tribe of RuebenRueben was the 1st son of Jacob. Gemstone - sardius (or Ruby), color-red, its located - 1 of 3 part of the southern tribes. Rueben means - see, a son (Genesis 29:32).

NU`OLIChrist Church EpiscopalP.O. Box 545Kealakekua, HI 96750(808) 323-3429(808) 323-2752 faxadmin@christchurchkona.comwww.christchurchkona.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUERector’s Column p2Prayer List p5Birthdays p5Rueben p6Calendar/Announcements p7Ultreya Calendar p10Vestry News p10Daily Reading$ $ p12

Wherever you go, I will go...J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 3 - I S S U E 2 2

C h r i s t C h u r c h E p i s c o p a l

The Book of Ruth is a wonderful story about two women who claim a path of life in an imperfect world, and find God has been moving deep within their trials to bring blessing. Our first reading today was from a pivotal moment in the story, but I'm going to try to retell the whole narrative. The story begins with famine in Bethlehem. Naomi and her husband must migrate to another country, to Moab, a perennial enemy and competitor of Israel. They start anew as immigrants in a strange country. They raise two sons who grow up to marry their local sweethearts. But tragedy strikes and all three of the men of the family die. Naomi is destitute in a foreign land. In a patriarchal culture, without a man, she has no standing, no property, no protection. She has no food or shelter, s0 she determines to return to Bethlehem where she hopes she can renew her family ties. She urges her two Moabite daughters to seek similar refuge within their own families. But her daughter-in-law Ruth refuses. Ruth's primary loyalty is toward her mother-in-law. Ruth expresses a kind of fidelity that is so deep, so matter-of-fact, that to her there wasn't even a choice to be made. Naomi tries to argue and reason with Ruth. But from Ruth's perspective, there is nothing to talk about. Her fidelity toward Naomi is simply what it is. "You are my mother-in-law. I love you. I am staying with you. That's that." Or

The Story of Ruth and Naomi

by the Rev. Lowell E. Grisham, RectorSt. Paul's Episcopal Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas

continued on page 8

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Our Vestry MembersRector - Father Dick Tardiff

Senior Warden - Jasmine LocatelliJunior Warden - Ed GeerJim Anderson - Treasurer

Kate Winter Lawton AllenbyMeg Greenwell Bill MelsonJeanette Wessel Beryl SplaldingCharlotte Melrose Betty O’Brien

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According to an article in the December issue of the Atlantic Monthly, there is an exciting trend developing in the business world. After decades in which American firms outsourced manufacturing to China and other countries, several corporations, including General Electric, have begun to bring those jobs back to the states. last February and March, GE opened its first assembly lines at its Appliance Park facility in 55 years! GE is not the only company to open or re-open US plants. Apple, Whirlpool, even Wham-O (makers of Frisbees, Sno-Blasters, hula hoops and other classic toys!) have returned jobs to American locations.

The article cites several reasons for this change. Higher shipping costs and changes in the world economy have made American manufacturing more attractive. But another factor may be more telling. Companies have found that having their designers, managers, and craftsmen working in close proximity results in lower costs, better products and greater efficiency. When all the parties are physically close together, they share ideas and form teams that would be impossible if members were half a world apart. Accordingly, more jobs are coming back to America!

I bring this up in the interest of reversing another trend. For several decades, Christians have been drifting away from the church. Some claim a loss of faith, others express dissatisfaction with organized religion. Most simply walk away in silence. We have seen this happen at Christ Church, though I’m pleased to note that lately, we are bringing new members in more often that we’re losing them! Still, I’m not the only priest who wonders what it will take to bring more people back. I suspect that at least for those who have held onto a spark of faith, the example of GE might hold a key: People who come together for a common purpose; they talk with one another; they share ideas; they support one another; they become engaged. Engagement becomes commitment, and before long, the company/plant/church is thriving! What if we spent some time in conversation about our work at Christ Church? What if we were to become more engaged in the work we do together in the community? What if we were more intentional in our invitaitons to our neighbors?

Just a thought. Maybe we can talk about it at our annual meeting: January 27 at 11:00.

Wishing all a blessed New Year,

Father Dick

Rector’s Column .

The Queen Emma Luau was held in the Queen

Emma Community Center on November 30. The parents of Punana Leo O Kona put on a scrumptious spread. The food was excellent. We enjoyed songs by the students accompanied by a b a n d m a d e u p o f D a d s , Grandpas, Brothers, Uncles and friends of Punana Leo. Christ Church provided desserts and Kate Winter decorated the tables with white cloths, candles and flowers from Lawton Allenby's farm. Thank you to all who attended and participated in the set up and clean up.

Quilts at Christ Church   December 8, 2012

Santa’s Helpers bearing gifts for the students at Punana Leo O Kona

Best day of Padre’s vacationHastings, NZ with Jonathan, Kieran, Robin and Sophia

With Juniper Moore...now I know why they call them “God-Children”

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Prayer ListWe pray for those who serve in the military forces,

members of our church family:Michael Mindt,

Bri Gamiao aboard the USS O’Kane,Adam Choy training in the US Army,

Kyle Kjer deployed with the US Marine Corps,Dante Carter serving in the US Navy, and

Ed Fitzpatrick with the 1-91 Calvary in Afganistran

Your continued prayers are asked for these people:Andy Archibald, Barbara Johanson, Betty Dunford,

Martha and Joy, Elijah, Tracy, Shy Doe, Patricia Taylor, Margaret Arney, Gerardo Luczon, Kathy Solomon, Willie

Greenwell, Tommy & Jennifer Greenwell, Marilyn Basques, Eloise Bailey, Kyree Beatty, Sandra Momohara, Terry Angeleo, Sylvia Hubbert, Rosa Houston, Rebecca

Kala, Danette Myers, Dorothy Schilt, Jeff Schenck, Doug & Heidi Edson, Ashley Sebastian, C J Kimberly, Bob Lamson, Brian Helman, Lark Hilman, Jimmy Yagi, Wally Chong andGaylord Albright, Carmel & Dan Gallagher, David Waikel, Linda Halaby,Barbara Choy, Bill Everest,

Josephine Barney, Lopaka, Bill and Laurie Trumbo, and Lorna Lee.

We are a praying community, which means that, not only do we believe in the power of prayer on a personal level; but that we also believe that we are called to offer our petitions and thanksgivings on behalf of others. We believe that God hears and

responds to all of our prayers, individual and corporate. Every prayer is to God a love poem from a dear child. Like any loving parent, our God rejoices in the faith that underlies our prayer.

Our Christ Church prayer list is offered as but one way to respond to the many and varied concerns of our members and our friends. In an effort to keep this essential part of our prayer life current and relevant, we will be updating the list weekly, and have determined that each month we will start a new list. If you wish to keep a name on the list for an extended period, please contact the office every month to let us know.

The Christ Church Episcopal Women (ECW) met on November 13th  a short business meeting was conducted by President Beryl then we enjoyed fellowship and refreshments. The next scheduled meeting is January 8th at 10am in the Queen Emma Community center.

Beryl SpaldingPresident Christ Church ECW and Big Island representative

January  Birthdays6  Earl  Ogata7  Reiko  Ford

7  Betty  O’Brien11  Heidi  Edson

11  Lorraine  Sohm13  Tom  Bottrell13  Verna  Chang16  Ken  Pool19  Law  Choy24  Skip  Derieg

29  Dale  Hamilton30  CC  Greenwell

31  Suzanne  Nemick

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Bible Trivia: Ismael was Abraham’s first son. Who was Ismael’s mother to both Abraham and Sarah?

z 12 Tribes of Israel zThe Jewish forefather Jacob, fathered 12 sons - they are the ancestors of the tribes of

Israel, and the ones for whom the tribes are named. After conquering Israel, each tribe occupied a separate territory in the land (except

for the tribe of Levi which was set apart to serve in the Holy Temple). Joseph, Jacob’s 11th son, fathered two sons as part of the 12 tribes, Ephraim and Manasseh.

ABRAHAM > ISAAC > JACOB (ISRAEL)

Firstborn son of Jacob and Leah and father

of the tribe of Reuben, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. His name comes from the Hebrew meaning: “Look, a son.” He appears in the story of the mandrakes as the one giving them to his mother (Genesis 30:14). Reuben has relations with Jacob’s concubine Bilhah, angering Jacob and probably contributing to the curse of Reuben on Jacob’s deathbed (Genesis 49:4). He succeeded in convincing his brothers not to kill Joseph but to trap him inside of a pit instead, to which he intended to return and rescue Joseph (Genesis 37:22). Later, when the family journeys to Egypt during the famine, he attempts to persuade his father that he should take responsibility for Benjamin while in Egypt (Genesis 42:37).

answer to last month’s Bible Trivia: Judah. Heb. 7:14, Matt. 1:2, Luke 3:33.

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Reuven.html

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Calendar of EventsWednesdays Holy Eucharist @ 6pm

Sundays Early Service @ 7:30am Adult class studies/Sunday school @ 8:45am 2nd Service @ 10:00am

Friday January 11th @ 9am-2pm Swap Meet on the common and Church Rummage Sale in QECC (all donations must be in by Thurs. 1/10/13)

Announcements & InquiriesNu'oli deadline, in order for the wonderful Kela to get the Nu'Oli out on time the deadline for ALL

information will be the 26th of each month. If you would like to add something, make an announcement or change something up all information must be submitted by the 26th. Please email Kela at

kluczon@gmail.com or the Christ Church office at admin@christchurchkona.com. Mahalo Nui for your understanding in this matter.

Birthdays and personal information update, please submit any changes in your address or phone numbers. We are updating the parish directory. I would also like a list of birthdays and family members in your household. So the proper announcements can be made. If you would like to be removed from the directory please contact me. As most of you know, our directory is always changing. If you would like an

updated copy please let us know. We will only be printing per request.

Farmer's Market; every Wednesday at the Christ Church grounds we will be having a farmer's market. 9AM-2PM. Local produce, arts n' crafts, fresh food, music and more!

Book Club; Labyrinth Book Group is still meeting on Fridays at 930AM. They are now reading 'The Cloister Walk' by Kathleen Norris for anyone who would like to join them here in the Christ

Church office.

"Like" us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/ChristChurchKona

Christ Church is now accepting donations and credit card purchases through Paypal. Please contact the Christ Church office to get more information and to take advantage of this

convenient feature!

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more poetically, from the King James Version, "Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God." These two women are from different tribes, different nations. They are not blood kin. But Naomi and Ruth manifest fidelity, family at its best. Ruth aligns her fate to this destitute widow rather than seeking her own welfare among her own people. The women find safe harbor within their relationship. There is a Hebrew word that describes this relationship. Hesed. It means steadfast love, kindness, loyalty, fidelity; caring for another who is in need within the context of relationship. Over and over hesed is a word used to describe God's steadfast love for us. Ruth sticks with Naomi just because that's the way she is; she has hesed for Naomi, steadfast love. God sticks with us just because that's the way God is; God has hesed for us, steadfast love. Fidelity, kindness, loyalty. God says to us, "You are my children. I love you. I am staying with you no matter what. That's that." Hesed is expressed within established relationships. Family and church are great teaching grounds for hesed. In family and church we learn to live with people we didn't choose. We are stuck with each other, just like God is stuck with us. So we live with a certain loyalty and fidelity toward the other, because that's the way it is. We belong to each other. So Ruth, the young widowed Moabite follows her older Jewish mother-in-law Naomi to Israel, to Bethlehem. And Naomi devises a plan for securing their survival in this marginal and threatening situation. Naomi knows the system. So she creates a survival strategy for the women. We all live in systems. To thrive, you got to understand the system and know how to maneuver in it. If you work the system well, follow its rules, there are ways to produce a good outcome – generosity and virtue. Naomi works the system actively and appropriately, with courage and wit. Naomi has to coach Ruth about how to negotiate the customs of the system in a land that is foreign to Ruth. The system says that land is passed through the sons. If a male landowner dies without leaving a male heir, the next-of-kin has a right to claim the land so it will remain in the family, and an obligation to marry the widow in order to bear offspring to continue the name and the family line. Naomi coaches the Moabite, and tells Ruth to go to her kinsman Boaz. "Wash and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes," she says. Ruth is to wait until Boaz retires to sleep, and to join him there. The text says, "When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and he was in a contented mood, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain" on the threshing floor. Following Naomi's instructions, Ruth "came stealthily and uncovered his feet, and lay down. At midnight the man was startled, and turned over, and there, lying at his feet, was a woman! He said, 'Who are you?' And she answered, 'I am Ruth your servant; spread your cloak over your servant, for you are next-of-kin." To spread one's cloak is an act to symbolize a proposal for marriage. Ruth tells Boaz that this is his right as next-of-kin. In the warmth of this intimate moment, Naomi's strategy works. Boaz agrees to fulfill this duty, but informs Ruth that there is another kinsman who has a prior claim. In the next scene, Boaz goes to the city gate where justice is administered in order to give the other claimant his rights. The other wants the property, but not the responsibility of raising an heir. Boaz legally secures his rights as next-of-kin and marries Ruth. The story comes full circle with the birth of Obed, a name meaning "servant." In a beautiful image, the infant is laid in the arms of his grandmother Naomi who nurses the child. Out of death has come new life. One more thing. Obed will become the grandfather of David, the greatest king of Israel, whose beginnings can be traced to the faithful actions of his Moabite great-grandmother, Ruth. There are two underlying narratives going on here. Most importantly, there is the quiet presence of God, working in the background. I'll get back to that in a moment. But there is also an underlying political narrative here. Many scholars believe that this story was written with some proximity to the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, when the exiles were returning to rebuild Jerusalem. Nehemiah pursued a policy of ethnic

continued on page 9

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cleansing, banning inter-marriage between Jews and non-Jews, and breaking apart the families that had already inter-married, sending away the foreign spouses to their countries of origin, Moabites and others. Some believe that the book about Ruth the Moabite was written as protest literature to counter the policies of Ezra and Nehemiah. Others suggest that this story has a message for our time when migration and immigration have become a contentious issue. The senior pastor of Wellesley Congregational Church, Martin Copenhaver suggests a maxim for this story, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained the great-grandmother of a king." I'm particularly drawn to this story as a metaphor for the quiet presence and work of God. In this narrative, God is quietly in the background. The focus is on the women and Boaz and their choices. God never directly intervenes. But God's hand is behind the plot. While mentioned only in passing, God is the glue in this story. God is present in all corners of life. There is no place where God's work is not in process: in the loss of livelihood and the fate of transient immigrants; in the journey into a strange place and the putting down of new roots; as young children grow up and marry; in joy and tragedy; as death claims some and as wise planning seeks a survival plan; in deep loyalty and love; through risks in the field and self-interest in the courts; something new is born. "The wily wisdom of the old woman and the courage of the young combine with the generous heart of an older man; ...an old and broken heart is healed. Tenacious faith in God proves trustworthy. "God works every day. God labors on the ground, in the heart, among the folk, and through life circumstances. God weaves simple gestures, feelings, decisions, and actions in ways that bring good things. All this arises despite loss and trouble, opposition and tyranny, displacement and pain. That is huge. It shakes the powerful... It elevates the tender and dirt-real lives of the many." (G. Malcolm Sinclair) God is at work in Ruth, the poor, childless foreigner. By now that shouldn't be surprising to us. It is a major biblical theme that God works through the most unlikely people – outsiders, strangers, and outcasts. And even through you and me. God, unseen but never absent; the glue of life, full of surprises and keeper of ultimate promises.

(Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17) – Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you. Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do." She said to her, "All that you tell me I will do."

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the LORD made her conceive, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him." Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse. The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi." They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.

http://lowellsermons.blogspot.com/2009/11/story-of-ruth-and-naomi.html

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Notice of Annual Meeting

The 2013 Annual Meeting of the Parish of Christ Church Episcopal

will be held Sunday, January 27

at 12:00 Noon

inthe Queen Emma Community

Center

NU`OLI! January 2013, Kela Luczon$ Contributing Editors: Nancee Cline & Meg Greenwell$ Nu`oli is pubished monthly by Christ Church EpiscopalP.O. Box 545, Kealakekua HI 96750 Copyright © 2013

Ultreya Schedule for 2013 Big Island Cursillo

Please contact Bill and Linda Melson for 2013 Ultreya schedule

phone: 327-0176 melsons@hawaii.rr.com

MEETING TIMES: 2:30 - 4:30IT'S "POT LUCK”

IF YOU WISH TO BRING SOMETHING TO SHARE

"Christ Church is a

Christian community

responding to the love of God

by worship,

spiritual nurture and

active social concern"

! As my first year on your vestry closes, I feel how great a blessing it is to have a group like this one to work within: thoughtful, prayerful, and insightful with both long history and short.  For a gathering of people as diverse as we are, the vestry is a joy to participate in as it creates new approaches to problems while really listening to and honoring each other.! One of the matters we wrestle with is the financial health of our parish.  The beauty of the struggle is that we bring creative ideas to the table for discussion, and most of them are not about dollars and cents but about our sense of who we are.  The obvious way to end financial difficulties is to attend to the balance sheet, and we have been doing that, but we have also been looking at ways to grow our congregation, do more outreach to enrich ourselves spiritually, engage others in the larger community, and make best use of our parish resources.  The lower commons is now a bustling market on Wednesdays bringing new people, energy, visibility and cash flow to Christ Church.    With our newly certified kitchen, we are creating a new “brand” of space for events - weddings, private parties, meetings, workshops, commercial cooks, etc.  Every visitor to QECC provides a chance to show off our facility and softly “sell” it.  Our Queen Emma Luau invited the Kona community to come up and get familiar with what goes on six days a week at QECC and the Christ Church campus.  We now have coffee mugs featuring our Hawaiian-motif stained glass windows for sale, and recently added, just in time for the grocery bag ban, beautiful Queen Emma Community Center shopping bags for sale.  We will have a booth at the Wed. market where all these and Nancee Cline’s book on Christ Church will be for sale while a volunteer shares our aloha along with information about who we are and what we do.  This spring we will have at least one labyrinth workshop open to the community, making good use of that wonderful asset.  ! We believe that our church will thrive in all ways when we live our mission and share our aloha.  It’s not quite “If you build it, they will come,” but we generally agree that a vigorous parish that is stretching, reaching out and deepening the faith of its members will attract the right kind of attention and attendance.  We have built it - now we want to furnish it with deeper faith and greater aloha. If we do it, the rest will come.

! ! ! ! ! ! In faith,! ! ! ! ! ! Kate Winter

A Voice from the Vestry . . . "

Anne & Jim Anderson In Memory of Anne's Father, S. Gorham Babson

Jane Bockus In Thanks Giving for Annie & E!ie Brew

Jane Bockus In Memory of Edith, Norm & Libby Anderson

Bellingham, WA In Memory of Sambuca Dog

Bill & Linda Melson In Memory of Wattie Mae

Natsuko Aoki Bryan & Carol Tyerman

In Thanks Giving for Christ ChurchDonna Van Wechel

In Memory of Melvin Van WechelEverest Family

In Joyful Thanks Giving for "Our Family"Charlotte Melrose

In Memory of Roger MelroseTim & Janet Britt

In Memory of Sienna BrittMeg Greenwell

In Memory of Lois & Sherwood, In Thanks Giving of "My Family"Bottrell Family

In Memory of Bi! & Marje Botre! and Dorothy & Al Be!Bill & Lori Trumbo

In Memory of Dorothy TrumboBeryl Spalding & Bob Foerster

In Memory of "Loved Ones" and In Thanks Giving for Friends & FamilyBetty Hodgins

In Memory of A. Gordon HodginsJanet Delong & Jim Ziegler

Kate Winter In Memory of "The women in my ohana, especia!y Julia Hughs"

Jeanette Wessel In Memory of Valeria Marple

Irene Wessel In Memory of Jean Greenwe!

Liz Arnett In Memory of James ArnettPeaches & Jimmy Schenck

In Thanks Giving to "The Hatcher and Schenck Families"Anonymous

Ku'uipo Morales Dedicated to the people of Connecticut

The Christmas Poinsettias are given to the Glory of God by...

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O IMMORTAL Lord God, who inhabitest eternity, and hast brought us, thine unworthy servants, to the beginning of another year: Pardon, we most humbly beseech thee, our transgressions in the past, and graciously abide with us all the days, of our life; guard and direct us in all trials and temptations, that by thy blessing we may grow in grace as we grow in years, and at the last may finish our course with joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Merry Christmas!In the spirit of Christmas, and in honor of our wonderful Christ Church ohana, we have given a cow to a deserving family through Heifer International.

In Faith,Father Dick Tardiff and Pamela VanWechel

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 3 - I S S U E 2 2

CHRIST CHURCH EpiscopalP.O. Box 545Kealakekua, HI 96750

Sunday Eucharistic and Daily Office Readings for January 2013

According to the Use of the Episcopal ChurchType in this website for November readings:http://satucket.com/lectionary/January13.htm

Eucharistic lectionary: CDaily Office: Year One

...or try a daily devotion at www.d365.org

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