upon me,
And for sending your son to us, in human frailty.
To walk the road we walk.
Open my eyes that I may see him coming,
And may praise him with a pure heart.
And may walk in the way of his suffering,
And share also in his resurrection.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
Amen.
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.

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
"You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us, for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgiving to God."
2 Corinthians 2:11-12

Thank you to all who give to support the mission and ministry of Christ Memorial. To read Pastor Gae’s Easter letter, click here: 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 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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