an online publication of the
Church of the Holy Nativity, Aina Haina
June 3, 2020
In this Issue of the Banyan Tree:

Seeking peace and justice in these challenging days

In-person (and continuing online worship) begins June 7

Pentecost Celebration last week

Congratulations to our Graduates

Our ELCA Neighbors:  
"Called to Common Mission"

*************

Do you receive the Banyan Tree and find the content is missing?  Do you close this email, open it again, and still find no content?  
Here is what you do: open the email, scroll to the bottom of it and click on "View Entire Message." What a relief! It works!

Upcoming Services
at Holy Nativity
(Go to the front page of our website, "www.holynativityhawaii.com" 
and click "Sunday Banyan")

June 7, 2020
First Sunday
after Pentecost
Morning Prayer with Music-- 9am
In-person & ONLINE


June 14, 2020
Second Sunday
after Pentecost
Morning Prayer with Music -- 9am
In-person & ONLINE

*******

Thursday Centering Prayer
(Thursday afternoons, 4-5pm)
Join us online using "Zoom." Go to www.zoom.us and click on the phrase,"Join a Meeting."  When prompted, type in the Meeting ID, which is 330990103.

(Please note that our Wednesday 10am Eucharist
postponed until further notice; please pray for one another during this time!) 

Serving this Sunday 
(June 7)  
First Sunday 
after Pentecost

9am Morning Prayer
Officiant:  The Rev. Libby Berman
Deacon: The Rev. Bob Steele
Readers: Ed Moore & Alison Kittle
Prayers of the People: 
  Julia Yamaguchi
Usher: Bob Steele, Ed Moore, and Austin Nakoa
Sandra Braham's Altar Guild Team


Serving next Sunday 
(June 14)   
Second Sunday
after Pentecost

9am Morning Prayer 
Officiant:  The Rev. Libby Berman
Deacon: The Rev. Bob Steele
Readers: Sumner Howard & 
   Barbara Abe
Prayers of the People: 
  Ed Moore
Usher: Rich Miller
Delia Moore's Altar Guild Team
The Sunday Readings


 
Rector
The Rev. Libby Berman
hncrector@gmail.com

The Vestry
Sr. Warden: Austin Nakoa
Jr. Warden: Joe Kindrich
Treasurer: Jean Steele
Clerk: Nancy Thomas
Members at Large: Justin Donahue, Rich Miller, Lila Johnson, Jeff Taylor, Ed Moore, Wyn Aubrey-Child, Nina Livingston, Tusi Mayer, Gretchen Yamaguchi

Office Hours-Staff may be working from home; please call ahead to make sure someone is in the office; thank you!
Monday-Thursday, 9am-1pm
(808) 373-2131
hncparish@gmail.com
www.holynativityhawaii.org
 
Parish Bookkeeper
Kathy Kia
hncoperationsmanager@gmail.com
 
Parish Administrator
Punahele Coldwell
hncparish@gmail.com
 
Prayer List

In our parish, we pray for Sylvia, Lois, Heather, Rico, and Chris J., for those who have contracted the Corona virus and those caring for them and/or seeking a vaccine or other measures of relief.

We also pray for the repose of the soul of George Floyd and for all victims of violence around the world.

To add a name to our prayer list, please contact Punahele Coldwell in the church office at (808) 373-2131 or 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. 
Interim Head of School 
Jeanne Wilks

Rooted in the Episcopal tradition, Holy Nativity School is dedicated to excellence in education within a small and personalized environment. Built upon principles of respect and inclusion, Holy Nativity School values each child's individuality as it develops principled citizens who recognize their role in the local and global community.  


Holy Nativity Thrift Shop
(808) 373-3744

Wednesday & Friday: 10am - 2pm
Saturday: 9am - 12pm

Click here to visit the Thrift Shop webpage.

 JOIN US IN PERSON OR ONLINE  for WORSHIP  ON SUNDAYS AT 9AM

 The Church will be open on Sunday morning in advance of our regular, 9am worship.  Please read article below for more information.   We also also have this service on Zoom, as we have been doing.  To find information about how to join us online , go to  the front page of our website ( holynativityhawaii.org)  OR look for your email copy of our Thursday "Banyan Tree."

*********



IN SEARCH OF PEACE--AND JUSTICE

As violence has erupted across our nation in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd in Minnesota, many of us wonder what we can do to help peace return.  We know that we can pray and we believe that God answers prayer.  But God also calls us to use our minds and hearts to take actions that help bring people together in a more just society.  

One of the lines that has always guided me as I confront the racism, inequality, and violence that challenges us all is one that I discovered on, of all places, a bumper sticker.  It read, " The most radical thing we can do is introduce people to one another."  In my experience, people's hearts are most changed when we hear the stories of others.  We begin to care about one another and we become invested in one another.  The stories we hear change the way we live, what we prioritize, how we spend our time and money, and how we vote.  For most of us, the people whose stories we most often hear are those who live near us.  When we intentionally move beyond those in our immediate communities, however, seeking to meet those who are less like us in background, culture, and ethnicity, the stories we hear can change us--and so help us make change in the world.   

In the circumstance in which we find ourselves, I wish to recommit myself to this intention: I will welcome introduction to those whose lives are different from mine and I will seek to make introductions among others across difference.  We all are made in the image of God--and with such great variety!  I believe our lives are enriched when we meet people whose stories are very different from our own and that those stories can help us make a more just world.  I invite you to join me in this continuing conversation--and in this work.
--Rev. Libby+ 

*************

Our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, preached a Pentecost sermon that referenced the violence that has broken out across the country and urges all Christians to respond in "The Way of Love."  Listen to Bishop Curry here:  https://episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/presiding-bishop-michael-currys-pentecost-sermon

***************

IN-PERSON WORSHIP WILL RETURN ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7  

On Trinity Sunday, we celebrate the unity of the Trinity:  God the Creator, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  It marks the beginning of what we call "Ordinary Time" in the church calendar.  We turn the colors to green as we walk together through this long season that includes all of the summer and fall.  Our lessons each Sunday during this season invite us to consider Jesus' teaching and miracles.  

This year, we joyfully return to in-person worship for this season. The planning team has made many decisions we hope will make our worship both safe and meaningful.  We will engage the following guidelines this Sunday (after which the planning team will debrief and make any needed adjustments):

--We will use face masks, hand sanitizer and  6-foot social distance spacing.
--We will ask you to take your bulletin out with you .
--Enter through the main door and find your pew; when you exit, use the side doors to go outside before turning to walk back to the lanai.  Follow the arrows marked on the floor.
--Please follow ushers' instructions about where to sit.  Please do not remove any tape.  
--We will enjoy instrumental and recorded (choir) music, but we cannot sing.  When making responses during the service, speak quietly or be silent.
--Until we can feel safe gathering together, we will not have communion or a coffee hour afterward.  (We will look to the future for this nourishment!)

There will be several reminders of these new practices--so you don't have to memorize them!

We again emphasize that those who wish to remain at home, for whatever reason, are most welcome to continue to view the service online, in the usual way that we have become accustomed to. 
See you there!    --Rev. Libby+

 

Pentecost altar flowers, given by  Rosemary Domecki

A JOYFUL PENTECOST CELEBRATION

On May 31, we celebrated the birthday of the Church. Five members of the parish read the story of the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus' disciples, all in their home languages.  Many thanks to Tusi Mayer, who read in Samoan, Saro Verghese, who read in Malyalam, Mailani Chang, who read in Japanese, Leah Condello, who read in Tagalog, and Chandi Hinrichs, who organized the project and read in German.  Thanks to our readers and Altar Guild for adding beautiful sights and sound to our worship.

**************


CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES!

Congratulations to Rebecca Verghese, who graduated from Punahou last week--and to all graduates this year who are part of our extended parish ohana!  We offer you our prayers and support as you move forward in your lives. 

*****************

 

"CALLED TO COMMON MISSION" 

Our closest Christian siblings are members of the Evangelical  Lutheran Church of America (ELCA).  Our beliefs are very similar.  We are so close that some Episcopal clergy serve (ELCA) Lutheran congregations and some (ELCA) Lutheran pastors serve Episcopal congregations, including at least one here on Oahu.  

In coming days, our two denominations will celebrate the 20th anniversary of our historic covenant, which is entitled, "Called to Common Mission."  Holy Nativity and our nearby neighbor, Calvary-by-the-Sea, seek to explore some partnerships in ministry in coming days.  Stay tuned for more information, and if you have an idea, please let it be known!  

Below is a prayer for our work together, written by members of Episcopal and ELCA Lutheran denominations:

God of all power and love, 
we give thanks for your unfailing presence
and the hope you provide in times of uncertainty and loss.
Send your Holy Spirit to enkindle in us your holy fire.
Revive us to live as Christ's body in the world:
a people who pray, worship, learn, break bread, 
share life, heal neighbors,
bear good news, seek justice, rest and grow in the Spirit.
Wherever and however we gather,
unite us in common prayer and 
send us in common mission,
that we and the whole creation might be 
restored and renewed,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

******************
SAVE THE DATE
Our Celebration of New Ministry and Installation of the new Rector was postponed and now has a new date:
Saturday, September 12 at 4pm.  The Rt. Rev. Robert Fitzpatrick will officiate.