STAY
FAITHFUL,
STAY
CONNECTED,
STAY
COMMUNITY!
CCH
IPT WEDNESDAY
(INTENTIONAL PRAYER TIME)
by Kathy Young
After
nearly a month of one-digit or zero new Coronavirus infections, Hawaii is
experiencing a new surge in numbers. Nineteen positives today?
Twenty six??? Twenty nine????? Forty one????? Omigosh...
New
clusters due to loosening restrictions, family gatherings, training sessions,
church attendance, gym memberships... Some thought we were doing well and
became less vigilant.
Keeping
our blessed congregation safe is of paramount importance, so our sanctuary and
campus remain closed.
To
our Lord, we pray:
- with fervor and love
for You--that we continue to live by Your First Two Commandments:
“You
shall love the Lord your GOD with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind. You shall also love your neighbor as
yourself."
We
pray that our community will honor these, as well...living cautiously and
practicing extreme safety measures. Keep our CCH members and loved ones
safe, oh God!!
- that wisdom and Your
will fill the minds & hearts of Hawaii's leaders, as they
make tough decisions for our future.
- heartfelt prayers for
those facing economic hardships and uncertain futures. Embrace each
one; assure them of your loving presence.
- to support Pastor
Holly, as she uses her gifts and talents to enrich CCH's worship &
fellowship opportunities.
- deep thanksgiving for
Pastor Frances, Ardis, Glenn, Hari, our Executive Committee, and
Council. Because of the efforts of each person, Community Church of
Honolulu endures as Your faithful, loving Body of Christ.
- about the Hayashis,
as they prepare to leave Hawaii. Keep them safe and well, provide
smooth and trouble-free travel, bless them during each step of adjustment
and transition. Assure them of our love and prayers.
- for those recovering
from illness, injury, or surgery. Bless their healing process, dear
Lord.
- that you continue to
comfort the families of Suelyn Tune, Sau Chun Wong Chun, Kee Fun Lee, Alice
Urabe (Ryan’s Mom), Clifford Chong, Jane Sockrider, and
other families who have lost loved ones.
- that those who are
isolated and lonely know that our love and prayers reach through their
physical barriers and into their hearts.
- special blessings
upon the angels who call, email, text, or visit with our members.
Community Church thanks You for our many angels, sweet Jesus!! Your
Spirit is alive within each one!!
- for any person or anything
within your heart.
CONNECTIONS
by Pastor Frances
What do you miss most about
this so-called “new normal”? Did you
EVER think you’d MISS going to church?
Or work? Or, God-forbid, committee
meetings in person?
To be honest, no, I’ve never
thought I would ever miss these and so many other things that I’d taken for
granted.
The difficulty of connecting
affects our relationships and our God is all about relationships; God’s own self is
a Triune God—a 3 in 1 relationship. Once
you learn to wrap your head around that odd but beautiful concept, you find
that you still don’t really have your head wrapped around it. This and so many other truths guarantee that
mystery will always be a part of our faith.
But, oh, what a lovely, life-giving mystery. Our Triune God tells us that we were created
for this Creation—that we are to share the Gospel, to love, to work for
justice; that Jesus is our tangible role model; that the Holy Spirit’s reality
will not fail us.
And so, we try to create
these relationships, between each other and with God.
We have all made adjustments
to the ways we connect. I have never
liked “face-timing” but have gotten into the Zoom groove. We can’t hug or touch much but the ability to
see someone face-to-face, even with masks, has become that much more
precious. And who knew “drive by” would
become a positive phrase?!
NORMA YOUNG KEEPS SHINING!
 |
| Murakami Matching Masks Made by Gwen |
Can you believe Norma is
turning 95 soon? Nope, neither can
I. 95?
Heck, I just hope I look that good when I’m 75!
Norma misses worship and
seeing and interacting with everyone at church.
She’s doing very well. On the day
we chatted, Wayson Wong was coming by to take Norma to lunch. Her children have been taking great care of
Norma so she is in tip-top form and just shining like the star that she is!
MARGARET TOM IS BORED WITH
THIS NEW NORMAL!
Margaret and I chatted
recently about our experiences sheltering-in-place. Here are some of her comments—enjoy feeling
connected to her!
“My
husband, Herb, is 98 and slowing down and I can’t be gone from home for more
than a couple of hours but his tai chi group started up again. They only have 8 in their group and they have
the class outside at Ala Wai Pavilion.
We also like to go out to dinner now.
We really enjoy Rokkaku. The food
is very good and it feels safe—they are only operating at half capacity so lots
of distancing. Their food reminds me of
Kyoto flavors. I taught in Tokyo for 2
years and I visited Kyoto many times. I am bored. I
miss everybody at church, though, but I’m very grateful that the church is
thinking of the safety of the members, especially the super seniors. Until then, we just have to wait for the
sanctuary to open and greet the pastor.”
In classes we held earlier
this year when we could be face-to-face, I asked the participants to draw their
reflection of a Bible passage. Among all
the great drawings, Margaret Tom’s stood out for me because her economical
pencil strokes resulted in a simple yet evocative picture. Before the lock down, I had been planning an
all-laity worship service for the last Sunday of March. Margaret and Martha Hernandez (another Bible
study participant) created this bulletin cover for that service reflecting the Biblical theme of
Ezekiel and the “valley of the dry bones.”
LEARNING TO CONNECT—CONNECTING
TO LEARN
by Pastor Frances
One of the joys of my work at
CCH has been creating relationships by mutual learning. This has happened, without fail, in my
confirmation classes when I have been able to learn across a divide of decades
of living. This has happened, without
fail, in my adult classes and workshops when our mutual searching creates
relationships among us and a stronger relationship with God.
We recently completed two
Zoom classes: The Practice of Prayer and How to Read the Bible. We had a fabulous time together. Here are some comments from the
participants. I asked them to write
short reflections that will encourage others to look deeper into their prayer
practices and their Bible reading.
From Sharlene Yamauchi:
“I’m
so glad I joined in the zoom study group session on prayer, led by Pastor
Frances Wong. In this unexpected time of
uncertainty and fear, I found comfort in the practice of centering prayer. It sounded so simple – sit in silence, choose
a sacred word or phrase and be open to God’s presence within us. Well, when we practiced in class, my busy
mind kept wandering off! It was
comforting to hear that it’s to be expected and with practice and more practice
we can reach interior silence and spend quiet time with God. ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ Psalm
46:10.”
From Donna Chung (a member of
Nuuanu Congregational who joined our class) about the Bible class:
“I
took the Zoom class ‘How to Read the Bible’ with Pastor Fran. I truly enjoyed
the format, seeing and hearing all my co-students’ thoughts and reactions to
the material. How refreshing and encouraging it was. For a long time, I have
been hesitant, no, afraid to read the Bible without a pastor to give context to
each selection. The course gave us background on different parts of the Bible,
but also permission to seek God’s messages to us in a very personal way.
I
learned that I don’t have to be afraid. I realize that the Bible is a
collection of books and that reading it as literature helps us interpret
different passages and give me insights. There are patterns throughout the
Bible that help me understand the meanings. There are concealed meanings and
intentional gaps left in the Biblical narratives meant for me, as a reader, to
interact with the Bible. This is both reassuring and empowering, knowing that I
am actually to interact with the stories. I am looking forward to reading and
interacting with the Bible now with this new framework and with Pastor Fran’s
encouragement.”
From Donna Chung about
the prayer class:
“Centering
Prayer or Contemplative Prayer is a practice that I have been using. I have
always been drawn to the idea of a quiet, meditative life. This tradition is
based on early Christian practices of monasteries. It is a way of praying
without words, spending time alone with God, finding time to listen. It is
consenting to the presence and action of God within us.
I
have found fellowship and camaraderie in learning and practicing this with
others in a class with an instructor. Without this, I would feel unsure or
uncomfortable about this new way of praying.
Staying
at home has shown me that everything, errands, appointments really can wait.
Staying home has allowed me to slow down and appreciate the beauty of small but
glorious things, like sunrises and sunsets, birds, flowers, God’s constant
presence in my daily life. I hope to carry this way of life forward, past the
pandemic.”
From Annie Miller:
Far as the Bible Study class,
it took a lot of thinking and when I was done with each “assignment” my head
hurt. It is one of the most confusing — and repetitive — books I’ve ever read
and I feel that way each time I read it.
So … really appreciated the
simple drawings and explanations in the power point and listening to how
everybody in our group — including you, Frances — simplified it for me. That
made me feel better.
Was also shocked at how
confusing it is to read different versions of the Bible. It’s like reading the
internet.
From Kathy Young:
“I've
always known that God listens to my prayers, no matter what. Since my teen years, I've had a ‘running
conversation’ with God; but I just realized that I've been doing all the
talking!! Because of Pastor Frances'
Practicing Prayer Class, I now appreciate that incorporating discipline--setting
aside time for daily prayer, quieting my mind, whispering a mantra or countdown
to achieve complete silence--may actually ‘let God in.’
I'll
use my labyrinth and not display it as a "piece of Art" [a precious
gift from Art Lum]. Tracing the labyrinth
pathways is an effective praying technique, especially if you designate
portions of your ‘journey’ to focused prayers.
Heartfelt
Mahalos, Pastor Frances. You've deepened
and enriched MY prayer life, and I will be forever grateful!”
From Kathy Chock:
“As
a Christian I believe I am on this earth for a purpose. I am blessed with God’s
Love and Grace. Prayer is my daily walk with Jesus, to express my gratitude, to
discern His will, to ask for forgiveness and patience, to see and hear more
clearly.
When
the 5/6/2020 CCH bulletin invited us to join a zoom group on The Practice of
Prayer from 5/13-6/17/20, 11:30-12:00, led by Pastor Frances Wong, I felt it
was an awesome opportunity to ‘learn about three prayer practices and to
support members of the group in our doing.’
I had never been introduced to prayer techniques or tools before. DOING
these practices: Centering Prayer,
Walking the Chartres Labyrinth, and Psalm 23 (‘Praying the Psalms’)
strengthened my
faith, gave me peace, and provided excellent resources.
In
the midst of this pandemic, knowing I’m at risk because of four chronic
diseases and age, I was fearful. Prayer alleviated fear and brought hope and
trust. My journey continues…”
From Gwen Murakami:
“Praying
the labyrinth, centering prayer, a word or phrase from a Bible passage that
sparkles or speaks to you. Different and
intentional ways to pray. Setting aside
time in the day to slow down and pray, to talk to God and to listen to what She
has to say to me. Also knowing that it’s
ok to be mad at God and that She will always be there for me. In times such as these….what do people with
no faith turn to for comfort, cling to for hope, look to for answers?
Be
still and know that I am God
Be
still and know that I am
Be
still and know that I
Be
still and know
Be
still and
Be
still
Be
This
pandemic and stay-at-home mandate has given me time to listen to the silence
and relish the quiet sounds out there.
While I worked from home for 2-1/2 months, I enjoyed the quiet of the
house.…..just the sounds of the birds outside the window…and the occasional
weed whacker. It was strange to think
that the world out there had also slowed down and would be different when I stepped
out again.
I am
being dragged (kicking and screaming) into the 21st century. Because of the stay-at-home mandate and
social distancing most of my work and human contact (outside of the people at
home) is via on-line applications. I’m
getting pretty good at Zoom, WebEx and starting to understand Google Drive (and
all it’s different components). Zoom has
also become a fun way of keeping in touch with friends and family. Before all of this happened there was always ‘let’s
get together for lunch’ and it never happened because we were too busy or
otherwise occupied. Now we’ve connected
with friends and family across the island and across the states. I dare say that the pandemic has brought us
closer together. Strong bonds can only
be strengthened during trying times.”
From Kathy Young:
I'm not proficient with Bible
passages. I cannot quote the "chapter
and verse" of my favorite passages.
Thank heaven for Google. When I
know a portion of a verse and want to know all of it, or when I need a
Scripture reference about a topic, I "Google".
My NIV Bible was a gift from
our CCH youth on May 30, 1999. The book
is warped, coffee-stained, riddled with little post-it tabs, highlighted, and filled
with handwritten notes in margins.
However, I will always treasure this Bible signed by Jonathan Chun,
Krissa Lum, Lori Wong (Sunn), Steven Zane, Betty Lum, Carlyn Lum, Lindsey Wong,
Cory Brede, Stason Nishimura, Matthew Zane, and Megan Lum. They were our precious youth; I was one of
their teachers; and this Bible has been my companion (along with my magnifying
glass).
During our Bible Study class,
Stan Lum said, "Kathy, why don't you just "Google" the
passage? It's easy to read on your
computer screen!" Hallelujah...no
more magnifying glass!!
A homework assignment asked
that we read four versions of Psalm 23 then say which we liked best. I "Googled" versions of Psalm 23
and found six computer screens worth!!
"The Lord is my
shepherd, I shall not want..."
"The Lord is my
shepherd, I have everything I need..."
"The Lord takes care of
me as his sheep; I will not be without any good thing..."
"The LORD is my
shepherd. I lack nothing..."
I still love the King James
version. I somehow find comfort in the
"eth's"--"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth
me beside the still waters; He restoreth my soul..."
Pastor Frances designed her
class to encourage and entice us. She
used "The Bible Project", a free, really cool, well-designed,
mesmerizing program encouraging you to learn about the Bible, its themes and characters,
and its contributing authors. "Google"
"The Bible Project". You will
be amazed...and you can learn about the Bible at home!!
However, being in class--even
on Zoom--with our dozen or so classmates every Wednesday was stimulating,
educational, and fun. Nobody claimed to be an expert [including Pastor Frances
who says she's still learning]. Everyone
contributed their thoughts openly. There
were no "wrong answers". I loved hearing about people's thoughts and
interpretations; they made me reflect deeper about my own perceptions.
We all easily caught Pastor
Frances’ excitement over and love of the Bible and appreciated that the course
was adjusted weekly to best "match" the personalities and individual
learning styles that surfaced as the class evolved.
Because of the class, I even
bought a new Bible...and it's NOT sitting on the bookshelf!!
CONNECT WITH PRINCIPAL JUSTIN
ON PUBLIC RADIO!!
Kaiser High No. 1 in the
nation in math and reading proficiency.
A new ranking from US News
and World Report has Henry J. Kaiser High School in Hawaii Kai as the number
one in its public school rankings for proficiency in math and reading. And it's
tied nationally for a top spot. Principal Justin Mew says the rankings show
what's possible.
As heard on Hawaii Public
Radio, 22 June 2020.
Close that page to come right back here.
https://cpa.ds.npr.org/khpr/audio/2020/06/TC_JustinMew062220.mp3
https://cpa.ds.npr.org/khpr/audio/2020/06/TC_JustinMew062220.mp3
[or you can copy and paste this URL in the search box of a new tab]
Editor’s note on watching
videos: Click once on the arrow in the middle of the screen. If another arrow pops up, click that
arrow. Click on the broken square on the
bottom right side of the screen for a larger picture. Get rid of pop up ads by carefully clicking
on the “x” on the upper right side of the ad.
CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE
DAY
WITH MUSIC AND THE SPOKEN WORD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRUjr8EVgBg
America The Beautiful by Ray Charles, September 18, 1972.
Oh beautiful, for heroes
proved,
In liberating strife,
Who more than self, THEIR
country loved,
And mercy more than life,
America, OH America, may God
thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divined.
And you know when I was in
school,
We used to sing it something
like this, listen here:
Oh beautiful, for spacious
skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain
majesties,
Above the fruited plain,
But now wait a minute, I'm
talking about
America, sweet America,
You know, God done shed his
grace on thee,
He crowned thy good, yes he
did, in a brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea.
You know, I wish I had
somebody to help me sing this
(America, America,…)
YOUR TURN!
Sing this version (same tune)
from the "New Century Hymnal" of the United Church of Christ
How Beautiful, Our Spacious Skies
How beautiful, our spacious
skies, our amber waves of grain;
our purple mountains as they
rise above the fruitful plain.
America! America! God's
gracious gifts abound,
and more and more we're
grateful for life's bounty all around.
Indigenous and immigrant, our
daughters and our sons:
O may we never rest content
till all are truly one.
America! America! God grant
that we may be
a sisterhood and brotherhood
from sea to shining sea.
How beautiful, sincere
lament, the wisdom of our tears,
the courage called for to
repent the bloodshed through the years.
America! America! God grant
that we may be
a nation blessed with none
oppressed, true land of liberty.
How beautiful, two
continents, and islands in the sea
that dream of peace, nonviolence,
all people living free.
Americas! Americas! God grant
that we may be
a hemisphere where people
here all live in harmony.
(On her first trip west in
the summer of 1893 the distinguished New England educator Katharine Lee Bates
was inspired to write "O Beautiful for Spacious Skies." One hundred
years later, in 1993, Miriam Therese Winter wrote new stanzas to clearly
include all of the Americas.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBe5qbnkqoM&t=18s
What To The Slave Is
The Fourth Of July? Five Descendants Read and Respond to
Frederick Douglass' 1852 Speech.
You can read the full text of
What To The Slave Is The Fourth of July? here:
https://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/what-to-the-slave-is-the-fourth-of-july/
(or cut and paste this URL in a new tab)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRO6dUhhMHA
Raul Esparza performs
"The Flag Song" cut from Assassins
I’d included this Sondheim song in an
earlier newsletter but I love this patriotic song so much and it is so timely
that I have to include it again (this time with another artist)! In my public elementary school, we gathered every morning to sing and we often sang patriotic songs--songs which I'm not sure are being taught today. I love patriotic songs and this country.
WISE AND HOPEFUL YOUNG VOICES
ABOUT BLM THAT ADULTS SHOULD LISTEN TO
ABOUT BLM THAT ADULTS SHOULD LISTEN TO
My friend’s 13-year-old
granddaughter wrote an article for Mid-Pac about the Black Lives Matter
movement and its importance. She also wrote
about two 16-year-old girls, one from Mid-Pac and one from Moanalua, who were
instrumental in organizing a younger contingent to the protest at the state
capitol.
~~Pastor Frances
“For
other young people who want to make a change in the world like [the two 16-year
olds] and the rest of Hawaii for Black Lives are trying to do, they have
some advice. ‘You may think that you’re young and you can’t do much, but our
generation is a generation of change… We don’t have
a lot of time to just sit back and watch our world collapse in front of us, we
have to do something. Use your voice for change,’ [one of the young organizers]
tells anyone who believes they’re
too young to make a difference.
[The
other organizer] offers some ways to make an impact. ‘Honestly, just go to
protest, or organize if possible, sign petitions, vote if you can, donate
money, talk with legislators,” she said. ‘Do anything you can to promote the
change you wish to see.’”
TWO BLACK HIDDEN HISTORY
TIDBITS
DR. GLADYS WEST, MATHEMATICIAN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McIemoQWv64
Navy Hidden Hero: Gladys Mae
West and GPS
Dr.
Gladys West provided the calculations
that lead to modern-day GPS.
GPS technology is everywhere,
from the location finder on your phone, to the digital maps you use on a drive
– and it's all thanks Dr. Gladys West.
West was a pioneering
mathematician whose calculations were instrumental in using satellite data to
determine precise locations. In 1956, West began working at the Naval Surface
Warfare Center in Virginia, as the only black woman and one of only three Black
employees.
West began collecting and
processing data from satellites and used the information to put together
precise models of the earth's shape. She became lauded for her work and was
nominated for a reward by her department in 1979. After that, she was named the
manager for the first satellite project that could remotely sense oceans, known
as the Seasat radar altimetry project.
Though her work was crucial
to developing GPS technology, it wasn't until 2018 that Dr. West became widely
recognized and was inducted into the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall
of Fame.
KATHERINE JOHNSON, MATHEMATICIAN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8wBJ71zJ34
NASA Remembers Hidden Figure
Katherine Johnson, Feb 24, 2020
Katherine
Johnson was a mathematician for NASA
whose work was critical to sending astronauts into orbit and landing a man on
the moon.
Katherine Johnson was born in
Sulphur Springs, West Virginia in 1918 and excelled in mathematics from a young
age. After skipping several grades throughout primary school, Johnson attended
West Virginia University, and was handpicked as one of three Black students —
and the only Black woman — to attend WVU's graduate program.
In 1952 she began working for
the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) which slowly
transitioned into the program we know today as NASA. There, she worked on an
investigation of a plane crash and analyzed data from flight tests.
When the Soviet Union
launched the satellite Sputnik in 1957, Johnson transitioned into mathematics
for space travel and became a part of the Space Task Force, which was the first
official move into space exploration. Johnson co-authored a report laying out
equations needed for orbital space flight and became the first woman credited as
a research author for the team.
Johnson's orbital
calculations became seminal, and she conducted, by hand, one of the final tests
before successfully sending John Glenn into space. Following that success,
Johnson's calculations were used to send a man to the moon, marking a historic
moment in US space flight.
In 2015, President Barack
Obama awarded Johnson the Presidential Medal of Freedom to honor her
contributions, and she was the subject of the 2016 movie "Hidden
Figures," which dramatized her work at the space agency.
A NEW STUDY EXAMINES
THE
REAL IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN HAWAII
From a study commissioned by
the Bank of Hawaii. You can read the
whole report at:
https://www.boh.com/siteassets/files/bohf_covid-19-in-hawaii_final-report_070120.pdf
(copy and paste URL in a new tab)
This is its Summary:
“The community is hurting.
There is no question that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it financial
devastation to residents and businesses across Hawaii. In light of this, Bank
of Hawaii Foundation commissioned a study to evaluate the real effect of the
pandemic on Hawaii residents, to better understand the scale of the situation.
The results are sobering:
45% have seen their household
income decline since the start of COVID-19.
1 in 4 are delinquent paying
at least some of their bills.
1 in 5 have had issues with
food security in the last three months.
13% have sought out food from
a local food drive or food bank.
[note: 51% of residents living with at least one
child under age 18 have seen their combined household income decline.]
One of the study’s key
takeaways is that Hawaii residents remain worried about contracting COVID-19,
citing personal health and the health of members of their households as their
top priority.
The study also found that a
revival of our overall economy will be extremely challenging without Hawaii’s
No. 1 industry–tourism–being able to welcome back trans-Pacific travelers to
the Hawaiian Islands.
A balanced approach utilizing
health facts about the virus, combined with a clear and responsible reopening
plan for the state, is what is needed most at this time to help our community.”
Here are several findings of
the study:
“The
effects of COVID-19 have been most pronounced among the most vulnerable in our
communities. Our research on the health and economic impacts of COVID-19
reveals that not everyone is being impacted the same way and to the same extent
by the pandemic. Statewide, many of our most economically vulnerable residents
have borne the brunt of the pandemic’s financial impacts. Women, more than men,
are more likely to have difficulties paying their rent or mortgage, more likely
to be concerned about food security, and less likely to be able to live off
their existing savings for longer than six months. The net reality of all of this
is increased financial stress and increasing challenges for residents in paying
their bills."
“Female respondents are more likely than males
to face challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
They
are:
•
More likely to be living in a household where their total income has declined.
•
More likely to live with someone who was furloughed or has had their hours or
pay reduced.
•
More likely to have been forced to take action to survive financially during
COVID-19.
•
More likely to have difficulties paying their rent or mortgage.
•
More likely to be concerned about food security and seek assistance from a food
bank or food distribution drive.
Female
respondents — as well as respondents from both genders who live with at least
one child in their home — display greater concerns about the possibility of
losing their health care coverage.”
“Among
ethnic groups, Native Hawaiian and Filipino residents are facing the most
pressure related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
They
are:
•
More likely to experience a decline in household income.
•
More likely to have someone in their household who was laid off, furloughed or
had their pay or work hours reduced.
•
More likely to experience high financial stress.
•
More likely to be delinquent paying some of their bills.
•
More likely to be experiencing difficulties paying their rent or mortgage.
•
More likely to face food insecurity.
•
More likely to have sought assistance from a local charity.
•
More likely to know someone hospitalized for COVID-19.”
Wholeness
does not mean perfection.
It means embracing brokenness
as an integral part of
life.
Parker Palmer
Parker Palmer
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