In this issue:
- A Message from Pastor Jeff
- From Vicar Andy
- Summer Schedule
- Punahou Summer Term Parking at LCH
- Committee/Interest Group Chairs
- LCH Office Hours
- Check out the Kitchen Bulletin Board…
- LCH Website Maintenance Completed
- LCH Office Closed for Independence Day
- Doodle Art for Adults
- SUMMER SERVICE SCHEDULE
- Angel Network In-Gathering
- Adult Forum
- Sunday School on Vacation for the Summer
- Leadership Roundtable
- Book of Faith Bible Study
- Party! Party!
- Ministry Roundtable Gatherings
- LCH Women’s Book Club
- IHS Meal Prep
- All Occasion Card Making
- One Pot, One Hope
- Intermittent LCH Office Hours, July and August
- Writers’ Workshop
- Rally Sunday
- An Easy Way to Donate
- Edward Shipwright Memorial Piano Fund
- Financial Stewardship
- HeartBeat Deadline
- Electronic Funds Transfers for May
- Attendance and Offerings for June
- Prayer Requests
- July Birthdays
- LCH Worship Participants (9:15 am)
- Calendar: July 2019
A Message from Pastor Jeff
A Complicated Simplicity
May and June are traditional times for most ELCA synods to conduct their annual assemblies, during which they worship, pray, conduct the business of the church, and elect various officers and committees to serve the synod. In a recent conversation with a member it occurred to me that a fair number of people don’t really understand how our national church is organized. The structure appears complicated and convoluted, but really, it’s a pretty simple way we have organized ourselves for the mission of God. So here is a primer.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.5 million members in more than 9,100 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. The church is divided into 65 synods of varying sizes. “Synod,” which comes from the Greek word which means “to walk together,” describes the smaller groupings of churches within the ELCA. In some cases, synods are comprised of congregations from one state or portions of states. In other cases, just a couple of cities (like Minneapolis/St. Paul) can make up a synod. LCH is a member of the Pacifica Synod, which includes all of the ELCA congregations south of Los Angeles and the inland empire. Altogether, California is divided up into three synods.
Each of the 65 ELCA synods elects a bishop who serves a six-year term as synod leader. The synod bishop’s duties are far ranging and deep, so the bishop’s office employs assistants to the bishop who take on various duties and report to the bishop. Each synod’s highest officer is always a lay person who heads a synod council (much like our church council). The highest legislative body in the synod is the Synod Assembly. In the Pacifica Synod, we hold the assembly every year and bring together clergy and lay persons to do the work of the synod. By design, the assembly is always made up of at least two thirds lay people. The rest are rostered ministers.
Between assemblies, the synod council works with the bishop and staff attending to issues like mission, budget, congregational constitutions, legal matters, and clergy management. While congregations are largely independent, the synod model encourages interdependence between the synod office, other congregations, and the wider church. In a sense, they help the whole church to “walk together.” This same structure happens at the churchwide level with the ELCA church council under the guidance of the presiding bishop. All of this ministry is supported, in full, by the generous donations of church members.
At LCH, ten percent of our offerings are forwarded to the Pacifica Synod. The Pacifica Synod then forwards 51 percent of those monies to the wider church. Along the way, the money is used to support the various ministries of the synod and the ELCA, like our seminaries, emergency relief, programming, and the salaries of the valuable staff who minister on our behalf.
The 65 bishops, together with the presiding bishop of the ELCA, compose the Council of Bishops. Although they do not have legislative responsibilities, they are tasked with guiding the larger church’s mission and ministry, relations with our ecumenical and interfaith partners, policy development, and working to help us better understand what God is calling the church to be and to do. The bishops meet periodically in various places so that they can have a better sense of geography and the culture of the ELCA.
In a very intentional move, the highest power (other than God) in our church is the Churchwide Assembly, which takes place on a three-year cycle and is comprised of at least two thirds laypersons. The next triennial assembly will take place August 5–10, in Milwaukee. This is a particularly important year because the assembly will conduct the bishop election. Like the synod bishop, the presiding bishop is elected to a six-year term. Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, the current presiding bishop, is eligible for re-election at this assembly.
This year has been an interesting year for bishop elections, with more and more women, LGBTQ, and younger people being elected as synod bishops. With about one third of bishops being elected each year, the church hopes to keep itself current in the world. But we are not a church of bishops. We are the Body of Christ gathered to do God’s work in the world. We serve, love, care, pray, worship, take risks, change, preserve, cry together, laugh together, and sometimes stay quietly hopeful because God has called us to live and breathe God in one another. We give thanks for the structure and leaders who help us better live out that life in our daily world.
Peace,
Pastor Jeff
From Vicar Andy
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
Last Spring, Justin and I jumped up and down when we read that I had been chosen to be LCH’s next intern. As our feet landed on the ground, we knew immediately this might just be our biggest adventure yet. We both smiled the moment O‘ahu came into view and our flight attendant brought us complimentary mai tais, to celebrate our arrival. After getting our suitcases from the baggage claim, Harper (our dog) from the airport quarantine station, and our car from Sand Island we drove to the church and our apartment. My eyes were wide with anticipation and my heart was filled with excitement. We were home. It is hard for me to imagine that, a little over a year ago, I began my internship, and in a couple of weeks it will be completed. Where did they time go?
Even before our arrival, you fully embraced me as your intern. When the card from the council came in the mail, I knew internship was going to be something special. Following my installation, I fully immersed myself into the life and ministry of Lutheran Church of Honolulu. Any idea, undertaking, or thought I had was met with great enthusiasm and joy. You also pushed me to learn chant and validated my preaching. When it came time for my internship project, the ‘ohana gatherings, there was no shortage of hosts or attendees. Any event the congregation participated in, you made sure to invite me. Finally, you made sure Justin and I experienced the depth and breadth of what it means to live aloha. Countless people had us over and took us out for brunches, lunches, dinners, and drinks. We even went sailing a handful of times with Pastor Jeff and Jean. (What intern can say that?)
When my advisor sat Justin and me down to discuss possible sites for internship, her eyes twinkled when she mentioned the possibility of LCH. When our flight touched down I silently prayed that I would always look to internship as one of the best times, professionally and personally, of my life. I am certain that it will be.
>Mahalo,
Vicar Andy
Summer Schedules
Our Sunday service summer schedule continues through August.There is one worship service on Sundays, at 9:15 am. This is a communion service. There will be no Compline during the summer months. Compline resumes on the first Sunday of September. Other LCH programs may break for the summer as well. Check the LCH calendar on-line, or the HeartBeat newsletter and the weekly LCHNews calendars for scheduling information.
Committee/Interest Group Chairs
| Committee/Group | Leader |
|---|---|
| Archive: | Jim Cartwright |
| Concert: | Scott Fikse |
| Communications: | Carol Langner |
| Community Life: | Larry Anderson |
| Council: | Josie Bidgood |
| Fellowship: | Jeanne Castello & Mary-Jo Estes |
| Finance: | Steve Miller |
| Financial Review: | Dori Palcovich |
| Food for Thought: | Kathryn Klingebiel |
| Lay Ministers: | Carolyn Koehler |
| Learning Ministry: | Fred Benco |
| Mary Magdalene Society: | James Cartwright |
| Process Theology: | Carol Langner |
| Property: | Richard Mundell |
| Scholarship: | Fred Benco |
| Social Ministry: | Jean Lilley |
| Stewardship: | Phyllis Hörmann Willow Chang |
| Sunday School: | Laurie Leach |
| Worship & Music: | Roy Helms & Randy Castello |
| Writers’ Workshop: | Kathryn Klingebiel |
| Youth: | Pr. Jeff Lilley & Vicar Andy Flatt-Kuntze |
Punahou Summer Term Parking at LCH
Monday–Friday, until July 19 • LCH Church Lot
LCH Office Hours
- Monday—9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Tuesday—9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Wednesday—9:00 am to 12:30 pm
- Thursday—9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Friday—9:00 am to 3:00 pm
We recommend calling the office (808-941-2566) before making a visit to see Pastor Jeff or the administrator, as schedules may vary with appointments, other work commitments, and lunch breaks.
Check out the Kitchen Bulletin Board…
…for information about our ministry partners. Look for newsletters, newspaper articles, and other sources of information about Family Promise (Shallow Subsidy); Institute for Human Services (IHS); Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels (HMOW); ELCA ministries such as Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran World Hunger, and Lutheran Disaster Relief; the YWCA of Hawai‘i and Fernhurst, Bread for the World, Windward Wounded Warriors, Hawai‘i Health and Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC—formerly Life Foundation, sponsors of the AIDS Walk), and many other organizations. Our associations with such organizations extend our reach, whether for decades or for a short project. Keeping up with their activities helps us understand our own ministry better locally, nationally, and globally.
LCH Website Maintenance Completed
Thank you for your patience while the LCH website was updated to sync with new versions of software. Both the WordPress software that supports our template and PHP, which allows WordPress to operate have been upgraded to the newest versions. I had hoped to update our template, but because of my limited knowledge of PHP, that was not possible. I hope that will be possible at a future time.
Thanks again for your patience,
Bill Potter, webmaster
LCH OFFICE will be closed
Thursday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day
Doodle Art for Adults
Saturday, July 6, 1:00 pm • Isenberg Hall
Join Avelina Reed in Isenberg Hall as she leads a workshop on the Art of Doodling. This art is for relaxation and to make your mind freely wander far beyond the sounds you hear—with carefree whisks and soaring of your pen. Please bring your personal art pen (the finest tip).
SUMMER SERVICE SCHEDULE continues through Sunday, August 25
One Communion worship service at 9:15 am
Angel Network In-Gathering
Sunday, July 7
On the first Sunday of each month, an in-gathering of food and personal items is collected at LCH for Angel Network, a ministry based out of Calvary-by-the-Sea Lutheran Church. The items are taken to Angel Network during the following week. Over 2,500 individuals are served monthly through this program. We are grateful for your generosity and support.
Adult Forum
Sundays through August, 8:15 am • LCH Boardroom
The summer schedule for Adult Forum is 8:15 am in the LCH boardroom. Please bring your refreshments and join us for dynamic discussions. All are welcome.
Sunday School on Vacation for the Summer
During the summer worship period, starting on June 2, there is no Sunday school, as LCH goes to one Sunday service. Starting again September 1, LCH offers Sunday school for children from kindergarten through senior high. The older children (grades 6–12) meet in the Rainbow room. The younger children (grades k–5) meet in the Godly Play room. All are welcome!
Sign up for next year’s Sunday school on Rally Sunday, August 25. In the meantime, have a great summer!
Leadership Roundtable
Sunday, July 7, 10:30 am • LCH Boardroom
Committee chairs and team leaders, please plan to gather for a short (45 minute) meeting. This is an opportunity for us to sit down together and share information on what is happening with all the ministries at LCH. If you are a committee or team leader, please be prepared to share a little information on your activities with the group. Mahalo and see you there!
Book of Faith Bible Study
Thursdays, July 11, 18, and 25, 10:00–11:45 am • LCH Boardroom
The Book of Faith Bible Study meets on Thursday mornings in the boardroom. All are welcome to join this lively discussion of the Biblical texts, relevant current events, and historical foundations. Please come for engaging fellowship and discussion!
Party! Party!
Saturday, July 13, 6:00 pm • Hörmann Courtyard
We’re going to have a party! We will bid Vicar Andy and Justin farewell on Saturday, July 13, at 6.00 pm, with a gala of good food and fun in the Hörmann Courtyard. We need your kokua. Please look for the RSVP list in the courtyard before or after Sunday service and sign it as soon as you can so we will be able to give the catering company an accurate head count. Then, get ready for some fun!
Ministry Roundtable
Sundays, July 14, 21, and 28, 10:30 am • Hörmann Courtyard
Join us in July for “Ministry Roundtable,” at the round tables in the courtyard. This is a preliminary step in our strategic planning process. Pastor Jeff, Vicar Andy, or one our council members will be at each table as we share our hopes and dreams for our congregation, the larger church, and our faith. We can address questions like:
- How will LCH adapt to the changing landscape of faith?
- What models of ministry will better serve our mission?
- Should we be looking to partner with other congregations?
- How can we build a stronger relationship with our ecumenical partners?
- How can our members and surrounding community be better served?
Bring your refreshments and participate in 30 minutes of discussion!
LCH Women’s Book Club
Monday, June 17, 10:00 am
We meet at the Murashige’s. Lori McDonald leads discussion of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. For August, Juditha leads discussion of Erotic Tales from Punjabi Widows, by Balli Kaur Jaswal. All are welcome. Please contact the church office if you have questions, 808-941-2566.
IHS Meal Prep
Friday, July 19, 1:00 pm prep/5:30 pm serve
LCH will shop, cook, and serve our monthly hot meal to Honolulu’s homeless. This is part of our 25-plus-year tradition of providing dinner on the third Friday of each month. Volunteers are needed to serve as shoppers, cooks, and servers. Check the bulletin board by the kitchen for more information about IHS and our long involvement with this human service agency. You may also visit the Institute for Human Services website: www.ihshawaii.org.
Please direct any questions to Carol Langner at church, or call the church office, 808-941-2566, for details. Mahalo to all who help with this ministry to Honolulu’s homeless.
All Occasion Card Making
Saturday, July 20, 1:00 pm • Isenberg Hall
Join Avelina Reed in the Isenberg Hall as she leads a workshop on All Occasion Card Making. By the end of the workshop, you will take home with you the cards you have made. Materials are free of charge.
One Pot, One Hope
Saturday, June 29, 9:30 am
A consistent group of LCH volunteers helps feed 100 to 125 people each month in Wai‘anae. Help support this mission outreach project by participating or by bringing donations of designated items—Costco gallon-sized cans of chili, fresh fruit, granola bars, bottled water, recycled grocery bags, and large cardboard boxes—or checks payable to “One Pot, One Hope.” Bring donated items to church on the third Sunday of the month. See Peggy Anderson for more information, including volunteering and carpool. Chili donations are appreciated, #10 sized cans (from Costco or Sam’s Club).
Intermittent LCH Office Hours, July and August
The LCH administrator will be out of the office, on vacation, from Thursday, July 25, through Friday, August 9. LCH office hours will be intermittent during that time, depending on Pastor Jeff’s schedule and volunteer availability. Please call the office before dropping in to be sure someone is available to assist you.
Writers’ Workshop
Writers’ Workshop is taking a break in July. Our first meeting after the summer break is August 19, at 4:00 pm, in the boardroom at LCH. All are welcome. For more information please contact the LCH office at 808-941-2566.
Rally Sunday
Sign up for fall Sunday school on Rally Sunday, August 25. Godly Play Sunday school will start again on Sunday, September 1. Enjoy your summer!
An Easy Way to Donate
Did you know you can donate to Lutheran Church of Honolulu while shopping without spending any extra money? Shop at smile.amazon.com and increase donations to Lutheran Church of Honolulu! Any Amazon purchase can be made through LCH’s unique charity-link, which will take you directly to smile.amazon.com in support of LCH. Just type this URL in your browser and start shopping: smile.amazon.com/ch/99-0079975.
Edward Shipwright Memorial Piano Fund
The church has an ongoing need for maintenance of our current piano, which is on generous loan from Mark Wong. We also need to plan for eventual purchase of an excellent, permanent piano for LCH.
Therefore, we have established the Edward Shipwright Memorial Piano Fund. Dr. Shipwright was the head of the piano division of the Music Department at UH Mānoa. Many people associated with LCH were students or friends of Ed. The fund will be a fitting memorial to his 50 years of teaching and playing.
Financial Stewardship
Mahalo nui loa for your generous stewardship during the first half of this year! While we are financially healthy overall, congregational giving has dropped off somewhat over the summer, so our income is below budget, year to date. As you travel this summer, we hope you will continue your spiritual practice of regular giving with your LCH ‘ohana. Have a wonderful summer.
| Offering Fund | Amount | Offering Fund | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offering | $6,805 | Music Fund/Instruments | $347 |
| Shallow Subsidy | $90 | Capital Improvements | $122 |
HeartBeat Deadline
Tuesday, June 16, 9:00 am
Avelina, Carol M., Colleen K., George, Karen O., Kendra K.,
Patricia, Resi, Roger R., Vonia, Wayne G.
| Day | Date | Event and Time | Thursday | July 4 | LCH Office CLOSED—Independence Day |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | July 6 | 1:00 pm, Doodle Art for Adults |
| Sunday | July 7 | Angel Network In-Gathering 8:15 am, Adult Forum 9:15 am, Summer Holy Communion 10:30 am, Leadership Roundtable |
| Monday | July 8 | 6:00 pm, Worship & Music Meeting |
| Thursday | July 11 | 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting |
| Saturday | July 13 | 6:00 am, Vicar Andy & Justin’s Farewell Party |
| Sunday | July 14 | Vicar Andy’s last Sunday at LCH 8:15 am, Adult Forum 9:15 am, Summer Holy Communion |
| Monday | July 15 | 10:00 am, LCH Women’s Book Club |
| Tuesday | July 16 | HeartBeat Submissions Deadline |
| Wednesday | July 17 | 12:30 pm, Finance Committee Meeting |
| Thursday | July 18 | 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting |
| Friday | July 19 | 1:00 pm, IHS Meals Prepared 5:30 pm, IHS Meals Served |
| Saturday | July 20 | 1:00 pm, All Occasion Card Making |
| Sunday | July 21 | 8:15 am, Adult Forum 9:15 am, Summer Holy Communion |
| Tuesday | July 23 | 6:30 pm, LCH Council Meeting |
| Thursday | July 25 | Irregular office hours begin, through August 9 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study 2:30 pm, Weekly Staff Meeting |
| Saturday | July 27 | 9:30 am, One Pot One Hope |
| Sunday | July 28 | 8:15 am, Adult Forum 9:15 am, Summer Holy Communion |