In our parish, we pray for Kelly, Hanohano, Chris, Lola, Sylvia, Deedie, Heather, Ronnie, Wayne, Guthrie, and for all who have contracted the Corona virus and caregivers and for facing unemployment.
We also pray for victims of violence around the world.
If you wish to add a name to the prayer list, please be in touch with Puna Coldwell in the parish office at hncparish@gmail.com
We are posting a day by day meditation from Forward Movement. This is a great way to start your day with prayer. Please consider clicking on the website above.
It has been a momentous time in our nation. We continue to experience the stresses of a pandemic, with its continuing march across the globe and our fervent hopes for the vaccine. In addition to this intense challenge, though, we have witnessed significant political change and struggle: contested elections, racial strife, and violence in our nation’s capitol. These tumultuous conditions have startled some and deeply frightened others. Much has been written and spoken about what they might mean for our nation. I don’t know that any words I might include here would add much to the great volume of analysis. But I do think it is my work to name these challenges openly in various forums in our parish and to invite prayer, dialogue and action that can help us listen for God’s word to us as we seek to make sense of the current situation and find our way forward.
In coming days, I invite you to work with me on this project. In our prayers, in church and at home, let us be intentional about lifting up our nation’s cares to God and earnestly asking God for guidance. Let’s endeavor to deepen our listening skills, so that we can hear one another’s stories and points of view. Let’s deepen our ability to speak about difficult things, so that we can better understand and more productively engage one another, especially those whose opinions differ from our own. Finally, let us commit more fully to using our resources at Holy Nativity to “love our neighbor as ourselves,” creating more equal opportunity for everyone in our nation.
These pieces of worship and work sound simple, but, as most of us know, they are not. It will take deep commitment from a great many people to find a more peaceful, just way forward in our nation. I’ll commit to continuing to name our challenges and opportunities for growth in these areas at Holy Nativity in 2021; I hope you will partner with me in this work that I believe demands our best attention. May God hear our good intentions and bless our efforts.
-Rev. Libby
NEW FENCING MARKS THE SPOT WHERE THE ALOHA CONTAINER STOOD
FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS
The HNC Property Committee has been hard at work, as ever, over the past few months. A recent and significant project was the removal of the large shipping container that had sat near the Thrift Shop for several years. Jr. Warden Joe Kindrich coordinated the sale of the container to a Molakai farmer and oversaw the removal and shipping last week and the installation of a fence to secure the area. Sr. Warden Austin Nakoa and Bill Seeley coordinated another project: stabilizing the stonework sign in front of the property and improving the lighting. Eva Eglinton continues to support the solar and roofing projects and recently oversaw a plumbing repair in the church office. Thanks to all of our very hard-working property committee members; you are a blessing!
PHOTO OF RODELIO CATALINA WORKING ON OUR SIGN OUT FRONT
"WHO'S ABOARD" AT HNS: TESSA GOMES
Tessa Gomes is a businesswoman who likes learning and loves challenges and crisis management. Born in Hawaii, Tessa attended Punahou and the University of Hawaii where she delved into management, marketing and economics. She began accumulating business experience by taking a part-time job with Aloha Airlines after finishing high school. When a flight was cancelled, Tessa swung into action: making the announcement, rescheduling passengers, reassuring people and nailing down all the details. After a hitch with a second airline, Tessa moved into management at Hilton Hawaiian Village—and still pursuing learning, took a culinary course at Kapiolani Community College!
Tessa’s sister had three businesses: a retail store, a café, and a wedding planning service. She and Tessa decided to split off the third business, Fred and Kate Event Planning, for Tessa to operate. The firm is named for their grandmothers, Frederica and Katherine. Tessa loves the work. It’s aligned with what she does well: planning and arranging and communicating. But, if anything goes awry, her superlative skills in crisis management ensure every event is a success.
Tessa’s only child, is a fourth grader at our Holy Nativity School. Tessa was President of the Parent-Teacher Organization and now sits on our school board as its longest serving member. Tessa's daughter is a very social child whose favorite activity is spending time with her friends. Tessa takes her and her friends to the beach and hiking as well as inviting them to her home for outdoor play. In addition, she sometimes works in her aunt’s retail store and also models there; now there’s an outgoing child!
With our school board being comprised of people with no more than 18 months of service, Tessa says she’s gratified that they all are eager and active. They are quickly gaining sound understandings of Holy Nativity School, its priorities and its challenges. Together they are crafting the way forward.
FORWARD DAY BY DAY
...is a publication consisting of short, daily meditations on scripture. Usually, folks can pick it up at the church on Sundays, but that's been made difficult by our recent return to online-only worship. If you would like a copy sent to you in the mail, please contact our parish administrator, Puna Coldwell, athncparish@gmail.comor (808) 373-2131.
**Also, send up any contact info updates for new parish directory, coming in Feb, 2021.
CAMP MOKULEIA
This past fall, two Family Stay-Cay weekends were held at Camp Mokule`ia and they were a great success! Therefore, there are three more weekends this Spring! These weekends are going to be very laid back and designed to meet current social distancing requirements.
