In this issue:
- A Message from Pastor Jeff
- Stewardship Corner
- LCH Office Hours During COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Order
- Lay Ministers, Please Take Note
- Committee/Interest Group Chairs
- Summer Schedules
- Angel Network In-Gathering
- Adut Forum
- Children’s Summer Sunday School
- Compline
- Leadership Roundtable
- First Mondays
- Book of Faith Bible Study
- IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep
- Mary Magdalene Society
- LCH Women’s Book Club
- Writers’ Workshop
- Vespers for the Feast of John the Baptist
- Regular Offerings
- An Easy Way to Donate
- Edward Shipwright Memorial Piano Fund
- HeartBeat Deadline
- Eectronic Funds Transfers for April
- Attendance and Offerings for May
- Prayer Requests
- June Birthdays
- Calendar: June 2020
From Pastor Jeff
Blessings and peace! What a strange and difficult time we are in these days. Stay at home orders, closed businesses and schools, unemployment at levels even higher than the great depression, no in-person gatherings, food distribution lines, and online worship have truly changed the face of daily living throughout the world. Despite a relatively low infection rate here in Hawai‘i, the economic and social impact of a month-long shutdown have been severe. Thank you for your patience and care for one another over these weeks!
As I am sure you know, Mayor Caldwell and Governor Ige have authorized churches to return to in-person worship, as of May 23. While we understand the eagerness to return to some sort of “normal” worship patterns, the ELCA and Bishop Taylor have urged our congregations to refrain from rushing to open our sanctuary doors too quickly. They point to spikes in covid-19 deaths following the opening of churches in the South and Midwest as examples of what could easily take place in our own churches. They urge us to take into account the most vulnerable of our number and remind us that we should always act in ways that benefit the whole community, not just ourselves. While the bishops cannot forbid us to reopen, the congregational council is taking their advice along with the advice of the CDC quite seriously.
On May 26, the council voted unanimously to extend online-only worship through August. This means we will not plan to have in-person Sunday worship over the summer. This should give us ample time to assess the real impact of covid-19 and avoid placing our community at risk. If conditions warrant, the council will reconsider their decision and allow a return to in-person Sunday worship earlier. In the meantime, we are busy discovering what it means to be the church in this new age!
We are developing additional online worship and devotional opportunities, including daily prayer, midweek vespers, and small performances by local artists. I will begin offering a weekly online game night for youth and young adults beginning in June, and I am gauging interest in a second online learning opportunity. We are looking at more effective ways to connect our members for service and social gatherings that will include a mix of online and in-person events. We invite you to share your ideas and dreams. This is an exciting time to reimagine how we can be God’s humble and living church in a new way!
Although we will not be returning to worship as normal on Sundays, it doesn’t mean that the campus will remain entirely closed over the summer. Scott Fikse and I are working on plans for small, in-person gatherings and worship in the courtyard or other outdoor spaces as allowed. We hope to invite AA and other support groups to return, in a limited way, as soon as we can assure adherence to county and state guidelines and agreements we have developed for these groups. In any case, we will reopen in a sensible and safe manner.
One of the challenges for all of us is how to serve those in need. We are used to being able to prepare meals, deliver food, and share our skills in person. But many in our congregation are in high-risk categories, and it is unsafe for them to serve in person. For the moment, we continue to serve those in need however we can. A small and dedicated group is still serving IHS by preparing sack lunches for over 400 people. We know many of you would love to help with this, but, in order to keep everyone safe, we are limiting volunteers to the number that can safely work in a confined space. We will work to see how else we can be a resource to our community. If you have ideas, email me and we will work on it.
Lastly, thank you again for all you are doing to maintain a vibrant and living expression of God’s grace through this congregation.
Blessings,
Pastor Jeff
We have journeyed through the Easter Season while weaving faith and creation into the tapestry of our lives together. As restrictions are loosening, it is clear that people are eager to escape the confines of home and enjoy the outdoors whether it be at the beach, on a trail somewhere, or as Pastor Jeff loves to do, sailing on the ocean blue. Some have planted things, and others have perhaps pruned or adopted an area to keep clean of trash. Thank you for your mindfulness and care of all God has created. Thank you, too, for your continued financial giving to the church.
Sunday, May 31, is Pentecost, the day we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit, the presence of God within and among us. The Spirit empowers us to use our varied God-given gifts to proclaim God’s redeeming love to the world, an especially hurting world right now. We will continue weaving the tapestry of our lives together at LCH and in the world, albeit while still minding certain covid-19 restrictions.
And so, we begin what is often referred to as the loooong green season. The first focus theme is weaving faith and self- or personal-care. This focus will take us through the summer months. This theme seems particularly pertinent as we continue to learn new ways of doing and being because of the corona-virus pandemic. This theme will strengthen us for the second focus, which is weaving faith and community.
Two LCH members will be offering learning opportunities that relate to the first theme.
- Juditha Murashige will offer a class during the Adult Forum in June. She writes about this offering: “‘Artful Prayer’ is a simple way to respond to scripture, hymns, artwork, or personal concerns. Using basic supplies (paper and colored pencils or markers) participants develop their own visual language. This is not about ‘making art’ but more about discovering personal symbols that are meaningful to each person’s prayer life. I will demonstrate very simple drawing techniques which work for everyone.”
- For the other offering, LCH member Willow Chang, a yogini who started studying yoga over 30 years ago, will offer gentle yoga to those sheltering at home via Zoom. These remote learning classes will allow you to become more centered within your own body, via exploration of various classic asanas (poses), sequences of stretches, and pranayama breathing techniques. No experience necessary! (You are even welcome to remain unseen, if you prefer.) Let this journey help you maintain peace, strength, and flexibility—which benefit us all in both calm and challenging times!
Watch for dates that these opportunities will be offered. We will also post simple activities one can practice each week. May this focused time bring you a sense of peace in the midst of on-going challenges.
We miss seeing all of you and look forward to the time when we will have opportunities to gather in person again.
Your Stewardship Team
Committee/Interest Group Chairs
| Committee/Group | Leader |
|---|---|
| Archive: | Jim Cartwright |
| Aloha: | Bruce Holmberg |
| Concert: | Scott Fikse |
| Communications: | Carol Langner |
| Community Life: | Larry Anderson |
| Council: | Josie Bidgood |
| Fellowship: | Mary-Jo Estes |
| Finance: | Steve Miller |
| Financial Review: | Dori Palcovich |
| Food for Thought: | Marlise Tellander |
| Lay Ministers: | Carolyn Koehler |
| Learning Ministry: | Fred Benco |
| Mary Magdalene Society: | Bill Potter Roy Helms |
| Process Theology: | Carol Langner |
| Property: | Richard Mundell |
| Scholarship: | Fred Benco |
| Social Ministry: | Jean Lilley Miles Sato |
| Stewardship: | Phyllis Hörmann Willow Chang |
| Sunday School: | Laurie Leach |
| Website: | Bill Potter |
| Worship & Music: | Roy Helms Randy Castello |
| Writers’ Workshop: | Peter Flachsbart |
| Youth: | Pr. Jeff Lilley |
LCH Office Hours During COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Order
The LCH office and church campus will remain closed, through May 31, in accordance with the CDC, Hawai‘i State Governor’s Office, and Honolulu City and County Office of the Mayor’s recommendations regarding covid-19 virus safety. We recommend that you do not leave a phone message on the office voicemail. It is preferable that you please email LCH@LCHwelcome.org to contact the administrator, pr.jeff@LCHwelcome.org to contact Pastor Jeff, or scott@LCHwelcome.org to contact the LCH music director. If you prefer to leave a brief voicemail message, your call will be returned when someone is able to check in at the LCH office. Please visit the LCH website at www.lchwelcome.org for more information about weekly events and ministries, and to access the public LCH Facebook page for online worship services (you do not need a Facebook account to access the LCH Facebook page).
Lay Ministers, Please Take Note
As a reminder, the following people are scheduled to serve on whatever Sunday we re-open for worship:
- Lector: Cindy Scheinert
- Assisting Minister: Bobby Broyles
- Communion Assistants: Laurie Leach, Bob Tellander, and Frank Haas
- Acolyte: Hunter Nishimura
Once a re-opening date is announced, Carolyn will start working on a schedule. If those mentioned above are unable to serve on whatever date we re-open, you can let Carolyn know and she will find a replacement for you. Mahalo nui loa for your patience and cooperation.
Summer Schedules
For June, and until in-person services resume, LCH livestreamed worship services will continue at 10:00 am. There will be no Compline during the summer months. Compline resumes on the first Sunday of September.
Angel Network In-Gathering
LCH is not collecting donations for Angel Network Charities until further notice. However, Angel Network is accepting donations at the Calvary-by-the-Sea Lutheran Church location in east O‘ahu: 5339 Kalaniana‘ole Highway, Honolulu 96821.
For those who are able and interested in donating, they accept donations on Thursdays and Fridays, from 8:30 am to noon. They will only accept packaged, unopened dry goods (e.g. cereal, flour, sugar, pasta, etc.) and canned goods.
Angel Network requires that donating drivers identify themselves and remain in their vehicle. Volunteers will offload donation items from your vehicle with protective gloves. Over 2,500 individuals are served monthly through this program. Mahalo for your generosity and support.
Adult Forum
Sundays at 9:00 am • Online via Zoom meeting login
On Trinity Sunday, June 7, Sha Inake will debut her brand-new hymn “Trinity Soul” and will discuss the song and its background. “Trinity Soul” will be sung during streaming worship that day, to the tune of the iconic Japanese folk song “Sakura.”
All are welcome to join the Adult Forum Zoom meetings, live Sunday mornings. This works best if you download the free Zoom app beforehand. You may need to enable your microphone and video capabilities. Please contact Dr. Stephen Miller at stevedmiller.sm@gmail.com to receive an invitation to join the next Zoom Adult Forum discussion.
Children’s Summer Sunday School
At this time, we do not plan to have children’s Sunday School during the summer at LCH. We hope to start Sunday School again on September 6. This summer we are exploring exactly how these classes will be conducted. As decisions are made we will keep you informed. We hope to have a sign-up for fall Sunday School on Rally Sunday, August 30. In the meantime, we really miss seeing you and hope you have a good summer!
Compline
Compline will be on hiatus for the summer months and will resume on the first Sunday of September.
Leadership Roundtable
Monday, June 1, 6:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting invitation
Committee chairs and team leaders, please plan to gather for a short (45 minute) meeting. This month’s meeting will be conducted via the Zoom online meeting platform. Please refer to your email for the Zoom Meeting details. 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, you will receive an email from Pastor Jeff, via Zoom Meeting, regarding login information. Please be prepared to share a little information on your activities with the group. Mahalo!
First Mondays
We hope to resume the First Mondays concert series in September. Stay tuned for performance information.
Book of Faith Bible Study
Thursdays, 10:00–11:45 am • LCH Boardroom
The Book of Faith Bible Study usually meets on Thursday mornings in the LCH Boardroom. However, during the statewide “stay at home” mandate, meetings have been conducted via the Zoom online meeting platform. All are welcome to join this lively discussion of the Biblical texts, relevant current events, and historical foundations. Please contact Pastor Jeff at pr.jeff@LCHwelcome.org to receive an invitation to the next Zoom Bible study discussion.
IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep
LCH continues our commitment to IHS to assist with feeding the homeless during these difficult times. Although stay-at-home orders may have relaxed a bit, we anticipate that all the requirements of social distancing, masks, sanitizing, etc. will still be in force. Therefore, only a small group will be asked to make sandwiches, and those individuals will be contacted directly by phone or email. We will keep you updated about when we can be back to our regular group. Thank you for your patience as we navigate our way through the uncertainty.
Mary Magdalene Society
Online Happy Hour Saturdays, June 13 and 27, at 5:00 pm • Via Zoom meeting login
We will continue to invite LGBTQI members and friends of LCH to prepare their favorite beverage and pupu and gather for an online happy hour every other week during June. Those who are already on the Mary Magdalene mailing list will receive an email with directions for accessing the Zoom meeting by the Wednesday before the scheduled meeting. If you don’t receive your invitation or want to be added to the mailing list, please contact Bill Potter, group facilitator, at bill.potter808@gmail.com to be added or for more information.
For June 13, we encourage participants to share secrets of their success in life. A suggestion for June 27 will be included in the invitation for that evening.
LCH Women’s Book Club
LCH Women’s Book Club meetings are canceled until further notice.
Writers’ Workshop
Tuesday, June 16, 4:00 pm
Writers’ Workshop will meet via Zoom meeting, since restrictions on group meetings at LCH are still in effect. All are welcome! If you would like to participate, please contact Peter Flachsbart at pflachsbart@hawaiiantel.net for information on how to connect remotely.
Vespers for the Feast of John the Baptist
Wednesday, June 24, 7:00 pm
Please join us for a special evening vespers service, streamed live on our LCH Facebook page. We remember our own baptism as we recall John the Baptist through music and scripture. Music provided by organist Mark Wong and a vocal quartet led by Scott Fikse, director of music and liturgy.
Regular Offerings
While we are not able to meet in person, you are encouraged to mail your offering check directly to the church: Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 1730 Punahou Street, Honolulu HI 96822. If you would like to set up regular electronic funds transfer from your checking or savings account, forms are available at www.lchwelcome.org/support or can be requested by email to LCH@LCHwelcome.org. If you prefer to make a one time contribution or ongoing pledge by credit card, there is a link in the bottom right corner of each page of the church website or you can go directly to www.lchwelcome.org/donate. Thank you!
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.
HeartBeat Deadline
Tuesday, June 16, 9:00 am
Arnold, Barbara M-F, Billy S., Charlotte, Colleen K., George, Greg, Kathy S., Keahi, Kendra K., Patricia, Resi, Shirley S., Szewa, Vonia, William, Yvonne
| Day | Date | Event and Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | June 1 | 6:30 pm, Leadership Roundtable Zoom Meeting |
| Thursday | June 4 | 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study Zoom Meeting |
| Sunday | June 7 | 9:00 am, Online Adult Forum 10:00 am, Streaming Worship Service |
| Monday | June 8 | 6:00 pm, Worship & Music Zoom Meeting |
| Thursday | June 11 | King Kamehameha Day 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study Zoom Meeting 7:00 pm, Lift Every Voice and Sing—Songs of Protest and Social Justice |
| Saturday | June 13 | 5:00 pm, Mary Magdalene Zoom Virtual Happy Hour |
| Sunday | June 14 | 9:00 am, Online Adult Forum 10:00 am, Streaming Worship Service |
| Tuesday | June 16 | HeartBeat Submissions Deadline 4:00 pm, Writers’ Workshop Zoom Meeting |
| Wednesday | June 17 | 12:00 pm, Finance Committee Zoom Meeting |
| Thursday | June 18 | 8:00 am, IHS Meal Prep (closed group, by assignment) 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study Zoom Meeting |
| Sunday | June 21 | Father’s Day 9:00 am, Online Adult Forum 10:00 am, Streaming Worship Service |
| Tuesday | June 23 | 6:00 pm, Executive Council Zoom Meeting 6:30 pm, LCH Council Zoom Meeting |
Wednesday | June 24 | 7:00 pm, Vespers for the Feast of John the Baptist |
| Thursday | June 25 | 10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study Zoom Meeting |
| Saturday | June 27 | 5:00 pm, Mary Magdalene Zoom Virtual Happy Hour |
| Sunday | June 28 | 9:00 am, Online Adult Forum 10:00 am, Streaming Worship Service |