BISHOP S CONFIRMATION RETREAT

Transcription

1 Ka Leo Mekokiko July - August 2017 Ka Leo Mekokiko THE VOICE OF UNITED METHODIST Hawaii District July - August 2017 VOLUME 33 NUMBER 7 BISHOP S CONFIRMATION RETREAT The Hawaii District UMC is excited to offer a Confirmation Camp for Hawaii Youth! This is an opportunity for youth to fellowship with other Christians, learn more about their faith and grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. We have an exciting team and hope you can join us! Date: September 22-24, 2017 (Friday thru Sunday) Place: Camp Mokuleia, Farrington Highway, Waialua, Hawaii Who: Cost: Ages years old (Middle School High School Senior) $100 Scholarship is available but limited! Registration Link: * Restriction of 10 campers per Church. A chaperone is required to accompany the group. * Registration ends: AUGUST 14 Bishops set date for special 2019 General Conference [UMNS-Heather Hahn] The Council of Bishops announced the call to a special General Conference on February 23-26, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. The special meeting of The United Methodist Church s top lawmaking assembly will be limited to acting on a report by Council of Bishops, based on the proposals from the Commission on the Way Forward. The 32-member commission, appointed by the bishops, has the charge of finding ways for the denomination to stay together despite deep differences around homosexuality. General Conference, which usually meets every four years, is the only body that can speak for the denomination. The Council of Bishops encourages the entire church to continue in deep, unceasing prayer for Holy Spirit breakthroughs for the Commission on a Way Forward and the Special Session of General Conference, said Dakotas-Minnesota Area Bishop Bruce Ough, the president of the Council of Bishops, in a letter that was released on Tuesday, April Hawaii District Moves First, we welcome back all the clergy in the Hawaii District as they begin their new appointment year. Farewell to the following pastors who are leaving the islands: Rev. Dae Gyu Peter Lee, Rev. Andrew Lee, Rev. Min Kyu Park and Rev. Monalisa S. Lolohea. There were nine moves in our district; the following churches will be welcoming new pastors: Aiea UMC: Rev. Rob Lloyd who comes from the Virginia Annual Conference. Christ UMC: Rev. In Kwon Jun who will be the Associate Pastor for the English congregation. First UMC: Rev. Tom Choi Honokaa UMC: Rev. John Robison who comes from College UMC of Ventura, California Kahuku UMC: Rev. Olivia Latu Pacific Islanders UMC: Rev. Setu Setu, Jr. Parker UMC: Rev. Sam Nam Trinity UMC: Rev. Amy Wake West Kauai UMC: Rev. Freda Baliao who comes from the Philippines Central Conference, Davao Episcopal Area.

2 Ka Leo Mekokiko July - August Snapshots of the 2017 Annual Conference, June 14-17, 2017 Congratulations to Aiea Korean United Methodist Church. The church was recognized with the One Matters: Discipleship Ministries Award for increasing their membership by 105 members. (from left to right): Rev. In Kwon Jun (Associate Pastor), Karen Kim (education coordinator), DS Se Hee Han, Bishop Grant Hagiya, Josh Sato-Asato (Young Adult Lay Member from the Wesley Foundation), Rev. Hoyoung Kim, Jun Yang (Lay Member, English ministry coordinator), and Jane Lee (District Young Adult Lay Member). Not pictured and a part of our church delegation is Samuel Chong (Board of Trustee and lay representative). On the left: Bishop Grant Hagiya baptized Amara Luz Kauilani Mark-Schwiebert with her father, the Rev. Andrew Schwiebert and big sister, Kaira looking on. Not in this picture, but present on the stage were her mother, the Rev. Allison Mark-Schwiebert, and her Hawaii grandparents, the Rev. Alan and Mrs. Kara Mark. On the right: The Harris UMC display at Cal-Pac Annual Conference as a designated historical site of The United Methodist Church. Lorraine Kadooka is pictured here as part of the "setting up" team. Christ UMC is also a designated historical site.

3 Ka Leo Mekokiko July - August MESSAGE FROM THE DISTRICT LAY LEADER Greetings, Friends! I hope you all are enjoying the summer season! I m thankful to have had the opportunity to spend four days of summer (June 14-17) at the 2017 California-Pacific Annual Conference at the University of Redlands. More than 1,000 clergy and lay delegates from United Methodist churches spanning across the Pacific from Hawaii, Guam, and Saipan to Southern California--Hollywood, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Yucaipa, Riverside and more, converged upon Redlands to worship and to listen and discern God s Word as we and applied our faith into action by voting on essential matters of our denomination. It was a great time of fellowship and inspiration to build the Body of Christ as United Methodists. It was a holy time. It is difficult to pack all that was covered at Annual Conference in a newsletter article. I suggest that if you have access to the Internet, visit You can click on the various messaging moments, worship services and plenaries to view what happened. For me, highlights included: * experiencing Bishop Grant Hagiya s dynamic leadership style to guide us, for his first time as bishop of our annual conference, through our theme, From Here to There. Bishop Hagiya shared his vision for moving us toward transforming the world by developing strong leaders, especially the Laity of local churches, who will motivate, organize, and equip disciples of Jesus Christ. He spoke of providing resources to help us accomplish this. The Cal-Pac Conference will decrease their apportionment asking to help lessen the financial burden on local churches, the objective of which is to allow churches to steward their finances toward their individual missional programs. * hearing spiritual, inspirational messages throughout each day of the conference Rev. Sarah Heath started a church by inviting people to ask questions about God. She challenged us to be our unique selves and to know our neighborhoods. Rev. Jim Powell, wearing his fishing gear and carrying his tackle box, reminded us that we can t be fishers of people from our TVs and sanctuaries and that we must go to the deeper waters to seek opportunities to share Christ with others. A program called Partners in Ministry (PIM) was started by former Hawaii District Superintendent Woong Min Kim. PIM seeks to churches to work together on such things as pulpit supply, Vacation Bible School, going on mission trips and sharing resources. * witnessing the Holy Baptism of Amara Luz Kauilani Mark-Schwiebert, who is the daughter of Rev. Allison Mark and husband, Rev. Andrew Schwiebert. In the baptism liturgy, Bishop Hagiya asked Kaira, her 2-year old sister, if she would be a good big sister and she replied with an enthusiastic YES! * hearing young adults, especially from Hawaii give a testimony and a message: Lopisoni Mailei from Ewa Beach UMC spoke at the Laity Supper, and Peasipa Namoa from Lihue United Church spoke during the youth-led worship service on Saturday. * hearing testimonies to help us discern our decision on voting on constitutional amendments to be presented to the General Conference especially gender inclusion in the life of the church and holding Bishops accountable to the UM denomination and not just the Jurisdictional Conference within which they serve. The above is but a glimpse into the Annual Conference. It is such a privilege to be a part of a Body of Christ that gives everyone an opportunity to have a voice on matters that are vital to our personal faith and beliefs. We have differences some to a greater degree than others. Bishop Hagiya encouraged us to understand that we cannot let our differences separate and scatter us, and that we must stay together for the sake of the world. I like to think of all the generations of Christians who will follow Christ because we lived out our faith and worked through our differences. May the Grace and Peace of Christ dwell in you all. With warmest Aloha, Lynn Owan

4 Ka Leo Mekokiko July - August 2017 Outside of Hawaii Learning Opportunities SCD 2017: At the Lord s Table The School of Congregational Development is a premier event for United Methodist Leaders for equipping conference leaders, clergy, and laity to lead vital, dynamic, life-changing congregations. Sponsored by Discipleship Ministries, Global Ministries, and Path 1, this year s event is being hosted by the North Georgia Conference, Candler School of Theology, and Gammon Theological Seminary. It runs from Thursday, August 17 through Sunday, August 20th. The cost is $375 by July 15; $175 for seminary student by July 15. The registration fee includes all teaching sessions starting with the Opening Worship on Thursday afternoon and concluding with worship in local churches on Sunday morning. Event sites are Peachtree Road United Methodist Church and the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. Some of the featured speakers are: -Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson of the North Georgia Conference: Opening worship & communion -Nadia Bolz-Weber: Who s Welcome at the Table -F. Douglas Powe, Jr.: Setting the Table -Michael McQueen: Setting the Table -Brian Combs: Feasting at the Table and more. Visit SCDUMC.org for more information. 4 LEADERSHIP Institute 2017: equip. strengthen. Inspire Leadership Institute 2017 will provide an opportunity to invest in your leadership and the leadership of your team through 3 days of General Sessions developed with a focus on practical ministry tools, leadership growth strategies and inspired vision for ministry. There is a compelling line-up of speakers: -Adam Hamilton: Dealing with Conflict and Criticism, Leading and Preaching in Divided Times, Why Space and Architecture Matter -Adam Weber: Growing the Prayer Life of Leaders and Congregations -Olu Brown: Leading through Conflict and Difficulty -Nancy Beach: Building Volunteer and Staff Teams that Last -Tony Morgan: Seven Stages of Church Life Cycle: Moving the Church from Being Stuck to Unstuck...and many more. It begins with a Pre-Institute on Wednesday, September 27 with the opening of the Institute on Wednesday evening and the General Sessions are throughout Friday-Saturday, September Early Bird rates through July 13: $35 per Pre-Institute session [$49 standard rate]; $149 for the Leadership Institute [$199 standard rate]. The Institute is sponsored and held at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Visit: LI.COR.ORG for details and registration. Bits and Pieces Please pray for Rev. Paul Tangonan of Lahaina UMC. He had surgery and was unable to attend Annual Conference. Please pray for Mrs. Su`e Siofele, spouse of Pastor Joe Siofele, Associate Pastor at Aiea UMC. She is getting stronger, and the doctors are determining a treatment for her heart. Please Mrs. Marilyn Van Gieson, who was the editor for our district newsletter - Ka Leo Mekokiko from June She has pneumonia, and is slowly recovering at home. Continue to pray for Mrs. Saofetalai Taufetee - spouse of Rev. Faaagi Taufetee at Pacific Islanders UMC, Rev. Manako Kemoeatu (retired) and his wife, Ahea. We praise and thank the Lord for Rev. Emy Cruz s [Aldersgate UMC] recovery from his surgery. We also praise and thank the Lord for Rev. Tevita Maile of Kahuku UMC, who is recovering and getting stronger from his surgery. FOR YOUR INFORMATION: It was announced in June that the Reverend Gregory Batson will be leaving the California-Pacific United Methodist Foundation as President and CEO. He has been appointed to be the Senior Pastor of Foothills UMC in La Mesa, California. Mr. Dan Griffin has been selected to serve as Interim President and CEO of the Foundation effective June 1, 2017.

5 Ka Leo Mekokiko July - August Missionary to visit Hawaii Rev. Claudia Genung-Yamamoto will be visiting Hawaii from August Rev. Claudia has been in Kobe for 5 1/2 years now. She remains a UMC missionary in our conference. Her ministry is with Kobe Jesus Band Church and the Kagawa Center. The Kagawa Center has a church, a day care center, a program for children with special needs, and Tengokuya Heaven s Cafe (UMC Advance Project). She is also involved with Kobe Union Church's Global Ministries, Kansai Food Bank, American Friends of Asian Rural Institute Board (AFARI), and Fukushima Kobe Children s Program. If your church or UMW group would like to meet with her and have her share about her ministry, please contact Myrna Medina at cell: or at <myrna@themedinas.com> Clergy Convocation 2017 WHEN: Tuesday, August 29 - Thursday, August 31, 2017 WHERE: COST: Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Palm Springs, California $300 - covers meals, speaker, workshops, supplies, etc. This does not include the hotel cost for your room. A reasonable rate with the hotel has been arranged; retirees receive a $100 discount off the registration. WHAT: Visioning with Bishop Grant Hagiya; Keynote speaker: Brian McLaren There will also be time for worship, small-group learning, relationship building, creativity and relaxation. Ministerial Education Fund Scholarships are available for clergy whose churches cannot afford the cost of registration and/or hotel expenses. The possible availability of airfare scholarships for Hawaii clergy will be announced in a few weeks. To register: < For Hotel Discounted Reservation: < Religion and Race announces 2017 CORR Action Fund Grant The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR), The United Methodist Church s racial justice agency, announced that the CORR Action Fund (CAF) will be releasing the United States Program Grants for with $750,000 in available funding. Applications will be accepted starting May 2017 with a deadline of August GCORR is seeking to fund innovative and bold initiatives that will support vital conversations about race, cultural diversity, xenophobia, and systemic equity. UMC churches and other UMC entities in the United States are invited to apply for funding to disrupt racism and xenophobia by working with a community partner or alliance to: -Identify and change at least one racist and/or xenophobic system, policy, or practice in the wider community. -Engage UMC people with diverse community partners in frequent vital conversations about racism and xenophobia. -Build understanding and trusting relationships among diverse people in the wider community. To learn more about CORR Action Fund Grant go to: <

6 Ka Leo Mekokiko July - August DISTRICT CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2017 July 4 Independence Day District Office closed Aug Clergy Convocation Palm Springs, CA July 6-8 UMW Mission U Korean Thousand Oaks Retreat, California Sept. 4 Labor Day District Office closed July 7-9 UMW Mission U English/Spanish/Tongan Thousand Oaks Retreat, California Sept 16 YMW: Diversity Talent Show/Bake Sale TBA July 15 Deadline for Ripple Scholarship Sept Bishop s Confirmation Retreat Camp Mokuleia July 29 YMW: Car Wash Fundraiser TBA Sept 23 UMW District Annual Celebration Aiea Korean UMC Aug 12 YMW: Back to School Bash TBA Oct Strength For The Journey Camp Mokuleia Aug Missionary Itineration Various church locations Nov 4 UMW District Leadership Team Meeting/ Retreat TBA Aug Women s Walk to Emmaus St. Anthony s Retreat Center Nov YMW: Next Generation Limitless Event TBA Aug. 26 UMW Mission Festival Trinity UMC If you would like us to promote your event or extend congratulations, or if you have a prayer request to lift up to our District churches, please to hawaiidistrict@calpacumc.org by the third Monday of each month. Thank you! HAWAII UNITED METHODIST UNION 20 South Vineyard Boulevard Honolulu, HI Phone: (808) hawaiidistrict@calpacumc.org KA LEO MEKOKIKO July - August 2017 Bishop s Confirmation Retreat......p. 1 Special General Conference p. 1 Clergy Moves in Hawaii....p. 1 Missionary Itineration... p. 5 Clergy Convocation p. 5