In our parish, we pray for Kelly, Hanohano, Chris, Lola, Sylvia, Deedie, Heather, Ronnie, Wayne, Coco, June, Beverly, and for all who have contracted the Corona virus, caregivers, and those facing unemployment.
We also pray for victims of violence around the world.
If you wish to add a name to the prayer list, please be in touch with Puna Coldwell in the parish office at hncparish@gmail.com
We are posting a day by day meditation from Forward Movement. This is a great way to start your day with prayer. Please consider clicking on the website above.
RETIRING SENIOR WARDEN AUSTIN NAKOA AND REV. LIBBY BERMAN AT THE ANNUAL MEETING ON JAN 31
ANNUAL MEETING: A REVIEW OF 2020
Austin Nakoa stepped down from his position as Senior Warden at our Annual Meeting last Sunday, Jan 31. Many people offered tributes, either by letter or in person to Austin, thanking him for his long and faithful service in this position. As was fitting, parishioners brought leis to celebrate the occasion and the parish presented him with an Aloha shirt. Rev. Libby expressed special gratitude to Austin for his assistance in the first year of her ministry at Holy Nativity. Joe Kindrich, our capable and dedicated Junior Warden, also stepped down. Though Joe was unable to attend the meeting, the parish also noted his dedication and skill in his time in this ministry.
We welcomed new leadership on January 31, as well. Rosemary Domecki will serve as Senior Warden. (See the article introducing Rosemary, below.) The parish elected Justin Donahue as Junior Warden. With expertise as an arborist and member of the Property Committee, Justin brings much experience and faithfulness to his new ministry. Also elected to new terms on the vestry were Rich Miller and Gretchen Yamaguchi. Alison Kittle, Louisa LeRoux, and Kathy Otani were elected delegates to our Diocesan Convention.
Annual Report booklets, with reports from our several ministries, are available on the Holy Nativity website and in the parish office.
WHO'S THE NEW SENIOR WARDEN?
ROSEMARY DOMECKI!
Rosemary Domecki says that she has lived her life backwards.... She grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She spoke Polish and German at home and English and French at School! She attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton, studying economics and international business and aspiring to a career in foreign service. Her father was a builder and hoped she would take over his thriving business, however; this was when her life began to move "backwards"; she was soon solely running a large company, as might another person late in their career. It was during the “S&L Crisis” that she travelled frequently in Texas, British Columbia and Alberta. She worked hard and learned fast, avoiding the losses typical in the “Oil Belt.”
Rosemary became very active in the Rotary Club, eventually holding every position. She once traveling to Italy with a group of young professionals; she also built a soil conservation school in the mountains of Guatemala. Given her contributions, it is not surprising that Rosemary received the Rotary’s highest honor, the International Award for Contributions to Humanity and World Peace.
For nine years, Rosemary served on the advisory board of the University of Alberta’s business school, from which she had graduated. She considers one her most significant contributions her leadership role in persuading all Canadian universities to offer courses in American business practices.
Eventually, Rosemary and her sister decided to sell off the assets of the family firm, ending the long years of her demanding management burdens. That was when her life entered a phase often occurring earlier in the lives of other women. She became a stay-at-home mother.
Rosemary met Alexander the day he was born; he was a small baby with fragile health. She poured herself into his care. She would bring him to Hawaii in the summer; he thrived here so, when he was five, she decided they should stay longer. She enrolled Alexander in Holy Nativity School and they eventually found their parish home at Holy Nativity Church. Rosemary started a prayer circle which convened in the St. Francis Garden after the worship service; each attendee offered their own prayer for wisdom and problem resolution.
Rosemary Domecki has become our new Senior Warden. It’s a big job and we are very fortunate she is once again taking on a new challenge. She says she has had many blessings and is happy to be able to give back, but we think we knew that already!!
POEM FOR EPIPHANY
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart.
--Howard Thurman, American author, philosopher, theologian, educator, and civil rights leader.
Glass Artist Dale Chihuly's ceiling installation, "Reef," at the Honolulu Museum of Art
