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A Blessing for Waking Up to Summer
 
Blessed are we, beginning to feel some release
From pandemic constraints,
From the long sad season of anxious vigilance,
The boredom and frustration of plans deferred.
 
There is new ground appearing, and paths we didn’t know were there.
 
Blessed are we who say, okay!
But God, you’re going to need to help me wake up, the music,
The movement and the color of living,
The wonder of the lily, the mystery and power of the tiniest seed,
Cracked open, doing what it was always destined to do. Bloom.
 
Blessed are we who say, wake me too God, I’m awake.
 
“Wonder if the heaviest element on the periodic table. Even a tiny fleck of it stops time.” – Diane Ackerman
 
Put yourself where love and beauty can reach you.
That’s the summer for you.
             
                                                Kate Bowler, Blessings for the Lives we Actually Have  
 
Mahalo
Mahalo to our musicians who provide such gorgeous music each week; to Aunty May for organising the food pantry; and to everyone for bringing what you can to share for potluck once a month. Thank you for being a part of our church ‘ohana, and for all you do to make it so beautiful. 
 
Lay Preaching
Do you have good news to share? Ever wondered what it’s like to preach a sermon? A few weeks ago, I asked if any one had ever felt called to being a lay preacher. I was serious! The Episcopal Church allows for lay preachers – that is, for non-ordained people to get up and share a sermon. Maybe you’d like to share about your journey of faith, or maybe you have a favorite bible passage you’d like to preach on. Talk to me for more information!
 
School Supplies Drive
This is the last month to contribute to our joint school supplies drive, in conjunction with Maluhia. We will be donating to Kamaile Academy, Makaha Elementary, Waianae Elementary, and Leihoku Elementary. Keep an eye on the sales! We will be collecting through the end of July – whatever you have to share will be appreciated!
 
Kids going to EYE
Aiza, Kia’i, Kaimalu, Jordan, and Jade will be representing Hawaii at the Episcopal Youth Event this year! We have raised enough money through our NOMS and t-shirt fundraisers that our families do not have to pay. Hooray! Our teens will be gone from July 3 through July 12 – please pray for them both at EYE and then during their mission work in Washington DC. May their faith grow in this time away!
 
Church Biz Conference
On Saturday, July 29th, the Diocesan Support Center is hosting a “Church Biz” conference – a day of workshops on the business of the church. It will be at the Cathedral of St Andrew, 9am-2pm. Interested in attending? Let me know and we’ll get you signed up! 
 
July Birthdays 
5 Rev Jazzy
13 Alana Akiona and Chynne Kekua
18 Randy Tandal
 
Mark your calendars
Kids Klub: Tuesday, July 11th and Tuesday, July 25th  
Bishop’s Committee Meeting: Tuesday, July 18th   
One Pot One Hope : Saturday, July 29th   
Potluck: Sunday, July 30th
 
Other important Dates
Parish Workdays: 
August 6
October 1
 
Diocesan Convention October 21-22

​Dear St. John’s ‘ohana, 
My garden teaches me so many lessons. It’s a place where Go is often trying to teach me lessons – I learn about patience, and about faithfulness, and about abundance when I spend time digging weeds and planting seeds. 
            Recently, I’ve been learning about zinnias. I planted zinnias a few months ago, and I was. . . satisfied with how they looked when they came up. They bloomed and died, and I went to pull them out. When I did, I was surprised to find that there were zinnia seedlings coming up in the spaces between the dead plants! I hadn’t seeded them – but they just appeared! Now, the second crop of these flowers are starting to bloom – and they are so much brighter and more robust than the first. After reading about them, I found that the more they are cut back the more they thrive. 
            I’ve been reflecting on those lessons, and I think I have some takeaways. Sometimes, our first effort is just the first one – wait awhile, start again – the second try will be better. Sometimes, in order to grow full we need to pare back. Where might God be pruning you, or your life, so that you can really thrive? 
                                                Rev Jazzy
 
Mahalo
Mahalo to our acolytes who faithfully serve at the altar; to our keiki who share where you have seen God this week; to our parents who bring your children to worship and manage their needs while trying to pray. Mahalo to all of you for adopting Theo on Sunday mornings, and for being so understanding as I juggle parenting with priesthood. Thank you for being a part of our church ‘ohana, and for all you do to make it so beautiful. 
 
School Supplies Drive
We are having a joint school supplies drive, in conjunction with Maluhia. We will be donating to Kamaile Academy, Makaha Elementary, Waianae Elementary, and Leihoku Elementary. Keep an eye on the sales! We will be collecting through the end of July. 
 
Fundraiser for kids going to EYE
We are still selling NOMS candy to help get five of our teenagers to Baltimore, Maryland, for the Episcopal Youth Event this July. So far, our teens are about halfway there – they’ve sold 750 bags of sweets! Each bag is $5, and they are delicious! Of course, you can also donate without buying the candies, and every little bit counts. Our fundraised dollars are going to help the families pay their portion of travel. 
 
Hall for Rent at St John’s
As you know, we’ve taken over the Hall rental, and Holoholo Tackle is taking calls and inquiries. Do you know someone who might want to rent the space? Spread the word about this venue to increase our bookings and increase our income!
 
 
June Birthdays 
2 Jasmine Natividad   
15 Jasmine Akiona     
26 Chaynne-Brynne Kekua    
29 Drew and Randy Tandal 
30 Margaret Gaspar Magno and Chevis Kekua
 
Mark your calendars
Kids Klub: Tuesday, June 13th and Tuesday, June 27th  
Bishop’s Committee Meeting: Tuesday, June 20th  
One Pot One Hope : Saturday, June 24th  
Potluck: Sunday, June 25th
 
Other important Dates
Parish Workdays: 
August 6
October 1
 
Diocesan Convention October 21-22