June 4 Pentecost 9 am Sunday Service @ TBTS PLEASE WEAR RED ON SUNDAY
June 27 Bishop's Committee Meeting @ TBTS beginning at 5:30 pm in Kilolani Hall. Committee members required but anyone is welcome to attend.
Special Requests
Wish List
Sound System Donations are on our Wish List - If you've attended Sunday Service over the past three weeks, you've notice that we've got new wireless mics for the choir. We are still working out the 'bugs' and learning how to best use the equipment, but overall they improve the sound tremendously. We now plan to install more wireless mics for the Clergy and Music Directors, but a new soundboard and speakers are needed. Any size donation will help as 'crowdfunding' works so well for us. Our objective is to raise another $5,000 to $10,000 for this purpose. Please make checks payable to Trinity Episcopal Church by-the-Sea and earmark them for 'David Malo Fund - Sound System' Mahalo nui loa for all you do for Trinity!
Altar flowers are always welcome in thanksgiving or memory for any Sunday. Suggested donation of $25 for loose flowers and $ 50 for a tropical arrangement. Please see the sign up sheet on the welcome table or email Barb Zipf at Omabz2@aol.com for more information or to arrange a donation.
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A Message from our Vicar
The Spirit Empowered the Disciples in their Worst Despair;
Can YOU Open Your Heart to the Same Empowerment Today?
Isn't It Time?
Aloha Family and Friends of Trinity By-the-Sea,
As we’ve moved thought the Easter Season, and approached Pentecost, I’ve been reflecting on how the gift of the Spirit literally changed the disciples. Wind and fire, and they went from being scared men and women hiding from the authorities, to empowered children of God, acting as God’s hands, feet, and voice in the world. Simply amazing!
The gift of the Spirit brought hope where hope had died, and new life in the face of death and dashed dreams. It brought courage and empowerment for these followers of Jesus to move unafraid into the unknown future. And I wonder: can we also have that same sense of God’s presence and power?
A few days ago, I came across the article: How Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood Informs My Pentecost Journey (Richard’s Food for Thought), and I offer it for your own reflection. As we think and talk during the year ahead about who God is calling us (here at Trinity by-the-Sea) to be, what God is calling us to do, maybe this will help us sort it out.
As you read, I invite you to hold the question, “where do I find God in this?” in your mind.
1. Many different people, with various backgrounds and understandings of God, are living in one big neighborhood.
2. It’s a challenge for our neighborhood to be a community. We like to be with people who look, talk, and act like us. It’s hard to cross the street to be friends with others who might be different.
3. Our neighborhood is defined by stories we tell each other.
4. We tell our own stories in our own languages. We want to be heard, respected, and taken seriously. Use kind and gentle words.
5. Even when we don’t realize it, God helps us tell our stories. God gives us words to say and songs to sing when it’s hard to communicate with those around us. In this way, our story becomes God’s story. God’s story becomes our story.
6. Listening to others is part of being a good neighbor. When we hear God’s words in different places from unexpected people, we become more aware of God’s presence.
7. God isn’t something you can count or contain. God simply is. Open your windows and let God breathe into the world around you. You can let God loose in the neighborhood!
8. God’s spirit is a like a warm fire on a cold day, a toasty mug of chocolate cocoa, a hug from a friend, or your sweater on chilly afternoon. You are warmed in a way that says, “I am home”.
9. When God pitches a tent beside the castle in your neighborhood, don’t be surprised if some people don't understand and ask silly questions. Like Peter, you’ve not had "too much to drink". Tell them to imagine the joy at coming back from the dentist with no cavities; times 100! That’s how you feel!
10. You have special gifts to tell the world something important. God is proud of you.
So, maybe the point is this: “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.” (John 3:16-17, The Message)
As we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost and rejoice that God walks with us on this journey, and as we travel this journey together in the weeks and months to come, may you always have an abiding sense of God’s presence and love.
Blessings,
Bruce+
Calling All Ladies!
by Anne Kasin
The June gathering of the new Trinity Ladies' Lunch Bunch will happen on Saturday, June 10th at 12:30 pm at Vietnamese Cuisine in Azeka Makai in Kihei.
If you would like to come and haven't already let me know, please do so! We are, quite simply, just a group of women who would like to get to know each other a bit better through friendly conversation over lunch in a reasonably priced different local restaurant on the 2nd Saturday of each month!
Know Thy Neighbor Art and Carol Wesa - Gone from Maui but close to our hearts
by Anne Kasin
Our Trinity Ohana is indeed worldwide and it comes and goes ... and we here on Maui experience joy at their coming and sorrow at their going.
This month's column is just such a story.
Art and Carol Wesa were both born and raised in Michigan. Art has retired from Detroit Edison and Carol from General Motors. They have been married 29 years, and Carol has two daughters from a previous marriage who live with their families on the mainland.
The Wesas have many hobbies and interests including travel and cruising - with two recent trips especially memorable ... a 3 week trip to Ecuador which included a week touring the Gallapagos Islands, and a 2 week Viking River Cruise on the Middle Rein in Germany. They met all those years ago because of a shared love of the game of golf and also the love of doing things in the ocean. These are among the things which brought them to visit Maui years ago, where they then tried and enjoyed outrigger canoeing, snorkeling, and kayaking. Moving to Maui soon became a priority on their "bucket list"and three years ago they began the process of selling two homes, one in S. Carolina and another in southern California, all their worldly goods, and two cars in order to make our dream come true! They flew into Kahului having down-sized into only ten suitcases of their worldly goods!
They also love to read: Art zeroes in on anything to do with sports and biographies of famous and/or funny people while Carol prefers mysteries, political intrigue or psychological thrillers, and evolution of British aristocracy. Both of them enjoy getting together with friends and playing board games and Bridge.
Finding a church was a priority when they relocated to Maui two years ago. Having both been raised in Lutheran Churches, they gravitated there first but soon noticed the Saturday evening banner on Pi'ilani Highway advertising Trinity by the Sea.They came and felt so at home that they stayed. "Who doesn't feel moved by the feelings of our beautiful outdoor services? God's grace is truly all around us but especially in those moments of peace and reflection during services."
They quickly volunteered to help through participating in Sunday services on a regular basis: Carol enjoyed reading - both the Scripture Lessons and the Prayers of the People while Art stepped to help with ushering. They both were members of the monthly Trinity PB&J sandwich makers for A Cup of Cold Water.
"We've had a lovely and rewarding two years on Our Island Maui, but our Michigan Ohana now calls us back home. Our Trinity Ohana will forever be in our thoughts and prayers and we will miss all of you!"
And WE will miss you as well, Carol and Art - come back and visit soon! A hui hou! Aloha!
A Personal Invite!
by Anne Kasin, TBTS Communication Coordinator
Any of you readers who come to church on Sunday or receive this monthly Newsletter already know that we have a wonderful Website and a Facebook Page - and, since both have been upgraded during the past six months, I encourage you to check both of them out!
The personal invitation here is for you to "Like" us on Facebook .... it is quite frankly one of our best communication tools as we will now be having at least a weekly posting - varying with notices, inspiration, humor, pictures, information, history etc.
Please try it and, if you have any feedback or suggestions, please contact Marty Serwatowski who is our Facebook editor.
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Then, while I am at it, I also personally invite any thoughts, opinions, and ideas on how to improve Trinity by the Sea's Communication - not only locally, but to our world-wide ohana as well! All of you are important to us here on Maui - whether you are local regulars, "snow angels", visitors, or just on our mailing list!
Financial Update from our Treasurer As of 4/30/17
by Terri Pike
Financial Results Summary as of 4/30/17
Financial Recap 2017 2016 Difference
Regular Individual Contributions $37,770 $42,220 -$4,430
Total Regular Income $64,250 $69,800 -$5,550
Total Non-Operating Income $12,187 $14,800 -$2,613
Total All Income $76,437 $84,600 -$8,163
Total Expenses $66,100 $88,500 -$22,400
Net Income $10,337 -$3,900 $14,237
Bishop's Committee Abbreviated Report
by Joan Vila
Your Bishop's Committee has been busy!
Here are bullet point summaries of recent achievements and work underway!
Mutual Ministry Review - was held on May 19th
attended by 14 parishioners
began at 5:30 p.m. and ended after 8:00 p.m.
facilitator – Rev. Dick Tardiff
Feedback sheets were collected from the participants and submitted to the facilitator and consultant.
Storm Damage Insurance Claim was submitted and approved for payment by our insurer. Final payout has been determined to be a total payout of $55,041.25 with the ability to collect around $18,480 additional payments once the work is completed.
County Reclaimed Water Installation on Kulanihakoi Street will begin shortly. The Executive Committee of TBTS met with Alpha Inc, the general contractor and the County of Maui Reclaimed Water Department to work out logistics.
Sound System Upgrades - Steve Eisen has been busy with purchasing and installing the new wireless mics for the choir. They have worked so well and were very reasonably priced. Steve requested and the Bishop's Committee approved additional wireless equipment to upgrade with more wireless mics for the Music Director and the Clergy. We will need further donations for continuance of this project after the upcoming purchase.
Communication Committee - Anne Kasin will resume as chair. Committee members are Paula Baldwin, Marty Serwatowski, Mark McDill and Rev. Bruce
Communion Kits and Eucharistic Visitors - Three donations were received for Communion Kits. TBTS training to become Eucharistic Visitors was attended by Paula Baldwin, Chuck Spence and Lisa Werner this month. The plan is to extend the communal table of the Holy Eucharist to those congregation members who are unable to attend Sunday Service in person.
Altar Guild - Barb Zipf advised that All is quiet and running smoothly. $326.43 collected from the “mite” boxes drive during Lent to be given to Women Helping Women. Thanks be to God and all of those who donated via the mite boxes.
Parish Development Lisa Werner is looking into having a “pet show” connected with our annual Pet Blessing for October 8, 2017
Evangelism - Paula Baldwin advised that
14 Bulletins were sent to shut ins and those on the mainland. These are sent as coming from the Trinity Ohana.
40 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were made for ACCW Kihei run. These supplement regular supplies given by ACCW to the neediest on Maui.
A lady came to church one Sunday. She said she had a friend whose dog’s was undergoing cancer treatment. She asked that a dog leash be blessed for her to send to her friend. It was blessed during the service gently and honorably. The lady said this congregation is so friendly she is coming back. She has.
3 people are being held in prayer by 3 different groups of people at Trinity, some parishioners, some friends of parishioners.
The joint Discernment committee met in May. There were 3 people joining us, asking to share their stories.
Photovoltaic System Donation - We have received an extremely generous donation of $80,000 from a congregation family to be used for the sole purpose of installing a Net Metering Approved Photovoltaic System to produce electricity for TBTS and MHOK. We are prayerfully thankful to the family (that wishes to remain anonymous) for this incredible gift that will give to the church for decades to come and save God's green earth through its production.
Landscape Lighting Grant - Soot Bredhoff sent in a grant application to a private foundation (anonymous) for the purpose of installing new landscape lighting on the historic Hawaiian grounds. We received a check from the private foundation in the amount of $10,000 for that sole purpose. The funds will be added to the collections we have received from other generous congregation members and we hope to move forward with this project very soon.
Shipping Container Storage - We desperately need a new container for storage as the old one has rusted through and was damaged in the storm. Cordy MacLaughlin has sent a letter requesting a donated container from Matson Shipping and we await their decision.
Channels of Communication
In an ongoing effort to have church information accessible to everyone, there is a beautiful new bulletin board outside the office door in Kilolani Hall!
Have you noticed it? Go check it out! Copies of the most recent Bishop Committee Minutes and the current monthly Newsletter are posted there as well as notices of various Trinity and Community activities.
Also remember to check us out on our Website and on FaceBook! You'll enjoy seeing pictures, reading some of our history, and finding up to date notices about what's going on at your church!
dreams. It brought courage and empowerment for these followers of Jesus to move unafraid into the unknown future. And I wonder: can we also have that same sense of God’s presence and power?
Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.” (John 3:16-17, The Message)
travel this journey together in the weeks and months to come, may you always have an abiding sense of God’s presence and love.
Finding a church was a priority when they relocated to Maui two years ago. Having both been raised in Lutheran Churches, they gravitated there first but soon noticed the Saturday evening banner on Pi'ilani Highway advertising Trinity by the Sea.They came and felt so at home that they stayed. "Who doesn't feel moved by the feelings of our beautiful outdoor services? God's grace is truly all around us but especially in those moments of peace and reflection during services."
