First United Methodist Church 1020 South Beretania Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96814-1492 (808) 522-9555 Fax (808) 528-3992 Email: [email protected]RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Church Leaders & Staff Resident Bishop: Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño District Superintendent: Rev. Dr. Thomas Choi Co-pastors: Rev. Amy C. Wake Rev. Linita ‘U. Moa Church Secretary/Office Mgr. Paini Harris Choir Directors: Tupou Seini Kelemeni, Fololiena Maka Pianist: Petra Peršolja Custodians: Heamasi Koli, Pat Sheppard Newsletter editor: Sandra Mactagone DARE TO DREAM! Thank you for being a part of our visioning process. We would like EVERYONE to read the book “Dare to Dream” by Mike Slaughter and be a part of a small group discussion. Tongan translations of the book and questions are available at the church office. If you want to join a small group discussion …please join us: First Fridays at 3 p.m. in the Office Third Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Library Don’t forget to save April 24-25 for our all church visioning retreat at St. Anthony’s Retreat Center! Pastor’s Page... This year’s Britt Lectures are a real treat. The guest speaker has led an unusual and phenomenal life these past 4 years. Rev. Lorenza Andrade Smith gave up a life of security for a life of sim- plicity, serving those who are poor and marginalized all around our country by living among those who are home- less. Pastor Linita and I had the pleasure of hearing Rev. Andrade Smith a few years ago. She has a unique and convincing perspective on how churches can be in ministry with our community, and how individuals need to re- think the stereotypes we have of those who have less. It promises to be an exciting and in- spiring weekend! Please join us for a free meal every night at 5:30 before the lectures, and for lunch after the workshop on Monday. Child care and sign language interpretation are available upon request. Donations of cookies are appreciated for the after-lecture reception. See Tupou Seini Kelemeni for more information. Peace, Pastor Amy See You During Holy Week! We are very pleased to announce special guest preachers during Holy Week… on Palm Sunday, Rev. Dr. Denise Honeycutt, deputy general secretary of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and on Easter Sunday, Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño. Stay tuned for more information! “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World” 1020 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 Volume XXXVII Issue 26 February 2015 FOCUS a Newsletter of first United Methodist Church 2015 Britt lectures “NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST*… a contem- plative pilgrimage in the wilderness” With Rev. Lorenza An- drade Smith Dates: February 13-16, 2015 Where: First United Methodist Church Friday, Feb 13 @ 7 p.m. “You’ll Never Be Ready: Just Go!” Saturday, Feb 14 @ 7 p.m. “In the Midst of Holy Chaos: Rejoicing and Giv- ing Thanks” Sunday, Feb 15 @ 7 p.m. “R&R: Recognizing Renewal” Monday, Feb 16 @ 9 to 12 PM “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!**: Sacred Travels” Lectures are free and open to the public. Child care and sign language interpretation are availa- ble upon request. For more information, call 522- 9555. Rev. Andrade Smith will be staying in our community for most of February. She will be preaching at First UMC on February 15th. Joint Charge Conference Thank you to everyone who came to our charge conference last week. If you would like a copy of our annual charge conference packet, please stop by the office! Now we are ready for a new year!
Thank you for being a part of our visioning process. We would like EVERYONE to read the book “Dare to Dream” by Mike Slaughter and be a part of a small group discussion. Tongan translations of the book and questions are available at the church office.
If you want to join a small group discussion …please join us:
First Fridays at 3 p.m. in the Office
Third Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Library
Don’t forget to save April 24-25
for our all church visioning retreat at St. Anthony’s Retreat Center!
Pastor’s Page...
This year’s Britt Lectures are a real treat. The guest speaker has led an unusual and phenomenal life these past 4 years. Rev. Lorenza Andrade Smith gave up a life of security for a life of sim-plicity, serving those
who are poor and marginalized all around our country by living among those who are home-less. Pastor Linita and I had the pleasure of hearing Rev. Andrade Smith a few years ago. She has a unique and convincing perspective on how churches can be in ministry with our community, and how individuals need to re-think the stereotypes we have of those who have less.
It promises to be an exciting and in-spiring weekend! Please join us for a free meal every night at 5:30 before the lectures, and for lunch after the workshop on Monday. Child care and sign language interpretation are available upon request. Donations of cookies are appreciated for the after-lecture reception. See Tupou Seini Kelemeni for more information.
Peace,
Pastor Amy
See You During Holy Week!
We are very pleased to announce special guest preachers during Holy Week… on Palm Sunday, Rev. Dr. Denise Honeycutt, deputy general secretary of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and on Easter Sunday, Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño. Stay tuned for more information!
“Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World”
1020 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 Volume XXXVII Issue 26 February 2015
FOCUS a Newsletter of first United Methodist Church
2015 Britt lectures
“NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST*… a contem-plative pilgrimage in the wilderness” With Rev. Lorenza An-drade Smith
Dates: February 13-16, 2015 Where: First United Methodist Church
Friday, Feb 13 @ 7 p.m. “You’ll Never Be Ready: Just Go!” Saturday, Feb 14 @ 7 p.m. “In the Midst of Holy Chaos: Rejoicing and Giv-ing Thanks” Sunday, Feb 15 @ 7 p.m. “R&R: Recognizing Renewal” Monday, Feb 16 @ 9 to 12 PM “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!**: Sacred Travels” Lectures are free and open to the public. Child care and sign language interpretation are availa-ble upon request. For more information, call 522-9555. Rev. Andrade Smith will be staying in our community for most of February. She will be preaching at First UMC on February 15th.
Joint Charge Conference
Thank you to everyone who came to our charge conference last week. If you would like a copy of our annual charge conference packet, please stop by the office! Now we are ready for a new year!
Thank You...
Sanctuary Fund Congratulations friends! We have raised $741,986 in pledges and gifts for our Sanctuary renovation! Our goal of $750,000 is just in our reach! Thank you to your faithfulness and vision. We will keep you updated as the renovation pro-gresses. Gifts will continue to be received through August 2015. If you would like to make a special dona-tion for the sanctuary renovation and help us reach our goal, please call the church office.
Thank you also to…
our regular volunteers: the Paongo family, Ray Dorsey
Utu Langi and Punga Likio for helping out at the parsonage BIG TIME!
All those who served during Uikelotu...as preachers and cooks!
All the UMW who contributed to the very special UMW Sunday with guest preacher Lori Neser.
Aloha Refreshments: United Methodist Wom-en, Sue Veikoso
Altar Flowers: In honor of Margaret Keller’s 80th birthday, United Methodist Women
Confirmation
Confirmation Class will start on Sunday, April 12, taking children ages 12-18. See any of the Sunday School teachers for details. Thank you to the SPROUTs leaders for taking on this pro-ject.
Ever Wonder about the Book
of Revelation?
Join us in bible study after worship service as we dive into one of the hardest books in the bi-ble. We will be learning about the scriptures and its relevance for us today. And don’t forget… FREE COFFEE. For more information, please see Pastor Amy.
United Methodist Women
United Methodist Women will meet in the church library on February 11 at 11:30 a.m. for our annual Pledge to Mission service. The objective of the service is for us to ponder, cel-ebrate and commit to extending the radical welcome of Jesus Christ through Mission Giv-ing. UMW supports missions in our community, across the country, and around the world. Through Mission Giving we continue to reach out and bring hope to people who are hurting, marginalized and oppressed. All women are invited to bring a sack lunch and join us at this meeting. Beverages will be provided. If you cannot be with us but would like to make a Pledge to Mission please see Beverly Aiwohi or Barbara Fernandez. INSTALLATION OF UMW OFFICERS English Circle: President—Tupouseini Kelemeni Vice President—Carol Kesler Secretary/Treasurer—Barbara Fernandez Spiritual Growth Coordinator—Beverly Aiwohi Mission Education Coordinator—Kuenilingi Maka Nominations Chair—Lucy Low Sunshine Chair—Grace Yoshioka
Chair: Roman Leverenz Members: Ana Namoa, Esther Arinaga, Alex Teruya, Lupe Maka
Foodbank
Coordinator: Lissi Chadwick
Volunteers: Dick Chadwick, Carol Kesler, Tupou Kelemeni, Richard and Laurie Sparks, Jordan Ledgerwood,
Pat Sheppard, Kathy Dolittle, Dennis Baier, Vera Egge, Kaye Harada, Vivian Lee, Ray Snyder, Genevieve
(“Jenny”) Kohler, Ben Timmerman, Meli Foliaki, Ate Foliaki, Kueni Maka
Computer Ministry
Coordinator: Dick Chadwick Volunteers: Don Elliott, Rose Nakamoto, Terril Harris, Ray Dorsey
I.H.S. Dinners
Coordinator: Wesley Jung
Volunteers: Dennis and Grace Jung, Lenley Hawksworth, Connie Deming, Lissi Chadwick
Pancakes and Praise
Volunteer Cooks: Alex Teruya, Sandi Mactagone, Colleen Masaki, Falanisesi and Kueni Maka, Robert,
Henry
Worship Leaders: Rev. Amy Wake, Helena Ogle, Carol Kesler, Paini Harris, Valingi Tafuna
OTHER OFFICES/MINISTRIES
Historians: Ray Dorsey, Maile Drake
Financial Secretary: Yolanda Cortez/Natalie Wells
Counters: Connie Deming, Dick Chadwick, Judy Olson, Salote Mikaele, Ola Pulu
Computer Volunteer: Terril Harris
Membership Secretary: Sandi Mactagone
FOCUS
Our Neighborhood is
Changing!
Let’s be a part of it… join the City and County of Honolulu in their first public workshop to learn about the changes happening at the Neal Blaisdell Center on Tuesday, Feb-ruary 10 at 6-8:30 p.m. in the Hawaii Suites at NBC. For more information, please see Pastor Amy.
6
In Our Prayers
Please pray for: Our shut-ins: Jackie Fifita, Joan Eng, Momi Schneider, Katherine Minn, Louise Crelin, Shigeko Ya-maguchi, Buster Donohue
Those with continuing concerns: ‘Ofa Latu, David Walter, Ma`u Ikahihifo, ‘Aunofo Koloamatangi,
Wilma Wilson, Jo Toxvard & son, Richard Szumiel, Bette’s sister Marie, Ray Snyder’s daughter, Johann Leverenz, Ray Dorsey, Ben Timmerman, Supi Palamo
Those receiving treatment for cancer: Valerie Leverenz, Ben Timmerman’s sister, Nan-cy’s son Keith, Amy’s friend Gail, Roman’s sister-in-law Amanda and friend Gila.
Our hearts and prayers are with: - The children at Shriner’s Hospital, especially Fatima, Alvirsh, Maira, Ana, Lepani, Nacani, Kristian, Sefraz, Avishah, Ariketh, Kavish, Am-idesh and Sanaya - all from Fiji. Mercy and Ma-laki from Samoa. \ - Ann Bystrom, recovering from stroke and bro-ken hip.
Sprouts Sunday School
The Sprouts team is thrilled to announce its first meeting for the year 2015. Our first team planning/meeting of the year will be held on Thursday February 5th at 6 pm. Looking forward to an exciting evening of plan-ning and getting to know our new teachers. A light supper is always provided. See you all there! Mahalo, Paini Harris
Lunch on the Loose
We will be having lunch at 'Chiang Mai Thai Restaurant' 2239 S. King Street in Mo'ili'ili. Located at the corner of King and Makahiki streets, next door to the Moi'ili'ili Pub-lic library. Mark your calendar for Thursday, Feb. 19 at 11:30 am. Call MJ Amundson 551-9125, to make your reservation. All are wel-come!
Coming Soon...
FUMC Lenten Devotional out on Ash Wednes-day … our focus will be prayer and discernment for out Vision and Future! All-Church Vision Retreat led by Lily Bloom Do-mingo on April 24-25 at St. Anthony’s Retreat Center. All participants should have read the book Dare to Dream and participated in a small group. Overnight accommodations are availa-ble upon request.
FOCUS
3
Wesley Circle meeting and visioning! From left, Sean, Natalie, Dennis, Kathie, JC, Judy, Mel, Ben.
First United Methodist Church of Honolulu
2015 Lay Leadership
Lay Leaders Lay Members to Annual Conference
Dick Chadwick and Mosese Koli Ana Hungalu, Tema Tadu, Alex Teruya
Holoia Mafi (Asst. Tongan Lay Leader)
Church Council
Chair: Dorinda Dunlap Secretary: Mele Pepa
Lay Leaders: Dick Chadwick and Mosese Koli Lay Member to Annual Conference Rep: Ana Hungalu
Chairs of Committees/Ministries: Punga Likio, Tom Low, Judy Olson or Sue Veikoso, Sione Mafua, Hakiti Mafi,
Sione Mafoa’aeata, John Gibbs, Carol Kesler, Helena Ogle, ‘Asena Foliaki, Pauliasi Takai, Penisimani Taufa,
Lile Fonoti, Sisi Haunga, Meli Foliaki, Tupou Kelemeni, Roman Leverenz, Lissi Chadwick, Dick Chadwick, Wes-
ley Jung, Alex Teruya
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEES
Nominations/Lay Leadership Committee
Co-Chairs: Amy Wake, Linita Moa Vice Chair: to be determined
