First United Methodist Church

1020 South Beretania Street

Honolulu, Hawaii 96814-1492

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

Email: Ofiice@Firstumchonolulu.org

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Church Leaders & Staff

Resident Bishop:

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño

District Superintendent:

Rev. Dr. Thomas Choi

Co-pastors:

Rev. Amy C. Wake

Rev. Linita ‘U. Moa

Church Secretary/Office Mgr.

Paini Harris

Choir Directors:

Tupou Seini Kelemeni, Fololiena Maka

Pianist:

Petra Peršolja

Custodians:

Heamasi Koli, Pat Sheppard

Newsletter editor: Sandra Mactagone

SUPPORT OUR FOODBANK!

Aloha, I’m Lissi Chadwick, the director of the church food bank. Along with 16 other volunteers, we serve over 350 people a month in need of food. We are able to do this thru grants and donations. Some of our large donors have passed away, which has put us in a need for help too. In order to keep the portions and number of recipients the

same, we are asking for small donations of .......

$1.00 / Wk or $5.00 / Mo

Your help will be appreciated very much. This situation has not come up in the 30 yrs I’ve volunteered. We are thankful we have been able

to help those in need.

May God bless us all. No one should have to go to bed hungry. Thank you.

FOOD BANK First United Methodist Church

808.522-9555 office@firstumchonolulu.org

See a video message from Lissi at http://1683206.talkfusion.com

Pastor’s Pen… And we’re off! Sunday was our kick-off to our church-wide vi-sioning. Thank you to guest preacher Sinita Ulu’ave from Kapolei United Methodist Mission

for getting us inspired! We passed out Mike Slaughter’s book, “Dare to Dream” and small groups are beginning to meet to discuss the book and dare to dream about the future of our church. Additional books are available at the church office or at Sunday service… these books are for you to keep, make notes, and prayerfully reflect on God’s calling in your life and in the life of the church. As mentioned previously, these small groups will meet through March, then we will have a time of prayer and discernment through Lent and then April 24-25, we will have an All-Church Vision Retreat at St. Anthony’s Retreat Center in Ka-lihi Valley.

You can participate by joining a monthly small group discussion from October through March. Some are already established groups: Charitable Resource Fund Committee (Rev.

Amy Wake) Church & Society Committee (Roman

Leverenz) Young Adults/English (Helena Ogle) Fijian Fellowship (Seni Bartholomew) Nurture Committee (Helena Ogle) Pancakes and Praise (‘Utu Langi) SPROUTs (Dorinda Dunlap) Staff-Parrish Relations Committee (Rev.

Linita Moa) Tongan Men (Sione Mafoa’ae’ata) Tongan Women (Ana Hungalu) United Methodist Women (Carol Kesler) Wesley Circle (Judy Olson)

“Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World”

1020 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 Volume XXXIII Issue 22 October 2014

FOCUS a Newsletter of first United Methodist Church

The book has also been summarized in Tongan so that the Tongan language small groups will be able to discuss the same questions. Our Sunday School classes and Youth and Young Adults will also have age-appropriate discussions based on this book. We also have two open groups for anyone who would like to participate:

First Fridays at 3 p.m. (Rev. Amy Wake)

Third Wednesdays at 6 p.m. w/ the Nurture Committee (Helena Ogle) Please let me know if you would like to join either of these groups. Please note that all par-ticipants in the April 2015 Vision Retreat must have read the book and been in a small group. If you have any questions, please see our pas-tors. Join us on this journey and Dare to Dream!

Amy

Welcome

Welcome to new Part Time Custodian ‘Utu Langi. ‘Utu will be working on Sundays and as needed through the week. He’s no stranger to this work and we are lucky to have him!

2015 Budget

The Finance Committee is making preparations for the 2015 budget. All committee chairs and ministry leaders are asked to submit budget pro-posals by October 24. Please send them to fumcfinanceoffice@gmail.com.

FUMC Building Committee

The Building Com-mittee has chosen an architect and a consult-ant team to deal with the architectural, struc-tural, electrical, land-scape areas of the renovation, as well as addressing ADA con-cerns. The committee has, in hand, working drawings for the structural repairs in the sanctu-ary, and at present, are soliciting bids for the structural repairs. At present, the main concern for the Building Committee is to get the structural repairs com-

plete, to maintain a safe and sound Sanctuary and to do the necessary electrical repair/upgrades so that Worship can con-tinue uninter-rupted by electrical problems. The contrac-tors bidding are ones that have shown interest in the past for doing this type of work

as well as others that have experience doing res-toration in older buildings, where the intent is to keep the same appearance and “feel” of the origi-nal structure. Particular concern is being able to match the concrete finish at the repair locations so that the finished repair will “blend in” with the rest of the structure. The electrical portion of the renovation has become an item of importance due to the deterio-ration of the existing facilities and concern that at any moment, the system may stop working, which would affect our ability to continue worship

services as we do now. We have received a quotation from the Electrical Engineer to pro-vide a set of drawings indicating new control panels, new light fixtures, which will be more en-ergy efficient, and new path-ways for the wires to distribute the necessary power, while be-ing appropriately concealed from the weather and view in-

side the sanctuary. Once these drawings are complete, we will solicit bids from electrical sub-contractors to submit a quotation on the work. We are also looking at prices for the re-roofing of the sanctuary, complete with an allowance to do any structural repairs that may be necessary due to years of neglect, dealing with the roof drainage system. We, as a committee, are in the process of dis-cussing whether to have a General Contractor be responsible for the total work “package”, or whether to do the work as an “Owner-Contractor”, with the assistance of a Construction Manager. We are at the beginning of this “journey” and must decide on what will be the best time to start this work, with Thanksgiving and the Christmas Sea-son coming upon us, once we have decided on con-tractors to do the work. We need to set up guidelines for the on-going work to make sure that there is as lit-tle disruption as practical for the

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Twelve not-so-earth shattering discoveries

1. Pools are very cold in August...but worth it. 2. You can buy "hair mayonnaise" in Fiji, but not cheddar cheese.

3. The drums for morning prayer start at 5:00 am... the roosters start soon thereafter for those foolish enough to turn back over.

4. As the sun sets here, fruit bats with 24 inch wing spans roost in tulip trees all around campus.

5. "Sulus" - Fijian formal clothing for men and boys are better than pants. 6. Chili chicken pot pies from the Hot Bread bakery

are worth the 20 minute walk to town. 7. Weet-bix breakfast cereal really needs to be eaten

within one minute of putting milk on it. 8. It is not much fun walking back uphill from market with a watermelon.

9. Matches left on a counter overnight will be too damp to light the next morning. 10. Fijian dancers are really, really in shape.

11. Student responsibilities on campus include the positions of "gatekeepers and lali beaters" - which is just plain fun to say.

12. Mercy's overnight class field trip next week has a devotion that starts at 2:30 a.m.

Hope God is surprising you in all kinds of wonderful ways. Thank you for praying for us!

The Neals

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From Our Missionaries in Fiji...

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OCTOBER 2014

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

*repeats weekly 1 5:30pm Building Committee

2 3

4

5

10am Joint Worship

Service/Vision Kick-

Off and Luncheon

Worship Comm.

6 7 *8pm UMW Choir Practice

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*2:30pm Staff Meeting * 7pm Tongan Service * 7 pm Na Leo O Paulele Practice

9 * 8pm Tongan choir practice

10

* 8pm Youth & Young Adults *10pm Radio Ministry

11

Leilani Zuke-

mura’s Retire-

ment Celebra-

tion

12

Medical Clinic

13

14

15 11:30 English UMW Circle 5:30pm Building Committee

16 11:30 am Lunch on the Loose 6:30pm SPROUTS 7pm SPRC

17 18

8:30-11am

Disciple Bible

Study

Noon-Church

and Society in

Library

19 20

NEWSLETTER

DEADLINE

21

Tongan UMW

Ciecle

22 23

7pm Trustees

24

7pm District

Tongan Choir

Concert

25

26 LAITY SUNDAY

10 am Preacher

JoAnn Fukumoto

Counseling Clinic

Medical Clinic

4 pm Youth and

Young Adult service

27 28

Petra’s Concert

29 30

7 pm Finance

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Check out our website: www.firstumchonolulu.org.

church to function as needed, yet maintain the safety of all on property and allow the efficient

progression of the work.

This will be a challenge for all of us and the need to be cooperative and understanding of all the activities going on during this renovation time will be great, however with our Faith in what we are doing, our Perseverance in doing the needed repairs, and our Dedication to make this happen, there is no doubt that this will result in a Sanctuary that is modern and efficient, yet maintains the original Character and Spirit of First United Methodist Church.

Tom Low Chair-Building Committee

Construction Estimates

Structural Repairs $300,000 New Electrical System $225,000 New Roof $85,000 New Screen Windows $70,000 Improved Sound & Video $45,000 ADA requirements $25,000 TOTAL $750,000 Income Estimates CRF $250,000 Tongan Congregation $150,000 English Congregation $150,000 Memorial Matching Fund $200,000 TOTAL $750,000

Sanctuary Campaign

Just a quick update on our campaign. So far our English Congregation has raised $124,126 in pledges and gifts towards our goal of $150,000. Overall, with the CRF contribution and our Me-morial Matching Fund, we have $498,272 for our sanctuary renovation toward our goal of $750,000. God is GOOD! ALL the time! Thank you to all those who have made pledges and gifts so far.

Beverly Aiwohi William Alexander

MJ Amundson Esther and Clifford Arinaga

Repeka Bartholomew Ann Bystrom

Lissi and Dick Chadwick Kent Coarsey and Rev. Amy Wake

Lou Crellin Connie Deming

Diego and Barbara Fernandez Tili and Jackie Fifita

Gene Grippen Kaye Harada

Soli and Chuchi Ignacio Mike Kasanback

Carol Kesler Colleen Masaki

Mary Muhlenforth Judy and Mel Olson

Save and Sovaia Ravono Betty Sun

Temalesi Tadu Bette Takahashi

Alex Teruya Sean Vaziri

Paul and Iva Vuli Nancy and David Walter

Natalie Wells Wilma Wilson

If you would like to make a donation or pledge for the Sanctuary Fund, please fill out the yellow pledge cards on Sunday or call the church office at 522-9555.

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Thank You

To all those who came out to the Work Day! Kueni Maka for spending countless hours

cleaning out the pantry in the kitchen. Our regular

volunteers: the Paongo family, Ray Dorsey

Ana and Henry Cocker for helping with plumbing around the church.

Our anonymous but weekly cleaner of the kitchen… your gift of service has not gone unnoticed!

Mele Pepa for preaching at the 10am ser-

vice on September 28 Altar Flowers: Luana Masima, Tom & Lucy

Low Aloha Refreshments: Temalesi Tadu and

friends, Ikata’ane & Sue Veikoso

Congratulations

To Ms. Shigeko Yamaguchi, who turns 102 years old

on October 16th!

In Our Prayers

Please pray for: Our shut-ins: Jackie Fifita, Joan Eng, Joyce Hook, Momi Schneider, Katherine Minn Those with continuing concerns: ‘Ofa Latu, Bette Takahashi, David Walter, Ma`u Ikahihifo, ‘Aunofo

Koloamatangi, Vai Lolohea, Wilma Wilson, Shi-geko Yamaguchi, Jo Toxvard & son, Richard Szu-miel, Gene Grippin, Beverly’s father, Mele`ana Lotulelei, Bette’s sister Marie, Buster Donohue, Ray Snyder’s daughter Those receiving treatment for cancer: Valerie Leverenz, Ben Timmerman’s sister, Nancy’s son Keith, Amy’s friend Gail, Roman’s sister-in-law Amanda and friend Gila. Our hearts and prayers are with: - Louise Crellin in Oregon - The children at Shriner’s Hospital, especially Simione, Aseri, Alvish & Ria (Fiji). - The family and friends of Mateaki Lolohea for their great loss. - The family and friends of Ikahihifo for their great loss. - The family and friends of Clifford Arinaga for their great loss. - The family and friends of Mark Britt for their great loss.

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Sione Mateaki Lolohea

Ikahihifo

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Free Coffee

Join us every Sunday after worship for an in-triguing bible study on the Gospel of Mat-thew. Oh, and free coffee. 11:30 a.m. every Sunday in the Library. We are finishing Mat-thew soon and will start a study about the book of Revelations. For more information, see Pastor Amy.

Trustee Update

Recently Completed - New gutters for lanai Repaired door locks in basement Repaired plumbing in K-Hall men’s room Repaired toilet leaks Repaired ACs in K-Hall, Finance Office Coming soon - Tree trimming Update Fire Alarm system Carpet cleaning (classrooms and chapel) Replace sliding glass door in K-Hall Preparing for 2015 budget

Announcements

FREE CONCERTS… by our own Petra Peršolja at St. Andrew’s Cathedral this Friday, October 17 at 12:15 p.m. Her Senior Recital is on Tuesday, October 28, 7:30 p.m. at Orvis Auditorium, University of Hawaii.

LUNCH ON THE LOOSE … We will be going to Panya Bistro at Hokua (former PF Chang location) on Thursday, October 16, 11:30 p.m. Address is 1288 Ala Moana Blvd. Please call Barbara Fernandez at 671-6801 if you would like to join us.

The Na Leo O Paulele Choir practice has started for our Christmas Cantata. Please join us at 7:45 pm on Wednesdays for cantata practice, OR at 7:00 pm if you would like to join us for both choir rehearsal and cantata! This year's cantata is "Were You There On That Christmas Night?" by Lloyd Larson.

UMW helping in Ebola Crisis

by Julu Swen and Kathy L. Gilbert (UMNS) United Methodist Women in Liberia are hand-ing out love, food and information to commu-nities stricken by Ebola where the denomina-tion has churches. Sarah Q. Nah, president of the United Methodist Women in the Liberia Annual Con-ference, said they are especially concerned about the Kakata-Farmington District where 18 church members, including two pas-tors and the president of the United Methodist Men’s group, have died. UMW started distributing rice, vegetable oil and other staples to communities quaran-tined by the government’s attempt to stop the spread of Ebola. The women also conducted training sessions on preventative measures, such as hand-washing and avoiding contact with the sick or bodies of those who died from Ebola. United Methodist Women of the Liberia Annual Conference have received $6,300 for Ebola Virus Education to help prevent this incurable disease from spreading fur-ther. Donations can be made online to project #3019240 to make emergency grants like this possible. As the outbreak continues to worsen in West Africa, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has sent nearly $400,000 in grants to Sierra Leone and Liberia. Funds support the construction of holding units and the purchase of tents, personal protective equipment, training for health staff, public messaging about Ebola and safe handling of bodies. United Methodist bishops John G. Innis and John K. Yambasu, of Liberia and Sierra Leone, respectively, ask donors who want to help fight the Ebola outbreak to please give through theInternational Disaster Response Advance, #982450, to ensure “the appropri-ateness, timeliness and quality” of the materi-als.

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