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:



Morning Coffee Inspiration from Pastor Gae
I’ve been thinking a lot about “home” since getting back to Kaua`i from a 10-day whirlwind trip to Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Apple Valley (the high desert). All three have been my home, each for nearly 20 years.

Now I’m back “home” on Kaua`i. I do love it here. I love driving 40 mph and letting anyone and everyone cut in front of me. I love the absence of billboards. (every other billboard in Las Vegas is for a personal injury attorney!) I love not seeing mansions. (mansion-izing is the thing now in Nevada and Arizona). And of course, I love the incredible beauty. But when I lived in all the other places, I could tell you why I loved them too.

What does it mean to be “home”? There are a lot of pithy quotes about “home” — “Home is where the heart is.” “Home, sweet home.” Some people I have talked to feel very connected to a place they call “home.” Even if they don’t live there anymore, they still have very nostalgic feelings. On my trip, I noticed I don’t share those feelings. All the places I have lived and all the “homes” I have lived in, I have appreciated. They all contained joys and sorrows, successes and failures, special people and experiences. And now I’m confident my new home on Kaua`i will provide the same.
I’ve come to the realization that while I’m on this earthly journey, I am never really “home” anyway. I guess that’s what Paul meant when he said, “ For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” Jesus said, “In my Father’s house, there are many rooms. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” That says to me when my earthly journey is over, then and only then will I truly be able to say, “There’s no place like home.”

As always, your thoughts are appreciated. Joy, joy, joy!

Pastor Gae+

CONNECT

Church Work Morning

This 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!


Not a Super Bowl Fan? Here’s an Option:
Centering Prayer with Dr. Matthew Miller and Pastor Gae

This Sunday, February 3
4:00 - 5:00 pm in the Sanctuary
Not into football? Your team losing?

Consider coming to Centering Prayer this Sunday with Dr. Matt and Pastor Gae.

Centering Prayer is now on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month, 4;00 - 5:00 pm.

Bring a pillow for comfort.

Stay for a few minutes afterward for a cup of tea and sharing of the experience and questions.


Annual Meeting Results

The 77th Annual Meeting of Christ Memorial Episcopal Church was last Sunday. The following are highlights of our meeting:

Pastor Gae gave a review of what the church accomplished in the last year to 30 people in attendance. Her top 5 highlights:

  • Opening the doors of the church during the week day for visitors and neighbors
  • Tackling the long overdue maintenance to church structures and developing an annual maintenance plan going forward
  • Beautification of the church grounds, including the work tracing the genealogy of those buried here and engaging parishioners to foster the burial sites, as well as the installation of the columbarium
  • Increased attendance of 40% over the previous year, largely due to the addition of another service
  • Launching the church’s first weekly online newsletter to nearly 1,000 people around the globe

Her goals for the coming year are: 1) to continue to grow the church through worship and opportunities to connect and serve, 2) to build a stable financial future, and 3) to consider acquiring a residence for clergy, possibly on the church grounds.
 
Scott Oliver gave the Treasurer’s report, where he shared the 2018 pledge and plate income was 36% higher than the previous year. He also shared the 2019 budget with the congregation. To receive a copy, see Scott.

The 2019 Bishop’s Committee slate was presented and approved.

Meet the 2019 Bishop’s Committee

Returning:
David Akana, Bishop’s Warden (liaison to the Bishop)
Craig Wall, Junior Warden
Scott Oliver, Treasurer
Bill Butler, Finance
Suzanne Kobayashi, Long Term Planning
Maggie Lea, Historic Preservation
Helen Mitsui, Shared Blessings Thrift Shop
Patrick O’Connell, Outreach
Keana Olivera, Children/Youth

New:
Leona Blankley, Children/Youth
Gordon Furze, Fellowship
Rebecca Hullum, Administration

Non Voting:
Molly Oliver, Clerk
SERVE


Sunday Fellowship Thrift Shop Team Now Organizing
The Helen Mitsui Shared Blessing Thrift Shop is a an important ministry of Christ Memorial Episcopal Church. We have been providing reasonably priced supplies and treasures for the Kilauea community and tourists for over 30 years. In addition, our shop is an invaluable recycling center, which is great for our environment!

The thrift shop is seeking volunteers to meet on Sundays after services for an hour or two while the shop is closed. Join us for fellowship and help us fulfill a need to organize merchandise and prepare for the work week ahead.

If you would be interested in this ministry, please talk to Rebecca Hullum at rhullum@me.com. Mahalo!

PRAY

A Special Ministry of Christ Memorial: Doors Open Every Day!

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. Pastor Gae believes our country would be very different if all churches kept their doors unlocked. Unfortunately fear has crept into many churches.


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

February Giving Jars
Benefit our Fellowship Ministry

Last Sunday at our Annual Meeting, we passed out Giving Jars. It’s one little way we can make a big dent (maybe even erase) our budget deficit.

$1.00 a day is easy, right? Or even 50 cents a day!


At the end of each month, we will bring back our Giving Jar, have it blessed, and the money collected will go to a particular ministry.

This month’s giving Jars will benefit Fellowship.

(If you weren’t at services last Sunday, just find a jar and place in a prominent spot so you don’t forget.)





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.

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

Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop

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
(808) 828-1825

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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