WAHIAWA UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
The Wahiawa United Methodist Women is a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.
The Wahiawa United Methodist Women meet the second Sunday of the month. Call the church office at 622-4361 for details.
WAHIAWA UNITED METHODIST MEN
The Wahiawa United Methodist Men have been active since the early 1990s. A small, but dedicated group of men provide a variety of services to the Wahiawa United Methodist Church. The group meets on the fourth Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m., for eight or nine months of the year. The men select projects that will benefit the church or that other committees have not had a chance to address. These projects range from sponsoring Easter breakfast, to family bowling or theater nights, to honoring mothers on Mother's Day. To fund these projects, several car washes are held each year. This group is also a member of the national General Commission on United Methodist Men, whose aim is reaching the hearts of men through EMS Men-istry, where every man shares through evangelism, mission, and spiritual life. All men of the church are encouraged to join the Wahiawa United Methodist Men for fellowship, personal spiritual growth, and to help others in their walk in faith. Call the church office at 622-4361 for details.
WAHIAWA UNITED METHODIST YOUTH FELLOWSHIP
The Wahiawa United Methodist Youth Fellowship, WUMYF, includes 6th through 12th grade students and meets once a month. Our goal is to schedule a service project one month followed by a fun fellowship the following month. Some of our fellowships have included campouts at Mokuleia and Ho'omaluhia and a hike out to Makapu'u Light House. We have carpooled to meet other youth at other churches and have participated at HIM (Hawaii Island Ministries) conferences at the Hawaii Convention Center. More recent activities have included Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour and movie nites and barbeques at our youth room. We recycle the last Sunday of each month and do service to our congregation where we are needed and called. Easter and Christmas are definite highlights. You also find youth helping other church committees whether it's 'traffic control' during our annual chicken sale or coloring and hiding the annual easter eggs for the children at Easter time. Come check us out and join in our fellowship! Shalom!
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Keiki of the Kingdom: Sunday School for all children K - 5th grade will continue to meet in the Social Hall after the Children's Moment until 11:00 or the end of the worship service. Maxine Wheeler is in charge, and is assisted by parents and additional Sunday School teachers.
Youth Sunday School Sunday School for all youth, 6th grade - High School, meets at 9 am in the Youth Room (Room 7). All youth are invited to come for this great Sunday School fellowship.
Adult Sunday School: Adults meet under the leadership of Keith Isaacson and Paul Misaka in the Church Lounge from 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. Everyone is welcome. Please come for good fellowship and discussion.
FAITH ACTION FOR COMMUNITY EQUITY (FACE)
FACE sees the housing crisis on Oahu as requiring a response from people of faith. At the most basic level, we see the crisis as driven by the increase in population on the island in relation to a much smaller number of new units built over the last ten to fifteen years. This problem is exacerbated by the sky-rocketing land value, which tends to decrease the number of rental properties. All of this happens in conjunction with a steadily decreasing Federal commitment to new affordable housing. Finally the permitting process seems particularly slow and inefficient. Taken together these factors pressure the housing market, and the poorest people with the least family support tend to fall out of the housing market altogether. The most visible part of this dynamic is the increase in homelessness, but it also causes overcrowding and strains families as people band together to live in one house.
EVANGELISM COMMITTEE
"The Evangelism Committee, trusting in the Holy Spirit, reaches out to church members, friends, and people in our community to encourage, pray, and share our faith so that we will all grow in the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ."
This is our committee's mission statement and goal that we have set for ourselves. Part of this goal is to help others as well as ourselves grow in our faith journey. Praying, bible readings, and doing good are ways we plan to get to our goal. The "Strengthening the Team" project was a boost in the arm and now we need to ask others to help us. If you are called by a Evangelism Committee member for help, please say "yes!" In the "olden days" we relied on our pastors to do all the work in the church. No more. Our pastors are there to inspire and guide us. We are many gifts, but one spirit in the Lord. Let us listen to the small, quiet voice of the Holy Spirit in all our endeavors.
Doris Lee, Chairperson
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
On October 7, 2006, Dr. Brian Misaka, a Certified Psychologist, presented a seminar titled, "On Loss and Grieving" to interested Wahiawa UMC members. Those attending responded very warmly to the educational and spiritual message that was presented using Christianity as the basis for the seminar. This seminar was just the beginning of the program that the Grace Moore Kimata Center has in mind for the well being and welfare of our congregational members and associates.
The non-denominational GriefShare program, designed to educate and provide a support group for people grieving the loss of someone close, was initiated and recently completed its 7th 13 week session series. GriefShare featured biblical teachings on 13 grief and recovery topics and each session included a video featuring top experts. After viewing the video, a small group discussion was held which gave everyone the opportunity to interact with others who had experienced a loss, learned about their experiences and had the opportunity to share their own. Each GriefShare session combines practical information with a biblical, Christ-centered focus on the spiritual issues that accompany the grieving process. Each GriefShare session is designed to help one to recover from their grief after the loss of a family member, friend or acquaintance and provides comfort and encouragement.
Two sessions a year are scheduled, with Jim Higa, Paul Misaka, Edna Ng and Pastor Fran facilitating the group. The program is designed so that you can start at any of the sessions and it is not necessary to make every session even though the most benefit will be gained by attending all sessions. Current plans include the presentation of the entire GriefShare series twice a year and a "Surviving the Holidays" one time session prior to the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.
The GriefShare Program is sponsored by the Grace Moore Kimata Center and is free to those who are interested in successfully traveling the journey from mourning to joy or to those who merely want to increase their awareness of grief and recovery subjects.
Plan ahead so you can attend the weekly sessions. Watch for further information and spread the word, GriefShare is available at Wahiawa UMC once in the first half of the year and another time during the second half of the year. Everybody is invited because everyone has suffered a loss of someone close to them and could benefit from the education, fellowship, and support provided by the GriefShare program.
Topics for each of the 13 weeks are:
- 1: When Your Dreams Fall Apart
- 2: Seasons of Grief
- 3: Emotions of Grief, Part 1
- 4: Emotions of Grief, Part 2
- 5: When Your Spouse Dies
- 6: Your Family and Grief
- 7: Where is God?
- 8: Your Greatest Resource
- 9: Stuck in Grief or Moving On?
- 10: Growing Through Grief
- 11: Grief Recovery Tool Kit
- 12: God's Spiritual Hospital
- 13: Longing for Heaven
Please contact Pastor Fran Wiebenga (621-4518) or Jim Higa (623-4941/232-3992) to make a reservation or leave a message with David at the Church office (622-4361). If there is anyone you would like to recommend for the services of the Center, please pass on that information to Pastor Fran Wiebenga, Jim Higa or David at the Church office.
KUPUNA OHANA
Aloha All,
The Wahiawa Outreach Committee has created a new and fantastic senior activity program for those who are age 50 and above. We are extremely excited to provide this opportunity and we hope that you are too! Our program has been given the name "Kupuna Ohana". "Kupuna" (elders) are powerful sources of wisdom and "Ohana" is family or kin.
We feel this would be a positive program for our church. Through "Kupuna Ohana," we hope to provide useful, educational and fun activities for our seniors, as well as provide an additional outlet for those who may not have other opportunities. We hope to improve the quality of life by creating HAPPY and MEMORABLE events that will assist participants with developing new skills, provide a social outlet, and provide safe physical activities for all to enjoy. We will strive to be committed and driven to making this a successful experience for all. Call the church office, 622-4361, for details.
