February 2, 2019
The Presentation of our Lord Jesus in the Temple Candlemas

8:00 am and 9:30 am
4:00 pm Centering Prayer


A little history about this Sunday’s worship  ~ This Sunday is one of those traditional “feast days” in the life of the church, known as The Presentation of our Lord Jesus. The designated day is February 2nd, 40 days after Christmas, but February 2nd doesn’t always fall on Sunday, so you may not be as familiar with the Feast of the Presentation as some of our other feast days. If you are at least my age and grew up in the Episcopal or Anglican church or the Roman Catholic church, you might be more familiar with the Feast of the Presentation being known as either the Feast of the Purification (as it was in the 1928 Prayer Book) or Candlemas.   

Candlemas is documented as early as the 4th century. In those days it was celebrated on February 14th, which tells us that Epiphany may have been originally celebrated as the feast of Christ’s birth. Once the Roman emperor designated the feast of Christ’s nativity as December 25th, the feast day of the Presentation moved to the 2nd of February.  

In the early 11th century, the feast of the Presentation or the Purification became known as Candlemas. The special liturgy for the day featured the blessing of the candles that would be used for the upcoming year; then the faithful would process to Nunc Dimmitis (which will be sung during communion today), it is the Song of Simeon, which commemorates Christ’s entrance into the Temple.  

Scripture Readings for this Sunday



Prayer Ministry Healing Service
Beginnng Wednesday February 5 
10:00 - 10:30am

One of the seven sacraments in our church is known as Unction, or Healing. Beginning Wednesday, February 1, 10:00 – 10:30 am, Christ Memorial will have a Healing Service in the sanctuary. We will pray for the healing requests that come in every day from those who visit the church. There will also be Anointing and Laying on of Hands for those who desire it.

Weekly Centering Prayer and Meditation
Every Sunday
4:00-5:00pm 

Centering Prayer now meets weekly and is open to all faiths and to anyone who is seeking a deeper meaning to their spiritual life along the Contemplative Path. 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. “ Silence is God’s first language. Everything else is a poor translation .” ~Thomas Keating

Morning Coffee Inspiration from Pastor Gae

Aloha Friends,

I like to study. I think it is important to always be learning, and so I have been taking continuing education classes for the past six months through Unity Seminary. Unity has been around since the late 1800’s. It is often referred to as Christian New Thought.   

One of my current classes, “The Christ,” had an assignment this past week to write a spiritual covenant. Stories about covenants are told throughout the Hebrew scriptures. They tended to be conditional convenants, “if you do this… you will receive...” 
Example: Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.” ~Exodus 19:3-6   

It was a beautiful promise, but unfortunately the Israelites who were flawed human beings like most of us, forgot to keep their part. But God didn’t abandon the Israelites. Instead ,God replaced the old convenant with a new one. God’s love would no longer be “quid pro quo” (popular words these days!) or in any way conditional. (Although some Christians might say that it is conditional in that one has to believe in Jesus in order to partake in the covenant. I personally don’t agree, but that is for another chat). 
My Unity teacher said her covenant was, “ God, if the door is open, I promise to enter. If the door is closed, I will trust you will direct me to another.” As I started to think about my own covenant with God, I found it challenging not to make it in any way “quid pro quo” or unrealistic.

So far, this is the best I could think of: “God, if you bless me with another day of life… I promise to… (pray and study, practice forgiveness, learn a little more about love, not to worry about money and earthly possessions, etc.).” Since it is a promise based on one more day of life, I should be able to keep up my part, don’t you think?

I am glad I am revisiting the principle of covenant with God. It reminds me that every new day is a gift and a blessing. It reminds me not to take the blessing for granted. While the gift from God is not conditional, it does have a purpose. It’s another day to learn and grow. 

I invite you to think about covenant and promises between you and God. And as always, please share.

Joy, joy, joy,

~ Pastor Gae+

 CONNECT

Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography
God spoke to me… and the message was…
A Quiet Morning at Christ Memorial
Tomorrow Saturday, February 1
9:00 am - Noon
Quiet Mornings at Christ Memorial are an opportunity to check out of the busy-ness of life and spend quiet time with God. 

This month’s teaching, “God spoke to me… and the message was… ” will be about writing your spiritual autobiography. What have been the significant events on your spiritual journey? Who have been your greatest teachers? What have you learned about God? Jesus? Yourself? Pastor Gae will be sharing the process she learned at the Haden Institute of Spiritual Direction.

Quiet Mornings begin with a Taize-style worship service. Following the teaching, participants are invited to journal, create a Soul Collage, meditate, walk the labyrinth, draw, create a poem, or just sit in quiet under the Poinciana tree. Materials and sustenance of coffee and muffins are provided. Faith offering suggested: $10.

Building Something Beautiful Together: Our Annual Meeting Recap
Last Sunday, Christ Memorial held its Annual Meeting. It was a great meeting! The Fellowship team of Margaret and Aunties Lorraine and Judy prepared a perfect lunch salad and sandwich lunch. (And of course… cake!)  

Pastor Gae highlighted the accomplishments of last year. Among them:
    
  • We increased attendance by 10% (we are still a little church).
  • Our Keiki met every Sunday with their teachers Keana and Leona.
  • The Columbarium was completed and dedicated on March 31 by our bishop.
  • We built a labyrinth.
  • Shared Blessings Thrift Shop had a record year of donations and sales.

Tom Blankley, our Treasurer, presented a very optimistic budget for the upcoming year (available upon request). And the BIG NEWS! We are “building something beautiful together: a vicarage! As Suzanne Kobayashi explained that the future of our church is dependent on a residence for clergy. She was on the Search Committee and recalled the obstacle of not having a residence. All Saint’s Kapa`a recently did a search for a new priest and had a multitude of applicants because they have a residence. For information on how you can get connected with the Vicarage Project, contact Suzanne at suzanne@beachandbluff.com .
Keana Oliviera was thanked for her year of service on the Bishop’s Committee. 

And David Akana (pictured here) was honored for his many years of service. David was Bishop’s Warden from 2012-2019. The Bishop sent a letter of appreciation to David (see letter below).

The slate of the new Bishop’s Committee was presented: Rebecca Hullum (Bishop’s Warden); Craig Wall (Jr. Warden); Maggie Lea (Historic Preservation); Gordon Furze (Fellowship); Suzanne Kobayashi (Future Planning/Vicarage Project); Leona Blankley (Keiki); Helen Mitsui (Shared Blessings Thift Shop); Tom Blankley (non voting - Treasurer). Sandy Fitch-Moran was nominated from the floor and agreed to serve! Sandy will lead our Outreach Ministry.  

Christ Memorial is an amazing little church. Every day, you can see a stream of tourists stopping by, taking photos, walking the burial grounds and the labyrinth, and coming into the sanctuary to pray. We are blessed to have committed church members who love and care for our property. And we are blessed with Shared Blessings volunteers who are committed to providing an amazing shopping experience that assists in funding the mission and ministries of our church.  
Sunday School Keiki Continue Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.
Keiki Fall Sunday School 
Every Sunday, 8:00 – 9:00 am
Meets in the Church Office

For the first Sunday of Advent, our Keiki created their Advent candles. 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 .

Men’s Fellowship 
Every Monday at 9:00 am
Meets at Kilauea Bakery and Pizza 

For more information, see Patrick O’Connell at worship or email him at paoco65@gmail.com

Support and Recovery Groups

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

Christ Memorial wants to be known in the community as a healing place for the body, mind and spirit. We are inviting 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, financial peace, Al-Anon, Gamblers Anonymous, etc., please tell them to contact Pastor Gae. 

 SERVE
Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop


Valentine’s Day: February 14th
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: fellowship 11-12pm

Credit cards accepted
Gift cards available for purchase


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.

 GIVE


Update on Stewardship 2020

Thank you to all of our members who submitted their pledge offering for 2020. At Christ Memorial, as in all Episcopal churches, we believe we all share in the cost of being church.  

We are now beginning the work on the church budget. You can still make a pledge. Just ask an usher for a Pledge card.
 P rayer:    

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.



Change to Automated Giving

Thank you to those of you who automate your giving and having 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 Tom Blankley for information at tblankley@msn.com . 

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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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 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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