St. John s Journal Advent 2013

Transcription

1 St. John s Journal Advent 2013 Advent & e Unexpected Hour UPCOMING EVENTS... > St. John s Vestry Meeting Tuesday December 10, :30pm, Parish Hall > Brass Polishing Friday December 13, am, Church Kitchen > Christmas Caroling Friday December 20, pm - 8pm, Meet at Parish Hall > Greens Collection Sunday December 22, 2013 Bring any evergreens/holly to church > Christmas Pageant Sunday December 22, 2013 After Second Service with Lunch > Greening of the Church Monday December 23, am - Pau > Monthly Fellowship Dinner Friday December 27, :30-7pm, Parish Hall > Safeguarding God s Children Training Saturday March 1, pm, St. John s Parish Hall > For Christmas Services Schedule, please see Page 2. > For ongoing events at St. John s, please see the Calendar section of our website. Story By Rev. Kerith Harding Jesus said to the disciples, But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father...Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming... Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. --The Gospel for the first Sunday of Advent (Matthew 24:36-44) Mary, the Mother of Jesus, may be the first witness to Jesus capacity to show up when and where he is least expected. Far from the comforts of home and family, Mary goes into labor while in Bethlehem, where she and Joseph have travelled to be properly enrolled in Caesar Augustus s census. Unwelcome in the inn, Jesus Continued on Page 2 > Advent p.1-2 IN THIS ISSUE... > Music Ministry Recognized p.3 > Preparing for Christmas p.4 > Stewardship p.5 > Cris South s Ordination p.6 > Blessing of ACCW p.7 > Weddings at St. John s p.8 > St. John s Birthdays p.8 St. John s Episcopal Church ~ An Inclusive and Caring Christian Community 8992 Kula Highway, Kula, Maui, Hawai i stjohnskeokea@yahoo.com

2 CHRISTMAS SERVICES & EVENTS Christmas Eve - Tuesday December 24 4pm Lessons and Carols with Communion (Family Service) 8pm Candlelight Eucharist 10pm Carol Singing 10:30pm Candlelight Eucharist with special musicians Christmas Day - Wednesday December 25 8:30am - Eucharist Special Events in December: December 13: 9am, Brass Polishing in the Parish Hall December 20: 5pm, Caroling - Gather at the Parish Hall. December 22: Greening of the Church - Greens can be left on the north side of the church. December 22: 11am, Christmas Pageant & Soup Lunch December 23: Decorating the Church 9am Advent & e Unexpected Hour Continued from Page 1 makes his first appearance to the world not in celestial light and splendor, but on the cold floor of a barn. Ever since, Jesus has made a 2000 year mission out of showing up in our lives in a form we never could have anticipated, and at an hour for which we often feel unprepared. Of late I have watched as Jesus has shown up in Ali s life in the unexpected form of Finn and Quin Wilson. There was a recent Sunday, Ali told me, where she followed Finn as he darted out the church door, across the driveway, and through the gate of the playground. Once there, he proceeded to reach down to grab fistfuls of dirt, throw them high in the air, and then dance exuberantly through the dust cloud that rained down upon him. His joy was infectious, and Ali laughed. He rubbed his eyes, and looked over, in what was the first meaningful eye contact he made with her. No offense, honey, she said to me later, but being with him is better than church. Zen writer D. T. Suzuki tells us that through the awakening of love we get a glimpse into the infinity of things. God is Love, after all, and it makes sense that God would make his presence known in the kind of awakening only love can occasion. All of us have emergency preparedness kits so that we have are not caught unprepared should there be a violent storm. But how can we prepare for those unexpected moments when God chooses to light up our world, and in an instant, throw it all off balance? Advent is the season to prepare ourselves as best we can for the inevitable surprise that awaits us in Jesus. And how best to get ready? One word: openness. Allow yourself to go where you never intended to go. In this newsletter, Kit Hart writes a beautiful piece on an ACCW hidden destination, where she discovered that the most treasured item they can give is not a toothbrush or a snack, but loving care. One parishioner described her ACCW run as the most meaningful thing I have ever done in my life. This Advent, step outside of the church walls, and out of your comfort zone, and really allow God to greet you somewhere new. Identify the absolute last place you d expect to find Jesus -- perhaps the heart of your enemy -- and then go there. You just may be surprised by who you meet. Like ACCW, God encounters us in hidden valleys where misfortune and alienation reside. Like Finn, God encounters us under a cloud of dust, in all that is disruptive, and new, and as of yet, unspoken. And like Mary and Joseph, he meets us when we are far from home, shuffled around by those more powerful than we are, in the middle of our darkest night. The waiting of Advent is no passive exercise. It is an active readiness to be led. As Augustine tells us, If you wish to know the strength of love, see where it leads you. This Advent, may love lead you out. Page 2

3 Music Ministry Recognized The Annual Christmas Play Mark your calendars! The Christmas Play will be performed on Dec. 22nd, after the 9:30am service in the parish hall. It will be combined with a simple soup and bread lunch but you are welcome to bring a dessert to share if you like. Please bring a sense of humor and a cooperative spirit at any rate. We hope that lots of folks will attend and bring friends and neighbors as well. Children who would like to perform Joy to the World in the Christmas Play can begin practicing now. Please plan to attend the December 15th and 22nd Sunday School to rehearse together. All children should bring a gift for Jesus on the 22nd which should be nonperishable food item for the St. John s food pantry. Gift wrapping is optional but encouraged. At left: Leah Tinkleman. At right: Jan Ryan plays at a Christmas Eve Service On October 27, organist Jan Ryan was recognized at both Sunday services for her many years of service to God through St. John s Church. Rev. Kerith presented Jan with a lei, and thanked her for her ministry among us. Of her ministry, Rev. Kerith commented, Jan is the kind of colleague that every priest wants to work with: kind, adaptable, and talented. We will miss her. Joking about the power an organist has at any given service, Jan quipped with a sly grin, I know I could always play a fourth verse if I wanted to! Music Director Leah Tinkleman had originally hoped to continue through Oct. 27 as well, but was unable due to health reasons. We wish Leah much aloha and are keeping her weekly in our congregational prayers. And, we give thanks to organist Leonard Sakai who will continue to serve on a volunteer basis. St. John s Children to Sing Offertory Anthem on Dec. 24 All St. John s children are invited to participate in a kids choir that will sing an anthem at the 4pm service on Christmas Eve. Parents should contact Rev. Kerith by December 8th if interested. St. John s attendees of the Diocesan Convention at St. Andrew s, Oahu held October 25-26, 2013 included from left: Janet Makua, Laurie Guard, Evey Culbert, Rev. Kerith Harding, Cindy Schumacher, Paul Schumacher, Jean Fiddes and Marilyn Cleghorn. Page 3

4 HELP US PREPARE IMPORTANT DATES: Altar Guild Ushers in the Season Brass Polishing: Friday, December 13th at 9am. Volunteers encouraged - help us brighten up all the beautiful shiny stuff! Greens Gathering: The holly and evergreens greens are gathered on Sunday, December 22nd. If you live at a higher elevation and can collect some greens, please call Adel at to let her know so we can expect them. Decorate the Church: The church is decorated on Monday, December 23rd. This truly is an extraordinarily beautiful day. Volunteers (including men) are needed. CHRISTMAS FLOWER DEDICATION FORMS are now in the Parish Hall. Donations of $15 per poinsettia and details of the dedication must be received by Janet by Dec. 15. Story By Adel Kunisawa & Marilyn Cleghorn, Photo: Kay Kunisawa Sunday, December 1st begins the season of Advent. This is truly the most marvelous time in the life of your Altar Guild members. What an honor it is to play a part in preparing your church for the greatest celebration of all time... the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. How many of you have wondered what the Altar Guild does for St. John s? The most visible responsibility we have is the preparation of the flowers for Sunday services, and the decoration of the church for Advent and Easter. The Altar Guild also sets the altar and prepares for Communion (i.e., setting out the wafers & wine for the priest to consecrate). We replace the candles before they get too short and we polish the brass prior to Christmas & Easter. Our main job, of course, is to support our priest. Our busiest season is now upon us: Advent and Christmas. The first blue frontal will appear on the altar on December 1st and each week another will follow as we approach Christmas. The beautiful Hardanger frontals were lovingly made by Jan Wilner and given to St. John s in The Advent wreath will appear, dressed with greens and adorned with candles: three blue, one pink (for Mary) and one center white Christ Candle. Greens will adorn the flower shelf for the four Sundays in Advent. The week before Christmas we polish the brass (volunteers always needed!) and the day before Christmas Eve the church comes alive with color. The Christmas tree is trimmed with Christmonds (ornaments), made by Maren McBarnet s mother Marion Olson and members of our church. The Creche is brought out of it s resting place and awaits its appearance on Christmas Eve when the children of the church wait in anticipation of which figurine they will get to place in the manger. It is a wonderful feeling of fellowship that happens when the Continued on Page 9 Page 4

5 STEWARDSHIP How Much is Enough? On November 24, St. John s parishioners celebrated Commitment Sunday by placing their annual pledge cards in two lanterns on the altar. The children of the Sunday School brought forward a cross covered with symbols of their life with Christ and many offered their own pledge cards in thanksgiving for all that St. John s does for them. As the Finance Committee is working on the 2014 budget we ask that people support the Stewardship campaign goal for an increase in pledges in the amount of $34,000 (from $140,000 to $174,000). If this amount were achieved, it would enable us to financially sustain full parish status. We are happy to announce that the Vestry has approved the nomination of Richard Buckley to the Finance Committee and we welcome him on board. Story By Bill Bonnet, Photo By: Kay Kunisawa I write this on November 12, almost two weeks before Commitment Sunday. What do I say about an outcome I do not know? I ll surprise you: I believe the result of this stewardship campaign will be enough. Enough is whatever you choose to give, and enough is what St. John s will operate with. Enough will be wherever our vision and your commitment converge. No committee, or priest, or anyone else should presume to enter into your discussion with God about what is an appropriate stewardship giving level for you. That discussion covers way too much ground over way too many years for someone else to intervene. We have offered you some things to think about, but that s it. And unlike non-profit institutions elsewhere, we do not display individual contributions for the world to see. Same reason; too personal. You give what you can. Enough is kind of like the concept of worthiness: forget it, Thomas Merton says, none of us is worthy. Simply accept your unworthiness and get on with doing God s work. Likewise, none of us can repay God for the blessings we have been given. So don t think of it like that. Christ has made you worthy, and you are thankful in whatever way you and God decide is appropriate. St. John s ministries will be whatever we can make them with what we have. That is true of human as well as financial resources. The more we have, the more we can do. While St. John s aspires to a future which is exciting and energetic, that excitement and energy is the sum total of individual commitments. You ve often heard the phrase, You are St. John s, both as thanks and as appeal. Each is valid. We remain in communion with each other and with the community the Holy Spirit serves through us. Let us do so with joy. I hope with all my heart this campaign will return St. John s to full parish status. The entire Vestry has already submitted their pledge cards, and we have a very gracious anonymous offer to match up to $15,000 in new or increased pledges. So here on November 12, I have every reason to be optimistic. We believe... and together we can! Yet whatever it is, it will be enough. Page 5

6 SAFEGUARDING GOD S CHILDREN e Ordination of Cris South The next Safeguarding God s Children Workshop on Maui will be held at St. John s, March 1, 2014 from 1-4pm. This workshop is designed to increase the awareness of how to watch for warning signs of child abuse. The curriculum, put together by the Church Pension Fund, describes it as: Safeguarding God s Children provides participants with the information they need to protect the children they know and care for in their personal lives and the ministries in which they serve. The program is based on the philosophy that if every adult can protect just one child, they will forever change one life. If we can all change one life, together we will make a difference in this generation of children. All Sunday School teachers and aides, clergy and vestry members are required to attend. The training must be taken annually but can be renewed online once the first course is taken. Please sign up in the Parish Hall or contact Janet if you would like to attend the training at St. John s in March. Clockwise from left: Bishop Bob blesses Cris at Holy Innocents; Cris with Barbara Mooradian and son Spence Crisco; Cris receiving her rainbow stole at St. John s. Story By Marilynn Hirashima, Photos By: Kay Kunisawa On Nov. 2nd at Holy Innocents Church in Lahaina at 3pm our own Cris South was ordained a Deacon by Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick. It was a beautiful, inspiring event with members from all the churches on Maui in attendance (and several from Oahu). Cris was in the discernment process for over three years before her ordination. This period involves a lot of study, reflection and prayer. It also involves regular meetings with a Discernment Committee (Marilynn Hirashima, Gary Mohrlang and Lynette McCrary), who help her work through her discernment of God s call, as well as the canonical requirements. A deacon occupies a special place in the Episcopal Church. As Cris stood before the Bishop, he said, As a deacon in the Church... you are to make Christ and his redemptive love known, by your word and example, to those among whom you live, and work, and worship. You are to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world... At all times, your life and teaching are to show Christ s people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself. The rafters of the church rang with the enthusiastic participation of all present when the Bishop asked us, Is it your will that Cris be ordained a deacon? We all responded, IT IS! He went on to say, Will you uphold her in this ministry? And again there was the hearty response, WE WILL! After the ordination, there was a lovely reception on the grassy lawn behind the rectory as we all enjoyed a beautiful sunset and delicious food overlooking the ocean. A big Mahalo to Holy Innocents for hosting the reception! Cris served her first Sunday as a Deacon at St. John s, where she was presented with a vibrant rainbow deacon stole (sewn by Jean Fiddes). We are all so proud and delighted for Cris that she was able to persevere and achieve this goal. Page 6

7 A Cup Of Cold Water Immediate Needs Band aids, razors, combs, hairbrushes, rubber slippers (10-12+), towels, more shorts large sizes (waist 36-40ish), we have a low selection of tennis shoes, outdoor type shoes ( 8+ in size), blankets, plastic rain ponchos (as we approach the rainy season). Monetary donations are always welcome and help us to shop for specific distribution items as needed. Donations are tax-deductible and can be sent to A Cup of Cold Water, 2140 Main Street, Wailuku, HI or put in the collection plate (checks made out to A Cup of Cold Water). OCTOBER QUICK STATS In 8 ACCW Mission Runs: Served: 363 homeless Chilled Water distributed: 432 bottles Food snack paks: 262 Rubber slippers: 36 Tee shirts: 51 Blankets: 21 Towels: 23 Razors/Soap kits 81 Hygiene Kits 81 First aid packets 79 Toothbrush/paste 97 Toilet paper rolls 23 also family size food & hygiene items, snacks, apple sauces, vienna sausage etc... Current Run Routes Wednesdays: Central Maui am Saturdays: West Maui Sundays: South Maui am am Bishop Bob offers his blessing of the ACCW Outreach Van at Holy Innocents on Nov. 2. A Cup Of Cold Water: A Busy Start Story By Kit Hart, Photo: Kay Kunisawa There s a spot on Maui you are not likely to visit, or even see, unless you are headed there. It is the first stop on the ACCW central outreach run. Tucked down in a gently sloping valley with an ocean view, is a large make-shift camp constructed of a jumble of building materials. Porta-potties have been placed in the camp (by city/county?) to forestall public health issues. This camp is home to folks who go to work, take their kids to school, raise animals, and live their lives. An ACCW volunteer met a former student here, and several others know Keku from his days on the police force. We met a young man who is caring for seven children with his girlfriend. He says two of the children are disabled. Some folks appear to be on a pretty downward spiral. All have their individual stories, hopes and plans. ACCW has been received with appreciation and a bit of wonder as our colorful van rumbles through the camp, opening its doors to many needed items. This is rough living, in spite of the ocean view, and there is the understood reality that this camp could be scheduled for destruction as others have been before. We are already known and anticipated by residents. People were glad to see we had shorts, slippers, socks, shirts, soap, razors, snacks and much more -- a reminder that ACCW depends on the continued support of our churches. Folks we meet often tell stories of lives on the edge, until one too may problems tips the balance against them: a lost job, a lost relationship, a lost apartment, a stolen ID, and one man s story: a car broken down and not legal. He threw up his hands, the universal gesture of surrender. What is our most appreciated item? I would guess it is loving care. Page 7

8 Weddings Ministry Organizing DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS Missing birthdays? Please send them to Janet Makua at: > John Hirashima - 2 > Evey Culbert - 4 > Laurie Furumoto - 4 > Keith Wolter - 9 > Wesley Furumoto - 11 > Betsy Mannick - 12 > Glenn Haines - 14 > Tung Kyau Chong - 19 > Cindy Schumacher 21 > Kathy Sakai - 22 > Elaine Olson - 24 > Barbara Mooradian - 25 > William Cleghorn - 26 > Emma Cosma-White - 28 > Kay Kunisawa - 29 > Ruth Fullaway - 30 ST. JOHN S MONTHLY FELLOWSHIP MEAL DECEMBER 27: 5:30-7PM Contact Judy at St. John s members Ann and Rick Collins were photographed in a mock wedding at St. John s, November 9, by Kay Kunisawa to help promote the church as a premium wedding location. Volunteers are sought to generate a mailing list and strategy for advertisements, brochure and web presence in We hope to share the beauty of the St. John s grounds and sanctuary with couples seeking a church wedding. Please contact Janet Makua if interested in working with Julenne Mounts on this. November visitors to St. John s included our newest member: infant Luke Gregory Ausbeck born October 29 to Elizabeth and Mark and weighing in at 6lbs 6 oz. At right, Bishop Bob delivers his sermon during his annual visit to St. John s on November 3. After preaching at both services, he fellowshipped with members during the coffee hours, met with the Vestry and had a potluck lunch and later met with Rev. Kerith. A full day at St. John s. PHOTOGRAPHERS NEEDED Many many thanks to Kay Kunisawa for taking fabulous photos at so many church gatherings! Janet Makua is the back up photographer but sometimes neither Kay or Janet is in attendance and no one takes photos. So when you are at a church function please whip out your iphones, ipads, smartphones and cameras and take a few photos and them to janetmakua@ gmail.com. Mahalo. Page 8

9 Altar Guild Continued from Page 4 friends of the Altar Guild so faithfully every year prepare the church, working side by side with the members of the guild. Everyone is welcome, men included! In years past it was a tradition to be invited to be on the Altar Guild. Not anymore. There is an open invitation to anyone interested in joining the Altar Guild. If you would like to explore the possibility of being a part of St. John s Altar Guild contact Adel Kunisawa at and discover for yourself the intimate and spiritual experience of being caretakers of the sanctuary in our beloved church. The Altar Guild members are: Adel Kunisawa, Louise Corpuz, Julie Peterson and Lucia Rhodenhamel. ST JOHN S JOURNAL SUBMISSIONS Deadline for submissions to the next St. John s Journal is January 3. Articles, photos, announcements, reports or other newsworthy items can be ed to:stjohnskeokea@yahoo.com St John s is a community that is celebrating God s love, nurturing spirituality and proclaiming the Gospel through worship, word and works. > SUNDAY WORSHIP 7:30am 9:30am Sunday School & Child Care available during the 9:30 service. > 3RD SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH Kula Hospital Service 10:45am MAINTENANCE If you notice that something isn t in working order ie: (a burnt out light bulb, plugged up plumbing) in the hall or church please be sure to let Joy and Janet know! And... Leaking water is an emergency call to Joy and or Janet SCHEDULING A gentle reminder for those wishing to schedule space at the church. Please call or the church office to check the master calendar in advance of sending out a meeting notice. > 4TH SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH Healing Service > WEDNESDAYS Communion & Healing Service 8:30am > LAST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH Evensong 5:30pm PLEASE CALL JANET FYI: Our Parish Administrator lives 5 minutes away from the church and is almost always accessible by phone, text or . If you come to the church and need to get into the office and the hall/office is locked, please call Janet to see if there is a way you can have access! and VESTRY MINUTES & CHURCH FINANCIALS Vestry minutes and monthly financial reports are posted on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall. Everyone is invited to attend Vestry Meetings which are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm in the Parish Hall. JOURNAL CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR & ART DIRECTOR: Julenne F. Mounts CONSULTING EDITOR: Alison Donohue CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR/ CONTENT COORDINATOR: Janet Makua PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kay Kunisawa, Janet Makua, and others as submitted. Page 9