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,

Our Wednesday bible study is working our way through the Gospel of Mark. We are only up to Chapter 6 but one thing is very evident — our Master has an extraordinary ability to be compassionate. Whether it is a person with a skin disease or a disability, or an angry person possessed by an evil spirit, or a schizophrenic living in the tombs, or a woman with a severe female issue, or even a synagogue ruler who has a sick kid, Jesus never walks away from those who need him. His compassion guides him to see the person not as a stranger or enemy but as a child of God in need of healing.
To be honest, at times I have found myself looking the other way when I encounter people who desperately need help. Sometimes it’s out of fear… could the person hurt me? Sometimes, it’s because I’m too stuck to a schedule and don’t feel I can take the time. Sometimes, it’s because I just don’t know what to do. Sometimes when I do engage, I wonder if it’s really authentic. An example: more than once I have walked across the street, bought a Subway sandwich for someone who said they needed cash for food, and then walked away as fast as I could with a quick, “Tell me your name. I’ll pray for you” as I’m thinking to myself, “Please don’t engage me in a conversation.” And yet what the person probably needed was someone who would listen. 

How can we move a hard heart to a compassionate heart? Fears, schedules, frustrations, prejudices and judgments can shut the heart down so easily. And sometimes, we kid ourselves into thinking we are being compassionate when in fact it’s pretty superficial. I am convinced that God places people every day on our path to help us practice becoming more compassionate disciples. I really do want to have the heart of Jesus, and I know compassion is a core value of the Kingdom of God. 

One teaching that has helped me with this discipline comes from none other than the New Thought guru Dr. Deepak. He wrote this meditation that I think is the first step in chipping away at a hard heart. I invite you to read it out loud a couple of times:
 
Compassion

I will see a stranger today through the eyes of compassion.
I will remind myself that this stranger has parents and people who love her, just like me.
I will remind myself that this stranger has moments of joy, just like me.
I will remind myself that this stranger has moments of anguish and suffering, just like me.
I will remind myself that this stranger will one day grow old, just like me.
I will remind myself that this stranger will go through the cycles of illness and recovery, just like me.
I will remind myself that this stranger will one day die, just like me.
Through the eyes of compassion, I will know the stranger not as a stranger anymore, but as a living soul, just like me.  

As always, your thoughts. Do you desire to be more compassionate but find it challenging? What has helped?

Light and love,
~Pastor Gae+
CONNECT
Newcomer’s Lunch
This Sunday, August 4
11:00 - 12:30pm in the Church Office

 For those new to the church, we would like to formally welcome you to Christ Memorial. Our newly formed Membership Team is hosting a lunch. Pastor Gae and members of our Bishop’s Committee will address:

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

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Pastor Gae at gdchalker@gmail.com .
Centering Prayer: “My prayers do not change God; God changes me.”
This Sunday , August 4, 4:00 - 5:00pm
Meets in the Christ Memorial Sanctuary

British author, professor and theologian CS Lewis was married to an American poet Joy Gresham. Shortly after they were married, she was diagnosed with a serious form of bone cancer. During months of her treatment and hospitalization, Lewis spent much of the time by her bedside in prayer.
When her cancer went into remission one of his colleagues said to him, “It appears that your prayers have been answered.” Lewis replied, “ In these many days of prayer at Joy’s bedside, I have learned that my prayers do not change God; God changes me.”  

This 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 this Sunday, August 4! We meet in the sanctuary.

Come Early to Worship and Walk our Labyrinth
Behind the sanctuary, next to the burial grounds, you will find our newly created Labyrinth. There is not a right or wrong way to walk the Labyrinth. Simply observe the intuitions and desires that come as you walk. This is an embodied prayer experience. Let your body lead you! You can walk it slowly and reverently, or quickly and playfully (always mindful of others walking). If you are moved to pause at a given spot, do so! 

Pastor Gae notes:  Here is a beautiful Youtube meditation set at the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth. For those new to labyrinths, I encourage you to watch it



It’s a Wrap: Our First Mini Golf Event
Anaina Hou, Kilauea
Christ Memorial parishioners and friends played a fun-filled round of 18 holes last Sunday at  Anaina Hou Mini Golf & Gardens surrounded by a Hawaiian Botanical Garden and an informative walk through the Hawaiian History exhibit. 

The true competitors and expert advisors came out in full force — often times hysterically funny “you had to be there” moments, like the “cursed purse,” “flag fail,” “tight tunnel,” “crossing the abyss” and always, “the hole-in-one that got away!” Complete fun was had by all as we revelled afterwards with happy hour and eats. 

Everyone wants to do it again, so we are already planning the next event. Groups of parishioners had come to play earlier in the day, and another large group arrived as we were leaving, so our plan is to schedule the next event a little later in the day, when it is cooler, around 4-5:00pm. All are welcome, parishioners and friends. Let us know your thoughts and interest at ChristMemorialKilauea@gmail.com .
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!
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.

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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
SERVE
Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop News
What is Wrong with the Picture?  
What is Right with this Picture?
Reminder: Luis welcomes you to drive your vehicle to the back of the Thrift Shop during business hours, and he will help you unload! 


Half-Price Sale on Books, CDs and DVDs   

Summer reading, book club, back to school? Starting at two books for 25 cents, all books, CDs and DVDs are half price at the thrift shop library. Check back often! As we clear our shelves, new books are brought out for sale. Pass the word on to your friends and neighbors!
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

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
Everyday Stewardship: â€śTime is a Gift”

So many times in my life, I have failed to start something because I had not yet adequately prepared. I would have started working out or going for a jog, but I needed to get the right shoes. I would have started eating right if only I could find the time and money to buy the right foods. I would have started that journaling project, but I couldn’t without a really nice leather-bound journal. I would have, I would have, and I would have!

I know many people can relate. We offer up excuses for so many things. Sometimes we even get to the point where we do start something, but by then, we have already lost so much time. 

Some of us are thinking about taking a stewardship way of life seriously, but we are just not ready yet. We would be more generous if we can first get out of debt. We would give of our time, but we have to wait until the kids get older or until we fully research our options. The truth is, we don’t have to be in any particular state of life or have any specific financial portfolio to start giving our very selves to God. God takes us as we are now. No resume needed. Why waste so much time thinking about getting started and becoming serious? Time is a gift given to all of us. As we think and prepare endlessly, we are practicing poor stewardship. The time to start is today. Who wants to answer God one day at the gates of Heaven saying, “I would have”? ~ Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

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
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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