January 26, 2020
The Third Sunday after Epiphany
8:00 am and 9:30 am


Morning Coffee Inspiration from Pastor Gae

Aloha Friends,

I write this email with some personal sadness. A friend of mine from Arizona told me her husband committed suicide. Apparently they had an argument, and he took a gun and went outside and shot himself. It has made me so sad. He was a really kind man, but he also had some serious personal issues that he had been working on. Couples are going to have arguments from time to time; some can get a little volatile, but to take a gun and shoot oneself or even worse, the other, is not by any means normal. Who knows what was going on in his mind? It was obviously an emotional irrational reaction. I’m sure if a gun hadn’t been readily available, if he had a few minutes to think it over, to calm down, there would have been a much different outcome.  
If you live on island, you are aware that a couple of days ago, two Hawaii police officers, a young woman and man, both with children, were shot and killed when responding to a call about a man who violently attacked his landlord. Hawaii hadn’t had a police officer killed in many years. In fact, Hawaii has the lowest rate of gun violence in the country. I have often wondered why anyone these days would want to be a police officer considering the proliferation of guns and the prevalence of drugs.

This past Monday, the remembrance day of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, there were gun rallies in Virginia, one group in support of gun controls and the other advocating 2nd amendment rights. It made me sad that both groups held their rallies on a day dedicated to a very special man. Yes, he died by gun violence, but Monday was a day to celebrate his life, not to politicize his death. 

Why is there so much objection to having a few rules when it comes to purchasing guns? Why aren’t gun owners supporting laws like automobile drivers are subjected to? Education, tests, permits or licenses, and liability insurance? Why not limit gun access to people who have been convicted of crimes such as domestic violence? Why shouldn’t guns be taken away from people who have certain mental illness or drug addiction? We take driving privileges away from some seniors. And why should anyone possess an assault weapon?
Perhaps the most important question — why have we become so afraid of each other that we think we need to have weapons readily available to protect ourselves? Have we not evolved at all in consciousness?

My heart breaks for my friend and for the families of the police officers. I continue to pray for a reasonable solution to the problem of gun violence in our country. As always, your thoughts are welcome,

~ Pastor Gae+

PS. Christ Memorial will be having a 2nd collection for the families of the Hawaiian police officers.
  
A note from the Bishop’s office:  If you would like to make a donation to the families of the murdered officers from the events that took place this past weekend, make your check out to The Episcopal Church in Hawaii and in the memo section please write: Bishop’s Pastoral Fund: Police Officers. We will make sure your donation is received by the families. Just a warning that a few people have set up fake GoFund me accounts. The police department is working on setting up an authorized one and that is where we will direct the funds.

 CONNECT
Renewing Marriage Vows: Martha & Tom Celebrate 40 Years!

Sunday School: Keiki Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.

Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography
God spoke to me… and the message was…
A Quiet Morning at Christ Memorial
Saturday, February 1
9:00 am - Noon
Quiet Mornings at Christ Memorial are an opportunity to check out of the busy-ness of life and spend quiet time with God. 

This month’s teaching, “God spoke to me… and the message was… ” will be about writing your spiritual autobiography. What have been the significant events on your spiritual journey? Who have been your greatest teachers? What have you learned about God? Jesus? Yourself? Pastor Gae will be sharing the process she learned at the Haden Institute of Spiritual Direction.

Quiet Mornings begin with a Taize-style worship service. Following the teaching, participants are invited to journal, create a Soul Collage, meditate, walk the labyrinth, draw, create a poem, or just sit in quiet under the Poinciana tree. Materials and sustenance of coffee and muffins are provided. Faith offering suggested: $10. Sign up on the walkway or email Pastor Gae.

Weekly Centering Prayer and Meditation
Every Sunday
4:00-5:00pm  

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

Prayer Ministry Healing Service
Beginning Wednesday February 5 
10:00 - 10:30am

One of the seven sacraments in our church is known as Unction, or Healing. Beginning Wednesday, February 1, 10:00 – 10:30 am, Christ Memorial will have a Healing Service in the sanctuary. We will pray for the healing requests that come in every day from those who visit the church. There will also be Anointing and Laying on of Hands for those who desire it. 

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

We have just started studying the gospel of John. Bring a bible, any translation. Sign up on the walkway or email Pastor Gae.
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. 

 SERVE
Shared Blessings Thrift Shop
This is how we do what we do... and this is just during off-business hours! On Sunday and Monday (while the shop is closed), the “elves” go to work to restock the shelves, organize the shop floor, sort merchandise and clear the way for the following week. The camaraderie and fellowship is infectious!

Often, we use these off-business hours to experiment with major floor design changes -- such as Noe (seen in the photo) shifting children’s books to a safer place for the keiki and parents to sit on the floor, or Marilyn (seen in photo) creating a dedicated department for cosmetic bags and purses. 

In the last few weeks, we have:

  • Set-up a keiki department with toys, puzzles and games 
  • Created a department for office tools and electronics
  • Filled an organized drawer system for toiletries
  • Centralized a rack for activewear and athletic gear 

… all under the direction of Helen Mitsui, who has led the thrift shop for over 30 years.
We will feature our many volunteers that work to support our ministry during our business hours in following issues of the newsletter. If you are interested in joining our volunteer teams, please contact us at kilaueachristmemorial@gmail.com.
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.
 P rayer:    

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 .


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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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