In this issue:
- Summer Jazz Journey
- Waihe‘e Tunnel Tour
- Honolulu aids Walk
- From Pastor Jeff
- LCH Office Hours
- Stewardship Corner
- Committee/Interest Group Chairs
- LCH Scholarship Applications
- Angel Network In-Gathering
- Hukilau Regional Gathering
- All Ages Sunday School
- Adult Forum
- Virtual Coffee Talk
- Leadership Roundtable
- Game Day
- Book of Faith Bible Study
- Restorative Yoga
- LCH OFFICE CLOSED for Kamehameha Day
- Mary Magdalene Society Potluck and Game Night
- IHS Sandwich Making
- LCH Women’s Book Club
- Writers’ Workshop
- Seeking Volunteers & Donations for One Pot, One Hope
- Food for Thought
- Hale‘iwa Tree Planting
- Faith and Arts—Change of Date
- Regular Offerings
- HeartBeat Deadline
- Electronic Funds Transfers for April
- Attendance and Offerings for May
- Prayer Requests
- June Birthdays
- Calendar: June 2024
Summer Jazz Journey
Sunday, June 2, at 7:00 pm
Experimenting with the collective sound of saxophones, vibraphone, and drumset, “Vibin’ with Allen, Abe, and Noel” will take you on a new journey for your ears. The legendary musicians, Allen Won, Abe Lagrimas, Jr., and Noel Okimoto will offer you a unique experience with a feast of jazz standards and original compositions.
The evening begins with pūpū in the courtyard at 6:15. The concert is free, and donations are welcome.
The series continues on July 7 with “Ethan Capone and Friends.” Renowned pianist Ethan Capone and his trio present an evening of jazz classics and innovations. The series concludes on August 4 with “Jazz Manouche.” Violinist Duane Padilla and guitarists Sonny Silva and Joe Zyac pay tribute to Stéphane Grapelli and “Django” Reinhardt’s backstage experiments at the Hotel Claridge in Paris in 1934.
Waihe‘e Tunnel Tour
Friday, June 14, 9:00–11:00 am
The final Creation Care activity of the year will be held on Friday morning, June 14, when we have the rare opportunity to walk through a 1500-foot tunnel/dike and view the interior of the mountain aquifer that provides much of the water to Windward O‘ahu. This Board of Water Supply tour of Waihe‘e Tunnel promises to be a sensory experience that delights as well as educates. If you are signed up to attend, please let Cindy know if you will meet at Kahalu‘u Regional Park or if you prefer to carpool from the church.
If you are not one of the 20 people currently signed up but would like to join us, please email Cindy (cschein@iolani.org) to get on the wait list in case any of those signed up cannot come.
Honolulu aids Walk
Saturday, June 15 • Kapi‘olani Park
Join the LCH ‘ohana as we celebrate 33 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 15 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 visiting secure.qgiv.com/event/2024honoluluaidswalk/team/958923. Please contact Pastor Jeff for more information.
From Pastor Jeff
“Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.—Mark 5:19–20
In the fifth chapter of Mark, Jesus encounters the Gerasene demoniac, a man, possessed by a legion of evil spirits, who has been cut off from community and is the object of fear and loathing from his neighbors. In the parable, Jesus drives out the demons, and the man begs Jesus to allow him to accompany Jesus in his travels. But Jesus refuses his request. He says, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.” And the man goes away and “began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.” While we often focus on the miracle of the demon being driven out into some neighboring swine, the real power of the story is of the man who was possessed being restored to himself, his family, and his community. That is true of so many of the encounters with Jesus. Those who have gotten lost, are sick, or have, for some reason, lost touch with community and find themselves embraced in the graceful love of Jesus. He doesn’t seem to worry much about how they came to be sick, rejected, or cut off; he simply invites them back into community and declares God’s unconditional love for them.
I have been thinking a lot about community over the past several months. Social analysts talk about how the covid pandemic accelerated what some now call the “pandemic of loneliness.” Social isolation was already growing among seniors as they transitioned from their neighborhoods to care homes. But the pandemic forced many of us into physical isolation to help protect against the spread of a disease we did not know a lot about. That enforced physical isolation has had at least some lasting effect, even though the worst of the pandemic has abated, and there are no quarantines being enforced. In some cases, people have simply chosen not to return to their pre-covid-19 social patterns. Church is one of those places that may be experiencing that reticence to return to previous levels of social interaction. Post covid-19, attendance at many churches is down significantly. At the same time, mental health professionals are reporting an epidemic of loneliness. The impact of social isolation and loneliness is well documented. When we stop attending to one another and sharing our lives with others, we risk being sidelined in life. While worship and fellowship on Sunday morning is far from a panacea for the epidemic of loneliness, it has always been an important factor in helping folks who have nowhere else to go to find community (at least when we are at our best) and a connection with a God who loves them exactly for who and where they are. But lonely people seldom just wander into church and proclaim “Hey, I’m lonely. Do something about it!” An invitation can go long way toward healing. Just as Jesus sent the man he healed back into community to share the good news, so we are sent to bring the good news to those who may need to hear it the most.
A small but important opportunity for sharing that good news may not be sitting in the pew next to you on Sunday. As you look around the church on Sunday morning, is there anyone you have not seen for a while? Are there folks that you miss? If so, take a few minutes to reach out to them by phone and connect with them. Let them know that you are thinking about them and that you care for them. Invite them out for coffee or lunch, or simply say hello. And then take a big gulp and let them know that they are a vital part of the body of Christ worshipping at Lutheran Church of Honolulu. We are not truly complete without them. It is a small thing, but one that might make an incredible difference for someone. May we share the good news of Jesus, and bring a little healing to epidemic of loneliness.
In Christ,
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
We 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: | Jeanne Castello |
| 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 |
Stewardship of Our Stuff
In June and July, the stewardship focus will be on our responsibility as stewards of the material goods God has given us. When the Stewardship Team tasked me to write this letter, I felt fairly confident that, being rather frugal, I am a pretty good steward myself. But then, before I could sit at my writing table, I had to remove a giant bag of power cords, each individually suited for one specific instrument. I also had to move my 30-year-old portable cassette player that works fine. (I would use it if only I could find somewhere to purchase blank cassette tapes.) I didn’t move the printer, but am frustrated because it has just turned two years old and no longer works. Customer service told me to just buy a new one. And now I ask myself if I really am being a good steward of God’s gifts.
Our modern world excels at producing and marketing goods we consumers are told are essential to our modern lives. Businesses study how to entice customers to buy their goods without looking at the long-term impacts. Unfortunately, the consumerism prevalent in our modern world negatively impacts the quality and quantity of our natural resources, reinforces income disparities world-wide, and results in environmental conditions that negatively impact the environment and lead to climate change. Many of our goods are produced by exploited workers and eventually discarded in environmentally unfriendly ways.
What is a good steward supposed to do? Understanding a problem is always an essential first step, and collaboration with others is usually helpful when searching for ways to better a situation. So, on Sundays from June 23 through July 14, the Stewardship Team invites you to the Adult Forum, where we will look at the sources of this consumerism and explore what we as individuals can do to make a difference.
We will start our study with the video “The Story of Stuff,” which describes the sources of the massive growth of consumerism following WW II and notes that eliminating it will require a change in our economy’s goals and priorities. Although nearly 20 years old, this video is still, unfortunately, valid and relevant.
The following two weeks we will see follow up videos. One discusses what needs to be done to solve the problem and the other discusses what actions we can take now to better the situation. As people share their insights and experiences, we will develop a fuller picture of what we can do in our individual lives to make a difference.
The final week, we will take the information and insights we have obtained to create a listing of information for those wishing to make a difference. It will include:
- instructions to create homemade items to replace purchased ones
- information on medicine disposal, electronics disposal, and paper shredding
- information on Free Stores and Buy Nothing groups
- information on other strategies yet to be uncovered
We will also discuss the LCH Free Store at LCH planned for September.
We hope many of you will join us so the rich discussion coming from broad participation generates wisdom that can help us all be better stewards of our stuff!
Barbara Poole-Street for the Stewardship Team
Pamela Buckley, Willow Chang, Phyllis Hörmann, Barbara Poole-Street, Bill Potter, Cindy Scheinert
LCH Scholarship Applications
The Scholarship Committee announces that applications for the next academic year (2024–2025) are being accepted. The LCH Scholarship Fund is the legacy of Irmgard Hörmann, who always emphasized learning and provided much of the seed monies for the Scholarship Fund. The Fund established four priorities, ordered first to last: LCH members who will study at a seminary leading to Christian ministry, members of the congregation who will study religion or theology, members of the congregation who will study in other disciplines, and friends of the congregation who have other focused learning goals.
Please contact the LCH Office at lch@LCHwelcome.org to request an application. The application deadline June 15.
Willow Chang performing a liturgical dance for Pentecost Sunday.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.
Hukilau Regional Gathering
Saturday, June 1, at 10:00 am, In-Person at LCH
The Hukilau’s Regional Gathering will be held from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. If you signed-up to be registered lunch will be provided. Everyone is invited to the Regional Gathering in your area: rostered persons, lay persons, voting members, non-voting members. All are welcome!
The Regional Gatherings will be an opportunity to worship together, as well as to engage in substantive conversation on the issues that matter most to us as a synod. All voting members are expected to attend both the Regional Gathering in their area and the Azoombly.
All Ages Sunday School
During the summer, stating on June 2, there is no Sunday school. Starting again September 1, 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 25. In the meantime, have a great summer!
Adult Forum
Sundays at 9:00 am • In-person in the Boardroom
Adult Forum will discuss the theology and methodology underlying the creation and production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” in 1971. Thereafter, beginning in June, Adult Forum will study and discuss several of the looming ethical issues which will be faced by Americans and Christians in 2024. Get your coffee, and please join us at 9:00 am each Sunday in the Boardroom.
Please join us for these inspiring films and lively discussions. All are welcome. If you are coming for worship, just get your coffee and head to the Boardroom at 9:00 to join the others who are there.
LCH fellowship volunteers clean up after coffee hour on SundayVirtual Coffee Talk
Sunday, June 2, 11:30 am • Via Zoom Meeting
Virtual Coffee Hour will be held at 11:30 am on the first Sunday of each month. Hope you can join us! You are invited to join with your LCH ‘ohana on the first Sunday 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 Cathy Baptista via email at cathynt@gmail.com 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.
Leadership Roundtable
Tuesday, June 4, 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 with login information. Please be prepared to share a little information on your activities with the group. Mahalo!
Game Day
Wednesday, June 5, at 1:00 pm in the Boardroom
Please join Paula Wheeler for GameDay on Wednesday, June 5, from 1:00 to 3:00 in the Boardroom. We will meet for lively conversation and some fun games. If you have any questions or suggestions call Paula at 808-542-2843.
Book of Faith Bible Study
Thursdays, 10:00 am • In-person and Via Zoom Meeting
The Book of Faith Bible Study meets on Thursday mornings in-person or via Zoom meeting. All are welcome to join this lively discussion of the Biblical texts, relevant current events, and historical foundations. Please contact Cathy Baptista at cathynt@gmail.com to receive an invitation to the next Zoom Bible study discussion.
Restorative Yoga
Thursdays, June 6, 13, 20, and 27, 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 by sharing aspects of yoga, from pranayama (breathing exercises) and yogic philosophy (ahimsa), to poses, referred to as asanas.
Join for one, two, or all 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!
LCH OFFICE CLOSED for Kamehameha Day
Tuesday, June 11
Mary Magdalene Society Potluck and Game Night
Saturday, June 15, 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 and be fully-vaccinated.
An email will be sent on June 9 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.
Final First Modays Concert, jazz and classical music by Astor Piazzolla.IHS Sandwich Making
Thursday, June 20, 12:00–2:00 pm • Isenberg Hall
LCHers will again convene to prepare sandwiches and pack sack lunches for distribution at Institution for Human Services (IHS). This continues a tradition stretching back decades. We meet monthly and could use a few new, dependable volunteers to join our dedicated group. Please join us. Mahalo!
If you would like to participate in this action-packed, fun activity, please let Brenda know at lch@LCHwelcome.org. She will pass your contact info on to event organizers.
LCH Women’s Book Club
Monday, June 17, at 12:30 pm • In-Person at the Murashige’s Home and Via Zoom Meeting
LCH Women’s Book Club will meet on Monday, June 17, at the Murashige’s home. We will watch the movie, Lady Chatterly’s Lover. Doesn’t that sound fun? Come and laugh with us. We’d like to start the movie at 1:00 pm.
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
Monday, June 17, 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. Mahalo!
Seeking Volunteers & Donations for One Pot, One Hope
Saturday, June 29, 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 Billie Jean Reis or Linda Muller with any questions. Mahalo for assisting with this mission to provide meals to our neighbors.
Food for Thought
Saturday, June 29, at 5:30 pm • Hörmann’s Home
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.
Hale‘iwa Tree Planting
Blessings poured out! Cindy and Pr. Phyllis water the ‘ōhi‘a lehua tree that LCH planted.On May 25, eighteen friends and members of LCH gathered to work on the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative’s (HLRI) new land in Hale‘iwa. HLRI is the group we worked with at Gunstock Ranch during our tree project last year. This new land is currently filled with invasive trees and ground vegetation, but the goal is to eventually replace those non-natives with plants native to Hawaii.
The morning began with Pastor Phyllis blessing the ‘ōhiʻa lehua tree, which was purchased and dedicated to the Lutheran Church of Honolulu to honor our work with water this year as well as the work we were about to do. The ‘ōhiʻa lehua tree is especially suitable as this year’s tree because it plays a vital role in watershed protection and conservation. These trees retain water after a storm, which prevents soil erosion, and their leaves filter the water before it moves through the tree into the ground, and eventually ends up in the watershed. Native birds, including endangered species like the ‘ākepa and crested honeycreeper, feed on its leaves, and other native animals look to the ‘ōhiʻa lehua for food, water, and habitat.
Thomas and Michael Boem plant ferns along Hale‘iwa stream.As part of the blessing ceremony, Susanne, the co-director of HLRI, asked that we cup our hands above the newly planted tree and that we connect with our mana, our inner spiritual force. She told us to pray, aloud or silently, that our mana would enter the stream water that she poured through our hands to nourish and give strength to our tree and that we would then send out our spirit into the LCH ‘ohana. It was a very moving and meaningful time for all of us.
The group looks out at the ferns they had planted.And then we went off to work. We discovered that some areas of the land were soft and easy to dig holes in while other spots were hard, rocky, and resistant to being excavated. After less than two hours, though, we had planted dozens of native ferns. As we surveyed the expanse of our work, we smiled at our accomplishment. Those in charge were also pleased and crowned the area we had just planted as the “The Fern Grotto.”
It is our hope that LCH will continue to participate with HLRI in the months to come. As you can see by our smiles, connecting with Mother Nature can be exhilarating and restorative. If you have not yet participated in one of our planting projects, I invite you to join us.
Faith and Arts—Change of Date
This year’s celebration of Faith and Arts has been moved from June 22 and 23 to a weekend in September. The exact dates will be announced in the August HeartBeat. Please contact Peter Flachsbart (pflachsbart@gmail.com) or Willow Chang (willowchang@hotmail.com) to express your willingness to participate as a performer on a Saturday evening and/or to display your art, photography, written work, or craft items in the Hörmann courtyard.
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!
HeartBeat Deadline
Tuesday, June 18, 9:00 am
Alex M., Betty H., Chuck H. and Nan W., Chuck P. and Josie B., Colleen K., Don J., Dutton S., Elaine, George T., Greg G., Harold W., Irene M., Jane H., Mabel D., Michael, Miriam S., the family of Ruth S., Salina R., Star W., Yvonne and Andy M.
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.
