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Join us for
HOLY EUCHARIST
February 23, 2025 at 7:00 am & 9:00 am
Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany
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In this season of Epiphany we pray: God of Divine revealing, may we open our eyes, ears, minds, and hearts to you. Amen.
Dear St. Augustine's 'ohana,
This week, we hear another portion of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians (you can read it here). For me, reading Paul's writing is often like peeling an onion. In his didactic letters to various groups of early Christians, Paul reveals his theology in layers. Understanding his messages requires study of the people to whom he wrote and the times during which they lived.
In the portion we'll hear on Sunday, he compares resurrection (life after death) to the germination of a seed. It's a timeless analogy we can visualize and understand. He says, "What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable."
So far, so good! We understand the cycle of life: the seed ceases to exist as a seed as it transforms to its next form of being. The idea of "seed," in form and concept, "dies" as the seed becomes a plant, which also dies but only after producing more seeds. I'm with you, Paul. I get it.
He continues, saying the seed is "sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power." Paul is not says our earthly bodies are not dishonorable and weak—quite the opposite. There is nothing inherently wrong or bad or ineffective about our bodies or bodily existence. The seed (our bodies) holds positive potential! To realize this potential, God calls us to live in harmony with our bodies and our community, feeding ourselves and our society with care and love.
Metaphorically, Paul is calling out the behavior of some Corinthians who have twisted Christian teachings for their own convenience.
Among the Corinthians are those who pick petty fights, abuse their bodies through excessive eating and drinking, and redefine Jesus' teachings in ways that perpetuate toxic political and socio-economic division. Among the Corinthians, the radical and beautiful inclusivity of Jesus' table fellowship is splintering. They find themselves mired in division and disagreement.
Sound familiar? Modern day society may have more in common with the Corinthians than we might think.
Paul point out that as "seeds," we are made of God's glorious and miraculous potential. God loves us and wants to see positive potential unfold in each of us. Realizing our potential starts with our personal choices.
We can choose to care for our physical bodies; we can choose to stay in community with each other, even when it's difficult. We can choose to see the gift and miracle of transformation and change, even though it brings uncertainty. We can choose to nurture the "seeds" of life. Those seeds are ourselves and others; the seeds are our families, our friends and enemies; the seeds are people who think like us and people hold different beliefs; the seeds are organizations, social structures, and communities. Nurturing means including all, offering the right amount of water, warmth, and light to allow the budding goodness to sprout and flourish.
In his letter, Paul is begging us to stay true to Jesus' table fellowship where we come together to share a meal, share the burdens, and share our our mission of loving inclusivity. The transformation that happens at the table is the seed cracking open. No one has promised the process will be pain-free, but what emerges will be unimaginably beautiful, bringing enemies and friends together in the realized potential of love.
As Jesus states so clearly, "Love your enemies... do to others what you would have them do to you. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you."
Let us nurture the seeds of potential love.
Blessings,
Vicar Jennifer
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PICTURED ABOVE - Julia Ayala Harris, President of theHouse of Deputies President, The Episcopal Church. Read her letter to the House of Deputies here. | |
BEARING FAITHFUL WITNESS
A letter from House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris
(February 11, 2025) "Each time we gather at Christ's table, we proclaim an ancient truth that echoes through the centuries: Divine love knows no borders, grace flows as freely as living water, and in the face of the stranger, we may encounter Christ himself.
Today, The Episcopal Church stands at a profound crossroads where our deepest theological convictions call us to prophetic action... ...Immigrants—and everyone on the margins—are the very center of the story Jesus reveals in the Gospels, and we cannot worship freely if any among us live in fear."
Our Call to Holy Courage and Action
"This season calls us to stand firm in our sacred calling. We invite you to join us as we:
- Enter into deep prayer for those seeking refuge, remembering that the Holy Family were once asylum seekers.
- Raise our voices through the Episcopal Public Policy Network, speaking truth with prophetic love.
- Support Episcopal Migration Ministries as they continue the ancient practice of offering welcome in Christ's name.
- Stand resolute in our conviction that welcome is not optional—it is essential to who we are as followers of Jesus."
READ JULIA AYALA HARRIS' ENTIRE LETTER HERE.
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MAHALO FOR ALL THAT YOU GIVE! | |
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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 for 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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March 2 - Last Sunday after the Epiphany at 7:00 & 9:00 am
March 5 - Ash Wednesday at 5:30 pm
March 9 - First Sunday of Lent at 7:00 & 9:00 am
March 16 - Second Sunday of Lent at 7:00 & 9:00 am
Find scripture readings for upcoming Sundays 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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THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO | |
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Jennifer Colson for cleaning the church & providing flowers this week and last week.
John Sakai 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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ST. AUGUSTINE'S PRAYER CHAIN
Please pray for healing, guidance, strength, peace of mind, and comfort for: Heidi & Baye Cheikh Kébé; Tolentino 'Ohana; Michelle, Debra, Laura, Edna; Caroline Doll; Mayra Ruano; Tom Leonard; Michael Leonard Jr.; Jan Leonard; Craig Spencer; Ashlynn Taylor; Koko Purdy; Alan Reeder; Leighton Purdy; Neal Holter; Linda Leonard Pell; Bruce Soll; all who are affected by wars around the world; Megan Jacoby; Katie Buehner; the people of Maui and the Church of the Holy Innocents; Susan Acacio; Sabrina Lee; Jeannette Hensel; Erin Manuel; Filomena Badua and MJ Sulliban; Guy Kaoo; Reni Aʻi aʻi Bello; Becky & Ludwig Simmet; Annecita Tamayo; Lynn Dicus. Gratitude for the lives of Reggie and Coco Tolentino.
PRAYER CHAIN VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer to be part of St. Augustine's prayer chain! Contact Patsy Ching or Vicar Jennifer if you would like to:
- Pray for those who have requested prayers
- Be part of the phone tree that helps us know about prayer requests or emergencies
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, or 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.
ONLINE FORM
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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SUNDAY SCHOOL - Update on Godly Play - We're re-envisioning our Godly Play offerings. Our plan is to host Godly Play sessions on Wednesdays during Thrift Shop hours, inviting keiki in our community to hear a story, share a snack, and engage in "Godly Play" by exploring the stories through crafts and singing. We'll share more about this soon, so please stay tuned!
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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 if you like! 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 of each month
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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. We host two sessions: after the 7:00 am service and after the 9:00 am service. 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 of each month
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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 of each month
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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 10:30 am after fellowship hour. As always, we welcome your questions about our planning and budgeting processes!
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NEXT TINY CHURCH CONCERT
THIS SUNDAY! February 23, 2025 at 5:30 pm - Trios for two flutes and piano by Telemann, J.S. Bach, and W.F. Bach performed by Wendy Hindley, Jennifer Masada, and Kirk Corey. (See poster below for concert program.) Join us at the after-party at Joël Tan's and Stephen (Bunny) Hoffmann's home for a light dinner and social time!
Mahalo to Joël and Bunny for creating this community gathering by hosting and cooking delicious food!
Watch past Tiny Church Concerts on Facebook or YouTube. Enjoy!
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SUPPORT OUR MUSIC COMMUNITY
If you know of musicians who would like to give a concert, please email vicarjennifer@staugustineskohala.com
Interested in funding our Tiny Church Concert Series? You can give on our web site here. Donations go toward upkeep of our piano and organ, music purchases, and support for local young musicians.
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SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER!
We will be celebrating Shrove Tuesday once again this year on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 5:30 pm in Walker Hall. This is a congregational event to gather for a feast in anticipation of the upcoming Lenten season. Here's what we'll be doing:
- Anticipating Lent with an opening prayer
- Gathering to eat a pancake supper and talk story
Menu will include pancakes, waffles, breakfast sausage, and fresh fruit. To aid our planning, please let us know if you plan to attend. You can email admin@staugustineskohala, call 808-889-5390, or click below to RSVP online. Mahalo!
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HO‘IMI PONO (SEEKING RIGHTEOUSNESS) CURRICULUM
Racial Reconciliation train-the-trainer workshop
Saturday, March 8, 2025 - 8:00 am - 2:00pm
Lunch will be provided - Please register to attend here.
You are cordially invited to participate in a training session where you will explore the Hoʻimi Pono Diocesan Curriculum and learn how to present it effectively. This curriculum aims to enhance communication efforts to advance reconciliation work and serves as a foundational course for further development. During this engaging training, you will be immersed in a wealth of information and activities that highlight various aspects of the curriculum. It will provide an overview along with the materials and resources you need as you implement the study with your parish. The Reconciliation Task Force encourages clergy, lay leaders, and anyone interested in facilitating to attend this essential training. A video overview can be found at: https://youtu.be/O0A_li4PAgs
"...I hope – no, insist (this is something that I rarely have done as your bishop) – that every congregation engage Hōʻimi Pono. To help us – Episcopalians in Hawaiʻi – live in our responsibility to engage God’s mission in Hawai‘i, the Racial Reconciliation Task Force has prepared the Hōʻimi Pono (Seeking Righteousness) curriculum. This curriculum invites us to tell our individual stories within our context of a living host culture and the many cultures of people who now call these Islands home.” —Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick
Questions? Please reach out to Laura La Gassa or Vicar Jennifer.
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ST. AUGUSTINE'S TEAMS GET STUFF DONE!
Our leadership group (aka the Bishop's Committee) meets every month to focus on our priorities and finances and plan how best to serve our community.
In 2024, we established four subcommittees that function as core teams assigned to engage in deeper discussion and research on specific projects. Working in smaller teams allows us to make progress on our goals! At last Sunday's Bishop's Committee meeting, we took a look at our four core teams and made decisions about how to divide our efforts for 2025 as we focus on our newly named Family & Community Network (learn more about this exciting work here).
Our Core Teams
NOTE - For continuity, Vicar Jennifer and Bishop's Warden John Sakai attend all four core team meetings.
Buildings & Grounds - This team tackles the nitty gritty of maintaining all four of our campus buildings as well as stewarding the 'āina we are fortunate to have been entrusted to care for. Members are Dave Lambrecht & Maurine Gomes (co-chairs) and Kim Lambrecht.
Christian Education - This team guides our Spirit School (for adults) and Godly Play (for keiki) learning programs. Members are Vicar Jennifer (chair) and Kathy Matsuda.
Community Events & Partnerships - This team assists with our community service efforts, partnerships, and events, including food sustainability partnerships, music events, Thrift Shop, Annual Bazaar, MamaJam, and community meetings. Members are Kathy Matsuda (Family & Community Network Coordinator), Melanie Sahagun, Lani Bowman, and Michelle Simpson.
Finance & Stewardship - Cindy Sakai and Kim Lambrecht.
Mahalo to all members of our Bishop's Committee and all members of our core teams. If you are interested in being on a core team, please reach out to Vicar Jennifer.
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NEW REFRIGERATOR & RANGE COMING SOON!
We were recently awarded two EmPOWER grants from HELCO grants to purchase and install a new refrigerator and range for our kitchen in Walker Hall. Both appliances have been ordered. We'll keep you updated on
Mahalo to our Buildings & Grounds team for their hard work in making this happen and mahalo to Dave and Kim Lambrecht who made multiple trips to Lowes in Kona to get bids and order the appliances!
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PREACHING CONGREGATIONS INITIATIVE
Launching this Sunday!
St. Augustine's lay cohort of the Preaching Congregations Initiative will begin meeting this month. Kathy Webb, who is serving as the group's facilitator, along with Kirk Corey, Maurine Gomes, Laura La Gassa, Kim Lambrecht, and John Sakai, will meet monthly for a year. This program teaches us how to listen to one another and how to speak with others about the love of God.
Curious about what this group is learning? Be sure to ask any of them during fellowship hour or when you see them out and about!
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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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PICTURED ABOVE - Happy shopper and Roots Skate Park volunteer, Kim Leopold, with one of her thrift store finds. | |
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SHOPPING PLUS MUCH 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. As always, we are also open the first Saturday of the month, so please join us Saturday, March 1 from 8:00 am - 11:00 am.
Our 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!
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Follow us on Facebook page for news about recent Thrift Shop finds and upcoming events! | |
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INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?
Join the fun and serve our community by volunteering at our Thrift Shop. There's always lots to do and great people to work with as we up-cycle clothing and household goods for North Kohala.
Contact admin@staugustineskohala.com
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NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF HAWAI'I
This special edition of the Hawaiian Church Chronicle (January 6, 2025) features an Epiphany message from Bishop Bob.
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This edition of the Hawaiian Church Chronicle (February 13, 2025) includes a photo from the Diocesan Clergy Pilgrimage plus important messages our Bishop Bob shares from our national church.
This issue also includes a special announcement introducing a new diocesan project called Huli: ka lima i lalo, turning our hands to the 'āina. This is a joint effort of our diocesan Creation Care and Environmental Justice Group, Racial Reconciliation Task Force, and Native Hawaiian Ministry Committee. Mahalo Lani Bowman and Laura La Gassa, for your active efforts as members of this combined group!
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MESSAGES FROM OUR BISHOP
& PRESIDING BISHOP
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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." | | | | | |
