Ka Ha ilono Volume No. 45 Article No. 3 August 2014 Table of Contents Ellen s Corner..1 Vila Vakauta, Vice President.2 Minja Choe, Secretary 2 Emma Gaboy, Treasurer 3 Sylvia Himeda, Program Resources..3 Rosa Yasuda, Samoan Language Coordinator 4 Seneti Falemaka, Committee on Nominations.4 Lucy Aholelei, Communication Coordinator...5 Beverly Aiwohi, Membership Coordinator.6 LIMITLESS Team... 6 Carolyn Steuer, Cal-Pac Conference...7 Penny Brouillette.7 2015 Slate of Officers.8 Cal-Pac Annual Celebration registration..9 Candle of Commitment.10 HI Dist Annual Celebration registration.11 Ellen s Corner Aloha Sisters in Christ! After our near disastrous weekend, I hope that everyone is back to normal and will be able to attend the Mission Festival on Saturday, August 23, 2014. This is a joint project between HUMU (Hawaii United Methodist Union) global ministries and Hawaii District UMW (United Methodist Women). I hope to see many of you there. My first year as President of the Hawaii District UMW has been both exciting and troubling. Looking at the positive side: I had many first experiences I attended the UMW Assembly in Louisville, Kentucky; I also went to the Cal-Pac (California- Pacific) Annual Conference in Redlands, California; and attended the Hawaii District Annual Meeting in March for the first time. I ve also continued to represent the UMW on the Susannah Wesley Board of Directors; participated in the Cal-Pac Conference UMW Mission u; and serve on the committee for EMT (Essential Ministry Team) Leadership in Hawaii District. My disappointments include the loss of the LIMITLESS Team at the national level, however, the Hawaii District will attempt to keep our younger women involved in UMW. Our team is a working team and needs to have people with a variety of skills to make our programs interesting and lively; without parts of our team, we are unable to do all that we are asked to do. For the first time in many years, our district was unable to meet its pledge to the Cal-Pac Conference and we are reducing our pledge for 2015. Our next Hawaii District UMW meeting will be the Annual Celebration scheduled for September 27 th at Christ UMC. Please be sure to bring the ladies from the unit and your pledges. We will be voting for our new board members, so please be sure to see whose being elected. There are also rules for those who can be nominated from the floor. I d also like to remind you that the Candle of Commitment forms are out and that units as well as individuals are invited to help keep the candle burning at the Cal-Pac Annual Celebration in October. In this newsletter, there will be more information for you as well as the cost per minute to keep UMW National going. We will need to work together this coming year to help improve our work as United Methodist Women! Until we meet again. Aloha! Ellen Owens, HI Dist UMW President Please visit the UMW site to obtain Gifts & Graces and other important forms: https://sites.google.com/site/hawaiiunitedmethodistwomen
Aloha Ladies, God bless each and every one of you. Mission u 2014 s theme: Learning for the Transformation of the World. Over 300 United Methodist Women from local organizations, districts, and the conference team were gathered at Biola University to study and bring faith and understandings of the world. I was blessed to join with my Tongan sisters at the spiritual growth study: Praying pray without ceasing; Thanksgiving learn about God s words (Bible) and do what the Bible says; Mentor we are all mentors and we lead and pray; Transformation we need to renew our souls, heal, and be free and turn away from all the knots and burdens that we carry daily. The founder of the United Methodist Church, John Wesley, had a Bible study group in London and he always asked them, How is it with your soul? After we study the Bible, we pray, then we need to listen to what God answers. My dear sisters, When peace, like a river, attended my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul (Spafford, UM Hymnal 377). I am so excited about this year s Hawaii District Annual Celebration. The theme: A Calling for This Time: Turning Faith, Hope, and Love into Action. We have asked each local organization to please bring your banners for the opening procession, and also your pledges. Our keynote speaker is a young women in our Hawaii District Team, Sinaitakala Salakielu, from Waimanalo United Methodist Church. We will come together in singing and worship, and of course, we ll enjoy the opportunity to meet our sisters from across the district. Please register now. My personal mahalo nui loa, to the district president, executive committee, and all the local organizations for all you have done and continue to do for women, children and youth. Hope to see you Saturday, September 27, 2014, at Christ UMC, 1639 Keeaumoku St, Honolulu, HI 96822. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and hopes, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). Warmth Aloha with grace and peace, Vila Vaka uta, HI Dist UMW Vice President vilavakauta@yahoo.com (808) 228-3766 My Classmate at Mission u During the Mission u, I enrolled in the spiritual growth class. We learned how to become a more vibrant disciple of Christ. At the beginning of each class session, the captain which is our instructor asked each member, How is it with your soul? We were asked this question at the beginning of each of the four sessions we had. My answers were confused as a first reply, Trying to find peace. The following day was, Getting better. Finally, At peace. I was able to answer, At peace, at the last session mainly due to the conversations I had with my classmate sitting next to me who always said, My soul is well and in peace, showing that she was already a vibrant disciple of Christ. I thought that she really had a blessed life, experiencing no hardships. Nevertheless, I learned that she had lost a grown son and husband in a short span of time. I asked, Were you sad [and] did you feel abandoned? She said, Yes I was sad, but all through the difficult times, I could feel the presence of God right next to me and my soul has been well. By the time the last class session was about to start, I realized the constant presence of God, and my soul was well and in peace. Minja Choe, HI Dist UMW Secretary
Aloha everyone! From the Treasurer To all the ladies of the Hawaii District United Methodist Women local organizations that have been working hard to meet your pledges thank you. To my dear fellow local treasurers, please accept my sincerest appreciation for your stewardship and remittances. Summary of what have been sent to Cal Pac at the end of July 2014 as follows: Pledge to Mission $4,688.80 Special Mission Recognition 235.00 Gift in Memory 75.00 Gift to Mission 120.00 World Thank Offering 20.00 Total $5,138.80 Our 2014 Pledge $40,000.00 Less: Remittance 5,138.80 Balance $34,861.20 We still have a long way to go in our giving with over four months left before the end of the year. Do not wait to give until the Annual Celebration in September. If you can, please consider to send what you have in your treasuries at the soonest, so we have monies to send as our pledge for August 2014. Let us continue to prayerfully consider the women, youth and children around the world that needed our utmost support. Please write your checks to HAWAII DISTRICT UMW and send to: Emma Gaboy 3985 Ohuohu St. C3 Koloa, Hi. 96756 Mahalo and God bless us all. Reminder: See Candle of Commitment 2014 form and please send to me by September 27. I attended Mission u and the text for my class was The Church and People with Disabilities: Awareness, Accessibility, and Advocacy by Peggy A. Johnson. I grappled a lot with the word disability and would prefer talking about people with differences. The text s definition of disability: "A very broad term that refers to a physical, intellectual, or emotional condition that limits being able to carry out at least some everyday activities in a standard fashion." As a class, we listed disabilities which included blindness, depression, hard of hearing, and dyslexia. I encourage all of you to read the book! Aloha, Sylvia Himeda, HI Dist UMW Program Resouces Coordinator
Talofa~Malo Lelei~Aloha! Greetings to all my sisters in Christ. Praises be to God for his everlasting love and guidance to each and every one of us. I would like to thank the Hawaii United Methodist Women district for the opportunity to attend Mission u, which I knew it as School of Christian Mission in those days. It was such a great opportunity to once again be a part of this great organization of women called United Methodist Women. I'm so grateful and thankful that I was able to attend, and enjoyed every day from the first day until it was time to say goodbye. The opening plenary was very powerful and so as the rest of all the plenaries. It was so nice to meet and see all the different faces from all over. Also, the different cultures that came together to worship, celebrate, and engage in God's work! I attended the "The Church and People with Disabilities" it was an eye-opening because I knew the struggle that my brother and his wife was going through with their son who was hurt at the age of one from his babysitter. He is now 25 years old, permanently disable. I learned there are so many types of disabled people and it s not only physically, but mentally and that we needed to be aware of issues we re facing with disability. We need to know what we can do to provide full accessibility, and the opportunity to promote advocacy for justice for people with disabilities. Disability can happen at any time to anyone. It is in all gender, orientation, ethnicity, age, and culture. Therefore, disability should be important to everyone including churches because we are servants of God. We should find ways to improve our ministry with people with disabilities in order to make more disciples of Jesus Christ, and be fullness of Spirit-given gifts as well as for those who are in need! May the Lord keep and guide us to go into the world and be disciples to spread his words and know that God almighty is alive! God's love and peace be with you all! Rosa Yasuda, HI Dist UMW Samoan Language Coordinator Aloha and Malo e lelei Sisters in Christ! Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ Colossians 4:2-3 What an amazing experience it was for my first time at Mission u! How is it with your soul? To answer this, we discussed four main areas, which were prayer, learn, mentor, and transform. In short, our instructor reinforced how important it is to devote ourselves in prayer and not just in prayer, but being alert with an attitude of thanksgiving, humility. In our group discussions, we shared how this applied to our individual lives, families, church, and community. Needless to say we had a lot to share! For those of us who were fortunate to attend this course, we must be diligent to go and apply what we ve learned and be mentors to lead by example and transform the lives of others. Amen! I m grateful and very blessed to have had the opportunity to attend Mission u and am looking forward to next year, especially since it will be held here. Fellow sisters in Christ, let us work together to prepare for next year s Mission u and make it one that will be as memorable as it was this year. Peace, Seneti Falemaka, HI Dist UMW
Aloha, It was a great experience to attend this year s Mission u event held in July, at the Biola University of Southern California. One may be more familiar with the older term, School of Christian Mission. United Methodist Women participants were challenged with many tasks during the event, including a competition that gave each enrollee a chance to win free admission to next year s Mission u. It was so exciting to be a part of this fun endeavor, for it motivated everyone to visit all the resource centers and programs made available. If I can remember correctly, the final outcome was a tie breaker, but only one lucky lady got the prize. There were many course studies to choose from, and I chose The Church and People With Disabilities class, which is also the name of the textbook we studied. My instructor was Cheryl Batiste, and she is an amazing teacher. Aside from her gift of the rosary to each student, and the chocolate M&M s everyone got to eat every day, she inspired the group with her shared experiences in discussions about disability in the church and how local churches are handling the issue. Much were mentioned about handicap accessible; parking structure, elevators, wheelchair ramps, railings, etc. I shared how my church members are privileged with retirement center bus shuttles that take elderly to and from church each Sunday, and more-so to the daycare establishment on a daily basis. Nevertheless, it was disappointing to learn that not many places on the US Mainland can offer those types of services. The students however, exchanged information on other nationwide services that may be available, such as the Handi-Van which will also provide a taxi cab if they re unable to accommodate the route. Another service to the communities is the local and federally funded Meals On Wheels program that will bring a nutritional meal to an individual whose mobility is limited. Finally, there were concerns about members that just don t go to church for other reasons. This led me to talk about my experiences with UMW and other committees, by a simple phone call, a card, or even a visit to the home lets them know they re loved and prayed for. Many churches like mines, make this on a regular basis with shut in members, and even to bring them communion on first Sundays of the months. At the end, it was most significant to learn that we all have some kind of disability. Whether allergies, depression, or a loss of leg from wartime, one is limited to certain tasks in life. The limbs enlighten one to appreciate all the gifts that are well within. While one is a baker, another a builder, and other a fisherman, there s need for balance, and must be the reasons civilization adopted the trust or trading system: IN GOD WE TRUST. With absolute convincement, it stands to reason the Bible and how it suits perfectly with the study. First Corinthians 12:12 31, teaches us that we are all one body in Christ, and the weaker members are indispensable, concluding that if one suffers, everyone suffers along, but when in honor, all rejoices. In so many ways, the message is quite clear that we must work together to make the whole of this great big world we re so privileged to live and have adventure. Blessings, Lucy I. Aholelei, HI Dist UMW Communication Coordinator
Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I am continuing my share from Local Leadership Training this time. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP In the organization of United Methodist Women, members have the following responsibilities: - To understand and be supportive of the organization and its purpose; - To participate in program activities; - To keep informed about the programs and ongoing concerns of United Methodist Women; - To attend training for local organizations; - To participate in the mission studies; - To use the Program Book for United Methodist Women; - To engage in critical analysis and active listening while remaining open to different views and other perceptions; - To use official sources of information; - To interpret the PURPOSE of United Methodist Women. In addition, members are strongly urged to avail themselves of the opportunity to attend Mission u, district and conference annual meetings, and retreats. Beverly Aiwohi, HI Dist Membership Coordinator LIMITLESS Team Our Cal-Pac (California-Pacific) LIMITLES Team was busy over the summer with the planning and implementation of the California LIMITLESS event held on July 18 th, before the start of Mission u at Biola University. The day-long event went from 8:30am until 3pm, and was attended by 25 young women from all over California. The agenda was filled with informative and inspirational speakers, worthwhile service projects, and lots of fun activities where new friends were made. The Cal-Pac LIMITLESS Team is grateful for the support received over the past 2 years. We learned so much about the United Methodist Women organization and hope that both Hawaii and California are able to continue this important effort to provide a venue and opportunities for our UMW young women. Aloha and Mahalo! Nicolina Pascua, Nicole Nonies, and Atina Pascua LIMITLESS Team 2012-2014
CAROLYN S ADVENTURES In August 1961, I began my Hawaiian adventure, arriving here as a brand new elementary teacher, fresh from college, ready to begin my career in Wahiawa. There have been twists and turns to my life adventures, including marriage, children, cancer four times, Hawaii District United Methodist Women president, knee replacements, and Cal-Pac (California-Pacific) Conference secretary. The Cal-Pac UMW position was more difficult than I thought. I enjoy a challenge and tried my best, but when the Cal-Pac UMW Executive Committee placed me on probation last month, I realized I was not the right person for that Conference position. My son asked me to please consider moving to Phoenix, where he now works, and be a more available grandmother to his children, who are both toddlers. So in August 2014, I decided that it is time to change adventures. I resigned my position as Cal-Pac UMW secretary and have made arrangements to live in Phoenix. Initially it will be a trial and I have rented a onebedroom condo in a 55+ community called Sun City Grand, which is in Surprise, Arizona, west of Phoenix and about a half hour drive from my son s new home, for the months of November and December. Then I will return to Hawaii and pray and try to figure out if I should sell and move or stay here. I will see you at the Hawaii district Annual Celebration in September, the Local Leadership Training in January 2014 (because I am an officer in my local UMW organization at Wahiawa United Methodist Church), the Mid-Winter event in February and the Spiritual Retreat. If I do decide to move from Hawaii, it will take me time to downsize and sell my home. So this is not an Aloha letter quite yet. Keep me in your prayers as I make my decision for the next adventure in my life. God be with each of you UMW sisters, you have all been so supportive of me over the years. Carolyn Steuer, Cal-Pac Conference Secretary Greetings & Aloha, Another Mission u has come and gone. It was very good and all the classes looked interesting. I am looking forward to hearing about them at our District Mission Festival next weekend. We had different studies and I chose How Is It With Your Soul? I learned much and all of the students took part in class, which was very beneficial to have everybody participate and tell their viewpoints about going over different parts of the book, sharing with others in our class. Some of the things I received from the teacher and everyone were as follows: Be still and know that I am God Amen to that; Balance the outer and inner dimensions breathe on, not breathe in, as Jesus will breathe the Spirit of life into us; Pray and learn to mentor and transform with action, giving and reaching out to others; Develop habits that allow Jesus to lead us on hand and hand to revive, restore, and revitalize our churches here and world missions everywhere. John Wesley tells us, practice accountability for one another, and How is it with your soul? Have we carefully abstained from doing evil? Are we following what God wants us to do? Are we studying scripture? Take everything to God in prayer to rededicate ourselves to study with action and to understand the intense learning process! Devote yourselves in prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray for us as well. Be that kind of church welcoming and accepting, trying to get it right from being wrong. Pray and fast, do not disclose or look dismal. Always be loving, patient, and pray every day and knowing we cannot be that perfect person, but be real and Jesus will help us to be more like Him in every way. Thank you, Lord! Thank you my dear team, Committee on Nominations, and I so appreciated working with you all and being your chair. Please welcome Lucy Low in that new position for all of us this fall. I pray we will do our best and help her feel at peace and happy with our great group, knowing our awesome God will continue to lead us all forward in Him in every way for His glory and His kingdom! And don't forget to WATCH AND PRAY! God richly bless you, Hawaii UMW District Team and in His service. Penny Brouillette, HI Dist UMW Committee on Nominations Chair
HAWAII DISTRICT UNITED METHODIST WOMEN SLATE OF OFFICERS FOR 2014-2015 Officers to be elected for First 2-year term: Social Action Olita Mafi First UMC-Tongan 1442 Mokuna Pl., Apt. D-1, Honolulu, HI 96816 h# (808) 953-7785 Treasurer Seneti Falemaka Ewa Beach UMC 91-456 Ewa Beach Rd., Ewa Beach, HI 96706 ssfalemaka@yshoo.com h# (808) 888-6694 c# (808) 723-4340 Officers to be elected to Second term for one year: Communications Lucy Aholelei Kilohana UMC Honolulu, Hawaii carebylucylei@yahoo.com h# (808) 372-2897 Program Resources Sylvia Himeda Harris UMC 4308 Papu Circle, Honolulu, HI 96816 sshimeda@aol.com h# (808) 732-2243 Spiritual Growth Jailu Navarrete Kapolei Mission 91-2059 Pahuhu Pl., Ewa Beach, HI 96706 globalnursinginterchange@gmail.com c# (808) 728-9255 Officers to be elected for Second 2-year term: Vice President Vila Vakauta Trinity UMC 91-209 Kuina Pl., Ewa Beach, HI 96706 vilavakauta@yahoo.com c# (808) 228-3766 Membership Beverly Aiwohi First UMC 44-713 Malulani St., Kaneohe, HI 96744 mrsaiwohi@gmail.com h# (808) 235-4354 Officers continuing to serve their first 2-year term: President Ellen Owens Kilohana UMC 6488 Hawaii Kai Dr., Honolulu, HI 96825 ecowens@mcowens.com c# (808) 256-8588 Secretary Minja Choe Christ UMC 1288 Ala Moana Blvd., #27C, Honolulu, HI 96814 MinjaKimChoe@yahoo.com h# (808) 591-9302 c#(808)222-7882 Education Kuenilingi, "Gwen" Maka First UMC 91-1007 Waimomona Pl., Ewa Beach, Hi 96706 Kuenilingi@hotmail.com c# (808) 723-9692 Committee on Nominations to be elected for 2-year term: Class of 2016, Chair Lucy Low First UMC 3907 Lanipoko Pl., Honolulu, HI 96816 lfglow@rocketmail.com h# (808) 737-0965 c# (808)349-9671 Committee on Nominations continuing to serve their 2-year term: Class of 2015 Penny Brouillette Aldersgate UMC 3029 Puiwa Lane, Honolulu, HI 96817 pastord.pennyb@gmail.com c# (808) 927-5686 Class of 2015 Meleane Pulupaki Hilo UMC 52-A East Ohia St., Hilo, HI 96720 ofilapulupaki@hotmail.com h# (808) 854-3039 Committee on Nominations continuing to serve their 4-year term: Class of 2017 Sinaitakala Kala"Salakielu First Tongan Waimanalo 665 A Ulukahiki St., Kailua, HI ssalakielu@gmail.com h# (808) 261-8732 c# (808) 779-8740 Class of 2017 Valasi Iuta Pacific Island UMC % Pacific Island UMC, 2106 Palolo Ave., Honolulu, HI 96816 Eileen_iuta@yahoo.com h# (808) 737-5128 c# (808) 778-3176 Language Coordinator to be appointed by the President to serve her Second 2- year term: Korean: 2015-2016 Ok Yon Suh Christ UMC 1162 Ala Kipa St. Apt. 304, Honolulu, HI 96819 c# (808) 284-9892 Language Coordinators continuing to serve their First 2-year term: Tongan: 2015-2016 Luseane 'Uluave Trinity UMC 2218 Anapanapa St., Pearl City, HI 96782 lucyuluave@gmail.com h# (808) 455-9786 c# (808) 694-9945 Samoan: 2015-2016 Fuarosa "Rosa" Yasuda Aiea UMC 92-136 Palahia St., Kapolei, HI 96707 ryasuda@hawaii.rr.com h# (808) 672-5514 c# (808)227-74444 Tenure Record Keeper: Vera Tom Young Women's Coordinator: TBA California-Pacific Conference Officers: Maxine Wheeler, Cal-Pac Spiritual Growth Coordinator Residing in Honolulu Kara Mark, Member, Cal-Pac Committee on Nominations Residing in Honolulu UMW National: Tupou Seini Kelemeni, National UMW Director and Vice President Residing in Honolulu Class of 2016 Emma Gaboy West Kauai UMC 3985 Ohuohu Rd., C-3, Kaloa, HI 96756, Kauai marciana4gabaldon@gmail.com h#(808)742-9284 c#(808)639-1244 Committee on Nominations to be elected for 4-year term: Class of 2018 Nicole Nonies Wahiawa UMC 94223 Hikiku Pl., Mililani, HI 96789 nicolenonies2010@gmail.com h# (808) 224-0297 Corrected August 12, 2014 eco PURPOSE OF THE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose PURPOSE is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.
California-Pacific Conference United Methodist Women 46 th Annual Celebration Saturday, October 25, 2014 A Calling for This Time Keynote Speaker: Rev. Lorenza Andrade Smith Bell Memorial United Methodist Church 17475 Nogales Street, Rowland Heights, CA 91748 Registration: 10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m. **No Continental Breakfast ** Celebration, Lunch and Business 11:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Registration fee: $12 per person $15 if postmarked after Oct. 15 th Help us plan your day please register early Make Checks payable to Cal-Pac UMW Mark church name in memo line Mail to : Karen George, Registrar, 1213 S. Shasta St., West Covina, CA 91791 Email: karngary@charter.net Phone: 626-919-5000 Cut Here and Return with payment if more than one name - list, information for all on addition sheet------ Name Phone- Home: Cell: E- mail Address City St Zip UMW District Name Local Church Name FREE Childcare: $25 refundable deposit per family required with registration. Please make check separate from registration as it will be returned to you when your child is checked in. Parents are responsible for bringing a sack lunch each child. Need childcare YES How many children? Accessibility: Do you need assistance? Parking Stairs Other (please specify) Dietary needs: YES Type Check # Date Received Date Deposited
Hawaii District United Methodist Women Annual Celebration September 27, 2014 Registration Begins 8am and Program Ending at 2pm Christ United Methodist Church, 1639 Keeaumoku St. Keynote Speaker is Sinaitakala Salakielu ** Reminder to bring along: Church Banner, Pledge to Mission, 2015 Officer s List, & SWCC Love Gifts Cost is $12 - Register before Sept 20 to guarantee lunch to: Kuenilingi Maka 91-1007 Waimomona Pl, Ewa Beach, HI 96706 Ph: (808) 723-9692 Email: kuenilingi@hotmail.com ---------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- --------------------- Date Church Contact Name & Phone/Email Names (use separate sheet for additional names) Notes A, B, C A. **A reminder to bring your Church Banners for the opening processions, Pledges to Mission, & List of Officers for 2015. B. **Please bring Love Gifts of your choice for women in crisis at the Susannah Wesley Community Center: small toiletries, canned/non-perishable foods or snacks, etc. We want your love, we want your love C. Airfare scholarships available to neighbor island UMW local organizations, up to $300 per organization (funds will be allocated by number in request). A refundable deposit of $25 is needed for child-care. All refunds must be accompanied with a receipt. for transportation to and from airport for Child-care No. Needed (include $25 refundable deposit) Please make your checks payable to Hawaii District UMW, and mail with this portion of registration form to above registrar.