Chapel Learnings

As the chaplain at Holy Nativity School I choose a theme to focus on for religion classes and chapels for each season. Some themes follow our liturgical year like Advent, Easter, or Season of Creation. Others are related to the values that Jesus taught his followers, things like peace, love, kindness, and forgiveness.

This season for HNS we are talking about kindness, love, and forgiveness. In our chapel today we heard Mark’s story about Jesus inviting the little children to come and be blessed by him, saying, “The kingdom of God belongs to the little ones just like these.” We wondered about why Jesus would say that about babies or little ones who aren’t able to fend for themselves, who can’t really even speak clearly. Babies, after all, can’t walk or talk or hold down jobs. They can’t contribute to the economy, vote, or provide a public service. Why would the kingdom of God belong to them? Maybe it's because babies can laugh and surprise us with joy. They can fall asleep in our arms and make us feel peaceful. They can fill us with such love as we gaze into their eyes. “The kingdom of God belongs to the little ones just like these.” Babies are open and curious and faithful. They spread joy, peace, love, and hope in the world. And Jesus, in the story from Mark, blesses them so they can be a blessing.

Jesus also blesses us when so we can be a blessing to others. What blessing do you bring to others: joy, peace, love, hope? Generosity? Faith? Perseverance? We all have some quality or gift that we developed as babies or since we were babies. What gift do you have to share with the world?

With aloha, Rev. Jenn

Paddling across the Ka'iwi Channel

Our own Nicholas Livingston paddled in his first Ho'e race this past weekend, from Molaka'i to Oahu! He and his Outrigger team journeyed 41 miles across the channel. The winning team, Shell Wa'a, from Tahiti, has won this men's race 15 times. For all participants, it is an honor simply to be a part of the ancient sport.

Congratulations, Nicholas! We look forward to seeing you in many outrigger races to come!

HNC Delegates attend 

56th Annual Diocesan Convention

Several HNC folks attended the Annual Meeting of our whole diocese this past weekend, as well as the Education Day and Diocesan Convention Eucharist the day before. Clergy in attendance were the Revs. Jenn Latham, Libby Berman, and Bob Steele. They were joined by lay delegates Dan Muenzer and Kathy Otani and our ministry intern, Bill Heran. Friday's Education Day events included lei-making and genki-ball making (Google it!). Rev. Libby celebrated the Convention Eucharist. Rev. Jenn spoke to several resolutions and reported on the General Convention of the Episcopal church (held last June in Louisville, KY.) Deacon Bob participated in the presentation from deacons. We look forward to our lay delegates' reports to the congregation on their experience over the next few weeks.



Throughout the weekend, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of women's ordination in the Episcopal Church. This theme drew our several hundred participants together, encouraging us to greater unity as a diocese and to making stronger relationships between our many congregations.

HNC Pride

Holy Nativity Church is participating in several Pride events over the weekend of October 19-20 to remind you that God loves you just the way you are, and so do we.

First, we will join the Episcopal Parish of St. Clement in Makiki for a Pride Eucharist on October 19th at 10:00 a.m. That same afternoon we will join other Episcopalians to march in the Pride Parade. The walk starts at Magic Island (meet at 3 pm) and walks to Kapi’olani Park. If you would like to participate in the walk, please call the office if you would like to coordinate transportation.

On Sunday evening Oct 20th, you can join us at The Cathedral of St. Andrew for a Pride Evensong at 5:30 p.m.



If you would like more information about any of these celebrations, please call the church office for more details, please email Rev. Jenn at revjenn.hnc@gmail.com

SAVE THE DATES!

We are in the middle of a busy fall!



HNS Pumpkin Festival (Sat, Oct 26).

Thrift Store Fall Festival (Sat, Nov 9).

Ecumenical Thanksgiving service with our neighbor congregations in East Honolulu. (Tues, Nov. 26, at Calvary-by-the-Sea).

Stay tuned for more information as the dates

draw near!

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Our Parish Administrator will be out of office Oct 15-30. Our Aloha greeters will be helping out in her absence. Mahalo to Debbie Asmus, Lila Johnson, and Alison Kittle.

If you have Prayer List requests, please contact Revs Libby or Jenn.

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REMINDERS

Join the Churchwide Virtual Celebration.The Investiture of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe Nov. 2, 2024

What: The Episcopal Church will officially welcome the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe as its 28th presiding bishop with a smaller, simpler investiture service aimed at reducing carbon footprint and increasing churchwide virtual participation.   

When: Nov. 2, with a prelude featuring a “roll call” of dioceses starting at 9:30 a.m. ET. The service itself starts at 11 a.m. ET. 

NOTE: The service starts 5 AM in Hawai'i.

Where: The Episcopal Church’s Facebook page, and on link below:

https://www.episcopalchurch.org/investiture/

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