WEEKLY NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
June 26, 2020
Connecting with Those at Home
The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Service of Holy Eucharist
8:00 am & 9:30 am
Scripture Readings for this Sunday:
Micah 4:1-5
Psalm 85:7-13
Ephesians 2:13-18
Matthew 10:24-39
Folks are happy to be back in the Sanctuary worshiping, but for those still at home, the online Zoom option is a safe way to participate.

At left, pastor Gae sends us off in peace to love and serve the Lord!

For the safety of everyone, we ask that you make a reservation for the service you plan to attend. Email Pastor Gae at: christmemorialkilauea@gmail.com. At the beginning of each service Pastor Gae will explain how we will be receiving communion.

LIVE ZOOM WORSHIP CONTINUES DURING 9:30 SERVICE
For those unable to attend in person, we are offering a live stream on Zoom during the 9:30 service. Connect through Zoom:
Celebrating Our History: Do You Remember?
Do you remember any of the priests listed below? Help us as we plan for our first big event in our newly renovated Parish Hall. This fall we are going to be remembering our history!
Tell us when you came into the church and what you remember: Accomplishments of the priests who served, events, challenges and even funny stories. We are also looking for photos of the following priests who served Christ Memorial and St. Thomas.  Email what you know to Melody Lotspeich at mellomack@gmail.com.
~Marcos E. Carver, 1917 – 1925 Founder and Priest-in-Charge of missions on the Island of Kauai
~Henry A. Willey, 1924 – 1945
~Harold Wilmot-Smith, 1945 – 1948
~Paul R. Savanack, 1949 – 1950
~Norman R. Alter, 1950 – 1952
~E. Lani Hanchett Layman-in-Charge, 1951 – 1952, Deacon at CMEC in 1952, ordained Priest in 1953, later became the 1st Hawaiian Bishop, and 1st Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii
~Keith Kreitner, 1952 – 1953
~Samuel N. McCain, Jr., 1953 – 1958
~Thomas D. Hughes, 1958 – 1960
~Charles T. Crane, 1960 – 1962
~Thomas K. Yoshida, 1962 – 1966
~Charles G. Hopkins, Jr., 1966 – 1969
~Elsberry W. Reynolds, 1969 – 1970
~George T. Eppley, 1972 – 1973
~Richard S. O. Chang, 1973 – 1979 later became the 4th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii
~Robert E. Walden, 1979 – 1981
~Jan C. Rudinoff, 1982 – 1984
~James P. Eron, 1984 – 1992
~A. Donor Macneice, 1993 – 2005
~Shirley Ellingboe, 2009 – 2010
~Roberta R. Taylor, 2011 – 2016
Morning Coffee with Pastor Gae
Aloha Friends,

I love to study the Bible; not by myself though, but with others. If I had my choice, I’d be in a study group several times a week. It wasn’t always that way. I grew up in an Episcopal family who religiously attended a typical Episcopal church, the family-size church of under 100 people. Most folks in my church had a Bible in their home, but if it was like our home, it was on the shelf gathering dust. But everyone had their own Book of Common Prayer, usually the one we received when we were confirmed at age 12 or 13. As kids we went to the Sunday service and sat quietly.
About all I knew about the Bible was that there was such a book. The private school I attended up until grade 4 in South Pasadena had a religion called the John Birch Society. We didn’t learn anything about the Bible, but we learned a heck of a lot about the evils of communism. From then on it was public school where religion was never discussed. 

I had friends who were Baptist or Pentecostal. Their families talked a lot about the Bible.  In high school, my best friend who was Assembly of God carried his Bible to school, although I can’t say I ever saw him open it. 

When I went to seminary in Berkeley at age 40, I knew relatively nothing about the Bible. I have no idea how I got through the process to get there without anyone questioning my relationship with the Scripture. Perhaps it was the Spirit at work, as my bishop was a trustee of the seminary and it would have looked bad if he didn’t send them some paying students (That sounds a bit cynical... he was a great bishop). 
At seminary I was required to take several semesters of Scripture. I’d take my typical position in the classroom by the side wall and pray that I would never be called upon. It was one class that created an awakening within me – Parables of Jesus, taught by the Jesuit scholar John Donahue. After that I was hooked.
 
When I was a curate (1998-1999) I had to lead my first Bible study group. I loved it. Everyone in the group, mostly seniors, were like me. They had been in the Episcopal Church forever but the only Scripture knowledge they had was from the Sunday lectionary readings and the 12 minute sermon that may or may not have connected. We learned together.

Long story short, I’ve been in Bible study groups ever since. I’ve never ever lectured. I find lectures boring. All I do is present what I know about the context and how it might have been heard by those who heard it first. From there, everyone shares their responses, questions, understandings, fears and frustrations. When I say “fears and frustrations” it’s because I’ve experienced that everytime we engage the Scripture, something new challenges an old belief system. And that can be kind of scary. It’s weird how that happens. I guess that’s what is meant by, “It’s the living word of God.”

I love it when we are given freedom in Bible study to share what we really think. At times I’ve told the group when I despise a certain passage or when I question if Jesus ever said things in the way  that are reported in the gospel….like “if you deny me, I will deny you.” Phooey! The Jesus I know would never say something like that.
  
I think all sacred text and all the great saints and teachers have provided for us the wisdom to progress on this spiritual journey while we are living our chapter on earth. But for me, some of the best insights have come through the wisdom of friends as we study the Bible together. 

 As always, please share. What has been your experience with the Bible? 
 
Joy, joy, joy,

Pastor Gae ✝️
Comments & Thoughts from last week's Coffee Chat:
From Scott in North Carolina -  My wife and I were blessed in 2019 to be able to spend a few minutes in prayer in your beautiful sanctuary. I am a member of a Quaker meeting. So many times over the last three years I have felt the same feelings you expressed.  Do I even worship the same God as my neighbor? So many times I feel we make God in our own image and so much smaller than he/she could ever be. Thank you for your honesty. Thank you for your voice. We look forward to returning to your beautiful island.  God Bless you and you congregation.  

From Elaine in Kilauea -  I am staying open to discovering God’s reality.  I’m not sure my opinion really matters. So far it just seems to get in the way. I am almost always wrong. The only thing it seems I can do is keep surrendering, and trusting. To love God and to love others. I know this is absolutely true.  
June 27, 2020
8:00 - 10:00 am
Church Work Day This Saturday
June 27, 8:00-10:00 am
We are going to have another Church Work Day this month since we are preparing to reopen our Parish Hall. Under the direction of Maggie Lea, our Parish Hall has had a complete makeover! The work we will be doing is:

  1. Brush, clean & powerwash the lanai
  2. Clean the banisters and touch up the paint.  
  3. Decorate the restrooms.
  4. Move the bench to the lanai.
Parish Hall Available For Rent July 1
Wouldn’t it be great if our Parish Hall featured:
  • Yoga and exercise classes
  • Exercise for seniors
  • Monthly discussions about social issues
  • All kinds of Healthy Living groups (Adult Children of Alcoholics; Eating Disorders; Financial Peace)
  • Bridge, Chess or Mahjong 
  • Healthy eating lectures and movies

Help us get it going. Please share with those who might be interested in starting a program.
Update: Vicarage Project
Some of you have asked about the VICARAGE PROJECT. We want to reassure you that we haven’t given up the ghost. The virus slowed our momentum for the past couple of months but we are back on track.

Having a vicarage for a priest is essential for the future of our little church. When Pastor Gae arrived, full-time rental housing was very scarce on our side of the island. We didn’t know if she was going to have to live in Kapaʻa or Lihue and commute. In the time that she has been here she has already had to move once.

We are currently looking at some architectural drawings. Stay tuned!
Ongoing Activities:
In case you missed it, click HERE to read the article about the Thrift Shop in the Diocese's latest news publication, the Chronicle, and scroll down to Kaua'i Happenings. This issue also highlights a "Return to Our Worship Spaces" article with photos from churches around the Diocese. See if you can catch Pastor Gae and Suzanne in the slideshow! If you'd like to receive news and notices from the Diocese, sign up HERE.
The Thrift Shop has its own Facebook page (Shared Blessings Thrift Shop Kauai). Click on the logo to go there now!
Our Thrift Shop is Open!
We are open for donations and shopping!

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Wednesday 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Saturday 9:30 am - 3:00 pm

For a safe shopping experience, we can only allow 5 shoppers in the store at any time. All must wear masks and use hand sanitizer.

Wait until you see our newly renovated Thrift Shop !
Want a preview? click here

Online Centering Prayer & Scripture Reflection
Tuesdays, 9:00 - 9:45 am (HST)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7532197968

We will continue to have Centering Prayer every Tuesday morning on Zoom, 9:00 - 9:45 am. We begin with a scripture reading for the day followed by 12 minutes of meditation. Then a reflection is read and anyone who would like to share an insight is invited to do so. We finish with prayer time for those in need of healing.  
Online Bible Study: NEW Series
Spiritual Lessons from the Book of Genesis
Time to start a new Bible Study! It will be online via Zoom, and we are determining whether to hold it on Monday or Wednesday mornings, from 9:30-10:34 AM (HST). If you’ve never studied the Bible, why not now? This isn’t a lecture. All you need is a Bible, any translation, and the ability to get on Zoom. Email Pastor Gae gdchalker@gmail.com if you are interested in attending and your day preference.
The Labyrinth - Meditation in Movement
Feeling a little overwhelmed with life right now? Try walking our labyrinth. Here are some ways to walk the labyrinth:

Walk it as a kind of prayer.

Walk it as a symbolic journey.

Set an intention to receive inspiration, or an answer to a  question, or a solution to a problem.

Set an intention to unwind, to let go of a worry or burden.

Use the labyrinth for learning more about yourself and life being aware of how you walk it and what you observe as you walk it.
Online Care

Alcohol Anonymous (AA) 
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday at 7:30 pm (HST) Go to www.kauaiaa.org and look for the Northshore AA groups. 
GIVE
Our giving is important, especially now.

Although we aren’t gathering in the sanctuary for worship, our church bills are still the same. We’ve had questions from our Sunday worshippers and now our Zoom worshippers about how to give. Your continued gifts really matter, especially in this time of uncertainty.  
If you prefer to give by check, please send to:
Christ Memorial Episcopal Church,
P.O. Box 293, Kilauea, HI 96754

Or consider changing to Automated Giving. It makes life easy. Just click on the button below to make a one-time or recurring donation. 

Thank you for your love and care for our Christ Memorial community!

Quicklinks:

Newsletter Mission: Our weekly newsletter was launched 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 2020 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