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February Newsletter2/8/2024 Dear Maluhia, January seems to have gone in a flash! We come to the close of the season of Epiphany, and begin to think about Lent – which this year falls on Valentine’s Day, February 14th. Epiphany is a season of growing light, and Lent is often a penitential season – one of confession and giving something up as a sacrifice to God. Bishop Dave, from the ELCA, had a fabulous suggestion – rather than give something up for Lent this year, might you commit to a daily practice of telling someone you love them? It could be the same person each day, or perhaps you spread the love around, and tell a friend each day that you love them. There is really nothing more God asks from us than our love. Rev Jazzy Mahalo There are always so many individuals to thank each month – every single person contributes in some way to our life together! And yet this month our thank yous have to go to everyone who donated for our sewer project. WE DID IT! (I know I keep using shouty-capital letters, but it’s because I am so excited to have reached our goal!) I am so humbled and so thankful to have made it. Ash Wednesday Service Our Ash Wednesday service this year will be at 5pm, here at Maluhia. If you are looking for a later offering to fit in with your work schedule, please feel free to come to the service at St Johns, at 7pm. The services will be the same. Sewer Update WE DID IT!!! We have met our fundraising goal and are able to pay off our sewer expense, PRAISE JESUS HALLELUJAH!!!! I am so thrilled by this news, and so humbled by the many who made it possible. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Annual Meeting Elections At our Annual Meeting on January 21st we bid farewell to Sharon as a council member, and welcomed in Ceighbree. We also elected delegates to our Synod Azoombly – Maria and Donna. Thank you to all who are willing to serve! KHOKA’s Thrift Store Did you know that Ka Hana o Ke Akua has a small thrift shop? They put out clothes and household items that have been donated during their worship each Sunday, and whose in need come by and take what they can use. If you have anything to donate, you can coordinate drop off with me or with Kahu Bree directly, 317-690-1804. Bible Study With the New Year, the Bible study group I lead at St. John’s has decided to try something a little bit different. We will be meeting on Mondays at 5:30pm, either in person at St John’s or over zoom, and we will be studying each book of the Bible individually, beginning with Genesis. Please feel free to join us! If you’d like the ZOOM link, please ask me. February Birthdays 5 Donna Calarruda 12Donald Iman 13 Greg Christianson 17 Pam Courtney 21 Chris Christianson 29 Francis Mawae Jr. Mark your calendars Kids Klub: February 13th, 4-6pm Church Council Meeting: Sunday, February 18th, following the service One Pot One Hope: Saturday, February 24th Other Important Dates: Ash Wednesday 5pm service at Maluhia 7pm service at St John’s
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January Newsletter1/8/2024 Dear Maluhia,
Hau’oli Makahiki Hou! I hope you’ve all had some time to pause and reflect on 2023, and set some intentions for 2024. As I’ve thought about our shared life together, I feel confident that the Spirit is leading us and that some awesome things await us in this year. Rev Jazzy Mahalo Mahalo nui to all our members, friends and visitors who support Maluhia in various ways: Smiling, Listening, Singing, Cleaning, Reaching out, Helping with Sunday Service, Visiting the sick and shut-ins, Sharing the Good News, Offering help to those in need, Supporting our massive sewer project, Paying it forward, Supporting local charitable events. Offerings of PRAYER, TIME, TALENT, MONEY, PRESENCE! We couldn't have done it without you! Providing transportation, making refreshments, Taking notes, Paying bills, Maintaining altar paraments, Greeting visitors, Setting up communion, delivering food to the disadvantaged. The list could go on and on. Maluhia’s people share God’s peace through worship and action. Sewer Update In 2023, we have raised a grant total of $24,599.65!! WOW!!! This is such a sign of God’s faithfulness within our congregation. Some of the monies have been raised from Maluhia and our friends, and come has been contributed by other Hukilau congregations. I am so incredibly grateful! Annual Meeting Our Annual Congregational Meeting will be January 21st, immediately following worship. There will be reports from me, from Sally as our Council President and from Lei as our Treasurer. There are also two opportunities to serve Maluhia. The first is as a Church Council member, serving a 3 year term. The second is as a delegate to Synod Assembly, which is essentially a two day commitment – one in person meeting at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, and one zoom meeting a week later. Let me know if you are interested in either! Kahu Bree’s Installation at Ka Hana O Ke Akua Bree will be getting installed as the pastor at KHOKA, and everyone is welcome to attend in celebration! The service will be on Saturday, January 27th, at 10am. Bishop Dave Visit Following Bree’s installation on January 27th, Bishop Dave will come to Maluhia to meet with our congregation. He is planning to be at Maluhia at 2pm. Please plan to be there if you are able! As a result, we have cancelled One Pot One Hope that day, meaning we won’t begin that feeding ministry until February. Bible Study With the New Year, the Bible study group I lead at St. John’s has decided to try something a little bit different. We will be meeting on Mondays at 5:30pm, either in person at St John’s or over zoom, and we will be studying each book of the Bible individually, beginning with Genesis. Please feel free to join us! If you’d like the ZOOM link, please ask me. Rev Jazzy on Retreat I will be out of the office and on clergy retreat Monday, January 29th till Wednesday, January 31st. This is the Annual retreat that the Episcopal church convenes at Camp Mokuleia. I will be reachable but out of the office, tending to my spirit. I hope you find some time to do the same! January Birthdays 23 Larry Kaawaloa 26 Sarah Cox 30 Judy Patten Mark your calendars Kids Klub: January 16th and 30th, 4-6pm Church Council Meeting: Sunday, January 14th, following the service Annual Meeting January 21st following the service Other Important Dates: Annual Meeting Sunday January 21st, following our 10am service
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December Newsletter12/19/2023 Dear Maluhia,
Advent is a season of waiting. When I was a kid, that always felt like an interminable waiting for Christmas to come, for my stocking to be filled, and for it to be time to open gifts! As an adult, I feel like I am waiting for packages to arrive, waiting in line for stamps to mail cards, or waiting for a spot in the parking lot. I think it was more fun when I was a kid! This year is my first Christmas with a child in our home, and at times I have been overwhelmed by the pressure to make the season magical. I want Theo to have the best Christmas ever! A few mornings ago I got up before I heard him calling out on the monitor, and took some time to pray. I was reminded that the magic of the season doesn’t come from getting the right toys, or having a beautiful tree, or sending out Christmas cards on time. The magic comes from God – from the magical story of a baby who fulfills God’s promises to us, and wise men who follow a star, and young parents who trust in the wisdom of their dreams. As you wait this season, no matter where it may be, I hope it is with the calm assurance that you are waiting for God’s magic, and not your own. If we simply stay open to it, that magic arrives – exactly on time. Rev Jazzy Mahalo Mahalo nui loa for Pastor Jazzy, Donald, Don and Sally for "overseeing" the sewer/plumbing on going project; Charlie for lighting the candles every Sunday, Sharon, Scotty, Donna for Kids Klub; Maria and Sharon for One Pot One Hope Ministry; Rocky, Sally and Sharon for musical.listening pleasures; Lei for her financial talents in keeping all on track; and Alex, Theo, Jaxson and Landon for their participation in service. It's fun to share joys with Rosalie, Kay and Judy and their movie adventures. Last but not least, mahalo to all who donated monies to our on going sewer fund raising project. Sewer Update As you know, the sewer project is underway but not yet complete. To date, we have raised just over $10,000! I am SO proud of our congregation’s willingness to step up and give. Thank you for your generosity. I have also been given permission to share our fundraising request with the rest of the churches in the Hukilau conference, as Maluhia is the site of One Pot One Hope. I am heartened to know that we are not alone as we move forward, and as always I am buoyed by your prayers. Mahalo. Christmas Poinsettias As I announced in worship, this is the time to decorate our altar with Christmas poinsettias! If you are out and about and see one, please bring it to the church. We’ll add to our collection until Christmas. If you are giving it in honor or memory of someone, let me know and I’ll add it to our slideshow. Reverse Advent Calendar Our yearly giving project is the reverse advent calendar. This turns the traditional advent calendar around – instead of getting something each day, you are giving something each day. The collected items will go to Hale Na’au Pono, and the list is available at church. You can give items week by week or all at once. Blue Christmas We have been invited to participate in the Blue Christmas service alongside Ka Hana O Ke Akua. The service will be on Wednesday, December 20th at 5pm at Pokai Bay. Blue Christmas is traditionally a service to recognize any feelings of grief that come up around the holidays. Often, we miss loved ones who are no longer with us. The hallmark holiday sheen that Christmas has absorbed doesn’t leave a lot of space for hard or bad feelings. Blue Christmas gives us a hallowed space to invite God into all of our hearts – even the complicated parts of our hearts. All are invited to come, and bring your own towel or chair for the beachside service. Christmas Eve Christmas Eve this year falls on a Sunday, which means there will be two opportunities to come to church! At our morning service we will celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent, and in the evening our service will be a Lessons and Carols model of gathering. Both will offer ways to enter into the joy of Jesus during this Christmas season, and be reminded that the true gift we receive is in God’s grace. Invite a friend (or two!) to come with you and hear the beautiful story of light coming into the world. December Birthdays 15 Lei Odani-Wong and Mary Lindberg Mark your calendars Kids Klub: December 12th 4-6pm Church Council Meeting: Sunday, December 17th following the 10am service Other Important Dates: Christmas Eve Service Sunday, December 24th, 10am regular church and 7pm Christmas Eve service. Annual Meeting Sunday January 21st, following our 10am service
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November Newsletter11/12/2023 Dear Maluhia,
November is all about gratitude. With Thanksgiving around the corner, we are reminded to step back from our lives and take note of all the many ways God shows up for us – of all the many things we have to be thankful for. Here are a few things I am thankful for recently. The cool breeze in the morning. The sound of Theo’s laughter. Moments of quiet in my office. A meeting with my spiritual director. Time with family. Seeds sprouting in my garden. Bees pollinating our lime tree. My daily cup of tea. Walking Pua. All of you. Even as I made the list, there were so many other things that popped to my mind. Because gratitude is like that – a muscle we strengthen as we use it, or a skill we build as we practice it. The more you sit back and reflect on what to be grateful for, the more things you will see as gifts in your life. I wish you a season of gratitude – of remembering that every day, we have many gifts from God. Rev Jazzy Mahalo November is a month to give thanks, but Maluhia does it all year long. We continue to have so many folks to thank each month for the amazing number of jobs appreciated, enjoyed and completed! So to our entire congregation and visitors alike we say "Mahalo". This past month has been a whirlwind of activity surrounding the failed sewer pipe and the resulting ramifications. We finally found a reliable sewer plumber who outlined the problem and recommended a solution. Many thanks to the council for their approval, to EPS for their willingness to help with financing, to our members and friends for stepping up to help fund this gigantic expense, and to anyone who comes up with viable fundraising ideas. Many thanks to Scotty for installing the new baby changing table in the bathroom – we hope this will be a sign of welcome for our youngest worshippers! And, as always, we say thank you to Rocky for his awesome live musical offerings Sewer Update At our Council meeting, we decided that we need to move forward with this crucial repair to our sewer –replacing the disintegrating cast iron piping with a PVC liner. Hopefully by the time you are reading this the work will be done! The cost will be $40,000 altogether, and we have already began to collect money from donations – just over $3,000 so far! Keep the fundraising ideas coming, and thank you for giving what you can to this important project. Reverse Advent Calendar Our yearly giving project is the reverse advent calendar. This turns the traditional advent calendar around – instead of getting something each day, you are giving something each day. The collected items will go to Hale Na’au Pono. Sally is going to be working on getting our list finalized, and then it will be ready for pickup from church. Blue Christmas We have been invited to participate in the Blue Christmas service alongside Ka Hana O Ke Akua. The service will be on Wednesday, December 20th at 5pm at Pokai Bay. Blue Christmas is traditionally a service to recognize any feelings of grief that come up around the holidays. Often, we miss loved ones who are no longer with us. The hallmark holiday sheen that Christmas has absorbed doesn’t leave a lot of space for hard or bad feelings. Blue Christmas gives us a hallowed space to invite God into all of our hearts – even the complicated parts of our hearts. All are invited to come, and bring your own towel or chair for the beachside service. Synod Azoombly This year’s Synod Assemblies will be held differently! We will have an in person gathering at Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 10am-1pm, on June 1st, and then a ZOOM gathering on June 15th, 9am-12pm. While our delegates are mandated to attend, the regional in person gatherings are open to any and everyone from our congregation who has an interest! Since there is no cost but the cost of gas, this is a great way to be involved and aware of what’s going on at our Synod. November Birthdays 9 Patty Cavin Mark your calendars Kids Klub: Tuesday, November 14th, and Tuesday, November, 28th Church Council Meeting: Sunday, November 19th Other Important Dates: Christmas Eve Service Sunday, December 24th, 10am regular church and 7pm Christmas Eve service.
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September Newsletter9/1/2023 Dear Maluhia,
When I met with my spiritual director this month, she said something that really stuck with me. She said, “God is always coming over to visit us – but a lot of the time we’re just not home. We’re probably out buying a book on spirituality, or getting into a debate about God”. What she meant was just that all it takes to have a meaningful relationship with God is the time and space to do so. We have to clear the clutter, and unplug, to let God pour into us. For me, clearing the clutter means closing my screen and leaving my phone inside while I take a walk, or pull weeds in the garden. I’ve been working on using my breath and awareness to come back to myself during the day, too, even when I’m in the middle of work. God is always with us – it’s up to us to plug into that stream of consciousness – to become aware of the Spirit. Rev Jazzy Mahalo Mahalo nui to G Force for the pot hole repairs and stripping of the Maluhia Parking Lot. Antone and Jaz did an amazing job and the result is top notch; Mahalo to Charlie (and Happy Birthday in Sep) for his candle ministry; Mahalo to Maria and Sharon for One Pot One Hope and all their angels that continue to feed our friends and neighbors once a month; Mahalo to Donna and Diane for the successful Summer Splash and cleaning out the storage closet to store reusable items for future events; Mahalo to Sharon and Scotty for sponsoring the Thrivent Event for Maui and raising $1,975.00 for our Maui `Ohana; Mahalo mahalo mahalo -The second annual community school drive by St Johns and Maluhia resulted in school supplies and slippers being delivered to Maili Elementary, Lehoku Elementary, Waianae Elementary, Kamaile Elementary, and Makaha Elementary; Mahalo to the Church Council for their leadership and special mahalos to Sally for her ability to keep all on track and accomplish the many multiple projects in August; Mahalo to Judy and/or Kay for providing transportation for friends to church; Mahalo to Char for making contacts to get the striping completed; Mahalo to visitors for sharing their presence with us. Thank you for being a part of our church ‘ohana, and for all you do to make it so beautiful. Women of the ELCA Judy will be collecting feminine hygiene products for the WELCA triennium. If you are interested in learning more or donating, please contact Judy! Pet Blessing Mark your calendar! October 1st is our pet blessing Sunday, in honor of St Francis. Bring your feathered, finned, furry friends with you to church for a blessing. Our service will be shorter than usual, to accommodate our pet friends. Kihei Collection Sharon has been soliciting donations for Kihei Lutheran Church, so that they can offer on the ground support in the wake of the wildfires on Maui. We have raised almost $2000!! If you’re interested in donating please do so soon!! Reverse Advent Calendar Looking forward, we have our regular Reverse giving calendar project with Maluhia. During the month of December there will be items to collect that we donate to Hale Na’au Pono. When our list is confirmed I will share it with you, in case you want to start collecting early. September Birthdays 4 Kainalu Cox 13 Charlie Winninger 19 Blayne Wong Mark your calendars Kids Klub: Tuesday, September 12th and Tuesday, September 26th Church Council Meeting: Sunday, September 17th One Pot One Hope : Saturday, September 30th **Rev Jazzy will be on Big Island September 3-8** Other Important Dates: Parish Workdays: November 4
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July Newsletter7/24/2023
A Blessing for Waking Up to Summer Blessed are we, beginning to feel some release From pandemic constraints, From the long sad season of anxious vigilance, The boredom and frustration of plans deferred. There is new ground appearing, and paths we didn’t know were there. Blessed are we who say, okay! But God, you’re going to need to help me wake up, the music, The movement and the color of living, The wonder of the lily, the mystery and power of the tiniest seed, Cracked open, doing what it was always destined to do. Bloom. Blessed are we who say, wake me too God, I’m awake. “Wonder if the heaviest element on the periodic table. Even a tiny fleck of it stops time.” – Diane Ackerman Put yourself where love and beauty can reach you. That’s the summer for you. Kate Bowler, Blessings for the Lives we Actually Have Mahalo Mahalo to Donna for her steadfastness in reviewing the service program; Charlie for his faithfullness in candle lighting; Sharon for her shared leadership in One Pot One Hope and Kids Klub; Judy for bringing friends to church every Sunday; Donald I for making sure our facility is open and ready for worship; Rocky for his musical interlude (prayers for CeCe recovery); Weiler and ‘ohana for bringing Kaunaloa for baptism and sharing his happy smile with all.Thank you for being a part of our church ‘ohana, and for all you do to make it so beautiful. Lay Preaching Do you have good news to share? Ever wondered what it’s like to preach a sermon? A few weeks ago, I asked if any one had ever felt called to being a lay preacher. I was serious! The Lutheran Church allows for lay preachers – that is, for non-ordained people to get up and share a sermon. Maybe you’d like to share about your journey of faith, or maybe you have a favorite bible passage you’d like to preach on. Talk to me for more information! School Supplies Drive This is the last month to contribute to our joint school supplies drive, in conjunction with St. John the Baptist. We will be donating to Kamaile Academy, Makaha Elementary, Waianae Elementary, and Leihoku Elementary. Keep an eye on the sales! We will be collecting through the end of July – whatever you have to share will be appreciated! Music in Worship We are trying some new things with our worship music! In addition to Sally offering live music from our keyboard on the second Sunday of each month, we will be starting a folk service! Can you play a guitar or an ukulele or some other fun instrument? Let me know! July Birthdays 5 Pastor Jazzy Mark your calendars Kids Klub: Tuesday, July 11th and Tuesday, July 25th Council Meeting: Sunday, July 16th One Pot One Hope : Saturday, July 29th Other Important Dates: Parish Workdays: August 5 November 4
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June Newsletter6/14/2023 Dear Maluhia,
My garden teaches me so many lessons. It’s a place where Go is often trying to teach me lessons – I learn about patience, and about faithfulness, and about abundance when I spend time digging weeds and planting seeds. Recently, I’ve been learning about zinnias. I planted zinnias a few months ago, and I was. . . satisfied with how they looked when they came up. They bloomed and died, and I went to pull them out. When I did, I was surprised to find that there were zinnia seedlings coming up in the spaces between the dead plants! I hadn’t seeded them – but they just appeared! Now, the second crop of these flowers are starting to bloom – and they are so much brighter and more robust than the first. After reading about them, I found that the more they are cut back the more they thrive. I’ve been reflecting on those lessons, and I think I have some takeaways. Sometimes, our first effort is just the first one – wait awhile, start again – the second try will be better. Sometimes, in order to grow full we need to pare back. Where might God be pruning you, or your life, so that you can really thrive? Rev Jazzy Mahalo! Each month, there are so many people to thank – and so many who contribute to our church, often in ways I don’t see. If you have a mahalo for someone let Rev Jazzy know for the next newsletter! Mahalo to Wieler and Ainell for refreshments, Maria for refreshments, Rocky for music, Judy and Sally for digging in the yard, Sally and Char for Parish workday, Sally for the beautiful orchid on Mother’s Day, Donald for set up for Kids Club, Hyton and Mackie for paying attention to the windows on Sunday mornings, and Maria and Donna for ongoing lay ministry leadership in worship on Sundays. Church is not a building – it’s the people of God living out the mission of the gospel. Through you, God is known and praised in our community. Congregational Notes As many of you heard in worship this month, Donald lost his youngest son, Albert Lee, on Tuesday, May 23rd. Please keep Donald and his ‘ohana in your prayers during this time. As always, life is a mixed bag – and so as we grieve the passing of Albert, we also celebrate the milestone accomplishment that Alex graduated from preschool and is going to begin Kindergarten! God holds us all, in triumph and in sadness. School Supplies Drive We are having a joint school supplies drive, in conjunction with St John’s. We will be donating to Kamaile Academy, Makaha Elementary, Waianae Elementary, and Leihoku Elementary. Keep an eye on the sales! We will be collecting through the end of July. Altar Flowers You can always bring flowers to adorn our altar – and if you do, please let me know so I can announce the cause in worship! You might choose to give in celebration of, or in memory of, or in honor of . . . the reasons are endless! Music in Worship We are trying some new things with our worship music! On the second Sunday of each month, Sally has graciously offered to play live music that we can sing along with! Take home an ELW book (one of the red ones in the shelves near the baptismal font) and send Rev Jazzy some of your favorite hymns so we can incorporate them into our live music services. On the fifth Sunday of the months that have one, we will be starting a folk service! Can you play a guitar or an ukulele or some other fun instrument? Let me know! Refreshments We have been enjoying our refreshment time after worship! Thank you to all who have contributed to our time of fellowship! If you’d like to host one Sunday, let Rev Jazzy know! Usually we have cookies and juice – just something simple. Fundraiser for St John’s St John’s is having a fundraiser! We are selling NOMS candy to help get five of our teenagers to Baltimore, Maryland, for a national church camp this July. So far, our teens are about halfway there – they’ve sold 750 bags of sweets! Each bag is $5, and they are delicious! Talk to Rev Jazzy for more information, and thank you for supporting our kids! Hall for Rent at St John’s After taking a hiatus over the COVID years, the Hall at St. John’s is available to rent again! WE have taken over the administration of the hall rental, where it used to run through Kama’aina Kids. If you have an event upcoming, please consider this as a venue! June Birthdays 5 Keoni Ford 29 Malia Cox Mark your calendars Kids Klub: Tuesday, June 13th and Tuesday, June 27th Council Meeting: Sunday, June 11th One Pot One Hope : Saturday, June 24th Other Important Dates: Parish Workdays: August 5 November 4 |