Oops! We do know that we are not in the season of Advent, and there aren't five Sundays in Advent.  Must be a drone messing with our computer! This Sunday we are Celebrating Epiphany. We hope to see you!
January 5, 2020
Celebrating Epiphany
8:00 am and 9:30 am

This Sunday is technically the 12th day of Christmas, but we will be celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany which is on Monday, the following day. We have been waiting to sing a favorite hymn (especially for children), We Three Kings! 
 
“Upon being shown” is how the word Epiphany translates from the Greek epi-phanein. The three wise men were led by a star and “shown” the savior of the world. God is always showing something of Godself to us – through creation, people, scripture, ritual, meditation, and the events of life, including struggle and suffering. Most of the time, we miss it because we just aren’t present. As Ram Dass reminded us, “Be Here Now.” 
 
During this season of variable length (determined by the date of Easter), our spiritual discipline is to “look” and “see.” We become aware of the filters which inhibit our ability to experience the epiphanies God desires for us. 
 
If you like to journal, here are some reflection questions you might consider: What is God showing me about God’s self? What is God showing me through Jesus? What is God showing me about myself and who I am? What is God showing me about God’s intention for this world (The Kingdom)? What gets in the way of what God is trying to show to me? 
 
A beautiful prayer for Epiphany: “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.”
 
Worship News: This Sunday at our 9:30 am service, our band will be performing a meditative version of the Nicene Creed. We will remain seated for the Creed, the Prayers of the People and the Confession of Sin. Sometimes a little change on occasion helps us to pay more attention, especially to the very rote portions of our service. Let Pastor Gae know what you think (after you experience it, of course!)


Weekly Centering Prayer and Meditation
This Sunday, January 5
4:00-5:00 pm
Centering Prayer now meets weekly and is open to all faiths and to anyone who is seeking a deeper meaning to their spiritual life along the Contemplative Path. 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. “ Silence is God’s first language. Everything else is a poor translation .” ~Thomas Keating

Returning to Christ Memorial

Natalie and Ryan Coker

Cousins Natalie and Ryan Coker returned to Christ Memorial for a visit this holiday. Both were confirmed in the summer of 2005 when Father Donor was our priest. Natalie’s grandparents, Jan and Chuck Coker were devoted members of Christ Memorial; they never missed a Sunday. When Natalie lived with them during the summers, they made sure no one missed a Sunday either! Mahalo nui loa to the Cokers for visiting Christ Memorial during their holiday and sharing their story with all of us! 
Cousins Ryan and Natalie Coker
Pictured Left to Right: Natalie Coker, Father Donor, Justin Coker, Ryan Coker, Addie Rubino, and Emily Rubino


Michael and Suzan Knowles 

On Sunday, December 15, Michael and Suzan Knowles renewed their wedding vows during our service at Christ Memorial. The Knowles were celebrating their 35th anniversary. During their holiday, we were able to visit several times; Michael runs the thrift store at their parish in their home town, and we had lots of fun comparing notes and learning from each other. We look forward to their return in years to come! 

Morning Coffee Inspiration from Pastor Gae

Aloha Friends,

Yesterday I was talking to Chrys, one of my closest friends who lives in Las Vegas. We both had extensive infertility problems and all the ups and downs associated with that, but with the blessing of gifted physicians, each of us eventually gave birth to our boys. As the kids grew up, we shared many birthday parties and activities. We rejoiced and shed a lot of tears when our boys went off to college; my son Luke to Occidental and her son Jordon to Lewis & Clark. While Luke chose a vocation in corporate analytics, Jordon chose a military career. As an Army officer, he has been deployed several times to Afghanistan and has moved around the country. 
On Christmas, Chrys and family gathered together and were gifted with the news that Jordon and his wife were expecting their first child. Such joy! But then just a few days after the holiday was over and all had gone home, Chrys went to bed and inadvertently turned on the television only to hear the CNN news about the assassination of General Suleimani and the escalation of tension between the US and Iran. Although she knew the chances that Jordon would be deployed to the region were slim at this time, she said she couldn’t sleep.

My heart hurts for Chrys. I wish I could do something to help with the worry and anxiety she is experiencing. She said what gives her comfort is reminding herself that Jordon chose the work that less than 1% of Americans are willing to do. A tiny fraction of the leadership of our country have children serving in the military. It made me wonder whether their decisions might be different if their child was directly affected. 

The 12 days of Christmas aren’t even over yet. We’re still singing “Glory to God in the highest” and “Peace on earth.” This is supposed to be a season of joy and yet how can we truly be joy-filled when our kids and grandkids are on the frontlines of coping with the violence in our world today? How can I sing with gladness when my best friend and many other parents, grandparents and partners of military personnel won’t be able to sleep tonight wondering what is going to happen tomorrow?
I do trust there will be a day when some variation of Isaiah’s vision of a peaceable kingdom will prevail. I also know it won’t come through wars, assassinations, power-plays, violence, revenge, bullying or sanctions. It will only come with a new consciousness of love and understanding that we are all God’s children. It will only come when we let go of fear and put our trust in God’s love. And so, in the meantime, the best thing we can do as followers of the one who taught, “love your enemy” is to work on ourselves and our own ability to love.

My friends, I ask that you hold in prayer the safety and protection of all our military. I ask that you pray for my friend Chrys and all the moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas and partners of our military who may not be able to sleep tonight. May they be at peace. I ask that you pray with me for our leaders that their decisions be careful and wise. Pray, pray, pray. And always remember — God is good.

In His love,

Pastor Gae+

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. (Isaiah 11:6-9)

 CONNECT
Bible Study - Gospel of John
Begins Wednesday, January 8 , 2:00 - 3:15 pm
Meets in the Church Office

We are starting a new study in January on the gospel of John. Bring a bible, any translation. If you’ve never been in a bible study, there is no better time to start than the New Year! Sign up on the walkway or email Pastor Gae gdchalker@gmail.com .  
Keiki Fall Sunday School 
Every Sunday, 8:00 – 9:00 am
Meets in the Church Office

For the first Sunday of Advent, our Keiki created their Advent candles. 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 .

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. 
Sunday, January 19, following the 9:30 am service

Nominations for the Bishop’s Committee are open! Our Bishop’s Committee is charged with the leadership and business of the church. Each of our Bishop Committee members leads a particular ministry. We are particularly interested in folks who have an interest in one of the following ministries: 

Outreach to the community
Prayer ministry  

If you would be interested in serving on the Bishop’s Committee, please let us know. Self nominations are preferred as that way we know you are really interested! Contact Pastor Gae or one of our Bishop Committee members for more information. 

 SERVE
Shared Blessings Thrift Store: From the Past to the Present

Many years ago, Junior Warden Craig Wall took this delightful photograph of a 5-year old and his brand new sign for Shared Blessing Thrift Store. Today, the sign remains posted on our donation gate, reminding everyone that we prefer donations delivered only during business hours. Last week, this 5-year old, now a grown adult, visited the thrift store — we wish we had taken an updated photo!
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: fellowship 11-12pm

Credit cards accepted
Gift cards available for purchase


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.

 GIVE


Update on Stewardship 2020

Thank you to all of our members who submitted their pledge offering for 2020. At Christ Memorial, as in all Episcopal churches, we believe we all share in the cost of being church.  

We are now beginning the work on the church budget. You can still make a pledge. Just ask an usher for a Pledge card.
  Prayer:    

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


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 . 

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 .
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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