Morning Coffee Inspiration from Pastor Gae

What is the difference between an Episcopal Parish and a Mission, a Vestry and a Bishop’s Committee, a Rector and a Vicar?

Aloha Friends, 

I get asked these questions frequently. Fundamentally, there is no difference. All Episcopal churches gather together for worship, fellowship, study, prayer and service. The difference is more at the operational level. A parish can financially support its own operation while a mission typically receives financial support from the diocese. Priests in charge of parishes are called “Rectors,” while those leading a mission are often called “Vicars.” The elected members of a parish are called the Vestry, while the elected members of a mission are referred to as the Bishop’s Committee. Some very small Episcopal churches may have part-time priests or even priests serving once or twice a month.   In the diocese of Hawai'i , both parishes and missions contribute the same portion of the monies they receive for the overall well-being of the larger church. There is however a greater expectation of parishes to be more involved in not just their own church but in the wider church.
In our history, Christ Memorial has been both a parish and a mission. We currently have mission status even though we are self-supporting. We do not receive any assistance from the diocese. But we have to remember that we are self-supporting only because of the income from our Shared Blessings Thrift Shop and our rentals. If we were totally dependent on income from pledge and plate offering, we would be unable to support a full-time priest. Unfortunately, this is not unusual for the Episcopal Church in 2019, especially for those like us without a residence for clergy. 

That being said, we are blessed with income from other sources while many churches are barely making ends meet. We are working to create a more committed community of members and to increase our pledge and plate offerings. We know we have become far too dependent on our Thrift Shop and rentals. What would our church look like if our operational expenses were covered by our offerings and the income from our Thrift Shop could go entirely to outreach? We are all aware of how much our island and our world are in desperate need of healing. I can visualize that healing love of Jesus emanating from our peaceful little sanctuary out and into the hearts and minds of those struggling with addictions, loneliness, aging, job loss, mental illness, childcare, etc.
Next week, I’ll be talking about other questions I get asked ~ What exactly is a member of a church? How do you become a member? Is church membership important?

As always, I appreciate your thoughts.  

Much joy this weekend!  God is good,

~Pastor Gae+

CONNECT
Bishop’s Committee Meeting
This Sunday, 10:45 am - Noon
Meets in the Church Office

Our Bishop’s Committee is the leadership team of our church. Each Bishop’s Committee member oversees a ministry of the church.  

  • Pastor Gae -  Worship, Education and Vision
  • David Akana & Craig Wall -  Property Maintenance
  • Suzanne Kobayashi - Future Planning & Rentals
  • Maggie Lea - Historic Preservation
  • Helen Mitsui - Shared Blessings Thrift Shop
  • Gordon Furze - Fellowship
  • Keana Oliver and Leona Blankley -  Children & Youth
  • Rebecca Hullum - Business Advisor 
 
Our Bishop’s Committee meets this Sunday following the 9:30 am service to discuss the business of the church. All are welcome to observe the meeting. If you have any concerns or comments, please advise Pastor Gae at gdchalker@gmail.com.


Blessing of the Animals ~ celebrating the life of St. Francis of Assisi
Coming up in a week!  October 6, 9:30 am
Meets on the Front Lawn of the Sanctuary

Can you help?  We need help promoting the event and a Sunday morning set up crew.  Email Pastor Gae at gdchalker@gmail.com or sign up on the walkway on Sunday. 
Centering Prayer and Meditation
Sunday, October 6, 4:00 - 5:00pm
Meets in the Christ Memorial Sanctuary

We should all without shame enroll in the school of contemplative prayer.  ~ Richard Foster
Sitting in silence is the essence of Centering Prayer, also known as contemplative prayer or meditation. Practicing the quieting of our minds provides access to the power and presence of God. God’s love opens our hearts, heals our wounds, and molds us into the image of Christ.  

Our Centering Prayer group is open to all faiths and to anyone who is seeking a deeper meaning to their spiritual life along the Contemplative Path. We meet the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. 

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. 

Save the date for our next session of Centering Prayer on Sunday, October 6th.
Quiet Morning ~ Introduction to Soul Collage by Maggie Lea
Saturday, October 19, 9:00 am-12:00 noon, includes lunch
Meets in the Parish Hall
A Quiet Morning at Christ Memorial is a mini-spiritual retreat. Our 3-hour silent retreats begin at 9:00 am with a Taize-style prayer service, followed by an instruction and practice, and we end with a healthy lunch. There is time built into the morning for meditation, journaling or labyrinth walks.

Our second Quiet Morning is an introduction to Soul Collage with Maggie Lea, licensed Educational & Clinical Psychologist, artist and SoulCollage® practitioner. 

Maggie will share how Soul Collage has assisted her in the journey of self-discovery. We will learn how to create our own “deck of cards” - each collage card representing one aspect of our personality or our Soul.

There will be time for several readings of our cards to demonstrate how Soul Collage can provide a guidance aspect to our deeper questions of life. All materials are provided. Suggested faith offering: $10

We will be offering Quiet Mornings monthly. All are open to the public, and all faith traditions are welcome to join us.


Bible Study
Resumes next Wednesday, October 2, 2:00 - 3:15 pm
Meets in Church Office
We are studying the gospel of Mark. This is a study group, not a lecture. We meet on Wednesdays, 2:00-3:15pm in the church office. If you are new to the bible, please come. We’re all beginners! Bring a bible, any translation. 


Men’s Fellowship  
Time Change: Every Monday at 10:00am
Meets at Kilauea Bakery and Pizza (Kong Lung Market Center)
Christ Memorial Men’s Fellowship group is growing!

We meet every Monday morning for coffee or breakfast and discussion at the Kilauea Bakery.

We decided to move the time back to 10:00am, so we hope you will join us!

For more information, see Patrick O’Connell at worship or email him at paoco65@gmail.com
KIDS! Sunday School for Fall
Every Sunday, 8:00 – 9:00am
Meets in the Church Office
The summer Sunday School program has wrapped up, and fall Sunday School is beginning. Join our curious group of young student every Sunday 8:00-9:00am. 

For more info, contact Keana keana@ischool.org or Leona lcblankley@aol.com .

SERVE
Volunteers Needed

Little churches like Christ Memorial depend on every member serving in some capacity. We welcome our seasonal residents to serve too. Here are some of our current needs. Email Pastor Gae if you are interested in learning more! Please note that most of these do not require commitment every week. Volunteers are on a schedule depending on time availability.  

Sunday Morning Hospitality
~Hospitality table after 8:00 am service
~Hospitality table after 9:30am  service
~Take down after 9:30 am service 

  Worship
~Chalice Minister for 8:00 am service
~Altar Guild assistance after 8:00 am service
~Altar Guild clean up after 9:30 am service

 Finance & Office
~Treasurer
~Clerk for Bishop’s Committee meetings
~Counters following 9:30 am service
~Christmas mailing preparation (we will do this in late October as a team!)
~Filing

Property
~Labyrinth care (need a small lawn mower)
~Foster care of a gravesite

  Children’s Ministry
~Assistant teacher 8:00 am service
Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop News
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.

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
There is no better investment on planet earth than the church
No other organization has been operating continuously for 2000 years and no other organization will continue to exist throughout eternity. Other organizations are doing good work, but there simply is not any organization with more potential to change the world than the church of Jesus. The church is where lost people are saved, hopeless people find hope, addicted people are set free, broken people are restored, hungry people are fed, and rejected people are accepted and loved. The most beautiful thing about what happens in the church is that God gets the glory for it all, because the church is God’s.

Ways to Support Your Church
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your financial support and generosity allow us to create and enhance the beautiful environment and worship that you and your family enjoy on a weekly basis.

Change to Automated Giving
Thank you to those of you who automate your giving and have 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 Scott Oliver for information at j.scott.oliver380@gmail.com .
Check
Thank you to all of you who still like to write checks. Please make checks payable to Christ Memorial Episcopal Church and mail to PO Box 293, Kilauea, HI 96754.

 Stock
Through the decades, many have given stock to Christ Memorial, enabling us to be a consistent presence in Kilauea. For more information on contributing stock, contact Scott Oliver at j.scott.oliver380@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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