FOCUS a Newsletter of first United Methodist Church “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World”

1020 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 Volume LIV Issue 43 August 2016

PASTOR’S PAGE

God’s blessings are abun-dant. Last Sunday, the church approved a new lease rent with the Admiral Thomas that will increase our income by over $1 mil-lion a year, starting in 2017.

It is hard to even imagine what this means for our church and ministry. How

will we use it to serve God’s purpose? How will we manage it as wise stewards of God’s bless-ing? How will we share it with those who need it the most?

We have a lot of work ahead of us; it’s almost overwhelming. But our church leaders are de-termined to take our time and make smart deci-sions, while listening to the whole church and to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

We want to take a moment to thank all our members and saints who have worked hard through the years to keep Admiral Thomas an asset of the church. It has been a long road of struggling and fighting for what belongs to God. We are pleased now to have a positive relation-ship with Admiral Thomas that allowed the ne-gotiations to go smoothly and swiftly.

So let’s take some time to celebrate! It is time to praise God, to rejoice at God’s goodness, to give thanks to our OVERWHELMING God!

Praise the Lord!

Amy CHARGE CONFERENCE

The following was approved at an All Church Conference on August 7:

The CRF/Admiral Thomas Negotiation Commit-tee and the Church Council propose acceptance of the new lease with the Association of Apart-ment Owners of the Admiral Thomas. Payment of the total net annual rental for the ten-year period will be:

$1,250,000 for the five-year period begin-ning December 16, 2016; and

$1,400,000 for the five-year period begin-ning December 16, 2021.

The Church Council will meet regularly as we transition into this new phase of our ministry. The next meeting is scheduled for September 22 at 7 p.m. All are welcome.

WELCOME

To all the new members Meuni and Adi Mere Ratu, Hiva PahuluHiva Pahulu and baptized baby Fosita Filosofia ‘o e Teleolosia ‘i Wesley Ma’afu!

H.O.M.E. Clinic

Thanks to the students and professors at UH Medical School, our medical clinic will now be available every Sunday (except 1st Sundays) from 8:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m. in Komuro Hall. All are welcome to receive care.

FAREWELL BISHOP

Farewell to our Bishop Carcano, who will be mov-ing Septem-ber 1 to serve the California-Nevada Con-ference. We will be wel-coming our new Bishop Grant Hagiya

on September 3rd, 3-5 p.m. at Aiea Korean UMC.

In Our Prayers

Our shut-ins: Momi Schneider, Katherine Minn, Shigeko Yamaguchi, Buster Scott, Ruth Kiehm, Evelyn Shon

Those with continuing concerns: David Walter, Ma`u Ikahihifo, ‘Aunofo Koloamatangi, Wilma Wilson, Jo Toxvard & son, Richard Szumiel, Ann Bystrom, Ben Timmerman, Supi Palamo, Temaleti Mafile`o, Peni Tau`alupe, Albert Pihi, Patrick Dolan, Fa’aui Taumoepenu, Mele Paon-

go, Jeff Thomas, Pastor Amy’s Uncle Dave, Billy Masima, Reynold Anien,

Those receiving treatment for cancer: Va-lerie Leverenz, Roman’s sister-in-law Amanda, Judy & Mel’s daughter, Mim Hall Beck, Justin Wong, Kesa Finau

Our hearts and prayers are with: Helena’s mother Margaret, hospitalized Dorinda’s friend Pita, recovering from stroke Etu Lolohea, health concerns Johann Leverenz, continuing health struggles Lile Fonoti, fighting cancer Ray Dorsey, recovering from heart attack Terry Harris, recovering from surgery The family of Eddie & Tupou Kelemeni for the loss of Eddie's sister Andre Haynes for the loss of his twin brother

The children at Shriner’s Hospital: Ahyan, Varinava, Ravishek, Fulori, Neli, Jas-mine, Sera, Kara, Mose, Vaseva, Wess, and Shantelle

Announcements

** SERMON SERIES THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE EVER… de-tails at 8 & 10 am on Sundays in August.

**UNITED METHODIST WOMEN will be holding a fund-raising event in Komuro Hall on Sunday, August 21, following the 10:00 ser-vice. Items for sale will be baked goods, books, journals, and Spam musubi. Money raised will be used to support UMW local, na-tional, and global missions. Donations of baked goods would be appreciated. Also, if you would like to make a monetary donation please see Tupou Kelemeni or Barbara Fernan-dez.

**BASIC LAY SERVANT CLASSES Winnie Ching will be here to lead Basic Lay Servant Classes on October 8 & 15, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Maile Room. The cost is $10 for the book. For more information, please see the pastors.

Thank you to…

To Angela Pulu for volunteering in the of-fice and Foodbank!

All those who helped with Vacation Bible School and the SPROUTs summer picnic! What fun!

All the volunteers of Pancakes & Praise

Aloha Refreshments: Ikata'ane & Sue

FOCUS

Veikoso

Altar Flowers: Constance Deming; Henry & Anapela Cocker in honor of daughter Angela’s birthday; Tom & Lucy Low for Jaxon Low’s 17th birthday; Lenley Hawks-worth in memory of his mother’s birthday.

Summer special music: Roman Leverenz, Fujian Choir, Na Leo Men, Mia Lin, and Tupou Seini.

To Pat Sheppard and Paini Harris for go-ing above and beyond to take care of our

flooding prob-lems from the last storm! The Foodbank, Of-fice and Komuro Hall were affect-ed, but is now back in working order, thanks to their quick thinking and ac-tion.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

*5:30pm Centering

Prayer

3

*2:30pm Staff

Meeting

*7pm Tongan

Services

4

* Tongan Wom-

Prayer Circle

SPROUTs

7 p.m. Church

5

*8pm Youth &

Youth Adults

*10 p.m. Radio

Ministry

6

* Youth & Young

Adult rehearsal

2-6 p.m.

7

10am Joint Worship

11:30am Church

Conference

Lunch ~ Komuro Hall

8

9

* 6:30pm Change

Team

10

11:30am English

UMW Circle

11

7pm Trustees

12

Praise Team at

Aiea UMC for

District YA Event

13

8am-Noon Su-

sannah Wesley

Open House and

Rummage Sale

14 8am & 10am Ser-

mon Series

8:30-11:30 am Health

Clinic

11:30am Bible Study

1-3pm Legal Clinic

15

16

7pm Tongan UMW

Circle

17 18

19

State Admission

Holiday—

building and

offices closed

20

21 8am & 10am

Sermon Series

11 am UMW

Fundraiser

8:30-11:30 am Health

Clinic

11:30am Bible Study

22 23 24 25

11:30am Lunch on

the Loose

7pm Nominations

Lay Leadership

26 27

28 8am & 10am

Sermon Series

8:30-11:30 am Health

Clinic

11:30am Bible Study

1-3pm Legal Clinic

29 30 31

AUGUST 2016 *repeats weekly

Check out our website: www.firstumchonolulu.org

First United Methodist Church

1020 South Beretania Street

Honolulu, Hawaii 96814-1492

(808) 522-9555 Fax (808) 528-3992

Email: Ofiice@Firstumchonolulu.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Church Leaders & Staff Resident Bishop:

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño

District Superintendent:

Rev. Dr. Se Hee Han

Co-pastors:

Rev. Amy C. Wake

Rev. Dr. Linita ‘U. Moa

Church Secretary/Office Mgr.

Paini Harris

Choir Directors:

Tupou Seini Kelemeni, Fololiena Maka

Pianist:

Mia Lin

Custodians:

Heamasi Koli, Pat Sheppard

Newsletter editor: Sandra Mactagone

13 of our youth attended the Wesley

Foundation Youth Camp at Camp Erdman. Thanks to all the volunteers

who made this possible!