Morning Coffee Inspiration from Pastor Gae

Aloha Friends,

This morning, I stopped at the Kilauea Bakery for my usual cup of java. As I was walking in, I noticed a group of three young women (18-20ish) with their java drinks and their bibles. I’m always intrigued when I see people gathered together studying the scripture. As I was leaving (I admit that I walked slow hoping to eavesdrop), I could hear them sharing their lives with each other. I wanted to interrupt and ask what church they attended. If I had to guess, they are probably connected with one of the evangelical churches in Kilauea.
I have been following growing churches for many years. Anytime I hear of an Episcopal church, I am online looking them up to see their attendance and membership. (The Episcopal Church is very transparent and posts a ten year track record of all churches and dioceses.) I love it when I find a growing Episcopal Church! Of my list of growing churches though, only a few are mainstream Christianity like us, a few are New Thought, and most are evangelical (that’s for another discussion). The common denominator of all of them? The importance of gathering together to do what I call “God-talk.” 

This path we have chosen to be on, following the teachings of Jesus, is not an easy one. He never said it would be easy. It is counter-cultural to our 21st century culture. It takes discipline to model his teachings. It requires self-reflection and repentance. It involves healing of old wounds and hurts. Jesus knew the importance of his followers being committed to staying together for mutual support. To be a solo-Christian without a community isn’t necessarily impossible (nothing is impossible with God) but the probability of falling away is more likely. He knew that.
I was talking with someone the other day about the buzz expression that some folks use to identify themselves, “spiritual but not religious.” I’ve been there, and I can say that I learned a lot during that time of my life. But I also learned that my faith had become a bit of an extension of my own ego (perhaps a lot!). You see, there was never much of a challenge. I wasn’t really studying any religion; I dabbled a bit in all of them, taking only the fun stuff. I went from church to church, always staying 
on the fringe, never committing. I picked what spiritual writers I wanted to read and what practices and disciplines I wanted to embrace. Too hard? I’d move on to another. And yet, deep inside I really wanted to feel connected to others. I wanted to be like the three young women I saw today. 

I’m doing some research now on the importance of church membership and what that word means. Somehow seeing those three young women studying the bible and sharing their lives with each other speaks to it. Our Christian path is dependent on commitment to community, gathering together, being vulnerable, sharing our stories, praying and serving together. I’ll be sharing more about that in the next few weeks. 

Your thoughts are always welcome,
~Pastor Gae+




CONNECT
Church Work Morning
This Saturday, June 29, 9:00am – Noon with Lunch!
Meets in the Sanctuary Gardens

We will be placing our Peace Pole in the center of our new labyrinth, planting a hedge along the highway, manicuring the ancient gravesites, and just beautifying our property. We’ve moved the time up to 9:00am. All ages invited to help. Come for an hour or more!


Bishop’s Committee Update

Our Bishop’s Committee gathered for the monthly meeting this past Sunday. The Bishop’s Committee functions much like a Vestry, charged with the “business” of the church. Parishes have a Vestry; missions like us have a Bishop’s Committee. Here is a recap of our discussions:

  • There is interest in Christ Memorial returning to “Parish” status. Information about the feasibility and process will be discussed at the July meeting.

  • Our two A-frame signs are not allowed per County ordinance, although there are A-frame signs all over the island. Unfortunately our church has been singled out. Maggie Lea, a committee member, is checking to see if there is some solution.

  • Maggie Lea reminded and reviewed the Annual Property Maintenance plan (2019-2031).

  • The Committee began discussion of “Membership.” The Episcopal Church is a “membership church.” What defines a member? Pastor Gae will be working on a process for visitors to move to members, a membership form, a possible class and a ritual to celebrate New Members.

  • Pastor Gae reported that Suzanne Kobayashi is in discernment for ordination to the priesthood or the diaconate. She will begin the first year of the process with the diocese. The committee voted to pay half of the $1,000 expense.

KIDS! The Great Adventure: Great Stories of the Old Testament
Summer Sunday School
Sundays, 8:00 – 9:00am
Meets in the Church Office
Our Sunday Great Adventure has begun. This past Sunday, our students learned about Creation. See some of their artistic interpretations in the photo. 

Join us on any Sunday this summer! 

Each week, we are going on a Great Adventure to explore the great bible stories of the Old Testament. We’ll meet heroes and villains, and encounter some really big challenges. 

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, let Keana or Leona know. (A perk… you will learn the great bible stories of the Old Testament!)


Men’s Fellowship
Mondays, 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, July 7, 4:00 - 5:00pm
Meets in the Christ Memorial Sanctuary
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 this Sunday! We meet in the sanctuary.

SERVE
Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop
Join us on Sundays from 11am-12pm for Merchandising Fellowship. While the shop is closed, we tidy-up, put newly priced goods on the shop floor, and have fun displaying merchandise on our tables. See photos below of our work on seasonal and thematic tables last Sunday. 

Shop: 4th of July Celebrations
Shop: Weddings, Anniversaries, Baby Showers
Shop: Jewelry, Home Decor
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
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
Sign Up for the Diocese of Hawaii E-Newsletters

We invite you to sign up for the Diocese of Hawaii E-News and E-Chronicle to stay informed and to learn about happenings taking place around the Diocese.

E-News is published twice monthly and announces upcoming events and activities throughout the Diocese.

E-Chronicle is magazine-like and publishes special feature stories.

To sign up for the Diocesan E-News and E-Chronicle, click HERE .

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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