Bring flowers to decorate the cross on Easter!

Keawaʻihi (Ihi) and Kaʻōnohi (Nohi) help us remember the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem triumphantly on a donkey as all the people lay down their garments and wave branches. Keiki not pictured here included Keaolewa (Lewa), Tucker, Colton, and Current.

Keiki lead the procession for Palm Sunday, guiding us all the way around the outside of the church and into the sanctuary, as we all sing "All Glory Laud and Honor."

Ohana Sunday

The last Sunday of the month at 8:00 am

Our joyful youth-led creative service for all ages takes place on the last Sunday of each month at the 8:00 am. Our beloved keiki led the way on Palm Sunday. If you know of keiki and all ages that would like to attend, spread the word, and be sure to join in the joy next time on Sunday April 28!

Carolyn, Diane, and Noe blessed the beginning of our 9:30 am worship as they danced "Worthy is the Lamb" on Palm Sunday.

Aloha ke Akua

Come walk our labyrinth behind the church and follow the path of Jesus as he journeyed to the cross as you pause to read from scripture at each of the 14 stations.

Download the file here, find the link at the bottom of our website homepage, or pick up a paper copy at the back of the church.

This Stations of the Cross version was developed by the Church of the Natifity, Indianapolis, 2004.

The Lighting of the Paschal Candle

Saturday, March 30, 7 pm

The Paschal candle represents Jesus' resurrection and offers us a symbol of hope and new life. Gather outside the church for this simple (approx. 20 min) service, in which we kindle fire in the darkness, light our Paschal candle, process into the sanctuary, and hear the special Exsultet prayer in preparation for Easter morning (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 285-287).

Our vicar and pastor, Rev. Catherine Amy, would always so excited to see you! Join her for conversation this Wednesday, April 3 3:00-4:30 pm and Friday April 5, 10:00-11:00 am at the Kilauea Bakery, 2484 Keneke St. Not available then? Just schedule a call, visit or Zoom at pastor@christmemorialkauai.org

In Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick's recent message dated March 9, 2024, that contained a letter to the President of the United States calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, he also asked members of the Diocese to give generously to the Episcopal Church's annual Good Friday offering. For over 100 years, this Church-wide collection has gone to support our ministries in the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. Now, more than ever, your support is needed to help those suffering in this volatile part of the world.

To learn more, click HERE TO take you to the Episcopal Church's Good Friday webpage with all the bulleted items listed. 

Give generously on Friday, March 29, 2024.

In her reflection on Palm Sunday, Rev Catherine Amy Kropp invited us to enter into the places where there is no resurrection yet, to take on the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5-11), and find our own story within the Passion Gospel. 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 Sunday at 9:30 here.

I am on Maui for Holy Week 2024. While here, I am spending time with all of the congregations, A Cup of Cold Water, the clergy, and especially God’s people of Holy Innocents’ Church, Lahaina. The months since the August fire have been very difficult for the people of Maui. 

I also am praying for the ‘Iolani School ‘Ohana as they continue to recover from the murder earlier this month of senior Sakura Oda along with her two siblings and mother by her father before he took his own life. The School community has responded with care, but it is a time of grief.

This all comes as war rages in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and too many places in our world. The political discourse of our nation is filled with hate and vindictiveness.

What does Easter 2024 bring us?

For me, these words from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians (2:5-11) best express the meaning of Easter. Paul is likely sharing an “hymn” or “affirmation” of the very early Church. This passage is sometimes called the “Christ Hymn”:

Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus,

Though he was in the form of God,

    he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit.

But he emptied himself

    by taking the form of a slave

    and by becoming like human beings.

When he found himself in the form of a human,

    he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,

    even death on a cross.

Therefore, God highly honored him

    and gave him a name above all names,

  so that at the name of Jesus everyone

    in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow

    and every tongue confess

    that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Paul urges us to take on the attitude of Christ. How do we do that? Look at the three verbs of the Christ Hymn: “Emptied,” “Humbled,” and “Obeyed.”  

READ FULL MESSAGE HERE

(Bishop is pictured at Trinity By-the-Sea in Kihei, on Palm Sunday - Trinity Facebook page)

Dear Mr. President,

As the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi, I call on you and your Administration to urge the government of Israel to implement an immediate cease fire in Gaza, and to do all possible to support efforts in the United Nations and internationally to implement such a full cease fire.

The relentless bombardment and blockade of Gaza, and its huge cost in civilian lives and civilian infrastructure must stop. The manner in which this war is being prosecuted by the Israeli government cannot be morally justified. Israel has lost the moral high ground following the horrendous events of October 7. Israel must now ensure that Palestinian civilians have access to food, water, healthcare, and safety, that now have too long been denied to them. It is imperative that the government of the United States support a full cease fire now.

Certainly, there needs to be the release of remaining surviving hostages and an end to the attacks on Israel by Hamas. All sides must begin to imagine a future beyond this conflict: for a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis. This war can’t result in the consolidation of a system of occupation that has for too long denied Palestinians their rights and freedoms. It is time for the United States to formally recognize the State of Palestine.

I condemn all antisemitic and anti-Muslim sentiment and actions here in the United States that have been exacerbated by this terrible conflict.

In praying for all those in Palestine and Israel living in the midst of war and the fear of war, I pray particularly for the Palestinian Christian communities and the members of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, that they may know strength and the presence of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. I also pray daily for those tirelessly working for a just and lasting peace.

Yours faithfully,

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick, Bishop

The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i

Letter sent to the White House, March 8, 2024 via the White House Contact Form

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 photo was taken during the annual Chrism Mass at The Cathedral of St. Andrew this past Saturday, March 23, 2024. The service included the renewal of Baptismal Vows and Reaffirmation of Ordination Vows for clergy. Our Maui clergy (pictured above) were chosen to administer the sacraments for Communion. The Chrism Mass and ChurchBiz Conference is one of the feature stories in this issue. (Photo: S. Nishioka)

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.

* 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: Peter, Lynn, Keith, Bill, Vicki, Kathryn, Dane, Gail, Marian, Liam, Jeanne and family, Marie, Tom, Mike, Lei, Julia, Jane, Cynthia, Wayne, Sheila, Elise and family, Becca, Sara, Steve, Art, Paul, 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 Eric. 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