HOLY EUCHARIST
September 28, 2025 at 7:00 am & 9:00 am
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Continuing the Season of Creation
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IN THIS NEWSLETTER
- Creation care - explanation of Huli ka lima i lalo
- Upcoming services & events through December 2025
- Why St. Augustine's is here: how are we living our mission
- Pray for others and send us your prayer requests
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Dear St. Augustine's 'ohana,
In this week’s gospel, Jesus tells a story of a rich man who ignores a man who is starving and ill. Sitting in plain sight at the rich man’s gate, the starving man goes unnoticed as the rich man goes about his daily business.
The story paints a grim picture of the rich man’s demise. It reads almost like Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, a cautionary tale showing how a life of indifference leads to torment.
Jesus shares the story to warn us of the consequences of indifference. He crafts a narrative intended to drive home the message: to avoid suffering, love your neighbor as yourself. The rich man already knew this. We already know this. And still we fail to follow through. The consequences feel remote, too far into the future, and too distant from our own life experiences to warrant our attention. It’s like a child who sneaks candy and isn’t caught—soon he believes there are no consequences at all.
How often do we ignore people in our community who starve for food, medicine, loving care, or a sense of belonging? These are often the quiet people in the shadows, the ones who are easy to ignore.
How often do we choose to ignore the cries of a suffering planet, whose ecology is damaged by our indifference? The earth groans under the weight of human-caused climate change: bleached coral, silent forests once filled with birdsong, oceans choking on plastic.
We justify our indifference by convincing ourselves we are powerless, the problem is too big, or someone else will take care of it. Before we know it, we’ve developed a habit of indifference — a pattern of numbing ourselves to the suffering around us by simply turning away.
Sometimes indifference can also be a symptom of spiritual struggle that results in pushing love away. Because we are afraid we are not worthy, we pretend no one else is allowed to be worthy, either.
In the midst of this, our faith teaches hope. Just as a trail through the forest shows us the way when we might otherwise get lost, the teachings of our faith offer us a road map to move beyond indifference into practices that restore life and connection. Some steps along our path include:
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Paying attention. Action does not automatically erase indifference; first we must observe the problems. The initial step is to open our eyes and allow the suffering of others to enter our hearts. Consider how a girl struggles with asthma because her family can’t afford to live in a less polluted neighborhood. Imagine how the trees labor to breathe for us in a drought-stricken region.
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Letting prayer expand our hearts. Prayer isn’t passive; with daily practice, prayer reshapes how we see others. We begin to open our hearts to move beyond our personal experiences to see others’ realities.
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Cultivating empathy through presence. Instead of turning away, practice showing up, even in small ways. Practice active solidarity. Instead of pity from a distance, solidarity means standing alongside. Changing our habits takes practice, so let’s take time this week to be present and notice. If even just briefly, sit with the houseless person you greet. Walk the forests and touch the moss. Watch the flow of a stream near your home. These small acts of attention are where indifference begins to crumble and compassion takes root.
Jesus’ story is not just about consequences after death; it is about how we choose to live right now. Each small act of attention, each prayer that stretches our hearts, each moment of standing alongside another, pulls us back from indifference into love.
This Season of Creation invites us to practice that love in the way we care for the earth, in the way we notice the forgotten, in the way we embody hope for generations to come.
Blessings this day,
Vicar Jennifer
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THE SEASON OF CREATION
We are currently focused 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 and reflections.
This week's Season of Creation reflection
We're fortunate to live in a place where we have ample opportunity to connect with creation and appreciate all that our beautiful earth offers. To deepen our relationship with God's creation, I invite you to explore one of my favorite online publications, Emergence Magazine.
Especially in these times, the current issue of Emergence Magazine provides space to practice and deepen our connections with all living beings. A note from the editors: "It has always been a radical act to share stories during dark times. They are regenerative spaces of creation and renewal. As we experience a loss of sacred connection to the Earth, we share stories that explore the timeless connections between ecology, culture, and spirituality."
| | TO WATCH THE FILM, click on the image above. | | |
This week, I watched Emergence Magazine's film The Last Ice Age, which I drew from for my sermon this week. The film features storyteller Andri Snær Magnason. For Andri, climate change is like a black hole: so big, it’s larger than language. Retracing his grandparents’ annual spring journey to Iceland’s Vatnajökull glacier to witness the loss of Europe’s largest ice cap with his son, Andri searches for the stories that can help us understand our ecological crisis.
The folks at Emergence Magazine have provided an engagement guide for the film. It provides additional information as well as thoughtful questions for reflection, discussion, and practice.
The Last Ice Age is part of Emergence Magazine's four-part documentary series, Shifting Landscapes, directed by Emmy- and Peabody-nominated filmmakers Adam Loften and Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee. The series explores the power of art and story to orient us amid the darkness of our time. Following a musician, a poet, a writer, and a filmmaker who are each embracing the alchemical power of story to connect and transform us, this series opens ways of being that hold both catastrophe and love as our landscapes change and disappear.
INTERESTED IN A COMMUNITY SCREENING OF THIS FILM?
Drop me a line and let me know. It would be wonderful to host a viewing and community conversation about this documentary.
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October 5 - Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, 7:00 & 9:00 am
October 12 - Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, 7:00 & 9:00 am
October 19 - Nineteenth 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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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 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! | | |
Patsy Ching for cleaning the church & providing flowers last week in memory of John Ching.
Maurine Gomes for serving as lay reader last Sunday and serving as Altar Guild.
St. Augustine's members who pray for others each week.
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: Kathy, Kaya, and George Webb; Jileen Russell and ‘ohana; Melanie & Daniel Diego & baby due in October; Alberta & Dave; Ashley Morris Sasaki & family; Joe Chang; Sue Ellen, Diane & Tom; Sean; Mark Odom; Randy Cruz; Eupolodo Rivera; Raeanne Tolentino; Brendan McDougall; 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 girls born Sep. 24; 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. Thanksgiving for the life of Richard Russell.
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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LOOKING AHEAD
Here's a quick reference list. Please see below for details or check out our online calendar.
September 28 - Mahalo brunch for Thrift Shop volunteers - 10:30 am
September 30 - Ho'imi Pono session #3 - Navigating Disagreement - 5:30 pm
October 1 - Stewardship season begins
October 4 - Annual Bazaar - 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
October 7 - Ho'imi Pono session #4 - Practicing Forgiveness - 5:30 pm
October 14 - Ho'imi Pono session #5 - Risking Hope - 5:30 pm
October 24 & 25 - Diocesan Education Day & Annual Meeting on O'ahu
November 2 - All Saints Sunday & ingathering of ministry gifts
November 16 - Sunday services celebrating Queen Lili'uokalani
November 23 - Sunday services celebrating the Holy Sovereigns Queen Emma & King Kamehameha
November 27 - Thanksgiving Day
November 30 - Season of Advent begins
November 30 - Keiki Giving Spree in our Thrift Shop - 11:00 to noon
December 7 - Presentation by author Carl McColman: Read the Bible Like a Mystic - 10:30 am
December 24 - Christmas Eve service - 6:00 pm with potluck after
December 25 - Christmas Day service - 9:00 am
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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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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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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 the day approaches, here are some things you can do to help:
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Sign up to bake or cook items we'll sell at the Bazaar. The sign-up sheet is in Walker Hall. If you can, please pack, label & price your items in advance. Let Kathy know if you need containers by Sunday, Sept. 21.
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Keep your eyes out for people moving. They may have some great items for silent auction!
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Please consider donating fruits and vegetables for us to sell.
When to bring items:
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Bring your crafts, silent auction, and boutique items starting Sunday, Sept. 28, and after that contact Jeanne.
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Bring higher-end Thrift Shop items on Sunday, Sept. 28 and Oct. 1 in the morning.
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Bring food by 8:00am on Bazaar day. If you can, please pack, label & price in advance.
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Bring plants, flowers, fruits, vegetables on Bazaar day at 8:00 am to the plants tent. If you can, please label with names of plants and price in advance.
Requests for help:
- Need help putting up tents Friday, Oct. 3 at 4:00 pm. Let Kathy know if you can help.
- Need help breaking down tents Bazaar day at 1:30 pm. Let Kathy know if you can help.
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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 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 September meeting began with a prayer and an appreciative inquiry discussion (based on the sermon) on ways in which we are faithful stewards of God’s abundance. Responses reflected our use of our gifts of time, presence, and skills as well as our care for and appreciation of the gifts of God's creation.
September Meeting highlights - discussions included the following:
- Budget report and plans for our Stewardship campaign and Poinsettia fundraiser
- Annual Bazaar planning
- Thrift Shop operations report & strategic planning
- Completion of Food Preservation Workshops for 2025
- Report on completed repairs on a water main break
- Progress on plans for a 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 on Sunday, October 19 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 month, we're highlighting our Finance, Budget & Compensation Review team that oversees our financial health and stewardship activities (pledges). The team's chair is Treasurer Cindy Sakai; members are Kim Lambrecht and Pi'ilani Fernandez with Vicar Jennifer and Bishop's Warden John Sakai. Among its activities so far in 2025, the team has:
- Carefully reviewed St. Augustine's monthly finances
- Kept us on track with balanced income and spending
- Developed a new budget calendar to aid planning
- Completed a successful College Award Fund campaign
- Launched a new Thrift Shop data analysis process to examine income trends
Future projects include overseeing the Stewardship campaign in October/November and the Poinsettia fundraiser in December.
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.
PLEASE NOTE: the Thrift Shop will be OPEN on Wednesday, October 1 before the Bazaar.
| | 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 during the Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI)Young Adult Retreat at Camp Mokulē'ia, held September 11-14. Against the breathtaking backdrop of the Ko'olau Range, the group takes a moment after working the lo'i fields of Kako'o 'O'iwi in He'eia. Pictured with the young adults are our clergy, the Rev. Canon Andrew Arakawa, Canon for Ministry Formation (fourth from left), and guest speaker for the retreat, the Rev. Keleawe Hee (center with red shirt). Also with the group at center front with navy shirt is Canon Myra Garnes, Officer of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries from The Episcopal Church. Look for a full feature article in an upcoming issue. (Photo: Carolyn Morinish) | |
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." | | | | | |
