Unbearable Load?€¦ · Levine’s newest book is titled Short Stories by Jesus, The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi. This is a book worthy of a semester of an EFM-style

Chr is t Church Episcopal • Kealakekua, HI 96750 •808-323-3429 ! 1

Nuò l i News l e t t e rMAY 2015 ISSUE 48

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE 2 RECTOR’S REFLECTION Father Dick

PAGE 3 BOOK REVIEW Short Stories by Jesus

PAGE 4 LAYMAN’S SCHEDULE

PAGE 8 A QUICK STUDYPsalm 91

PAGE 10 RECIPE OF THE MONTH

When I think that what I’m going through is unbearable and so heavy that I just want to run away or find a way to just remove it from my life; I have an automatic mind reflex that helps me understand, I can bear it, otherwise I’d not be going through it. That’s how I read I Corinthians 10:13 to mean.

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

I was thinking a couple days back when I was driving to school (work), about places I have been and seen where living for some was such a hardship: my mission work to Moldova, the poverty of the homeless at Ala Moana Beach Park and Hotel Street, the elderly who are without families, the students in my school who live with some amount of neglect. How do they bear? Do they have a refuge? Do they know of a strength to draw from? Can my prayers and/or action to help offer some relief? And then my own hardships are lost in what others need and prayer takes me to another level of strength….”he provides a way for me to endure (bear) it”.

When we are able to take our eyes off our unbearable load. God is FAITHFUL. He calms the waters, he teaches us to praise Him and be grateful, He opens our eyes and ears to His sensitivity, He makes us instruments! He molds us and fashions us to the character of goodness, He raises us to another level of oneness with Him…. all when we just give it all up to Him. Otherwise, it’s a mustered effort. I’ve been there many times. And it works for some limited time. Under His wings, it’s a sweeter ride and I feel closer to Him and He sustains me. Can’t beat that.

In our fellowship this month as you pray for me and I for you. We can be comforted by God’s faithfulness to help us through our daily work, our heavy load, our responsibilities… He provides a way for us to bear them. God is Good (Psalms 100:5)… all the time.

Unbearable Load?

Kela


MAY 2014 ISSUE 38 MAY 2014 ISSUE 38 MARCH 2015 ISSUE 48 2

Rector’s Reflection I am not (luent in any of the World languages. I struggled through junior high school French. Maybe it was just a poor curriculum. To this day, I can’t imagine ordering a sandwich in a library, but that seems to have been what we were required to learn.

Linguistic handicap aside, I have managed to learn a few essential words. Actually, it’s one word, but I can say it in several languages. One day in Paris, I could barely (ind the restroom, but when a kindly police of(icer (gardien de la paix), guided me to my destination (les toilettes), I did know how to say “merci!” In other places, at other times, “Graci” “Dankeschön,” and of course, “Mahalo” have been invaluable. My Eskimo friends taught me “Taiku” and “Quiana.” I’m still working on my Maori, “Tēnā rawa atu koe,” but in most languages, it’s the effort that counts. Wherever we go, whatever the situation , a simple, heartfelt thank you is always appropriate.

Giving thanks is at the heart of our faith. God’s grace, God’s abundance are such that we cannot help but be thankful. Our expression of gratitude is so important that the authors of our prayer book made The Great Thanksgiving the centerpiece of our worship. The Eucharist, our weekly sacrament is itself a Thanksgiving meal.

And we have so much for which to be thankful! Beginning with God’s creation of this fragile planet, and especially our beautiful island, we have been given blessing upon blessing. The blessings have been unceasing since the beginning, and are promised to continue. Always.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Phil. 4:6

We give thanks, not so much because God needs to hear us, but because we need to be thankful. Gratitude is good for us. But don’t take my word for it. Studies have shown that an attitude of thankfulness (or, if you prefer the rhyme, gratitude) is associated with physical and emotional (not to mention spiritual) well-‐being. At the University of California, Davis, research by Professor Robert Emmons suggests that the act of recording things that make us grateful can yield “a greater sense of optimism and connectedness to others.” This effect is especially noticeable when compared with the practice of dwelling on “complaints and hassles.”

Among the physical bene(its associated with the practice of giving thanks, studies have noted: stronger immune system and an increase in overall resilience (important to resisting or recovering from disease). Of course, regular exercise and a sensible diet remain essential to overall well-‐being, but the consistent practice of gratitude just might take us to that next level!

As always, I give thanks every day for the support and love I have found at Christ Church!

In Faith,

Padre



Jesus was a genius as story-teller. His parables were told to provoke, to challenge stereotypes, and to inspire. Is that what you remember about them? If not, it is because the parables have been seriously domesticated over the centuries; they are either dismissed as simple children’s stories, or told as allegories. Either way, the lure, the challenge, the discomfort to the listener remains hidden. Since Jesus was Jewish, and his audiences were Jewish, then perhaps we should turn to a Jewish scholar to get closer to the original meaning.

After searching for an author, I found Amy-Jill Levine, a university professor at the Centre for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations at Cambridge. She describes herself as a “Yankee Jewish feminist who teaches in a predominantly Christian divinity school in the buckle of the Bible Belt.” Perfect!

Levine’s newest book is titled Short Stories by Jesus, The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi. This is a book worthy of a semester of an EFM-style course. Rabbis have a traditional way of teaching: rather than give definitive answers, rabbis told stories and asked questions. This is important enough to repeat: Jesus did not explain what a parable meant; he asked questions and allowed people to explore/debate/confront the story. (It is true that some parables have a “lesson” at the end, but scholars believe the lessons were “tacked on” by a later editor.)

Levine takes the parables apart line by line to get the proper phrasing from the Greek. For an important word, she will show us when it is used elsewhere in the OT. She explains the context of the stories: what life was like for a widow, labor relations, the tax system, the legal system—again using OT scriptures to overcome the stereotypes made by modern, often anti-Jewish, interpretations. She dismantles the common allegorical tellings by quoting leading Christian theologians today, explaining carefully why none in Jesus’s audience could possible have understood it that way. When she finally gets to the bare bones of the parable, the questions that arise are indeed challenging. They invite debate; they challenge the status quo, they aim to raise the consciousness of the listener. And they do.

My favorite is the chapter on the Prodigal Son. It starts out “A man had two sons. . .” Levine says everybody in the first century audience knows immediately there is a problem. (Think Cain and Abel. Think Ishmael and Isaac. Jacob and Esau. Manasseh and Ephraim. Joseph and his many brothers.) Brothers mean trouble .. . Jealousy inspires trickery, murder, all manner of family heart-break. Line by line Levine moves through the story. As a ‘traditional allegory’ God is the father and the story is about repentance and forgiveness, Levine does not agree. She thinks the father is a father and the sons are sons. She thinks the father loses both sons, not just the wild one. She thinks the message is about bitterness in a family. It is a cautionary story for parents to pay attention to all their children; and a warning to all of us who have brothers …. Have we truly forgiven them yet? Of course she spends 30 pages or so developing this; by the time we get to the end I am thinking about my twin sons and the long-term grudges that still occasionally flare up. I am thinking about how I might have raised them better. I am wondering if healing is still possible now, and what it might look like. The story is indeed provocative.

This is really a brilliant, scholarly book written with humor and affection but also sharp criticism; this Yankee Jewish feminist professor does not ‘suffer fools’.

I want to share the last paragraph in the book which sums up her purpose in writing this:

One does not need to worship Jesus as Lord or Savior for the parables to have meaning. The people who first heard him did not, at first, worship him. Yet they paid attention, because for those with ears to hear and some patience to ponder, the parables spoke to their hearts. I do not worship Jesus as Lord and Savior, but I continue to return to these stories, because they are at the heart of my own Judaism. They challenge, they provoke, they convict, and at the same time, amuse. At each reading, when I think I’ve got all the details explained, something remains left over, and I have to start again. The parables have provided me countless hours of inspiration, and conversation. They are pearls of Jewish wisdom. If we hear them in their original contexts, and if we avoid the anti-Jewish interpretation that frequently deforms them, they gleam with a shine that cannot be hidden.

Book Review



OUR VESTRY MEMBERS RECTOR SENIOR WARDEN JUNIOR WARDEN

Father Dick Tardiff Bill Melson Julian ManelliSECRETARY TREASURER

Meg Greenwell Dave Clarke

Sue Bottrell Lorraine Sohm Jane Bockus

Bob Foerster Sue Roberts Janet Britt

Dennis Costa Kela Luczon Bob Kraus

Church Finance Update as of April 30

Pledges Received 53 Goal 80 Amount Pledged $128,332 To Balance the Budget $157,280

Capital Campaign Progress # Pledges Received 47 Amount Pledged $234,400 Goal $600,000


Church Trivia:

Pray tell! who’s feet are behind door #2?

Wednesdays 6:00pm - Holy Eucharist

Sundays 7:30am - Holy Eucharist Rite I 10:00am - Sunday School, 10:00am - Holy Eucharist Rite II 3:30 PM Holy Eucharist at the Regency

1st Sunday 10:00am - Holy Eucharist Rite II of the month

We pray for those who serve in the military forces, members of our church family:

Michael Mindt, Adam Choy, Dante Carter,Ed Fitzpatrick and Robert Cowell

Your continued prayers are asked for these people: Andy Archibald, Bishop Richard Chang, Angelina

Barnett, Kalliope, Ted, Bob Foerster, Jeanne Laundbrug, Cindy Clay, Charles Burden, Loli Karn, Debra Armstrong, Jim Masters, Jonathan Heng, Beryl

Spalding, Luczon Family, Terry Patrick, Laura Griffin, Dorothy Schilt, Beverly Thomas, and Ed Marshall

We are a praying community, which means that, not only do we believe in the power of prayer on a personal level; but that we also believe that we are called to offer our petitions and thanksgivings on behalf of others. We believe that God hears

and responds to all of our prayers, individual and corporate. Every prayer is to God a love poem from a dear child. Like any loving parent, our God rejoices in the faith that underlies our prayer.

Our Christ Church prayer list is offered as but one way to respond to the many and varied concerns of our members and our friends. In an effort to keep this essential part of our prayer life current and relevant, we will be updating the list weekly, and have determined that each month we will start a new list. If you wish to keep a name on the list for an extended period, please contact the office every month to let us know.

When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. ~ Psalm 61:2

MARCH 2015 ISSUE 48 5


NUÒLIMay 2015, Kela Luczon Contributing Editors: Nancee Cline, Meg Greenwell, Lorraine Sohm Nuòli is published monthly by Christ Church Episcopal P.O. Box 545, Kealakekua HI 96750 Copyright © 2015

MAY 2014 ISSUE 38

"Christ Church is a Christian community responding to the love of God by worship, spiritual nurture and active social concern."

SUN MON TUES WED THU FRI SAT

1 May Day

2

3 10am Holy Eucharist brunch a6erwards

4 5 CINCO de Mayo

6

6pm Holy Eucharist

7 8 9

10 7:30am Holy Eucharist 10am Holy Eucharist Mother’s Day

11 12 13

6pm Holy Eucharist

14 15 16

17 7:30am Holy Eucharist 10am Holy Eucharist

18 19 20

6pm Holy Eucharist

21 5:30-‐8pm MALAHINI ALOHA Pupu Party at Melson’s 77-‐6413 Kilohana St.808-‐327-‐0176

22 23

24/31 7:30am Holy Eucharist 10am Holy Eucharist

25 Memorial Day

26 27

6pm Holy Eucharist

28 29 30

May 2015

MAY 2014 ISSUE 38

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bulletin board MAY 2014 ISSUE 38

Aloha Hour: Thank you to all who volunteer for this ministry. Aloha Hour is a time of gathering after each service. A way for our parish to have fellowship with each other. Volunteers for Aloha Hour bring a simple snack to share. Simple snack such as a

coffee cake, banana bread, box of pastries, fruit etc... It doesn't need to be a big production. Share something simple. You are responsible for starting the coffee (instructions above machine), setting out plates/napkins/utensils, and clean up. There are lots

of people eager to help, so cleanup should be a breeze. For more details, please view the sign up sheet in the QECC.

Prayer List: Please continue to keep the office updated on individuals receiving prayer. If someone needs to stay on the list longer please contact the office this week. The list will be reset next Sunday. Thank you for all of the updates!

"Christ Church is a Christian community responding to the love of God by worship, spiritual nurture and active social concern."

MAY 2014 ISSUE 38

Fridays @930AM Labyrinth Book Group All are welcome to read and discuss a new book, Behind the Magnolia Tree by Dennis Maynard


Please keep us updated when your contact information changes. We are now updating our Parish Directory.

Report any changes and if you would like to be added to the Birthday List.

Your pledges are very important to our church. Please turn in all pledge cards as soon as you can. Thank you for your faithful giving.

Reverend Carol Arney, our dear rector who served for many years, has retired. She left Hawaii after 50 years of island life and m i n i s t r y . H e r n ew residence is in St. Paul, M N . S h e i s v e r y enthusiastic about returning to help celebrate our 150th anniversary.

Welcome Church Community! MALAHINI ALOHA

All NEWCOMERS are invited to every 3rd Thursday of each month

to a “Melson” Pupu Party, 5:30-8:00pm, at 77-6413 Kilohana St,

808-327-0176. Transportation provided. All church members,

KAMA’AINA, invited too! ~ Bill & Linda

Certified Kitchen: Reminder, please date ALL food before putting it into the fridge or freezer. This is a guideline required by the Department of Health. We can lose our certification if this isn't done. Also if you are able to lend a hand in clean up after Aloha Hour please do so. All dishes must be washed, counters wiped down, floor swept/mop and oven turned off. Make sure all burners and ovens are shut off before leaving the kitchen. This is something that has been overlooked. Thank you for you assistance with keeping our kitchen up to D.O.H. standards! ~Angie

New Forward Day by Day for May - July is now available in the QECC or the church. Large print also available.

Stay up to date with latest

activities and schedules at our official website,

www.christchurchkona.com

Stay up to date with latest activities and schedules at our official website ,www.christchurchkona.com

http://www.christchurchkona.com





MAY 2014 ISSUE 38

z A Quick Studyz It is my attempt to share each month (May 2015 - April 201) a brief description of a Psalm, a

Proverb, or a Parable. I know that these books or passages bring much comfort no matter what our present dispositions are. God’s blessings are ever so near.

Psalm 911 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,* 2 will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.’ 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; 4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, 6 or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday.7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge,* the Most High your dwelling-place, 10 no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot. 14 Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. 15 When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honour them. 16 With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.

~ Kela

MAY 2014 ISSUE 38 MARCH 2015 ISSUE 48 8

When I first came to Christ Church. I attended the 10am service and it was in the Queen Emma Community Center. So BRAND NEW to the Episcopal liturgy I had to pay close attention to what was going on because I could not rely on my Pentecostal…later Baptist upbringing to help me understand the program’s order. It flowed from one order to the next. Back then when my wounds were still raw from the grief I was going through, I was OFTEN touched, my cup already got full before the sermon! The prayers, the reading of the scriptures… they were SO FULL… the PSALM! the fellowship of kinsmen, the technology that was pretty cool, and oh the singing…that was satisfying. By the time the sermon came along, I was already complete.. and that was awesome. I think that’s what the psalmist meant when he said, “you who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty… my refuge and my fortress” I felt delivered, and covered, and protected, and confident and strengthened, and heard! Being with God and his people does that. No wonder I keep coming back. And I’m still had by the liturgy that brings me to my knees and lifts me to a joyous heart.

http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-woman-worship-position-image4888565





Pupu Party! Welcome to Christ Church. We want you to feel that Christ Church is your

church home whether you are a visitor, part time resident, or live here full time.

We welcome you to our church community. As a Malahini (newcomer),

we invite you to join us on the third Thursday of each month

for a PuPu Party. It will be at the Melson’s home

from 5:30pm to 8pm at 77-6413 Kilohana Street in Kona.

The telephone number is 808-327-0176. We’ll be happy to provide transportation.

~ Bill & Linda


MAY 2014 ISSUE 38

Spicy Green Beanspg 67 - Cooks of Christ Church 2000

1/2 c. water 1 large clove garlic, peeled and studded with 3 whole cloves 1/2 onion, chopped 1 bay leaf 1 tomato, peeled and diced 1 lb. green or pole beans, cut in 1 inch pieces 2 tsp. cider vinegar 1/4 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. salt, if needed

In a pot over medium high heat, place water, garlic, onion, bay leaf, tomato and beans and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer approximately 15 minutes or until fork tender. An alternative is to use a glass or ceramic container and place the same ingredients in it and microwave on high for 4 to 5 minutes. Drain the water and remove the garlic, onions and bay leaf. Add the vinegar, cinnamon and salt, if needed, and return to heat momentarily to warm or put back into the microwave for 20 seconds before serving. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

MAY 2014 ISSUE 38 MARCH 2015 ISSUE 48 10

6 Anne Anderson11 Kathy Ogata20 Laurel Clay

21 Ted Leaf26 Carol Iwashita

Happy Birthday

Buzz & Jean Samuelson May 24Happy Anniversary

INVESTOR NEWSLETTER ISSUE N°3 FALL 2007

CHRIST CHURCH Episcopal P.O. Box 545 Kealakekua, HI 96750

...or try a daily devotion at www.d365.org

Sunday Eucharistic and Daily Office Readings for May 2015

According to the Use of the Episcopal ChurchType in this website for May readings:http://satucket.com/lectionary/May15.htm

Eucharistic lectionary: BDaily Office: Year One


http://satucket.com/lectionary/May15.htm

http://www.d365.org/

http://www.d365.org/

http://satucket.com/lectionary/May15.htm

Documents

Unbearable Load?€¦ · Levine’s newest book is titled Short Stories by Jesus, The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi. This is a book worthy of a semester of an EFM-style