Sunday Worship Services:
Services will be live-streamed on Sundays 9:00 a.m.
Services will be live-streamed on Sundays 9:00 a.m.
In-person worship will not be available on August 9, 16, 23.
We hope to gather in-person on August 30th for Bishop Fitzpatrick's visit.
Watch this site for updates as we adjust to local Covid19 restrictions
COMMUNITY MEAL at St. Augustine's will be served using a drive-through format to ensure the safety of our guests and servers. Kohala area community partners have joined with St. Augustine volunteers to provide a hot meal for the community at 4:30 'til pau on these dates:
August 17, 31st
September 14
October 5 & 19th
November 2nd & 16th
December 7th & 21st
We ask that folk plan to arrive no earlier than 4:00 p.m.
August 17, 31st
September 14
October 5 & 19th
November 2nd & 16th
December 7th & 21st
We ask that folk plan to arrive no earlier than 4:00 p.m.
For further information, contact:
vicardiana@staugustineskohala.com
vicardiana@staugustineskohala.com
A message from Vicar Diana
July 23, 2020
July 23, 2020
July 29, 2020
Dear St. Augustine's Ohana,
It seems timely that I am writing this on July 29th, the Feast of Mary and Martha. The story of these sisters is familiar to many of us. If you identify with Martha, you are someone who likes getting things done. Checking things off a “to do” list is gratifying as you review your accomplishments. If you identify with Mary, you are someone who likes to spend time in quiet reflection. You enjoy listening to those from whom you can learn. Insights that cause you to remark, “I never looked at it that way” give you a feeling of depth and growth.
My guess is that most of us identify with both sisters. Our strengths may have us leaning more toward Martha or more toward Mary, but we all have the capacity to both Reflect and Act. Jesus taught both throughout his ministry. He reflected on Scripture, prayed, healed and shared meals with outsiders. He taught his followers how to nurture a deep and authentic relationship with God, and he demonstrated the acts of healing and transformation that result from this relationship.
Our lives today seem to be ricocheting back and forth between reflection resulting from forced inaction and calls to action resulting from a growing awareness that we can make a difference in our communities and the world. The sense of urgency encircles us: We should do something! But wait, what should we do? What do we want? Who will this help? The sense of Covid19 caution also encircles us: How can we do this? What are the risks? Who should go and who should stay? The sense of reflection is also present and calling us: Why do I feel called? Where is God in this? Who can I invite into conversation — to whom can I listen?
Reflection and Action, or to use Richard Rohr’s term “Action and Contemplation,” combine to form us much the same way Jesus’ disciples were being formed. For us today the church, as the body of Christ, gives shape and energy to these practices. In praying together, reflecting together, and learning together we develop the center from which our ministries - our actions - flow. In Christian community, we learn how to listen to one another and how to make room for the other. We love one another from a spiritual center that is deeply rooted in our Christian identity as followers and imitators of Jesus.
This identity is not defined by privileged membership; it is defined by the manner in which our praying opens our hearts to a love that knows no bounds. It gives us a way forward that surprises those who expect the predictable. Rather than meeting defensiveness with force, we greet with gentleness. Instead of anger in the face of denial, we practice patience and mercy. The din of untruths does not drown out our confidence in reason and thoughtful discussion. In the face of threats that incite fear, we draw on love that is deep and unwavering. Perhaps most surprising to many is the joy and delight that grounds us and which emanates from our acts - our Christian actions.
Jesus’ wisdom and love shaped people of other faiths too, as they sought to confront injustice and the forces of evil. Mohandas Gandhi wrote, “Nonviolence assumes entire reliance upon God …. When the practice of nonviolence becomes universal, God will reign on earth as God reigns in heaven.” Gandhi understood through contemplation and action that a peaceful heart generates a peaceful body. When we are at one with God in ourselves, we give ourselves over to the power and peace of divine love.
Together Mary and Martha are an embodiment of our church: a place where we come to pray and reflect and from where we depart to act as disciples of the Way of Love. In both reflection and action rest the transformative power of nonviolence.
“O God, heavenly Father, your Son Jesus Christ enjoyed rest and refreshment in the home of Mary and Martha of Bethany: Give us the will to love you, open our hearts to hear you, and strengthen our hands to serve you in others for his sake; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”
Blessings and peace,
Vicar Diana
"I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe. In my life I have done all I can to demonstrate
that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence is the more excellent way." -- John Lewis
Dear St. Augustine's Ohana,
It seems timely that I am writing this on July 29th, the Feast of Mary and Martha. The story of these sisters is familiar to many of us. If you identify with Martha, you are someone who likes getting things done. Checking things off a “to do” list is gratifying as you review your accomplishments. If you identify with Mary, you are someone who likes to spend time in quiet reflection. You enjoy listening to those from whom you can learn. Insights that cause you to remark, “I never looked at it that way” give you a feeling of depth and growth.
My guess is that most of us identify with both sisters. Our strengths may have us leaning more toward Martha or more toward Mary, but we all have the capacity to both Reflect and Act. Jesus taught both throughout his ministry. He reflected on Scripture, prayed, healed and shared meals with outsiders. He taught his followers how to nurture a deep and authentic relationship with God, and he demonstrated the acts of healing and transformation that result from this relationship.
Our lives today seem to be ricocheting back and forth between reflection resulting from forced inaction and calls to action resulting from a growing awareness that we can make a difference in our communities and the world. The sense of urgency encircles us: We should do something! But wait, what should we do? What do we want? Who will this help? The sense of Covid19 caution also encircles us: How can we do this? What are the risks? Who should go and who should stay? The sense of reflection is also present and calling us: Why do I feel called? Where is God in this? Who can I invite into conversation — to whom can I listen?
Reflection and Action, or to use Richard Rohr’s term “Action and Contemplation,” combine to form us much the same way Jesus’ disciples were being formed. For us today the church, as the body of Christ, gives shape and energy to these practices. In praying together, reflecting together, and learning together we develop the center from which our ministries - our actions - flow. In Christian community, we learn how to listen to one another and how to make room for the other. We love one another from a spiritual center that is deeply rooted in our Christian identity as followers and imitators of Jesus.
This identity is not defined by privileged membership; it is defined by the manner in which our praying opens our hearts to a love that knows no bounds. It gives us a way forward that surprises those who expect the predictable. Rather than meeting defensiveness with force, we greet with gentleness. Instead of anger in the face of denial, we practice patience and mercy. The din of untruths does not drown out our confidence in reason and thoughtful discussion. In the face of threats that incite fear, we draw on love that is deep and unwavering. Perhaps most surprising to many is the joy and delight that grounds us and which emanates from our acts - our Christian actions.
Jesus’ wisdom and love shaped people of other faiths too, as they sought to confront injustice and the forces of evil. Mohandas Gandhi wrote, “Nonviolence assumes entire reliance upon God …. When the practice of nonviolence becomes universal, God will reign on earth as God reigns in heaven.” Gandhi understood through contemplation and action that a peaceful heart generates a peaceful body. When we are at one with God in ourselves, we give ourselves over to the power and peace of divine love.
Together Mary and Martha are an embodiment of our church: a place where we come to pray and reflect and from where we depart to act as disciples of the Way of Love. In both reflection and action rest the transformative power of nonviolence.
“O God, heavenly Father, your Son Jesus Christ enjoyed rest and refreshment in the home of Mary and Martha of Bethany: Give us the will to love you, open our hearts to hear you, and strengthen our hands to serve you in others for his sake; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”
Blessings and peace,
Vicar Diana
"I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe. In my life I have done all I can to demonstrate
that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence is the more excellent way." -- John Lewis
"...some musings... " is an occasional reflection by Vicar Diana.
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