A note about Worship:  For the month of August at the request of our Bishop, we will be using an Experimental Liturgy at both services. You will notice several changes: 
 
  1. A spoken Hymn of Praise called the Song of Judith  
  2. The Nicene Creed has a change in verbiage about the incarnation of Jesus 
  3. A new prayer form for the Prayers of the People
  4. The Eucharistic Prayer is a modification of Prayer C from our Book of Common Prayer  
  5. The Lord’s Prayer is the contemporary version found in the BCP and 6. The Prayer of Thanksgiving found in Enriching our Worship.  

Bishop Bob is interested in our thoughts about this new liturgy. There will be a full bulletin at both services so we can pay close attention to the changes.
Morning Coffee Inspiration from Pastor Gae

Aloha Friends,

I’m sure, like me, you have been bombarded by the news media about the two mass shootings that took place this past weekend. It’s difficult to opt out of it unless you are willing to be unplugged. Actually, since we’ve all chosen to walk with Jesus, he doesn’t let us opt out anyway. We promise every time we renew our baptismal covenant that we will work for “justice and peace.” If we try to ignore this and other social issues that are hurtful to our brothers and sisters, we are guilty of sins of omission. 

Some social issues like the horrific gun violence in our country that make us feel unsafe, or the number of migrants around the world who are desperately running scared from the violence and poverty in their own land, seem overwhelming for my little mind. Where do I begin?
I know the obvious is prayer. We have to be anchored and steadfast in prayer. We must pray for the victims and their families and communities. We must pray for the perpetrators and the mentally ill who have violent fantasies going on in their minds as I write this. We must pray for those in authority who have the power to change laws and fund programs. We must pray that we not succumb to a culture of fear. 

My friends, prayer is indeed the beginning, but it definitely isn’t enough. Jesus didn’t just pray for the healing of people. He actually went out and healed them. He didn't just pray for the correction of the injustices in his culture. He worked courageously for a new mindset by directly challenging unjust rules. It wasn’t easy for him, and it isn’t for us either. 

My husband Jim was a clinical psychologist. He was also a gun collector. He loved his collection of all kinds of guns. He loved to go to gun ranges and shoot.  He loved to clean his guns. He wasn’t a hunter (whenever his dad went deer hunting, his mom took him to see Bambi!), but he understood that hunting was more than a sport. It was often a way to feed a family. Before he died, he despised what the NRA had become. And I’m sure if he were alive today and could see the gun violence, he would call for immediate changes in gun ownership legislation. He might even question his own fondness for his guns.
My sense is that Jim would argue that there is no legitimate purpose for anyone to own an assault weapon. I think he would argue that every gun owner should go through a background check and perhaps even training classes and a test. After all, we have to take a test to drive a car, right? I think he might advocate that all gun owners have liability insurance. And just as we have reporting laws when it comes to sexual offenses or suicide threats, I think he might argue for mandatory reporting when someone is showing signs of violent thinking. 

I mention Jim, because I have always been afraid of guns. My thinking about guns is very biased. I was a disappointment to him, because I never liked to go to the shooting range. It is difficult for me to understand why anyone would fight for their right to own a gun. To me, the Kingdom of God is a world in which there are no guns. But I know other people like Jim feel very differently about their guns, and I must respect them. And most people who own guns are not going to go out and shoot someone.

I did send an email to our senator expressing my concern that gun violence is becoming a norm, and I’m worried that our culture is rapidly becoming a culture of fear. I asked what she is doing to force the Senate to make this a priority. I haven’t heard back yet.
 
As always, I welcome your thoughts, especially suggestions about what we can do right now. In the meantime, I’ll continue to pray. In our Master’s love and peace,

~Pastor Gae+


CONNECT


A Celebration of Holy Baptism

JOY! JOY! JOY!  Last week at a special Friday morning service, we baptized baby Reid into the Body of Christ. Reid’s family, godparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins traveled from throughout the mainland to gather on Kaua`i for a holiday and this special celebration.
Newcomer’s Luncheon

We started a new tradition last Sunday with a Newcomer’s Luncheon in the Parish Hall. The weather was torrential, but the spirit of the members and newcomers brightened the day. 
Mahalo nui loa to hosts Gordon and Margaret and delectable from Bishop’s Committee members, newcomers enjoyed a leisurely meal as Pastor Gae led discussions on:

  • The Episcopal Church and what we believe (how we are the same/different from other Christian tribes)  
  • The history and ministry of Christ Memorial
  • What it means to be a member

A big welcome extended to new members Emma, Matt, Natalie, Sandy and Tommy!
KIDS! The Great Adventure: 
Great Stories of the Old Testament  
Summer Sunday School
Every Sunday, 8:00 – 9:00am
Meets in the Church Office

Each week, we are going on a Great Adventure to explore the great bible stories of the Old Testament. We meet heroes and villains, and encounter some really big challenges. This Sunday we are learning the story of Joseph, Join us on any Sunday this summer! 

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

Can you volunteer? We are required to have two adults in Sunday School class. Can you help out our leaders one week? If so, please contact Keana or Leona.
Men’s Fellowship  
Every Monday at 9:00am
Meets at Kilauea Bakery and Pizza (Kong Lung Market Center)

Christ Memorial Men’s Fellowship group is growing! We meet every Monday morning at 9:00am for coffee or breakfast at the Kilauea Bakery. For more information, see Patrick O’Connell at worship or email him at paoco65@gmail.com


Centering Prayer  
Sunday , August 18, 4:00 - 5:00pm
Meets in the Christ Memorial Sanctuary

“Silence is God's first language; everything else is a poor translation.” Thomas Keating
Silence is the essence of Centering prayer. 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. 

Join us for our next session on Sunday, August 18!

We meet in the sanctuary.

How to Connect with Christ Memorial on Facebook
Connecting with Christ Memorial on Facebook is easy:

  1. Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristMemorialEpiscopalChurchKauai.
  2. Click Follow to receive our news in your Facebook feed. 
  3. Click Share to share our Facebook page with your community. 
  4. Click Send Message to share your thoughts privately with us. 
  5. Comment on our posts as you are inspired.

We look forward to connecting!
SERVE
Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop News
The Tables are Dressed and Waiting for You

Thanks to Deb for her merchandising talent! Coming in after hours on Sunday and Monday, Deb dressed all the tables for shopping this week. Feature tables include back-to-school gear and 50% off of all glassware! Thanks also to our newest parishioner, Emma from North Carolina, who jumped in to help on Tuesday when we were short-handed. Mahalo nui to everyone who gives of their time to our Thrift Shop! 
Entering the 21st Century: Credit Cards Accepted 

We did it! After 40+ years of running the Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop the old fashioned way — cash transactions only — we have gone modern, at least as a test for the next 90 days.

You can use credit and debit cards for purchases. 

Mahalo nui loa to open minds, technical support and initiative to get us set up. It is working out very well for customers and our staff. Let us know what you think! 
Thrift Shop Hours for Shopping and Donations

ï»żTuesday, 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 .

ï»ż GIVE
Everyday Stewardship:  What does the Bible teach?
A recap of Pastor Gae’s message on Sunday in which she spoke of the Prodigal Son and the Rich Fool as two sides of the same coin. The bible has everything we need to know about having a healthy relationship with money:

  • DT 8:18 “Remember the Lord Your God for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” We can’t ever think it is solely by our own merit!

  • 1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” We must be careful not to succumb to our culture which makes an idol about money. 

  • Proverbs 22:7 “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” Unfortunately, there is much truth to this verse. Be careful of getting into debt. 

  • Luke 14:28-30 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’”  Take time to make a budget
 and stick to it. 

  • Proverbs 21:20 “Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the fool devours it.”  Save for the “rainy day.” Life isn’t just sunshine!

  • Genesis 14:19-20 “King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’ And Abram gave him one-tenth of everything.” This is the first verse about how much we should  give. Tithe! Give 10% of your income to your church, to faith based charities that care for the marginalized, to Christian schools, etc.  Give out of thankfulness, not for notoriety or even a thank-you! 

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.

ï»ż 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.
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ï»żSharing 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:

ï»żNewsletter 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
ï»ż2509 Kolo Road, Kilauea, HI 96754
Mailing: PO Box 293, Kilauea, HI 96754
Phone: (808) 482-4824
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