Church Newsletter for the week of October 3rd: Christ Memorial Meditations, Annual Pledge Campaign, Every Perfect Gift, Upcoming Teaching Series

This will be my last Reflection as our series entitled “Healing Spaces” concluded this past Thursday, September 30th. I have enjoyed the time to reflect with you regarding the deep connection between habitat and healing. Again, we all pretty much assume that beauty in sound, sight, smell and touch contributes to the restoration of health and hope in people and systems that are injured or ill or grieving. However, assumptions are not synonymous with established facts supported by evidence-based research (as our political climate shows in painful ways right now). It is fine to have an assumption so long as we hold it lightly enough to make room for what evidence-based research shows.

And in the case of habitat and healing, the research has shown conclusively and across the board, that exposure to beauty catalyzes and amplifies the process of restoration of health in spirit, mind and body. Likewise, the withholding of beauty constricts and diminishes the process of restoration in ways that are inversely as powerful and long-lasting as the positive effects. Dr. Esther Sternberg has archived and narrated the aggregation of scientific research in this area in compelling ways that have permanently changed the fields of architecture, landscape and interior design as well as the creation of healing spaces in hospitals, clinics, medical facilities and habitats created to serve those who are actively dying (most often hospices).

In the case of those who are actively dying, the purpose of offering a habitat of beauty and peace is not so much to restore them to fullness of health as to grant them comfort and security as they make their final passage as creatures on this planet. In the hospice movement this is referred to as “palliative” care.

By this, medical professionals indicate that there is a time and a place for offering a person care as they make their way through the process of dying. We may do this in a manner that mitigates pain and discomfort, and offers support and compassion without the sorts of intervention that earlier in life might have reversed the dying process (e.g. intubation, electric shock, aggressive chemotherapy or anti-biotic application). We give thanks for the hospice movement, even as we acknowledge that the Anglican Communion in particular, and churches in general have been leaders in the development of this important field of medical care.

So, I invite you to join Dr. Sternberg and the host of others now making contributions to the establishment and maintenance of beauty in the many places where healing is both offered and received. We can and do make a difference in the quality of life on our planet and among our sisters and brothers as we work toward the mitigation of noise, anti-septic uniformity, isolation and separation from nature in the environments where healing is the central purpose of engagement. Now we know, as opposed to intuitively think, that beauty will always be the ally of healing and never its enemy, and that healing is among life’s greatest mysteries and endeavors.

On behalf of Julie, my wife, and my extended family, I want to thank you for your healing reception of us during the darkest year of our life. Losing our adult son this year has been the greatest grief that we can ever imagine, and your gentleness and grace have washed over us as the healing balm of Gilead, and, as salt water heals the body, your spiritual salt has comforted and restored us. We will live forever in gratitude for this gift.

Jonathan B. Coffey

P. O. Box 293

Kilauea, HI 96754

904-535-2987

“Start slow, and then taper off.” (Harry S. Truman)

MAHALO REV. JONATHAN COFFEY

Sunday October 10th will be The Rev. Jonathan Coffey's last day with Christ Memorial. It has been an absolute pleasure to serve with him. His kindness, humor and wisdom have left an indelible mark on our hearts. We thank you for the thoughtfulness and compassion you brought in treading through the delicate topics that arose in your teaching series on Healing Spaces, and the enriching sermons you shared with us. You've infused the Christ Memorial congregation with some enlightening food for thought! Thank-you Jonathan and Julie, we wish you and your family the joy and grace of God's love. Thank you for walking part of your healing journey with us.

-Your Christ Memorial Ohana

UPCOMING GROUP BOOK STUDY

Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: an ancient/new spiritual foundation for our lives.

Join our incoming Clergy-in-Residence, The Rev. John Hall (stay tuned for a bio on him), Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. from the comfort of your own computer via ZOOM.

About Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul:

In his newly published book, author John Philip Newell shares the long and often hidden tradition of Celtic Christianity. Our study reveals how this grounded spirituality moves us to rediscover the natural rhythms of life, and to deepen our spiritual connection with God, with each other, and with the earth.

By embracing the wisdom of Celtic Christianity, we can learn how to listen to the sacred and see the divine in all of creation and within each of us. We will share the ways in which human beings are inherently spiritual creatures. We intuitively see the sacred in nature and within one another. But, our cultures — and even our faith traditions — can cause us to suppress or forget what our souls already deeply know. Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul offers an ancient and new spiritual foundation for our lives, one centered on encouragement and hope, for creating a better world.

Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, says of Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul, "This wonderful book draws deeply from the well of Celtic wisdom across the centuries to help us to recognize the sacred both around us and in us, calling us to wake up and see that there's no going back to small, limited notions of God and the sacred."

BUY THE BOOK HERE

THRIFT STORE IS OPEN

Shopping Hours:

Monday 2:00 pm -5:00 pm

Tuesday 2:00 pm -5:00 pm

Wednesday 9:30 am -12:30 pm

Thursday 2:00 pm -5:00 pm

Friday 2:00 pm -5:00 pm

Saturday 9:30 am -3:00 pm

Donations Accepted:

Monday 2:00 - 5:00 pm

Wednesday 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Saturday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Please wear a mask

OUR ANNUAL PLEDGE CAMPAIGN CONTINUES

“Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above…” James 1:17, NRSV

October 1, 2021

Dear Christ Memorial Ohana,

Every message about our pledge campaign begins with Gratitude, and I am pleased to continue the messages you have received from our wardens recently as we focus on our annual pledge campaign. Our theme this year, Every Perfect Gift, highlights all the ways in which we have been blessed by God and how that inspires us to give back to our neighbors, our church, the world. In my message to you, I want to focus on our gifts of Treasure, the financial gifts that we make to our community to support our mission.

This year has been so different from other years in terms of what has been asked of us as individuals and as a community. I want you to know, because I have heard your stories and walked with you this year, that I know some of us are struggling with finances, with isolation, with uncertainty. Over and over again, I learn that it is the God we encounter at our church and Jesus who we follow by recognizing him in each other, that keep us together, that provide the consistency in a shifting world.

Every dollar that we raise has a face behind it, a story, a purpose, a mission! We use our financial gifts to serve God, to care for each other, and to show our love for our neighbors. What greater gift can there be? I am grateful for how each of you supports our ministry in our community.

If you are ever in doubt about the impact of your giving, look about you. Whether you have seen your church family through a screen this year or in pews as we have been allowed, every person you see is part of the story of your giving. As you consider making your gift or your intention to give this year, I ask that you also consider how you have been impacted, and how you will impact this church and our neighbors.

What is the story of your gift, how will it unfold? How will your blessing be a blessing to others? This is the spirit behind our theme of Every Perfect Gift.

This year I invite you to make your perfect gift, reflective of the gifts you have received from our Creator.

Thank-you;

Craig Wall

Stewardship Chairman

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTIONS

Many kids are like this, asking questions about the world around them, testing the relationships they have experienced. Not only do children ask questions, but they expect answers, and they expect answers that are true. Until children learn to find other sources for information, answers are all they have.

The loss of the innocence of childhood brings an end to asking questions, for some. We become awkward, second guessing our understanding. “Maybe I should know the answer, already?” “I don’t want to be the first to ask.” “They’ll think I’m not paying attention…” We replace the act of wonder with the practice of worry.

Three years ago, our congregation made a special effort to include children in the annual pledge campaign, offering each child the opportunity to have a conversation about their giving and their hopes

for the church. We learned two important things: Children are generous – we had 100% participation from the kids, each one of them turned in a pledge card. (And, the treasurers will be happy to know

that we had 100% redemption rate on the pledges, as well!) The second thing we learned, was that the kids had lots of suggestions for ministries, ways to volunteer, ideas about church. Filled out in crayon

or pencil, each pledge card was a touching, deeply theological, beautiful expression of generosity and hope – of love.

When Jesus suggests that we must receive the wonder of the world and the work we are given to do as children, I think the example above is exactly why. We must get back in touch with our sense of wonder,

of possibility, of love. These are the basic skills God needs from us to work in God’s vineyard. |

J. Davey Gerhard is the Executive Director of TENS, and a member of Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in San Francisco, California

WHAT DOES CHRIST MEMORIAL

MEAN TO YOU?

We asked our beloved congregation this question and will be sharing some responses in the following weeks.

When asked by our most capable Bishop‘s Committee senior warden, ”What does Christ Memorial mean to you”, I immediately thought of “communion and community”.

The beautiful little church with its glorious world-class stained glass windows offers a haven for a weary soul to connect to God and refresh the spirit. The congregation is the glue of my experience of living here for the past 26 years. Almost all of my dearest friends were met while attending either St. Thomas in Hanalei (I was heartbroken when it was closed), or Christ Memorial, which I have grown to love just as much. Christ Memorial Church is a staple that is at the heart of my home here on Kauai, a place where truly, communion and community abound.

-Phyllis

If you would like to share what Christ Memorial means to you, please contact us as christmemorialkilauea@gmail.com

THE FEAST OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

On October 4, The Episcopal Church celebrates the feast day of Francis of Assisi, an Italian friar, beloved saint, and one of the most venerated individuals in Christian history. He founded the Franciscan Order for men and the Order of Saint Clare for women, and he is also widely known for his love of nature and animals. Perhaps the most famous prayer attributed to St. Francis is:

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon;

where there is discord, union;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

But did you know St. Francis is also credited with these inspiring and challenging quotes?

Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.
While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.
All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.
A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.

Collect for the Feast of St. Francis

Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Published by the Office of Formation of The Episcopal Church, 815 Second Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop in Kilauea is seeking Volunteers for 2021.

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!

PRAYER REQUESTS THIS WEEK

Healing of body, mind and spirit for:

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: Janice, Marilyn, Tony, Webb, David, Shane, Linda, David, Scott, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Helen, Sataya, Will, Roddy and the Stinson family, and the Pat Bradley family.

ONGOING ACTIVITIES

Thrift Store Hours :

Monday 2:00 pm -5:00 pm

Tuesday 2:00 pm -5:00 pm

Wednesday 9:30 am -12:30 pm

Thursday 2:00 pm -5:00 pm

Friday 2:00 pm -5:00 pm

Saturday 9:30 am -3:00 pm

For a safe shopping experience, we can only allow 8 shoppers in the store at any time.

All must wear masks and use hand sanitizer.

VISIT THE THRIFT STORE WEBSITE

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Meets in the Parish Hall:

Monday 6:15 - 7:15 pm & 7:30 - 8:30 pm

Tuesday 10:00-11:00 am & 7:30 - 8:30 pm

Wednesday 7:30 - 8:30 pm

Go to www.kauaiaa.org for more info.

THIS IS MY OFFERING

A Prayer:

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.

Your offering enables us to maintain worship, prayer and study during this time. Help us continue to provide a beautiful, flourishing, and safe "Sanctuary for the Spirit" at our historic and faithful church on Kaua'i.

Change to Automated Giving: Thank you to those of you who automate your giving and have 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.

Live off island? If you have a prayer intention or would like to pray for those on our prayer list, email our office. To be part of the church collective means we all share in the cost of being a church. We want our church to have inspiring worship; pastoral care for those in need; beautiful church grounds; programs to learn and grow; and tools to reach out to those who are seeking a closer relationship with God. See the different ways you can share your gifts, on our Giving page HERE.

If you like to give by check, please send to:

Christ Memorial Episcopal Church,

P.O. Box 293, Kilauea, HI 96754

Or consider changing to Automated Giving. It makes life easy. Just click on the button below to make a one-time or recurring donation.

Thank you for your love and care for our Christ Memorial community!

PASSING THE PLATE

PAYPAL

http://www.christmemorialkauai.org/radicalgiving.html

STAY INFORMED

Keep up-to-date with messages from the Bishop. Click on the buttons below to view the Bishop's weekly Monday & Wednesday messages, and find links to online worship in the Diocese.