Godly Play Sunday School Returns

Sunday Mornings at 9:00 am

We are happy to announce that Godly Play will return after a year’s hiatus. Maria Au Ho will be leading the program.

Godly Play is Sunday school for children from kindergarten through 5th grade. We will meet each Sunday in the Godly Play Room at 9:00 for a story, discussion and creative response using the form and techniques of Godly Play. This approach helps us understand how our history and practice weave together to create today’s church. It encourages the children in their spiritual growth in a loving and creative environment.

Our Sunday School Topics for November will include:

• 11/2 The Bible and Creation
• 11/9 Exodus
• 11/16 The Ten Commandments
• 11/23 Jonah, the Reluctant Prophet

First Mondays Concert Series: Bach to Hymns

November 3 • 7:00 pm

Join the LCH Choir as they sing their favorite hymns from every season of the church year. Audience participation encouraged as we raise our voices in song. The concert culminates in Johann Sebastian Bach’s wonderful setting of “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” Cantata No. 137, with orchestra and soloists.

All are invited to gather for pūpū in the Hörmann Courtyard and 6:15 pm. First Mondays Concerts are free and supported by the generous sponsorship of the Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation and other donors in the LCH ‘ohana.

Donations this evening will support The Institute for Human Services (IHS).

Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service

November 26 • 7:00 pm • Episcopal Parish of St. Clement

We invite you to join us at the Episcopal Parish of St Clement at 1515 Wilder Avenue for a Thanksgiving Eve worship service. The celebrant for this event will be the Rev. Brian G. Rallison and the preacher will be Pr. Lesley M. Radius. Bring a pie to share after the worship service! E komo mai!

From Pastor Lesley

Thank you for your participation in the recent congregational conversations that will help the Transition Team complete the Ministry Site Profile (MSP). Check out the Transition Team’s notes on our October 5 and October 19 gatherings for a recap of what we said and heard.

As I look at all the ideas that you shared on Sunday, October 19, of where God is calling us in the future, I am reminded of what I see as some of the greatest strengths of LCH—generosity of hospitality and living into welcoming to all as a partner in the Reconciling in Christ movement.

I have watched how generous you are as a community when it comes to preparing food, sharing food, and then enjoying it with all gathered. Many of you have said that it is the Hawaiian way. While that might be a contributing factor, I also believe it is one LCH’s gift from the spiritual gifts of those gathered here at LCH. I have visited other congregations in Hawai‘i during my various vacations here and, believe me, LCH excels in hospitality and generosity around food.

With this great resource and an abundance of spiritual gifts centered around generosity and hospitality, how do we expand on those resources? What is God’s preferred and promised future around food, generosity, and hospitality? Keep praying, keep listening and keep awake. God will show us the way.

Another gift is being welcoming to all, especially as a Reconciling in Christ congregation. Thank you LCH for showing up for the Pride parade and festival. We had the opportunity to tell people that God loves them just as they are. God created them in God’s image, and in them God is well pleased. We were privileged to share communion with a few who were not previously welcomed at God’s table. We shared the aloha spirit through the lei ministry. We keep living into the ministry and mission of welcome.

I would invite us to consider how can we build on our spiritual gifts that equip us to welcome? Are we welcoming all? If there are particular people who are missing from LCH’s community, how do we invite them and then welcome them? What are the steps to expand our welcome to be even more inclusive? As I said earlier in this article, keep praying, keep listening, and keep awake. God will show us the way.

May God bless and keep you. Mahalo nui loa,
Pastor Lesley

Thanks for Standing for Justice and Equality

Thanks to everyone who participated in the No Dictators (No Kings on the continent) March and the Pride Parade during the day on October 18 and to those who staffed our booth at the Pride Festival that evening. Mahalo.

Transition Team Update

Thank you for your participation in our Congregational Conversations in October. There was lively and spirit filled discussions. The Transition Team will use your input to help us complete the Ministry Site Profile. You will find summaries of the discussions on October 5 and October 19 following the calendar.

Peace and prayers,
The Transition Team

New Members Class

November 15 • 10:00 am–noon

Whether you’re new or an old-timer, you may have wondered about things like:

• What is our covenantal relationship with God through baptism?
• Why are so many different protestant denominations even though Luther is supposed to be the one that started the Reformation?
• Why does the Altar Guild has to change the paraments (altar coverings) so many different times during the year? (After all you might have a favorite color, and we take that away and put on another color.)
• Why don’t we say Alleluia during Lent?
• What we mean by the mystery of the Trinity?
• Why do we talk about Lutherans being both/and people?
• What is the difference between saying we believe that the Bible is the inerrant or inspired word of God?
• What Jell-o salad should you bring to a mid-western Lutheran potluck?
• Why should I be a member of LCH? How will it change how I presently am involved at LCH?
• What is the Great Commission and how are you and LCH living it out?

These are just a few questions we will cover in our Introduction to Church Membership at LCH. The conversation will begin at 10:00 am and end by noon on November 15 in Isenberg Hall. Snacks will be provided (because we are good Lutherans after all!). If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Lesley at pr.lesley@LCHwelcome.org or call or text her at 443-683-4090.

If you choose to become a member (which allows you to vote at congregational meetings), you can also take a formal leadership role, such as serve on the Call Committee, vote to approve the upcoming Call Committee, and vote on the proposed pastoral candidate when one is named. As a friend of the congregation, we value your input and your participation; however, constitutionally, voting requires membership.

We will welcome into membership those who complete the class and wish to join during worship service on November 16.

Welcoming and Safe Environment Task Force

Are you the someone we are looking for? Do you feel strongly about how we can make the outside of LCH’s campus more welcoming and friendly for our members, guests, and the neighborhood? Do you enjoy designing an outdoor space that invites people in? Do you like to figure out how we can best care for our existing and future landscape? If you answered yes, you are the person we are looking for.

We need someone to lead the Welcoming and Safe Environment Task Force. Thanks to generous donors, we met our Mission Fund goal, so we have funds for much-needed improvements to our campus that will create a welcoming and safe environment. Now we need the people who will lead this Mission Project work.

If you are interested, please let Olivia Castro know. Mahalo.

LCH Office Hours

• Monday—Closed
• Tuesday—9:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Wednesday—9:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Thursday—9:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Friday—9:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Saturday–Sunday—Closed

We recommend calling the office (808-941-2566) before dropping in to see the pastor or the administrator, as schedules may vary with appointments, other work commitments, and lunch breaks

Please visit the LCH website at www.lchwelcome.org for more information about weekly events and ministries, and to access the public LCH Facebook page for online worship services.

Christ the King Sunday is approaching rapidly on November 23. It marks the end of our church year and is the day that we dedicate our commitments of time, talents, and treasure to support our mission in the new year, which begins on the first Sunday of Advent (November 30). Over this past year, the Stewardship Team focused on LCH’s mission statement. We have certainly lived through brokenness, yet we have also grown in faith and mission, and we have celebrated our history.

God’s presence with us has been profound. We, as a community, have been both strengthened and encouraged as we journeyed together through grief, a variety of stewardship activities, special music programs, remembrance activities, and a grand 125th celebration. Now the very intense work of preparing for what’s next begins in earnest. Pastor Lesley has begun to move the interim process forward with increased fervor, and our Transition Team is hard at work gathering information from us all. God has indeed been with us through this tumultuous year, most obvious by helping us through the loss of Pastor Jeff. Having such gifted spiritual leaders as Pastors Margrethe and Lesley guide us through this painful transition has certainly been a blessing. Other blessings include the offerings of our music ministry, which is generously supported by the Orvis Foundation, the steadfast commitment of our congregation to both continue and expand services to our neighbors, and the support of other organizations and individuals as we pursue our mission.

LCH has provided personal blessings to my family in multiple ways this year. The Godly Play lessons offered each Sunday both introduce young men I hold dear to the ways God has loved and interacted with humanity and deepened my understanding of the messages contained in the Bible. And while the program has been on hiatus, a member has stepped forward to get the program up and running again. The Adult Forum offers me an opportunity to grapple with difficult issues and gain from others’ insights. The music during worship uplifts my soul, and the sharing of the peace along with the conversations during coffee hour create a sense of inclusion that is absent from much of the rest of my life. Each week I leave LCH reassured that we are all children of God, and for this I am deeply thankful. I am certain that all of us at LCH can similarly point to blessings that were so freely given to us over this past year.

By now you will have received a commitment packet asking you to make a commitment to share your time, talent, and treasure in the new year to further the work God has put forth for LCH, as well as that work which God has yet to reveal. Our responses will be dedicated on Christ the King Sunday, November 23. We wait with anticipation to see what new things God has in store for us as we begin a new year. I look forward to our working together to help these new things flourish.

Barbara Poole-Street for the Stewardship Team
Willow Chang, Phyllis Hörmann, Barbara Poole-Street, Bill Potter, and Cindy Scheinert

Angel Network In-Gathering

LCH is not collecting donations for Angel Network Charities until further notice. However, Angel Network is accepting donations at the Calvary-by-the-Sea Lutheran Church location in east O‘ahu: 5339 Kalaniana‘ole Highway, Honolulu 96821.

For those who are able and interested in donating, they accept donations on Thursdays and Fridays, from 8:30 am to noon. They will only accept packaged, unopened dry goods (e.g. cereal, flour, sugar, pasta, etc.) and canned goods.

Angel Network requires that donating drivers identify themselves and remain in their vehicle. Volunteers will offload donation items from your vehicle with protective gloves. Over 2,500 individuals are served monthly through this program. Mahalo for your generosity and support.

Indivisible In-Person Meeting and Pizza Night

Friday, November 1 • 4:00 pm • 3288 Pamakani Place, Honolulu

Thank you everyone for your participation in the No Dictators Day March. Our next in-person meeting and pizza night will be Saturday, November 1, at 4:00 pm at 3288 Pamakani Place, Honolulu. We’ll begin with a short business meeting, followed by dinner. Bring $10 for pizza or contribute a side dish, salad, or bottle of wine to share, and feel free to invite a friend or neighbor who might want to get involved.

As we continue to grow, one of our main goals is expanding participation in the Makiki-Mānoa area. How can we raise awareness and bring more people into the movement? Sign-waving may be one good outreach strategy, so let’s think about the best locations and times.

We’ll also be choosing an official chapter name. To qualify, it must include “Mānoa,” “Makiki,” “Indivisible,” and “Chapter.” While the straightforward option would be “The Mānoa-Makiki Chapter of Indivisible,” we’d love to come up with something more creative then “The Mānoa-Makiki Chapter of Indivisible.”

Finally, we’re building our “talent bank” and gathering resources for the months ahead. We’re looking for a notetaker, event planners, a baker for future gatherings, and mentors to welcome new members. We also needs a space large enough to accommodate 25 people, secure storage for our signs, and art supplies for posters and banners. Mahalo for your ongoing energy, creativity, and commitment to this work.

Adult Forum

Sundays at 9:00 am • In-person in the Boardroom

Through the end of November, Marsha Schweitzer will complete her very interesting series on Jesuit Anthony de Mellow, and the closely-related analyses of Psychiatrist Carl Jung. These topics have raised a lot of discussion in the Forum. After Marsha’s presentations, Fred Benco will continue his discussion of birthright citizenship with two more Supreme Court topics.

After you get your coffee and cookies, please join us at 9:00 am each Sunday in the Boardroom for this intriguing discussion.

Muralist Estria to Present a Temple Talk

November 2, during Worship

There has been conversation around how we can make LCH’s building stand out in a densely populated neighborhood. How do we convey our mission statement before people enter our space?

As a possible solution to those questions, it was decided to explore the idea of a mural painted on the outside of our building to help people know who and where we are. Perhaps painted murals are the stain glass windows of time gone by.

To help introduce us to the process of designing and painting a mural on our building, Estria will be with us on November 2. He will briefly introduce us to his process of designing and painting a mural and invite our questions about a mural.

Estria works with many schools painting murals. The Estria Foundation was founded on September 18, 2010, by globally renowned mural artist Todd “Estria” Johnson and technologist Jeremy LaTrasse in Oakland, California. Estria and Jeremy had a passion to start a nonprofit organization that would raise the social consciousness on human and environmental issues through public art projects, education, and community events across the globe.

Come and join us to learn more about how we can share our message of God’s love through a painted mural.

Leadership Roundtable

Tuesday, November 4, at 6:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting

Committee chairs and team leaders, please plan to gather for a short (45 minute) meeting. This month’s meeting will be conducted via the Zoom online meeting platform. Please refer to your email for the Zoom Meeting details.

This is an opportunity for us to sit down together and share information on what is happening with all the ministries at LCH. If you are a committee or team leader, you will receive an email with login information. Please be prepared to share a little information on your activities with the group. Mahalo!

Game Day

Wednesday, November 5, at 1:00 pm in Isenberg Hall

Please join Paula Wheeler for Game Day on Wednesday, November 5, from 1:00 to 3:00 in Isenberg Hall. We will meet for lively conversation and some fun games. If you have any questions or suggestions call Paula at 808-542-2843.

Book of Faith Bible Study

Thursdays, 10:00 am • In-person and Via Zoom Meeting

The Book of Faith Bible Study meets on Thursday mornings in-person or via Zoom meeting. All are welcome to join this lively discussion of the Biblical texts, relevant current events, and historical foundations. Please contact Cathy Baptista at cathynt@gmail.com to receive an invitation to the next Zoom Bible study discussion.

Restorative Yoga

Thursdays, November 6, 13, and 20, at 6:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting

Explore the restorative and ancient practice of yoga, led by LCH member Willow Chang. As a yoga practitioner for over 30 years, Willow shares the joy, wonder, and enthusiasm of a beginner. She emphasizes the origins, cultural context, and safe practice of yoga for all by sharing aspects of yoga, from pranayama (breathing exercises) and yogic philosophy (ahimsa), to poses, referred to as asanas.

Join for one, two, or all sessions from the safety of your own shelter-in-place. These unique classes also provide an opportunity to answer your questions about yoga practice and form. You don’t need yoga pants, previous experience, youth, flexibility, or any real-life experience in India to learn about yoga. Bring your amazing self to be in wonder of your abilities! Please contact Willow Chang (willowchang@hotmail.com) to be included in the weekly Zoom meeting invitation. Let’s learn and find a new center, together!

Mary Magdalene Society

Saturday, November 8, at 6:00 PM • John Watt and Reuben Badua’s Home

Mary Magdalene Society will meet in-person for our potluck and game night at the home of Reuben Badua and John Watt. We invite LGBTQI members and friends of LCH to prepare their favorite potluck dish and join in the festivities. As part of our commitment to mutual care, participants should RSVP in advance and be fully-vaccinated

An email with directions to John and Reuben’s home will be sent on November 2 to those who are already on the Mary Magdalene mailing list, detailing the RSVP procedure. If you don’t receive your invitation, have questions, or want to be added to the mailing list, please contact Bill Potter, group facilitator, at bill.potter808@gmail.com.

Volunteer Appreciation Day

November 9, during Worship

At out last Council meeting, while debriefing the 125th Anniversary Celebration, we began to name people that played a vital role in planning and executing the celebration. Within a few seconds, after we named one person, there was another name that was lifted up. The Council decided to thank the entire congregation because all of you helped to make the anniversary spectacular.

So, on November 9th, the Council will read a proclamation of thanksgiving for all the wonderful stewards who shared their gifts and talents so we could truly celebrate God’s mission and ministry at LCH and beyond for the past 125 years.

Also, we have it on good authority that the council is planning a fabulous fellowship hour with special treats as a thank you to all.

Please come and receive our mahalo nui loa.

Peace and blessings,
LCH Council

Office Closed for Veterans Day

Tuesday, 11 November

Compline

Sunday, November 16, at 7:00 pm • In-person and Via Livestream Broadcast

We warmly invite all people in all places of faith and life to Compline. Offered on the third Sundays of each month, this beautiful candle-lit service is a meditative experience of a cappella singing and chanting to commemorate the day’s end. Led by members of the LCH Men’s Schola, musical selections include Gregorian chant, Taizé chant, Renaissance polyphony, and more. For those not attending in person, Compline will be livestreamed on the LCH Facebook page.

Writers’ Workshop

Monday, November 17, at 4:30 pm • Via Zoom Meeting

Writers’ Workshop will continue to meet via Zoom meeting. All are welcome! If you are new to our group and would like more information on how to participate, please contact Peter Flachsbart at pflachsbart@gmail.com. He will send you a Zoom link if you prefer to participate remotely. Mahalo!

IHS Sandwich Making

Thursday, November 20 , 12:00–2:00 pm • Isenberg Hall

LCHers will again convene to prepare sandwiches and pack sack lunches for distribution at Institution for Human Services (IHS). This continues a tradition stretching back decades. We meet monthly and could use a few new, dependable volunteers to join our dedicated group. Please join us. Mahalo!

If you would like to participate in this action-packed, fun activity, please let Brenda know at lch@LCHwelcome.org. She will pass your contact info on to event organizers.

Office Closed for Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28

No One Pot, One Hope Gathering This Month

The One Pot, One Hope ministry will not gather in November or December. This ministry will begin again on January 31st.

Donors for First Mondays Concerts Needed

This year, we are endeavoring to fully fund our concerts so that our calabash funds each month can go to a local organization with a mission. The first concert by the Royal Hawaiian Band was a true gift to us. We were able to support the Angel Network. We provided them with numerous bags of dry and canned goods, as well as just over $2,000 in monetary gifts. What a blessing LCH was for the community and those in need!

We are trying to get donors for enough of our concerts, so that, along with the generosity of the Orvis Foundation we can fund all of our concert costs. The calabash on the evening of, will go completely toward our local mission partners. There are so many in need in our community, can you help us achieve this goal?

Date	Concert	Mission Partner
November 3	Bach to Hymns	Institute for Human Services
December 1	Holiday Brass	One Pot, One Hope (funded)
January 5	Amahl and the Night Visitors	Hawai‘i Youth Opera Chorus
February 2	Organ Recital by Dr. Barry	AGO New Programs (funded)
March 2	Vocal Duo	Hawai‘i Music Teachers Association (funded)
April 13	Piano Quintets	LGBTQIA+ at UH-Mānoa
May 5	May Day is Lei Day	East-West Center

Please email Dr. Barry at barryjwenger@gmail.com with questions or to join us in funding our musicians fully! Thank you for being a blessing to our community in many ways.

Mahalo to God’s Work, Our Hands Fernhurst Participants!

A huge mahalo to all who participated in our 125 Anniversary Project for Fernhurst! If you worked on September 6, October 4, or any other day at the shelter, if you donated money or items, if you allowed us to borrow something, if you fed us, if you prayed for us or sent positive vibes our way, then you had a part in what was an enormously successful undertaking.

On October 4, our second makeover crew descended on Fernhurst’s women’s shelter to work their magic once more, this time, in their clothes storage room, which we’re currently calling “The Closet.” Initially, the room held not only clothes, shoes, socks, purses, and toiletries, but also lanterns, boxes of craft items, tubs of Christmas wrapping, a guitar, and a partridge in a pear tree. Well, not that last item, but you get the idea. It was a mess! Most of the clothes were in plastic tubs, the shoes were piled onto shelves (not necessarily in pairs), and boxes and other objects blocked a clear path to the shelves and tubs.

But following the vision of Sue Haas, the designer of this project, and relying on the expert carpentry skills of Rich Mundell, we were able to transform the catch-all room into something that looks like a boutique. Walls were spackled and painted, the floor was scrubbed, and the rug from the Book Nook was moved into The Closet. Dresses, blouses, sweaters, and pants are now hanging in the three gorgeous clothes racks Rich crafted. Shoes are neatly stacked on new shoe racks, and underwear and socks are in dressers. Now one feels happy entering The Closet rather than claustrophobic.

We still have a few finishing touches that will be added in the next couple of weeks (we’ll replace the Post-its with a more attractive labeling system; your gifts of clothes and books will be added to their current holdings; and Rich will place decorative lattice panels on stands in front of the windows), but the bulk of the work is complete, thanks to you!

This project is such a wonderful reminder of what we can accomplish when we use our hands and hearts to do God’s work. At the end of our workday, some of the Fernhurst folks peeked in The Closet to see what we’d done. Their smiles, oohs and aahs, and heartfelt thank-yous made all the work worthwhile. Again, mahalo for your support!

Advent Procession

December 7, during Worship

The 51st annual Advent Procession will be on the Second Sunday of Advent this year. Please join us for this special service on Sunday, December 7.

Electronic Funds Transfers for September

Offering Fund	Amount	Offering Fund	Amount
Offering	$7,597	One Pot, One Hope	$70
125th Anniversary Mission Fund	$1,170	Memorials-Pr. Jeff-H3RC	$50
Social Ministries/IHS	$310	Organ Maintenance	$30
Music Fund	$300	Capital Improvements	$25
Concert Fund	$90	Family Promise	$20

Attendance and Offerings for October

Date	Worship Service	Attendance	Offering Fund	Amount
October 5	Hybrid Worship	71 + 101 views	Offerings	$3,132
			Family Promise	$50
			Music Fund	$50
October 12	Hybrid Morning Prayer	79 + 115 views	One Pot, One Hope	$20
October 19	Hybrid Worship	59 + 110 views	Offerings	$5,868
	Hybrid Compline	24 + 117 views	Wounded Warriors	$6,000
			Concert Fund	$2,500
			FMC—Music in Mission	$1,083
October 26	Hybrid Worship	98 + 215 views	Family Promise	$500
			125th Anniversary Mission Fund	$320
			Social Ministries	$300
			Angel Network	$20

HeartBeat Deadline

Tuesday, November 18, 9:00 am

Alan G.; Alex M.; Amanda L.; Barbara S.; Betty H.; Chuck P. and Josie B.; Dolly, Mac, and Mei L.; Don J.; Elaine; George T.; Greg G.; Harold W.; Jane H.; Jason M.; Jean L. and her family; Uncle Jim S. and family; John B.; John S.; Kathleen C.; Kristin H.; LaVerne R.; Michael; Miriam S.; Nancy B.; Nan W.; Peggy A.; Rich and Kathy M.; Salina R.; Steve J.; Steve M.; Tony P.; Yvonne and Andy M.

Please help us to keep the Prayer Requests list relevant. If you have a friend or loved one who should remain on the list, we are glad to keep them in prayer. Please email the office to let us know when a name may be removed from the list.

November Birthdays

11/01	Beverly Kaeo
11/06	Pam Buckley
11/08	Jonathan Kaeo
11/09	Josie Bidgood
11/11	Michael Bloem
11/12	Barry Wenger
11/12	Edward Ichikawa
11/14	Mary Fastenau
11/15	Maxine Miller
11/15	Mel Siebert
11/21	Justin Kaeo
11/21	Samuel Chen
11/22	Brysen Kaeo
11/22	Kainani Iara N.
11/29	Mike Lippert

Calendar: September 2025

Day	Date	Event and Time
Saturday	November 1	4:00 pm, Indivisible In-Person Meeting and Pizza Night, 3288 Pamakani Pl.
Sunday	November 2	All Saints Day (observed) 9:00 am, Godly Play Sunday School, Godly Play Room 9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom 10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service Muralist Estria Temple Talk during Worship 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Monday	November 3	6:15 pm, Pūpū Fellowship, Hörmann Courthard 7:00 pm, First Mondays Concert: Bach to Hymns, Nave (in-person only)
Tuesday	November 4	6:30 pm. Leadership Roundtable, Zoom Meeting
Wednesday	November 5	1:00 pm, Game Day, Isenberg Hall
Thursday	November 6	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom Meeting 6:30 pm, Restorative Yoga Zoom Class
Saturday	November 8	Mary Magdalene Society Potluck and Game Night, Home of John Watt and Reuben Badua
Sunday	November 9	9:00 am, Godly Play Sunday School, Godly Play Room 9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom 10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service Volunteer Appreciation Day (Proclamation and Fellowship)
Tuesday	November 11	Office Closed—Veterans Day
Thursday	November 13	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom Meeting 6:30 pm, Restorative Yoga Zoom Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Saturday	November 15	10:00 am, New Members Class, Isenberg Hall
Sunday	November 16	9:00 am, Godly Play Sunday School, Godly Play Room 9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom 10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service New Member Welcome during Worship 7:00 pm, Compline, In-person/Streaming
Monday	November 17	4:30 pm, Writers’ Workshop, Zoom Meeting
Tuesday	November 18	HeartBeat Submissions Deadline
Thursday	November 20	10:00 am, Book of Faith Bible Study, Boardroom/Zoom Meeting noon, IHS Sandwich Making, Isenberg Hall 6:30 pm, Restorative Yoga Zoom Class 7:00 pm, LCH Choir Rehearsal
Sunday	November 23	Christ the King Sunday 9:00 am, Godly Play Sunday School, Godly Play Room 9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom 10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service Stewardship Dedication during Worship
Wednesday	November 26	7:00 pm, Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service, Episcopal Parish of St. Clement
Thursday	November 27	Office Closed—Thanksgiving Day
Friday	November 28	Office Closed—Thanksgiving Holiday
Sunday	November 30	First Sunday of Advent 9:00 am, Godly Play Sunday School, Godly Play Room 9:00 am, Adult Forum, Boardroom 10:00 am, In-person/Streaming Worship Service

Summary of the Congregational Conversation on October 5

Participants identified the following highlights from recent history. The ones most frequently mentioned are listed first.

1. The Decision to become a RIC congregation (1991-1993)—Incoming intern Bill Kunisch, who was gay, declined to sign a pledge to remain celibate outside of marriage, and this caused a conflict with his seminary, but LCH voted to go ahead with the internship. At that same time a choir member was dying of AIDS and the church was very involved in his care. These two events prompted the church to undertake a sexuality study using ELCA materials that we personalized with very engaged ‘ohana groups, a format we have continued to use at other points. We had many heartfelt conversations and people felt blessed by this. LCH was one of the earliest churches in Hawai‘i to extend an intentional welcome to LGBTQ+ people. It has shaped our identity and changed the make-up of the congregation and is consistent with our mission to be welcoming to all and our understanding of Christ’s love. There was some pain as some members left, either because of a different interpretation of scripture or just wanting to worship without getting involved in this issue, which was also prominent in the military at this time. But we learned from this to listen to each other and adopted the saying “If they must go, let them go in peace.” Final vote was 93-2 in favor.
    
   Two groups also identified this time as a lowlight—not the choice to become an RIC congregation but the fact that there was conflict and we did lose members.
    
   One group included becoming an RIC congregation as one example of a broader recognition of being a welcoming church and noted we are also open to people of other faiths, or questioning, or of no faith.

2. The 125th Anniversary Celebration (2025)—Much of the vision came from Jeff and it became a way to honor and remember Jeff. It was a very positive experience and made us “proud” to be LCH. It was also a time of rejuvenation that brought together many talents and creativity from so many people with much needed improvements made to campus. Many feel there is a much higher level of connection between people within the church than in the past. We met our mission goals. The number of interns who celebrated with us highlighted that we are a good congregation for training and nurturing (see highlight 5)
3. Continuation/Evolution of the Music ministry (ongoing)—Of course there is a long history behind the music program, but participants pointed to some more recent events like expansion of the First Mondays concert program, refurbishing of the organ, and recognition that music is part of our ministry. With one service year-round, we now have exposure to a variety of musical styles and experiences in weekly worship. The creation of new liturgies and conscious choice to be inclusive with choice of composers and hymns is a highlight. Many appreciate the continued excellence of the choir, Barry’s wonderful leadership, and Scott Fiske’s work to make 8:00 choir less of an afterthought.
    
   Another group emphasized how the quality of the music elevates worship and noted that the outreach such as through concerts brings many into the congregation and that we have been very fortunate in continuing to attract great directors for the program. Preference for a pastor who can sing.
    
   A third group made specific mention of the addition of Compline as a highlight. Carl Crosier started Compline at LCH, and it became very meaningful for a number of people who attended each Sunday evening. The pre-Compline talks led by Fritz Fritchel were also mentioned as being meaningful. New singers were brought into the group and some only sang for Compline. Compline has become a standard fixture of LCH even though the format has changed.

4. The arrival of/ministry of Pastor Jeff (2006–2024)—The condition that led to Pastor Jeff coming was of course the need for a new pastor. Many things were mentioned about the positive effect of Jeff’s leadership. Highlighted were his preaching, energy, humanity, handyman skills, etc. Also, the creation of the Thursday Bible Study group and his scholarship. Much of what LCH is now is due to him and his skills. He was excellent at not taking over and doing everything himself but nudging to challenge and involve the whole congregation. His death calls attention to the wide range of things he did. We need to continue to be an active congregation under our new pastor.
5. Internship Program (ongoing every few years)—The church has been greatly enriched by our interns. Each of our Interns has added to our community while here. The use of interns allows us to focus on more projects and, they also assist the primary pastor to reach more congregants. Many are still in close contact and came to support the 125th anniversary and Pastor Jeff’s passing. We definitely want to continue support for the internship process
6. Children’s ministry
   • Church’s music ministry with children (late 1990’s through about 2012) including intergenerational aspects—The heyday of the children’s music ministry was in the 2000s mostly under the leadership of Vicki Gorman and later Teresa McCreary. The F.R.O.G.S choir (involving children and parents) practiced for about half of the Sunday school hour. Children played Orff instruments, and shared individual offerings on string instruments, piano, or organ at the annual Children’s Sabbath, the family Christmas service, and the 8:00 am Easter service and led the Jesse Tree paraliturgy and the Seder meal, events attended by the adults in the congregation but where the children were worship leaders. Beginning in 2005 and lasting through 2016, the children of the congregation also put on a benefit concert to raise funds for the Heifer Project or ELCA Good Gifts
   • The adoption of the Godly Play Sunday School Curriculum (around 2013 until 2020-and soon to resume)—The Godly Play program was brought to LCH by Linda Miller after conversations with Pastor Angela Freeman, who encouraged several members to take advantage of training programs being offered on O‘ahu. It is a Montessori-like curriculum of Bible stories and lessons about the saints and the church year which encourages wonder and hands on play and includes storytelling, artistic response and a “feast.” The one negative about this shift was that the children’s music was displaced as there wasn’t time for the three elements of Godly Play and a music session, but by that time there was not really an active F.R.O.G.S choir, and we solved this for a few years by doing a quick practice of the songs for Jesse Tree or the Seder Meal in place of the artistic response time for a few weeks in November and March.
      
     Although the children’s music ministry and Godly Play are two different things, we combined them as a highlight because they both show the importance of making sure that children have their own place in the church and that we nurture their spiritual growth in ways that are developmentally appropriate and engaging.
      
     Programs that nurtured youth were also mentioned such as an active youth group in the 1980s under Joel Seavey and Rainbow Room Sunday school under Sean D’Evelyn in the late 2000s. A highlight for one child of the congregation who is now in her 30s was a trip to Camp WAPO and participating in the Heifer Concerts.
7. Social Ministry (ongoing) and recently renewal of energy there (past couple years)—IHS, Earth Sunday, Fernhurst, Free Store, First Mondays Concerts.

Participants also identified a number of low lights.

1. The end of Pastor Don’s tenure and conflict over the parsonage (1995-1999)—The church owned a parsonage in the Kāhala area. However, part of the paster’s annual compensation was supposed to include a housing allowance to allow for building equity. Because of the church’s strained finances, Pastor Johnson had deferred his housing allowance for many years but wanted to take that money upon retirement. However, the only way the church could fund this was to sell the parsonage. Some members left over this issue. The parsonage was sold in 1999, but the church was able to buy the Poki lot and Luther Place. This has provided useful parking for church events and some rental income. We learned to talk through conflicts and try to understand both sides of an issue. We also learned the risks of not addressing the issue when the church first faced the problem of not being able to fulfill its contract. Nonetheless, this still is a problem as the cost of housing will be a concern for any prospective pastor, especially if someone is to have a long tenure and be able to afford housing after retirement. Unpleasantness over this conflict created a period of strife where members didn’t get along. Pr Barber’s ministry worked on healing through the children’s programs, renovation projects and the like.
2. COVID (2020-2021)—The pandemic affected the church by undermining our sense of community, preventing us from gathering in-person, suspending live concerts, and reducing the size of the congregation when we returned to in-person worship. It gave people who were feeling less engaged a reason not to return. We lost revenue but had increased expenses. However, we were able to develop our ability to share services electronically and now have many people (as many as 600–700 per week) who watch the services or view the recordings. Our congregation remained mostly healthy, and we are now brought together in one service year-round. Monday evening concerts are thriving in person. The option to have some committee and board meetings on Zoom is a small side benefit.
3. Pastor Jeff’s unexpected death just as we were embarking on 125th anniversary planning (2024)—Obviously, this was a shock and a time of enormous grief. “The sudden death of Pr Jeff left us all reeling. The absence of his huge personality, skills, and knowledge was cavernous.” We responded by supporting each other and stepping up to honor Jeff’s legacy as we continued with the anniversary planning. We learned that we could find comfort in praying, healing, and working together. This shock helped bring people back into a more active role in the church community, which had not been fully rebuilt yet after COVID. Pastors Margrethe provided leadership and lay people stepped up as well.
4. Aging of the congregation, loss of children and families (long term trend last 10-15 years but particularly noticeable post-COVID)—COVID exacerbated this but it was already a problem. Our children’s music programs shrank quickly between 2010 and 2014. Partnership with other ELCA churches has been essential for at least the past 25 years to have sufficient children for an active youth group/confirmation program. When Sunday school classes were grouped by grade level, we generally needed to combine two or three grades to get a core group of 5 or 6 kids. Now there are often no children at all. This is partly the effect of broader demographic trends as the population ages and people have fewer children and have them later. Surrounding community is aging as well. Church attendance in the US continues to fall, especially among young adults. Young people are also often moving away from Hawai‘i after college. A typical pattern is church attendance in childhood and then a “rebellion” or drifting away in teen years/college years and finally a return in adulthood when starting families. But we don’t get the return if the next generation has moved away. We also no longer seem to attract young military families. There are so few children now that we don’t have a children’s conversation. We have a chicken and egg problem as people with children will not want to join or keep coming to a church without a strong children’s ministry, but we cannot rebuild this ministry if there are no children. Leaning into the “Silver Tsunami” and focusing on the older population does make sense, but as one member put it, “it changes a congregation if there are no children.” We must find a way to invite families with children. Perhaps explore types of parenting support offered to the community

Other themes and patterns emerged in the conversations:

• Lowlights and highlights are often connected. We lost some members over RIC but stayed true to our message, Pastor Jeff’s death brought us closer, COVID pushed us to learn new technologies) showing that we are a resilient congregation that adapts and endures.
• LCH has a history of consistently preaching Grace. This, in turn, helps us to be patient with each other and to be open to others’ views.
• LCH has taken on many social justice and ministry causes. There are many ways to get involved, and there is acceptance of diverse people and viewpoints. Bible study is a great space for listening, sharing, and learning from each other. People are not required to adhere to a rigid doctrine to fit in here. More seminar than lecture in sermons and Bible study
• LCH is a place of hospitality, warmth, celebration, and welcoming, and we need to stay true to that. We have developed a ministry of genuine compassion and care for each other and the community. We are willing to help and share space with others. Several groups felt a renewed focus on community as we rebuilt after COVID and prepared for the anniversary. The Stewardship Team has done a lot of good work to focus on more aspects beyond just money, and the campus is refreshed. However, we enjoy each other’s company so much it’s a risk that we get too comfortable with that and don’t remember to reach outward to the community.
• We need to be careful that we don’t take our highlights for granted and we don’t let one person take on too great a load of doing a specific ministry or task. We need to keep inviting others to contribute and ask them to participate. Otherwise, we risk burnout or a valued program dying when the person who led it moves away or moves on. It can’t be the same people doing all the work. We feel the need for more engagement/assistance for the many projects and responsibilities. Perhaps we can personally “invite” individuals to participate. A prime example is the property team.
• If we look at the pastors we’ve been blessed to have, we see that we don’t need an authoritarian or someone who tells us what to do or tries to do everything alone. Pastor Barber always reminded us, “This is your church; what are you going to do?” We want a pastor who can lead by eliciting broad involvement and cooperation from members.

Summary of the Congregational Conversation on October 19

We asked the question “What do you imagine seeing on LCH campus 5 years from now?” Here are the answers we received:

• Social services related
  • More social service needs being met. Members involved with local government/resource centers, to address real needs within neighborhood.
  • More services to help the houseless or those struggling to stay sheltered, perhaps different services on different days of the week—food and basic essentials pantry open some days, clothing distribution, a social services outreach staff once or twice per month, perhaps a laundry service, maybe even a portable shower. It would be essential to try to partner with other churches in the area to support these services.
  • Kūpuna are being picked up and dropped off by volunteers for activities-Bible study, games, exercise classes during the daytime, help for ageing voices to sing, older people coming for seminars during the day. Handi vans dropping people off for events throughout the week. Something like Meals on Wheels at Kāhala Y. People come to play bingo, socialize and eat food. LCH shuttle brings people.
  • More community groups using the campus. Isenberg Hall functions as a community gathering area for social services like AA, informational meetings, and an increase in mentoring activities like life skills including tech (how to use your cellphone), hands-on DIY skills (basic repairs, tool use), pet care, arts & crafts and others.
  • Redesign of real estate properties like Poki Lot and Luther Place. Can expand the latter to add more housing and create a parsonage. Poki Lot could have two floors of parking and office on top. Or Poki Lot could be rebuilt with senior or low-income housing being built with parking below
• Music or children-related
  • Music lessons and tutoring are offered in the afternoon for school-age children/teens. After-school programs where kids interact with Seniors.
  • Children’s handbell choir practicing weekly, musical help for people with no musical literacy, music everywhere!
  • Larger choir loft to accommodate large numbers of members. Pews overflowing with worshippers. Stopping the spinning wheels of decline. More people attending church regularly.
  • A re-established youth Sunday school on Sunday mornings and an operational nursery so parents feel comfortable bringing their children. Children in church and on campus, young couples with children. More people discovering Godly Play.
  • Summer vacation Bible school or music camp with a play at the end of it.
  • Engaging the older confirmands to assist with the younger Sunday School age children in activities etc.
• Community outreach
  • Service for young people from local colleges. Students from the area walking to LCH as well as neighbors.
  • Creating a vegetable garden in the empty area outside where we or interested neighbors may raise food to be shared. There is still green grass but the parking lots are full.
  • Day of rest for campus as well as the members—one day per week without activities. Quiet spaces for prayer and meditation on the campus.
  • Participating in the Mānoa Community Christmas Parade.
  • Better signage and more outward effort to reveal who we are, what we do, and what we believe.
  • Hope that the things we would see now continue: Monday concerts, Lenten Wednesday suppers, making sandwiches for IHS, AA meetings, etc.
• What we don’t want to see
  • Fear of loss of LCH members who provide significant funds, leadership and service due to aging and relocation.
• What are the needs around us?
  • Parking-both monthly and hourly
  • Transportation-of aging members to LCH for service or events/activities, and of neighbors without cars or no longer able to drive to go grocery shopping, get to doctor or dentist etc. Lack of walkable access to basic services.
  • Help with food insecurity.
  • More affordable housing.
  • Mental health services.
  • Space to hold community events/activities-become the community gathering place.
  • Need to counter loneliness/isolation with invitation to participate-community meals (free meal once a month).
  • Services for the houseless such as access to toilet or showers, food, clothing or way to clean clothes they have, connection to social services/shelters.
  • After school child care/tutoring.
  • Childcare during concerts/events.
  • Preschool and Adult daycare (Some concerns about whether this is realistic with legal requirements and resources needed-also might preclude other uses).
  • Services for kūpuna/senior cente, access to computers, help with computers/technology.
  • Caregiver training and respite.
  • Senior exercise spaces/equipment.
  • Protection of green space and cleanup of litter.
  • Meditation garden or places for people to sit and meditate.
  • More access to fresh produce. Could be addressed by farmer’s market or community garden.
  • Parsonage for pastor.
  • Help older neighborhood residents with maintaining aging real estate.
  • Improve 4-way stop intersection.
  • Library.
  • Art center.
  • Interfaith gatherings/ecumenism.
• What assets do we have?
  • People with skills in music, organizing events, hospitality, teaching and preaching, and artistic and gardening talent. Our membership is packed full of skills and knowledge, but a lot of it is still unknown, especially with our retirees. What jobs did they hold in the past? What training or outside interests do they possess? Who do they network with? Will they be mentors? Lead a short-term project? Example is asking Roger Sorrell, a retired gerontologist, to assist when we start the “Silver Tsunami” part of mission.
  • Rich Mundell is a major resource. His level of knowledge, skill and willingness to serve in all capacities is beyond words. We feel he is overtaxed. There needs to be a stronger effort to increase his team.
  • Welcoming congregation—The camaraderie of LCH is a treasure. People are welcomed, comfortable, and safe here. They are recognized, seen and accepted. This is not commonplace in many community settings. We want to share the love and draw others to LCH.
  • Kitchen (not sure if it’s certified as a commercial kitchen from preschool days but at least it’s large enabling us to host meals).
  • Solar panels currently reducing utility expenses and could do again if we build other properties.
  • Enclosed front yard area not being used (where old playground equipment is)/Large lawn
  • Location on bus line, near trees, nearby Punahou school and UH, in Honolulu with year-round mild weather.
  • Musical assets—Organ and space in the nave well equipped for concerts, upstairs and ground level choir lofts, other musical instruments (piano, harpsichord, Orff) and large music library.
  • Courtyard (with flexible roofing) and Isenberg space that can host events (availability is mainly during weekdays and Saturdays) and some empty rooms.
  • Poki lot (if a structure built on it) Rethink the Poki Lot. Expand it by adding layer(s) to still accommodate Punahou parking, create area for electric car charging, area to enable outdoor social service programs and add solar panels on top to recoup funds to pass on to needy. Or affordable housing above and parking below. Without a structure could use for Farmer’s market.
  • Luther Place could build upward, add to affordable housing, use as parsonage, use for community groups.
  • Lutheran Social Services.
  • Near several churches for possible partnerships. Encouraging more ecumenical associations especially with local parishes like St Clement’s. For example, they run a food bank. How can we tap into that and assist? What are other parishes doing? Is there an opportunity to do a joint transportation system taking people to appts or to churches?
• New assets needed
  • Quiet outdoor spaces for meditation.
  • Boy choir.
  • More parking.
  • Bigger kitchen.
  • Better restrooms.
  • Endowment.
  • Church passenger van/shuttle van.
  • Nursery staff.
  • Paid maintenance staff to help upkeep property.
  • Young families.
  • People willing to devote time, money, and energy.