A Lenten Message

from Rev. Alison Dingley

Encounters with Jesus

It wasn't until I had preached several trips around the Lectionary that I noticed patterns in the Gospel readings for Lent in this

Lectionary Year.

They are all surprising and revelatory encounters individuals have with Jesus. The first was Nicodemus, the prominent Pharisee who was curious about Jesus. Jesus called out to him, told him he needed to be "born again," and to start over in his faith journey. Jesus also implied that he was the "Son of Man".

Last Sunday, we read about Jesus's encounter with the Samaritan woman by the well. He told her about living water, and she debated with him what that meant. As their conversation continued, he revealed to her that he was the Messiah. She runs and tells her neighbors who welcome him.

In today's reading we hear about Jesus healing the man born blind. Jesus' unsolicited enabling of the man to see is transformative for him and possibly for his family and community as the man becomes empowered to speak up and stand by the truth of what Jesus had

done for him.

These are all stories of intense encounters Jesus has with individuals who expected nothing but were willing to engage with him and open to his revelation of both his own Messiahship and the opportunity he offered them for a new and deeper life of faith.

In these terrifying times, it is my hope and prayer that each of us may be open to encounters with Jesus in unexpected times and places, and that we may also be open to the transformative possibilities he will offer in those encounters.

Kaha Native Plant

Garden Project

Join the Holy Nativity ‘Ohana for a Family Service Day on Good Friday,

April 3 from 9 am - 12 pm at Hui o Ko’olaupoko. We will come together to work on a project called the Kaha Native Plant Garden Project* - it is family friendly - something for everyone to do.



Kawainui Neighborhood Park at 750 Kaha St. (the intersection of Kaha and Kihapai Street, off of Oneawa Street in Kailua)

The site has nearby parking, port-a-potties, and flat ground. Great for all ages. Please plan to arrive a few minutes before 9am to sign in and join the site tour.

*Kaha Native Plant Garden Project: This project is a living example of how individual homeowners can help improve the local environment through the use of native vegetation and xeriscape gardens. The project replaced grass and invasive species along 150 yards of stream bank with native Hawaiian plants which can be used for soil stabilization, biofiltration and water conservation. Visitors can walk the garden pathways to see how plantings might appear in their own backyard. Volunteers will be involved in clearing invasive plant species from the area using small hand tools and hand pulling small weeds as we work to open and create areas to outplant native species.

RSVPs are required so the organization can maintain ideal group sizes. If for some reason you can’t make it at the last minute please let us know 24 hours in advance so we can open up the spot to someone on the waitlist.

RSVP HERE

Join Civil Beat's storytelling event featuring a group of Hawaiʻi high school students from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 20 at the Tenney Theatre on the grounds of The Cathedral of St. Andrew.

The future of Hawaiʻi storytelling is already here! Come hear bold, funny and powerful true stories told live by local high school students.

One of the speakers will be, our own Olesya Noerper - Punahou School, class of 2027

These young voices will take the stage to share personal stories of growth, resilience and their hopes for the future of Hawaiʻi.



New Prayer List,

starts on

Easter Sunday!

Sunday, April 5th we will start a new prayer list.

Please send the office your names before April 2nd, if you wish to have them in the

Easter Bulletin and Easter Banyan Tree.

Please make sure you have the permission of the prayer recipient. First names only, please.

HNC office hncparish@gmail.com or

call (808) 373-2131

‘A Season of Gratitude and Reciprocity’:

Join Lenten webinar featuring Indigenous leaders.

March 24, noon EST,

IS

7:00 am in Hawai'i

REGISTER &

FIND LENT RESOURCES

Join the United Thank Offering, a ministry of The Episcopal Church, for a Lenten panel discussion on “gratitude and reciprocity” featuring the following Indigenous

Episcopal leaders:

The Rev. Isaiah Shaneequa Brokenleg, interim Indigenous missioner for

The Episcopal Church

The Rev. Mary Crist, coordinator of Indigenous theological education for

The Episcopal Church

Forrest Cuch, author, speaker, and activist

The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, author, speaker, and priest 

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:

Amanda Skofstad

askofstad@episcopalchurch.org

~REMINDERS~

Pizza Church Sunday March 22 at 5:00pm

RSVP, so we have enough pizza!

HERE

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Adult Formation in Lent

Kathleen Norris, an Episcopalian and NY Times bestselling author, will be with us during Lent as we read her book, Amazing Grace.

The series will take a break THIS week, but stay tuned, we will be back, soon!

We will make plans for the next few weeks. The series will conclude on or about Eastertide (April 5). Books are available in the parish office. All are welcome!

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"Lent Madness"

Holy Nativity continues to participate in the annual Lent Madness. This unique Lenten devotion is a fun, engaging way to learn about saintly examples of people who followed Jesus in their own day.

SUBSCRIBE at https://www.lentmadness.org

you will initially be provided with biographical information to start voting in the first round. Subsequent rounds evolve as the field narrows toward selecting the winner of the coveted golden halo.

Father Damian is STILL in the running!

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Summer Camp Mokule'ia

Discount for Holy Nativity Church families,

For more information and/or to register Click HERE

HNC DISCOUNT

The discount is $100 per camper for up to 10 campers from HNC.

After enrolling a camper, it will take you to the payment page and you will enter the discount code "Nativity2026A”. 

LENTEN RECIPE!

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia is a perfect, fast Lenten meal, requiring only tilapia fillets, mayo or yogurt Parmesan cheese with breadcrumbs or panko and seasoning.

Salt and pepper fish

Coat with mayo or yogurt

Roll in Parm cheese/ breading, seasoning mixture.

Bake at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes until golden and flaky.

It is a healthy, flavorful option easily customized with any herbs or spices like garlic powder, smoked paprika, lemon pepper, curry powder, furikake. The variations are endless!

Ono you know!

Athena demo'd this recipe for Trader Joe's, (years ago) it really is easy and good!