The Spire - Central Union Church

The Spire
Central Union Church
1660 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96826
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 71
Honolulu, Hawaii
The Spire
Central Union Church
Join us for Worship every Sunday!
7 AM in the Atherton Memorial Chapel
9 AM in the Sanctuary
11 AM in the Parish Hall
Pohnpeian Service
11 AM in the Atherton Memorial Chapel
Sundays except the 1st Sunday of the month.
Central Union Church, organized in 1887, traces its roots to the Seamen’s Bethel, founded 1833.
The Bethel began the earliest regular church services in English in the Hawaiian kingdom.
1660 South Beretania Street – Honolulu, Hawaii 96826
(808) 941-0957 • www.centralunionchurch.org • cuc@centralunionchurch.org
“We Engage and Embrace ALL as we seek to Embody Christ!”
January 2016
Vol. 86 - No. 1
Pastor’s Page
Poinsettia Donations
Rev. David Rivers, Senior Minister
Happy New Year!
A
t the conclusion of the letters in our New Testament is the inclusion of
a benediction. A benediction is a blessing that is given to another. The
benediction in Hebrews says,
May the God of peace, who brought back the great shepherd of the
sheep, our Lord Jesus, from the dead by the blood of the eternal
covenant, equip you with every good thing to do his will, by
developing in us what pleases him through Jesus Christ. To him be
the glory forever and always. Amen.
This motivating benediction, in essence, invites us to keep growing so that we can do the will of God. It would seem
that the writer is saying to the community, “I want you to keep on going, growing and blessing those around you. God
is at work equipping you with all that you need to do God’s will—so go do it!”
The word equip is an interesting word. Oxford Dictionary defines it this way: “Supply with the necessary items for a
particular purpose.” It is from a French word which gives the impression of preparing a ship for a voyage. Certainly
that is a key part of sailing—having the necessary resources like food, water, etc.!
A major role of the church has been to be a place to gather to do life together AND equip God’s people to do God’s
will. To be equipped is to ensure that each of us has the resources to help us discern God’s will, grow in faith and go
do God’s will!
For the next 6 weeks, Pastor Brandon and I will be preaching through a sermon series entitled “Equip: Tools for
Spiritual Transformation.” Our hope is to help equip you as you continue in the journey of life so that you may grow
in your faith and understanding of God.
I have this deep rooted belief—if Central Union Church equips you with tools to grow in your faith, more fruit will
be available for our world! This fruit is the manifestation of God’s Spirit at work within you! What does the fruit
look like? Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:22-23 that the fruits of the Spirit are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
In 2016, may we continue to deepen our faith so we can be a robust community which helps to transform the world
From
In Honor of...
Haos & Aczons
Leigh Ann & Richard Braley
Margaret L. Kaulukukui
George & Evie Hao, Natalie Aczon, Keleko, Keola Stietzel
Sally Mist & Family
Sally Mist & Family
Sally Mist & Family
Sally Mist & Family
Carol Ouchi (4)
Carol Ouchi (2)
Carol Ouchi (2)
Carol Ouchi (2)
Ruth & John Stepulis
Rev. Ted & Barbara Robinson’s 50th Anniversary
Our Parents
Naty Aczon (our Mom & Grandma)
William M. Moragne
Jean W. Moragne
Robert Wakefield
Martha A. Mist
Sugao & Shizuko Ouchi
David Shida
Walter Omori
Gerry Chong
From
In Memory of...
Anonymous
Naty Aczon
Leigh Ann & Richard Braley
Leigh Ann & Richard Braley
Leigh Ann & Richard Braley
Margaret L. Kaulukukui
Wraynette Kissel
Gregory & Faith Sato
Gregory & Faith Sato
Eiko Mathis
Dorothy Mau & Family
Sarah & Laura Tyler
Kathy, Quinn, & Henry Wolfram
Kathy, Quinn, & Henry Wolfram
Kathy, Quinn, & Henry Wolfram
Doris Kavara
Moses Aczon (husband) & Errol Aczon (son)
Jolene Gerell
Newt Pratt
Georgia Kay
Sol Kaulukukui, Se
Rachel Tom (Mother)
Douglas Yoshikawa
Mrs. Dorothy Yoshikawa
Mr. Nobuzo & Mrs. Fumi Sawatari
James On Mau
Beloved Grandparents, Alice & Tetsui Watanabe
Charles & Evangeline Nelson
Craig W. Wolfram
Betty L. Borcherty
by “Engaging and Embracing ALL as we seek to Embody Christ!”
Poinsettia donations receieved after December 20 will be published in the February 2015 Spire.
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Announcements
Council Corner
Nathan Wong, Chair
Congratulations!
F
Condolences
our Church. In it, we commemorate those of our number who have passed on and acknowledge our members of fifty
To Cerise Nakaima and Brian O’Connor on their marriage. Cerise is the daughter of Charles and Norma Nakaima.
The annual Budget Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 24, 2016, in the Sanctuary, following the 9 AM
worship service. We kindly ask that you make your attendance a priority, as we need a quorum in order to move
forward with the meeting.
Copies of the budget are available upon request at the reception desk Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30
PM. For more information, please call (808) 941-0957 or e-mail Annette at receptionist@centralunionchurch.org.
The Green Team
Join us to view a must-see, free movie on climate change.
The Central Union Church Green Team invites you and your friends to a free public screening of the movie,
Merchants of Doubt, Saturday, January 23, 2016, at the church’s Parish Hall. Doors will open at 5:30 PM and the
movie will start at 6:00 PM.
Inspired by the acclaimed book by Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway, Merchants of Doubt is a satirically
comedic yet illuminating look at group of highly charismatic, silver-tongued pundits-for-hire who present themselves
as scientific authorities yet have the contrary aim of spreading maximum confusion about the well-studied public
threat of climate change. These very same “authorities” have utilized similar tactics in the past to confuse the public
about issues ranging from tobacco to fire repellant.
We welcome you to view the movie to understand why a significant portion of the public is uncertain about
climate change, despite agreement by 99 percent of the world’s climate scientists that global warming is a result of
human activity and will have dire consequences globally, particularly on native peoples, island communities and
developing countries.
For more information, contact Carolynn Bell-Tuttle, Green Team chair, at carolynn.bell@gmail.com.
Do you know how the CUC Ministries are transforming lives?
Come, find out and meet some who are living transformed lives.
Please RSVP to Evie Hao, evyhao@gmail.com or 223-6399
The Thrift
Shop
Transforming
Lives
“Fo’ Real!”
The Women’s League Invites
Great news! The Thrift ShopEveryone
is thriving!
We thank
in Our Congregation
Jointime
Us forand
an Inspiring
Time
all those who have donated to
their
resources
Women’s Building
over the past year to make it possible. Every week,
Luncheon to Follow
volunteers organize, display and
sell donated
Saturday,
January 9,items
2016
9:45 am to 11:30 am
to raise funds for the Women’s League. If you would
Ministries
are transforming
lives?
likeDotoyou
beknow
a parthow
of the
theCUC
Thrift
Shop community,
please
Come, find out and meet some who are living transformed lives.
contact Ruth Stepulis at 342-1400. See you in 2016!
Please RSVP to Evie Hao, evyhao@gmail.com or 223-6399
Central Union Church
“We Engage and Embrace ALL as we seek to Embody Christ!”
Transforming Lives “Fo’ Real!”
Central Union Church
“We Engage and Embrace ALL as we seek to Embody Christ!”
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Christmas, God’s promise fulfilled. It is a remarkable stretch of time in our lives, in the life of our Country, in the life
served in them. We observe a very American national day of Thanksgiving then move on to prepare ourselves for
NOTICE OF ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING
The Women’s League Invites
Everyone in Our Congregation
to Join Us for an Inspiring Time
Women’s Building
Luncheon to Follow
Saturday, January 9, 2016
9:45 am to 11:30 am
and Thanksgiving, then through Advent with its Sundays of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, and ultimately on to
years or more. We memorialize the end of a war that, unfortunately, did not end all wars and honor those who have
To Taps Pratt and Family on the passing of Newton Pratt this past December.
Transforming Lives “Fo’ Real!”
ollowing the calendar through November and December takes us from All Saints Day through Veterans’ Day
Transforming Lives “Fo’ Real!”
the coming of the One whose birth we celebrate, a joyful celebration that transcends national boundaries. It is quite
a time and quite a mix.
So it has been for your Church Council. Hopefully, you have kept up with our doings via “News to Share,” available
on the CUC website in “Bulletin Board” under Council Highlights shortly following each Council meeting, the most
recent held on December 1. Particular kudos to Council member Carolynn Bell-Tuttle who records items in real time,
distributes a draft to Council members for clarification and vetting, does a final edit, then gets it to the CUC Websiteall within a few days. Remarkable!
As evident in the “News,” the 2016 Budget has been a prominent item. Mahalo to Treasurer David Yee, Controller
Brittany Hopkins, Budget Ministry Chair Howard Green and his Ministry for the hard work of formulating a viable
budget in the face of diminished revenue. One bright spot comes from Stewardship which is showing another increase
in pledging in 2016 over 2015. And, thanks to all of you who have submitted your pledges. For those who have not,
there is still time!
The continuing change in personnel has kept Council and Staff leadership active. It does appear that a good crew is
assembling around our strong Staff leadership core. Unfortunately, part of that results in a loss to the Council in that
Council Members, Alice Taum and Jane Nagel, are moving to Church Staff, Alice as Director of Congregational Care
and Jane as Funeral Coordinator. The Council loses a bit, but CUC gains much.
Then there is the matter of the proposed change of allowing alcohol (beer, wine, sake) on campus. We have had good
input from three Learning Tree sessions, two after the 9 o’clock service and one after the 7. The feedback ran the
gamut of strong opposition to strong favor with good, thoughtful commentary and opinion from all. It is suspected
that many of our members ask, “Why change?” and perhaps just as many ask, “Why not?” The Council has decided
to defer to a vote by the Congregation at the Annual Meeting in May.
As this is written, Advent is here, signaling the start of a new Church Year. It promises to be an eventful one with new
staff settling in. Challenges remain for CUC and the Council, but, “Be not afraid,” says the Angel Gabriel. And with
Advent first comes HOPE or a guiding star seen through a break in the clouds. There follows PEACE, JOY, LOVE—
then the great surprise—Christ is Born! Mele Kalikimaka.
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Cory Taylor
Buildings and Grounds Supervisor
Staffing Updates
Jeanette Redmond
Central Union Church Administrator
P
rior to joining Central Union Church this past September, Jeanette worked for 12
years as the Executive Director of the Federal Bar Council, an association of over
3,700 lawyers and federal judges, located in Westchester, New York. One of Jeanette’s
many responsibilities was finding a location for the association’s annual Winter Bench
& Bar Conference. So, over the years, Jeanette and her husband, Curtis, visited much
of Hawai‘i, including Kaua‘i, Maui, Lana‘i, the Big Island, and O‘ahu. They scouted
out many of the State’s most beautiful resorts and golf courses. Over time, Jeanette and Curtis decided to make Oahu their
home and relocated here in 2014 with their 2 Chihuahuas, Sandy and Sophia. Prior to serving as Executive Director for
the FBC, Jeanette was a securities and transactional lawyer with Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP in New York, Hong Kong and
Tokyo, and worked with clients there as well as Singapore and Malaysia. Jeanette is thrilled to be here at CUC and eager to
do all she can to help the Church fulfill its mission “To Engage and Embrace All as we seek to Embody Christ!”
Alice K. Holt Taum
Director of Congregational Care
I
t is with great joy and excitement that we introduce you to our new Director of
Congregational Care! Alice Taum began this new position on December 1. Through
the support of the Church Council and the Personnel and Pastoral Relations Committee,
we have invited Alice to help us develop a robust system of care for our congregation.
Alice is a life—long member of CUC and has raised 4 amazing children here. She has
served on a wide variety of committees and ministries including Youth, Preschool and
Church Council. Each ministry has been immeasurably blessed with her presence, wisdom and thoughtful questions.
Through her vast professional and educational experience, she will ensure that each member of our congregation has
the opportunity to be cared for throughout the year! The best part? She loves Central Union Church and wants to help
W
e would like to introduce our newest hire, Cory Taylor, as Buildings and Grounds Supervisor. Cory will report
directly to Robinson and will supervise, lead, and work alongside the rest of the B&G staff. Cory recently
relocated from Michigan to Oahu with his wife, who is originally from Hawaii. Cory has a background in cleaning,
maintenance, security work, supervising staff and operating and maintaining heavy machinery.
K
erry Krenzke, our webmaster, will be retiring at the end of December. When Kerry started this position, he was
new to the role of managing a website, yet, he took on this task with much gusto and tenacity, mastering the
learning of new skill sets quickly and professionally. Please join us in thanking Kerry for his dedicated work to CUC
when you see him as usher on Sundays. Thankfully, Kerry will also continue in his role as parliamentarian for our
church. Thank you, Kerry, for your dedicated work to Central Union and also your committed volunteerism.
H
W
e are pleased to announce the promotion of Robinson Fredrick to Facilities Operations Manager. Robinson has
been a loyal member of the Buildings and Grounds staff for many years and is excited to take on this new role.
He will now work directly with Jeanette Redmond and oversee all of the Buildings and Grounds day-to-day operations.
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Advent Workshop
Yvette Lau, Director of Children’s Ministries
i Families, Parents and Friends,
Advent celebrates the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love of Baby Jesus.
On Advent Sunday, we were able to enjoy these gifts from Christ. Walking into the Advent workshop, there were
beautiful Advent wreaths and colorful paper stars everywhere. The music lightly filled the air with the celebration of
the coming of Baby Jesus.
There were a variety of craft stations for the children to enjoy such as making a wreath and drawing a nativity scene.
These crafts were designed to be a keepsakes used to decorate family homes for this season and seasons to come.
A gift for someone special was also included for the children and youth to cherish. Bell and bead necklaces and
snowflake pins were thoughtfully put together with care and excitement by the children and youth. The volunteers
were inspired by the children’s acts and passion of giving.
The children, youth and volunteers were harmonizing together in the spirit of Advent, building a bond for generations
to come. The Advent craft tables were filled with joyful fellowship working together to build space and time that they
could reflect on for years to come.
This special event was made possible thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Children’s and Youth Ministries.
With Hope Peace Joy and Love of Advent, we delightfully pray see you next year!
lead us to ensure we accomplish our mission— “To Engage and Embrace ALL as we seek to Embody Christ!”
Robinson Fredrick
Facilities Operations Manager
Farewell Kerry Krenzke
F
Community Ministry
Carolyn Kuahulu
rom November 15 to 21, CUC hosted six houseless families through a partnership with a community program
called Family Promise. The adults go to work and children go to school during the day. We provide them with
breakfast, dinner and a place to shower and stay overnight. According to what they can do, church volunteers select
among the different duties: staying overnight, making breakfast, providing dishes for dinner, setting-up breaking
down the screened-off sleeping quarters and washing the bedding. CUC’s turn to host again will be in February.
Please consider helping in some way. Community Ministry member Martha Balkin coordinates this endeavor with
much care. If you would like more information on this and other Community Ministry events, please contact Martha
Balkin at mecbalkin@gmail.com.
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