The HeartBeat

Message from Pastor

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

As I write this article to you, the Council has just approved the recommendation of the Call Committee to invite the candidate of choice, the pastor and his family, to Hawaii for a face-to-face interview and familiarization with our congregation and our island. In response to this invitation, he indicates he is able to visit LCH February 5-11. I trust this latest action precipitates a new sense of excitement, preparation and rededication for each of you.

You will be hearing and reading more in coming weeks of preparations for the visit of the candidate and family and the need for your support. The Transition Team is working with the Call Committee to ensure the plans for the visit meet the needs of the candidate and family, but also to give them a realistic understanding and appreciation for living and ministering in our islands.

After the final interview with the Call Committee, the Executive Committee will discuss a contract with the pastor.

During that visit you should expect to have time to talk with him during a “meet and greet” session before Sunday and to share in worship with him at our Faith and Arts worship services on February 11.

A special congregational meeting is being called by the council immediately following that service for the sole purpose of voting on the “call” of the candidate to be your new pastor. You will be advised of the results of the interview and proposed compensation package at that meeting.

Assuming there is an affirmative vote, the formal “call” document will be sent to the bishop for signature who will then forward it to the candidate. The pastor has 30 days to make a decision and 30 days to inform his congregation of his acceptance of your “call”. You will be kept advised of his decision and intended arrival date. New pastors to Hawaii sometimes come with their family, but also sometimes come earlier to make arrangements for their family and to get situated in the new ministry. Final moving preparations and completion of school often will determine the arrival date of the family.

Once the “call” has been accepted and an arrival date set, I will be working with the Transition team to begin moving into the latter elements of the Intentional Interim and begin closing out my ministry with you.

While all of that is exciting, our ministry and spiritual life together continues. Lent will soon arrive as well with our Ash Wednesday service on February 21. It too is the beginning of a forty-day season at the transition from winter to spring and functions as the time of preparation for the Easter festival.

To help us prepare, the traditional LCH mid-week soup and salad, service, and study will continue Wednesday evenings beginning February 28. Mark your calendar. I would also like to invite anyone interested to lead the study of various chapters in “The Case for Christ” and ask that you see me to coordinate that.

Thank you for your love and care for each other, for your ministry to our community, and for your care to the greater world community. You often are an inspiration for me in my spiritual journey as well.

Blessings & aloha,
Pastor Steven

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Punahou Carnival Parking—Help Wanted!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE FOLLOWING SHIFTS:

Thanks go out to all the volunteers for the Punahou Carnival Parking this coming weekend. Your assigned times are posted on the bulletin board in the courtyard. We welcome volunteers to work one or more shifts. Jeanne Castello and Lori Takamiya will be in charge of the shifts and workers. They will provide support and fill in the gaps during the busy times. However, we still need more manpower. Email Jeanne Castello at jcastello8@aol.com or Pam Buckley at pambuckley@hotmail.com to volunteer.

Please arrive 5-10 minutes before your shift so we can get you parked and briefed before you start. If you’ll be working during the day, don’t forget to wear sunscreen and a hat and sunglasses. If rain is in the forecast, wear a poncho and bring your umbrella. Light refreshments will be served to keep you hydrated. A meal will be provided if you work two or more shifts back-to-back. Again, thank you for your service!

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Annual Congregational Meeting—Part II

The presentation of the new officers, treasurer’s report, statements of the Call Committee, and a report by the Ministry Plan Task Force were done at the first-half of the Annual Congregational Meeting.

The second-half of the Annual Congregational Meeting will be held between services on Sunday, February 4. It’s important to attend so we can pass the proposed budget for 2007. If you don’t already have one, you can pick up a copy from the church office.

A special Congregational Meeting is scheduled the following Sunday, February 11, after the second service, for the call of a new pastor.

JUST A REMINDER...Only members of LCH are allowed to vote at the Congregational Meetings. Friends and Associate Members cannot. Pray and think about becoming a member so you can vote on important decisions such as these.

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Call Committee

As you are aware, we are wrapping up our part of the Call Process to bring a new pastor to the Lutheran Church of Honolulu. Many of the challenges will now be in the very capable hands of the Transition Team and the Church Council. For the members of the Call Committee this has been a challenging and rewarding process. The Vision and Mission Committee brought forth a statement of what our Church is and the directions we wish to pursue. The Ministry Planning Task Force identified from the congregation what our Church has been about, identified its weaknesses and strengths, and where we wish to go. The Ohana Meetings were about finding out on a more personal level what our church has meant to individuals in a way that each member felt assured they could express their feelings whether it be positive or negative. The Call Committee listened to what had been gathered and put that information to use in making the call. Now the Transition Team is in charge of making the flow of the called pastor as smooth as possible. The Call Committee and Church Council were unanimous in their decision of this call. We look forward to meeting and greeting the candidate at the Church Meeting on February 11 in which the congregation will hopefully affirm our choice. I feel confident when I express for the Call Committee our gratitude for being asked to participate in this process. Our God is a living and loving God.

Robert L. Zimmer

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In Stitches

Come and join the LCH craft group for fellowship, learn new techniques, make a pillow or lei for the church, or just work on something of your own. We meet from 9:00 to 11:00 am on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month in the Board Room. The dates are as follows...February 10 and 24, March 10 and 24. Contact Linda Miller through the church office (941-2566) with questions or for encouragement.

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Council Report

The Church Council met on Tuesday, January 16, 2007. The following are the major agenda items discussed:

• Election of new officers. The new Church Council officers for 2007:

  President	Brian Weis
  Vice-President	Michael Burnett
  Treasurer	Roy Helms
  Secretary	Mary Fastenau

• Unanimous approval by the Council to bring the candidate and his family selected by the Call Committee to Honolulu for an eight-day visit. (Note: Other articles within the newsletter provide more explanation on the details of the visit and the process the congregation will follow once travel details are confirmed.) The Call Committee was present at the meeting and each shared his/her endorsement of the candidate. Bob Zimmer, committee chairman, led the presentation.
• Overview of the Transition Team and its role in the preparation for the pastor. Olivia Castro attended the meeting and shared the steps the Transition Team has taken. She encouraged members of the Council to provide any ideas for the kind of “typical” Honolulu experiences a new family might encounter.
• Discussion on next stages of the Capital Campaign. Roy Helms and Michael Burnett will put together a final report on the additional funds that need to be raised for the pastoral transition and move. Details will be shared with the congregation once there is a better idea of the funds that will need to be raised.
• 2006 financial report—The Treasurer’s Report showed a surplus of $5,068.47 in the budget for the year ending December 31, 2006. Much of the positive cash flow is attributed to staff and volunteers controlling expenses.
• Need for volunteers to help with the Pacifica Synod Assembly to be held in Waikiki on May 2–5, 2007. LCH needs volunteers to man information booths, be available for a group who will be coming to LCH for lunch, and help with other assorted assembly tasks. If you are interested, please contact the church office.

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Mutual Ministry Task Force

Olivia Castro

The Mutual Ministry Task Force will prepare “Aloha” baskets for the prospective call pastor and his family. One basket will have food and drink items, and the other will have basics for Hawaii, such as sunscreen. The following is a list of what is needed and the quantity for each item. If you can provide any of these items, please contact Josie Bidgood through the Church Office (941-2566) by Friday, February 2. If you have corporate or logo items that would fill these needs, please feel free to bring your items to church on Sunday, February 4, so the baskets can be assembled.

Food/Drink Basket

• 12 cans of fruit drinks
• 12 pieces of fresh fruit
• 3 pkgs of microwave popcorn
• 3 cans of macadamia nuts
• 2 boxes of Chocolate-covered Macadamia nuts
• 2 packages of Arare
• 6 bottles of Water

Staples Basket

• 3 Beach towels
• 3 bottles of Sunscreen w/SPF 15
• 3 lip balms w/SPF
• 3 visors
• 20 Hawaiian postcards
• 20 $0.24 stamps
• 1 street map
• 1 Honolulu magazine

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An Invitation

from the Mutual Ministry/Transition Team

Come and meet our Pastoral Candidate for call. There are several opportunities for members and friends of LCH to meet the Candidate that was unanimously selected by our Call Committee and unanimously affirmed by the Church Council. He will be coming with his spouse and high school-aged son.

Monday, February 5

Arrival on Northwest Flt. 217 from Portland, OR at 4:52 pm—Greet them at the Baggage Claim area

Tuesday through Friday, February 6-9

Various meetings; confirmation (Wednesday); schools, housing, and activities

Saturday, February 10

OYEA Hike

Saturday, February 10—Potluck Social:

5:00-6:00 pm Social hour

6:00-7:00 pm Share meal

The Fellowship Committee will provide a meat selection

Last names A-F: Dessert

Last names G-O: Main Dish

Last names P-Z: Salads

7:00-8:00 pm Devotions led by the Candidate, and dialogue

8:00-9:00 pm Social hour and clean up

Sunday, February 11

9:15-10:15 am (between services) Dialogue with the candidate in the courtyard

12 Noon Congregational Meeting of members to vote on the candidate and approve the compensation package

The events are sponsored by the Mutual Ministry/Transition Team, in partnership with the Call Committee and the Church Council.

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Worship and Music Committee

As you may already know, the two main components of our liturgical services are the celebration of the Word and the celebration of the Sacrament or the Eucharist.

In the sanctuary, the altar is the table on which the Eucharistic meal is prepared and from which it is served. It is the symbol of the celebration of the Eucharist. For many years, we have placed the open Bible on the front edge of the altar to remind us of the other component of the liturgy—the celebration of the Word.

When we were planning the renovation of the sanctuary we wanted to include a bookstand on which to display the Bible so that we could prominently celebrate this part of our worship life. As we struggled with a design for this that would be appropriate and within our budget, it was brought to our attention that we already have a special bookstand that mostly sits idle. The carved eagle lectern against the Board Room wall is the only remaining piece from the original Lutheran Church of Honolulu. It was hand-carved by a master woodworker (details of this are on the LCH website). It was built as a replica of a pulpit that Martin Luther himself preached from. The eagle is not a political symbol but it is rather a symbol that has been used through the ages for St. John the Evangelist.

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“From the Organist’s Bench”

In many churches the organist plays a short voluntary or “prelude” before the service begins. At LCH this means Kathy Crosier starts playing the prelude after one bell is rung—at 7:55 am for the early service and at 10:25 am for the 10:30 service. This piece of music is most often based upon the theme of the day or the season-it sets the tone for the service to follow. Sometimes it is loud and joyous; other times the prelude is quiet and introspective. Thank you for your rapt attention to this part of the service, particularly in recent weeks. Your careful listening to the prelude is greatly appreciated!

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Mind and Matter/Body and Soul

How are these two dimensions related to one another? This discussion from a process theology perspective will offer a way of untying the snarly knot of dualism. This is another presentation in the Process Theology Series, Saturday, February 10, 9:30–11:00 am in Isenberg Hall. Jonipher Kwong, executive director of the Samaritan Counseling Center, will join Fritz Fritschel in leading the discussion. Please join us.

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Adult Forum

Come and join our discussions on Sundays at 9:15 am in the Board Room. While we focus on the necessary steps in the call process, we also remember our own call as the “priesthood of all believers.” The February 4 and 11 forums are canceled to enable maximum participation in the congregational meetings. The topics for the following weeks are:

• February 18: What’s next in the transition process? Beginning to close out the Intentional Interim Process. Preparing to welcome a new shepherd and family
• February 25: ”Invisible Children” Video,Pt 1
• March 4: ”Invisible Children” Video series Pt 2

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Food for Thought

Food for Thought will meet for our usual monthly potluck supper and discussion at the home of Stephen and Linda Miller on Saturday, February 24, at 6:00 pm. All are welcome. For information, please contact Kathryn Klingebiel through the Church Office (941-2566).

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Guest preacher—February 25

Father Dan Leatherman, Episcopal Priest and Iolani School’s Chaplain, will preach at both services on Sunday, February 25. Many members remarked on his message after his last visit, and we look forward to hosting him again.

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ARK III: Children’s Benefit Concert for Heifer International

To kick off this year’s “Fill the Ark” Heifer Campaign, the youth of LCH are organizing and performing a concert on Saturday, March 3 at 4:00 pm. About $4000.00 is needed to complete our goal of purchasing an ark of animals to distribute through Heifer International to help end world hunger. The concert is free, but come prepared to give a donation and/or sign up to commit to the $1-a-day Lenten Season giving plan. This year marks our third annual fund drive and second annual Benefit Concert. For more information about Heifer International or the concert, see Anna Womack or Mitchell G.

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What’s New on the LCH Website?

The Communications Committee adopted a new Privacy Policy for our website at their meeting on January 21, 2007. On most websites, the privacy policy explains how they will use information you give them, but our policy developed to carry out our responsibility to protect the personal information of the members and friends of our congregation.

These are the main points of our policy:

• We do not put home addresses or home phone numbers on our website.
• We do use full names of adults when they are leaders of a group or involved in an activity we are writing about.
• We do not use the names of our children and youth, and in the few instances where youth are named, we only use first names.
• We sometimes use personal email addresses for individuals who are contact people for groups, but when we post email addresses, we use special coding to reduce the chance that they will be harvested for SPAM.
• We post photographs of public events, but we avoid taking pictures of people we know are shy about having their pictures taken, and we will remove any photograph if anyone in the pictures asks us to do so.

The Privacy Policy is posted on the website; there is a link from the Home Page. The page also includes a description of the thinking behind the policy, some explanation of the methods we have used, and additional background information about safety on the Internet. Because we had already been observing most of these precautions, the number of changes was fairly small, but you will notice that PDFs of The Heart Beat have been removed until they can be brought into compliance with the policy. We believe the entire site now conforms to the policy, but if you find something that we missed, please contact Bill Potter, our Webmaster.

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Show your stuff!

On February 11, we will have the third annual Arts and Faith Sunday where we will highlight the creativity of our congregation by displaying our artwork, handwork, and writings during the services. Please allow us to show your art or craft item during that day, or to put your poem or short work of prose up on the board.

What we need...

• As soon as possible —your commitment to have an item in the show. Contact Linda Miller through the Church Office (941-2566) or sign up in the courtyard.
• By February 4 —the information on the item so we can make a label. This is your name, the title of the object, and its material.
• By February 7 —the item(s). It will be kept in a safe place until displaying it on February 10.

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Ohana news

Our son C.J. Callaway reported for duty at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, CA for basic training on January 22. Thank you to those who wished him well on his last Sunday at LCH. After thirteen weeks of training, barring any unforeseen delays, he will graduate on April 20, and enjoy ten days of well-earned leave as a United States Marine. After his break he will report back to Camp Pendleton, CA for Combat Training. It is here he will find out what his specific job will be; he currently is only guaranteed a field——either Motor Transport mechanic (fixing big trucks) or Combat Engineer (very broad...from building structures to blowing up mine fields). We ask for your thoughts and prayers as he takes this huge step and contributes to the security of our nation and the world.

Stephen and Selena Schmidt

“Fair winds and following seas” to C.J. Callaway, son of Stephen and Selena Schmidt, as he begins Marine Corps Recruit Training in San Diego. This intense training and physical challenge can often leave individuals feeling very alone. You may wish to drop him a note and remind him he is in your prayers. Look for his mailing address in upcoming Sunday announcements.

Flo Forester has had to relocate to Texas on short notice due to the illness of her friend. She wishes to thank the LCH Ohana for their concern and support. Please remain in communication with her and assure her of your aloha as she faces difficult days ahead. Her cell phone number remains the same, and her new address is available through the Church Office.

Arlene Buss reports that she has adjusted well to her new home and appreciates meeting new friends and having the closeness of family. She sends her aloha.

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Mahalo to:

• The outgoing and incoming Council officers for their dedicated efforts on behalf of this congregation
• The Call Committee for their lengthy and dedicated efforts in screening candidates and prayerfully identifying the candidate of choice as LCH’s new pastor.
• The Transition Team for their additional meetings in preparation for the visit by the pastoral candidate and family
• The Hospitality Committee and volunteers for the Sunday school Epiphany celebration.
• Pastor Diane Martinson-Koyama for preaching and leading worship in Pastor Steve’s absence
• Pastor Fritz Fritschel for providing emergency pastoral coverage while Pastor Steve was away.
• Randy Castello for keeping the poinsettias looking good throughout the Christmas season.
• Those who made contributions to Gayle Shine’s family in her memory.

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Hukilau News: OYEA Hike

LCH is sponsoring this month’s OYEA youth activity; a Makapu‘u Lighthouse hike on Saturday, February 10, beginning at 9:00 am. All LCH members and friends are invited. A picnic lunch will be provided afterwards at Bellows Beach. Please sign up in the courtyard. Note: Our pastoral candidate and his family will be there.

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Disaster Preparedness Workshop

An educational workshop designed to help people prepare and protect their home and families; discover community resources available; and learn how religious communities and congregations can serve their neighbors.

When: Sunday, February 11, 2007

Time: 2:30-5:30 pm

Where: Parish Hall of Central Union Church, 1660 S. Beretania St.

Sponsored by: Pacific Health Ministry

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Joint Confirmation

Due to the scheduling of the Super Bowl on February 4, the next joint confirmation event is rescheduled to February 18 at Christ Lutheran, Mililani from 4:30 to 7:00 pm. Please remember to bring your Lutheran Handbook and Bible.

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Summer plans

Those with internet access can see the front page article in the Synod’s newsletter highlighting LCH in the promotion for the upcoming Assembly in Waikiki, May 2 to May 5. Go to <www.PacificaSynod.org> and click on the newsletter link. Those without internet access can see a copy posted in the courtyard.

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Save the Food Basket

On behalf of Save the Food Basket, my most grateful appreciation for the kindness shown in collecting items for our December 16 distribution. Bob Zimmer and Raymond Herradura were the spearheads~and you accepted the Challenge. It truly was a remarkable gift, and a very successful drive.

Your support is always received with graciousness, as well as recognition of your community spirit and heart. There are insufficient words to express appropriate thanks. Just simply know, you each make a difference —not only to the Oahu HIV/AIDS community, but to the larger public as well.

May 2007 ring in a year of peace for each of us individually, as well as the collective world at large!!

With Much Mahalo and Aloha,
Becky Westfall, E. D.

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Sabbath Year

2007 has been declared a Sabbath Year, seven years after the historic Jubilee 2000 campaign for debt cancellation. In the Hebrew Scriptures, observance of a Sabbath Year includes freeing those who are enslaved by debt, restoring equal relations among community members and preventing a situation of ongoing exploitation in which the rich accumulate ever more wealth at the expense of the poor. The 2007 Sabbath Year will offer many opportunities for us to pray and act for an end to unjust debt and global poverty. For more information go to <www.jubileeusa.org>.

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Pacifica Synod

New Hymnal Workshop—Mahalo to the 16 LCH people who attended the day-long workshop at Calvary by the Sea on January 20. Their participation will make it much easier for us to incorporate the new book into our worship in the coming months.

This year, the Synod Assembly will be at the Marriott Waikiki May 2–5. As hosts for some 800 people, there are a great many details to which we as Hukilau congregations must attend, including sharing the unique ministry of LCH with a busload of visitors one afternoon. A LCH coordinator is needed to help identify and train our volunteers. Please see Brian Weis or Pastor Steve if you are interested. Sign-up sheets for specific tasks are on the bulletin board in the courtyard.

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Keep in Your Prayers...

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February Birthdays

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Ash Wednesday Service Participants

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Heart Beat Deadline

Next Heart Beat Deadline is Tuesday, February 20!

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Calendar: February 2007

Thursday, February 1

7:00 PM LCH Choir Rehearsal

Friday, February 2—LCH Office Closed

7:00 AM–Midnight Punahou Carnival Parking

Saturday, February 3

10:00 AM–Midnight Punahou Carnival Parking

Sunday, February 4—Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

8:00 AM Holy Communion

9:15 AM Congregational Meeting Part II

10:30 AM Choral Eucharist

6:30 PM Joint Confirmation—Christ Lutheran (Mililani)

8:30 PM Pre-Compline Discussion

9:00 PM Compline

Monday, February 5

4:52 PM Arrival of Candidate

Wednesday, February 7

6:30 PM Confirmation—Calvary by the Sea

Thursday, February 8

7:00 PM LCH Choir Rehearsal

Saturday, February 10

9:00 AM In Stitches

9:00 AM OYEA— Makapu‘u Lighthouse Hike

9:30 AM Process Theology Workshop by Fritz Fritschel

5:00 PM Potluck Social

Sunday, February 11—Seventh Sunday after Epiphany/Arts & Faith Sunday

8:00 AM Holy Communion

9:10 AM Learning Ministries

10:30 AM Choral Eucharist

12:00 Noon Congregational Meeting

2:30 PM Disaster Preparedness Workshop

8:30 PM Pre-Compline Discussion

9:00 PM Compline

Wednesday, February 14

12:30 PM Finance Committee

6:30 PM Worship and Music

6:30 PM Confirmation—Calvary by the Sea

Thursday, February 15

7:00 PM LCH Choir Rehearsal

Friday, February 16

1:30 PM Prepare IHS Meals

5:30 PM Serve IHS Meals

Saturday, February 17

5:30 AM Mary Magdalene

Sunday, February 18—Transfiguration Sunday

8:00 AM Holy Communion

9:10 AM Learning Ministries

9:15 AM Adult Forum

10:30 AM Choral Eucharist

12:30 PM Lunch Bunch

4:30 PM Joint Confirmation—Christ Lutheran (Mililani)

8:30 PM Pre-Compline Discussion

9:00 PM Compline

Monday, February 19—President’s Day—Office Closed

Tuesday, February 20

9:00 AM Heart Beat Deadline

6:00 PM Executive Committee

6:30 PM Council Meeting

Wednesday, February 21

7:30 PM Ash Wednesday Liturgy

Thursday, February 22

7:00 PM LCH Choir Rehearsal

Saturday, February 24

9:00 AM In Stitches

6:00 PM Food for Thought— Miller’s

Sunday, February 25—Lent I

8:00 AM Holy Communion

9:10 AM Learning Ministries

9:15 AM Adult Forum

10:30 AM Choral Eucharist

8:30 PM Pre-Compline Discussion

9:00 PM Compline

Wednesday, February 28

9:00 AM Heart Beat Mailing

6:00 PM Soup & Salad

6:30 PM 8:00 O’Clock Ensemble

6:30 PM Confirmation—Calvary by the Sea

7:00 PM Holden Evening Prayer

7:30 PM Book Study

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