In our parish, we pray for Kelly, Hanohano, Chris, Lola, Sylvia, Lora V., Heather, Ronnie, Wayne, Coco, June, Beverly, Susan, Cindy, Thalia T., David, Sofia,
for all who have contracted the Corona virus, caregivers, and those facing unemployment. We pray for the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of the undocumented children in detention centers.
We are posting a brief day by day meditation from Forward Movement. It's a great way to start your morning! Just click on the website above.
Imagine this: You are visiting New York City and staying in a Midtown Manhattan hotel.; perhaps the five-star Pierre or someplace a bit less exotic. With the windows closed, it is quiet, and with the air conditioning or heat on, you are comfortable, oblivious to the noise outside. Later you take the elevator down to the lounge for a drink before dinner in the quiet and calm of the restaurant. Back in your room, you read for a bit, then turn out the light for a good night’s sleep. But outside on the streets people are rushing around, taxis with horns honking and tires screeching swerve in and out, stopping and starting--all racing to get somewhere--or nowhere. But you? You, comfortably removed from the sturm and drang outside, fall into a deep sleep.
That scenario could serve as a metaphor for many during this pandemic. Certainly for the Moore family. Since both Delia and I are retired, we suffered no work dislocation or need to adjust to working from home. The stock market has risen, increasing our retirement portfolios. And what better place to be in lockdown than Hawaii, where we can be outdoors all day all year? Our three children and their spouses have good jobs, can work from home, own their own homes, and are fully vaccinated. None have school aged kids, so no issues with virtual learning. Working from home, our youngest, Lora, and hubby Dave have had lots of quality time with eighteen-month old Finn. Terry and Jenn’s two children are adults and out on their own. Maile can serve as her terminally ill mother’s caretaker while working from home. And no member of the family has contracted the virus. Although there have been some minor dislocations (no in-person church, theatre, or travel), we are managing the pandemic quite well, thank you very much!
Meanwhile almost 600, 000 Americans and 3.5 million worldwide have died from the virus, which continues to rage in countries throughout the world, causing social and economic chaos as well as the medical catastrophe.
With much of the population vaccinated and the number of new cases and deaths declining, America is reopening and, maybe, getting back to some sort of normal. But India and much of the world continue to suffer terribly.
It is imperative, I believe, that as we emerge from our bubbles, we find ways to connect on some level with those still in the grip of the virus and its effects, here in America and around the world. In a different context, a sermon delivered in E. M. Forster’s Howards End asserts that when we connect, “human love will be seen at its height and we will live in fragments no longer.” In short, we will have “connected to the divine.”
I cannot tell you or anybody how to connect to the divine, but Bishop Curry in "Love is the Way” (pp.28-29) can:
“There is a simple way to connect to the divine, anytime you feel like it. If God is love, and love is an action, you’ve only got to go out there and do it. You’ve got to go out there and receive it. And the easiest way to do that is to become part of a community of people who want to give and receive love, to liberate themselves from the tyranny of self to look outward. From a small gesture to a large sacrifice everyday provides an opportunity to do love so long as you’re not living a life in isolation. And if you’ve got a loving community, you can rest in God’s hands anytime you need to.”
This, then, is our charge as we emerge from our pandemic bubble.
WHO'S A-BOARD?
HNS BOARD MEMBER JODI YOSHIOKA
Jodi Yoshioka has a long association with Holy Nativity School. Her children both attended HNS from Keiki Co-op through sixth grade, served as king and queen for May Day; they were the first siblings to serve on the Student Council together. Jodi’s family lives near the school and her husband served on the school’s board while the children were enrolled there.
Jodi grew up in Hilo and came here to attend UH-Manoa where she majored in elementary education and early childhood development. Then, a surprise: she became a flight attendant for United Airlines! While based in San Francisco, she often flew “short hops” to places with which she was totally unfamiliar, such as Sioux City, Iowa. With her long, dark hair, she was once asked in mid-America where she was from and when she replied "Hawaii," the next question was whether there was electricity there!
Later, based in Honolulu, she was assigned to flights to the Philippines, Bangkok and Singapore. The long layovers she had in those cities allowed her to do a lot of exploring on her own. When babies entered her life, Jodi became a stay-at-home mom, but in a few years she was teaching pre-K at Holy Nativity. She also taught in Kaimaki. The parent of a child she had once taught approached her about being considered for Head of School at St. Clement’s, but she demurred at first. Happily, things turned out for the best: she is now in her seventh year in that position. The program is right up her alley, serving children ages 3 to 5. Like the other schools where she has taught, it is based in Christian purposes.
Jodi is very happy that her children “grew up” at Holy Nativity, where they were shown so much care and love. They were educated and nurtured and learned to give back to their community. Jodi is in her second year of board service at Holy Nativity School. She is committed to our school’s mission and brings plentiful skills and experiences—both as teacher and as parent. Jodi, we are so glad you are "A-Board"!
OUR
STAINED-GLASS...
RECEIVED A LITTLE TLC!
Mahalo to the generous person who responded to this need and will pay for our window repair! Soon, it will be beautiful again!
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SUMMER BREAK; SUMMER WORSHIP
Both our newsletter and our rector will be taking a summer break during the next few weeks. This will be the last issue of the Banyan Tree until the week of July 18. Rev. Libby will be away on vacation from June 22- July 9, visiting family in Oregon and South Dakota. The Rev. Alison Dingley will preach and celebrate the Eucharist at HNC on Sunday, June 27 and Sunday, July 4. The Rev. Bob Steele will be on call in case of a pastoral emergency. A prayer for all for "The Good Use of Leisure" from our Book of Common Prayer:
"O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
STILL MORE
SUMMER FUN...
(again from Chandi Hinrichs)
Concerned about the tipping ark, Noah sighed, "Alas, I told them not to bring aboard a pair of termites! Now I'm not so sure about the woodpeckers, either!"
