As we journey into the depths of Lent,

may we discover the covenant of God‘s love

already inscribed on our hearts. 

May we remember that it is from within

that an infinite realm of divine love

is already breaking in. 

May we evolve into a higher consciousness

as we follow the phenomenon of the Christ,

opening to the wisdom shining

into the world soul.  

Rev. Catherine Amy Kropp

A beautiful way to enter the season of Lent together in beloved community!

Watch for the next dinner (date TBD) and be in touch if you'd like to host!

Mahalo to all those who participated!

On February 7, 2024, the Hawaii House of Representatives celebrated and honored Branch Lotspeich, member of Christ Memorial Episcopal Church, for his lifesaving efforts to reduce drowning deaths on the beaches of Hawaii. Fourteen years ago, under Branch’s leadership as a founding member and with the support of the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay, the first rescue tubes were installed on Kauai. Since then, the Rescue Tube Foundation has expanded to include more than 700 stations across Hawaii beaches as well as beaches on the mainland and Canada.

Today Branch serves as Executive Director of the Rescue Tube Foundation and leads by example in the assembly and creation of the bright yellow, 52-inch rescue flotation devices at the Foundation’s shop in Kilauea. He is also instrumental in educating other beach communities of how the tubes can save lives.

We congratulate Branch and his wife, Melody and are thankful for their many ministries in our church, our community and abroad.

Our pastor and vicar, Rev. Catherine Amy, would love to see you! Join her for conversation this week Wednesday, February 28, 4:00-5:30 and Thursday, February 29, 4:00-5:30 at the Kilauea Bakery, 2484 Keneke St. Or schedule a call, visit or Zoom at pastor@christmemorialkauai.org

Last week on the First Sunday of Lent, in the story of Jesus in the wilderness (Mark 1:9-15), Rev Catherine Amy shared an experience in the desert to reflect the power of creation within our Lenten journey. Listen to her sermon here:

Welcome to Christ Memorial Episcopal Church. We are devoted to following the life and teachings of Jesus, the Christ.  

We hope your experience worshiping with us will bless and enrich your life. People of all faiths are welcome to worship with us on Sunday.

For an online service, join us Sundayat 9:30 here.

Help us… help you… help those affected by the Maui Wildfires!

Due to the generosity from people around the Diocese, country, and globe, we want to make sure we can help wherever help is needed. We are asking every congregation to think BIG on this one. For example, if there is someone you know (or have heard about) that has taken in family or friends who were displaced, they may find themselves with a tripled-or-quadrupled electricity bill that they hadn’t seen coming. Same goes for the increase in food and household living costs. 

Assistance isn’t limited to just people currently on Maui (there are many who have taken people in on other islands), nor is it ever limited to Episcopalians. So combine your thinking hats and your generous hearts and let us know! To send a request for financial assistance, click on the button below:

The Diocese of Hawai'i has set up a webpage with the latest resources, and updates about Maui recovery efforts. Click HERE to go there.

You can also visit the Facebook page HERE.

Sharing One Home Can Change Two Lives

Homesharing Hawaiʻi is a project of Hawai‘i Intergenerational Network, a nonprofit with IRS 501(c)(3) status. Our program helps match individuals seeking a home with people who have a home to share. Two or more people share a home for mutual benefit. A person offers a private bedroom and shared common space in exchange for rent, help around the house or a combination of the two. Each home sharing arrangement is tailored to the unique needs and interests of the people involved. To learn more, visit their website HERE.

This issue's header photos were taken during the Bishop's Visitation to Holy Apostles in Hilo, on Sunday, February 11, 2024. Their Rector, the Rev. Katlin McCallister, got to be on the "parent" side of her daughter Tessa's baptism by the Bishop. It was a wonderful day followed by fellowship and food! See more photos under Island Happenings.(Photos: Mary Jo Keller)

Check out the latest news from the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i here

We Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

As constituent members of the Anglican Communion in the United States, we are descendants of and partners with the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church, and are part of the third largest group of Christians in the world.

We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world. We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church.

Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God, and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of sexual identity or orientation.

We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.

_______________________________________

988 Suicide & Crisis

Lifeline is Here!

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is now in full effect nationwide. Similar to the 911 emergency phone number, dialing 988 will connect a caller directly to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and to a trained counselor.

Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop in Kilauea is seeking Volunteers.

Each volunteer shift is a 2-4 hour commitment for a minimum of one day per week. Experience in Retail, Customer Service, and/or Retail a plus, but not required.

Volunteers are invaluable to serving our community. Our goal is to reuse, repurpose and recycle goods — keeping as much as possible out of landfill — while providing our community with access to reasonably priced, quality merchandise.

Here are ways you can help:

* Greeters welcome shoppers and monitor our COVID guidelines.

* Customer Care helps shoppers to ensure a pleasant shopping experience.

* Merchandisers organize departments, restock the floor and display retail goods.

* Philanthropy distributes merchandise to organizations in need.

* Donation Intakers receive, sort and process donations.

Work-from-Home volunteers help prepare merchandise for sale. We are especially looking for help in these areas:

* Games: checking games to ensure all components are intact

* Stationery: packaging up cards and envelopes

* Holidays: preparing merchandise for Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Valentines, 4th of July, and more

* School, Office, Art Craft Supplies: organizing and packaging materials for reuse

* Toys: sorting, cleaning, and packaging toys

* Hardware: sorting and packaging tools, materials, electronics and appliances

Requirements?

*Team players with a genuine interest in serving the community and contributing to the reuse movement.

* Willingness to support COVID-19 safety measures set by Shared Blessings

* Physically able to lift 50 pounds (Merchandisers and Donation Intakers only)

Benefits?

Serving the community and our environment is rewarding work. We have a lot of fun! New merchandise is donated daily, so the element of surprise and wonder is constant. Get a first peek and more!

Interested?

Click on the reply button here! Let us know 1) your interests, 2) your availability to volunteer and 3) your contact information. Mahalo!

Let us pray for our own needs and those of others. We remember especially those on our prayer list. Healing of body, mind and spirit for: Gail, Marian, Liam, Jeanne and family, Marie, Tom, Mike, Lei, Julia, Jane, Cynthia, Wayne, Sheila, Elise and family, Becca, Sara, Steve, Art, Paul, Charlyn, Erin, Niles, Robbie, Jane, Dale, Webb, Linda, David, Helen, Tony, Penny, Tommy, Matthew, Pam, and Rich.  For the residents of Lahaina and greater Maui who have lost their loved ones, homes, worship spaces, and businesses from the fires.  We pray for resilience of the land and fortitude of the people, for all that is Maui. We pray also for the people and leadership of Ukraine and the people of Russia who wish for peace and an end to the war. We pray also for people who live in a perpetual state of danger in the Middle East, Central America, and in conflicts around the world; that all who suffer danger and violence would know hope in their troubles and courage in their hearts.

We pray for all who have died, especially Michael. We pray for all who are grieving. May they be comforted. 

We pray that you will bring people together in worship. Enliven your church and bless our musician, our clergy and lay leadership. We pray for our sibling Episcopal congregations on Kauai: St John and St Pauls, St Michael & All Angels, and All Saints, and for all churches on the North Shore. We pray for our own congregation of Christ Memorial, Kilauea for those present, online and absent - that all of us together may be united in your ministry. 

Are there others? Send a prayer list request to christmemorialkilauea@gmail.com

Do you have news, an article or an event to contribute to the newsletter? Email to christmemorialkilauea@gmail.com by Tuesday 5:00 pm each week for consideration in the weekly Christ Memorial newsletter.

THRIFT SHOP MISSION STATEMENT:

Our goal is to provide our community with reasonably priced, quality merchandise. We will reuse, repurpose and recycle goods and keep as much as possible out of the landfill in an effort to help Kauai and our planet toward Zero Waste. Above all we will show compassion, kindness and tolerance to each other and our community.

Christ Memorial Episcopal Church

2509 Kolo Road, Kilauea, HI 96754

http://www.christmemorialkauai.org

E-Mail Christ Memorial

(808) 482-4824

Mailing Address: PO Box 293, Kilauea, HI 96754