nu’u vineyard news · fellowship to follow in miyama hall . 3 advent “living in god’s...
TRANSCRIPT
PASTOR’S
CORNER
BE THE HOPE!
Bishop Grant Hagiya has been using this phrase when he ends
an article or letter. Instead of having a hope, he invites us to BE the hope. Hope here
is not a part of who we are or who we would like to be, but we ourselves are the
hope. It is like saying, “We are life” instead of saying, “We have life.” Advent season
may be calling us to be the Hope in Emmanuel, instead of having the gift of
Emmanuel. As we embrace the season of Hope, Paul in his letter to the Christians in Rome reminds us that
being the Hope is more than visioning for something “better” than who and where we are. Being the Hope in
Christ in Advent also includes ‘overcoming’ what is not hopeful. It is about having courage to endure and
inspiration to face what makes hope hopeless.
So many times we have experienced hopelessness during the season of “Glory to God, Peace on
Earth” (Luke 2:14). Being real with being the Hope in the season of Expectation is to endure what is hopeless.
Being the Hope is to be resiliently hope-filled in the midst of so many denials to hope. The first century
Bethlehem might be so far from Being the Hope. What surrounded the Holy Family must’ve been ambiguous,
fearful, and simply hopeless. Messages we have been hearing about the coming Baby are composed by
extremely fragile stories. Then, Being the Hope might have been a scary confrontation against the Power that
obliterated those who resisted. For us it looks as if we are not too far from this irony. Being the Hope,
therefore, always demands our endurance. Being the Hope is to endure.
Being the Hope, being Cheerful Expectants, has to do with being persistent in prayers. Our resiliency
in Hope has to be connected to the source of the Hope. Welcoming the season of Hope is about being
persistent in building a bridge between Being the Hope and the very source of it. Isaiah reads the persistence
in this way, “Thunder in the desert! Prepare for God’s arrival! Make the road straight and smooth, a highway
fit for our God (the source of hope).” (Isaiah 40:3) Making the world fit for Emmanuel is to include persistency
in prayers and devotions. Peace and justice may flow like a river with our prayers and praise in a season of a
Tip-Toed Anticipation of the Hope.
In our serving, there may be a sign of the Hope in the midst of hopelessness. In our devotion, there
may be the presence of the source of the Hope. Be the Hope to each other for the Hope is so real and so
human. In our anticipation, endurance, and persistence we may plunge ourselves into the ocean of God’s
grace. May God of Hope fill you with joy, awakening, and NO FEAR. May it be a blessed season where our
Hope in Christ be so real, so human, and so divine. Amen.
Be The Hope, Cheol
NU’U VINEYARD NEWS Harris United Methodist Church
20 South Vineyard Blvd. Hon., HI 96813
WE ARE AN OPEN AND RECONCILING CONGREGATION
www.harrisumc.org Facebook: @HarrisUMC Instagram: aloha2harrisumc December-January 2018/2019
Rev. Dr. Cheol Kwak
Be a cheerful expectant! Don’t quit in hard times;
pray all the harder. Romans 12:12
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DECEMBER WORSHIP SERVICES
THE SEASON of ADVENT ~ “LIVING IN GOD’S LIGHT”
9:00 am Nichigo Worship (Japanese Language Ministry)
To Be Announced
5:00 pm Evening Worship (Contemporary Music)
Davy Lee
*************************************
10:45am Worship (English Language Service)
December 2nd: 1st Sunday of Advent: HOPE
Scripture Reading: Luke 21: 25-36
“Stay Alert; You Will See Signs for the Kingdom of God is Near”
Rev. Rona Mangayayam, preaching
COMMUNION
December 9th: 2nd Sunday of Advent: JOY
ALL MUSIC WORSHIP
Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 5:13
December 16th: 3rd Sunday of Advent: PEACE
Scripture Reading: Luke 3:7-18
“What, Then, Should We Do?”
Rev. Dr. Cheol Kwak, preaching
December 23rd: 4th Sunday of Advent: LOVE
Scripture Reading: Luke 2: 15-19
“Mary Kept All These Things….”
Rev. Dr. Cheol Kwak, preaching
December 30th: 1st Sunday After Christmas Day
Scripture Reading: Luke 13: 6-9
“Give It One More Year, Lord”
Rev. Dr. Cheol Kwak, preaching
WE ARE AN OPEN AND RECONCILING CONGREGATION ~ ALL ARE WELCOME!
December 24
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
7:45pm SPECIAL MUSIC
with Handbell Choir and Brass Ensemble
8:00pm WORSHIP
“Living in God’s Light”
Rev. Rona Mangayayam, preaching
Fellowship to follow in Miyama Hall
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ADVENT
“LIVING IN GOD’S LIGHT”
ADVENT
“LIVING IN GOD’S LIGHT”
"Living in God's Light" has been chosen as the theme for Advent
that begins December 2. Each week will have a different focus:
December 2: Hope
December 9 : Joy
December 16 : Peace
December 23: Love
Beginning December 2, post cards will be available at the back of
the sanctuary for you to invite friends and family to our Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service: begins at 7:45pm with Special Music and Worship at
8pm.
Also on December 2, orders will be taken for poinsettia plants that
will adorn our sanctuary on Christmas Eve. Twenty 6" plants at $20 each
will be available. Sign up at the table in the courtyard and make your
checks payable to Harris UMC. Plants may be taken home after the
Christmas Eve candlelight service.
All Music Sunday will be celebrated December 9. This is one event
you won't want to miss as we hear selections from our various musical
teams at Harris, celebrating the season of Advent!
Recent events such as natural catastrophic disasters that have
resulted in loss of life and property, endless wars, displaced refugees, and
episodes of discrimination headline the news. Recognizing that some may
have a difficult time celebrating the holiday season, Harris is again
scheduling a Blue Christmas Service on Saturday, December 22 at
10 am. All are welcome for a time of reflection, healing and
solace.
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Recent events such as natural catastrophic disasters that have resulted in
loss of life and property, endless wars, displaced refugees, and episodes of
discrimination headline the news.
Recognizing that some may have a difficult time
celebrating the holiday season, Harris is again scheduling a
Blue Christmas Service
Saturday, December 22nd
10:00 am in the Sanctuary
All are welcome for a time of reflection, healing and solace.
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LIVING IN GOD’S LIGHT
December 24th
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
7:45pm SPECIAL MUSIC
with Handbell Choir
and
Brass Ensemble
8:00pm WORSHIP
Rev. Rona Mangayayam, preaching
Fellowship to follow in Miyama Hall
(please bring your favorite treat to share!)
Join us for this special Candlelight Service!
Hear the beautiful story and sing the glorious
hymns of the Birth of Jesus…
ALL ARE WELCOME!
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POINSETTIA ORDERS!!
Beginning December 2, orders will be taken for
poinsettia plants that will adorn our sanctuary on
Christmas Eve!
Twenty 6" plants at $20 each will be available.
Sign up at the table in the courtyard and make your
checks payable to Harris UMC.
Plants may be taken home after the Christmas Eve
Candlelight service.
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JANUARY 2019 WORSHIP SERVICES
THE SEASON of EPIPHANY
9:00 am Nichigo Worship (Japanese Language Ministry)
To Be Announced
5:00 pm Evening Worship (Contemporary Music)
Davy Lee
*************************************
10:45am Worship (English Language Service)
January 6th: Epiphany of the Lord
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:1-12
“Be Bold and Confident”
Rev. Dr. Cheol Kwak, preaching
COMMUNION
January 13th: 1st Sunday After the Epiphany
BAPTISM OF THE LORD
Scripture Reading: Luke 3: 15-17; 21-22
“I Have Called You By Name”
Rev. Rona Mangayayam, preaching
January 20th: 2nd Sunday After the Epiphany
HUMAN RELATIONS SUNDAY
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 62: 1-5
“Because Of My Faith, I Will Not Be Silent”
Rev. Rona Mangayayam, preaching
January 27th: 3rd Sunday After the Epiphany
Scripture Reading: Luke 4: 14-21
“The Spirit of the Lord Is Upon You”
Rev. Dr. Cheol Kwak, preaching
WE ARE AN OPEN
AND
RECONCILING
CONGREGATION ~
ALL ARE WELCOME!
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Ringing our Peace Bell at 11:00 a.m. on
Armistice Day, in honor of our Veterans.
View bell ringing by Navy Chaplain Rev. John Miyahara:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kijr0ITgTnM
Fred Esperanza plays for peace to honor his
fellow Veterans on Armistice Day with a
harmonica solo. View the solo on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=jjjJ8bSya0Y
Mahalo to Darlene Rodrigues for being our Heavenly Handbells during Worship!
Guest preacher with the theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJcyUDW4eWI
LOVE WELL. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTJSQgumWh0
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Harris held a prayer
vigil to honor the lives
of those affected by
the recent shootings
and wild fires in
Thousand Oaks, CA
and elsewhere. The
vigil was to gather and
grieve together...to
share our thoughts,
prayers, and hopes.
One of our Sunday morning song leaders! Sky & Marienne sing together. View on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OfPmUlNZtw
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IN MINISTRY TOGETHER
Whew! Harris Ohana, you are being faithful to follow through on our “dreams” by moving towards
the real hard work of “doing”! In 2018 we made the “Triple T Pledge” of time, talent and treasure to pledge
concrete action towards our collective dreams with the hope of making God’s dreams for peace and justice
become reality. By Connecting, Collaborating, Communicating and Celebrating we are building the Body of
Christ to serve needs both within our congregation and out into our community and world. We are
continuing to focus on the areas identified during the “dreaming” process: affordable housing/homelessness,
immigration/ sanctuary, partnerships with the Nu’uanu YMCA, and reinvigorating Harris youth programs.
As we anticipate Advent and the coming of Light into our dark world, we encourage you to brighten
your life and the lives of others by going deeper with God, trusting the call of the Spirit to serve in new ways
and encourage others to join you. We are inspired by kupuna who attend worship despite physical
limitations! We are inspired by youth who overcome their fears to serve in various ways in worship and
beyond! We are inspired by faithful witnesses who bring new opportunities to challenge our old ways of
thinking! We are inspired by people who say, “Yes!” to new leadership roles! We are inspired by those who
make monetary contributions to enable special projects to grow! We are inspired by all who faithfully serve
in areas that keep our church running! We are inspired by those who reach out into our community! We are
inspired by the smiles and spontaneity of our children! God has blessed us to be a blessing to others! May
we continue to love God and our neighbors in 2019!
Natalie Nimmer and Diane Matsuura, Co-lay leaders
FROM DREAMING
TO DOING
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IN MINISTRY TOGETHER
LIVING IN GOD’S LIGHT
CHRISTMAS PARTY!
Friday, Dec. 21, 2018
5:00pm-8:00pm
We will host our annual Christmas Party for our CMS students and families on Friday, Dec. 21,
5:00 – 8:00 p.m. This year we will also include students and families in our Hip Hop dance class from
Kauluwela Elementary School. We’ll have crafts, performances by the CMS and Kauluwela Hip Hop
classes, “ono” dinner, and short program.
Please help...SIGN UP IN THE COURTYARD Dec. 2, 9 & 16
*Donations of gift cards from Safeway, Longs, McDonalds, Zippys, are welcome to raffle off during
dinner to students and families...they get so excited to receive them!
Bring on Sundays or any day to the church office
*Volunteers to do Christmas Crafts
*Volunteers to help set up and serve dinner
Invite family and friends to receive this gift of love at Christmas….ALL ARE WELCOME!!
MEN MAKING BREAKFAST GATHERING!
Sunday, December 23rd, 2018
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. in Miyama Hall
Our MMB will be making breakfast for all who come!!
Join us and eat, talk story over an “ono” breakfast!
Mahalo to our MEN for this opportunity...free and open to all!
MEN...Contact John Miyahara, et.al. for details to let him know of your
contributions.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
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57th ANNUAL NU’UANU VALLEY
INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING
CELEBRATION
“Giving Thanks in Community”
The 57th Nu'uanu Valley Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Faith participants:
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Baha'i Community of Hawai'i, First Unitarian Church
of Honolulu, Harris United Methodist Church, Hawaiian Church of Hawai'i Nei, Honpa
Hongwanji Hawai'i Betsuin, Iskcon Hawai'i, International Society of Krishna
Consciousness, Nu'uanu Congregational Church, Soka Gakkai International, Temple
Emanu-el, United Church of Christ Judd Street. (see all photos on Facebook @HarrisUMC)
Symbols from each of the religious
communities.
Mahalo to
Honpa Hongwanji Hawai'i
Betsuin for hosting the Interfaith
Thanksgiving service this year.
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57th ANNUAL NU’UANU VALLEY
INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING
CELEBRATION
“Giving Thanks in Community”
Harris participants in the
INTERFAITH CHOIR
Processing with bread and cup~
our symbols of God's radical
hospitality, reminding us that all
are welcome at the table.
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57th ANNUAL NU’UANU VALLEY
INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING
CELEBRATION
“Giving Thanks in Community”
Guest speaker, Veronica Lamb, from
The Justice Ministry,
Bluewater Mission.
Leadership and organizers of this year’s
celebration!
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THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all who participated in the Trustees’ Fall
Cleaning on Saturday, November 17. The entire church campus received much-needed
TLC from over 50 volunteers, including 30 church members, 15 AARP volunteers, and 5
U.S. Navy volunteers.
Now, the windows throughout the church campus are sparkling clean; Miyama
Hall received TLC from top to bottom; the kitchen is spiffed up; the Sanctuary is ready for
our Christmas services; the church grounds are weeded and trimmed; and classrooms,
offices, and Komuro Lounge cleaned. All that scrubbing worked up everyone’s appetite,
so we ended the morning with a delicious lunch sponsored by the Trustees and Claude
and Maisie Nagaishi.
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To celebrate National Bible Week at Harris, we had an essay contest on “What
the Bible Means to Me”. Our winner is 9 year old ISABEL OHTA!!! Isabel submitted
a well written and thoughtful essay which she generously allowed us to share with
you. We are very proud of you….Congratulations, Isabel!
Isabel receives her gift and
congratulations from Patrick
Zukemura, Certified Lay Minister.
What the Bible Means to Me
Isabel Ohta
What the Bible Means to me is it teaches you about God
and Jesus. It teaches about good habits like sharing, how to
love, and about the good things God has done. For example,
Ruth and Naomi stayed together because they are family and
they care about each other. I also love the story of Moses and
how the princess was so kind to take care of him and how
thoughtful Moses’s sister was to get him back to his family. That
is how God wants us to look after each other.
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Advent Study “NAMES FOR THE MESSIAH”
by Walter Brueggemann
When: Wednesdays, November 28, December 5, 12, 19
Where: 11:30am in Room 4 To reserve book: call church office 536-9602 or
email [email protected] by Nov. 15 Cost of book: $9.50
Led by: Pastor Rona
In Isaiah 9:6, a divine utterance is given to us using four royal titles--Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Names for the Messiah ponders each title and how the people understood it then, how Jesus did or did not fulfill the title, and how Christians interpret Jesus as representative of that title.
Christians have claimed from the beginning that Jesus was the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. In this study, best-selling author Walter Brueggemann tackles the questions: "What were these expectations?" and "Did Jesus fulfill them?
ALL ARE WELCOME!!
LIVING IN GOD’S LIGHT
HARRIS
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRIES
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LOOKING AHEAD…
SMALL GROUP STUDY FOR 2019
“We Make the Road By Walking” by Brian D. McLaren
All Are Welcome to a "quest for spiritual formation,
reorientation and activation" using the book
"We Make the Road by Walking"
by Brian D. McLaren.
Dates are: Thursdays at 10:30 -12 noon in Komuro
Lounge
February 7, 14, and 28
March 7, 14 and 28
April 4, 11 and 25
May 2, 9, 23 and 30
Cost of the book is $13.50. Reserve through the church office (536-9602) or
email [email protected] by January 20 , 2019
LIVING IN GOD’S LIGHT
HARRIS
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRIES
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LIVING IN GOD’S LIGHT
How we can help with recovery efforts for Immanuel UMC in
Saipan
HARRIS
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRIES
REVERSE ADVENT CALENDAR
“LIVING IN GOD’S LIGHT”
The Harris Sunday School children will be participating in a Reverse Advent collection of
PENNIES AND NICKELS! Begin your daily collection on December 1 ...bring your collections to
church on the morning of Dec. 23rd!
ABSOLUTELY ANYONE CAN START A COLLECTION..."young" and “younger"!!!
EMBRACE HOPE and give HOPE ….your daily donations will help. All donations will be
given to Immanuel United Methodist Church in Saipan to help with rebuilding and restoration of
the church. As you can see from the photos sent by Rev. Debbie Wise, Super Typhoon Yutu
devastated many homes, buildings, schools, and lives in Saipan. Rev. Debbie’s home was also
affected. Recovery efforts are continuous, and every little bit will help Immanuel UMC.
Please see Cheryl Yamamoto for your own personal Reverse Advent CALENDAR!!!!
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REVERSE ADVENT CALENDAR
LIVING IN GOD’S LIGHT
give a gift of a PeNNY oN the “odd” Number daY,
aNd a NiCKeL oN the “eveN” Number daY. PLaCe a stiCKer wheN You
give !!!!! Bring to church on DEC. 23...
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HARRIS
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRIES
HAVE A SLIM CHRISTMAS
The Youth are again coordinating our SLIM CHRISTMAS project this year.
Beginning on December 9, the youth will have a table at the courtyard after
worship to receive your gifts in honor of someone you love. Recipients for this
year are the IHS Soup Ministry, Central Middle School Outreach Ministry, and
Immanuel United Methodist Church in Saipan to help in rebuilding their church
after the devastating typhoon.
Please consider this alternative gift giving this Christmas! Mahalo!!
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YOUTH 2019 – MAHALO FROM OUR YOUTH!
A BIG MAHALO TO ALL HARRIS MEMBERS AND GUESTS! Due to the generosity of our Harris UMC
Ohana, the youth group was able to raise $1,893.00 during our recent fundraiser! We thank you from
the bottom of our hearts as our dreams of attending Youth 2019 in Kansas City next July are becoming
more realistic! Many of you requested that our youth group do a car wash for our next fundraiser so we
will plan for that to happen in January, 2019. Again, we thank you all for your love and support.
Kansas City, here we come!
View their performance on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKDLHKop5K4
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...From Dreaming to Doing Start of the day ON THE THIRD THURSDAY OF NOVEMBER included over 50 GUESTS! 22
who came to shower, and many others who got a sack lunch and clean clothes.
The word is getting around; attendance is increasing as demonstrated by the number of
guests who come to shower, who take sack lunches (and more quickly made to
accommodate everyone), who utilize services provided by our Community agencies, and
clothing that are given to those in need.
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...From Dreaming to Doing
Our Community Service Providers included:
Project HieHie, Employment Assistance Services, HI Health &
Harm Reduction, Veteran’s Affairs Services, Legal Aid Hawaii, St.
Peter’s Episcopal Church, and the Institute for Human Services.
Mahalo for your partnerships!
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...From Dreaming to Doing
Our next opportunity to serve our guests will be on December 20th.
Can YOU be there to serve?
Contact Co-Chairs Darlene Rodrigues or Saymydarline Ata
to volunteer your time!
The need is there...let’s continue to serve...
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Anticipation builds on bazaar day until the call is made to “Open the Gates”.
From that moment, crowds surge to their favorite spot of the bazaar. This year it
appeared the lines were heading straight to the pie section. And within 30 minutes
the pies were sold out. No problem though, as there were plenty of other sections at
which to shop.
Anticipation also builds from 2:00-2:30 pm when most of the crowd and
workers are gone. People in the book section are still frantically taping boxes of
books for storage or for “more recycling” as they are loaded on the Cerebral Palsy
truck and we wait for Carole Suzui, Chair of the Finance Section.
Carole comes out of the office with the spreadsheet in hand and we get the
results. On bazaar day, 2018 the net proceeds were $19,427. After the last expenses
were taken off, the final total for the 2018 Bazaar was $18,550, the highest in the last
20 years.
Several community groups assisted in the bazaar: Central Middle School
students, YWCA Fernhurst Women, First LAP, KVIBE, Harris Preschool and Waldorf
School. Everyone was needed, but in the end, the remarkable result was only
possible through the hard work, support, donations and prayers from members of
Harris and friends far and near.
Thank you for a very successful Harris Bazaar. Greg Yamamoto captured myriad
images of the bazaar were shared on Facebook. It was like being there. And, as
before, all the proceeds will be used for mission for community groups in Hawaii and
selected countries of the world.
Mark the date, the Harris Bazaar for 2019 will be held on November 2. See you
there.
Norma Kehrberg
Dennis Pacht, Co-Chairs of the Bazaar
HARRIS UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH
BAZAAR!!
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Dear Rev. Dr. Kwak and members of Harris UMC,
Over four months after the torrential rainstorm in Hiroshima, some people still have to live in
temporary evacuation shelters. Among them are the Watanabe family and the Suehiro family. Their
children attend Kaita Kindergarten, which my family operates.
Thank you very much for your generous relief funds. I had the privilege of delivering them in
person to these two families who lost their houses by tremendous mudslides and falling rocks from
nearby mountains. They were so deeply touched by your loving concerns that they became
speechless and even tearful when I presented your monetary gift. Below are their letters of
appreciation for you.
Their worries and anxieties about their future are still evident, but your love inspired them to
find hope! Because of the deaths of their close friends and neighbors, their survivors’ guilt is very
deep. But your kindness gave them strength to start forgiving themselves. They can now begin to see
light in the midst of their darkness. Smiles are returning to their children’s faces. Thank you for
making God’s healing grace known to them.
The final thank-you letter is from Kazue Miyake, my sister-in-law, on behalf of the
Kindergarten.
I appreciate your continued prayerful support.
With profound gratitude,
Nobuko Miyake-Stoner
Hiroshima July 2018
flood damage to
interior of a home
with floor in ruins
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Dear Rev. Dr. Kwak and members of Harris UMC,
I am Kazue Miyake of Kaita Kindergarten in Hiroshima. Nobuko Miyake-Stoner is my sister-
in-law.
All of us here want to thank you very much for your most kind donation for the severely
affected families of our kindergarten. We feel so encouraged and happy to know that even people
like you, so far away, care about us. I am sure the Watanabe family and the Suehiro family feel the
same way. Thanks to your loving kindness, they are able to find hope and courage to go on. We,
the Kindergarten, will continue to support them as well.
All of us will never forget your thoughtfulness. We hope to meet you someday and thank
you in person.
With deep gratitude,
Kazue Miyake
Kaita Kindergarten
Hiroshima, Japan
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HIROSHIMA FLOOD DAMAGE
Flooding did damage to
homes, businesses,
schools, churches and
community lives.
Rebuilding will take
time...
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HIROSHIMA FLOOD DAMAGE
Flooding did extensive damage to roadways and
transportation, as well as to the infrastructure
of many areas.
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Dear Rev. Dr. Kwak and members of Harris UMC,
I am the mother of Isshin Watanabe who goes to Kaita Kindergarten in Hiroshima. To our great
surprise, we received from you 234,369 yen ($2,081.43). You don’t even know us, but you care about
us so much that you sent us your loving kindness in this helpful way. How can we possibly appreciate
you enough?!
All of a sudden, everything has changed after that horrific flood and mudslides. Our house was
washed away and everything in it was lost forever. Even worse is that our dear 15-year-old friend in
our neighborhood was buried alive under the mud. There is so much grief everywhere in our
community. Many of us are still suffering from PTSD.
But our children are resilient, amazingly resilient! Little by little, they are regaining a sense of
normalcy as they are trying to go back to their routine life. Perhaps we will never be able to go back to
the same life we used to enjoy, but we have to move forward for the sake of our children.
The outpouring of your kindness gives us strength to go beyond our grief and despair. Thank
you so very much for your love and support!
Most sincerely,
Mrs. Watanabe
Dear Rev. Dr. Kwak and the congregation of Harris UMC,
My name is Nami Suehiro, the mother of Kengo who goes to Kaita Kindergarten.
My family and I are deeply touched by your thoughtfulness which came to us with your
generous monetary gift of 117,533 yen ($1043.81). Pastor Nobuko Miyake-Stoner conveyed to us your
most loving thoughts and caring concerns.
The recent terrible floods and mudslides suddenly took everything away from us. We lost our
house and all our belongings. But we have to say how blessed we are, because all our family members
were able to survive the storm. And also we are grateful for people like you who are so kind and
thoughtful!
Through this tragic experience, we are now learning little by little what really matters in life
and how precious human relationships are!
We are still living in a temporary shelter and there are days when we feel overwhelmed with
anxiety about our future, but caring people like you give us a reason not to give up and to keep
moving forward!
We thank you so very much for your love and prayers.
Sincerely,
Nami Suehiro and Family
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A picture of the Watanabe and Suehiro families
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NEWSLETTER deadline is 15th of each month
Submit to Cheryl Yamamoto: [email protected]
If you are receiving a hard copy version in the mail, please reconsider the sustainable alternative by reading it
online from the church website. This will save our blessed & fragile environment and decrease postage &
paper costs in the long term. Online versions are in color and will include all submitted photos/graphics;
email and hard copy versions will be in black & white and text only.
To receive your newsletter via email rather than by postage mail, CONTACT:
We thank you for practicing good stewardship!!
Facebook: @HarrisUMC Website: www.harrisumc.org Instagram: aloha2harrisumc
Sustainability Covenant
"God calls us to be careful, humble stewards of this earth, and to protect and
restore for its own sake and for the future use and enjoyment of the human
family"
Electronic Giving: If you are not yet signed up for e-giving and are interested, please contact Sachi Taketa
for more information at 808.536.9602. You will no longer need to worry about carrying a check or cash to
put in the offering plate or send through the mail.
YOU are invited to become a member of Harris United Methodist Church! Please contact Pastor Cheol
Kwak (808.536.9602) or Pastor Rona ([email protected] or 808.738.7727) if you are interested in joining
our Harris Ohana!
Just
Wanna
Share... Next newsletter will be in February!
Happy Holidays to all…
Mele Kalikimaka me ka
Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!