​Dear St. John’s, 
I read awhile back about a study done with kids – they were given a choice between two marshmallows. They were exactly the same – same size, came from the same package, etc – but the interviewer called one of them special. The children were given a choice between the two marshmallows – and time after time, child after child, they chose the special one. I mean, it makes sense, right? We all want something special! 
The thing is, without reminding ourselves regularly, we can fall into a trap where nothing is special. We have no parent or interviewer to point out that something is special – and so everything starts to look regular. 
At Maluhia a few weeks ago, our altar candle was replaced with a glittery one – and with just a small change, I was reminded that the altar is special; eucharist is special; our time spent together in worship is special. Beloved, we are surrounded with special things – even and especially when they hide in the ordinary. May you be reminded, with or without glitter. 
                         Rev Jazzy
 
 
Mahalo
Mahalo to Aunty May for going through and organising our files; to May, Loretta, Debbie, and Alana who count and record our money each week; to the Mokiao ‘ohana for setting up faithfully each week. Thank you for being a part of our church ‘ohana, and for all you do to make it so beautiful. 
 
Pet Blessing 
Mark your calendar! October 8th is our pet blessing Sunday, in honor of St Francis. Bring your feathered, finned, furry friends with you to church for a blessing. Our service will be shorter than usual, to accommodate our pet friends. 
 
Diocesan Convention
The end of this month holds Education Day and Diocesan Convention. Please pray for our delegates and alternates, Mary, U’i, Jade, Chabrynne, Nalu, and me. The day can be long and full of business – pray that we have the wisdom to vote well in service to God! And, if you are interested in attending the Education Day please let Rev Jazzy know – the more the merrier! 
 
Trunk or Treat 
Invite your friends and get your best costumes ready for our Trunk or Treat after church on Sunday October 29th! It’s also our potluck day, so there will be a lot of food, fellowship, and fun. It’s a great way to bring someone new to church! 
 
Ice Palace Huaka’i
On December 3rd, from 1:30-3:30, join in a time of fellowship and come to the Ice Palace with your church ‘ohana! Let me know if you are coming to hang out, or coming to skate. The church will cover the costs of our outing. 
 
Waianae Christmas Parade
There is a Waianae Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 9th! This might be a way to evangelise and spread awareness of our church! I want to see if we can get enough people signed up to walk / ride in the parade. Please talk to me if you are interested! 
 
October Birthdays 
8 Kula’ila’i Akiona
13 Ikaika Akiona
20 Kuano’o Thibodeaux
22 Konopiliahi Thibodeaux
 
Mark your calendars
Kids Klub: Tuesday October 17th and Tuesday October 31st
Bishop’s Committee Meeting:  Tuesday October 17th at 6pm
One Pot One Hope : Saturday October 28th
Potluck: Sunday October 29th
 
**Bible study will be on sabbath until 2024.** 
 
Other important Dates
Diocesan Convention October 21-22

​Dear St. John’s, 
When I met with my spiritual director this month, she said something that really stuck with me. She said, “God is always coming over to visit us – but a lot of the time we’re just not home. We’re probably out buying a book on spirituality, or getting into a debate about God”. What she meant was just that all it takes to have a meaningful relationship with God is the time and space to do so. We have to clear the clutter, and unplug, to let God pour into us. 
For me, clearing the clutter means closing my screen and leaving my phone inside while I take a walk, or pull weeds in the garden. I’ve been working on using my breath and awareness to come back to myself during the day, too, even when I’m in the middle of work. God is always with us – it’s up to us to plug into that stream of consciousness – to become aware of the Spirit. 
       Rev Jazzy
 
Mahalo
Mahalo to our Bishop’s Committee for the leadership and decisions you make; to Debbie for leading as our faithful Bishop’s Warden; to Chabrynne and Nalu for watching the hall during our first rental; and to all who helped as part of our parish workday. Thank you for being a part of our church ‘ohana, and for all you do to make it so beautiful. 
 
Pet Blessing 
Mark your calendar! October 8th is our pet blessing Sunday, in honor of St Francis. Bring your feathered, finned, furry friends with you to church for a blessing. Our service will be shorter than usual, to accommodate our pet friends. 
 
Reverse Advent Calendar
Looking forward, we have our regular Reverse giving calendar project with Maluhia. During the month of December there will be items to collect that we donate to Hale Na’au Pono. When our list is confirmed I will share it with you, in case you want to start collecting early. 
 
Hall Rental Update
Our hall rentals are up and running! Keep spreading the word – the extra income is awesome for our church! So far we’ve had one rental and have three more scheduled before the end of the year! 
 
September Birthdays 
7 Deborah Tandal
8 Jordan Natividad
15 Loea Akiona
16 Leone Holokai-Magallenes
18 Loretta Mokiao
 
Mark your calendars
Kids Klub: Tuesday, September 12th and Tuesday, September 26th  
Bishop’s Committee Meeting: Tuesday, September 19th  
One Pot One Hope : Saturday, September 30th
Potluck: Sunday, September 24th   
 
**Rev Jazzy will be on Big Island September 3-8** 
 
Other important Dates
Parish Workdays: 
October 1
 
Diocesan Convention October 21-22

​Dear St. John’s ‘ohana, 
 
As we go back to school and see the end of summer, I’ve been spending some time thinking about and planning the year ahead. What would you like to see in our worship? In the last few months we’ve experimented with live music, offered by Rocky and Sally. We’ve talked about having a folk service led by ukulele’s. What else is your heart hungry for? What might you be able to bring to our church ‘ohana? God speaks in many ways, so if you have an idea or a hunger for something please talk to me about it!
 
Rev Jazzy
 
Mahalo
Mahalo to everyone who contributed to our school supplies drive, both through physical donations and through helping us to pack and deliver them; to the Kekua ‘ohana for joining in our end of summer splash at Maluhia; to the faithful bible study group who meets weekly to walk through the Word and try to listen for God’s voice. Thank you for being a part of our church ‘ohana, and for all you do to make it so beautiful. 
 
Back to School Blessing 
For Students: Loving God, thank you for new beginnings, for the new school year, and for the opportunity to learn and to grow.  For all those returning to school, grant them wisdom as they learn new things and grow more into the people that you have created them to be.  May they discover new things about your world and about themselves.  May their friendships be strong.  May they be confident in your love.  May they seek you first above all things and may all they do be done in love. Grant them the courage, the wisdom, the perseverance, the curiosity, and the kindness that they will need for this new school year. Amen.
For Teachers: God of wisdom, thank you for the gift of teachers and educators.  May they be filled with your wisdom, your grace, and your strength this year as they nurture our children.  When they feel unseen, remind them that you are the God who sees us and the God who hears us.  Grant them comfort in their troubles, confidence in their strengths, and joy in their interactions with others.  May they run and not grow weary; may they walk and not grow faint.  Above all, may they trust in you, and may they see how their dedication impacts many generations.  Amen. 
For Parents: Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of our children.  Thank you for the joy and the challenge that they bring to each day.  As they return to school, please keep our children safe from harm, from injury, and from the culture’s pace and expectations.  Help them to grow into the people that you created them to be.  Help us to delight in the things that bring them joy, to strengthen them when they stumble, and to encourage them when they lose confidence.  Help us to be beacons of your light and your love, to be godly examples for our children.  Calm our hearts when we feel anxious, and comfort us when we feel overwhelmed.  Above all, help us to raise our children up so that they might know and love you.  Amen.
The 49th anniversary of the Philadelphia 11 
Unless you are a major church geek, chances are you haven’t heard of the “Philadelphia 11”. They were the first women to be ordained in the Episcopal Church, on July 29, 1974. They were ordained before General Convention had voted to approve women’s ordination – meaning the Bishop who ordained them was acting against the teachings of the church. But, I believe, he was acting with God, seeing in these women that they, too, had something to offer the church. I am grateful for these brave women who paved the way, and for all of those who have had to break the rules to follow Christ. 
 
August Birthdays 
11 Jade Stark and Michele Nakapalau
13 Chablis Kekua
19 Kuena Akiona
30 Kuali’i Akiona
 
Mark your calendars
Kids Klub: Tuesday, August 15th and Tuesday, August 29th
Bishop’s Committee Meeting: Tuesday, August 22nd
One Pot One Hope : Saturday, August 26th
Potluck: Sunday, August 27th
Parish Workday: August 27th
 
**Rev Jazzy will be on Kauai for clergy retreat August 14-16** 
 
Other important Dates
Parish Workdays: 
August 27th
October 1
 
Diocesan Convention October 21-22