T he more I seek You
The more I find You
The more I find You
The more I love You
I want to sit at Your feet
Drink from the cup in Your hand.
Lay back against You and breathe, feel Your heartbeat
This love is so deep, it's more than I can stand.
I melt in Your peace, it's overwhelming.

To meditate on this Kari Jobe song:


Morning Coffee Inspiration from Pastor Gae
Yesterday at music practice, a member of our music team had an idea to create a more functional space for the entire liturgical party. It required switching around the chancel. The pulpit and piano is now on the right and the music team is over on the left. The Paschal candle was moved to its rightful place by the baptismal font and the processional cross is now next to the altar.

Change is interesting. As all this was happening, one woman said, “I love to move furniture around!” I have to agree with her. Whenever I’m feeling a bit “stuck” in life, creating a little change in my environment always makes a positive difference in my attitude. But not everyone embraces change like I do. My childhood home never changed. The furniture was always in the same place even if it was new (although very rarely did my parents buy new furniture). Even the routine of our house was  pretty much the same. It’s interesting how different I am than my family.

In church life, the different ways in which folks engage change is very evident. A new way of doing something is brought forward and some jump right in with an excited “YES!” while others immediately shut down. Believe it or not, I’ve actually seen people leave the church because of what I would consider little changes. For them, it wasn’t a little change.

What is it about change that causes some of us to embrace it and others to resist?  Change just for the sake of change isn’t always good. I’ve learned that from experience, making big mistakes because I changed something in my life without thinking it through. But tending to resist change can be a bigger mistake. Usually those who resist change do so out of fear. What’s that old saying about the devil you already know is better than the devil you don’t? That saying says it all. In the minds of many, change will most likely end up bad.  

But here is what I think is important. Jesus is all about change. He calls us to let go of the old wineskins and create new ones for new wine. This is much bigger than just changing furniture around. It’s changing our attitudes about everything that is holding us back from being what he desires us to be — his devoted follower. It might mean changing vocation, or a circle of friends, or habits, or political beliefs. What needs to be changed?  
I’m reminded of that old Tracy Chapman song called “Change” that begins with, “ If you knew that you would die today; if you saw the face of God and love, would you change?”  

Please, please, please… I welcome your thoughts!  Are you a person who loves change or resists it? And by the way, you don’t have to love the change in the sanctuary, but when you see it, pay attention to your thoughts and feelings.  

Joy, joy, joy
Pastor Gae+

CONNECT


Church Work Morning
Photo Gallery of last Saturday’s work morning

Seventeen of us showed up last Saturday for our Work Morning. Star of India was planted all across the highway side of our church property with a plan that it will grow into a beautiful hedge. Under the direction of Imelda, our incredible property gardener, problematic plants and even a palm were removed. A team worked in our Parish Hall kitchen, cleaning and purging. It’s a great feeling to have a spotless kitchen! A special “mahalo” to all who participated!

Centering Prayer with Dr. Matthew Miller and Pastor Gae
1st and 3rd Sundays of the month, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
What is centering prayer? According to the late Thomas Keating, founder and spiritual guide of Contemplative Outreach, “Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself.

This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. Rather, it adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer — verbal, mental or affective prayer — into a receptive prayer of resting in God. Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Him.”

Having a Centering Prayer group has been a goal of Pastor Gae’s since coming to Christ Memorial. She says, “I’ve always loved ending the Sabbath by coming together with friends to meditate and pray.”

Centering Prayer now meets on the first and third Sundays of the month in the Sanctuary. The service includes an opening prayer/invocation, a little teaching, music and time for both silent and walking meditation. Our next service will be on Sunday, February 17th. Join us!

Worth Checking Out!

The Story of God with Morgan Freeman

Two seasons now on Netflix!
This is so much better than most of the stuff on TV.  Morgan Freeman shares his journey to discover how our beliefs connect us all.


SERVE

Sunday Fellowship Thrift Shop Team Now Organizing
Our Thrift Shop is an incredible blessing for the community and our church. Most folks have no idea what takes place behind the scenes to create not only a wonderful place to shop at low prices, but also a place to recycle.

Our newly organized Sunday team works when the Thrift Shop is closed. Most of our work is straightening and displaying. Our marching orders come from our “boss,” Helen Mitsui.
An extra perk — we have a great time getting to know one another. We gather after the 9:30 am service (approximately 10:45-11:45 am) over at the Thrift Shop and usually work an hour. Questions? Contact Rebecca Hullum. rhullum@me.com


Stations of the Cross: Calling all Artists
(or those who would like to nurture the artist within themselves)

Lent begins on Sunday, March 10.  We’d like to have Stations of the Cross to be journeyed and prayed throughout Lent and especially on Good Friday.  Since we don’t have Stations at Christ Memorial, our idea is to have you create them! Sign up for one of the Stations and create your own rendition of it on a small canvas supplied by the church.  The fourteens stations are:
You can create the station any way you want: paint, tile, glued paper, fabric, color, black and white, simple or fancy. Let the artist within you come out! As Julia Cameron says, “Creativity requires faith. Faith requires that we relinquish control.”

Beginning in Lent, each Sunday the canvases will be placed in numerical order on the grass beside the burial grounds. Prayer booklets will be available. Canvases will be given out next Sunday, but we’re giving you a heads up, so you can learn more about the station you have selected.  

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

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.

What’s a Giving Jar? The thought behind it is that giving a $1.00 a day seems easy and more doable than giving $30 a month. It’s much like spare change giving from the old days. Take all your spare change at the end of the day and toss it into a piggy bank. Before you know it, there is quite a bit of money in the bank. Same idea.
At the end of each month, we all will bring back our Giving Jars, have them blessed, and the money collected will go to a particular ministry. This month’s Giving Jars will benefit Fellowship which funds monthly fellowship activities and treats for after services.

If you were unable to attend the Annual Meeting, just find a jar and place in a prominent spot so you don’t forget. Bring it back on the last Sunday of the month.





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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