The HeartBeat

A Message from Pastor Jeff

Special Congregational Meeting Set for October 13

The Congregational Council has called a special congregational meeting on October 13th, 9:15 AM, for the purpose of committing the congregation to calling a second pastor to serve Lutheran Church of Honolulu with a regular (non-term) call.

Background: Pastor Angela Freeman was called July 2012 to serve at two-year term call as associate pastor. The term call will end July 2014. Since the call process is very unpredictable, Pastor Angela needs to begin looking immediately, with the hopes of avoiding unemployment, if her call here lapses prior to receiving a new call.

Process: Over the next few weeks, you will receive several informational items (including this article) so that you can make an informed and faithful decision. A “best guess” preliminary budget will be distributed so that you can see the additional expenses in context with the rest of the budget. For now, you should be aware that salary and benefits for a second pastor come to about $87,500 per year. Additional programming expenses may also be incurred but would not represent a major increase.

On October 13th, a special congregational meeting will be held where members will have an opportunity to express their views, ask questions, and vote on issuing a “regular” call for a second pastor. If the congregation votes yes to move forward with calling a second pastor, then the staff and council will move forward with the bishop’s office to be ready to vote on issuing that call at our January congregational meeting.

Voting: Voting will be by anonymous written ballot at the congregational meeting.

Voting “yes” means that the congregation desires to issue a “regular, non-term call” to a second pastor and is committed to budgeting for the position for the 2014 fiscal year. It is important to understand that a “yes” vote means supporting a budget for fiscal year 2014 sufficient to fund that call.

Voting “no” means that Pastor Angela will immediately begin her search for another call and her responsibilities at LCH will shift somewhat to help us form a ministry that is manageable by a single pastor. The congregation would then need to recast our vision and goals to better reflect our more limited resources.

After the Congregational Meeting: Should the congregation vote affirmatively, the pastors and council have agreed to work with the bishop’s office to issue a call to Pastor Angela as “co-pastor” of LCH, rather than “associate pastor.” The pastoral staff currently function in this way and feel it will be the best course for the ministry and mission of the congregation. The change in title has no effect on salary since salary is based on a education and experience. At the second half of the congregational meeting in January 2014, the congregation will be asked to approve an operational budget which includes the co-pastor’s salary and benefits, vote on calling Pastor Angela as co-pastor, and approve a salary and benefits package. Pastor Angela’s current term call would then expire on issuance of the new call as co-pastor.

FAQ

With peace,
Pastor Jeff Lilley
pr.jeff@lchwelcome.org

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September Council Highlights

Council met Tuesday, September 17. Here are some of the highlights of the meeting:

• Brian Gionfriddo was introduced as the parish coordinator. Brian has extensive non-profit experience and will be a welcome addition to the staff at LCH.
• Mission Campaign pledges/receipts received at approximately 62% of total campaign.
• Financial Review Committee has completed nearly all past audits and will begin auditing FY2013 this month.
• A special congregational meeting was set for October 13, 2013, to consider calling a second pastor to a regular, non-term call.
• Two example versions of the new website template were presented for critique and input.

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Adult Forum

“The Five Love Languages”

Have you ever felt like your efforts are not appreciated? Please come and contribute your insight to discussions on “The Five Love Languages—deepening your relationships with God and with others.” We will meet in the Boardroom at 9:30 after first service.

• September 29—“If you really loved me....” and “Words of Affirmation”
• October 6—“Quality Time”
• October 13—“Gifts”
• October 20—“Deeds of Service”
• October 27—“Physical Touch”

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O‘ahu Monthly Youth Gathering

Don’t miss the next youth group night of fun on October 6! Middle and high school youth from Episcopal and Lutheran congregations all over O‘ahu will gather for activities and worship. This month there will be a picnic in Kapolei Regional Park. Dinner will be provided, so you don’t have to bring anything. We’ll meet at LCH and carpool to Kapolei together.

Please RSVP to Pastor Angela at <pr.angela@lchwelcome.org> ahead of time.

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Process Forum

The next Process Thought session will be Saturday, October 5th, 9:30–11:00 AM in the Boardroom. We will focus on an article from the website “Jesus, Jazz and Buddhism.” The article is written by Jay McDaniel who teaches college classes on world religions. This particular webpage, A Process Appreciation of Islam, can be found at <www.jesusjazzbuddhism.org/a-process-appreciation-of-islam.html>.

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Spiritual Deepening

Saturday, October 12 • 10:00–11:30 AM

“Lectio divina” and “contemplative prayer” are ancient spiritual disciplines that draw us deeper into our lives with God. Not only can practicing these disciples together with a small group help keep you accountable in prayer, but it can also add an invaluable dimension to your prayer life. Pastor Angela will be leading this time of prayer and guiding the participants through the disciplines. If you have never used these practices or if you are a master, you’re welcome to gather in the Boardroom for the morning. Everyone is welcome!

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Fall Confirmation Classes

Students entering grades 6 through 9 are invited to a time of learning and faith growth we call Confirmation. Confirmation is typically made during the fall of the 9th grade year when the teen will affirm his/her baptism and continued commitment to the church as a young adult. This happens during worship on Sunday morning. The classes usually meet twice a month. The topics of learning range from the Bible, Lutheranism, and the wider Church to other faith traditions and discussions about our own personal faith in Christ and what it all means.

If you or your child is interested in participating, please contact Pastor Angela at <pr.angela@lchwelcome.org>. The first class will begin on October 15 at 3:30 PM in the Rainbow Room.

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Be not afraid

Luke 12:32 says, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”

All too often, we are fearful people. We worry about the economy, our jobs, our children, our parents, violence in the world. How easily we forget that God is in charge. Having faith in God to meet all of our needs provides us comfort. We must not be afraid.

Let us not be afraid to share. We continue to meet the needs of our neighbors by providing meals for the hungry, making wonderful music, giving encouragement for healing, and bringing hope for justice. We are ever thankful of the friendship, fellowship and fun we experience at LCH! We can choose to contribute to these ministries and activities with our time, talents, and treasures.

Let us not be afraid to save. There have been many positive comments about Pastor Angela after the first year of her two year call as our co-pastor! If you are thankful for her presence among us, please consider supporting her and the ministries she is leading: campus ministry, youth and family ministry, and outreach to our neighborhood. Won’t you consider saving a little more each month and giving to make this two year call with us into a permanent one?

Let us not be afraid to spend. Our dream to cover the Hörmann Courtyard is coming much closer to realization. An engineer has been engaged to evaluate our existing structure, and we have received an estimate to purchase the materials for the covering. We currently have about 5% of the funds to complete the Hörmann Courtyard covering through the Mission Campaign plus another 10% more in a previously established restricted fund for this project. We still need your help!

Later this month you will receive a letter and a commitment card so that you and your family may prayerfully consider your personal responses to God’s love. Commitment Sunday will be on November 10th, so please bring your commitment cards to church with you that day, and we will dedicate ourselves to furthering the ministries of LCH.

We need your prayers. We need your energy. We need your contributions of time, talent and treasure. All that we do here at LCH is in grateful response to the love God has shown to us. Let us not be afraid to share, save, and spend to do God’s work with our hands.

Mahalo Ke Akua,
Your Stewardship Committee: Pam Buckley,
Bill Potter, April Smith, Karen Fay

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Join us for Movie Night!

A free fellowship event will take place on Saturday, October 12, at 7:00 PM in Isenberg Hall. We’ll be showing “Lilies of the Field,” starring Academy Award winner Sidney Poitier. This classic from 1963 (in the original black and white!) is a funny, sentimental, charming, and uplifting film.

Let’s gather together for 95 minutes of old fashioned fun at the movies! Enjoy singing along with the “Amen” song. Drinks and popcorn will be available. Everyone is welcome!

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Exploring Boundaries and Beyond

Sunday, October 20, 6:00–7:15 PM in Isenberg Hall

The next “Exploring Boundaries...and Beyond” will feature a presentation by Steve Miller on “Charity vs. Self-Sufficiency.” The discussion will center around the most preferable and practical use of charitable giving: micro-lending, sustainability, development projects, etc. The date may have to be switched from Sunday, October 20, to some other date, so please stay alert for further notices

Another Thanks to Laurie: After hearing Laurie Rubin’s presentation at our “Exploring Boundaries” session on Sunday, September 15th, one of those attending said we should extend another thank you to her in the next HeartBeat. Laurie, born blind, gave a reading of her recent book, “Do You Dream in Color?” As a trained operatic singer, she also delighted us with one of her own recent, whimsical compositions.

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Wednesdays 6:00–7:30 PM • October 16 through November 20
LCH Boardroom—with dinner!

You’re invited to a 7-week adult education course that imaginatively explores central topics of Christianity. Topics will be: God, Religion, Jesus, Salvation, Cross, Bible, Church. Each session the group will watch a video featuring a leading voice from the Christian faith, spend time on personal reflection, and share ideas with the group. If you’d like to participate in the class, please plan on attending each week and RSVP to Pastor Angela by Monday, October 6 by email at <pr.angela@lchwelcome.org> or by calling the church office.

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ELCA Ministry Coaching

The ELCA will be holding a coaching training event here at LCH. This training is for those who are interested in supporting and walking with congregations and their leaders who are in transition. A ministry coach can be either a lay person or a rostered leader, but the coach must be active member of a congregation. The coaching will be held at LCH Thursday–Friday, October 17–18th. Email or speak with Pastor Angela for more information and to register. You must be registered by October 13th.

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What’s New on the LCH Website?

Bill Potter, Webmaster

The beginning of the academic year and LCH’s program year has brought a flurry of updates to some of the key pages on the LCH website.

On the Congregational Life page, check out short articles about the first OYEA event of the year, Sarah Roseberg’s farewell, and the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the ELCA. The Exploring Boundaries page was also updated with information about programs scheduled this fall.

Members of the staff and the Communications Committee have been working with our developer on the redesign of the LCH website. Keep your eyes peeled for the roll out in the next few weeks.

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Celebrate our Heritage at LutherFest

Don’t miss our annual LutherFest Celebration on Saturday, October 26. LutherFest is an evening dedicated to four things dear to the hearts of everyone at LCH: food, fellowship, frivolity, and more food.

The evening begins at 5:30 PM with pupus in the Hörmann Courtyard. There will be time to enjoy a glass of our own LCH wine, a Hawaiian/seasonal brew (for a donation of Luther Bucks), or a nonalcoholic beverage. Dinner is potluck, and there will be another great food contest.

Dust off your favorite recipe that involves green jell-o, and enter in the contest. Entries will be judged on taste, appearance, Lutheran heritage, and innovativeness.

We have it on good authority that Sisters Merry Margarita and Merry Merlot (or their friends) will be on hand to trade donations (of cash or checks) for Luther Bucks. Use your Luther Bucks to cast your vote in the contest, and donations of Luther Bucks will also allow persons of age to indulge in their preferred libation. All donations will benefit the Mission Campaign.

While the organized part of the “frivolity” remains to be determined, word is that it will include a visit from “Brother Martin.”

Mark your calendar now for LutherFest on October 26.

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Young Adult Game Night

Saturday, November 2 • 7:00 PM • Boardroom

We’re planning ahead and looking for help! Mark your calendar for Game Night! Bring your favorite board game to share, a snack, and a friend. Great time to get to know folks better and have some fun together at church. Baby sitting will be available for a small fee. Please RSVP if you’d like a sitter, and if you’d like to help hosting, please contact Pastor Angela at <pr.angela@lchwelcome.org>.

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Sophia Wins Hawai‘i Keiki Stars!

Congratulations to Sophia S. for winning the 2013 Hawai‘i Keiki Stars Vocal Competition! Folks from LCH waved signed in the audience and cheered her on to victory. She “wowed” the audience with her moving rendition of “Tomorrow” from the musical Annie. The winner received $500.00 cash and gifts from local sponsors. To see and hear Sophia’s winning performance be sure to watch KHON2 on Sunday, September 29th at 6:30 PM. Eight-year old Sophia is the daughter of musician parents and the sister of another rising star, Raphael.

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Attendance and Offerings for Sunday, September 29, 2013, were not available at time of publication.

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Prayer Requests

Carl	Gene	Shirley
Chris	George	Stephen
Elaine	Karen	Susan
Eric	Maggie	Trinity

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October Birthdays

Date	Name
10/05	Akiyo Takamune
10/07	Lois Watanabe
10/09	Dorothy (Dot) Hutchins
10/10	Paul Benco
10/12	Jacob W.
10/14	Stephen Miller
10/17	Karen Roberts-Ogawa
10/19	Sieglinde Schmidt
10/19	Sophia S.
10/19	Mahina Katherine W.
10/24	Katherine Crosier
10/25	Lynn Juvinall
10/26	Rafael S.
10/28	Randy Castello
10/28	Jan Flachsbart

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HeartBeat Deadline

Next HeartBeat Deadline is Tuesday, October 15!

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Heavenly Humor

Kids Say the Funniest Things

A priest at St. Richard’s Church in Jackson, MS, was asking questions of children about to receive their first communion. “What was served at the Last Supper?” he asked a little girl.

The girl thought for a while, then replied, “Well, first they had a salad...”

—via Jeff Totten, Hammond, LA

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