HOLY EUCHARIST
June 15, 2025 at 7:00 am and 9:00 am
Trinity Sunday - First Sunday after Pentecost
with laying on of hands healing at 9:00 am
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Dear St. Augustine's 'ohana,
Jesus says to his disciples, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.”
There are truths too heavy for us to carry all at once. Truths about suffering, injustice, the deep wounds we’ve inflicted on one another and on creation. Truths about love that stretch our understanding. Truths about transformation that require us to let old parts of ourselves die so something new can live.
The world is, in many ways, a mess. We pray to the Holy Trinity - God the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer - calling on Divine omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence to just fix it. Sometimes we cry out, asking God to speak louder, to blanket the planet with Divine Truth.
Jesus tells us that the Spirit of truth will guide us into all the truth. To me, this means God is not silent! The truth is emerging in humanity, even if we don't recognize it. This truth is not based on human facts or judgments of others. Spirit is guiding us to the truth of Christ Consciousness, sharing it gently, patiently, day by day, as we become ready to bear it.
That’s what the Holy Spirit does. Spirit doesn’t drop the full weight of Divine truth on us like a stone. Spirit breathes it into our lives, moment by moment, breath by breath. Spirit delivers a whisper here, a nudge there, patiently guiding us to the truth unfolding in us, but only when we’re ready.
So even now, in a world that aches for healing, Spirit is still speaking, inviting us to listen. Spirit supports us as we flow while urging us to stretch our imaginations. We are co-creating a new world as we learn to embrace Christ within. As heavy as we might feel given the state of the world, we are held by the wonders of Creation. Our planet is knit in triune harmony by God — Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer — who reminds us to carry just the part we’re ready for, together, with love.
Join us tomorrow morning as we talk about the Holy Trinity's presence, working in us, with us, and through us.
Blessings,
Vicar Jennifer
| | Camp Mokulē'ia: Annual Trinity Sunday Offering - Beginning in 2015, the Diocese of Hawaiʻi began setting aside Trinity Sunday of every year as a time to collect a special offering to support Camp Mokulē'ia. Your financial support would be a particular blessing to our Camp and will go toward supporting summer camp for many young people in 2025. READ THE BISHOP'S FULL MESSAGE HERE. | | |
June 22 - Second Sunday after Pentecost at 7:00 am and 9:00 am
June 29 - Third Sunday after Pentecost at 7:00 am and 9:00 am
July 6 - Fourth 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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Naly Nakamura for cleaning the church last week.
Maurine Gomes 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: Maile Napoleon Spencer; Carol Arilas; Nino Barraquiel; William Hoffman; Billie Kaluza; Tom Gomes; Ian Hersey; Scottie Garlough; Hattie Perkielski; Oa Hind; Paz; 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. 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
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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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BISHOP'S COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW
All members are welcome to join us for our monthly meeting. Learn about our planning processes and the ways each of our teams work together to serve St. Augustine's and our community. Your ideas are welcome! We will meet at 11:00 am in the Sunday School room.
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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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HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY, JEANNETTE!
It was a truly splendid party today for Jeannette Hensel, thanks to all who came to celebrate! Mahalo nui to friends who traveled from near and far and to all who worked so hard to make it a special day. Just look at her face! That tells the whole story right there. We'll share more photos of the festivities in next week's newsletter. What an incredible joy to share our love for Jeannette and her 'ohana!
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Clozieur Ke'a in concert!
In case you missed it, the video of Clozieur's June 1 performance is on St. Augustine's YouTube channel here. Mahalo to Clozieur for sharing his talents!
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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.
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.
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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ABOUT THE LITTLE FREE PANTRY A note from Deacon Lani
Aloha St. Augustine's 'ohana,
For several years we have been diligent in stocking the "Little Free Pantry" (LFP) in Kapa‘au. This meets a crucial need for our houseless and underemployed 'ohana. The anonymous, no-questions-asked nature of the pantry sets it apart from other food programs. Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." He did not specify who to feed or how to assess whether they should qualify for assistance. It's important to love our neighbors by offering nourishment to all in need.
Please consider donating to the LFP so that St. Augustine's can continue to assist members of our community. We've set aside the second Sunday of each month as LFP donation day. We need nonperishables in the form of nourishing proteins such as tuna, sardines, peanut butter, peanuts, or other nuts and nut butters, Spam, Vienna Sausage, and cheese and cracker packets. Ready-made meals are also helpful, like packets of cooked lentils, ready-to-eat microwavable meals, packets of cereal, oatmeal, or non-perishable milk.
Imagine being in a situation where you have no food. What could keep you going until the next meal? That is what you can help provide!
In this world of uncertainty and chaos, let us take a moment to reflect on our abundance. We have so much love, grace, and care to offer our neighbors who need the support of their Kohala 'ohana.
You can bring non-perishable food items to the 7:00 am or 9:00 am service or you can donate online at the link below. Mahalo for your kindness!
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR COLLEGE AWARD RECIPIENTS
Jazelle, Yvanka, Kiona, and Jayline
Last Sunday, we celebrated with these four young ladies, who will be continuing their education during the 2025-26 academic year. Thanks to your generosity, each of them received a check to use toward college expenses. Mahalo to all who contributed to our College Award Fund! Your support for our youth is a lasting gift.
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PICTURED TO THE LEFT - Kiona Nakamura with her mom Naly Nakamura, Vicar Jennifer, and Kathy Matsuda. Kiona will attend University of Hawai'i Mānoa and plans to become a teacher.
| | PICTURED TO THE RIGHT - Yvanka Lum with Ernesto Claro, (grandfather), Maria Lum (mom), Stanley Lum (dad), Vicar Jennifer, and Kathy Matsuda. Yvanka will return to University of Hawai'i Mānoa for her second year to continue her studies in political science and pre-law. | | | | | |
PICTURED TO THE LEFT - Jazelle with Javayah (sister), Joy Arellano (mom), Catalina Morales (grandmother), Jace (brother), Vicar Jennifer, and Kathy Matsuda. Jazelle will attend community college to become an ultrasound technician.
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NOTES FROM OUR BISHOP'S COMMITTEE
Please let us know if you have questions or feedback! Contact any member of the BC or sit in on our next meeting on June 15 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. Here are this week's highlights:
Buildings & Grounds - Electrical work in the vicarage: Inspection is scheduled for next week, and work should begin soon after.
Finance - Working on our mid-year budget an overview at our gathering on July 13.
Community Events & Partnerships Team (building our Family & Community Network ) - The team is busy planning for our Annual Bazaar, to be held October 4. We'll host another Craft Night on June 18 at 6:30 pm. Our next food canning classes in June, July, and August are full, but there are still openings on September 13. Click here to register or contact Kathy Matsuda.
Spiritual Growth Team - Our team continues with Godly Play at 3:30 pm on Wednesdays during Thrift Shop hours. See poster above and help us spread the word! At this month's Spirit School, we discussed the sermon using the "listening questions" provided by our PCi faculty mentors from Virginia Theological Seminary. These questions are now available in the pews. Mahalo to Lani for this suggestion!
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.
SPECIAL SHOPPING DAY on Monday, June 16! Since we were closed for Kamehameha Day, we'll be open this coming Monday from 2:00 to 6:00 pm in addition to our regular hours on Wednesday, June 18.
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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
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In this special edition of the Hawaiian Church Chronicle (June 5, 2025), read special updates from around the diocese, including information about a request for a special offering for Camp Mokulē'ia
on Trinity Sunday.
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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.
Reverend Rachel Taber-Hamilton, July 26, 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Rev. Taber-Hamilton is a Shackan First Nation person and an Episcopal priest. She has served in the Diocese of Olympia for 23 years and was elected vice president of the House of Deputies at the 2022 General Convention.
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." | | | | | |
