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September 2013
“The Messenger of Love”
Vol. 7, Issue 8
Ka Elele Aloha
Christ Church Uniting
1300 Kailua Rd., Kailua, HI 96734-4356
Rev. Kerry Grogan, Pastor
[email protected]
Worship—Sun.10 am
Phone: (808) 262-6911
Pastor’s Cell Ph: (808) 354-3427
Jane Muench, Editor
from Pastor Kerry . . .

Did you know that experts on church growth say that first
time visitors decide whether or not to return to a church in
the first 8 minutes? 8 minutes isn’t very long! What happens or doesn’t happen within the first 8 minutes can make
a huge difference in people’s first impressions and experience of a church. So what can we do to make sure people are experiencing the warmth, welcome, and true Aloha spirit of CCU ? Author Dale Hudson shares 12 reasons
why people may not come back after a first visit. I’m just
going to offer a few.



8/18 altar flowers
celebrate Muench
Golden Wedding
Anniversary
8/17/13
No one talked to them. Be sure to greet people. If
you see a new face, or someone you don’t know.
Greet them with a friendly smile and tell them your
name. It only takes a moment. People expect to be
greeted by the ushers and/or the pastor, but the true
measure of a friendly congregation is whether anyone
talked with them, noticed them, and took time to greet
them.
They weren’t invited by a friend. Since they don’t know
anyone else and if no one reaches out to them once
they are at church, they have no relational connection
to bring them back. Just seeing a familiar face can
help someone feel less alone.
The church was too
friendly. I know, this contradicts the first one. But
there’s a difference between genuine friendliness
and overwhelming neediness. No one wants to
feel like they are being pounced on or cornered. Most
first time visitors like to arrive late and leave early, and
that’s ok.
The service was boring and irrelevant to their life. The
church regularly needs to examine its worship; the language, the music, the atmosphere, not just from a perspective of our preferences but from the perspective of first
time guests and who isn’t here.

They weren’t provided with an easy, clear next step to
get connected. Invite someone to the men’s breakfast or
women’s brunch, to adult study or just make sure they
know there are refreshments after church.
I think CCU is a wonderfully unique, loving, vibrant community of faith. We have so much to offer folks, especially people who are looking for a church where they can
engage their mind as well as their heart. I hope next time
you see a new face in church you will take just a moment
to greet them. And if you know of someone who doesn’t
have a church home, invite them!
Congregational Life News …
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
Saturday, September 7th @ 9:30am / Ohana Room
WORSHIP
Consideration of new times for Sunday worship & adult study (follow-up-Bill Muench)
New shorter version of Sunday worship bulletins / review of comments (Jane Muench)
More choir involvement during service (introit/extroit, prayer response, etc.) (Bill M.)
Select date for Dick Walenta’s installation as elder
Ever
y
welc one’s
Atte ome!
have nd &
inpu
t.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Children Worship and Wonder Workshop / (Sept 13 – 15 (Kerry Grogan & Marian Heidel)
Suggestions for alternative times for adult study (Kerry G.)
Suggestions for new topics for adult study (John Heidel)
VBS review and recommendations. (Marian H.)
Continued to next page
OTHER
(9/7/13 Congregational Life Commission Meeting Agenda Continued)
Movie Night programs (Paul Belanger)
Deacon’s report (Dick Walenta)
12/7 Craft Fair planning
11/23 Messiah Sing-In planning
40th year celebration of CCU, February of next year ????
Upgrading the sanctuary—develop wish list, etc.
2013
Sept. CCU Event Schedule
Key:
K = Kitchen
L = Lanai
O=Ohana Rm
PS = Pastor’s Study S = Sanctuary B3=upstairs classroom
Sundays
8:45 am
10am
Adult Study (2 options)
Worship & Aloha Fellowship
9/1
No HI-5 container pick-up; will
resume 10/6
9/7, 8 am
Men’s Breakfast @ Honey’s
@ Koolau Golf Club
9/7, 9:30 am
Congregational Life Commission
Meeting (Ohana Rm)
9/13—15
“Children Worship and Wonder “
Training Event at CCU, see pg. 3
Fri., 6—9 pm
Sat., 9 am—5 pm
Sun., 2—5 pm
9/14
10:30 am
Women’s Aloha Fellowship
Brunch @ Zippy’s (Kailua)
9/21, 9 am
Mission & Outreach Commission
Meeting (Ohana Rm)
9/22-10/6
CCU hosts Family Promise
guests
9/28
Presbytery meets
The topics for the lecture series, “The Holy Land
Revealed,” for the remaining five Sundays are:
9/1
The First Jewish Revolt; Jerusalem Destroyed
9/8
Masada - Herod's Desert Palace and the Siege
9/15 Christian Emperors and Pilgrimage Sites
9/22 Judaism and Synagogues under Christian Rule
9/29 Islam's Transformation of Jerusalem
*Professor Magness is the Kenan Distinguished Professor
for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism in the Department
of Religious Studies. As an archeologist and historian, she
brings both backgrounds, along with her extensive field
studies and living experience in the Middle East to the
classroom in an engaging and interesting manner.
Adult Study
2 Options this Fall
Sundays @ 8:45 am
One option & by request is the continuation
through September of the Teaching Company
video lecture series, “The Holy Land Revealed,” by Professor Jodi Magness*, Univ. of
N.C. at Chapel Hill, facilitated by Paul Haring.
The class meets in the Ohana Room. Please
see the list of upcoming topics on this informative and fascinating series.
The other will be a lectionary-based study in
the Pastor’s Study, led by Pastor Kerry. The
class will use a resource called Bible Workbench—a lectionary based, life-centered biblical study. One of the texts from the Revised
Common Lectionary is chosen each Sunday.
The exploration begins with encountering the
story found in the biblical text. The focus then
shifts to how this story is happening in the
world around us. Finally the questions turn
toward how the story is an event in the lives
of the people in the group. Begins Sept. 8 in
Pastor’s office.
Take an opportunity to engage your mind,
heart and spirit in a time of learning and
growing this Fall!
If you would like to attend and you need
childcare, please contact Pastor Kerry.
Congregational Life … Continued
“Children Worship and Wonder”
Training Event at CCU . . . Sept. 13-15
Page 3
Some characteristics of Children Worship & Wonder:
1.
Respect of Children. This program recognizes children as
spiritual beings, who already have a relationship with God.
In Children’s Worship & Wonder, children are not seen as
CCU has been exploring Children Worship and Wonder for almost
empty vessels for us (adults) to fill with our understanding of
two years. The PSW Region has stepped forward with funds to
God. Adults are guides who offer space, tools, and lanhelp us bring a trainer to Hawaii. The training will be offered to
guage which help children deepen their already existing
our sister Disciple churches and any other ecumenical partners
relationship with God. In Children's Worship & Wonder, we
who are interested in this exciting opportunity for ministry with
trust that given the opportunity, children will bring their own
children. We will also be working in partnership with the United
life experiences to the stories of God and will receive what
Church of Christ here on Oahu.
they need.
2. Encouragement of Imagination. There is not enough time and
The training is open to
everyone, not just
space in today’s world for children to use their wonderful
those interested in leading the
imaginations. Television, videos, or computer games, rarely
children’s church program. The If you have
encourage children to call upon their
n’t told Pa
training offers: a demonstra- tell he
own creative possibilities.
s
t
o
r
r if you’re
Kerry alre
tion of the stories, songs and
There
are too few places
ad
interested
other components of the proin attendin y, for children to learn
g. about the gifts of quiet
gram, how to acquire the necessary materials, gaining congregational support for Children Worship and Wonder,
and
solitude. Churches are
setting up worship centers and recruiting and training greeters
uniquely equipped to offer these gifts.
and other volunteers.
3. Developmentally Appropriate. Children's Worship & Wonder allows children to use all of their senses and motor skills.
Children Worship & Wonder offers an exciting way to apIt includes lots of repetition and lots of ritual which children
proach faith formation with children. The approach recognizes
love.
children as spiritual beings who already have a relationship with 4. Children Learn about God while Being in God’s Presence.
God.
Children's Worship & Wonder is worship. It is a chance for
adults and children to worship together in a way that is
Through Children Worship & Wonder, children learn about
meaningful for both.
God as they experience God. They hear Bible stories in a way
5. Numbers do not Matter. This program can be done with one
that allows them to enter into the stories and form responses out
child or twenty children.
of their own life experiences. Children Worship & Wonder can
be used with children ranging in age from 3 to 13 and a wide
If you are interested you can go to http://www.youtube.com/
age range can be grouped together in one class. It is a Montes- watch?v=T12bP4LvEpQ to learn more. Or go to https://
sori-based model and often works wonders with children who
www.discipleshomemissions.org/dhm/dhm-ministries/family-andhave attention deficit problems.
childrens-ministries/children-worship-wonder/ to learn more.
Flower Ministry . . .
The beautiful flowers that decorate our sanctuary during worship every Sunday can be
used to brighten someone’s day! The flowers have been part of the music, prayers, and fellowship and can be a reminder of these things to those who can’t be at church on a regular
basis. Beginning in September we are going to share the flowers from Sunday with homebound folks and/or others who are unable to attend church due to illness or surgery. If you
would like to keep your flowers and take them home, that’s ok too. The deacons will be
checking with those who bring flowers. If you would like to deliver flowers, please let Deacon Rosemary Allen or the church office know.
Page 4
Mission & Outreach
Commission News . . .
Memories
By Rosemary Allen
This month’s memories are quite recent ones—and also a
way of saying thank you to several talented and gracious
ladies.
Early in June the CCU deacons were asked to plan a
morning lunch for yard workers from the women's prison
who would be coming to CCU twice per month to keep our
church grounds in trim. This began on June 5th and will
“wind up” by September as the state’s facilities will be undergoing changes & the women workers will be having different work schedules.
The women workers improved CCU’s yard conditions—
from 6 to 10 women cut, trimmed, etc. the yards twice each
month. By mid-morning they gathered in the breezeway for
refreshments prepared by several of CCU’s good cooks &
food experts—and always expressed appreciation for
lunch as they relaxed in our ohana room.
Next Mission & Outreach
Commission Meeting
Sat., 9/21, 9 a.m.
CCU HOSTS
FAMILY PROMISE GUESTS
SEPTEMBER 22—OCTOBER 6
Deacons Susie Jannuzzi & Rosemary Allen “signed up”
several CCU ladies to prepare the mid-AM refreshments for
the yard workers on the work crew. The early summer very
“good cooks” included Dottie Brennan, Peggy Zeilinger,
Claire Schrader, Jan Stiles, and Susie. Others who signed
up & are “standing by” if further meals are needed in possible extension of the yard service are Nicki & Kyle Krieger,
Heather Barnhill, Jean Tsuji, Char Hosenfeld & Rollo
Scheurenbrand. We do appreciate all of them!
Before her summer vacation Pastor Kerry also had a
chance to meet & visit with some of the women workers.
Interestingly, also, the number of workers diminished later in
summer as a few of the women finished serving their terms
& were able to leave prison.
If you can provide
overnight hosting,
speak to Beth Davidann.
Pat Gilbert is still signing up
evening meal food providers.



The Presbyterian Church (USA) Peacemaking Offering and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Reconciliation Offering will be received at Christ Church Uniting on World Communion Sunday, October 6, 2013.
The Peacemaking Offering supports the efforts of Presbyterians through their congregations presbyteries, synods,
and the Presbyterian Mission Agency to work for peace by working to transform cultures of violence into communities of peace.
The Reconciliation Offering is used to fund the CC (DOC) Church’s mission priority to become an pro-reconciling/
anti-racist church through experiential education, inclusive worship and intentional dialogue across racial/ethnic
difference. Funds from this offering provide for leadership development in our camps, our communities and our
congregations as well as provide resources to promote small group study and community action.
Page 5
What’s Your
Water[foot]print?
The term “carbon footprint” is now relatively
well-known and understood. Carbon is shorthand for the amount of carbon dioxide (&
other greenhouse gases) emitted due to the
use of fossil fuels, and footprint is a metaphor
for the overall impact of something. So carbon
footprint is an estimate of the total environmental impact related to climate disruption of
a particular person, product, country, lifestyle, etc.
Our water[foot]print is the direct and indirect freshwater use by a person, community,
product, etc.
Over the past years we at CCU have explored and implemented ways to decrease
our carbon footprint, now let’s look at our
waterprint. China, India, and the U.S. rank 1,
2 & 3 in highest annual water consumption.
The U.S. however has the highest per capita
water usage. Meat consumption accounts for
30% and sugar accounts for 15% of the U.S.
freshwater used by individuals. Some other
stats:
Gallons of freshwater used to produce a
pound of food or glass of liquid:
tea
lettuce
wine
beans
eggs
soy milk
9
1
26
43
44 (each)
49
apples
yogurt
tofu
rice
beef
butter
84
238
244
340
1857
2044
Other products/activities (gallons used):
1 sheet of paper
2
showering
2-5 per minute
outdoor watering
5-10 per minute
1 cotton t-shirt
594
1 barrel of crude oil 1851
1 pair of jeans
2900
One more way to protect God’s green &
blue earth is to be akamai water users—to be
good water stewards. While 800 million people worldwide do not have access to clean
water, we do.
Next column: Ways to help with (some of) the
world’s water-related issues and tips for using the water we have wisely.
CCU Vision Statement:
To be a vibrant witness to Christ’s inclusive love,
supporting spiritual growth and social justice.
Page 6
CCU Theological Statement:
We see the Spirit of God in all people. We see Jesus
as human and completely united with the Spirit of God. He
made God the center of his life and calls us to join him and
do the same and we come together as Church to answer
that call.
We study and reflect upon the Jesus of Scripture as
healer and teacher of universal moral principles demonstrating a life lived with humility and a deep passion for
social justice, peace and love.
Scripture understood in the light of Jesus reveals God
as loving, compassionate, non-violent, and inclusive.
Where there is an interpretive opportunity, in light of our
experience of Jesus’ presence, CCU will choose the most
loving, peace-promoting, and justice serving path, as, we
believe, did Jesus himself.
We are an open and inclusive church that welcomes a
diversity of people, opinions, beliefs and spiritual
paths. We are a multi-generational, diverse and progressive faith community that values and encourages spiritual
growth and responsibility within each individual and the
congregation. We enjoy wrestling with the challenging
social and intellectual issues posed by Christianity.
We are a church that believes in the importance of
environmental stewardship and peacemaking and we are
known by the actions of our members in the larger community. We are a church with a sense of celebration and
beauty that finds artistic expression of our faith through
creative worship, especially through music.
We are a faith community that looks for God to be at
the center of our lives and we invite others to join us on
our path. We are an extended family offering support; we
love and care for one another.
CCU Vision Statement:
To be a vibrant witness to Christ’s inclusive love,
supporting spiritual growth and social justice.
Provided by Paul Snipes
2 POINTS to PONDER ...
Hopefully they will cause you to consider a new or different approach
to how you look at a problem or an aspect of your daily life.
Albert Schweitzer was asked which of the
Ten Commandments he (Schweitzer)
considered to be the most important.
“Christ,” he replied, “gave only one
commandment.
And that was To love.”
Your job as a Christian is NOT TO JUDGE.
Your job is to ACCEPT AND WELCOME
those you meet.
Page 7
From the Disciples News Service, August 28, 2013 . . .
About
Presbyterians
by Rosemary Allen
The John and Maxine McCaw Scholarship Fund for Prophetic Living, Teaching and Preaching, held in trust at
the Christian Church Foundation, is providing four divinity students with scholarships for the 2013-2014 school
year. The recipients of this year’s inaugural award are:


Annie Grogan [pictured] of
Kailua, HI, who will attend Brite Divinity School
 Andrew Shue, of Ayden, NC, who
will attend Lexington Theological
Seminary
 James Shenko of Nashville, TN,
who will be in the Disciples Divinity
House at Vanderbilt University
Brian Nixon, of Fort Worth, TX, who will attend Brite
Divinity School.
The scholars must complete an application
process and are selected by representatives
of the College of Regional Ministers. Scholarship recipients must pledge to live a
healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and a
healthy diet while abstaining from the use of
tobacco and alcoholic beverages; be responsible in their personal financial practices; and
demonstrate a passion for a prophetic lifestyle ministry that seeks to eliminate evil and
enhance goodness in human relations and in
international relations.
The Rev. Thaddaeus Allen, regional minister
of the Christian Church in West Virginia and
a member of the advisory team that selected
the students, is encouraged by the quality of
the scholarship applicants.
Who’s Annie Grogan?
Why, of course, the daughter
of CCU’s pastor, Kerry Grogan.
CCU is happy for you &
congratulates you, Annie!!!!!!
The annual Presbyterian Yearbook of Prayer is a fount of
information about Presbyterian churches and people—
and an amazing variety of concerns and activities going
on in church communities, really around the world. From
time to time I like to write about them.
An unusual venture comes out of a Texas church—
Westminster Presbyterian in Lubbock, Texas. It is called
Teethsavers International & began in 2004 when dentist
Jack Rudd began work with children at a refugee camp in
Zambia who “desperately needed dental care.” They
were displaced people. As the project grew to serve
dental needs to refugee children in eight countries—
Zambia, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Uganda Morocco, Nicaragua, Gambia and Belize—Westminster’s mission grew as
the “loaves and fishes.”
Dr. Rudd & others involved in the dental mission have
also trained indigenous people to carry on the dental
work. Another major effort has been to treat people in
outlying areas with no running water or electricity by using
a technique (developed by the World Health Organization) which does dental fillings without drilling!
Teethsavers also aids the children by giving clothing
& books—and toothbrushes! They also tell them about
Jesus & his love—of course.
Teethsavers International receives continuing requests
from other developing countries. The closing quote says,
“it must rely on God’s multiplication of the loaves & fishes”
to fill these needs.
Dear Rosemary,
Thank you for your faithful input
to CCU’s monthly newsletters . Your writings
about the PC (USA) are fascinating &
educational , and some learn of and
others recall with you CCU memories
shared in your Memories column.
Thanks again, CCUers
Page 8
Facilities & Finance Commission News . . .
In September, give to CCU through Foodland’s Give Aloha program!!!!!!
Husbands & wives can both participate, using their individual Maika`i cards.
CCU
to participate in
September 1-30 . . .
How It Works
From Sept. 1—30, customers are invited to make donations of up to a cumulative total of $249 per person, per
organization to participating Hawaii
non-profit organizations at checkout.
Foodland & Western Union will match
a portion of each donation.
Foodland & Western Union will match
up to a total of $350,000 for all organizations combined. If total customer donations exceed $350,000, the
matching gift will be divided proportionately among all participating organizations.*
CCU to host
December 7th
Vendor
Craft Fair
How To Donate To CCU
At checkout, present your Maika`i Card and inform the cashier that you would like to make
a donation to Christ Church
Uniting. If you do not have a
Maika`i Card, you may request
one. Our five digit registration
code is 78419. Your donation
will be added to your grocery
purchase total. You may singly
give up to $249 (donations exceeding $249 will not be
matched). The amount you
have donated to Foodland and
the name of Christ Church Uniting will appear on your receipt.
Any donation must be made
payable to Foodland or Sack N
Save.
Donor names will not be released to Christ Church Uniting, so if you would like us to
know of your gift, please inform the church office directly
so that your gift may be
properly recorded on your
monetary giving record.
on CCU grounds …
just in time for Christmas!
Fair Chair: Jan Stiles, 235-0786
Are These Contributions
Tax Deductible?
These contributions are tax deductible
to the full extent of the law. Please
save your store receipt for tax purposes since it may be the only record you
will have of your donation. If you
inform the church of your donation, it
will be included as a receipt on your
personal monetary giving record.
*How Matching Gifts Will
Be Calculated
Matching Gifts will be calculated after
the end of the program. Christ Church
Uniting will receive 100% of all customer donations given to CCU, plus its
% of Foodland’s $325,000 matching
gift. The portion of the matching gift
that Christ Church Uniting will receive
will be based on the total dollar
amount of customer donations designated to Christ Church Uniting as a %
of all customer donations received for
all organizations.
Needed:
Vendors
$45 per booth
Applications available at
www.ccukailua.org or
in the church office
&
Volunteers
for set-up & take-down /
to work bake sale & kitchen sales
Page 9
Lay & Elder Worship Assignments
for September
September
Birthdays
If you are not able to fill your assignment, please try trading with someone
and/or notify the church office.
 T Prayer = Prayer of Thanksgiving
Date
9/1
9/8
9/15
9/22
9/29
Name
Carl Grantham ...................... 2
Jean Tsuji ................................ 2
Carleigh Grantham .............. 3
Peggy Zeilinger .................... 6
Jon Davidann .......................12
Christopher Medeiros ........27
Duty
Richard Smith & Elayne Cho
Paul Haring
Doc Wilson
Melissa Belanger
Ushers/Greeters
Morning Prayer
Scripture Reader
T Prayer/Serve Comm./Bldg Lock-up
Paul & Dottie Brennan
Marian Heidel
Susie Jannuzzi
Bill Muench
Ushers/Greeters
Morning Prayer
Scripture Reader
T Prayer/.Serve Comm./Bldg Lock-up
Lola Mae McAvoy,
Loren Wilson
Kerry Grogan
Jan Stiles
John Stiles
Ushers/Greeters
Morning Prayer
Scripture Reader
T Prayer/Serve Comm./Bldg Lock-up
Charlene Hosenfeld &
Rollo Scheurenbrand
Dick Walenta
Lisa Haley
Dick Walenta
Ushers/Greeters
Morning Prayer
Scripture Reader
T Prayer/Serve Comm./Bldg Lock-up
Peter & Cynthia Tchou
Susan Wilson
Nicki Krieger
Jon Davidann
Ushers/Greeters
Morning Prayer
Scripture Reader
T Prayer/Serve Comm./Bldg Lock-up
September
Anniversaries
Kasey & “Doc” Wilson......... 1
Melissa & Paul Belanger ..... 6
Deborah & Patrick Tom .....11
September
Flower Calendar
Sept. 1
Smith/Cho
Sept. 8
Open
Sept. 15
Davidann
Sept. 22
Stiles
Sept. 29
Schrader
Mahalo nui loa, everyone,
for celebrating with us
our Golden/50th
Wedding Anniversary!
Bill & Jane Muench
September Communion Preparation:
9/1, Mary Ann Wyman
9/8, 15, 22, 19, Susan Wilson
September Tellers:
Claire Schrader & Susie Jannuzzi