Commission on the Way Forward BISHOP GRANT HAGIYA

Transcription

1 THE VOICE OF UNITED METHODIST Ka Leo Mekokiko HAWAII DISTRICT July - August 2018 VOLUME 34 NUMBER 7 Commission on the Way Forward BISHOP GRANT HAGIYA Date & Time: Saturday, July 14; 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Location: Aiea Korean UMC ( Kulawea St., Aiea) Bishop Grant Hagiya will be meeting with clergy and laity in the Hawaii District regarding the Way Forward decision. He will be speaking to the district and will listen to your concerns and questions. All are welcome to join the gathering. Please make sure to register as a church for this event. Registration forms were sent out by and are also available by request. Deadline to turn in your registration is Monday, July 9th. More information on the Way Forward can be found at this link: Click Here WELCOME TO THE HAWAII DISTRICT NEW MOVES WITHIN THE DISTRICT Rev. Sangyong Jung (Aiea Korean UMC) Rev. Brian Belting ( Kailua UMC) Rev. Young Sung Lee (Kam Nam UMC) Rev. Jaeman Lim (Kilohana UMC) Rev. Richard Bolin (Ala Lani UMC Interim) Rev. Malakai Tatafu (First Tongan UMC) Pastor Joyce Latu (Honoka a UMC) Pastor Malakai Pahulu (Associate Pastor at Hilo UMC) Pastor Vaokotone Teaupa (Associate at Kona UMC) FAREWELL TO THOSE LEAVING PASTORS RETIRING IN THE DISTRICT Pastor John Robison, Pastor Tevita Maile Rev. Tim Ellington, Rev. Hoyong Kim, Rev. Jung Sup Ahn, Rev. Bo Yong Lee, Pastor Loa Fonua

2 Ministry Musings from the District Superintendent ANNUAL CONFERENCE MISSION STATEMENT: [Inspiring the World as Passionate Followers of Jesus Christ] Yes, our thirst has been quenched as we attended Annual Conference this year. There were several learning moments from Bishop Grant Hagiya and guest bishops who shared their wisdom and experiences for us at the conference. Our own bishop, Grant Hagiya, shared the meaning of our 2018 theme of Thirst No More. He spoke of Jesus course of mission and the reality that we are sent by God. He shared Alan Hirsch s APRST model of church leadership: Apostolic (to be sent out), Prophetic (Speak out for justice and righteousness), Evangelistic (Proclaim the good news), Shepherd (protect and nurture the flock), and Teaching (transfer Christian faith and doctrines. Then he encouraged us to examine our own church model based on these 5 models. Bishop Ken Carter presented Five Streams of Missional/Congregational Multiplication, which he uses in all charge conferences in Florida. Out of the five, Fresh Expressions are a form of church for our changing culture, established primarily for the benefit of those who are not yet members of any church. It was good to hear from Bishop Gregory Palmer, who is Resident Bishop of the W. Ohio area at the Commissioning and Ordination Service at Annual Conference. He shared and challenged the newly commissioned and ordained pastors to be a symbol of love and hope for the world. What a blessing to witness our two young pastors who were commissioned as Provisional Elders in the Elder Track, Rev. In Kwon Jun and Rev. Won-Seok Yuh. Please join me in praying for our newly commissioned pastors to work in their faithful ministry for the Kingdom of God. However, the most moving moments came on the morning of our Friday worship that was led by the Hawaii District. The service was designed by the Acts of Repentance Task Force and many people in the Hawaii District participated. The service clearly shared the world of the pain and injustice of the illegal overthrow of the Hawaii Monarchy during the last reigning queen, Queen Liliuokalani. Mahalo to all those who were involved in the service-- Mr. Robert Mansfield, Rev. Piula Ala`ilima, Rev. Amy Wake and the Acts of Repentance Team members. I greatly give special appreciation to Sierra, Marina, and Becky Choi who portrayed the love and respect of the Queen and aloha to all the Hawaiian people with their dance. I was proud to be your pastor, district superintendent, and friend. We must begin our "Thirst No More" 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. Together we serve. Together, with God s help, we will build a brighter future filled with hope. Grace & peace, Rev. Se Hee Han Hawaii District Superintendent

3 MESSAGE FROM THE DISTRICT LAY LEADER Greetings, Friends! The 2018 California-Pacific Annual Conference has passed, and I must say it was especially gratifying to be a part of the Hawai`i District at this year s Conference. Worship services were held every morning and Friday morning s worship was planned and presented, on behalf of our District, by the Acts of Repentance Worship committee. From the beginning of the service to the end, the Cal-Pac Annual Conference members were enlightened about Hawaiian culture. From learning about the significance of breath in saying the word, Akua (God), to hearing about how the beloved Queen Lili`uokalani was removed from her reign as queen of Hawai`i and imprisoned in her own palace. Robert Lopaka Mansfield of Wahiawa UMC, who is of Hawaiian descent, spoke eloquently about his Hawaiian lineage and how his grandfather was one of tens of thousands of Hawaiians who signed a petition against the takeover of the Hawaiian monarchy; and why he discerned at an early age, to be a part of a Methodist church. The worship service ended with everyone in the sanctuary joining hands and singing Hawai`i Aloha. Is it any wonder then, that the Conference overwhelmingly voted to pass the resolution for the 2020 General Conference to issue a formal public apology to Native Hawaiians for the church s complicity in the illegal overthrow of the Hawaii Monarchy in 1893? Please continue to pray for the task force who will prepare the presentation of this resolution at the General Conference. May the Holy Spirit open the eyes, ears, hearts, and minds of the GC delegates. It was proud moment for Hawaii District when two of our own Francis Fukumoto and JoAnn Fukumoto were among six recipients of the Bishop s Awards for exemplary servanthood in the work of the Church in our Conference. Francis spoke about his journey to become a Christian after seeing, as a child, his grandfather burn incense, ring a gong and pray to Buddha at his home altar every day. Today, Francis is a Certified Lay Minister and, among many other voluntary undertakings, delivers the Word of God and spiritual encouragement to incarcerated adolescent boys every Sunday. JoAnn spoke about her passion for social justice, for which she avails herself to speak at churches and gatherings and advocate for the voiceless. She serves faithfully in leadership positions on the District, Conference and Western Jurisdictional Conferences, and is one of the delegates to the 2020 General Conference. She brought a big smile to our faces when she did something she had always wanted to do in front of an audience--she flashed the shaka sign. Hawaii District, let s also celebrate and support Pastors In Kwon Jun (Christ UMC) and Won Seok Yuh (Kahaluu UMC) as they embark on a new journey as provisional members preparing for ordained ministry as elders. May the Lord continue to sustain and guide you in your ministries! Yes, Hawai`i shone God s glory at Redlands at the Annual Conference. Thanks and Praise be to God!!! With warmest Aloha, Lynn Owan BARBARA GRACE RIPPLE SCHOLARSHIP FOR THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION Applicants should be members of a UMC congregation within the Hawaii District. Forms can be found here or requested at the district office. Please send completed application to the Hawaii District Office at 20 South Vineyard Blvd. Honolulu, HI or by hawaiidistrict@calpacumc.org. Deadline is July 15, Inquiries may be addressed to Committee Chairperson Grace Omura at grace.les@gmail.com or

4 KALIA O FELENITE CONFERENCE TONGAN AMERICAN UNITED METHODISTS CAUCUS Theme: Living into Beloved Community When: August 2 4, 2018 Where: Tongan United Methodist Church 1553 W Crystal Avenue West Valley City, Utah The Tongan United Methodists Caucus, Kalia O Felenite Conference 2018, will be held at Salt Lake City, Utah. Everyone is welcome to join us in Utah!! Let us come together to Learn, Connect and Renew. For more information, contact Tupouseini Kelemeni@ ts_kelemeni@yahoo.com or Ongo Koli@ ongokoli@gmail.com Bits and Pieces Please continue to pray for those who are greatly affected by the volcanic eruption. The lava continues to create more destruction on the Big Island. PLEASE PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THESE EVENTS AT: Call (808) or online at Congratulations again to Rev. In Kwon Jun of Christ UMC & Rev. Won-Seok Yuh of Kahalu u UMC for being commissioned as Provisional Members on the Elder track. Congratulations to Jo Ann & Francis Fukumoto for receiving the Bishop Award for their great service. Please continue to pray for the pastors who are transitioning in our district and for the new pastoral appointments that will begin on July 1, 2018.

5 Ka Leo Mekokiko June July 2018 MOMENTS FROM ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2018 THIRST NO MORE MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018 AT 7:00 P.M. CHRIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1639 Keeaumoku St., Honolulu, HI (808) BISHOP HAGIYA IS THE RESIDENT BISHOP OF THE CALIFORNIA-PACIFIC ANNUAL CONFERENCE. SPONSORED BY: AAPIC (Association of Asian American and Pacific Islander Clergywomen) and NAKAUMC (Nation Association of Korean American United Methodist Clergywomen)

6 DISTRICT CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2018 July 4 Independence Day District Office Closed Aug 4 Candidate Summit Pasadena, CA July 9 You Belong Here Worship w/ Bishop Hagiya Christ UMC 7:00 pm Aug 11 HUMU Meeting Harris UMC 9:00 am July 9-11 July 14 July 15 July 27 July 28 Asian & Pacific Islander Clergy Convocation Christ UMC Aug Bishop Grant Hagiya s Visit: Way Forward Aiea Korean UMC 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Women s Walk to Emmaus Aug 24 Re:Lit YA Worship TBA St. Anthony Retreat Center Barbara Ripple Scholarship Deadline District Office Sep 3 Labor Day District Office Closed UMW Benefit Concert UMW Legacy Luau Aiea Korean UMC 7:30 pm Kilohana UMC 5:00 pm Sep Bishop s Convocation Palm Springs, CA Oct July 28 DLT Meeting Harris UMC Oct 26 Aug 2-4 Tongan American United Methodist Caucus Tongan UMC, Utah Oct 27 Strength for the Journey UMW D LTE Training Event UMW Annual Celebration Camp Mokuleia 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! TBA TBA HAWAII UNITED METHODIST UNION 20 South Vineyard Boulevard Honolulu, HI Phone: (808) hawaiidistrict@calpacumc.org KA LEO MEKOKIKO JUL AUG 2018 Bishop s Way Forward Gathering....p. 1 Welcome & Farewell to Pastors.....p. 1 UMW Legacy Luau.....p. 4 Moments from Annual Conf.... p. 5 Ohana Conf Worship p. 5