Aloha our beloved parish ‘ohana,

Into the midst of those gathered on the banks of the river Jordan, Jesus walked up. The people had been listening to John preach repentance, urging them to prepare a way for the coming Messiah. John tells them that he is not the Messiah; that he baptizes with water, but " one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." I imagine the people were confused by what he meant by saying: "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

In John’s understanding, the waters represented our being cleansed from sin and assuming a commitment to a new way of life. That is part of baptism. John knew there was more in the coming of Jesus. In Jesus being baptized, Jesus shares in our life. He sides with us. In our baptism, we share in his and choose to side with him. Sacramentally, we are bound to Christ, by his grace, for all time. His grace for us does not end at our death. His grace carries us through our physical death to life eternal. As he was raised from the grave, we are raised up from the waters of baptism to new life here and forever. Praise God!

One way we clergy often try to help our keiki understand baptism is that the waters represent God’s love washing over us. We are immersed in God’s grace. How great is that!

After a person is baptized, part of the prayer we say together asks, "Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit." In baptism, we promise, to seek to live out the life of a follower of Jesus: loving like Jesus, forgiving like Jesus, serving like Jesus. We need the help of the Holy Spirit, the fire (the power of God) to do this, to anoint us, to descend upon us, anew each day.

This Sunday at the 9 AM service, we will baptize Eline van der Kloos. I hope you will come to support her in her decision to become a disciple of Jesus. I hope you will especially come if your spiritual life is feeling a bit dry and parched. Come, hear the words said at baptism. As she is baptized, all of us, already baptized, are given the opportunity to reaffirm our own baptismal promises. As we pray for the Holy Spirit to come upon her, to strengthen, comfort, and guide her, come and pray for the same for all of us. I know I sure could use it. I know our nation and world could use it. Perhaps you could too?

I hope to see you at worship this weekend. I pray our worship together is grace-filled and washes over us, sending us forth sacramentally cleansed and spiritually renewed.

With grace and peace, David +

Link to the readings for this Sunday:

CLICK HERE

We are more than delighted to announce that Rev. Guy Piltz is feeling well enough to resume the Wednesday Noontime Bible Study! We met at the Piltz home on Wednesday for the first time in several months, with great joy in Guy's remarkable recovery, and deep appreciation of his equally remarkable knowledge and wisdom that he so generously shares.

This study is a scholarly reflection on the upcoming assigned Scriptures for our weekend worship. If there is a need to cancel or move the bible study, we try to contact everyone that regularly attends. If in doubt, always contact the parish office.

Directions to Guy+ and Jo's:



From St. James' Church it is 4.9 miles. Drive south on Kawaihae Road. Turn left on Ouli Street into Kanehoa subdivision. Follow the road around all the way until it comes to an end. Turn right into the driveway at the end of the cul de sac, and follow the driveway to the yellow two story house. You have arrived! Any questions, contact our rector, David+, at 238-4956

All Parish Congregations Annual Meeting

 

Please save the date,  Sunday, January 27th , following the 9 AM service at St. James' service, for our parish annual meeting. We will review our hopes and dreams and the 2019 budget and hold an election for Vestry positions and Diocesan Convention delegates. Please bring a dish, salad, or dessert to share for potluck brunch.

 

Note:  Finding a time which all who attend one of our four congregations can come to is not easy. We are working this out as our parish is growing and changing. This one of those blessed "challenges" a growing church faces. Please give suggestions to David+, our rector. It is hard to find a day and time that would gather the largest number of folks. Canceling services or combining them also creates a challenge as word of cancelled or combined worship services does not reach everyone,  especially  the newcomer who has answered the pull of God to come and worship, only to find a service not happening or the time of the service has moved. Again, all suggestions are welcome. We are a blessed work in progress!

THIS SUNDAY

JANUARY 13 PARISH EVENT

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou in 2019! We're kicking off our celebration of the New Year and our growing parish community with a St. James get-together in Waikoloa Village . It's a simple, special, fun event where we can spend time together, getting to know each other better and deepening our bonds. All St. James congregations are invited, and of course, others are welcome to enjoy the afternoon with us as guests. And remember when you come, as they said in  Annie , "You're never fully dressed without a SMILE!"

REALLY...PLEASE...bring your visitors, family, friends, kids (especially!)...& a dish to share. No one has EVER left Ruth Smith's house or a St. James event hungry! There will be more than plenty to go around.

Location:  Ruth Smith's home

6 8-1909 Koi'ula Place, Waikoloa, Hawaii (*See  Directions  below.)

Date & Time:   Sunday, January 13, 1:30  - 4:30ish PM

Food/Beverage : Pupu Potluck Style, bring enough to share.  In honor of folk's New Year's Resolutions, stick to healthy, whole foods, if possible. If not either of those, make sure it's super delicious and worth the calories!

Activities : Pool/Spa (bring suit & towels); Ping-Pong; Play Area for younger kids; 

             Live Music is HAPPENING (bring your instrument & join in) ; Board Games/Cards available; Art & Crafts projects.

           IF YOU WANT TO HELP organize, supervise the children (or the Child in each of us) at any of these      activities, PLEASE E-MAIL RUTH at  [email protected] .

OTHER HELP NEEDED:  Waikoloa residents are helping Ruth with logistics and set up before the event. Because our gathering will be larger,  extra tables and chairs will be needed.  SO...AFTER THE 9AM service, if you can help Waikoloa folks to load up their vehicles w/ St. James tables and chairs, they can help transport them to Ruth's house. After the event, if Waimea folks can help to transport those tables and chairs back to St. James, the Circle of Life will be complete!

Directions:

from Linda+

Epiphany was well celebrated on Sunday at St. Columba's with the welcoming of the Magi to our Nativity scene! We also had incredible music by Joe and Chris and we actually danced our way into the new Season of Epiphany. It was a glorious celebration and a Mahalo to all who contributed to the fun.

St. Columba's will have a new addition to our front lawn. The bell tower construction has begun! The slab was poured on Monday and construction will be started soon. Our original bell tower was housed in the church, but due to safety reasons it had to be removed from the belfry. It has been our hope to put the bell back into ringing order so we can call to worship all those looking for a place to call home on the Hamakua Coast. We will be needing workpeople to help build the new bell tower, so if the Spirit is calling you please answer the call! We will need all hands on deck, or slab, or tower!! Please call Brian Burke, 979-451-1596 or Rev. Linda 218-590-5463 or 808-323-2627 if you would like to help.

SAVE THE DATE

St. Columba's will be having a Thrift Sale on Saturday Feb. 16th.  A huge Mahalo to Nina Disbro and Pat Anderson for making this possible. Nina allowed St. Columba's to come and help purge the Thrift Store for our sale and Pat organized us! Pat's house is now a place of refuge for all the clothing purged. Each Sunday after church and lunch, the congregation sorts through bags of clothing for sizing, gender and children's items and places them in corresponding bins. Pat has been our storehouse!! Pat you are a saint!!  

Welcome to our Guest Preacher this weekend at the Beach Mass &

St. James

Deacon Sil Galvan graduated from St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City, NJ and then spent five years in the Jesuit seminary from 1964-1969. He received a BS in Urban Studies from St. Peter’s College and MA in Urban Education and Community Affairs from William Paterson University. He worked in US Postal Service after college for several years before becoming an Equal Opportunity Specialist at the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 1979. He was later reassigned to Community Development Specialist before retiring in 1997. 

     

Ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Trenton in May 1996, Deacon Sil then launched a website for preaching resources in 1997 and a website for preaching in 1998. He currently serves two parishes on the Jersey Shore, including Bay Head, NJ, that was severely affected by Hurricane Sandy, and also Lakewood, NJ.

     

Deacon Sil has been married to his wife, Dorothy, since 1973, and together they have three children between the ages of 36 to 43 (Silvy, Dan, and Rita) and three grandsons aged 3 months, 12 and 13. He is thrilled to be able to share this time with your rector, David's, community in Hawai’i and talk about the significance of names in our lives on the celebration of the Baptism of Jesus.

KAWAIHAE HARBOR, SATURDAY, 5 PM

Do you know of someone else to whom we could reach out?

Please get their permission first, then contact the parish office to have them added to the list. email here or telephone at 808-885-4923

Birthdays:  Amy Lynn, Alex O’Keeffe, Monica Parker, Michael Ramos, Tessie Bruno, Kitty Budge, Wilma Oshiro, Eva Bauman

Remembrances:  The Rev. Richard Thomas

Episcopal congregations are generally governed by their Rector/Priest-in-Charge and the Vestry. The Vestry, consisting of wardens and other members, is the legal representative of the parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relations of the Parish to its Clergy.

The Vestry performs both secular and canonical responsibilities. As a body, the Vestry is responsible for the church’s finances and resources; governance of the parish’s business; the determination of appropriate programs, policies and procedures; and performance assessment. The Vestry is elected by the congregation and is led by the Rector/Priest-in-Charge. At St. James’, our vestry members serve two year terms. Our Junior Warden is elected to a one-year term and has specific oversight of Building & Grounds. Our Senior Warden is appointed by the Rector/Priest-in-Charge. The Treasurer is an appointed position by the Vestry.

Members of the Vestry may have committee responsibilities including education, worship, building & grounds and finance.

In the back of the church, and via a link in the newsletter, HERE , are forms with descriptions of the positions and qualifications of Vestry, Junior Warden and Parish Delegate to the Diocesan Convention. We will vote at our Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 27th on the nominees submitted through December 30, and any nominations received from the floor on the day.

 

Debi Brun shared the story of Epiphany with our Godly Play keiki. Once again they had some very thoughtful wondering questions, and Debi did an amazing job of sharing the story of the light of God coming into the world.

"One Starry Night" drew a good crowd and our keiki and families had a great time learning about the coming of the Light of the World! What a blessing it was to wrap up the 12 Days of Christmas with this blessed event. I know the families will share the light of Jesus with each other throughout the year. A huge Mahalo to all our amazing volunteers who made "One Starry Night" such as magical evening for the keiki and their families.

After School Tutoring and Ukulele practice starts back up January 16. There are volunteer opportunities available to participate in this important program. You don’t need to be a teacher to make a difference in a keiki’s life. And what a great way to start off the New Year.

Upcoming Youth Events

Teen Tech Tutors - This Sunday, January 13 : Kupuna  (Seniors):  Bring your iPhone, iPad, Android Phone or Tablet, e-Reader (Kindle or Nook), or laptop, Our Teen Tech Tutors will be available to assist you with your technology and Internet questions. Future dates: Sundays February 3, March 3, April 7, May 5. Mahalo to all of the teens for this wonderful ministry.

After a thorough cleaning and purging and restocking, the Thrift Store is now open for 2019! Come in to shop, to volunteer, or to just look around and see what is new!

Good/Bad News - We will have to close on Friday evening until further notice - that's the Bad News - because the skills that they learned at the Thrift Store enabled BOTH of our cashiers to find paid jobs - that's the Good News.

Do you need to hone your skills, too? How about volunteering as a cashier for Fridays? See Nina for details!

Fashionistas! We need your shopping savvy to help price Boutique shoes, purses, scarves, belts and hats. Once we catch up, one day a week should be fine. Can you help out?

A BIG WOK DINNER!

This week we served a delicious chicken stir fry, veggie stir fry, rice, vegetable soup, joe’s special (scrambled eggs, spinach & pork sausage), roasted tomatoes, kale mix salad, cole slaw, ice cream and baked desserts. Our lead chef for the week was Mel Pobre ably assisted by Henry, Al, Stanley & Shawn......great job guys!

We served 250 meals in the pavilion (including 47 keiki) plus 72 deliveries for a grand total of 322 meals. 

The fun atmosphere was set by musician Mikiala Yardley who got the place rocking and guests up dancing. 

Our sponsors for the meal were Eric & Nan Rasmussen and Mike & Lor Gehret who not only paid for the meal but also provided staffing for the serving line. Our students from HPA were back from holidays as well as the Waimea Middle School kids.......we are happy to have all the students back and we thank again our loyal volunteers who faithfully staffed the line during their absence.

Again a big mahalo nui loa to all our volunteers who shopped, chopped, prepped, cooked, set up, served, broke down the serving areas and cleaned up. We love you all.

St. James’ Paperbark

Trees Update

We received some good feedback from members of our parish regarding the Paperbark Trees. Mahalo. In response to that feedback, we made a revised plan. 

The four large trees in front of Everett’s house will be taken down along with another small, spindly tree. The four large trees next to Savanack Pavilion will be taken down. The trees in the middle section will be topped and trimmed. If the arborist deems that a tree is compromised by rot or otherwise, he will make a professional decision – whether to top/trim or to take down.

Our Ministries offer many opportunities

 

Volunteer at our Thrift Store Ministry. So much good is done through this ministry and because of this ministry. Contact Nina Disbro at the Thrift Store or via the parish office. Help is needed for any day Monday through Saturday from 9 to 1 sorting and stocking and in the 'front of house' for all of our open hours:

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 9:00am-1:00pm

and Friday 4:00pm-7:00pm.

Volunteer at the Community Meal Ministry  (Thursdays 4:30 - 6 PM). Join in helping to provide a hot sit-down meal and warm welcome. Thursdays, 4 - 6 PM. Contact Tim Bostock or Sue Dela Cruz ( [email protected] ). Sponsor one of our weekly meals for $500. 10 AM - Chop and prep. 3:30 PM - Pack up meals to be delivered. 3:30 PM - Set up the Pavilion. 4:15 PM - Serve in the line. 4:30 PM - Come talk-story, giving guests the gift of friendship. 6 PM - clean up. 

Volunteer with our Youth Ministry . Our ministry to the youngest in our midst is growing by leaps and bounds. Become trained as a  Godly Play (Sunday School) teacher , volunteer at our Wednesday After School Tutoring, assist at one of our youth events. Contact our Youth Ministry Coordinator, Susan Acacio at 895-2086 or  [email protected] . 

Serve in Worship . Acolytes, readers, servers at the altar, ushers/greeters are needed. Speak to any of our clergy. 

Share your musical talents.  Join the St. James' Choir. Share your gift as a soloist, your ability to play an instrument or dance hula. At St. Columba's speak to Rev. Linda; at the Beach Mass speak to Garrett Webb; and at St. James' speak to Everett Knowles or Rona Lee. Don't know who they are? Contact the Parish Office and we'll connect you to them. 

Every year, on this for Sunday after the Feast of the Epiphany, we read the story of Jesus’s baptism by John in the wilderness. It doesn’t matter which gospel we happen to be reading, because the same story shows up in each of the four Gospels. That’s a pretty good indication that this is an important story, one that tells us we are supposed to pay attention. Much has been written about why Jesus needed to be baptized. You might want to talk about that. Whatever motivated him, it was clear that it marked the beginning of his public ministry, a ministry that change the world.

    

Questions to think about and perhaps discuss with your family.

 

1) Do you remember your baptism? What do you recall about that event? If you were too young to remember, see if you can locate someone who was present on that great occasion. Let them describe the event. If you don’t already do so, find a way to celebrate the anniversary of your baptism each year.

    

2) Why do you think this story shows up in each of the Gospels? Why do you think it is important?

    

3) What about that voice that comes from heaven. What does it mean that Jesus was the beloved, and well-pleasing? Have you ever heard that voice speaking to you? (Note: For a beautiful collection on this voice, read  Life for the Beloved  by Henri Nouwen.)

** Graphic and reflection/questions from the book, “Drawn to the Gospels” by friend of our parish ‘ohana, the Rev. Jay Sidebotham. Used with permission.

Monthly Women's Bible Study

The Women’s Bible Study meets next on Friday, February 1, 2019 in the Church from 10-12. We are making an in depth study of Mary, the mother of Jesus. All women are welcome. Bring your friends!



Noon Bible Study   at the Piltz's Home in Kanehoa subdivision. Bible study resumed on Wednesday, January 9, noon to 1:00 PM . We are grateful that Rev. Guy Plitz is willing and able to again lead our studies!

Scripture Readings for this Weekend

CLICK HERE

Education for Ministry - EfM

Recruiting for the next program year has begun. New program participants can sign up now for the study year beginning in January. Does the thought: “What do I find TRUE with regard to my beliefs?” ever cross your mind? A primary goal of Education for Ministry (EfM) is to help participants personally discern that answer in a community of like-minded searchers. While the journey is not arduous, it is one of commitment; meeting weekly with a break for summer. Although it’s a four-year program of examination and study, you sign up one year at a time. Graduates come away with the tools necessary to articulate their understanding of their Christian beliefs.

At the same time, hopefully, they have been made aware of their personal call to minister in daily life and how to go forward and achieve it. Reflection is also a major part of the process and throughout the time in the group, it becomes second nature to consider secular questions and dilemmas from a Christian perspective. Working in a small intimate setting, we are respectfully inclusive; liberal and conservative, young and old, male and female, with varied liturgical preferences from more formal (high church) to more evangelical. In short,  we are a community of God’s people seeking to better understand our personal relationship with Him and His call to each of us.

The program is limited to a total of 12 participants. Following graduation this year, we have openings for as many as 9 new participants.

Have you ever considered EfM as a tool for personal growth? Contact a current member or graduate (see list below) for their “take” on the process, you might find you’re glad you did!

The EfM Program at St. James' is led by certified mentors Beth McKeen (864-3399) and John Sucke (885-4495).  Please contact one of them or David, our Rector, to find out more. Graduates include Edna Chun, Alex Kaaua, Jo Piltz, Amatra Barbara May, Cari Rufo, Jo Conley, and Dallas Gomes. Current participants are Donna Brown, Cameron Bailey and Aimee Love. For additional information about the program see the brief video HERE .

"Surrender to what is. Let go of what was. Have faith in what will be."

~Sonia Ricotti

In a world and nation dark with violence and war—in which leaders willfully abandon their responsibility to make peace through diplomacy, in which the earth’s very existence is threatened by human greed and inaction—we are to shine with the Light of Christ, bear the yoke of Christ, decide for the kingdom of God which Christ brings. We are called to dedicate ourselves anew to Wisdom’s teaching, love and truth, for we ourselves embody the fullness of Christ for our own and the world’s healing.

-Br. Jonathan Maury,  SSJE

 To Read More and Comment

Society of Saint John the Evangelist

An Episcopal Monastery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

   

"Lord make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen"

~St. Francis

The Stewardship Committee is most pleased to report that this past fall's campaign yielded 136 pledge totaling $304,967. This results were very gratifying since they represent a gain of 22 pledges and $50,211 over last year.

At the January 27 Annual Meeting a full airing of the 2019 budget will be held. One of the key income line items, of course is the line showing the $319,403 budgeted for pledges. It will reflect the steadfast devotion of the St. James' congregations. Our ministries, with foundations built on our genuine pastoral caring love of others, will continue to flourish. Our immediate parish 'ohana, as well as beyond its borders, greatly appreciates our efforts as we fulfill our Lord's mission. Gerrit Keator, Stewardship Chair

2019

Martin Luther King Day – Office Closed

Monday, January 21

Annual Meeting

Sunday, January 27, following the 9:00 am service at St. James'

President’s Day – Office Closed

Monday, February 18

Shrove Tuesday - Gary Washburn and the Honoka’a Dragon Jazz Band will be with us for Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supperag again this year.

Tuesday, March 5, from 5 – 6:30 PM.

Ash Wednesday-

March 6 - Administration of Ashes, Services with Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes St. James’ 12:00 noon and 6:00 pm, St. Columba’s – Services with  Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes 5:00 pm.

Imposition of Ashes only: St. James’ from 7 am to 9 am, Marnie +; Kawaihae Harbor at 7:30 am following Kupuna/’Ohana paddling, David +; HPA Davis Chapel from 11:15 am to 12:10 pm, Marnie +; Hale Ho’ola Hamakua in the afternoon, Linda + will bring ashes to the residents and staff.

Lenten Study Programs

St. Columba’s – Tuesdays during Lent

St. James’ – Wednesdays during Lent

March 22-24 - The Most Reverend Michael Curry, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, will be with us in the Diocese of Hawaiʻi.

Holy Week

April 14 – 21 – see Church Calendar for schedule of events

The Holy Spirit Short Course –

will meet at St. James from 5:30-7:30 on 

Tuesday, April 30

Tuesday, May 7

Tuesday, May 14

For Full Parish Calendar,  CLICK HERE

What's going on in the Neighborhood?

The Waimea Community Association maintains a comprehensive calendar of civic and social events in Waimea.  CLICK HERE  to check out what is happening, where and when in our area. 

Tutu's House offers many free or low cost activities. Their calendar is  HERE

What's on at the Kahilu? Check  HERE

 

The Waikoloa Village Association publishes a monthly newsletter covering events in Waikoloa.   CLICK HERE for the current issue of The Breeze. 

Waikoloa Beach Resort has a monthly calendar of free and for fee events.   CLICK HERE for the current issue. 

The Shops at Mauna Lani Resort’s Calendar of Events is HERE  

And Konaweb publishes an Islandwide calendar HERE

Aloha! My upstairs neighbors need to find a new home for their two gorgeous, affectionate kitties. The grey fluffball is Oliver (a male) and the orange one is Darla (a female). A new (human) baby has arrived and will be crawling all over the house before we know it, and her mommy feels worried that baby will find her way into the kitty’s litter box and other dangerous adventures. Hence the need for a new home for the kitties. They are keeping the baby. Mahalo, Raina 

I f you have room in your home and your heart for a couple of new friends, please contact Raina Dale through the office or directly.

We need your help please - Recruiting Substitute/Guest Teachers for Waimea Middle School

 

Season’s Aloha! 

May we ask for your help please? Waimea Middle School urgently needs to “grow” our pool of Substitute/Guest Teachers. We share the current pool with several schools in the district and on some days – such as when we have an important professional development training or when illness strikes -- we have been unable to secure needed subs. 

Would you know someone who might be interested in this – perhaps either a retired or not-working certificated teacher, or, someone who just never thought about this but might have the time and inclination? 

Being a substitute/guest teacher for Waimea Middle School has its demands and benefits. 

Demands:

Benefits:

 

Please help spread this “ask” to others…

Subs/Guest Teachers need a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university.  Before hiring, interested individuals will have to be fingerprinted and undergo a background check.

Individuals with a Hawai’i teaching license, or teachers from elsewhere who have completed the 30-hour DOE State-Approved Teacher Education (SATE) program can be hired more quickly. (SATE helps provide training in classroom management. More info:  http://www.teaching-certification.com/teaching/hawaii-substitute-license.html )

If you know of someone who might be interested, please urge them to call to make an appointment to meet with our Principal Janice English. Call her direct (887-6090 Ext. 225) or Michelle Kauhi (Same number – Ext. 221). Then, ask them to please mail a letter of interest and CV or credentials to  [email protected]   and  [email protected] . 

Questions? Feel free to call or email me. 

Mahalo – and thank you for thinking about this. 

A hui hou - and happy holidays! 

Patti Cook  (808-937-2833) 

Director of Community Development 

Waimea Middle School 

 

PS: To read a bit more about WMS, go to:    

www.WaimeaMiddleSchool.org

www.Facebook.com/WaimeaMiddleSchool

From Conflict to Connection

January 19-20, 2019

WORKSHOP FLYER

Ecumenical Silent Meditation, weekly on Mondays from 5 pm to 6 pm at Anna's Ranch. For additional information, contact Catherine Mitchell at [email protected] or through the church office

Last Laughs

Our Ministries Staff