THE VOICE OF UNITED METHODIST Ka Leo Mekokiko ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT REDLANDS, CA RETIREMENT PARTY AND ORDAIN SERVICE!

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1 Ka Leo Mekokiko June - July 2016 THE VOICE OF UNITED METHODIST Ka Leo Mekokiko Hawaii District July - August 2016 VOLUME 43 NUMBER 7 ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT REDLANDS, CA RETIREMENT PARTY AND ORDAIN SERVICE! Pastor Nobuko Miyake-Stoner Ordainment Service for Pastors Min-Kyu Park and Malakai Tatafu Pastor Sam Domingo Rev. Manako Kemoeatu with his wife,

2 Ka Leo Mekokiko June - July Ministry Musings from the District Superintendent ANNUAL CONFERENCE MISSION STATEMENT: Inspiring the World as Passionate Followers of Jesus Christ So All May Experience God s Life-Giving Love It was good to hear from Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda, Resident Bishop of the East Congo Episcopal Area, at the opening worship of the Annual Conference. He shared the passage from Isaiah 43:1-5 and asked the body to focus on the words, I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. I will be there. Bishop Unda spoke about the beauty of being known by name and claimed by God. God knows us by name. We are all God s special guests. We should look at one another in the name of our Savior and put our arms around one another in grace. The future is where God intends for us to go, not where we think we need to go. As Bishop Unda reminded us that God knows our name which means that we don t need to be afraid for our tomorrows. But we must begin our "journey to wholeness" by having complete faith in God so that we can soar beyond all obstacles to achieve His will in our lives and the life of the church. We also must remember that as long as we continue to spread God's love, joy, hope and peace to this broken world as He has called us to do, then His faithfulness will not fail us. Yes, we are not alone and God will be with us until the end of age. Therefore, we need go into the world to share the Good News! This Annual Conference, there were three clergies that retired from their active relationship with the church and two clergies who were ordained as Elders of the church in the Hawaii District. We bid farewell to two beloved pastors that left the District, however the District welcomed four new pastors from the mainland who came from Los Angeles, San Francisco and South Carolina. I am so excited to have them and look forward to working with them in the District. Order of Elder s Gathering on June 14th, we shared our favorite Bible passages with one another. I realized that Christ is our sure foundation, our head and cornerstone in the time of joy as well as in the time of troubles. Facing hard times, the apostle Paul asked, Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will it be hardship, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us first. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus Our Lord (Rom. 8:35 and 37, 39). Together we serve. Together, with God s help, we will build a brighter future filled with hope. Grace & Peace, Rev. Dr. Se Hee Han District Superintendent

3 Ka Leo Mekokiko June - July AS WE JOURNEY May our journey lead us into a new place, a place where new life and new beginnings are awaiting to be discovered. Aloha and E Komo Mai! Therefore Go! make disciples of Christ. As we journey in the season of Pentecost, we celebrate in the spirit of unity one body in Christ Jesus. Alleluia! AS WE JOURNEY we reflect upon the Hawaii District of the United Methodist Church stretches out from the State of Hawaii, Guam, and Saipan. And in its path are many other Pacific Islanders neighbors which we are directly connected with. From the coast lines of California (Cal/Pac Conference) to the shores of the islands of the Pacific, the waters continue to wash upon us and binds us as one body in Christ. We are a community of diverse and blended cultures with one common thread the love for Christ s church. AS WE JOURNEY the island of Oahu known as the gathering island, has a high number of homeless. Our churches are known in many shelters in the community. Our soup kitchens are busy preparing and serving hot meals. Our food pantries are busy collecting and distributing canned goods for families and individuals. Our church's presence is also known by a faith based community organization (FACE) Faith Action Community Equity. Its mission, to be advocates, to restore the voice of the needy. Pounding the drums at the State Capitol, City Hall, and in our Neighborhood Boards. Currently, affordable housing, long term care, and living wages are the sounds of the drums. The island of Maui is known for tourism. Maui has a high level of immigrants which becomes a challenge in terms of legal/illegal matters. We see the church reaching out and trying to meet the needs of the immigrants. (FACE) plays a key role, advocating, connecting, and providing legal assistance. The island of Kauai is known for keeping country, country. Agricultural is massive on Kauai. In keeping country, country the Church supports the community to keep GMO out. AS WE JOURNEY the island of Hawaii is called the Big Island, it s the largest of all the Hawaiian islands. With its majestic beauty, high sacred mountain top (Mauna Kea), volcano activity (lava flows), the community seeks economic growth. The Big Island has a great opportunity for economic and historical growth, that is, to proceed the $1.1 billion project to build, install, operate and maintain a gigantic telescope on the top of Mauna Kea. The project has met opposition and currently is stopped by Native Hawaiian advocates claiming their sacred land rights. We, the church, know their pain and struggles, and need to be in the spirit of Acts of Repentance, in solidarity with our Native Hawaiian brothers and sisters. Saipan and Guam needs economic growth and for the moment, military presence seems to serve their needs. The church and the community have its opposing views and also compromising options. We need your prayers. (this prayer is the third verse from No Ke Ano Ahi Ahi, music, Traditional Hawaiian melody adopted by David Haas) One in Christ, Francis Fukumoto Hawaii District Lay Leader You will lead and we shall follow, You will be the breath of life, living water, we are thirsting for your light. Amen.

4 Ka Leo Mekokiko June - July Hawaii District Prayer Calendar for Local Churches 1/1 First Tongan UMC Pastor Vaituuloa Fonua 7/9 Lahaina UMC Pastor Paul Tangonan 1/8 First UMC Pastors Amy Wake & Linita Moa 7/16 West Kauai UMC Pastor Monalisa Lolohea Pastors Chi Young Jeong & Vaokotone Pastors Brian Belting & Tevita 1/15 Ewa Beach UMC Teaupa 7/23 Kilohana UMC Moa 1/22 Christ UMC Pastors Eugene Han, Min-Kyu Park, James Choi, Samuel Nam & Hee Cho Om 7/30 Keolumana UMC Pastor John Finau 1/29 Calvary UM Mission Pastor Kyu Woo Nam 8/6 Kapolei Korean UM Mission Pastors Chi Young Jeong & Vaokotone Teaupa 2/5 Bethany Korean UMC Pastor Myong Duk Han 8/13 Kam-Nam UMC Pastors Jay Ahn & Bo Yong Lee 2/12 Aldersgate UMC Pastor Emmanuel Cruz 8/20 Kailua UMC Pastor Tim Ellington 2/19 Camp Mekokiko Rev. Ted Lesnett 8/27 Kahuku UMC Pastor Tevita Maile 2/26 Camp Kokee Toni Torres 9/3 Kahaluu UMC Pastor Won-Seok Yuh 3/5 Aiea UMC Pastors Tom Choi & Joseph Siofele 9/10 Immanuel UMC Pastor Debbie Wise Rev. Se Hee Han, Michele Kimura, Rosie 3/12 District Office Jacinto 9/17 Honolua UMC Pastor Panepasa Fifita Kihei Tongan UM Mission 3/19 Pastor Petueli Taufoou 9/24 Honokaa UMC Pastor Olivia Latu 3/26 Beautiful UM Mission Pastor Taehyun Oh 10/1 Hilo UMC Pastor Malyong Yi 4/2 Ala Lani UMC Pastors Jaeman Lim & Panepasa Fifita 10/8 Harris UMC Pastors Cheol Kwak, Rona Mangayayam, Eiko Soranaka Pastor Ho Yong Kim, In Kwon Jun, 4/9 Aiea Korean UMC Woon Yong Jeong 10/15 Guam UMC Pastor Johann Osias 4/16 Wesley Foundation Pastor Joseph Yun 10/22 First Tongan UMC Pastor Vaituuloa Fonua 4/23 Kona UMC Pastor Sunny Ahn & Malakai Tatafu 10/29 First UMC Pastors Amy Wake & Linita Moa Pastors Chi Young Jeong & Vaokotone 4/30 Wesley UMC Pastor Piula Ala'ilima 11/5 Ewa Beach UMC Teaupa Pastors Sione (Nuka) Taukolo, Misipati Pastors Eugene Han, Min-Kyu Park, James Choi, Samuel Nam 5/7 Waianae UMC Karapani 11/12 Christ UMC & Hee Cho Om 5/14 Wahiawa UMC Pastor David Choi 11/19 Calvary UM Mission Pastor Kyu Woo Nam Bethany Korean 5/21 Trinity UMC Pastor Peter Lee 11/26 UMC Pastor Myong Duk Han 5/28 Parker UMC Pastor Andrew Lee 12/3 Aldersgate UMC Pastor Emmanuel Cruz 6/4 Pacific Islanders UMC Pastor Faaagi Taufetee 12/10 Camp Mekokiko Rev. Ted Lesnett 6/11 Olive UMC Pastors Bae Sun Kim & Suega Leui 12/17 Camp Kokee Toni Torres 6/18 Naalehu UMC Pastor Woodley White 12/24 Aiea UMC Pastors Tom Choi & Joseph Siofele 6/25 Guam Korean UMC Pastor In Ki Lee 12/31 District Office Rev. Se Hee Han, Michele Kimura, Rosie Jacinto 7/2 Lihue UC Pastors Phyllis Meighen and Tevita (Leni) Namoa

5 Ka Leo Mekokiko June - July WELCOME!!! Please! PASTORS WHO START NEW APPOINTMENT FROM JULY 1ST!!! 1) Ala Lani UMC/ Kihei UMM: Pastor Petueli Taufo ou 2) Christ UMC: Pastor Eugene Han 3) Harris UMC: Pastor Cheol Kwak 4) Honolua UMC: Pastor Panepasa Fifita 5) Kahuku UMC: Pastor Tavita Maile 6) Kilohana UMC: Pastor Brian Belting 7) Kona UMC: Pastor Sunny Ahn Bits and Pieces PRAY FOR: Rev. Debra Murray who is recovering from heart failure and was recently released from the hospital. Continued prayer for Carolyn Steuer s daughter, Lani, who is fighting cancer. Pray for complete healing and that the operation will be a success in removing all the cancer. CONGRATS TO: Malakai Tatafu of Hilo UMC and Min Kyu Park of Christ UMC were both ordained at the Annual Conference and we commend their commitment and dedication for their walk in Christ. Blessings abound to Pastor Won-Seok Yuh of Kahaluu UMC who got married to Sonya on Sat., June 11th! Rev. Bo Yong Lee who transferred her membership from Rocky Mountain Conference to California Pacific Conference as a full deacon. United Methodist Men s Volleyball and Barbeque Event! It was such a huge success, they are having another Men s Volleyball and barbeque outing! Date: Saturday, August 6th Place: Blaisdell Park, Aiea/Pearl City, Honolulu Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Prerequisite: All men and male guests are invited to attend, You don t have to play volleyball, A love for great barbeque! A desire to have fun, bring an appetite, Exercise for fun, Enjoy a good laugh and make new friends! If you have any questions please feel free to contact Keith Icaacson at keithnois@gmail.com

6 Ka Leo Mekokiko June - July DISTRICT CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2016 Mon., July 4 Independence Day District Ofc. Is Closed Mon., Sep. 5 Labor Day July Fri., July 15 Women s Walk to Emmaus Barbara Grace Ripple Scholarship Due St. Anthony s Retreat Center Thu., Sep. 8 District Ofc. Is Closed HCOM Meeting 9:00 am District Office Application is Due Sat., Sep. 10 Small Church Conference Place TBA Jul Wesley Foundation Summer Youth Retreat Camp Erdman, Oahu Sep Strength for the Journey Camp Camp Mokuleia Jul Womens Walk to Emmaus St. Anthongy s Retreat Center Nov. 24 & 25 Thanksgiving Day District Ofc Is Closed Sat., Aug 6 Sat., Aug. 13 Sat., Aug. 27 UM Men s Volleyball/ Barbeque Event, 9:00 am- 1:00 pm Blaisdell Park, Aiea/Pearl City Dec. 2-4, 2016 Bishop s Confirmation Retreat Camp Mokuleia HUMU Meeting, 9 am - 12:00 pm District Office Mon., Dec. 12 Clergy Advent Dinner Place TBA Hawaii District Leadership Team Meeting (All Day) District Office Sun., Jan 15 Ho oku ikahi Day of Reconciliation & Remembrance Place TBA HAWAII UNITED METHODIST UNION 20 South Vineyard Boulevard Honolulu, HI Phone: (808) hawaiidistrict@calpacumc.org KA LEO MEKOKIKO July - August 2016 Annual Conference Pictures P Church Prayer List... P. 4 Welcoming of New District Pastors.. P. 5 Bits & Pieces....P. 5 UM Men s Volleyball Event...P. 5