March 15, 2019

8:00 am and 9:30 am
4:00 pm Centering Prayer

Worship this Sunday and the Coronavirus

Friends, this Sunday we will have our customary church services at 8:00 & 9:30 am. We are taking the advice of health professionals and washing all pews, prayer books and hymnals. We will be refraining from handshakes and hugs at the Peace. Pastor Gae taught us last week how to sign “Peace be with you.” The common cup at communion will be served, but Pastor Gae encourages you to consider receiving it through meditation only. After you have received and consumed the Host, cross your arms over your chest. When the chalice minister raises the chalice in front of you and says “The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation,” imagine the presence of Christ and his perfect love filling your body and your mind. We will be holding in prayer all those affected by the virus directly or indirectly.  


Scripture Readings for this Sunday



Mahalo to Saim Caglayan for the photo of our labyrinth.

Walk the Labyrinth using “The Way of the Cross”

In the Prayer Chapel you will find a little book by Clarence Enzler, “The Way of the Cross.” Take it with you to the labyrinth and use it as a guide as you walk and stop to pray
at the 14 numbered “Stations of the Cross” marked by pavers.  
Prayer Ministry Healing Service
Every Wednesday
10:00 - 10:30 am
One of the seven sacraments in our church is known as Unction, or Healing. Each Wednesday, 10:00 – 10:30 am, Christ Memorial has a Healing Service in the sanctuary. We pray for the healing requests that come in every day from those who visit the church. There is also Anointing and Laying on of Hands for those who desire it. Pastor Gae is seeking 2 or 3 people who would be committed to come and pray with her every Wednesday morning. Let her know if this interests you.

Morning Coffee Inspiration from Pastor Gae

Aloha,

My friends, how do you feel when you hear the words, “Once upon a time”? When I was a child, they were the entry point for me to explore a world that wasn’t defined by anything. I could be the lady with long blonde hair on a beautiful horse galloping bareback across a vast grassy green field. Sun shining. Today “Once upon a time” takes me to a wise old woman wrapped in a purple shawl, blissfully content with her life. 
I’ve been thinking about imagination. Imagination is the ability to see beyond our senses or “out of the box.” It is the impetus for creativity and innovation. We all have this power. It was very much alive in us when we were young children. We could play outside by ourselves or even with our friends and create all kinds of imaginary story.

Unfortunately at an early age, some of us were discouraged to enter that world. “Color in the lines,” we were told. Some us were labeled as “day dreamers.” For many, that got translated as though the imagination is never reality. And so some of us have buried our imagination and cut ourselves off from a world of possibility, unable to imagine anything beyond what we have already experienced or what we currently engage with our senses. We hear it in church with those immortal words “We’ve always done it that way.”

Progress on the spiritual journey depends on us nurturing the power of our imagination. One spiritual writer said, “If you always imagine God in the same way, no matter how true and beautiful it may be, you will not be able to receive the gift of the new ways God has ready for you.”
There is a shadow side though to imagination. We are seeing it now with the fear over the Coronavirus.

Many people allow their imaginations to go to the worst possible scenarios when facing a crisis like this, or a health diagnosis or a job loss or a setback of any kind. 

We want our imagination to partner with love and life. If it’s not that, ditch it. To move our imagination into something tangible, we add doses of wisdom, power, strength and passion. I love what Linda Martella-Whitsett, author of “Divine Audacity” says, “By the power of the imagination, I live “AS IF.” I incarnate or embody the character necessary for the ideal to become real.”

There are lots of ways to nurture the power of imagination. Claim it! Let go of all the negative stuff that is unreal. Awaken the inner child. Maybe revisit fairy tales and legends. Journal and work your dreams. While you’re at it, let your imagination go to changing our world. The prophet Isaiah’s imagination led him to a vision of the Peaceable Kingdom:

The wolf shall live with the lamb,
    the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
    and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze,
    their young shall lie down together;
    and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
    and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy
    on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.

All shall be well, my friends, all shall be well. As always, your thoughts.

~Pastor Gae+

P.S. Don’t forget this is an opportunity to practice our faith. We have the choice as to where we are going to put our thoughts and energy. Will they go to fear or trust? And remember the power of prayer. I love the prayer taught by Paramahansa Yogananda ~ “Whatever it is that you fear, take your mind away from it and leave it to God. Have faith in Him…. Every night, before you sleep, affirm: ‘The Heavenly Father is with me; I am protected.'"
Reflection Questions for the Season of Lent

Where am I spiritually as I begin Lent? When am I more focused on “me” than God?
Where is God calling me to change direction?
 
When I wake up on Easter Sunday morning, what change would I like to see in me?                                                
 
Is there a habit or sin in my life that repeatedly gets in the way of loving God with my whole heart or loving my neighbor as myself? 
 
How do I address that habit?
 
Is there anyone in my life from whom I need to ask forgiveness or pursue reconciliation?
 
What practical steps am I taking to carve out time for daily prayer?
 
What spiritual discipline can I continue to improve upon?
 
What virtues do I want to focus on this Lent (e.g., patience, charity, kindness, gentleness)
 
Mahalo to Christie O’Connell for the photo of our sanctuary.

 CONNECT & SERVE
Last Habitat Workday in Anahola
Saturday, March 21

Volunteers help build affordable housing in a variety of areas.
You don’t need to lift a hammer to build a home!
The last One O’hana Team Habitat workday in Anahola will be held on Saturday, March 21.  

We will be putting the final touches on the three houses that were built last year from the ground up! We will meet at the Anahola site at 7:45 am.
 
If you’d like to join our Christ Memorial team, please contact Sandy Finch at sandykfinch@yahoo.com (925) 786-8280 for information. 
 
To register with Habitat and apply to be a volunteer at Kauai Habitat for Humanity, follow their online link at https://kauaihabitat.org/volunteerregistration/ to complete the Online Safety Course.
Keiki Sunday School 
Every Sunday, 8:00 – 9:00 am
Meets in the Church Office

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 .

Sorting Circle 
Every Sunday, 11:00am-12:00 noon
Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop

Join our Sorting Circles for fellowship, fun and fashion frenzy! From 11:00am-12:00pm every Sunday, we sort donations (mostly clothes) at Shared Blessings. We also need sorters throughout the week during business hours, especially Wednesdays 9:30am-12:30pm and Thursdays 2-5pm! So, please feel welcome to join us for 30 minutes or more. Many hands make light work! 

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

Support and Recovery Groups

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

Christ Memorial wants to be known in the community as a healing place for the body, mind and spirit. We are inviting 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, financial peace, Al-Anon, Gamblers Anonymous, etc., please tell them to contact Pastor Gae. 

Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop
The Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop is operated almost -- not completely -- but almost entirely on the hard work and spirit of volunteers and fellowship. 

It is so much fun and an incredible way to connect and get to know the community. Whether you are greeting shoppers at the door, helping customers find what they need, lending a listening ear, helping us straighten the clothing racks, displaying new merchandise, or sorting donations, we appreciate all your help. 

Pick a shift that works for you!

Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 2:00 - 5:00pm
Wednesday: 9:30am - 12:30pm
Saturday: 9:30am - 3:00pm
Sunday: fellowship 11:-12:00pm

No risk, no obligation. Many hands make light work. In the best of all worlds, we would love to be able to rely on volunteers weekly, but we are happy to schedule you in once-a-month, once-a-quarter, once-a-year! Or even just put you on-call when we get in a bind!

If you are interested in giving it a try, please contact Susan at (650) 576-1112 or kilaueachristmemorial@gmail.com .

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.

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

This is My Offering

P rayer:    

Magnificent Holy Father. 
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.
I stand before you at this altar. So many have given you more

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 . 


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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

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