"New Beginnings"

In the Holy Nativity School Chapel service this past Monday, it was the first graders' turn to lead.  In the middle of the service, amidst prayers and songs, the children presented the wonderful story of Noah and the Ark, complete with biblical costumes, flowing blue streamers of rain, a winged dove, and a big, brown boat!  At the end, one of the children read the phrase from Genesis that communicated God's promise of a new beginning for all of creation: "Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures on the earth."

At Holy Nativity Church, we also experienced a New Beginning, as we conducted our Annual Parish Meeting this past Sunday.  We approved the minutes of last year's Annual Meeting, heard reports from officers on what had been accomplished in 2019 and what they encouraged us to do in the new year.  Finally, we said thank you to those who were finishing their terms and elected a new Junior Warden, vestry members, and delegates to Convention. It was, for us, a New Beginning.  

Some parts of all new beginnings are hard.  When Noah and his family stepped off the ark, they looked out on an unrecognizable landscape.  They had to build a household from scratch, and find the best ways to care for all the creatures in their charge.  When we emerged from the Annual Meeting, we, your elected leaders, recognized all the unfamiliar tasks that stand before us: finding new ways to invite people to join us at Holy Nativity, renewing our programs for children, youth, adults, and elders, and working with the school to implement the fresh, new ways in which we have agreed to work together.  Like Noah, we come to some of this work worried that we don't know how to do it...or that we might not do it well enough. But like Noah, we must remember that we have God's promise of support and sustenance. God walks with us on this journey, and will strengthen and uphold us, just as God did Noah, whose great family spread across the whole earth. In this New Beginning at Holy Nativity, let us remember to trust in God, who is ever faithful:

God, give us the courage of another road.

Give us the peace to accept new things, to go new ways, to embrace the unfamiliar...

Be our star and lead us.  Awaken us to your calling and to our going.

Let us listen, depending entirely on you, 

trusting that in all the changes you are present, steadfast, and devoted.

Walk with us God, on this new road.   

(adapted from Unfolding Light )

--Rev. Libby

Please be in touch if you would like to meet or pray together.  I am best reachable by email  at  hncrector@gmail.com or through the church office at (808) 373-2131.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Two Rev. Libby Potlucks scheduled

Delia and Ed Moore will hold a potluck on February 15 at 6:00 at their home in Niu Valley.

Jean and Bob Steele will hold a potluck on March 7 at 6:00 at their condo in Hawaii Kai.

If you wish to attend one of these, please sign up on the clip board outside the church.  They will be available next week as well.  NOTE: the numbers on the clipboard indicate the number of people they can accommodate.

Help with our Outreach Projects

As you have seen in the report at our Annual meeting on January 26th, we have a few projects left over from 2019 that we are continuing.  Now we want input and ideas on new projects we can begin in 2020.  There will be a meeting of all interested people on Sunday 16th of Feb. After the 9am service to discuss and brainstorm.  We will meet at the two end tables on the lanai on the left hand side and there will be refreshments provided to feed our brains!  Please come and join our enthusiastic core, and help with this important ministry. We will need volunteers to help with our projects, so come with times and days you are free to help out.

Prayers for our Fallen Police Officers

This week, we continue to offer prayers for the repose of the souls of police officers Tiffany Enriquez and Kaulike Kalama, who were killed in the line of duty in the Diamond Head area last week, and for the comfort of their families.   

If, in addition to prayer, you would like to make a donation to assist the families, you may make a check out to "The Episcopal Church in Hawaii"; please write the following in the memo section: "Bishop's Pastoral Fund: Police Officers."  Our bishop and the diocesan staff will ensure that  your donation gets to the families.  

 

May Tiffany and Kaulike rest in peace, and may light perpetual shine upon them.

2020 Pledge Envelopes available at CHN

Please know that the 2020 pledge envelopes have arrived in the church office.  If you signed up to receive a set, they will be available at church on Sunday.  Please contact our Operations Manager, Kathy Kia, in the church office, if you have questions: 808-373-2131.  Thanks to everyone who has offered a pledge in support of our work and ministry together this year!