Ka Elele Aloha - Christ Church Uniting Disciples and Presbyterians

October 2014
“The Messenger of Love”
Vol. 8, Issue 10
Ka Elele Aloha
Christ Church Uniting
1300 Kailua Rd., Kailua, HI 96734-4356
Rev. Dwight Morita, Interim Pastor
[email protected]
www.ccukailua.org
from Pastor Dwight. . .
A few years ago when Mary and I moved to Hawaii,
we sat with a friend who had moved to the islands
from Germany several years earlier. She spoke
about her impressions of ministry in Hawaii and
used the Hawaiian word, "kuleana," as part of her
description. Since she did not grow up in Hawaii, I
turned to Mary and said, "I need to explain what
'kuleana' means."
Our friend exclaimed in surprise,
"What?! You mean 'kuleana' is
not an English word?"
Our friend’s only experience with
living in the U.S. was Hawaii and
she had simply incorporated
"kuleana" into her English
vocabulary. Yet, the concept of
kuleana was not foreign to her; in
fact, it comported with her
theology of responding to God’s
grace.
Kuleana is often translated as
"responsibility" in English, but its
meaning and importance in
Hawaiian culture is much deeper
and more spiritual than the English word alone can
convey. It expresses a value, a way of viewing the
world and one's life that leads to active response. I
believe that an intuitive and spiritual sense of
"kuleana" is an important part of living out our
Christian vocation.
Worship—Sun.10 am
Phone: (808) 262-6911
www.facebook.com/ChristChurchUniting
I understand the concept of kuleana, the sense of
care and stewardship comes from within the person.
And it begins by first understanding that kuleana is
the flip side of "privilege." Appreciating the
privileges in life makes all the difference in the
world with our attitudes.
For example, if I raise my children with a sense of
responsibility that comes from cultural expectations
and local statutes, I will view my children as a
burden and an object of my duty.
On the other hand, if I view my
children as an incredible privilege
that God has given me, I respond
to raising my children with joy and
a sense of responsibility that
comes from knowing that I have
been entrusted with a significant
gift, a significant privilege.
Recognizing that privilege, I will
find the best medical care when
they are ill. Responding to that
privilege, private schooling is
something we are moved to
research. And because children are
a privilege, we seek the best for
their lives … naturally.
When we acknowledge our
"privilege," gratitude transforms ordinary
responsibility to kuleana. Gratitude moves one to
take the initiative and responsibility to care for that
privilege. Raising, teaching, clothing, and caring for
my children are not my burdensome duty but are
my joyful kuleana.
"Responsibility" often evokes a sense of duty and
What are the other privileges in our lives that we
mission that comes from outside the person. But, as
Continued on page 3
Page 2
2014
Oct. CCU Event Schedule
Key:
K = Kitchen
L = Lanai
O=Ohana Rm
PS = Pastor’s Study S = Sanctuary B3=upstairs classroom
Sundays:
8:30 am, O
10 am, S
Wednesdays:
6:30pm
7:30pm
Adult Study
Worship & Aloha Fellowship
Chancel Ringers (bells) rehearsal
Chancel Choir rehearsal
10/2-10/7
Dana on vacation
Office covered by awesome
team
10/4, 8 am
Men’s Breakfast @ Honey’s
@ Ko'olau Golf Club
10/11, 10:30 am Women’s Fellowship Brunch
at Zippy’s Kailua
10/14, 7 pm
Review of CCU Bylaws
10/21, 6:30pm, O Stated Council Meeting
10/23
November newsletter info due
10/25
Fun(d) Night
ADULT STUDY CLASS:
Seven weeks beginning
Sunday, October 5
Where: Ohana Room
Time: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Class Leader: Paul Haring
Join us in this engaging and
visually rich adult study class
to learn about the History of
Christianity as presented by
Diarmaid MacCulloch, an Oxford University history
professor and one of the leading historians of the
Church, in the BBC documentary, “A History of
Christianity”. Even an avid student of the history of
Christianity will gain new knowledge and
understanding of the Christian faith and practices and
what it means to be a Christian from this
documentary.
Oct. 5: Introduction
Oct. 12: The First Christianity
Oct. 19: Catholicism: The Unpredictable Rise of Rome
Oct. 26: Orthodoxy: From Empire to Empire
Nov. 2: Reformation: The Individual Before God
Nov. 9: Protestantism: The Evangelical Explosion
Nov. 16: God in the Dock
   
     
    
   
    
   
     
    
 

 
Rosemary’s birthday arrangement on
Sunday, August 31, 2014
 
Page 3
Continued from page 1
should acknowledge our gratitude for? The list is
large and unique for each of us: our homes, our
jobs, our retirement, our family, our friends, our
sense of humor, our gift of music, our gift of art,
our gift of writing, etc. All these blessings are on
loan to us, and will return to God some day. But
while we are entrusted with the gifts, our sense of
kuleana drives us to use and care for them as God
intended.
One privilege that we all hold in common is our
church and the church family. This church is God's
church, not "our" church, and we have been
entrusted with its care. Our kuleana for the church
rejoices that we have selected The Rev. Liz Leavitt
as the next pastor. Our kuleana for the church
brings us out for cleanup days. Our kuleana for the
church weeps when a member falls ill. And our
kuleana rightly extends to how we share our
financial resources for its care.
The Council has had a preliminary look at the
mission and finances for this year and next. And
with the election of a new pastor there is much
excitement ahead. To stabilize the church's
financial picture and recognize the ministry
opportunities ahead, the Council was challenged to
make and increase their pledges for next year. All
of their responses have been positive, with some
increasing pledges upwards of 20% - 25%. This is
kuleana at work.
The theme of this year's Stewardship drive is
"Living into God's Abundance." You are
encouraged to prayerfully consider your kuleana
for the church as you contemplate the level of next
year’s pledge.
The Rev. Elizabeth Leavitt Elected
The meeting was brief but celebratory. At the
congregational meeting of Sept. 28, the Pastor
Nominating Committee presented and CCU elected
its newly called pastor. Pending the final review and
approval of the Presbyterian and Disciples
judicatories, The Reverend Elizabeth (Liz) Leavitt will
begin her ministry at Christ Church Uniting on
January 1, 2015.
Here are some photos of the worship service that
preceded the meeting, Pastor Liz and her husband,
Jason.
Page 4
INTERFAITH EVENTS IN OCTOBER
Wednesday, October 1 - 5:00 pm - Gandhi Statue near Zoo entrance
Celebration of Gandhi’s Birthday
Sponsored by Gandhi International Institute of Peace
Interfaith speakers, music and dance
Royal Hawaiian Band
Saturday, October 4 - 5:00 pm - Catholic Charities Facility
Family Promise Volunteers Appreciation Dinner
Sunday, October 12 - 5:30 pm - Honpa Hongwanji Betsuin
The Interfaith Alliance Hawaii Annual Community Awards
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Welton Gaddy, President, national Interfaith Alliance
Several local non-profits are receiving awards
John Heidel is being recognized for his years of interfaith service
Free dinner: donations appreciated - (RSVP)
Saturday, October 18 - 10:00 am - Palolo Hongwanji Temple
Opening Ceremony of “A-Bombs for Peace” Exhibition
Sponsored by Hawaii Conference of Religions for Peace
Created by Ms. Masago Asai, guest at CCU Adult Study Class on Sept. 28
Monday, October 20 - 5:30 pm - St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church
FACE (Faith Action for Community Equity) Interfaith Service
Theme: Long Term Health Care
Sunday, October 26 - 4:00 pm - Palolo Hongwanji Temple
Annual “Peace Prayers” - Prayers from over 20 different faith traditions
Sponsored by Hawaii Conference of Religions for Peace
Co-sponsored by The Interfaith Alliance Hawaii
Closing Ceremony of “A-Bombs for Peace” Exhibit
Free Dinner: donations of food for Food Pantry are being collected
For more information you can contact John Heidel at [email protected] or 261-4585
Mahalo Nui Loa!
Thank you for all the
prayers, cards, & good food.
A special warm mahalo to
George & Mary Ann Wyman
for taking care of Jim while I
was in the hospital.
The September 14th flower arrangement was
provided by Paul & Dottie Brennan, and dedicated
to their newest grandson, Benjamin.
~Lu Burgoyne~
Page 5
The People’s Climate March
by Charlene Hosenfeld
As world leaders gathered in New York City this month for a major U.N. climate summit, people
committed to environmental and social justice gathered for a huge demonstration. The People’s Climate
March saw 1100+ businesses, unions, faith groups, schools, social justice groups, environmental groups, and
others come together to make a statement about the urgent need for concrete and specific actions to
reduce greenhouse gas emission, and to heal and protect God’s Creation from further damage. Over
400,000 (!!!) people marched.
The Sierra Club and 350.org were involved in organizing the March. Many faith communities called on their
members to raise their voices -- including Earth Ministry, Interfaith Power & Light, Green Church (Canada),
Green Faith, PC(USA) Environmental Ministries, and Global Ministries among many others. A “Religions for
the Earth” multifaith service was held at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine following the March.
Due to the warming of the planet: extreme weather events increase (including floods, droughts, hurricanes),
the ocean acidifies, coral reefs disappear, polar ice melts, sea level rises, drinking water is contaminated,
food systems are threatened, people are displaced from their homes, wildlife habitats are lost, and diseases
spread to new areas.
In the very first CCU Thinks Green column I wrote (in 2009), I reported that 350 parts per million (ppm) is the
safe upper limit for carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Once we exceeded that amount, we started to
see dramatic and problematic global climate changes. Throughout all of human history, CO 2 in the
atmosphere was about 275 ppm. This number began to rise with the burning of coal and oil during the
industrial revolution in the late 18th century. In 2009, the number was 390 ppm. It is now 401 ppm.
As humans, animals, and the Earth
as a whole suffer, climate change is
not just a political and
environmental issues, it is a social,
moral and spiritual issue. People of
faith have personal and collective
responsibility to take action.
Our very own Elayne Cho and
Richard Smith participated in the
People’s March!
From your CCU family to you both….
Thank You!
Elayne with her grandchildren, DJ & Abby
Page 6
It’s Coming . . .
CCU Fun(D) Night
New CCU Members
Aka Pledge Night
Saturday, October 25th
5 PM—8 pm
Potluck
“Halloween Hootenanny”
Look for details in a future
e-Bulletin & on the bulletin board
About
Presbyterians
by Rosemary Allen
Not long after last month’s CCU newsletter we
received in the church office a recent publication
concerning Presbyterian ministry around the world -literally. Even after years of being Presbyterian I was
astounded at the extent of our churches’ “work” in
almost all corners of the world -- spread through all
of the five continents. The number of mission
workers is also astounding -- men & women of all
ages (many with their own families right with them).
I literally lost count of the total -- but well into the
hundreds of missionaries (even in today’s world) -workers of all ages & experiences, from skilled
medical men & women to carpenters & agriculturists
-- and dedicated missionaries of myriad skills and
experiences in between.
So, I shall bring news of these folks often, but the
whole mission field is so widespread that this column
shall probably give us only glimpses of their many
“works!”
Next month we shall learn of some folks actually
living mission work -- in Africa a Blind Farmers
Association producing food crops in Sierra Leone and
also projects in the South African post-apartheid
world which is turned agroecology - as a form of
resistance and new growth as changes come to
South Africa.
Courtney Nichols, Doc Wilson, and Kathy Summers
(w/ Dixie) became members on September 7th.
Photo by Loren Wilson
Blessing of the Animals, Oct. 5
On Oct. 5, we will offer a
special “Blessing of the
Animals” immediately
following our regular
worship service; this
coincides with the church’s
celebration that weekend
of the Feast of St. Francis.
The blessing will be held
outdoors in the grassy area
and you are invited to bring
your pets (dogs, cats, fish, or birds) for that special
blessing. To be sensitive to the humans with allergies,
the only pets that will be allowed in the sanctuary
during the worship service will be service animals. If it is
impractical to bring your pet and have them wait for
the humans, you are welcome to bring a photograph of
him/her instead to be blessed.
Page 7
Memories . . .
By Rosemary Allen
As I looked back over the years of this column I realized there were
recollections of those “famous” Broadway-type musicals & special
concerts, etc. produced by CCU’s talented musicians through the years—
but not much about the singers and music makers themselves. So—
From the beginning of Christ Presbyterian Church—then meeting at Kailua High School—we
had a choir and even a small portable organ. Cynthia Tchou is the only present member of CCU
who sang in that choir—& continued through the years. Our first choir director was Lea Moore
(now living in Oregon) and our organist was the late Helen Brewbaker, both fine musicians—as
were those who followed them.
In 1995 Kalua Tataipu became CCU’s organist and has made beautiful music for our worship
and special events ever since. Following the memorable Camille Almy’s career as our music
director (1970s to early 1990s), the united CCU had several short-term directors. My recall
includes Ivo Miller (2001) and Vern de la Pena (about 2000). The Millers now live on Kauai and
the de la Penas in the Philippines, where they returned after UH graduate work.
Then, in October 2002, came Doc (legally known as Wayne R. Wilson). And CCU’s music has
never been quite the same! Kalua and Doc and the choir bring us wonderful music every
week—plus some special concerts. The choir voices provide an essential and joyful element of
our worship—and we are thankful!
I realize (upon reflection) that many of the choir voices have given us music for many
faithful years. George & Mary Ann Wyman, Pat Gilbert, Donna Bean, & the late Jim Young all
were choir members in the pre-merger 60s & 70s days. Following the merger into CCU in 1974
Bill & Jane Muench, John & Marian Heidel & Clancy Lyman joined in. The 80s brought Susan
Wilson & John Stiles, while in the 90s Dianne Brookins, Joyce McGuire, Jon Davidann & Paul
Belanger. In the early 2000s Melissa Belanger and Wanda Nichols joined in and most recently
of all Claire Schrader, Paul Brennan, Beth Davidann, and Courtney Nichols. What a melodious
group of voices!
Another part of CCU’s music is the hand bell choir, which Doc also directs. We have had
the 3-octaves of hand bells since 1983. They have even traveled to China (with Camille Almy &
Marian Heidel and a community group of ringers)—in the 1980s.
At present the handbells are rung (from high treble to low bass) by Susan Wilson, Donna
Bean, Jean Tsuji, Mary Ann Wyman, Marian Heidel, and myself. It is so much fun to RING—
good music, too!
Individual “artists” bring their talents to our musical scene sometimes with special
instruments or arrangements. But I think that would be “another story!”
Page 8
CCU Photographers and Family Promise
This summer several photographers attended a series of workshops to improve their photography skills. Along the way,
they had time to have fun shooting the rising Harvest Moon as it came up between the Mokulua Islands.
But the first real application of their new skills was during the week that CCU hosted Family Promise in September. On
the Thursday evening of that week, Paul Belanger, Rollo Scheurenbrand, and Susan Wilson took portraits of our
guests. And the results were excellent.
They will next apply these skills to taking portraits of our community (members and friends) for a new-style photo
directory. We will make this directory flexible so that we can add more photos as others join our community. Listen for
announcements in the coming weeks as we schedule portraits sittings after worship and around choir rehearsals.
Page 9
Lay & Elder Worship Assignments
for October
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
Date
10/5
Name
Dwight Morita
Clancy & Cathy Lyman
Dianne Brookins
Dianne Brookins
Marian Heidel
Aly Miles
Duty
Minister
Ushers/Greeters
Liturgist
Scripture Reader
Keiki Sermon
T Prayer/Serve Comm./Bldg Lock-up
10/12 Dwight Morita
Richard Smith & Elayne Cho
Rosemary Allen
Rosemary Allen
Beth Davidann
Susie Jannuzzi
Minister
Ushers/Greeters
Liturgist
Scripture Reader
Keiki Sermon
T Prayer/Serve Comm./Bldg Lock-up
10/19 Dwight Morita
Claire Schrader
Paul Haring
Courtney Nichols
Courtney Nichols
Kathy Summers
Jon Davidann
Minister
Ushers/Greeters
Ushers/Greeters
Liturgist
Scripture Reader
Keiki Sermon
T Prayer/Serve Comm./Bldg Lock-up
10/26 Dwight Morita
Beth & Jon Davidann
Aly Miles
Julia Miles
Susie Jannuzzi
Bill Muench
Minister
Ushers/Greeters
Liturgist
Scripture Reader
Keiki Sermon
T Prayer/Serve Comm./Bldg Lock-up
October Tellers: Claire Schrader & Rollo Scheurenbrand
October Birthdays
Loren Wilson ······························· 5
Cynthia Tchou ···························11
Connie Mitchell ·························12
Austin Tom ································21
Michael Medeiros ····················27
October Anniversaries
Connie & Mark Mitchell ············ 3
October
Flower Calendar
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
5
12
19
26
Schrader
Open
Open
Open
Flowers provided by Pat
Gilbert on August 31st in
memory of Maile &
Nanette Gilbert.
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Page 10
CCU October Calendar
www.ccukailua.org/ccu-monthly-calendar/