In this issue:
- A Message from Pastor Jeff
- LCH Office Hours
- Stewardship Corner
- Committee/Interest Group Chairs
- Tree Planting at Gunstock Ranch
- 2023 Synod Assembly Report
- Angel Network In-Gathering
- Book of Faith Bible Study
- Restorative Yoga
- Food for Thought
- Godly Play News
- Adult Forum
- Virtual Coffee Talk with Pastor Jeff
- Learn to Make Ribbon Lei
- Leadership Roundtable
- Summer Jazz Journey 2023
- Mary Magdalene Society Potluck and Game Night
- Confirmation Classes
- LCH Office closed June 12 in observance of Kamehameha Day
- IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep
- Honolulu AIDS Walk
- Faith and Arts Weekend, June 24 and 25
- LCH Women’s Book Club
- Writers’ Workshop
- Seeking Volunteers and Donations for ONE POT, ONE HOPE
- Regular Offerings
- Edward Shipwright Memorial Piano Fund
- HeartBeat Deadline
- Electronic Funds Transfers for April
- Attendance and Offerings for May
- Prayer Requests
- June Birthdays
- Calendar: June 2023
From Pastor Jeff
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know God, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which God has called you, what are the riches of God’s glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of God’s power for us who believe, according to the working of God’s great power.—Ephesians 1:15–19
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians addresses a community in transition. The church, once made mostly of Jewish folks, had gained adherents from the gentile community, and whole congregations had formed of relative newcomers to the faith. We know from the arguments Paul has with Peter that there was unrest on both sides. Some believing that one had to be circumcised to be truly a follower of The Way (an early name for the followers of Jesus). Others dismissed such a requirement and wanted to throw out much of the tradition of the Jews in favor of something new. But Paul, in his letter, urges the church to keep their faith grounded in the Good News of Jesus. Over the course of time the church persisted through many such transitions. Sometimes the Gospel was at the center, and at other times power, greed, and self-gratification were at the center. But through the years, when the church listened deeply for the Spirit and the Good News of Christ, wonderful ministry came to pass.
Lutheran Church of Honolulu, along with most of the church universal, is experiencing continuing transitions. Most immediately. Pastor Brianna Lloyd completed her term call with the congregation on May 31. As intern and associate pastor she has brought much to the ministry at LCH. She has helped sharpen and refine our relationship with the environment, established two fine gardens, reached out to the community in new ways, and helped us understand the Gospel in new ways. We have experienced the Good News through her ministry with us and with the wider community. We give thanks for her time with us and will keep her in our prayers as she explores God’s call in ministry for the future.
Other transitions are more subtle. We are in transition from all in-person worship to hybrid in-person and remote worship. The good news is that our worship ministry is reaching far and wide. People in California, New York, and even overseas are hearing the Gospel message through worship at LCH. What a wonderful gift! We are still figuring out what fellowship and community looks like under this new model, but with Christ’s help, some courage, and flexibility, we may find ourselves growing something fresh and helpful.
We are also transitioning along with most mainline churches from being a church at the center of society to one moved closer to the margins. Where once the church enjoyed an automatic place of power and prestige in society (something Jesus never sought), the mainline church has been moved off to the side. The church occupies a more suspect and, in some cases, dubious place in larger society. One of our members shared that on her last trip to the mainland she felt a bit out of place as an enthusiastic church member. She simply didn’t find many of her kind around! The Good News is that, as Bishop David Nagler said in a recent article, “The church does its best work in the margins.” Maybe we can ponder that as we pray for the guidance of the Spirit. We might ask, “Where is God bringing Good News at the edges of society and how can we be even more a part of what God is up to?”
Whatever transitions we find ourselves in, the presence and strength of God will abide with us. Like the early church we are called to bring Good News to all who need to hear it and live out God’s loving work in the world. These transitions are difficult for some and exciting for others. But when we hold one another along the journey, bound in Christ’s love, good ministry will follow.
May God bless you as we begin the season of Pentecost, the time of the church,
Pastor Jeff
LCH Office Hours
- Monday—Closed
- Tuesday—9:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Wednesday—9:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Thursday—9:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Friday—9:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Saturday–Sunday—Closed
Given the persistence of covid in our community, the LCH office and church campus are generally closed to in-person meetings and gatherings as we continue to practice mutual care. We require masks for in-person interactions and recommend calling the office (808-941-2566) before dropping in to see Pastor Jeff or the administrator, as schedules may vary with appointments, other work commitments, and lunch breaks.
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.
Committee/Interest Group Chairs
| Committee/Group | Leader |
|---|---|
| Archive: | Jim Cartwright |
| Concert: | Barry Wenger |
| Communications: | Carol Langner |
| Community Life: | Larry Anderson |
| Council: | Dan Dennison |
| 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 Pastor Jeff Lilley |
| Scholarship: | Fred Benco |
| Social Ministry: | Jean Lilley Miles Sato |
| Stewardship: | Phyllis Hörmann Willow Chang |
| Sunday School: | Linda Miller |
| Website: | Bill Potter |
| Worship & Music: | Roy Helms Randy Castello |
| Writers’ Workshop: | Peter Flachsbart |
| Youth: | Pastor Jeff Lilley |
Healing a Broken World: Working through Trauma
This year’s Stewardship theme, Healing a Broken World, has woven its way through our life together for the past six months. We have addressed the theme with our Blue Christmas service, our Holden Evening Prayers for Lent, and our tree planting and emphasis during April and May. The Adult Forum has addressed the theme with sessions on incarnational spirituality, prayer, and creation. Now, during June and July, we will continue the theme as we address trauma, both in ourselves and the world around us.
Trauma includes the way our bodies, minds, and spirits internalize and hold on to various kinds of wounds, hurts, grief, and pain. These wounds can be physical, emotional, and psychological. At times, we even internalize the pain and wounds of others. This is called vicarious trauma, and it results from exposure to the trauma of those around us. Vicarious trauma can shape how we see and interact with the world. For many of us, news and media are sources of vicarious trauma. The various events of gun violence during the year shape us and affect how safe we feel in the regular routines of life—grocery shopping, going to the movies or the mall, or walking in public places. Others of us carry wounds of war or accidents or family strife and much else. We carry these wounds and this pain in ways we may not even recognize, and yet, they affect our daily lives.
After each Sunday morning worship service in June, we will hand each person a quote to reflect on for the week. These quotes address pain and presence, forgiveness and reconciliation, and healing and hope. In July, Heather Lusk, the executive director of Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center, will join us for an Adult Forum class or two to discuss the topic of wellness and how we can take care of ourselves and others, even with the wounds we carry for ourselves or others or even the earth around us. Also in July, we will have two movie nights followed by short discussions of how these movies cover the topics, either subtly or overtly, of pain and healing. We hope these offerings will support you in your own journey of healing or that they will help us to support one another.
We have all been wounded in one way or another. Learning to trust each other to hear and hold these wounds may be an important part of the healing process. We welcome you to journey with us during the months of June and July.
Pr. Bree Lloyd for the Stewardship Team
Pam Buckley, Willow Chang, Walter Cummings, Phyllis Hörmann, Barbara Poole-Street, Cindy Scheinert
Tree Planting at Gunstock Ranch
On May 20, the Stewardship Team’s Healing Creation crew coordinated a tree planting at Gunstock Ranch as part of a larger reforestation project. After Pastor Bree offered a blessing of gratitude for trees and for God’s grace to learn from the wisdom of the natural world, 14 members and friends of LCH got down and dirty, literally! We planted trees—200 in all!
Your Tree Fund donations purchased one wiliwili and an assortment of 16 other native trees (hala, kou, ma‘o, and milo), which we lovingly put in the ground. The wiliwili tree is dedicated to the LCH ‘ohana and is RFID-tagged (72F5C). Over time, we’ll be able to follow it as well as the other trees we planted that morning using drone shots posted on the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative website (legacyforest.org/).
In early June, the remainder of the Tree Fund monies will be given to other organizations on our island that are undertaking reforestations projects. Once again, Healing Creation team members Willow Chang and Cindy Scheinert, with help from Pastor Bree Lloyd and Peter Flaschsbart, and the entire Stewardship Team thank you for your overwhelming support these last two months! Our actions have made a positive difference in the health of our island and planet.
2023 Synod Assembly Report
The 2023 Pacifica Synod Assembly was held on the campus of Hope Lutheran Church in Palm Desert, CA, on Friday and Saturday, May 5 and 6. The theme, “Living the Good News!” was shaped by Matthew 11:2–6. It was an amazing time of not only business but fellowship led by our presiding Bishop, Dave Nagler. Attending from LCH were Pr. Jeff, Larry Anderson and Ayesha Nibbe (our lay delegates), and Pr. Steve Jensen.
The Assembly heard stories of the varied ministries taking place across our synod. Our ministry partners shared updates and our Synod Council officers provided reports. Resolutions were voted on and Synod Council and committee elections held. Leaders within our synod shared their knowledge and expertise with others through workshops.
Attendees were joined by ELCA Churchwide Representative Iain Chester, who serves as the Executive Director for Innovation. Iain outlined the support given to the Churchwide organization from the Pacifica Synod. Being a relatively new team-member, Iain gave us an opportunity to get to know him by sharing his background. He also shared a report on the many and varied ministries of the ELCA and the connections between congregations, synods and churchwide organization.
The assembly recognized and gave thanks to and for rostered ministers of Pacifica Synod who celebrated 25 and 50 years of ordained ministry in 2023 (pictured at left), including the Rev. Steve Jensen, who celebrates his 50th anniversary of ordination.
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.
Book of Faith Bible Study
Thursdays, 10:00–11:45 am • Boardroom/Zoom Meeting
The Book of Faith Bible Study meets on Thursday mornings in-person or via Zoom online meeting. 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.
Restorative Yoga
Thursdays, June 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, at 6:00 pm • Via Zoom Meeting
Explore the restorative and ancient practice of yoga, led by LCH member Willow Chang. As a yoga practitioner for over 30 years, Willow shares the joy, wonder, and enthusiasm of a beginner. She emphasizes the origins, cultural context, and safe practice of yoga for all. In this 4-week session, she’ll share various aspects of yoga, from pranayama (breathing exercises) and yogic philosophy (ahimsa), to poses, referred to as asanas.
Join for one, two, or all four sessions from the safety of your own shelter-in-place. These unique classes also provide an opportunity to answer your questions about yoga practice and form. You don’t need yoga pants, previous experience, youth, flexibility, or any real-life experience in India to learn about yoga. Bring your amazing self to be in wonder of your abilities! Please contact Willow Chang (willowchang@hotmail.com) to be included in the weekly Zoom meeting invitation. Let’s learn and find a new center, together!
Food for Thought
Saturday, June 3, at 5:30 pm • Hybrid In-person and Zoom Meeting
Food for Thought meets at the home of David Hörmann, who will provide the main dish, while others are asked to bring side dishes or dessert to complete the potluck. If you would like to participate virtually, please contact Peter Flachsbart at pflachsbart@gmail.com to receive an invitation for the next Zoom meeting. If you wish to come in person, contact Marlise Tellander at marlisetellander@hotmail.com. Those who plan to come in person should be vaccinated.
Godly Play News
During the summer, stating on June 4th, there is no Godly Play Sunday school. Starting again September 3rd LCH will offer Godly Play Sunday school for children from kindergarten through 5th grade. All are welcome!
Sign up for next year’s Godly Play Sunday school on Rally Sunday, August 27th. In the meantime, have a great summer!
Adult Forum
Sundays at 9:00 am • In-person in the Boardroom or Via Zoom Meeting
Isn’t it a good thing to do good things? Well…, it depends. During June, Marsha Schweitzer will lead discussions on writings from Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, and Daoist authors that help us know when doing good is not so good, or not as helpful as we meant it to be. (Hint: Right Motivation turns good works into God’s works.)
All are welcome to join the Adult Forum on Sunday mornings, either via Zoom Meeting or in-person in the Boardroom. If you are coming for worship, just head to the Boardroom at 9:00 and join the others who are there. You do not need to bring your own computer. If you are participating via Zoom, download the free Zoom app, click on the Zoom link sent to you, and enable your microphone and video capabilities. If you are not already on the list for the Adult Forum, please contact Stan Baptista at stan.baptista@gmail.com to receive an invitation to join the next Zoom Adult Forum discussion.
Virtual Coffee Talk with Pastor Jeff
Sunday, June 4, 11:30 am • Via Zoom Meeting
Virtual Coffee Hour will be held at 11:30 am on the first Sunday of each month instead of weekly. Hope you can join us!
You are invited to join with your LCH ‘ohana on the first Sundays for a virtual coffee talk following online worship. This discussion time will be via Zoom Meeting, and will run for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
In order to avoid “Zoom bombing” (surprise visits from unsavory folks), you will need to contact Pastor Jeff, via email at pr.jeff@LCHwelcome.org, for a meeting number and password to log into the meeting. While these are not ideal gathering circumstances, we can at least enjoy a chance to commune together briefly.
Learn to Make Ribbon Lei
During June after service there will be a table in the courtyard with teachers and materials available for anyone who is interested to learn to make ribbon lei. These are the lei that we give to visitor to LCH. Come join us. It is easy and fun!
Leadership Roundtable
Monday, June 5, 6:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting
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!
Summer Jazz Journey 2023
Jazz is back at Lutheran Church of Honolulu, and you’re invited to enjoy all the swinging sounds of our summer lineup! Take a musical journey with us as we celebrate summer with some of Honolulu’s finest jazz musicians. Concerts begin at 7:00 pm in the Nave, and all are invited to gather for pūpū and conversation before the concert at 6:15 pm in the Hörmann Courtyard. The concerts are free, with a suggested donation of $20 for each concert.
- Allen Won and Friends (June 6 • 7:00 pm)—Local Saxophonist Allen Won has embraced a diverse career with an eclectic performance itinerary playing with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center; many of the orchestras in and around New York, including the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Ballet, the City Opera, and the New Jersey Philharmonic; and various jazz and experimental groups, including Mario Pavone, Barbara Sfraga, Mala Waldron, Steve Bernstein. As part of our Summer Jazz series, Allen will be joined by Tim Ishii (alto saxophone), Curtis Abe (trombone), Steffan Karlsson (piano), Taylor Katase (drums), and Dean Taba (string bass) to bring you an unforgettable evening.
- Summer String Swing (July 11 • 7:00 pm)—Join Hawai‘i jazz masters Duane Padilla on violin, Benny Chong on ‘ukulele, and Byron Yasui on bass as they present an evening of string-based swing music. Together, they explore what might happen if French jazz violinist Stephane Grapelli and American violinist Stuff Smith accidentally met in a Waikīkī night club and were asked to jam “island style.”
- DeShannon Higa and Quadpod (August 8 • 7:00 pm)—Royal Hawaiian Band Member DeShannon Higa is also a bandleader and visionary. He has assembled and is currently performing with two bands of his own creation. He will share the sultry sounds of his trumpet along with his ensemble, Quadpod. This neo-bop quartet will be joined by a special guest on vocals. DeShannon’s styles of music range from jazz to Latin/salsa to modern electronica and hip hop. He resides in Honolulu with his wife, former Broadway performer, from the original cast of Miss Saigon, Rocky Brown, with whom he also performs.
Mary Magdalene Society Potluck and Game Night
Saturday, June 10, at 6:00 pm • Hörmann Courtyard
Mary Magdalene Society will meet in-person for our potluck and game night in the Hörmann Courtyard. We invite LGBTQI members and friends of LCH to prepare their favorite potluck dish and join in the festivities. As part of our commitment to mutual care, participants should RSVP in advance, be fully-vaccinated, wear quality masks at all times except where individuals are actively eating and drinking, and maintain physical distancing.
An email will be sent around June 4 to those who are already on the Mary Magdalene mailing list, detailing the RSVP procedure. If you don’t receive your invitation, have questions, or want to be added to the mailing list, please contact Bill Potter, group facilitator, at bill.potter808@gmail.com.
Confirmation Classes
Sundays, June 11 and 25, at 11:45 am • Rainbow Room
Confirmation is voluntary for youth, grades 6 and up, who would like to confirm their faith. At baptism we promise to “place in [your child’s] hands the Holy Scripture and provide for their education in the Christian Faith.” In confirmation class we study scripture, the Reformation, and Christian history, but we are more interested in helping young people develop as persons of faith.
Please contact Pastor Jeff at pr.jeff@LCHwelcome.org for more information.
LCH OFFICE will be closed Monday, June 12
in observance of Kamehameha Day
IHS Brown Bag Meal Prep
LCH continues our commitment to IHS to assist with feeding the homeless during these difficult times. Although covid restrictions in the community have relaxed, we continue to practice the requirements of social distancing, masks, sanitizing, etc. in this ministry. 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.
Honolulu AIDS Walk
Saturday, June 17 • Kapi‘olani Park
Join the LCH ‘ohana as we celebrate 32 years of the Honolulu AIDS Walk and 40 years of HHHRC serving Hawai‘i’s LGBTQIA+ community. The Walk for Life will take place on June 17 at the beautiful Kapi‘olani Park. Festivities begin at 8:00 am and the walk will commence at 10:00 am. You can join the LCH team or make a donation by clicking on this URL: secure.qgiv.com/event/2023hnlaidswalk/team/926745/. Please contact Pastor Jeff for more information.
Faith and Arts Weekend, June 24 and 25 New Dates
In June, LCH will celebrate its first ever Faith and Arts Weekend. We plan to showcase a variety of entertainment on Saturday evening, June 24th, followed by an exhibit of creative work from the congregation on Sunday morning, June 25th. If the spirit moves you to participate in the Saturday evening performance, please tell us what you would like to do that evening. And let us display your art, photography, written work, or craft item after the service on Sunday. If space is available, we will post your poem or short essay on bulletin boards in the Hörmann Courtyard. Here is what we need from you:
- As soon as possible: Express your willingness to participate in this event by contacting us at the email addresses below.
- By June 17th: Tell us what you would like to perform on Saturday, June 24th, and/or give us a description of your creative work so that we can make labels for the exhibit on June 25th. If you wish to type a longer explanation of your work for the exhibit, please do so and bring it with you when you deliver your items to LCH.
- By 5:00 pm on June 23rd: Deliver your creative item(s) to LCH where they will be held in a safe place until they are displayed on Sunday, June 25th. Otherwise give your items directly to us at any time between now and June 23rd.
Please contact Peter Flachsbart (pflachsbart@gmail.com) or Willow Chang (willowchang@hotmail.com) to say “Yes” to this marvelous opportunity and get answers to your questions.
LCH Women’s Book Club
Monday, June 19, at 10:00 am • In-Person at the Murashige’s Home and Via Zoom
LCH Women’s Book Club will meet on Monday, June 19, at the Murashige’s home. We will also be on Zoom for those who prefer to maintain distance. We’ll continue our discussion of Middlemarch by George Eliot. Please come and join us for a fun morning.
If you are not already on the Book Club list, please contact Juditha Murashige at jcmurashige@earthlink.net to receive an invitation to join them. All are welcome.
Writers’ Workshop
Tuesday, June 20, at 4:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting
Writers’ Workshop will continue to meet via Zoom meeting. All are welcome! If you would like to participate, please contact Peter Flachsbart at pflachsbart@gmail.com for information on how to connect remotely.
Seeking Volunteers and Donations for ONE POT, ONE HOPE
Saturday, February 25, at 9:00 am • Maluhia Lutheran Church in Wai‘anae
The One Pot, One Hope ministry, a Hukilau project, continues each month at Maluhia Lutheran Church in Wai‘anae. Please consider participating by joining the volunteers, at the next meet-up.
You can also contribute by donating 5-lb. cans of chili, cartons of granola bars, or large jars of peanut butter or jelly; or you can support this outreach with funds either by check or via the LCH Donate page. (Be sure to designate donation for One Pot, One Hope.) Food items may be dropped off during coffee hour on Sundays or left at the office during open hours. Contact pr.bree@LCHwelcome.org with any questions. Mahalo for assisting with this mission to provide meals to our neighbors.
Regular Offerings
If you are not attending church 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!
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 20, 9:00 am
Brenda Sue C., Chuck H. and Nan W., Colleen K., Diane B., Elaine, Greg G., Harold W., Intae K., Jenny P., friends and family of John David S., Jamie W. and his family, Karen and Kerstin, Karen and Richard E., Keith W., Kim B., Lissa G., Lori W., Michael, Mike M., Miriam S., Nancy R., the family of Ruth S., Samantha C., Salina R., Star W., Steve, the Swanson Family, Sweetie K., and William
Please help us to keep the Prayer Requests list relevant. If you have a friend or loved one who should remain on the list, we are glad to keep them in prayer. Please email the office to let us know when a name may be removed from the list.
