WEEKLY NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
August 8, 2021
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Phone Number: (808) 482-4824
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Sunday Worship
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
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Service of Holy Eucharist
with Music,
in the Sanctuary
8:00 am
Please wear a mask.
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Service of Holy Eucharist
with Music,
in the Sanctuary and on Zoom
9:30 am
Here is the link to join us on Zoom:
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CHRIST MEMORIAL MEDITATIONS
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What (in heaven’s name) is meant by the word “heal”?
I think most of us associate the word “heal” with “getting better” or “getting over” an illness or injury or malady or loss. In the Judeo-Christian Scriptures it would be consonant with the Hebrew (hel) as well as the Greek (therapeuo) to use the word ‘restore’ as a near synonym for healing.
Restoration assumes that there was once a state of health and well being and that by injury or illness or loss this health has been damaged or even in some cases lost. This parallels the biblical narrative that begins in a Garden, when all creation mirrors the harmony, the alignment and the radical reciprocity that is present always within the life of the Holy Trinity, the Source of all creation. Then, through an abuse of the privilege of freedom, that harmony, alignment and radical reciprocity is upset and damaged.
It is the experience of upset and damage that precipitates most of what we describe as injury, illness and loss. Our registration as creatures that something is not right is pain, physical, mental and spiritual. This pain gets our attention, and calls us to intervene in some manner so as to restore (there’s the word!) harmony, alignment and reciprocity. The interventions we make and our experience are as diverse as medication, physical therapy, acupuncture, yoga, massage, talk therapy, surgery, etc. There is in fact a myriad of interventions that intend to restore (there it is again) the health we have for a moment or a lifetime, lost.
Our reflections on “Healing Spaces” by Esther Sternberg will explore one significant means of intervention, that of planting the sick, injured or grieving person/creature in a place of beauty. As Dr. Sternberg shows beyond a shadow of a doubt, this makes not only A difference, but ALL the difference in the world.
See you August 19!
-Jon Coffey
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AUGUST 19th: TEACHING SERIES ON HEALING SPACES
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Not to be missed, the teaching series on the role "healing spaces" has on our spiritual, physical and mental well-being will begin this month on Thursday, August 19 at 10:30am. This online seminar will be led by The Rev. Jonathan Coffey. Read more about Jonathan here.
Join us for a journey into the topic of how a place works towards facilitating healing...
Background on the Book: 'Healing Spaces'
In the 1990’s Dr. Esther Sternberg began testing an intuition most of us share: that beauty facilitates healing of mind, body and spirit. Out of her research came the book “Healing Spaces: The Role of Place and Wellbeing”. Dr. Sternberg has since then joined the faculty at the School for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona in Tucson where she directs research and chairs the Center for Place, Wellbeing and Performance.
We will read and reflect upon her book and the growth in appreciation for the ideal habitats for healing each Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m beginning on August 19th.
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Re: Surge In Positive Delta Variant
COVID-19 Cases
Aloha my dear Siblings in Christ Jesus,
I returned from visiting my Grandchildren in Rhode Island late Sunday to the new surge in positive COVID-19 cases here in the Islands. We are again faced with a difficult situation.
As with the broader community, there has a been a general relaxation of practices in our congregations over the past couple of months. The Customary in the time of Pandemic Updated 5 February 2021 is still the “official” word, but we are faced with a new situation. As the Episcopal Church in Hawaiʻi, we must renew our vigilance.
As we consider the current situation, I assume all clergy, lay leaders (wardens, vestry/bishop’s committee members, members of Standing Committee and Diocesan Council, etc.) and lay church employees who can be vaccinated, have been vaccinated against COVID-19. I am aware that some individuals have not been vaccinated for medical reasons and that children under 12 are not yet eligible to be vaccinated. Otherwise, I certainly hope all other Episcopalians in this Diocese have been vaccinated. I consider it imperative for our community and our moral responsibility to be vaccinated.
With the variant, we are facing additional concerns. Even those of us who have been vaccinated are susceptible to the Delta Variant of the Virus, though generally the impact on the health of the infected is significantly lessened. Those vaccinated, however, can still transmit the Virus. That means we can put children and the vulnerable at risk. We must again live into our responsibility to care for our neighbors (the Great Commandment: Mark 12:28-31). Being vaccinated, if able, is a moral responsibility.
With the Delta variant of COVID-19, masks should be worn by all at any indoor gathering. This includes indoor worship (or any small gatherings). For now, I also think masks worn by all at outdoor worship is important and a witness to our children and the vulnerable that we are in this together. With social distancing and plexiglass shields/screens, readers and preachers can still remove their masks to perform those tasks. I know some congregations have slowly introduced congregational singing with masks. I have asked the clergy to immediately reconsider that aspect of worship. I think the same is true of “Aloha Hour” (if there is such a short fellowship time after worship, it needs to be outside with masks and social distancing). Outdoor worship with masks and social distancing is still ideal. If indoors, everyone needs to be strict about social distancing and air flow must be maximized.
Keep in mind, even though most – if not all – parishioners have been vaccinated in any given congregation, we are again protecting the children and the vulnerable in our community, congregation and family. Masks, social distancing, and proper air flow are again a must.
Can the Church require vaccinations of Clergy and employees? The Chancellor is considering guidelines, but generally the answer is “yes.” The Bishop can require vaccinations of eligible Clergy who engage in direct physical contact with God’s people during sacerdotal ministrations. With appropriate accommodations, the Bishop can make it a requirement for eligible lay employees of the Episcopal Church in Hawaiʻi and Organized Missions. Similarly, Vestries can make it a condition for eligible lay employees in Parishes who are in contact with the public. Again, there may be medical reasons Clergy and lay employees cannot be vaccinated. The Chancellor is exploring appropriate guidelines with other chancellors of the Episcopal Church. I do believe this is a pastoral situation. I am not inclined to move to “requiring” vaccination of the clergy and lay employees. I trust those of us serving in God’s Church are morally responsible people and are willing to do the right thing for the Common Good, and have already been or will soon be vaccinated.
Can vaccinations be required of volunteers (Eucharistic Ministers, food distributers, thrift shop volunteers, etc.)? Yes, as a volunteer, a person’s involvement can be limited to include reasonable requirements to keep others (and the individual) safe. That can include vaccinations and especially if there is direct contact with an at-risk population. A person does not have to be a volunteer or be allowed to fulfill a particular volunteer ministry. Volunteers are not employees. Again, I understand this to be a pastoral situation.
Should churches suspend worship right now? At this time, I think churches can provide the needed safeguards with masks, social distancing, and sufficient air flow (ideally outdoors). I recognize that can change. I trust the “Clergy-in-Charge” (Rector, Vicar, Interim, Priest-in-Charge, etc.) or the Senior/Bishop’s Warden in congregations without a current “Clergy-in-Charge” to make such a call, but, generally, I think we are learning to deal with COVID-19 as best we can. I have asked to be informed if a congregation moves to suspend worship and to share with me the criteria in making the decision as it relates to the immediate local community.
As God’s Church, we have learned how to adapt in this pandemic, and the current surge is one more bump on the way to the “new” normal. Again, please encourage everyone who is able and eligible to be vaccinated.
Please contact me with any questions here.
Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Your Brother in Christ Jesus,
+Bob
The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick
(Pronouns: he, him, his)
Bishop Diocesan
The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i
229 Queen Emma Square
Honolulu, HI 96813-2304
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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!
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PRAYER REQUESTS THIS WEEK
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Healing of body, mind and spirit for:
Our Friends in Hanalei, Shannon, Janice, Marilyn, Sarah and Julie, Tony, Scott, Greg, Webb, Christine, Kathy, Edith, Landrea, Sara, Patrick, Seth, Robin, Tyler, Chip and his wife Carrie, Stacy, Jessica, Lisa, Susan, Auntie Marrie, Molly and Abigail, Issa, Evelyn, Charlene, David, Tessa, Lee, Austin, Shane, Kim, Deanna, Annah, Maggie, Linda, David, Susan, her husband Peter and family, Pam and her family, Kacpo Reynald Kinney for "all of God's creation".
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Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Wednesday 9:30 am - 12:30 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.
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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
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Christ Memorial Episcopal Church
2509 Kolo Road, Kilauea, HI 96754
(808) 482-4824
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