Volume 4, Issue 32
August 9, 2019
THIS SUNDAY: August 11, 2019
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99:1-9
2 Peter 1:13-21
Luke 9:28-36

8:00AM
Chris Neumann (EM)
Judy Saronitman (U)
Lorna Nishi (AG)

9:30AM
David Crocker (EM)
Chris Wataya, David Murray (R)
Linda Crocker, Mario Antonio (U)
Faith Shiramizu (AG)
Joshua, Braden (A)
Nelson Secretario, Vikki Secretario (HP)
UPCOMING EVENTS
Relay for Life
Saturday, August 10 th
3:00 - 11:00PM
Kapa`a Beach Park

Sunday School Class Resumes
Sunday, August 11 th
9:30 - 10:00AM
Memorial Hall

Full Moon Meditation and Labyrinth Walk
Thursday, August 15 th
6:30 - 8:00PM
Church Lawn

Habitat for Humanity
One `Ohana Workday
Saturday, August 24 th
~8:00AM - 1:30PM
Anahola

Kahili Workshop
Friday, August 30 th
5:00 - 7:00PM
Gym

Invite - Welcome - Connect Conference
Saturday, August 31 st
8:30AM - 4:00PM
Hilton Garden Inn
Adult Bible Study on Weekly Gospel
Every Sunday, 9:00 - 9:30AM
Under the big tree

Sunday School
Every Sunday, 9:30 - 10:15AM
Memorial Hall

Aloha Hour
Every Sunday, 10:45AM - 12:00PM
Under the big tree

Monday Crew
Every Monday, 8:00AM
Church Office
Laundry Love
1 st & 3 rd Wednesday, 5:00PM
Kapa`a Laundromat

McMaster Slack Key Guitar and Ukulele Concert
Every Wednesday, 6:00PM
Church

Daughters of the King
2 nd & 4 th Thursday, 7:00 - 8:00PM
Memorial Hall

Choir Practice
Every Thursday, 6:00PM
Choir Room
THOUGHTS FROM FATHER JOHN
Dear Friends,

As our country continues to react and recover from last week’s mass shootings, I want to summarize and add to some of my comments shared last Sunday. Politicians and pundits always have a lot to say, but as people of faith, we have something to say too.

First, as scripture tells us, we “weep with those who weep . People are experiencing unspeakable grief right now---families and friends who lost loved ones, but also those whose lives have been changed forever by physical and psychological wounds. Imagine if you were in their shoes. Weep with those who weep anywhere, anytime for any reason.

Second,  at times like this, we say as people of faith  “Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.”  Indeed, we sang in our first hymn, “Forgive, forgive, O Lord we cry.” Of course individuals bear the greatest responsibility. But we all are connected. We all bear a responsibility to make choices and create conditions that would not always  prevent but might help reduce the effects of others’ awful decisions.

Third , our prayers must be a preparation for and lead to action , to  do something. “Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore” we sang in our last hymn. We must never shrug our shoulders and say “these things happen” but “God, what will you help me do?” We will do different things based on different positions and passions and gifts and resources. But every effort helps. Every action makes a difference. And brought together and repeated, a big difference, over time,  will  be made. Silence and inaction, on the other hand, make us complicit with the evils we deplore.

Fourth, the one gift and right we all share, the one action we all can take, is to vote. As our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, has said, “Get your souls to the polls!” I would simply add, search your souls before you go to the polls! Whether you want to keep the current leadership or change the current leadership at any level, in any election, take time to let your faith in Christ's teachings and example inform your decision.

Fifth , apart from elections, at any time, heed the words of that prayer attributed to St. Francis and particularly, right now, “Where there is hatred, let us sow love” which inspired the refrain of our prayers of the people last Sunday: “Lord, make us an instrument of your peace “and let us sow love in the world.”

I concluded my remarks by reading this prayer from our Book of Common Prayer which Bishop Curry had posted Sunday morning:

Grant O God, that your holy and life giving-Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

May we be humble enough to know there is no single or easy solution to complicated problems, but hopeful and patient enough to have faith that, driven by the Holy Spirit, things will get better this time. In the meantime, let us pray some different words of the Passion Chorale we usually sing/pray on Good Friday, Hymn 669: 

Commit thou all that grieves thee, and fills thy heart with care
To him whose faithful mercy, the skies above declare
Who gives the winds their courses, who points the clouds their way
‘tis he will guide thy footsteps, and be thy staff and stay.
 
Hope on then broken spirit, hope on be not afraid
Fear not the griefs that plague thee, and keep thy heart dismayed
Thy God in his great mercy, will save thee, hold thee fast
And in his own time grant thee, the sun of joy at last.
 
Paul Gerhrdt (1607-1676)  Music: Passion Chorale

Fr. John

P.S. How proud I know we all are of the youth of All Saints’ who helped lead our services on August 4 th . They are lights of hope not just for our future , but lights helping guide us right now!
KE AKUA YOUTH GROUP KEIKI SERVICE
The Future is in Good Hands!
On Sunday, Aug. 4 th , the Ke Akua Youth Group led both 8:00AM and 9:30AM services. The Keiki of All Saints’ all had a role to play. They were ushers, readers, acolytes, and preachers. Braden Tabura, Daileen Barton, and Neva Leung wrote and presented their own sermon to the congregation. All children were then invited for a special blessing of their back-to-school backpacks.

The kids would like to thank everyone for their love and support of both their education and spiritual journeys. Remember: “Find something you love to do so you never have to work a day in your life. Amen!”
 
Thanks!

-For the Ke Akua Youth
Cami
LAST CHANCE!
KE AKUA YOUTH MINISTRY
Relay for Life Returns
August 10, 2019
The Ke Akua Youth Group is bringing back Relay for Life! The event will be at Kapa`a Beach Park & Soccer Field on Saturday, August 10 th from 3:00 to 11:00PM.
 
Here are the different ways you can support our Team:
 
  • Visit the Ke Akua Youth Group Team Page online to make a donation.
  • Tell any of the youth members you would like to donate. They have a donation sheet and their own set of luminarias for purchase.
  • Visit our table after Sunday Services or drop by the church office to make an in-person donation and decorate or take home luminarias.
  • Visit our booth during the event, purchase some snacks, hang out, or walk with us!
 
Help us to reach our goal of $1,000 this season. Your support saves lives.
 
-For the Ke Akua Youth
Cami
Search Committee Prayer



God of light and life, you have faithfully guided the people of All Saints’ Episcopal Church since the very beginning. You have raised up hard-working and entrepreneurial leaders, blessed us with racial and cultural diversity, deepened our faith, given us the courage to stand with neighbors who are struggling, and increased our awareness of your presence and activity. Help us to trust your Holy Spirit as we open our minds and hearts to discern the leader who can help us participate in your preferred and promised future. In the name of Jesus, the one who came to share our place and free us from everything that keeps us from your love so we can live for others. Amen.

Adapted from the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. https://mnbishopsearch.org/pray/

If you have any questions or comments for the Search Committee, please contact them by clicking HERE .

All Saints’ Search Committee

  • Linda Crocker
  • Collin Darrell 
  • Victor Punua Jr. 
  • Diane Sato
  • Vikki Secretario
  • Curtis Shiramizu
  • Dianne Tabura
All Saints’ invites Guest Speaker Mary Parmer to Kaua`i for a special presentation on Saturday, August 31 st at Hilton Garden Inn (Kuhio Ballroom) from 8:30AM to 4:00PM.

Lunch will be provided.

This ministry of evangelism and congregational empowerment provides tools for guided discipleship and creating deeper spiritual connections with people, our church, and ourselves.

The event is completely FREE!

To Register, please click on the link below. 


Deadline to register is August 21, 2019.

Mary Margaret Smith
NOTE: DATE CHANGE FOR HABITAT!
Saturday, August 24 th
EPISCOPAL CHURCH DAYS FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
One 'Ohana Team Implementing the Strategic Design Plan
One ‘Ohana Team,

We are rescheduling our next Habitat for Humanity work day to Saturday, August 24 th because a large work team of volunteers has already signed up for August 17 th . We are working in Anahola so we will have our first team member from Christ Memorial church joining us. We welcome Diane Torkelson to the One `Ohana Team!

As always, please let me know if you will be there, and if you would like to carpool at 7:30AM from All Saints’.

Mahalo.

Ron Morinishi
From the Buildings and Grounds Ministry
The chandelier project is complete and the brighter lights (LEDs), made by Satco, have been installed. The chandeliers are designed to work seamlessly with our existing dimmer system so we can control the lighting in the Sanctuary for all occasions. They are a greatly appreciated addition to our worship space.

Mahalo nui loa to the Bosshard family for their generous support of All Saints’.

- Byron Barth
ALL SAINTS’ HISTORIC ICON
Generous Gift of the Malcom Chun Family
In March several All Saints’ congregants went to Renewal 2019 on `Oahu. It was an excellent weekend of education and inspiration with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry as keynote speaker and Sunday preacher. At the event the family of the late Rev. Malcom Chun offered an icon from his extensive collection to any church in the diocese that was interested. The All Saints’ representatives chose the lovely bronze/brass and enamel piece pictured above. 

Efforts to research the history of this type of icon were aided by an introduction to Dr. Bryce E. Rich by the Rev. Wil Gafney, frequent Kaua`i and All Saints’ visitor. Dr. Bryce is currently Visiting Assistant Professor of Theology at Brite Divinity School in Fort Work, TX. I am grateful to Rev. Wil for the introduction and Dr. Rich for sharing his extensive knowledge with me. 

This week we will look at the images on our icon, their meaning, and Dr. Rich’s translation of the legible words.

The words at the very top of the cross are not legible but Dr. Rich suspects the inscription reads Lord of Sabaoth (God the Father). 

The figure at the very top would appear to be the Father. However, in Eastern iconography, it is generally forbidden to create an image of the Father because the Father is inaccessible to human beings. Sometimes this figure is Christ depicted as the Ancient of Days. Beneath him is a dove, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. And then two angels. Dr. Rich was unable to read the inscription right under the dove. The three figures taken together can then be read as a symbol of the Trinity, though they do not strictly portray the three persons of Father, Son, and Spirit. Dr. Rich said this is pretty typical of Orthodox iconography. 

To the left of Christ is a spear. It should have an accompanying letter К for the abbreviation of the word копьё (spear) and he thinks there is a Т on the other side for the word трость (the reed with the sponge on which Christ was offered vinegar).

The place of the foot rest has been widened to give a depiction of the city wall of Jerusalem, as Christ was crucified outside of the city. The foot rest in traditional Slavic crosses is higher on the left and lower on the right. From Christ’s perspective, this would mean the right side is higher. It points toward paradise and is also the side on which St. Dismas in the Catholic tradition and Rakh in the Russian Orthodox tradition was crucified. (In the Eucharistic liturgy, the communicants pray, “But like the thief will I confess: Remember me, o Lord, in your kingdom.”) The lower side (Christ’s left) points toward the grave and is the side on which the unrepentant thief, Gestas, was crucified.

Beneath Golgotha (the place of the skull) is depicted the skull of Adam in Hades. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, icons of the Resurrection show Christ, having broken down the gates of Hades, freeing Eve and Adam from the depths.  

Here’s a table of the inscriptions that he was able to make out:
All Saint’s is blessed to have such a lovely piece of historic iconography. Our gratitude goes to Rev. Malcom Chun’s family for making it available to us and to Dr. Bryce Rich for helping us understand its history and meaning. The icon will be displayed in the Queen’s Chapel.

- CeCe Caldwell
IT'S GETTING EXCITING!
Kāhili Project Makes Great Strides
On July 30 th the Drake family and six All Saints’ volunteers gathered to assemble our first kāhili. The work involved inserting the branches of feather flowers into the holes drilled into the wooden pole center of the kāhili and wrapping the pole with tared rope to hold the branches in place. The Drakes demonstrated the meticulous task and guided our volunteers in adding branches, then tapping and tacking the rope. 
Using modern materials gave us a much greater appreciation of the difficulty the ancient Hawaiians faced in gathering materials and creating rope to make kāhili for their Ali`i. With Kumu Mike Drake, Leia Drake, and Kamo Drake leading, Wayne Doliente, Jan Hashizume, Carolyn Morinishi, David Murray, Bill Brown, and CeCe Caldwell lent their hands to the creation of our first kahili.
We finished the top of one kāhili which will be joined to a longer pole to create the height needed for display. The second kāhili will be finished in a workshop on August 30 th . We plan to bless and install our kāhili in the All Saints’ sanctuary on October 20 th during our Feast of the Holy Sovereigns service. We are honored to carry on a tradition begun by King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma when they invited the Episcopal Church to the Kingdom of Hawai`i.
Love Offering
August 18, 2019
The members of the Kapa`a Interfaith Association, the churches that sponsor the annual Thanksgiving Service and Luncheon, are having a Love-Offering in the month of August.
We are asking our `Ohana for financial help as we are short of funds this year. The All Saints Love-Offering is scheduled for August 18, 2019 at both services.
 
We know how generous you are with your time and energy to make the annual Thanksgiving Service and Luncheon happen. We hope you will help us find the money we need to fund it. Certainly not lots of money but if you could find a few extra dollars, perhaps $5.00 or $20.00, it would make a big difference. If you would like to write a check just note KIA Thanksgiving on the check.

Mahalo nui loa for your help.,

Mary Margaret Smith and Sarah Rogers
MAHALO JOAN ROUGHGARDEN
Rough Seas at Kealia
FULL MOON MEDITATION AND LABYRINTH WALK
With Dorayne Breedlove
Join Labyrinth facilitator and meditation teacher, Dorayne Breedlove, under the August Full Moon for a guided meditation and Labyrinth walk. During the meditation, Dorayne will lead in a heart connection process of tuning into the divine wisdom within. Then she will share the practice of walking the Labyrinth as an active prayer of release, receptivity, and gratitude all toward the theme of embracing expanded spiritual growth and positive changes. 
 
Date: Thursday, Aug. 15, 6:30-8:00
Location: Labyrinth at All Saints Episcopal Church 
1065 Kuhio Hway, Kapa'a HI 96746

What to Bring: Folding chair, water bottle, flashlight, umbrella (in case of rain)
Suggested Love Donation $10

For more information, contact Dorayne at 214-934-7805  [email protected]
SEA SCOUTS CIRCUMNAVIGATE THE GARDEN ISLE
Another Successful Cruise
In July our Sea Scouts got underway with 13 people for a 7-day cruise, circumnavigating Kaua`i and visiting Ni'ihau. 

We traveled a total of 144 nautical miles and had an amazing time. 
Please consider joining.

SPREAD THE WORD!!
Commemorating 400 years of African American History and Culture

An invitation to participate in Healing Day National Bell Ringing
August 25 at 3:00 pm EDT
[August 6, 2019] Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia Bishop James B. Magness invite Episcopal churches to take part in a national action to remember and honor the first enslaved Africans who landed in English North America in 1619 by tolling their bells for one minute on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at 3:00 pm ET.
 
Watch Presiding Bishop Curry’s video message here .
 
“The National Park Service is commissioning, and asking, churches and people from around this country to commemorate and remember that landing and the bringing of those first enslaved Africans to this country by ringing bells. And if possible, by tolling the bells of churches and to do so on August 25 at 3:00 in the afternoon,” said Curry. “I’m inviting us as The Episcopal Church to join in this commemoration as part of our continued work of racial healing and reconciliation. At 3:00 pm we can join together with people of other Christian faiths and people of all faiths to remember those who came as enslaved, who came to a country that one day would proclaim liberty. And so we remember them and pray for a new future for us all.”
 
This national bell ringing is among the Healing Day events being held at Fort Monroe National Monument to commemorate the 400th anniversary of that landing.
 
“The 2019 commemoration of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans to North America is for me a highly personal occasion,” said Magness. “As a descendent of slaveholders, and as a white male who came of age in the racially polarized south during the 1950s and 1960s, I am painfully aware of my own complicity in furthering and perpetuating the subjugation of my African American brothers and sisters. At a time when the racial divide in this country seems to be growing rather than diminishing, we are in dire need of a moment, an event when we can stop and take stock of our responsibilities to bring the races together, perhaps in a new manner that truly is an embrace of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.”
 
“Let’s unite as one on this day and show our appreciation for 400 years of African American history,” said Terry E. Brown, Fort Monroe National Monument superintendent. “We must embrace the West African concept of Sankofa, which teaches us we must go back to our roots in order to move forward.”

The site of the ship's arrival is the present site of Fort Monroe National Monument in Hampton, Virginia.
 
"The first African people were brought to this continent in harrowing and dehumanizing circumstances. As we remember the 400th anniversary of their arrival, I pray that we will do the hard work of reconciliation that God longs for us to do,” said Susan Goff, bishop suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. “God forgive us. God give us courage and resolve. And God bless us."
 
As recorded by English colonist John Rolfe, the arrival of "20 and odd" African men and women at Point Comfort in late August 1619, was a pivotal moment in the nation's history. Stolen by English privateers from a Spanish slave ship and brought to Point Comfort on a ship called the White Lion , these natives of west central Africa are believed to have been traded for food and supplies. They were the first Africans to be brought to English North America.
 
“With bells tolling across America, we pause to lament the centuries of suffering and wrenching grief of slavery and racism in our land,” said Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop diocesan of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. “The first slave trade ship to land 400 years ago planted the seed of sin that spread through the active participation and complicit passivity of nearly every American institution. As we grieve, may we dedicate ourselves to addressing systemic racism and the multi-generational impact of enslavement and discrimination faced by all of the African diaspora.”
 
As the landing point for the first enslaved Africans in the English colonies in 1619 and the site of the first emancipation policy decision during the Civil War, Fort Monroe marks both the beginning and the end of slavery in the United States.
 
About Fort Monroe
The majority of the Fort Monroe peninsula was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Fort Monroe National Monument was proclaimed by President Barak Obama in 2011. In 2018 President Donald Trump signed into law the 400 years of African American History Commission Act. A special Federal Commission was formed to commemorate and educate the American public about the 1619 arrival of the first enslaved Africans to the English colonies at Port Comfort, Virginia.
 
Visit www.nps.gov/fomr and www.facebook.com/FortMonroeNPS for more information.

On the web:
A GARDEN OF SURPRISES

Posted August 6, 2019
Two compost bins stand off to the side of our garden. Every few days we bring our scraps of food to the bins, toss them in, and rotate the mix of leaves, grass, and food and watch it transform. We’ve been using these same compost containers for the last few years and it never ceases to amaze me what comes from the bins. 
 
Not only fresh, dark compost, but growing plants. 
 
It started earlier in the summer when we noticed the tomato plants shooting out from the bottom of the bin. “What do you think?” my husband asks me. “Should we let it grow or pull it up?” 
 
Hesitating a bit as I stare at the vibrant green vine that will produce tomatoes, I say, “Sure, let’s see what comes of it.” In past years we’ve let our volunteer plants such as squash and tomatoes grow and sometimes they take over our garden so we’re not sure what we originally planted and what grew organically. 
 
A few weeks after finding the volunteer tomatoes I noticed a new vine coming from the compost. And each day following I’d walk outside and need to step over the growing vine. Soon big, green leaves formed followed by yellow flowers. My husband began mowing around the vine and we’d have to step over it to get inside our small shed which stands behind the growing plant. Another squash plant we thought. Another plant coming to life from the compost. 
 
Now it’s August and we’ve picked an abundance of cherry tomatoes from the volunteer plant. We’ve delighted in the sun-ripened tomatoes and given thanks for their bounty, not from the work of our hands, but from the work that happens when we open our eyes to God’s abundance in our midst. 
 
The other day I saw a small vegetable growing from one of the flowers on our squash plant. It was green and round. A few days later, I realized we had a large green pumpkin. I don’t know if we’ll get more pumpkins, gifts from this plant that grew from our compost, but I do know that the gift has already been given.  
 
The volunteer plants remind me that sometimes the best work we can do is to let things grow on their own. To trust that sometimes we need to let creation flourish, and to be surprised by the miracles of life that pop up. God constantly shows up in the places that we least expect. In bread and wine, water and word, a tomato plant, pumpkin, and compost. 

Kimberly Knowle-Zeller is an ordained ELCA pastor, mother of two, and spouse of an ELCA pastor. She lives with her family in Cole Camp, MO. You can read more at her  website . Or follow her work on  Facebook .
THE FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION
August 6 is the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which commemorates Jesus’ unveiling as the Son of God, and his radical change of appearance while in the presence of Peter, James and John on a mountaintop.

The Gospel of Matthew records that Jesus “was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light.” At this moment Moses and Elijah appeared, and they were talking with Jesus. Peter, misunderstanding the meaning of this manifestation, offered to make three “booths” (or “dwellings”) for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. A bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice from the cloud stated, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The disciples fell on their faces in awe, but Jesus encouraged them to arise and “have no fear.” When the disciples looked up, they saw only Jesus (Matthew 17:1-8).

The Transfiguration is also mentioned in two other gospel accounts (Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9:28- 36) and is referred to in the Second Letter of Peter, which records that “we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” and “we were with him on the holy mountain” (2 Peter 1:16-18).

The Transfiguration is a pivotal moment because it revealed Christ’s glory prior to the crucifixion, and it anticipated his resurrection and ascension. It also prefigures the glorification of human nature in Christ. Some think that the setting on the mountain is significant because it becomes the point where human nature meets God, with Jesus acting as a point of connection between heaven and earth.

Celebration of the Transfiguration began in the eastern church in the late fourth century. The feast is celebrated on August 6, which is the date of the dedication of the first church built on Mount Tabor, which is traditionally considered to be the “high mountain” of the Transfiguration. There are scholars, however, who believe the Transfiguration occurred either on Mount Hermon, which borders Syria and Lebanon, or on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

Collect for the Transfiguration

O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen 

(Book of Common Prayer, p. 243).

Published by the Office of Communication of The Episcopal Church, 815 Second Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017
© 2018 The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. All rights reserved.
Minigolf Installed in English Cathedral to Draw in Younger Visitors

By Rachel Farmer
Posted Aug 2, 2019
The nave of Rochester Cathedral in England has been transformed into a minigolf course. Photo: Rochester Cathedral via ACNS

[Anglican Communion News Service] A minigolf course has been installed in a Church of England cathedral at Rochester in Kent to help build bridges with young people.

Although worship services will continue as normal, the medieval nave has been transformed by a green and various bridges which visitors can send their golf balls through while being inspired by the architecture.

Transformed Churches, Transformed Communities – Anglicans from Across Asia Share Their Learning and Experiences in Myanmar

1 August 2019
Local church members share their experiences. Photo: Anglican Alliance

Paul smiled broadly. “We want to grow spiritually and physically inside our church and in unity with our community,” he said. “We want to share our blessings by working together with our neighbours.”

Witnessing local transformation

As we sat on rush mats in a rural church in Myanmar, evidence of the growth and transformation Paul spoke of was all around us. A community hall was well underway next door, close to the newly-started guest house, and a concrete footpath to the road was being laid, the usefulness of which was abundantly clear on this rainy day. Even more impressive, though – and moving – were the joyful faces and lively testimonies of the congregation as they enthusiastically told us about their journey into asset-based church and community transformation.
The church, hall and new path

Paul is the facilitator in this process, known locally as the Church and Community Mobilisation Process, for his church. “We started with Bible study. Then we realised that through the Bible we can live our lives and overcome our problems,” he explained. “One family gave the money in thanksgiving and we organised twenty people to help build the footpath together.”

This rich encounter took place on a day of field visits during the recent consultation on Asset-Based Church and Community Transformation, which the Anglican Alliance held in Myanmar for churches from across Asia. Thirty-six participants from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, as well as Australia and the UK, gathered in Yangon to share their experiences of transforming lives in local churches and communities.

There are many different approaches which broadly share the same principles – being inspired by Bible study and based on local assets and talents – but have their own distinctive aspects. The aim of the consultation was to learn from each other and see how these approaches are shaped by their unique context.

The consultation was organised by the Anglican Alliance, in partnership with Tearfund, along with Episcopal Relief & Development and the Anglican Board of Mission, Australia. It was hosted by the Church of the Province of Myanmar.

The Road to Yangon

The consultation followed a study tour to Philippines in 2017 in which Anglican delegates from across Asia and the Pacific and some from Africa visited the Episcopal Church of the Philippines to learn about their approach to Asset-Based Community Development. In the Philippines, the group experienced E-CARE’s inspirational ‘ Receivers to Givers ’ approach. Through this, local communities use a grant to build their livelihoods and then save to pass the grant forward to bless another community. The study tour participants requested that the Anglican Alliance follow up with a consultation to learn and share from each other in the Asia region, given the rich variety of approaches to transformation in local churches and communities.
Participants gathered from across Asia

Learning together

Bible study underpinned the group’s time together. The first was on Luke 24:13 -35, the Road to Emmaus, which provided insight on sharing a journey of learning and mutual inspiration.
As the group worked together, they identified the common principles which underlie all their work:

  • Church and community transformation is not a project but rather a process leading to a mindset change towards recognising the community’s own gifts and assets.
  • Church members are inspired through biblical reflection to embrace whole-life discipleship.
  • The church and community work together for the common good.
  • It is facilitated, not taught, through participatory methods.
  • It breaks a dependency mentality, building self-reliance through mobilising local resources.
  • It needs to be adapted to the local context.

This family of approaches is about deep transformation. As one church leader has said: “The process told us we cannot wait for someone to come. We are to be salt and light in the world … and it helped us to understand that we had many resources to help ourselves.” (Pastor Ezra, Uganda)
Sharing ideas and experience

The participants in Myanmar concluded that the various approaches used by churches in Asia have most attributes in common, although the detailed case studies also showed some distinctive elements – such as the Philippines’ ‘Receivers to Givers’ concept.

As one participant said: “For me, calling something ABCD or CCT is not that important – but just doing something that brings a whole-life transformation to the church and community is.”

Meanwhile, back in Paul’s church, an elderly lady said: “For a long time I have prayed for paving on our road as I am old and the muddy road is difficult. Then one member put in resources and the rest of the community contributed. You have to trust God. Change will come at the right time.”
Revd. Rachel Carnegie, Anglican Alliance Executive Director, said: “This was a very inspiring meeting. It was wonderful to be in Myanmar, where the Church has fine examples of transformation in local churches and communities. People gathered from across Asia to share their stories and expertise. Despite the different contexts, participants discovered shared principles as well as new inspiration to take home and try out. We learned from each other – and we also learned from the community who modelled such profound growth through studying scripture.”

Rachel added: “We now have a wonderful regional group – a community of practice in the region – from the churches and the agencies. We have committed to sharing the journey together, learning from one another, sharing the challenges and celebrating the fruits of this transformational work.”

The consultation report will be available shortly on the Anglican Alliance website. It will provide further details on the case studies and discussions. The group has committed to continue learning together and aim to meet in two years’ time in the Philippines, at the invitation of the Episcopal Church.
Exploring Bible stories in innovative ways
HALE HO`OMALU AUGUST COLLECTION
Canned Items: tuna, fruits, vegetables, ravioli, spaghetti

Place your donations in the red wagon by the door to the sanctuary on Sundays. Hale Ho`omalu also needs and appreciates monetary donations as well as gift-in-kind items.
Please note, we do not accept food items that are not mentioned on the monthly list and we do not accept clothing, toys or similar items unless a specific plea for such items is published in the Epistle. Your Epistle Staff will inform you of any special requests for donations.
SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS WEEK
Traveling Jesus
The first Sunday School class of the fall semester on Aug. 11 th will have ALL Sunday School teachers in attendance to introduce ourselves to the kids and introduce the “Traveling Jesus” project.
  • We will incorporate Traveling Jesus into our daily lesson plans.
  • When they are finished, Cami will laminate and return their Traveling Jesus to take home the following Sunday.
  • Traveling Jesus will then be an ongoing project to carry over their whole lives.
  • When our keiki travel, we ask them to take pictures of Traveling Jesus to share and report back about where He went.

There will be a Recycle Project in January that will be ongoing throughout the month and into February. Kids will collect recyclable items and bring them to Sunday School to make their own crosses. At the end, everyone will share/talk about their crosses. 

On August 5 th , several of our teachers came together to clean and organize Memorial Hall and paint one of the walls baby blue to dedicate that section to the Sunday School ministry
It’s beautiful! Great job to everyone who came by. This space will be officially known as the Sunday School area. We plan to get a big ole’ “Sunday School” sign on that blue wall above the window.  
IN BRIEF . . .
These news briefs were featured in previous issues of "The Epistle"

Please submit your story ideas to the Epistle Staff at [email protected] .
 ALL SAINTS' WISH LIST
If any ministry has an unmet need, reach out to put it on the All Saints' Wish List and it will be published in the Epistle . Contact Bill Caldwell at [email protected] .

ALL SAINTS' KĀHILI PROJECT
Donations to purchase materials for the kāhili can be to the church office. Contact Carolyn Morinishi , Ron Morinishi or CeCe Caldwell for more information.

LAUNDRY LOVE VOLUNTEERS AND DONATIONS
For more information go to Laundry Love Kaua`i or contact Geoff Shields at [email protected] or Bill Caldwell at [email protected] .

PASTORAL CARE CONTACT INFORMATION
Whenever you have a need for support, please call (650) 691-8104 and leave a voice mail. The system will immediately forward the information to the Pastoral Care Committee who will respond to each request. If you prefer, you may send an electronic pastoral care request via email to [email protected] .

PRAYER CHAIN MINISTRY
Individuals who want to participate in the Prayer Chain Ministry must re-enroll to continue receiving the email communications . To re-enroll, please visit the newly established   Pastoral Care web page  or contact the Church Office at (808) 822-4267.

SUBMITTING A PRAYER REQUEST
Prayer requests will now be   submitted online   or by contacting the Church Office at (808) 822-4267.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Names can be added to the Prayers of the People petitions by using the  Prayer Chain Request form  or by contacting the Church Office at (808) 822-4267. Names will remain in the Prayers of the People for a maximum of four Sundays before a name must be resubmitted.

HOME COMMUNION FOR SICK AND SHUT-INS
All Saints' Eucharistic Visitors are available each Sunday (pending availability) to bring Communion to those who are sick or shut-in. Requests for a Eucharistic visitation can be made by calling the Church Office at (808) 822-4267 or emailing [email protected] .