Aloha Friends,

Many of us here at Crossroads are fans of Richard Rohr, the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC). His many books and the Daily Meditations that emerge from the CAC are sources of inspiration and deep pondering for many of us. Recently, our own Michael Yano was quoted in one of the daily readings.

Michael’s thoughts (see below) about what he hopes will emerge from his practice of meditation is simple and profound and in many ways could set the tone for many of us as we enter into the season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday tomorrow, Feb. 14 (which also happens to be Valentine’s Day).

Lent is a liturgical season in the life of the church which is usually seen as a time of preparation for Easter that will follow seven weeks later (March 31). It is traditionally a time of introspection and contemplation, when we make an attempt to re-center our lives, our spirits and our hearts on the love that is always with us from God. Perhaps Michael’s words here can inspire you to create some space in your own life for prayer and meditation. Perhaps attending our Ash Wednesday service of walking our sanctuary labyrinth, lighting candles and receiving ashes, may be the perfect way to begin. 

No matter what, as Michael urges us, I hope that you will find the weeks coming as a time of deep prayer and contemplation. 

Aloha,

Kahu David

Aloha everyone….My goal for every (period of) meditation is to quiet the mind enough to “hear" the voice of God within my heart. When I am able to quiet my thinking, often thoughts rush in to fill the void. One way I've found to avoid this rush of thoughts is to repeat one of the many sacred names of God until eventually, a thought-less silence fills me. Sometimes this silent openness brings with it an awareness of what I must do as an individual, at this time and in this place, to deepen my loving relationship with God. When I hear a subtle and quiet voice within me, I know that my next challenge is to, without reservation, be willing to change. It may be the most difficult part of the listening practice - but it’s so important. I have found that the willingness to change is essential to knowing and loving God and living in Love….Malama Pono malama kou kino; take care of the spirit of your heart, and take care of your body, health and wellness. 

Aloha, Michael

Church of the Crossroads, a Just Peace, Open and Affirming and Greening Congregation, holds the biennial Umematsu and Yasu Watada Lectures of Peace, Social Justice and the Environment with support from The Watada Lectures Fund, established by Kathy Watada Wurfel and her late husband David Wurfel.

The public is invited to attend the free 2024 lectures at Church of the Crossroads and UH Mānoa, centered around environmental justice and Dr. Beamer's upcoming book "Waiwai: Water and the Future of Hawaiʻi."

Dr. Kamanamaikalani Beamer is the inaugural Dana Naone Hall Endowed Chair in Hawaiian Studies, Literature, & the Environment at Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, and Director of Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa. He serves a dual appointment in the Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge and in the William S. Richardson School of Law as part of Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law. His books include No Mākou Ka Mana: Liberating the Nation (2014) and Islands & Cultures: How Pacific Islands Provide Paths Toward Sustainability (2022). In addition to his upcoming book “Waiwai: Water and the Future of Hawaiʻi,” Dr. Beamer will share insights into his study of aloha ʻāina and the Circular Economy (CE).

Please kindly RSVP for any or all of these events and share this invitation with your friends:

o  Friday, February 16, 2024 @ 5:00 PM

Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa - 2645 Dole St., Honolulu, Hawai`i

Dr. Beamer will speak on the topic of water in Hawaiʻi and address challenges faced by community members, cultural activists, academics, scientists, and policymakers. Doors open at 5:00PM with a pre-event reception. The talk will begin at 6:00PM. 

o  Saturday, February 17, 2024 @ 5:00 PM

Church of the Crossroads – 1212 University Ave., Honolulu, Hawai`i

Dr. Beamer, Kapua‘ala Sproat (UH Law School and Earthjustice), and Wayne Tanaka (Sierra Club) will speak on current policy issues around water. Doors open at 5:00PM with a pre-event reception and informational booths showcasing environmental and community organizations from around Oahu. The panel will begin at 6:00PM. Childcare will be available.

o  Sunday, February 18, 2024 @ 10:30 AM Worship Service

Church of the Crossroads – 1212 University Ave., Honolulu, Hawai`i

Dr. Beamer will speak from the pulpit. Lunch to follow in Weaver Hall; Childcare will be available.

To learn more about the event and to RSVP, please click here. If you have any questions, please contact Madison Owens at owensmadison138@gmail.com.

LENTEN BOOK STUDY

(Five Weeks via Zoom)

Begins Tuesday, Feb. 20 - 6:00PM HST

"The Future We Choose” is described as a “cautionary but optimistic book about the world’s changing climate and the fate of humanity, from Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac who led negotiations for the United Nations during the historic Paris Agreement of 2015.”

Our friend, the Rev. Laura Robinson of Peace Church in Clemson, SC, will be co-leading this Study with me, and her congregation will also be engaging in their own book study of the same book. 

Join us for the next five weeks, where we will take a head-on look at the Climate Crisis and how we as people of faith might well respond to it. 

One book is still available; if you are interested in getting a book ($15), please contact me (pastor@churchofthecrossroadshawaii.org) or the office (808 949.2220) as soon as possible so more can be ordered if needed.

Aloha,



Kahu David