THE EPISTLE: News from All Saints' Episcopal Church and Preschool

Volume 3, Issue 7

March 02, 2018

THIS SUNDAY: March 04, 2018

The Third Sunday Lent (B)

Scripture Readings

Exodus 20:1-17

Psalm 19

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

John 2:13-22

7:00AM

Chris Neumann (EM)

Jeff Albao(U)

Lorna Nishi (AG)

9:30AM

David Crocker (EM)

Joan Roughgarden & Linda Crocker (R)

Bara Sargent & Mary Margaret Smith (U)

Jan Hashizume (AG)

Raiden & Joshua (A)

Vikki Secretario & Mabel Antonio (Prayers)

Sunday School Team "D"

UPCOMING DATES

Sunday, March 4 | 7:45AM - 8:45AM

"Loving God and Our Neighbors"

Lenten Series Session 4 (Memorial Hall)

Sunday, March 4 | 11:00AM

Ke Akua Youth Group (Youth Room)

Wednesday, March 7 | 5:00PM - 8:30PM

Laundry Love - Team B (Kapa'a Laundromat)

Thursday, March 8 | 7:00PM

Daughters of the King (Memorial Hall)

Sunday, March 11 | 7:45AM - 8:45AM

"Loving God and Our Neighbors"

Lenten Series Session 5 (Memorial Hall)

Wednesday, March 14 | 4:00PM - 8:00PM

Slack Key Spring Festival (Church)

Sunday, March 18| 7:45AM - 8:45AM

"Loving God and Our Neighbors"

Lenten Series Session 6 (Memorial Hall)

Sunday, March 18| 8:30AM - 9:15AM

Baptism Preparation Class (Rector's Office)

SUNDAY'S EARLY SERVICE MOVING TO 8:00AM IN APRIL

New time seeks to better serve our 'Ohana

Starting April 7th, 2018, the early service on Sunday (currently at 7:00AM), will begin at 8:00AM. There are a variety of reasons supporting this shift:

The later start time will position the early service to better serve a greater number of our ‘Ohana and visitors and potentially grow the service’s attendance in the long run.

In the interest of safety, it will allow attendees to commute to church throughout the year during daylight hours.

During the sabbatical period, the later start will best accommodate Rev. Mary’s schedule.

This change will be in effect through the end of the year (2018). During this evaluation period (8 months), the Vestry will solicit feedback and comments from the congregation. Members of the congregations can utilize the "All Saints' Thought Box" to offer feedback and insight anytime on any topic.

PRESIDING BISHOP RESPONDS TO PARKLAND, FLORIDA SHOOTING

Making our country safe

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry has released a video calling for action to make this country safe. “We must make our country safe because all of us are valuable and we are all children of God.”

The presiding bishop notes, “We in the United States are in the midst of a great discussion, a great debate.”

He speaks about the young people of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the site of the recent shooting. “They are asking us, and imploring us, and challenging us to find a better way.”

He notes we need “to make our schools safe, to make our streets safe, and to make this country safe for all of God’s children and all of God’s people.”

RESOURCES

The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations: Take action with the Episcopal Public Policy Network on an assault weapons ban

Tell the Senate to oppose the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.

Bishops United Against Gun Violence resources.

Bishops United Against Gun Violence statement on Parkland, Florida

Article courtesy of the Episcopal News Service.

PASTORAL CARE COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED

Upcoming sabbatical inspires a new vision caring for our 'Ohana

As Reverend Ryan prepares for sabbatical, a significant responsibility that needs to be carefully handed over to others is the pastoral care of our congregation. As priest, Rev. Ryan wears many hats in his role as the rector. An important role is how he tends to our ‘Ohana during times of personal need and/or crisis. Sunday worship leadership responsibilities are the primary way Rev. Ryan interacts with members of the church until a special personal need/crisis arises. Special needs vary, are unpredictable, and are commonly unplanned. Whenever a need arises, a caring response is an important way that we affirm our relationships as one loving faithful family.

In planning for his time away, Rev. Ryan has had conversations with the Wardens and The Reverend Mary Tudela about how best to oversee the pastoral needs of the congregation. These discussions have persuaded Rev. Ryan and the Wardens to make a few changes in the way we administer care for one another during the sabbatical period and beyond.

Rev. Ryan invited a few leaders to participate in a newly formed Pastoral Care Committee. This committee is made up of four members: Linda Crocker, Diane Sato, Mary Margaret Smith, and Rev. Mary. This group will watch over our ‘Ohana and make sure that anyone who needs pastoral support will receive it.

Members of the Pastoral Care Committee have invited ten others in our ‘Ohana to prayerfully consider serving on a Pastoral Care Team to support our activities of caring for our sick, visiting with those who cannot attend worship, providing meals for those recently out of the hospital, and sharing Sunday communion with our homebound members. Once our team members are trained and prepared to serve, the Pastoral Care Committee will announce to the congregation who has decided to pledge their time to the Pastoral Care Team for the benefit of all.

This issue of The Epistle highlights many new aspects of All Saints' Pastoral Care Ministries.

EMERGENCY PASTORAL CARE

Improved system launch by the Pastoral Care Committee

There are now two new ways to request emergency pastoral care. Beginning March 1, 2018, All Saints’ established an Emergency Pastoral Care Phone Number that is available 24 hours a day.

Whenever you have a need for support, please call (650) 691-8104 and leave a voice mail. The system, powered by Google Voice (thus the 650 area code), will immediately forward the information to the Pastoral Care Committee who will respond to each request.

In order to ensure that your need gets a timely response, it is important not to call Rev. Ryan’s or Rev. Mary’s cell, if you have those numbers. The new pastoral emergency system utilizes the entire committee not just our clergy to make sure we respond as quickly as possible even in the rare instance that a member of the clergy is not available.

If you prefer, you may send an electronic pastoral care request via email to [email protected].

We highly recommend everyone to store in their mobile devices the

All Saints’ Pastoral Emergency Phone Number

(650) 691-8104

PRAYER CHAIN MINISTRY

New approach enhances privacy and pastoral connections

Until recently, the All Saints' Prayer Chain Ministry was comprised of a “public” email distribution list where many people are given information about individuals’ health and support concerns. The amount of information shared using this process varied greatly and is based on the information submitted to the distribution list. In some cases, private health and/or privileged information were shared. Submissions to the email distribution list were not screened or vetted.

To better protect the privacy of those we are praying for and to improve the communication standards of the Prayer Chain Ministry, All Saints' announced some changes starting March 1, 2018.

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.

All individuals participating in the Prayer Chain Ministry will be expected to live by a personal covenant to the All Saints’ community which reads as follows: "As a member of the All Saints’ Episcopal Church and Preschool Prayer Chain, I am committing myself to pray regularly, confidentially, and individually for the people and concerns that are submitted. I promise to keep this information confidential by never initiating a discussion about specific details of anyone we are praying for and I will not forward these messages to anyone."

Prayer requests will now be submitted online or by contacting the Church Office at (808) 822-4267. Those submitting the prayer request will continue to be allowed to submit detailed information; however, that information will be treated as confidential and will only be shared with the Pastoral Care Committee. The Prayer Chain Ministry, will receive an abbreviated email containing only the name of the person for whom they are to pray for and the “general” nature of their need (i.e. healing, thanksgiving, etc.)

All Saints’ is eternally grateful for the pledge of time and talent that Gail Weir has donated over the years in maintaining the Prayer Chain Ministry at All Saints’.

The new process will be supported by technology and not dependent on one individual to maintain the entire flow of information. Also, the updated process will provide for greater privacy protection.

Adding Names to the Prayers of the People

As a congregation each Sunday, we pray for those in need by name during the Prayers of the People. During the discussions of the newly formed Pastoral Care Committee, it became evident that we needed to standardize and publicize a guide for including names in the Prayers of the People petitions.

Names can be added to the Prayers of the People petitions by utilizing 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.

Public petitions can always be offered during the appropriate time during the Prayers of the People when we pray for “those we name silently or aloud.”

FROM THE PASTORAL CARE COMMITTEE

News and Notes

WEEKDAY EUCHARIST SCHEDULE CHANGE

Starting in April, All Saints’ will offer a monthly (not weekly), weekday Eucharist with healing prayers. Throughout 2018, the service will be the first Thursday of the month at 8:00AM in the Church. During this evaluation period (8 months), the Vestry will solicit feedback and comments from the congregation.

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].

TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY

In the near future, the Pastoral Care Ministries of All Saints’ would like to establish a ministry offering transportation to services and events for our ‘Ohana who cannot drive or cannot drive at night. If you would be interested in volunteering for this future ministry, please email [email protected] or call the Church Office at (808) 822-4267.

March Collection for Hale Ho‘omalu:

TOILETRIES

(ie. soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant)

Please bring canned and packaged goods to Church on Sundays in March. Donations can be left in the red wagon at the Church's entrance.

Ho'omalu also needs and appreciates monetary donations as well as gift-in-kind items.

Hale Ho‘omalu is a family center located on the East side of Kaua‘i, in the town of Kapa'a. Hale Ho‘omalu offers a wide range of family support programs, services, and community activities. For years, the All Saints' Ohana has generously supported Hale Ho‘omalu with donations of food, clothing, and supplies.

YOUTH NEWS

A ministry for youth, by youth

The Ke Akua Youth Group held their first meeting led by new Youth Minister Cami Pascua on February 11, 2018. During the meeting, the youth were asked to help re-establish the group structure and gave insight on what they wanted out of the Ministry.

“I want to empower the youth by giving them choices. This is their Ministry. My main mission is to help turn their visions into tangible and realistic goals and for them to learn more about themselves intrapersonally along the way,” says Cami.

Through consensual decision-making, the youth reformed the group Council, appointed a Youth Group Vestry Representative, brainstormed service project and outreach ideas, and requested to bring back Bible Study sessions.

To wrap it all up, the youth were led outside to participate in what Cami hopes to be a new tradition for Youth Ministry called “The Labyrinth Walk.”

The object of the game is to break into teams of two. The “Walker” has to complete the labyrinth blindfolded. Their partner is the “Guide” who leads the Walker through the labyrinth without touching them. Two teams start at opposite ends of the labyrinth -- one in the center and the other at the beginning entrance. The first team to reach the opposite side wins the round.Then, the partners switch roles and they walk again. If the Walker steps on a line he needs to take two steps back before walking forward again. The first team to make it back to their start-point wins. Each new member is expected to walk the labyrinth.

“I love the labyrinth that was created by last year. Since its arrival at All Saints, parishioners of all ages have used it for personal and quiet reflection of their spiritual journeys and faith in God. I just put a fun twist on it for the kids so it also becomes a tool for team-building,” says Cami.

“I explained to the kids: ‘Sometimes God puts important people (friends and loved ones) in our lives to help us through difficult times. The journey is long and uncertain. And sometimes for every step forward you feel like you are taking two steps back. But eventually, you will make it to the end and reach your goals.”

Details on the origin of the Labyrinth can be found HERE.

In the spirit of the Lenten Season, the @KeAkuaYouth instagram feed has started posting daily devotionals for viewers to follow. Both young and young-at-heart are encouraged to use these posts as a tool for personal reflection.

If you are a Middle or High School student interested in attending the next Youth Group meeting, please join them on March 4, 2018 at 11:00AM. Among the various activities, the group will be practicing for the Youth Led Stations of the Cross service on Good Friday.

Other Youth News Highlights

Braden Tabura will serve as the Youth Rep to Vestry.

Youth Council Members: Daileen Barton (President), Noah Kostka (Vice President), Braden Tabura (Treasurer), and Micah Kostka (Secretary).

Meetings are tentatively scheduled for every 3nd and 4th Sundays at 11:00AM. 2nd Sundays will be "Fun Days" full of games and food. 4th Sundays will be dedicated to Bible studies.

The daily reflections are available on

@KeAkuaYouth instagram

or visit the their

Instagram webpage .

Sample from the Youth Group's Instagram Account

"The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel." -- Jeremiah 18:4-6

Although God #loves us, we are asked to also fear him and his power. For he created us, thus can mold us as he sees fit. He will shape us so we can be the best that we can be, but sometimes that means breaking us down in order to build us back up again. Recall your "lowest low" and ask yourself if you asked the Lord to reshape you, your life, and your future. Recall if you bargained with him and said to yourself that you will be a better person if he helps you. He hears and will take you up on that offer. Has he fulfilled his promise? Have you kept yours?

Let us pray:

"Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of life. We ask for the strength to do what is your will and always be pleasing in your sight. But in those times we make mistakes or go through hardships, help us to learn from those times so we may be molded into your perfect image of us. In Jesus name, we humbly pray, Amen." #lent #day13

To download a PDF of the monthly financial snapshot, click here.

THIS WEEK IN SUNDAY SCHOOL

March 4th: Jesus Brings His Friend Lazarus Back to Life

John 11: Mary and Martha send for Jesus when their brother Lazarus becomes seriously ill. When Jesus arrives at their home in Bethany, Lazarus has been dead for four days and buried in the tomb. Martha and then Mary meet him in sorrow, and Jesus weeps also. Then, coming to the cave where Lazarus’s body has been placed, Jesus prays to his Father. He then calls for Lazarus to come out, as he does, with his hands and feet still bound in burial bandages.

In today’s story, Martha and Mary chide Jesus for his lateness at coming when called to come to help his friend Lazarus, but we can never mistake our time for God’s time, trying to rush him or impede him. His revelation to us is on his time. But he will always come, and he will always be there.

For look how God cares! When Jesus arrives at Bethany, he is feeling deep sorrow. And experiencing such feelings, he understands ours. Reading this passage, we should never think that God is distant and uncaring, that God is remote from our experiences and our trials. God is as close to us and to our needs as he was to Martha and Mary in their need and sorrow.

Mary and Martha already believe in Jesus. The raising of Lazarus, in a way, is not for them. The love of Jesus is expressed towards them, towards Lazarus, but the act is for the crowds and for us, to show the glory of God. Let us join the crowd and see the glory of God in the raising of Lazarus.

What is our response?