December 15, 2019
Third Sunday of Advent
8:00 am and 9:30 am

Scripture Readings

Isaiah 35:1-10
Canticle 15  - the Song of Mary
James 5:7--10
Matthew 11:2-11


Christmas at Christ Memorial
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 7:00pm
Christmas Day 9:30 AM

Weekly Centering Prayer and Meditation
Now meeting every Sunday
4:00-5:00 pm 

Our Centering Prayer group now meets weekly and is open to all faiths and to anyone who is seeking a deeper meaning to their spiritual life along the Contemplative Path. Each session, Pastor Gae gives meditation instruction followed by a bit of music and sacred reading, time to sit in silence, and time for observations and questions. Cushions for the pews are provided.

“Silence is God’s first language. Everything else is a poor translation.”  Thomas Keating
Morning Coffee Inspiration from Pastor Gae

Aloha Friends,
I love this time of year! I love setting up my nativity and decorating my little condo. I love listening to Christmas music, even the old secular favorites. I love to binge on foods I never eat like those sugar cookies that come in a tin, eggnog (non dairy isn’t as good though)), dark chocolate See’s candy, and fruit cake. I love watching old movies. This month I’ve already watched A Christmas Carol (George C. Scott version), Bells of St. Mary, and It’s a Wonderful Life (Jimmy Stewart). And I still have in my que Miracle on 34th Street, the Nativity Story, Elf, Love Actually and Charlie Brown’s Christmas. They are the perfect break when my brain gets overloaded with congressional hearings.

I love sharing memories with my kids. One favorite memory was when Luke was young and we lived in Las Vegas. My best friend lived on a cul-de-sac in which all the home owners agreed to super-decorate the front of their houses including painting the garage doors with a fun Christmas scene. Christmas music was playing at high volume and every evening throughout the month of December, cars from all over town would drive to Hondo Court to get a dose of the JOY! This picture is of our boys (Luke is on the left).
I mention all of this because today I went to physical therapy and my PT asked me if I thought kids today weren’t interested in the old traditions. He was concerned that technology has taken over so much that the sorts of things that were really fun in years past aren’t of much interest anymore. 

I’ve been thinking all morning about his concerns. I hope and pray that isn’t the direction we are going. I believe rituals and traditions are very important to human beings. They are often our fondest memories and there is a comfort to them. But if he’s right, I think it is going to be up to us ( parents, grandparents and even great grandparents) to take the time and make the effort to share with our kids the traditions that gave us and still give us so much joy. I don’t care what anyone says… my phone or my computer will never compete with the joy I get from my traditions. It’s magic!

I’d love to hear about your Advent/Christmas family traditions and your thoughts about my PT’s concerns. My son, daugher-in-law and grandbaby will be here for Christmas, and I know my son will expect our Christmas Eve tradition of coming home after worship and leaving cookies and a toddy for Santa. We don’t have a fireplace, but we will figure out something.

Advent joy, joy, joy,

Pastor Gae+

CONNECT
Free Community Christmas Concert
December 20, 2019

Christ Memorial will be hosting an evening of music featuring beautiful sounds of the season, with a very special Christmas concert for the community on Friday, December 20, 2019, beginning at 7:00 PM.

The North Shore Christmas Choir presents this free concert for all.  The Choir is comprised of about 25 of our neighbors, led by Mark Anderson. The choir sings both classic and unique seasonal arrangements in four-part acapella harmony.
The Creche Exhibit at Christ Memorial Parish Hall

Join us after the concert for a light reception and a sharing of Christmas creches and nativities in our Parish Hall (across the street from the sanctuary). Our Creche Exhibit consists of several donated nativities, and we invite parishioners and guests to bring their own to share for the evening. If you are interested, please bring your nativities to set up on one of our prepared tables before the concert. We will have someone monitoring the Parish Hall throughout the concert and look forward to sharing our personal creches during the reception. We are also seeking finger-food dessert items for the reception, such as Christmas cookies, brownies, lemon bars, etc. If you are able to contribute, please call Susan at (650) 576-1112. 
Bible Study - Gospel of John
Begins Wednesday, January 8 , 2:00 - 3:15 pm
Meets in the Church Office

We are starting a new study in January on the gospel of John.  Bring a bible, any translation. If you’ve never been in a bible study, there is no better time to start than the New Year!  Sign up on the walkway or email Pastor Gae gdchalker@gmail.com .  
Keiki Fall Sunday School 
Every Sunday, 8:00 – 9:00 am
Meets in the Church Office

For the first Sunday of Advent, our Keiki created their Advent candles. We welcome new students, as well as volunteers and parents to assist in our Sunday School program. For more information, contact Keana Oliveira keana@ischool.org or Leona Blankley at lcblankley@aol.com .

Men’s Fellowship 
Every Monday at 9:00 am
Meets at Kilauea Bakery and Pizza 

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

SERVE
Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop

Something for Everybody at Shared Blessings Thrift Shop!
We have Gift Cards!

Moving on into the 21st century, Helen Mitsui Shared Blessing Thrift Shop is now selling gift certificates in any denomination. Keep in mind, for credit card sales, the minimum is $10. What better way to say mahalo to friends, family, colleagues, partners and neighbors than to share in the recycling and responsible consumption of goods on our island! Best shopping on the North Shore! Ask about gift certificates at our front desk.
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 9:00am-4:00pm
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.


 GIVE


Update on Stewardship 2020

Thank you to all of our members who submitted their pledge offering for 2020. At Christ Memorial, as in all Episcopal churches, we believe we all share in the cost of being church.  

We are now beginning the work on the church budget. You can still make a pledge. Just ask an usher for a Pledge card.
  Prayer:    

Magnificent Holy Father. 
I stand before you at this altar. So many have given you more.
I may not have much I can offer. Yet what I have is truly yours. 
This is my offering, dear Lord. 
This is my offering to You, God.


Change to Automated Giving

Thank you to those of you who automate your giving and having 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 Tom Blankley for information at tblankley@msn.com . 

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 .



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
Connect with the Diocese of Hawa i ' i

To keep up with the news from the Diocese of Hawai'i, please click on the buttons below:

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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