May 2015 “The Messenger of Love” Vol. 9 Issue 5 Ka Elele Aloha Christ Church, Uniting Disciples and Presbyterians 1300 Kailua Rd., Kailua, HI 96734 Rev. Liz Leavitt Worship—Sunday at 10 am Church: (808) 262.6911 Email—[email protected]Website—www.ccukailua.org Facebook - www.facebook.com/ChristChurchUniting from Pastor Liz... Dear People of CCU, In many parts of the world, and especially in the Northern Hemisphere, the transion from April to May has long been a cause for celebraon. As far back as the me of the Roman Republic, the juncon between April and May marked the beginning of the annual celebraon of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers. Over the years, that tradion connued to blossom and grow such that today, in many corners of the world, this threshold over which we step today is met with unique types of revelry. May 1 is, in many places, simply May Day, a spring fesval honored by the circumnavigaon of may poles, the giving of flowers and the crowing of May Queens. In other places, it is Internaonal Workers' Day, a celebraon of laborers much like the holiday we here in the United States observe on the first Monday in September. In other places, there are sll other meanings. In Romania, for example, May 1 is zuia or drunkards' day, a day on which outdoor pares and revelry in nature are undertaken to insure a good harvest of wine grapes in autumn. In Bulgaria, it is Irminden, a holiday associated with snakes and lizards and the rituals that protect people from them. And, of course, here in Hawaii it is Lei Day, a day set aside to honor Hawaiian culture and share in the spirit of Aloha with the giving of lei. All this is to say, we are--at this very moment- -in a special season: a season set aside for celebraon, for joy, and for the recognion of new life in our midst. April was a very full month for CCU. We celebrated Easter together with many friends new and old. For earth day, we honored creaon with the work of our hands and the fullness of our worship. Around the church grounds, we saw many improvement projects unfold making our buildings and grounds a more safe, sacred, and suitable place for all who work and worship here. Most recently, we welcomed new life into our midst as we celebrated with Laura, Brian and Jennings McCreanor the birth of Tennyson. Clearly, there is new life all around us. And now that May is here--as summer slowly approaches and many in our midst take off for summer travels--the hope is that we can keep that new life in the forefront of our minds and hearts. Many may feel that summer is a me to step back. But I think it is me to keep up the good work. Summer can be a great me to maintain and expand the good work of our worship, prayer, study and service while other responsibilies in life may lessen. Just as with the agricultural cycles, the work we do now will help bear good fruit for us when summer is over: the fruit of growth and vitality, the fruit of clarity and purpose of vision, the fruit of fellowship. As the sanctuary development project gets underway and conversaons abound about new ministry possibilies, there is life springing up everywhere. How will you see and celebrate it? How will you parcipate in, support, and nurture the new life in our midst? If you travel this month and in the months to come, will you pray for the church and keep it in your mind? Will you keep up your pledged giving so good work can connue while you are gone? Will you send us news of your whereabouts so the church can keep you in prayer? If you are here on-island for a while, will you commit to showing up in worship? Will you join in conversaons about our sanctuary project? Or say hello to new young ones in our midst? It is a special season. And no maer where we are and how we celebrate it, it is a giſt that we can do it together as the CCU ohana. Blessings to you. And happy lei day! Liz
Transcript
May 2015 “The Messenger of Love” Vol. 9 Issue 5
Ka Elele Aloha
Christ Church, Uniting Disciples and Presbyterians 1300 Kailua Rd., Kailua, HI 96734
Rev. Liz Leavitt Worship—Sunday at 10 am Church: (808) 262.6911 Email—[email protected] Website—www.ccukailua.org Facebook - www.facebook.com/ChristChurchUniting
from Pastor Liz... Dear People of CCU, In many parts of the world, and especially in the Northern Hemisphere, the transition from April to May has long been a cause for celebration. As far back as the time of the Roman Republic, the junction between April and May marked the beginning of the annual celebration of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers. Over the years, that tradition continued to blossom and grow such that today, in many corners of the world, this threshold over which we step today is met with unique types of revelry. May 1 is, in many places, simply May Day, a spring festival honored by the circumnavigation of may poles, the giving of flowers and the crowing of May Queens. In other places, it is International Workers' Day, a celebration of laborers much like the holiday we here in the United States observe on the first Monday in September. In other places, there are still other meanings. In Romania, for example, May 1 is zuia or drunkards' day, a day on which outdoor parties and revelry in nature are undertaken to insure a good harvest of wine grapes in autumn. In Bulgaria, it is Irminden, a holiday associated with snakes and lizards and the rituals that protect people from them. And, of course, here in Hawaii it is Lei Day, a day set aside to honor Hawaiian culture and share in the spirit of Aloha with the giving of lei. All this is to say, we are--at this very moment--in a special season: a season set aside for celebration, for joy, and for the recognition of new life in our midst. April was a very full month for CCU. We celebrated Easter together with many friends new and old. For earth day, we honored creation with the work of our hands and the fullness of our worship. Around the church grounds, we saw many
improvement projects unfold making our buildings and grounds a more safe, sacred, and suitable place for all who work and worship here. Most recently, we welcomed new life into our midst as we celebrated with Laura, Brian and Jennings McCreanor the birth of Tennyson. Clearly, there is new life all around us. And now that May is here--as summer slowly approaches and many in our midst take off for summer travels--the hope is that we can keep that new life in the forefront of our minds and hearts. Many may feel that summer is a time to step back. But I think it is time to keep up the good work. Summer can be a great time to maintain and expand the good work of our worship, prayer, study and service while other responsibilities in life may lessen. Just as with the agricultural cycles, the work we do now will help bear good fruit for us when summer is over: the fruit of growth and vitality, the fruit of clarity and purpose of vision, the fruit of fellowship. As the sanctuary development project gets underway and conversations abound about new ministry possibilities, there is life springing up everywhere. How will you see and celebrate it? How will you participate in, support, and nurture the new life in our midst? If you travel this month and in the months to come, will you pray for the church and keep it in your mind? Will you keep up your pledged giving so good work can continue while you are gone? Will you send us news of your whereabouts so the church can keep you in prayer? If you are here on-island for a while, will you commit to showing up in worship? Will you join in conversations about our sanctuary project? Or say hello to new young ones in our midst? It is a special season. And no matter where we are and how we celebrate it, it is a gift that we can do it together as the CCU ohana. Blessings to you. And happy lei day! Liz
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May 2015 CCU Event Schedule Key: K = Kitchen L = Lanai O=Ohana Rm PS = Pastor’s Study S = Sanctuary B3=upstairs classroom
5/2 8am Men’s Breakfast @ Honey’s Restaurant 9:30a Green Team Mtg in Ohana Room
5/3, 8:30- HI-5 container pick-up 11:30am @ CCU parking lot (no glass bottles, please)
5/9, Sat Women’s Aloha Fellowship Brunch (POSTPONED)
5/9, 9am Family Promise setup 5/10 Mother’s Day 5/10-17 CCU hosts Family Promise 5/16, 9am Missional Dev Mtg in Ohana Room
5/19, Stated Meeting of Council 6:30 pm
5/22, Fri Contributions to June newsletter due
5/25, Mon Memorial Day Holiday (Office Closed)
This coming Sunday, 5/3, 8:30-11:30 pm & every first Sunday of the month is...
HI-5 CONTAINER PICK-UP DAY at CCU.
Please put containers in Heidel’s white pick-up truck, which will be parked in the CCU parking lot the first Sunday of the month.
No Glass, please.
CCU has chosen to give all recycling collections to the Institute for Human Services . . .
~ an expression of compassion / a practice of eco-justice ~
Women of CCU: Please don’t forget to turn in your Women’s Brunch survey. You can place the completed survey into the
offering plate.
MISSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
(formerly Mission and Outreach)
Saturday, May 16, 2015, 9 a.m. in the Ohana Room at CCU
YOU are the Commission! There are no elected or appointed members, except Elder Marian Heidel. Bring your ideas for and commitment to how CCU might serve our wider community. Mission trips to get acquainted with the organizations we support monetarily? Inviting others to join us in our spiritual journey? Educating our members about what the Church is doing worldwide? Maybe a mission trip to another country? Caring for the earth? Make your own list, and share them in this meeting of discernment
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Family Promise at CCU SAVE DATES FOR 2015 & PLEASE VOLUNTEER!
May 10-17 September 20-October 3
Please contact Pat (254-3509) if you'd like to provide one of the evening meals, or Beth (371-5594) or Marian (358-6345) if you're interested in assisting with cleaning, set-up, overnight hosting, special activities and/or laundry. Orientation will be provided for new Family Promise volunteers, all are welcome! Thank you for prayerfully considering how you can assist families in need through this great program.
The Family Promise of Hawaii Center is looking for volunteers who would be interested in helping in the following ways: Plan a special hobby or craft activity Plan a special activity for guests
families (ball game, bowling, zoo) Computer skills training for guests Parenting skills training for guests Job readiness/resume writing/interview
skill training for guests Personal development for guests Budget/financial training for guests Fundraising event volunteer for Family
Promise Public relations volunteer for Family
Promise If you are interested, please contact Marian Heidel, 261-4585, or call Family Promise at 548-7478. An application form may also be obtained from Dana in the CCU office.
Kahumana Community Welcome! We are a community of 4 distinct campuses on over 50 acres in the beautiful Lualualei Valley
on the sunny west-side of Oahu. Included in our diverse mix are folks from all walks of life: farmers, social workers, social entrepreneurs, people transitioning from homelessness, visitors, locals, youth, people with disabilities... to name just a few.
We aspire to create an alternative farm-based community that celebrates the bounty of Hawaii's natural and cultural environment while also helping to address some of her most pressing needs.
Learn more about Kahumana Community at www.kahumana.org
Courtney Nichols ················· Leona John (mother of my dear friend Reverend Donna Merz and my “second Mom” since I was four)
Gail Winter & Dianne Brookins ·· In loving memory of Gail’s parents, Jean and George Kroening, and her dear friends Val Peterson, Nancy Neil, Carol Olson and Pat Snipes, and for Dianne’s soul sister, Nancy Buhrman.
The Heidels ························ In memory of our parents, Katherine & Earl Heidel, and Marjone & Raymond Stannard, M.D.
Miles Ohana························ In memory of Arthur Mackenzie-Graham, and Corinne Miles
Bill & Jane Muench ··············· In loving memory of Jane’s parents, Ben & Florence Kingma, and Bill’s parents, Norman & Edith Muench
Keith & Peggy Zeilinger ········· In memory of Keith’s mother, Edna, who always loved flowers; and to a lasting friendship with Susan & Loren Wilson. We miss you!
Paul & Peg Haring ················· In loving memory of Nathan Haring, nephew of Paul Haring. In loving memory of the grandparents of Paul & Peg, Mr. & Mrs. C.V. Herron, and Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Haring Jr.
Liz & Jason Leavitt ··············· In memory of Marcia Leavitt and Keith Kruchek.
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Climate Change: Cause & Effect, Problem & Solutions By Charlene Hosenfeld
CAUSE Fossil fuel burning PROBLEM Fossil fuel burning
EFFECT Climate Change Melting ice sheets Ocean warming Ocean acidification Shoreline retreat and cliff collapse Warming air temperature Rising sea levels Salt water inundation into fresh water Polluted water Polluted air Lost wildlife habitat Increase in hurricanes, floods, droughts…
SOLUTIONS
**Decrease in fossil fuel use
Renewable energy Divestment from fossil fuel companies Investment in clean energy Having your voice with companies Having your voice with legislators ‘Voting’ with your dollars Voting for clean energy politicians
Climate Change: Cause & Effect, Problem & Solutions By Charlene Hosenfeld
Earth Sunday, April 19th
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About Presbyterians by Rosemary Allen
Recent “columns” of mine have been remembering our own church’s history so this month I’m moving out a little further into the world. Presbyterian “works” travels into many areas near and far — and I find myself marveling at how many parts of that world have been affected by the work and many kinds of care Presbyterians have and continue to give in that world. Living Waters for the World (LWW) is one of our major mission “projects’; the pictures show just one or two of this world-wide venture to provide CLEAN drinking water. The pictures from nations just south of the USA show us how clean safe water is brought to communities who have no safe supply! So near — and yet so far for many of our neighbors — more areas of need than probably most of us realize.
The areas of the Caribbean and the West Indies
have many poorer areas and are among those which lack safe drinking water. A recent account from that area tells of a plan, which began in June 2012, in Sancti Spiritus Presbyterian Church. The church installed a clean water supply system which opens every morning to fill water bottles for people in nearby communities to take home for their families. Three teen-age boys and several older men “report in” each AM at the church to fill water bottles for local residents. In December of 2014 there was a special celebration for
the “production and distribution” of the one millionth liter of clean water. As you might imagine, Sancti Spiritus Presbyterian is often called “The Water Church”.
Paul Brennan getting help from Leiani on April 12th
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Memories by Rosemary Allen This column took a direct turn from earlier “memories” when who should appear on the CCU scene last Sunday (April 19th) but brand new Tennyson McCreanor (age 5 days). Mom, Laura, & Dad, Brian, were also with us plus “big sister”, Jennings. What a great day — and what a handsome tiny boy! Personally, I enjoy watching young fathers caring (showing off?!) their children, especially tiny sons and daughters. Young Mr. McCreanor behaved beautifully for his father’s taking him about the church — perhaps he did sleep during some of the travels! (Of course we mothers know about necessary diaper changes, feedings, etc., etc. when those proud fathers return from the journey!) To report properly: Tennyson James Ikaika McCreanor made one of the earliest ever visits to his church home! He was only 5 days old when he came to CCU — and of course most will come. His mom and dad, Brian & Laura, and “big sister” Jennings accompanied him for the Sunday visit. Many CCU friends (of all ages) had a short visit to meet him for the first time. Thank you, McCreanors! By the way, he behaved very well! As you may of course realize, Tennyson’s first visit to CCU was a special time for all of us — and we look forward to see him often and watch him “growing up” along with big sister. Our hopes also are for more children and their families becoming part of CCU in the near future.
Maundy Thursday with our fellow
Disciples of Christ churches on
April 2nd
Pastors: Lisa Grace, Liz Leavitt & Jimmy
Hutcherson
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Lay & Elder Worship Assignments for May
If you are not able to fill your assignment, please try trading with someone and/or notify the church office. * T Prayer = Prayer of Thanksgiving
3-May Liz Leavitt Minister Rollo Scheurenbrand Charlene Hosenfeld Usher / Greeter John Heidel Liturgist Dianne Brookins Keiki Sermon Marian Heidel T Prayer / Serve Comm. / Bldg Lockup 10-May Liz Leavitt Minister Clancy & Cathy Lyman Usher / Greeter Dianne Brookins Liturgist Rosemary Allen Keiki Sermon Aly Miles T Prayer / Serve Comm. / Bldg Lockup 17-May Liz Leavitt Minister Paul Haring Laurie Seaver Usher / Greeter Courtney Nichols Liturgist Claire Schrader Keiki Sermon Paul Brennan T Prayer / Serve Comm. / Bldg Lockup 24-May Liz Leavitt Minister George Wyman Claire Schrader Usher / Greeter Wanda Nichols Liturgist Kathy Summers Keiki Sermon Jon Davidann T Prayer / Serve Comm. / Bldg Lockup 31-May Liz Leavitt Minister Melissa Belanger Dottie Brennan Usher / Greeter Claire Schrader Liturgist Paul Brennan Keiki Sermon Dianne Brookins T Prayer / Serve Comm. / Bldg Lockup
Tellers: Richard Smith & Paul Haring
May
Birthdays Mary Lee Stone ............. 3 Kasey Wilson ................. 3 Paul Belanger ................ 7 John Heidel ..................... 7 Eli Davidann ................... 12 Kalua Tataipu ................ 18 Heather Barnhill ............. 19 Tyffany McCue .............. 19 Dianne Brookins ............. 20 Mary Ann Wyman ........ 30
May
Anniversaries Susan & Loren Wilson .............. 2 Cheryl & Rennie Renfroe ........................................ 19
Let us know if we have missed anyone.
More amazing flowers from the garden of Paul & Dottie Brennan. They shared these with CCU on April 12th.
