HOLY EUCHARIST
September 14, 2025 at 7:00 am & 9:00 am
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Continuing the Season of Creation
and
Laying on of hands healing
Food Pantry donation Sunday
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Dear St. Augustine's 'ohana,
Jesus asks, "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?”
Having grown up in cattle country, I remember stories of ranchers looking for a lost cow. For these family ranchers, just one animal was worth saving. Their reasons were not just based on money. While it was true that the time spent searching paled in comparison to the potential loss of a valuable commodity, the most important factor was the personal relationship these farmers developed with each animal under their care.
And so it is with every part of creation. Every insect, every plant, everything that swims, grows, walks or flies is worthy of God’s attention and ours.
As we observe the Season of Creation, I wonder whether we pay enough attention to the living things around us. One example: the Pacific yew. While Native Americans and First Nations people have long recognized the value of this plant, western society ignored it until it was “discovered” in 1962 to have medicinal value. In 1992, the anti-cancer drug Taxol (paclitaxel) — made from the bark of the Pacific yew — was approved for use in chemotherapy. It is still an important and widely used drug for fighting various types of cancer.
Sadly, the Pacific yew was extensively over-harvested to make the drug. In 2013, the International Union for Conservation of Nature placed the Pacific yew on its Red List of Threatened Species.
Through human self-importance, this plant was treated as a commodity without regard for sustainable harvesting. Self-importance gives rise to false superiority — a poison that causes us to assume we are better or more significant than the other inhabitants of the planet.
If we feel we are more important than a plant, what’s to stop us from believing we are better than our neighbors?
In this Sunday's story from the Gospel of Luke, religious officials felt they were better than others. They ridiculed Jesus, saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." We might think we are better than to judge other people in this way, but we might ask ourselves: what do we say about those who are different from us? How do we treat our neighbors who hold different political beliefs, have less money or more money, don’t attend church, or worship God through a different faith?
Especially in these times of deep divisions among people, Jesus’ wisdom of non-judgment is potent medicine indeed.
Blessings this day,
Vicar Jennifer
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THE SEASON OF CREATION
Last Sunday we begin several weeks of focus on the Season of Creation, a time set aside across the Episcopal Church to re-commit ourselves as mindful stewards of God’s earth. Although we are called to care for creation every day, the Season of Creation invites us to deepen that commitment by listening to the cries of the earth and the creatures around us and by celebrating the beautiful mystery of this world that God has entrusted to our care.
During this season, you'll notice changes in our liturgy to help us focus on creation care. In addition, we are offering a series of events beginning with last week's presentation and community discussion "Waiwai - Water and the Future of Hawai'i" a lecture given by Dr. Kamanamaikalani Beamer (read more in this newsletter under ST. AUGUSTINE'S NEWS).
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September 28 - Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, 7:00 & 9:00 am
October 5 - Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, 7:00 & 9:00 am
October 12 - Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, 7:00 & 9:00 am
Find scripture readings for upcoming services and learn about the liturgical seasons in the Episcopal Church here.
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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 a 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! | | |
Juliet Ramos for cleaning the church & providing flowers last week.
Virginia Fortner 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
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: Sean, Mark Odom, Randy Cruz, Eupolodo Rivera; Raeanne Tolentino; Brendan McDougall; Richard Russell; Catalina; Richard Elliot; Maile Napoleon Spencer; Hattie Perkielski; Carol Dicus; Sheila Fujii; Patrick Tanaka; Janis Peach; Rita Masada; Brandon Weber; Suzie Cook; Heidi & Baye Cheikh Kébé and their twin babies due in October; Caroline Doll; Leighton Purdy; 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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| Many thanks to Kathy Matsuda (NKCRC & Kohala Resilience Hub) and Sandra Tran (Kapanaia Farms) for their hard work on our Food Preservation Workshop program! | | |
FOOD PRESERVATION PARTNERS
Our hui now has a name!
You've seen us working in Walker Hall, busy teaching canning techniques to members of our community. Our group now has a name!
The Kohala Ono Food Hui is a partnership with Kapanaia Farms, the North Kohala Community Resource Center & Kohala Resilience Hub, and St. Augustine's. We'll be selling our delicious canned goods at future Night Markets and at St. Augustine's Annual Bazaar. All proceeds will go toward funding more food preservation workshops in 2025.
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SEWING WITH AUNTIE ANNIE
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. Adult sewing on Fridays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
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MAHALO BRUNCH FOR OUR THRIFT SHOP VOLUNTEERS
Please join us September 28 at 10:30 am for a special brunch to say mahalo nui loa to our wonderful Thrift Shop volunteers! We'll host a delicious salad bar brunch in their honor.
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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!
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WAIWAI: WATER & THE FUTURE OF HAWAI'I
We had a wonderful turnout for the video presentation by Dr. Kamana Beamer (prerecorded on May 24, 2025 for HULI - the Creation Care program for the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i) to kick off St. Augustine's Season of Creation in September/October.
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Mahalo to Lani Bowman for this excellent idea and for facilitating the meeting! We had 42 adults and six keiki from the wider community join us for the event.
Dr. Beamer provided an insightful systems view of the economy of water alongside a view of our society's current economic system that sees water as a mere commodity. Dr. Beamer proposes a circular economy that would support a sustainable and sacred approach to water stewardship.
Mahalo to Dr. Beamer and HULI members for offering this opportunity to learn! We also extend big mahalos to Kumu Leia Lawrence and members of Hula Hālau Kukui Aloha O Kohala for the oli and hula asking for rain in drought-stricken North Kohala.
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CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE to view the oli and hula offered by Kumu Leia Lawrence and members of Hula Hālau Kukui Aloha O Kohala: Leah , Erika Kuhr, Jennifer Masada, Magaly Durflinger, Anuhea Sills. Mahalo to Jeanne Cooper for the video. | PICTURED ABOVE - 42 adults and 6 keiki attended the event on September 7, 2025 at St. Augustine's. Photo: Jeanne Cooper. | | PICTURED ABOVE - Last Wednesday's Craft Night was lively with 10 people joining us for making rugs! Mahalo to all who participated! | | |
UPCYCLING T-SHIRTS AT CRAFT NIGHT!
Back by popular demand, our rug-making class welcomed 10 people to learn how to upcycle T-shirts into beautiful braided rugs. Kathy Matsuda led the group, and you can see by the smiling faces how much fun they had! What better way to use the surplus from our Thrift Shop? We often have more T-shirts than we can sell, and when shirt arrive that have holes or stains, we don't throw them away. We keep them out of the landfill by creating something useful and lovely. We're planning to offer this class again, so please stay tuned for dates.
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DO YOU LOVE OUR BEAUTIFUL CHURCH?
We are looking for a few people to volunteer to clean our sanctuary! Please contact Kathy Matsuda if you can help out on these dates (cleaning happens the Saturday before Sunday services):
September 20, 27
November 8
December 6, 13
Mahalo nui to all who work hard to keep our church looking lovely!
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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 the Holy Spirit's fire is present in our lives. Responses included: in our family or children; in the need for patience; in serving others.
Meeting highlights - discussions included the following:
- St. Augustine's responses to the Diocesan Bishop Search Committee questionnaire, based on congregation discussions
- Thrift Shop strategic planning
- Ho'imi Pono training scheduled as a weekly one-hour series September 16 - October 14
- Church finances & stewardship campaign planning
- Community partnerships and upcoming Annual Bazaar
- Placement of the perimeter fence
Please let us know if you have questions or feedback! Contact any member of the BC or sit in on our next meeting this Sunday, September 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 Family & Community Network team that works with community events and partnerships (co-chairs Kathy Matsuda & Lani Bowman, Melanie Sahagun, and Michelle Simpson). This hardworking team has accomplished the following so far in 2025:
- Led a successful MamaJam event for Mother's Day in May.
- Continuing to guide the operations of our Thrift Shop.
- Stocking the Little Free Panty every week.
- Offering Craft Night workshops, Food Preservation Workshops, Movie Night, and Tiny Church Concerts.
- Fostering partnerships with community organizations.
- Began tracking data on our outreach efforts for reports to the national Episcopal Church and for future grant applications.
Future projects include organizing the upcoming Annual Bazaar.
Mahalo to all members of our Bishop's Committee and all members of our core teams: Buildings & Grounds, Family & Community Network, 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.
| | Our Thrift Shop is a place to see friends, catch up, enjoy a snack, and feel the warm kinship of others. Come gather, talk story, and connect with members of our community! Follow us on Facebook for news about recent Thrift Shop finds and upcoming events! | | | | |
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 on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, where Bishop Fitzpatrick ordained the Diocese of Hawai'i's newest priest, the Rev. William "Bill" Heran. He is pictured kneeling as the Bishop prays with the laying on of hands, surrounded by colleagues and the Very Rev. Heather Patton-Graham, Dean of the Cathedral, at his left. Read more about this special event under the Feature Stories section. (Photo: Gabe Lau) | |
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." | | | | | |
