WEEKLY NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
September 18, 2020

SUNDAY WORSHIP:
The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture Readings for this Sunday:

Service of Holy Eucharist
In the Sanctuary
8:00 am
This service is spoken (no music)

Please make a reservation as we are allowed a limited number. Email Pastor Gae at: christmemorialkilauea@gmail.com.
Please wear a mask.

Service of Morning Prayer with Music, Only on Zoom
9:30 am

Here is the link to join us on Zoom:
PRAYER REQUESTS THIS WEEK
Rain in Oregon and California
Safety and protection for all firefighters and first responders.
The Reverend Melinda Archer, may she rest in peace.
Raymond, Aaron and all those affected by the fires.

Healing of body, mind and spirit for Xavier, Susan, Nancy, Web & Kelly (cancer); Nancy (radiation treatment); Doug (stroke); Matt’s dad (polio); Bill, in hospital with infected shoulder; all those infected or affected by the virus. Gretchen and all those in assisted living.
SAVE THE DATE!
SUNDAY OCTOBER 4  
8:00 am on the Labyrinth

CELEBRATING ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

All creatures, great and small, are invited.
SAVE THE DATE!

BISHOP’S VISITATION
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Details coming soon!
Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick will be joining Christ Memorial for the Sacrament of Confirmation. He will also be blessing of our Labyrinth and new memorial benches. Mark your calendars and help us celebrate this very special event.
Morning Coffee with Pastor Gae
Friends, 

This past Tuesday at Centering Prayer we began our meditation with the reflection for September 15th from Mark Nepo’s “Book of Awakening”. He begins the reflection with these words: “Stories are like little time capsules. They carry pieces of truth and meaning over time.” He went on to say, “We repeat stories, not because we are forgetful or indulgent, but because there is too much meaning to digest in one expression.” 

While sitting in silence in the sanctuary I was taken back to an experience I had in my early 30’s. I’ve told the story many times. I call it “Flat on my back, the worst and best experience of my life.” I was living in Las Vegas, working in the modeling/talent industry, and very much into the world. One morning I was finishing a yoga class at a popular gym and at the end of savasana, flat on my back, I felt an overwhelming anxiety coming on. I didn’t know it then, but it was probably a full blown panic attack. Was I going crazy? Would it go away? I still remember vividly the feeling I had.  
That horrible morning led me to see a therapist who gave me a meditation cassette tape. What followed was a total shift in my life ~ a spiritual exploration that took me to studying for a year with a Zen priest; then a few years with a Hindu philosopher; then many new thought teachers; and a couple of Catholic priests that resulted in being confirmed in the RC church. Eventually I ended up back here in the Episcopal church.  

At Centering Prayer as I recalled that day in the gym, I remembered a woman who was there. She always took the front middle place, right in front of the teacher. She was about my age, white blonde hair and very fit. I remember during that class staring at her as a few weeks prior I was told that she had a brain tumor and was dying. I was also told that she had a two year old son and one afternoon she was sitting by her pool with him and she blacked out. He drowned. I was told the blessing was that she couldn’t remember any of it.  

Mark Nepo says that we keep sharing the story that presses on our heart until we understand it all. In meditation on Tuesday I realized the woman had a role to play in the shift of my life. My heart was so stirred by her story that it shook me into the reality of the superficiality of my life. And that confrontation for me had to begin with being flat on my back.  

Today I feel such gratitude for the woman in the gym. I imagine her in the divine presence of God cuddling her two year old. Perhaps some day, some distant time, our paths will cross.  

Joy, joy, joy!
In our Master’s love,

Gae+

PS Do you have a story you tell and retell because of the meaning it keeps revealing to you? As always, please share.
Previously Announced Reminders:
Join the Remembering Reception Team
Currently Melody is gathering photos and any information about priests who served, events, challenges, and accomplishments.  Even if you can’t join the Team, can you take a bit of time and send her a note about when you came into the church and what you remember.  Maybe it’s just something little like, “There was a big storm that year” or “There were a lot of baptisms” or “We had big dance”. Anything you can remember is helpful. And we’d love pictures. Send them over and we’ll scan them and send them back!  Here’s how to connect with Melody: mellomack@gmail.com
~Marcos E. Carver, 1917 – 1925 Founder and Priest-in-Charge of missions on the Island of Kauaʻi
~Henry A. Willey, 1924 – 1945
~Harold Wilmot-Smith, 1945 – 1948
~Paul R. Savanack, 1949 – 1950
~Norman R. Alter, 1950 – 1952
~E. Lani Hanchett Layman-in-Charge, 1951 – 1952, Deacon at CMEC in 1952, ordained Priest in 1953, later became the 1st Hawaiian Bishop, and 1st Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi
~Keith Kreitner, 1952 – 1953
~Samuel N. McCain, Jr., 1953 – 1958
~Thomas D. Hughes, 1958 – 1960
~Charles T. Crane, 1960 – 1962
~Thomas K. Yoshida, 1962 – 1966
~Charles G. Hopkins, Jr., 1966 – 1969
~Elsberry W. Reynolds, 1969 – 1970
~George T. Eppley, 1972 – 1973
~Richard S. O. Chang, 1973 – 1979 later became the 4th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi
~Robert E. Walden, 1979 – 1981
~Jan C. Rudinoff, 1982 – 1984
~James P. Eron, 1984 – 1992
~A. Donor Macneice, 1993 – 2005
~Shirley Ellingboe, 2009 – 2010
~Roberta R. Taylor, 2011 – 2016
CONNECT - A Note to Our Zoom Family
One big blessing for our church that has come out of the struggle with the Covid Virus is the connection we have made via Zoom. Many folks who are either seasonal residents, timeshare residents, or even tourists consider us their church community. They can now be a more active part of our church. We have a Sunday worship service, two Bible studies, an Adult Confirmation class and Centering Prayer, made possible through Zoom.  Who knew! This has been a learning experience for us. The good news is that even after the virus crisis is over, we will continue many of our offerings on Zoom.

Here are some things everyone can do to help us all have the best experience possible:

  1. Please try to connect at least 10 minutes before the service or the meeting to make sure everything is working correctly.  
  2. If possible, keep your video on so it feels more like being together in church.  
  3. Have your audio always on mute unless advised by the facilitator.
  4. Be present. Try not to multi-task. Having your water or coffee nearby is fine but since your video is on, probably best not to be moving around.
  5. Try your best not to leave early. If your computer drops you out, come back on but make sure your video is on and your audio is muted.  
Vicarage Project
Some of you have asked about the VICARAGE PROJECT. We want to reassure you that we haven’t given up the ghost. The virus slowed our momentum for the past couple of months but we are back on track.

Having a vicarage for a priest is essential for the future of our little church. When Pastor Gae arrived, full-time rental housing was very scarce on our side of the island. We didn’t know if she was going to have to live in Kapa’a or Lihue and commute. In the time that she has been here she has already had to move once.

We are currently looking at some architectural drawings. Stay tuned!
Ongoing Activities:
Our Thrift Shop is Open!
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Wednesday 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Saturday 9:30 am - 3:00 pm

For a safe shopping experience, we can only allow 5 shoppers in the store at any time. All must wear masks and use hand sanitizer.

See our newly renovated Thrift Shop! Click here

Online Study:
Monday 10:00 am-11:15 am:
Spiritual Lessons from the Book of Genesis

Wednesday 2:00 pm-3:15 pm:
Letters of John

Email Pastor Gae if you are interested in attending at christmemorialkilauea@gmail.com
Connect via Zoom for both study sessions:

Online Centering Prayer & Scripture Reflection
Tuesdays, 9:00 - 9:45 am (HST)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7532197968

Centering Prayer is every Tuesday morning on Zoom, 9:00 - 9:45 am. We begin with a Scripture reading for the day followed by 12 minutes of meditation. Then a reflection is read and anyone who would like to share an insight is invited to do so. We finish with prayer time for those in need of healing.
Ongoing Adult Confirmation Class
Thursdays, 3:30-5:00 PM (HST)
On ZOOM
Contact Pastor Gae for connection link

Pastor Gae has gathered those who have never been confirmed; those who were confirmed in other denominations; and those who were confirmed as a pre-teen, for an on-line Zoom class. We are meeting weekly and following our Catechism found in the Book of Common Prayer.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (AA)
Meets in the Parish Hall:
Monday 6:15 - 7:15 pm & 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am & 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Wednesday 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Go to www.kauaiaa.org for more info.
GIVE
Our giving is important, especially now.

Although we aren’t gathering in the sanctuary for worship, our church bills are still the same. We’ve had questions from our Sunday worshippers and now our Zoom worshippers about how to give. Your continued gifts really matter, especially in this time of uncertainty.  
If you like to give by check, please send to:
Christ Memorial Episcopal Church,
P.O. Box 293, Kilauea, HI 96754

Or consider changing to Automated Giving. It makes life easy. Just click on the button below to make a one-time or recurring donation. 

Thank you for your love and care for our Christ Memorial community!

Stay Informed...
Keep up-to-date with messages from the Bishop. Click on the buttons below to view the Bishop's weekly Monday & Wednesday messages, and find links to online worship in the Diocese.
Quicklinks:

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.

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 by emailing her or call (623) 208-9436.
Christ Memorial Episcopal Church
2509 Kolo Road, Kilauea, HI 96754
Mailing: PO Box 293, Kilauea, HI 96754
Phone: (808) 482-4824