from pastor liz leavitt...a none's story: searching for meaning inside christianity, judaism,...

July 2016 Volume 10, Issue 7

"The Messenger of Love"

Christ Church, Uniting Disciples and Presbyterians 1300 Kailua Rd, Kailua, HI, 96734-4356 Phone: 808.262.6911

Worship - Sunday, 10AM Email - [email protected]

www.ccukailua.org

Pastor Liz Leavitt www.facebook.com/ChristChurchUniting

from Pastor Liz Leavitt . . .

Dear CCU Ohana,

So I've just touched down after a little more than two weeks away, and Ithought I'd take this time and space to give you and update on what I've beenup to.

June 12-18 I spent in Seattle, WA as a leader on the 2016 Eco-StewardsProgram. As you may know if you attended our adult education class on theEco-Stewards Program, this is a program meant to help shape young adultChristian leaders through place-based learning experiences that connect faithand environmental advocacy. (Read more online.) This year, seven youngadults (ages 19-27) and four leaders gathered for the week to explore thetheme "Creativity and Power" and the issues of oil and gas transport that areimpacting communities up and down the West Coast. During the week, we metwith congregations, think tanks, ecumenical groups, community organizers,activists, Native American tribes and others who are fighting in creative waysfor the health and wellness of their communities. At our visit to the LummiNation in Bellingham, for instance, we heard from tribal leaders about thetribe's long (ultimately successful!) fight to prevent the installation of a coalexport terminal (the largest on the West Coast) in the midst of their sacredfishing grounds at Cherry Point. Their campaign involved building communitycoalitions with other tribes, local churches, and other environmental groupsand also carving totem poles which have been sent on journeys around thecountry to raise awareness about these issues. In a visit to the BackboneCampaign on Vashon Island, we learned about community members comingtogether in kayak flotillas to raise awareness about the dangers of arctic drillingand about other forms of "artful activism" that lent beauty and communitysolidarity to the effort of environmental stewardship.

There were many more energizing moments from our trip (and I'll hope toJuly 2016 Ka Elele Aloha of 20

have the opportunity to share those with you at another point), but, as always,the most inspiring aspect of the experience was the opportunity to connect withsuch faithful and passionate young people. These young leaders really aretaking seriously the charge to care for the earth. They are inquisitive,intelligent, dedicated and spiritual people. During our times for prayer andreflection each morning and evening (in which we studied and prayed with thepope's encyclical Laudato Si), I was amazed and delighted by all the waysthese stewards are bringing their faith to bear on the issues facing the worldtoday. It was an honor to be a part of that journey for them and I am gratefulto you, the people of CCU, for allowing me this time away to do that goodwork. From Eco-Stewards I left and headed directly for Portland, where I spent thenext eight days as a commissioner from our Presbytery to the 222nd GeneralAssembly of the P.C. (U.S.A.). You can read more about that experience in myreport later in this newsletter. Suffice to say it was a full few weeks for me, butone in which I saw so many connections to the good work we are doing here atCCU. Know that I thought of you often and gave thanks for our ministrytogether which I look forward to getting back to now that I've returned. With great thanks and aloha, Liz

Kayaking the Puget Sound with the2016 Eco-Stewards

July 2016 Ka Elele Aloha of 20

July 2016CCU Event Schedule:

Key: K=Kitchen O=Ohana Rm PS=Pastor’s Study S=SanctuaryL=Lanai B3=upstairs class Sundays: 10 am, Worship &Aloha Fellowship

7/2, Sat: 8am CCU’sBreakfast @ Honey’s Ko’olau

7/3, Sun: 8:30-11:30 Hi5container day at CCU

7/4, Mon: Independence Dayholiday (Church office closed)

7/24, Sun: Aug newslettercontributions due.

Sunday,July 3rd,8:30-11:30 am

HI-5 CONTAINERPICK-UP DAY

at CCU.No glass bottles, please.Please put containers in

Heidels’ white pick-up truck,which will be parked in the

CCU parking lot.CCU has chosen to give allrecycling collections to the

Institute for Human Services.~ an expression of compassion ~

~ a practice of eco-justice ~

July BirthdaysKristin Lee ................................ 2

Cathy Lyman ............................ 6

John Stiles ................................ 6

Deborah Tchou Tom ............... 12

Hannah Barnhill ...................... 15

Ella Barnhill ............................ 19

Claire Schrader ...................... 19

Marianne Whiting ................... 26

Aly Miles ................................. 28

Anniversaries

Cathy & Clancy Lyman ........... 15

Heather & Jason Barnhill ........ 19

Peggy & Paul Haring .............. 20

Marian & John Heidel ............. 29

DO YOU SHOP ATAMAZON?

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the

price of your eligible purchases

(AmazonSmile) to Christ Church

Uniting Disciples and

Presbyterians. In May CCU

received $5 from the AmazonSmile

Foundation for the first quarter.

Instead of going to Amazon.com,

use your same login to shop online

at smile.amazon.com/


June 19th gorgeous flowers were

shared by Richard & Elayne Smith.

In memoriam: Orlando Pride

On June 26th George & MaryAnn Wyman shared thisbeautiful arrangement to honorPaul Snipes on his special June27th anniversary date.

Laurie Seaver adorned the altar withthis arrangement on June 5th inhonor of her CCU church family.


Family Promise at CCU July 3-10:

Due to an unexpected change in the FamilyPromise host congregation schedule, CCU will behousing the FP guests on our campus the week ofJuly 3-10. Volunteers from other congregationswill be providing most of the meals and overnighthosting, but if you would like to help out in anyway, please contact Beth Davidann at 371-5594or [email protected]

Join the CCU Fellowship Breakfast Discussion Sat,July 2, 8am at Honey's Restaurant. Everyone ISwelcome. TOPIC: "Death With Dignity" with anarticle by Pat Gee.

ADULT EDUCATION is on Hiatus For several reasons, we are postponing the study of World Religions untilAugust or September.

Have some extra time for reading over thesummer months? Join the CCU Summer BookClub! We'll be rekindling this monthly discussiongroup in the months of July and August. Contact Pastor Liz if you are interested to joinand we'll work to find a mutually agreeable time.Some of our potential reads include:


Adam: God's Beloved by Henri J. Nouwen

Grounded: Finding God in the World-A SpiritualRevolution by Diana Butler Bass

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ'sChildhood Pal by Christopher Moore

A None's Story: Searching for Meaning InsideChristianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam byCorinna Nicolaou Join us!

By Rosemary AllenOne of Dave Steele's poems for you -- written sometime ago, but still "fresh" and thought provoking for us!

Communion1 Corinthians 11:23-26

This table now is simply spreadWith little loaves of common bread,Not pumpernickel, corn, or rye--To spark the taste or please the eye.Just bread--it's sold in any store.I've had it many times before.

I am accustomed, when a guest,To being rather more impressed.I might expect a gracious hostTo brown the bread and make some toast,Or see his table was arrayedWith butter, jam, and marmalade.Danish pastries filled with jam,Some scrambled eggs with lots of ham.This would impress me more. Instead,The Lord shares common, daily bread.

I'll eat this bread, but I will findIts taste won't linger in my mind.This bread is easy to dismiss.I've had ten thousand bites like this.


This bread, I think, in many waysReminds me of my common days.

Some days are vivid in design,Resembling an exotic wine:Days of joy and days of sorrow.(One may well arrive tomorrow.)

But nearly all the days I've ledAre more like this plain, common bread--Like, say, last 19th of September.(A day I simply can't remember.)It's gone, slipped from my memory.Just as this bread is bound to be.

At this table I shall praiseThe God who gives me common days.And I shall live these days with pride,Knowing God moves by my side.For at this table God has said:"I share with you this daily bread."And by this Word we all are fed.

Saving the Arctic NationalWildlife Refuge

By Charlene Hosenfeld

On Sunday morning, June 19, a full (andeven overflowing) 'Ohana roomaudience heard Miho Aida speak aboutnative people in Alaska and their effortsto save their land from oil drilling. Mihohas given voice to women in a remotecoastal village who are passionate aboutsaving their way of life as a people whodepend on the land and on the caribouwith whom they share the land. As oneof the women said, “As the caribou go,so go the Gwich’in”. Miho has been ontour in Hawaii to educate and motivatepeople here to join with our distantneighbors. She has also bicycled 2000miles on the Mainland spreading hermessage.

Taking action is her message, and she isasking everyone to participate in apostcard campaign and/or to sign apetition asking President Obama to givethe Arctic refuge the highest level ofprotection. Those who heard her talk andwatched her film signed postcards, and a“Solidarity from Hawaii” banner for theGwich’in people. She also introduced usto a new book, We are the Arctic, inwhich she joined 24 others who sharetheir brief essays about the Arctic.

Postcards are available on Sundaymornings and from the church office.Please sign one, and ask your friends andfamily to do so. Return them (with nostamp) to me, and I will forward them toMiho for a mass mailing. Her personalgoal is to generate 5000 postcards withinthe larger postcard campaign of 2million.


In her documentary, The Sacred PlaceWhere Life Begins: Gwich’in WomenSpeak, Miho tells the story of theimportance of protecting their sacredland which is within public land of theArctic National Wildlife Refuge —through the voices of indigenouswomen.

As with all environmental issues, thisone is also a social justice, spiritualand moral issue — tailor-made forCCU!

Every actions matters.For more information: www.mihoaida.com/gwichi www.WeAreTheArctic.org

By Rollo Scheurenbrand

CCU members have given generously over the years to help supply the food bank at St.

Anthony’s Church in Kailua. The food is distributed 4 days a week to families and

individuals, distributing 6000 lbs of food each month to some 450 people.

They are always in need of food, and our food donations are greatly appreciated. Some

suggestions:

spaghetti noodles or pasta

canned meats

beans

pork and beans

milk (powdered or boxed)


canned soup (not creamed)

peanut butter

jelly

rice (they told me they depend on CCU for rice!)

During the first 6 months of 2016, CCU has donated approximately 311 pounds. Let’s

challenge ourselves to at least double this amount during the second half of 2016. I’ll

report back after the end of the year.

Mahalo to all who donate, and especially to Paul Snipes and George Wyman who have

championed this effort for many years!

Report from the 222nd General Assemblyof the P.C. (U.S.A.), 2016

Back in April, when I first received the schedule for the 222nd GeneralAssembly in Portland, I have to admit I was a bit overwhelmed: so manyactivities and presentations and issues to consider, 8 full days of business andprogram to inform the next two years of the PCUSA's national ministry.Looking back on my week, I see that that sensation of over-saturation did notnecessarily diminish as we've moved through the week! We are a BIG church,doing ministry in so many different ways at so many different levels, and itwas both energizing and exhausting to be engaged with the complex organismthat is our church.

For the first three days of our time together, each of us worked in committees(I was assigned to the Social Justice Issues Committee) on various overtures,statements and programs that had been sent to the Assembly for itsconsideration by the Presbyterys and the various national committees. Wegrappled over language and substance and form; what should be included inan apology to Native American communities for our role in culturalassimilation programs such as Indian boarding schools? How shall we utilizeand disseminate an extensive task-force report on Racism and Ethnocentrism?At what level shall we continue to support a cohort focused on fruitful urbanministry? Each of these questions and dozens more were subjected tothoughtful, prayerful consideration before being sent on to the full assemblywith our recommendation (to approve or disapprove).


Wednesday through Saturday we met together as an entire group (nearly 600commissioners and a few hundred Young Adult Advisory Delegates, TheologicalStudy Advisory Delegates, Mission Advisory Delegates and Ecumenical AdvisoryDelegates) and considered the work the committees had passed on. If I had togeneralize the business we considered as a body, I would say that it fit(roughly) into three categories:

1) Articulating Our Values

2) Tending to Our Process and

3) Giving Direction to Our Mission

To these ends, we took up numerous business items which you can read moreabout at pcusa.org. The most notable item for me was the addition of theBelhar Confession to our Book of Confessions, a anti-apartheid confession offaith written in South Africa to affirm unity as a central gift to and responsibilityof the church. Representatives from South Africa invited to speak after thepassage praised the assembly for its historic act: incorporating the firststatement of faith from the global south into its collection of confessions.

I must say it was powerful to witness our church at work; this was at itshighest levels. And the experience made me feel proud to be Presbyterian.Ultimately, though, what I walked away with was a reminder that the truepower of our church lies in individual congregations and individual disciplescarrying out the will of God. Though I was honored to participate in shapingpolicy for the next season of our broader church's ministry, I have come to seethat the true and difficult work of proclaiming God's good news to a world inneed to hope must happen at the local level. No statement about racialreconciliation can accomplish as much as a neighbor walking across the streetto engage a person whose experience differs from her own. No apology canreplace the important work of individuals being willing to listen together for thetruth that is born amidst pain. No mandate can assure that Christ's love will beshown to the least among us. These things are the things we must do,together, in our own context, through our own hands and words and works.Which is why I return to you grateful for my experience and also empoweredfor our work together right here in Kailua. Again, with thanks to you for thisgift of time to serve our church.


Hawai'i Interfaith Power and Light (HIPL)The goals of HIPL are to raise awareness of the spiritual importance of globalwarming among diverse faith communities, provide inspiration and resourcesfor taking action, and advocate on behalf of policies that promote energyefficiency, conservation, and renewable energy.

Hawaii Environmental CalendarA brand-new resource to bring together Hawaii's environmental community isthe Hawaii Environmental Calendar. Everything from nature hikes and serviceprojects to legislative hearings on environmental bills are posted on thisonline calendar. There is also a list of environmental organizations, includingyours truly, HIPL.

For more information, visit the HIPL website at http://www.hipl.org/home

FACE Listening Campaign Is Underway! As a member of Faith Action for Community Equity (FACE), a communityorganizing body, CCU is undergoing a listening process to identify whichcommunity concerns should be the target of FACE campaigns in the upcomingyear. You may be getting a call from Elayne Cho, Jimzy Lui, or MarianHeidel sometime during the rest of May through the first week of July;please respond and let your voice be heard. Don't be afraid to give one ofthem a call to suggest a date and time that is good for you. AND we could useone more people to join this team in making these half-hour visits. Here is agood opportunity to get to know individuals in our congregation. Let MarianHeidel know or speak with Elayne or Jimzy.

Thanks! Marian Heidel | 808-358-6345 | [email protected]


CCU prayed over Laurie Seaver and wished her farewell on June 26th. She

starts a new season in Grand Rapids!


A letter from the Office of the General Minister & President of the Disciples of Christ. CCU

is one of the top 100 for per capita giving for the Disciples Mission Fund offering as of May

31!


Date Name Duty

3-Jul Liz Leavitt Minister

Rollo Scheurenbrand &

Charlene HosenfeldUsher / Greeter

Paul Haring Liturgist

Marian Heidel Keiki Sermon

John Heidel T Prayer / Serve Comm. / Bldg Lockup


Clancy & Cathy Lyman Usher / Greeter

Dianne Brookins Liturgist

Beth Davidann Keiki Sermon

John Stiles T Prayer / Serve Comm. / Bldg Lockup


Peggy Zeilinger & George

WymanUsher / Greeter

Courtney Nichols Liturgist

Kathy Summers Keiki Sermon

Paul Brennan T Prayer / Serve Comm. / Bldg Lockup


Richard & Elayne Smith Usher / Greeter

Allie Pyan Liturgist

Liz Leavitt Keiki Sermon

Dianne Brookins T Prayer / Serve Comm. / Bldg Lockup


John & Marian Heidel Usher / Greeter

Richard Smith Liturgist

Paul Brennan Keiki Sermon

Susie Jannuzzi T Prayer / Serve Comm. / Bldg Lockup


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from pastor liz leavitt...a none's story: searching for meaning inside christianity, judaism,...

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