HOLY EUCHARIST
August 3, 2025 at 7:00 am & 9:00 am
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
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Dear St. Augustine's 'ohana,
This week, we hear a timeless story from Jesus that carries a potent message for us. His tale is inspired by a person from the crowd who says, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me."
Jesus does no such thing. Instead, he tells a story about a man whose land produces so much that he does not have room to store the entire crop. Rather than share his excess abundance, he says, "I’ll build bigger barns to store it all.”
It sounds prudent, even wise. We all know the voice in us that says, "I'm afraid I won't have enough for myself. I need just a little more, just one more safety net." But Jesus calls him a fool, not because he has wealth, but because he has closed his hands around it. He has stored up for himself instead of allowing the abundance to flow to others.
Such habits are deeply ingrained by years of being told we should be afraid of running out or finding ourselves in need. This plays out on a small scale every time we clean out a closet or cupboard. How many things do we hang on to because we might need them one day? Part of us wants to hold onto them—just in case.
But something wonderful happens every time we release our grip on our "stuff." Every time we bring items to the Thrift Shop or pass them on to a neighbor, we feel something shift. There’s a freedom in letting go. A reminder that what we have isn’t meant to sit still in a closet. It’s meant to move, to bless someone else, to flow.
I admire the kūpuna who understand this. In Hawaiian culture, the land and ocean are not resources to be owned; they are gifts to be tended and shared. The ʻāina gives to us when we give back.
I love hearing how water is regarded here. Wai (water) is wealth—but only if it moves. A stream that is dammed up stagnates. A stream that flows brings life. As I understand it, "wai" also refers to the concept of the abundance Ke Akua provides, which moves as lifeblood to nourish all of creation.
We may not think so, but we all have much to share, an abundance to give. Our insights, skills, love, compassion, and time are meant to flow so that all may have what they need to thrive.
What would it look like to live like that? To trust that the Creator’s bounty and love really are enough to satisfy the thirsty and fill the hungry? To believe that we don’t need to cling to our storehouses of goods? To release our fears knowing that Divine compassion is already reaching for us?
Blessings this day,
Vicar Jennifer
P.S., How is Spirit moving you to give of your talents? Your gifts of time and abilities are important; please consider supporting the mission of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Hawai'i! Our diocese seeks people to serve in key roles that aid all churches and communities across the islands. Please stay tuned for details next week! In the meantime, here's a brief description of the three roles you're invited to consider:
- Diocesan Council: Exercises the power of the Convention and performs planning and policy-making between meetings of Convention. Oversees the policies, programs, mission, and budget of the Diocese and may initiate new work. Also is the legal corporate body of the Episcopal Church in Hawai‘i and, as such, is responsible for the business and property of the Church. This is the Board of Directors of the Diocese. Meetings are held on the third Saturday of the month from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM, usually held on-line. The Diocese pays for interisland airfare for neighbor island members for in-person meetings, that includes the first meeting following Convention in November.
- Standing Committee: Serves as the Bishop’s Council of Advice. Performs duties as specified by the General and Diocesan Convention, and the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Hawai‘i. Serves as the Ecclesiastical authority when there is no Bishop. Meetings are held on the third Saturday of the month, usually held on-line. The Diocese pays for interisland airfare for neighbor island members for in-person meetings.
- General Convention Deputies: Represents the Diocese of Hawai‘i in the House of Deputies at the meeting of the General Convention of The Episcopal Church. Both Deputies and Alternates will meet in caucus several times prior to the Convention. During the Convention, the Deputies and any Alternates in attendance will meet daily. Deputies and First Alternates attend General Convention at the expense of the Diocese. Other Alternates may attend at their own expense.
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August 10 - Ninth Sunday after Pentecost at 7:00 am and 9:00 am
August 17 - Tenth Sunday after Pentecost at 7:00 am and 9:00 am
August 24 - Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost at 7:00 am and 9:00 am
Find scripture readings for upcoming services and learn about the liturgical seasons in the Episcopal Church here.
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Join our YouTube Channel
to view past services!
youtube.com/@staugustineskohala
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Sermons now available online.
During a recent Spirit School session, members asked whether sermons could be made available to read online. Beginning with the season of Pentecost 2025, sermons will be posted on our web site. Please feel free to share the links!
| | At our most recent Spirit School session, we practiced the "listening process" our PCi team has been using to reflect on sermons. Deacon Lani suggested we share the listening process with everyone at St. Augustine's — a great idea! Copies of the listening questions are now in our pews (and linked below). Our PCi group has found the questions engaging and helpful, and we hope they enrich your spiritual life, as well! | | |
Mary Jo Osorio for cleaning the church & providing flowers last week.
Melanie Sahagun for serving as lay reader last Sunday.
St. Augustine's members who pray for others each week.
The many members of St. Augustine's and the community who help sort donations and operate the Thrift Shop.
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Many thanks for all that you do to show your support for St. Augustine's! Your gifts of time, talent, and funds allow us to be the love of God in our community.
WHY WE ARE HERE
Through our Family & Community Network, we serve North Kohala by:
- Providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming spiritual home.
- Addressing the high cost of living by offering low-cost goods in our Thrift Shop.
- Addressing food insecurity through food preservation education; alleviating hunger by sponsoring the Little Free Pantry and partnerships to assist Kohala Cares and the Kohala Food Hub.
- Serving as a gathering place to foster a peaceful and collaborative community (music, arts, food, fellowship).
All gifts, no matter the size, make an incredible difference in our community! Mahalo for your support!
Visit the link below to access our secure giving site.
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ST. AUGUSTINE'S PRAYER CHAIN
Please pray for healing, guidance, strength, peace of mind, and comfort for: Brendan McDougall; Jennifer Evangelista; Cesar Cadabes; Patsy Ching; Betty VanDuyne; Jane Evangelista; Josie Reyes; Karen Thorson; Janet Sutter; Georgia Klein; Eddie; Richard Russell; Luis Gomez; Railen Ching; Analen Villar; Richard Hoffman; Richard Elliot; Cynthia Bailey; Catalina; Maile Napoleon Spencer; Hattie Perkielski; Carol Dicus; Sheila Fujii; Patrick Tanaka; Janis Peach; Rita Masada; Brandon Weber; Suzie Cook; Heidi & Baye Cheikh Kébé; Caroline Doll; Craig Spencer; Leighton Purdy; Neal Holter; Linda Leonard Pell; Bruce Soll; Susan Acacio; Sabrina Lee; Jeannette Hensel; Erin Manuel; Guy Kaoo; Reni Aʻi aʻi Bello; Becky & Ludwig Simmet; Annecita Tamayo; Lynn Dicus.
REQUEST PRAYERS
If you or someone you know would like to be added to our prayer list, please email Patsy Ching or Vicar Jennifer. You can request prayers for yourself, your 'ohana, and anyone in our community or beyond.
During our Sunday services, you can write prayer requests on a piece of paper. Prayers will be read aloud or silently (per your request) during the Prayers of the People. You can also send us prayer requests through our online form. Mahalo for your care and prayers!
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WEEKLY
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FELLOWSHIP HOUR - Every Sunday after our 9:00 am service. We gather to enjoy conversation, coffee, and treats in Walker Hall. Please bring some savory or sweet treats to share! Mahalo to all who have been providing delicious food and to Jeannette Hensel for bringing coffee.
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CHOIR - Join us Wednesdays at 5:00 pm to sing through the hymns for the following Sunday. All are welcome! Can't make it to choir this week? You can take a peek at the music in the order of worship for this coming Sunday (link is at the top of this newsletter).
MONTHLY
First Sunday
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SPIRIT SCHOOL - Sunday school for adults - Join us for Spirit School, a short session for adults on a topic to enrich our spiritual life. Please let Vicar Jennifer know if there's a topic you're interested in or if you would like to present a Spirit School session.
Second Sunday
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LAYING ON OF HANDS - Receive healing prayers for yourself or another at our 7:00 am & 9:00 am services. Mahalo to Rebecca Bartholomy for offering this important ministry!
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FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS - Please bring shelf-stable, nutritious foods for the Kapa'au Little Free Pantry or donate funds for food to be purchased. Mahalo for your help with this ministry!
Third Sunday
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KEIKI SUNDAY - All keiki (and their 'ohanas) are invited to join us for this once-a-month special service when Vicar Jennifer shares a Godly Play story and keiki can participate at the altar as we share our holy meal together.
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BISHOP'S COMMITTEE MEETING - All members are welcome to join the Bishop's Committee meeting, held in the Sunday School classroom at 10:45 am after fellowship hour. As always, we welcome your questions about our planning and budgeting processes!
Fourth Sunday
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PREACHING CONGREGATIONS INITIATIVE- This program teaches us how to listen to one another and how to speak with others about the love of God. Curious about what is being learned? Ask St. Augustine's lay cohort, Kathy Webb, Kirk Corey, Maurine Gomes, Laura La Gassa, Kim Lambrecht, and John Sakai during fellowship hour or when you see them out and about!
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All are welcome to come learn to sew with Aunty Annie, who is a wonderful and patient teacher. Beginners and experienced sewers alike can attend.
Thursdays
Keiki from 9:00 to 11:00 am
Teens from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Fridays
Adults from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
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INGE WEYMOUTH
Please join us for a celebration of life with Holy Eucharist on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 10:00 am, with luncheon following in Walker Hall. The service will be at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church. She will be buried with her husband Ray at Maine Veterans Cemetery in Augusta, Maine this fall.
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ANNUAL BAZAAR IS OCTOBER 4
Please mark your calendars: St. Augustine's Annual Bazaar is set for Saturday, October 4, 9:00 am-1:00 pm. As usual, we'll offer plants, crafts, and food along with our boutique and silent auction. Here are a few requests:
- Please start growing and transplanting plants.
- Please start your crafting.
- Please plan what you are going to cook or bake.
- Please start cleaning out your house, cleaning out your closet, but don't bring items to church until we ask for them.
- Keep your eyes out for people moving. They may have some great items for silent auction!
Our planning team will meet briefly this Sunday at 10:30 am for a half hour. Join us if you'd like to be part of our planning process!
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PLEASE HELP US WITH FOOD SAFETY
Aloha all who handle food in our kitchen! Starting this month, we require all food placed in the refrigerators and freezer to be labeled with our food safety labels. These labels and attached pen can be found next to each appliance.
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Leftovers can remain in our refrigerator for 7 days per the Hawaii Health Department. Store-bought food that is unopened can remain in fridge or freezer until the expiration date or ‘best when used by’ date.
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We are strongly recommending all food handlers take the online free training to become certified in food safety. It’s only 2 hours and ensures that we all provide safe food for our community.
If your volunteer time at St. Augustine's involves food, please sign up for online training via the DOH's Food Safety Education program. The contact for that program is Kyla Arruda at (808)825-1774 kyla.arruda@doh.hawaii.gov. You can also contact Kim Lambrecht for more info at 406-599-3152. Mahalo!
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NOTES FROM OUR BISHOP'S COMMITTEE
Our July meeting began with a prayer and an appreciative inquiry discussion (based on the sermon) on how we balance our inner "Martha" (doing) and inner "Mary" (being). We discussed the pressures we feel to be productive and the need to slow down in a hectic world. We acknowledged that we are all wired differently: some of us are natural "doers" while others among us feel more comfortable in quiet reflection. Each of us finds balance in a unique way, and our diversity within the group adds to our strength as a team.
Meeting highlights - discussions included the following:
- Brunch & Bingo event was a success with many requests to offer similar events on a regular basis
- Ongoing analysis of our volunteer and staff bandwidth
- Ho'imi Pono training scheduled in September
- Church finances
- Campus electrical updates are complete
- Perimeter fence planning continues
Please let us know if you have questions or feedback! Contact any member of the BC or sit in on our next meeting on August 17 at 10:45 am in the Sunday School Room.
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ST. AUGUSTINE'S TEAMS IN ACTION
Our four core teams are hard at work! We're sharing updates each week as our progress unfolds. This week, we're highlighting our Buildings & Grounds Team (co-chairs Dave Lambrecht & Maurine Gomes, Kim Lambrecht, and Michelle Simpson). This hardworking team has accomplished the following in 2025:
- Completed campuswide safety repairs in our electrical systems
- Finished prep work for fence installation, including surveying property lines and trimming perimeter
- Updated campus locks
- Completed a grant application and was awarded funds to purchase a new refrigerator and stove for our commercial kitchen
- Repaired vicarage toilet
- Collaborated with other members of the BC to launch new food safety protocols
Future projects include installing the perimeter fence, additional building repairs, and looking at the possibility of security gates to close campus at night.
Mahalo to all members of our Bishop's Committee and all members of our core teams: Buildings & Grounds, Community Events & Partnerships, Finance & Stewardship, and Spiritual Growth. If you are interested in being on a core team or helping with a specific project, please reach out to Vicar Jennifer or any member of the BC.
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If you have information to share, please let us know! This newsletter helps us stay in touch in a variety of ways, such as news, requests for prayers, offers of assistance, or information on garden bounty (fruits, veggies) you would like to share. VicarJennifer@staugustineskohala.com or admin@staugustineskohala.com Submissions due by Thursday morning for Friday's newsletter. | |
ST. AUGUSTINE'S THRIFT SHOP
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SHOPPING & MORE!
Every Wednesday from 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm, our Thrift Shop offers great deals on wonderful treasures, but people come for more than that. We are also open the first Saturday of the month.
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INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?
Join the fun and serve our community by volunteering at our Thrift Shop. Please spread the word! Folks can contact admin@staugustineskohala.com
| | This issue's header photo was taken this past Sunday during the Bishop's Visitation with Halau Wa'a Episcopal Church in Kapolei, serving West O'ahu. This jolly group is led by the Rev. Mark Haworth, whose talented family (and friends) provide joyful music and hula during their worship services each week. (Contributed photo) | | |
Huli ka lima i lalo (turning our minds, hearts, and hands to the 'āina is a year-long emphasis on creation care made possible by a
Creation Care grant from The Episcopal Church. It is a collaborative
effort of Hoʻimi Pono, the Native Hawaiian Ministry Committee, and
Kahuaola (formerly the Creation Care and Environmental Justice
Task Force). The Huli team is presenting a Virtual Summer Speaker Series. Please consider registering to attend these sessions. If you don't have Zoom, no worries! We will be hosting watch parties at Walker Hall for each session.
Robin Wall Kimmerer, August 2, 9:00 am - 11:00 am
“What Does the Earth Ask of Us?”
Zoom pre-recorded talk with live Q & A
Robin Wall Kimmerer is a botanist and member of the
Potawatomi Nation. She is author of Braiding Sweetgrass:
Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings
of Plants.
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MESSAGES FROM OUR BISHOP
& PRESIDING BISHOP
| | | | At St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, all are welcome. ALL means ALL, without exception. This is how we live into our mission to "BE the love of God and to FEEL the love of God." | | | | | |
