November 10, 2019
Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
8:00 am and 9:30 am
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Morning Coffee Inspiration from Pastor Gae
Aloha Friends,
A few days ago I happened to mention to a church member that Stewardship time begins this weekend. Her response was, “Ugh.” I remember feeling the same way even after I was ordained!
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I grew up in the Episcopal Church. St. Timothy’s wasn’t much bigger than Christ Memorial. I remember my parents every year being on a Stewardship team that would go door-to-door and visit church members to collect their pledge offering for the next year. During Stewardship time, I remember the minister was always talking about how the church needed more money or it might have to close. Scarcity was the message. We never had enough. It was depressing.
I know from personal experience how scarcity thinking can take the joy right out of life. It’s one thing to be smart and frugal; it’s another to constantly live in fear of the worst possible thing that can happen. Jesus knew how our attachments to material wealth can be a stumbling block to living in the Kingdom of God. I have come to believe there might be a “divine law” of the universe that essentially says, “If you think scarcity, I’ll give you what you are thinking… scarcity.”
At Christ Memorial, we begin a three week time of Stewardship. I now appreciate this time. For me, it’s a time to remember our God is a God of abundance, not of scarcity. Stewardship is a way of living. Like most everything Jesus taught, it is counter-cultural. We remember everything we have belongs to God. Stewardship is our offering to pray, to give generously, to serve others, and to love God. Stewardship is our promise to build God’s kingdom on this earth with whatever resources of time, talent and treasure have been given to us.
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Stewardship time reminds us that we are part of the church ”collective,” which means we all share in the cost of being church. We want our church to have inspiring worship; pastoral care for those in need; beautiful church grounds that provide peace and tranquility; programs to learn and grow; and tools to reach out to those who are seeking a closer relationship with God. How do we know how much to give? The church teaches us to begin with scripture. “First fruits of our labor” or the ‘tithe’ (10%), are biblical standards of giving. But what works best is to pray, remembering Paul’s words to the church in Corinth, “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” God gives us choice and I think that means no “Ugh’s!”
Joy, joy, joy!
Paster Gae+
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Save the Date: Movie Night in the Hall
Friday, November 29
Meets in the Parish Hall
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Save the Date: My Soul Cries Out! An Advent Quiet Morning
Saturday, November 30
Meets in the Christ Memorial Sanctuary
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Pastor Gae and Pastor Phyllis Meighen will lead our morning retreat as we begin Advent, a time to hope, dream, imagine and expect new beginnings within ourselves and our world. As our guide for this year’s Advent Retreat, we’ll be using the joy filled folk tune,
The Canticle of the Turning
. Begin this year’s Advent with time to meditate on the lyrics, pray, hear from scripture, and maybe create a poem, a song, a collage or a drawing of your own.
Pastor Gae is a certified Spiritual Director in the Jungian tradition and a priest at Christ Memorial. Pastor Phyllis is a UCC minister and Interim Pastor at Lihue Christian. She is also the Director of Resource for Christian Spirituality, an ecumenical outreach ministry at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church.
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Update: Christ Memorial Prayer Chapel ~ Prayer Ministers
We hope our Prayer Chapel will be dedicated the first Sunday of Advent. Pastor Gae is seeking people who would like to be Prayer Ministers. A Prayer Minister prays with people during the worship service, either during communion or before/after worship. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Gae
gdchalker@gmail.com
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Keiki - Fall Sunday School
Every Sunday, 8:00 – 9:00 am
Meets in the Church Office
We welcome new students, as well as volunteers and parents to assist in our Sunday School program. For more information, contact Keana Oliveira
keana@ischool.org
or Leona Blankley at
lcblankley@aol.com
.
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Bible Study
Every Wednesday 2:00 - 3:15 pm
Meets in Church Office
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Men’s Fellowship
Every Monday at 10:00am
Meets at Kilauea Bakery and Pizza
For more information, see Patrick O’Connell at worship or email him at
paoco65@gmail.com
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Centering Prayer and Meditation
Sunday, November 17, 4:00 - 5:00pm
Meets in the Christ Memorial Sanctuary
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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.
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Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop
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Preparing for Thanksgiving celebration? Visit our Thrift Shop for turkey platters, pie plates and more!
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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
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Special Ministry of Christ Memorial ~ Open for Prayer
Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:00pm
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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
.
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GIVE
Christ Memorial Episcopal Church Stewardship Time
November 10-24, 2019
This is My Offering
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Prayer:
Magnificent Holy Father.
I stand before you at this altar. So many have given you more.
I may not have much I can offer. Yet what I have is truly yours.
This is my offering, dear Lord.
This is my offering to You, God.
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Most Commonly Asked Questions:
Why do we need to complete a Pledge offering card?
Completing the Pledge offering card enables the Treasurer and the Bishop’s Committee to create a budget for the church. To be part of the church collective means we all share in the cost of being church. We want our church to have inspiring worship; pastoral care for those in need; beautiful church grounds; programs to learn and grow; and tools to reach out to those who are seeking a closer relationship with God.
Can I make my Pledge offering online?
How do I pay my pledge?
You can set up payment of your Pledge offering in whatever way is easiest for your budget — weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually. With cash, be sure to place in an envelope with your name in order to receive credit for tax purposes. We encourage you to coordinate regular online giving with your bank or use our PayPal service if you desire to pay with a credit card.
Do I receive giving statements?
Semi-annual statements are sent to help you keep track of your giving. Annual statements are sent out for your tax charitable contribution.
What if I am out of town?
We appreciate the attentiveness to your Pledge offering. You can prepay it, mail it to the church office, or pay online by going to our website.
What if a catastrophe strikes that changes my ability to honor my commitment?
Not ever to worry! Just contact the church office.
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Sharing our Property for Support and Recovery Groups
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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
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Connect with the Diocese of Hawa
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To keep up with the news from the Diocese of Hawai'i, please click on the buttons below:
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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.
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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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