Volume 3, Issue 6
February 16, 2018
THIS SUNDAY: FEBRUARY 18, 2018
The First Sunday Lent (B)


Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-9
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15
7:00AM
Cami Pascua(EM)
Bob Terao (U)
Marge Akana (AG)

9:30AM
Mary Margaret Smith (EM)
Bill Caldwell & CeCe Caldwell (R)
Mario Antonio & CeCe Caldwell (U)
Janis Wright (AG)
Raiden & Enrico (A)
Nelson Secretario & TBA (Prayers)
Sunday School Team "B"
UPCOMING DATES
Sunday, February 18 | 7:45AM - 8:45AM
"Loving God and Our Neighbors"
Lenten Series Session 2 (Memorial Hall)

Monday, February 19
Church Office Closed (Presidents' Day)

Wednesday, February 21 | 5:00PM - 8:30PM
Laundry Love - Team A (Kapa'a Laundromat)

Friday, February 23 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Journey to Ethiopia:
A Presentation by Joan Roughgarden
(Memorial Hall)

Saturday, February 24 | 7:00PM
Kauai Island Singers Showcase (KISS
"Let's Dance" (All Saints' Gym)

Sunday, February 25 | 7:45AM - 8:45AM
"Loving God and Our Neighbors"
Lenten Series Session 3 (Memorial Hall)
ASHES TO GO
Highlights of another successful Lenten launch
A dedicated group of volunteers braved a hot morning and wet afternoon to provide the "Ashes to Go" ministry to the community. Nearly a hundred people dropped by to receive ashes as they began their Lenten journey.
"Ashes to Go is a liturgical outreach," said The Reverend Ryan Newman. "Ideally, people would attend a full service on Ash Wednesday. However, due to a variety of circumstances, some people need the convenience and speed of the Ashes to Go Ministry."

The ministry is not only an outreach endeavor, but it also an evangelical opportunity. "Throughout the day, as people pass by All Saints' they are greeted by smiling faces and waving hands," said Rev. Ryan.

"Ashes to Go articulates to the community that All Saints' is a vibrant and creative community of faith. It also communicates that we are a Church willing to move beyond the safe and cozy confines of our Church so we can meet and connect with the people where they are--amid the hustle and bustle of their busy lives."

Ashes to Go was featured in Thursday's issue of the Garden Island. Click here to view the article.
PB Talks about Ashes to Go
To view video, click image on left.
"In this time in which we live, the Church can no longer wait for the congregation to come to it, the Church must go where the congregation is."

- Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
FROM BISHOP FITZPATRICK
Message for Lent
Na ke aloha o ke Akua ma loko o Iesu Kristo, e aloha iā ʻoukou ā pau!
 
As I prepare for Lent, a time for self-reflection and amendment of life, the story of St. Francis of Assisi (b. ca. 1182—d. 1226) praying before the crucifix in the ruins of the Church of San Damiano is again brought to mind. It is a much-told story. The young Francis suffering from what we might diagnose today as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (having been a prisoner of war and then faced with the possibility of war again) withdraws from the world. Praying in the neglected chapel, he hears the voice of God: "Francis, Francis, go and repair My house which, as you can see, is falling into ruins." He took this to mean the repair of the ruined church in which he was praying, and so he sold some cloth from his father's store for this purpose. Francis had a crisis of identity and of faith. 
 
One of the earliest recorded saying of St. Francis is his prayer before the crucifix. He prayed this prayer in 1205/6, in the early days of his conversion:

Most High, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart
and give me
true faith,
certain hope,
and perfect charity,
sense and knowledge,
Lord, that I may carry out
Your holy and true command

​It is a simple direct prayer. It is a cry for faith, hope, love, common sense and true understanding in order to know and do God’s will. What more can we ask?
 
I hope you can take the time this Lent to be still and listen to God. Perhaps following the example of Francis with a crucifix before you, you can speak directly to God surrendering that which broken in your life and asking God’s guidance. 
 
In the hymn “Abide with me: fast falls the eventide” (Hymn 662 in The Hymnal 1982), the final verse reflects our hope:

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

​Lent calls us to union with God by trying to set aside that which separates us from God. This time holds that promise that we can be still and listen.
 
I pray that you have a holy and life-giving Lent.
 
Aloha ma o Iesu Kristo, ko makou Haku,  
 
+Bob  

The Rt. Rev. Robert L. Fitzpatrick, Bishop 
The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i and 
The Episcopal Church in Micronesia 
Work Day: Saturday, February 24th - Volunteers Needed!
Our next Saturday Church Work Day is February 24th at 8:00AM. Volunteers are needed. Scheduled projects include staining the deck and organizing storage areas in All Saints' Gym.

These workdays are vital to the stewardship and preservation of our All Saints' Campus. Our 'Ohana is blessed with a beautiful campus and numerous buildings. It is our call and duty to properly care for our Church home--not only for this generation; but, for many generations to come.

There are projects for all ages and all abilities. Please come and volunteer!
RECTOR'S FORUM RECAP
The Finances of the Church
This past Sunday, Reverend Ryan hosted a Rector's Forum to discuss the financials of the Church. The agenda of the forum was not set by the Rector; instead, at the beginning of the forum, attendees were invited to ask questions and/or make comments which then became the forum's agenda.
 
Rev. Ryan led a discussion on the following topics set by the attendees:
 
  1. What does "financial sustainability" mean?
  2. What long-term financial concerns does Rev. Ryan see?
  3. What are the positives (hopes and opportunities) about All Saints' financial future?
  4. Stewardship: What needs to be done (and done differently) and how has the absence of a functioning stewardship committee impacted our ability to run a successful annual stewardship campaign?
  5. What are the short-term and long-term physical plant needs for All Saints'?
  6. Explanation of the Preschool’s reimbursements to the Church.
  7. What are some of the long-term financial commitments that All Saints' should be planning for now (ie. future sabbatical costs, capital replacement)?
 
The overall consensus of the group found the forum informative and insightful. Many attendees shared that the whole congregation really needs to hear what was shared in the forum.
 
"It was a wonderful agenda set by the participants," said Rev. Ryan. "We covered a lot of ground in a short amount of time. We have some significant financial challenges and opportunities in the future. We need to continue these discussions and draw more of the congregation into the conversation about the Church's financial future and sustainability."

To review the financial information packet distributed at the meeting, click here.

Photo of the forum courtesy of Bill Caldwell.
Fill the Shelves at Hale Ho‘omalu in February
We learned last week that Hale Ho‘omalu food pantry shelves are empty.

Hale Ho‘omalu is a family center located on the East side of Kaua‘i, in the town of Kapa'a. Hale Ho‘omalu offers a wide range of family support programs, services, and community activities. For years, the All Saints' Ohana has generously supported Hale Ho‘omalu with donations of food, clothing, and supplies.

Many families in our local community depend on Hale Ho‘omalu to help put food on the table. In addition, donated supplies like diapers, toiletries, paper goods, and school materials, assist countless families in need each year.

Throughout February, we want to encourage our All Saints' Ohana to help "Fill the Shelves at Hale Ho‘omalu." Please bring non-perishable food items (canned food, dry goods, etc.) and toiletries the next two Sundays. Donations can be left in the red wagon at the Church's entrance.

If the red wagon is overflowing with items in February, we can help "Fill the Shelves at Hale Ho‘omalu." Mahalo for your generosity and support!!!
YEAR OF THE DOG
Preschool celebrates the Chinese New Year
Throughout the past week, All Saints' Preschool students and teachers have been celebrating the Chinese New Year--the Year of the Dog.

The celebration included the "Dragon Dance." To view the dance, click on the image above.

The Dog is the eleventh of all zodiac animals. According to myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party. Monkey, Rooster and Dog were in another country, helping a god defeat evil spirits. After, they set off to the party together. Because they arrived at the same time, the Jade Emperor went by the order they met the god in the other country. Thus, Dog became eleventh.
Lenten Education Series
On Tuesday night, Rev. Mary hosted the first of six classes in the Lenten Education series, "Loving God an Our Neighbors."

Session 2-6 are on Sundays, February 18th thru Sunday, March 18th, 7:45AM until 8:45AM.

All are welcomed to attend!
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Rev. Mary Tudela and Janis Wright prepare a large pot of chicken soup
for Tuesday's Lenten Education class.
THIS WEEK IN SUNDAY SCHOOL
February 18: The Judeans Turn Against Jesus
John 8: The ruling authorities (the scribes and the Pharisees) bring before Jesus a woman who has committed a sin, asking him what he would do. Jesus gives his command, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (8:7). One by one, the men drop their stones and go away. Jesus then sends the woman away, saying, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on, do not sin again” (8:11).

Later, Jesus is confronted by others whom we call “the Judeans,” who are beginning to turn against Jesus. The issue is, who is whose father? As they defend their righteousness on the ground that they are descended from Abraham, Jesus tells them that this is not enough, that they are not acting like sons of Abraham. On the other hand, Jesus exerts his claim as the true Son of the Father, while they accuse him of being from the devil.

In the story of Jesus with the woman, there is a lot of fear and anger and other emotions by all participants in this tense scene. Put yourself into the place of the woman, then the men, as they encounter Jesus. What are your reactions and your feelings about Jesus if you are the woman? How do you feel if you are one of the men and Jesus has just told you, “The one who is without sin may throw the first stone”? What if you are one of the crowd who has gathered to watch the execution?

After reliving this scene from all of these perspectives, then how do we see Jesus? Are we frightened by his absolute righteousness or furious at the obvious contrast between his goodness and our sinfulness? Are we jealous of him? Are we threatened by his very being, by his generous love for others that we don’t have, and by how he seems to expose our faults and bad feelings?

This is a story of transformation, and of failure of transformation. The woman’s response to Jesus is love to his love, thankfulness to his giving of life, tears of gratitude to his cup of mercy
2018 Lent and Holy Week Schedule
Sundays, February 18, 25
& March 4, 11, 18
Loving God & Our Neighbors
7:45AM, Memorial Hall
 
Sunday, March 25
Palm Sunday
7:00AM & 9:30AM Church
 
Monday, March 26
Taize Eucharist
6:00PM, Church

Tuesday, March 27
Georgian Chant Labyrinth Walks
7:00 - 10:00PM, Labyrinth

Wednesday, March 28
Stations of the Cross
6:00PM, Kealia Beach

Thursday, March 29
Maundy Thursday
6:30PM, Church
 
Watch and Pray: Overnight Prayer Vigil
Begins at 7:30PM, Church


Friday, March 30
Good Friday
12:00PM, Church
 
Saturday, March 31
Holy Saturday
8:00AM, Church

The Great Vigil of Easter
7:00PM, Church

Sunday, April 1
Sunrise Easter Service
6:00AM, Baby Beach

Easter Eucharist
7:00AM, Church

Festive Easter Service
9:30AM, Church

Easter Festival
11:00AM, All Saints’ Lawn
FROM THE EDITORS
There will be no Epistle published next week. The next issue is scheduled to be published Friday, March 2nd.