ALOHA! As we continue to move through Advent toward the second candle lit this Sunday, I’ve been thinking about how this season isn’t about speeding up—even though everything around us seems to be getting louder and busier. Advent gently reminds us to take a breath, slow our pace, and pay attention to the small ways God is already nudging hope back into our lives. Moving forward right now doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can be as simple as lighting a candle, saying a quick prayer in the car, or taking a moment to notice where grace showed up in your day. These little practices open our hearts bit by bit, making room for the light Christ brings. So as we walk these next weeks together, let’s do it with a sense of calm expectation. No pressure, no perfection—just a steady openness to God’s presence and a willingness to be surprised by joy. Advent is leading us toward something beautiful. Let’s take it all in, one gentle step at a time.

ALOHA! Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends! I hope today finds you surrounded by love and joy, memories that make you smile, and the kind of gratitude that settles gently into your soul. As we pause from the usual rush, may this Thanksgiving day open our eyes to the quiet gifts God keeps placing in our hands—love, hope, mercy, the promise of new beginnings. Whether your table is full and bustling or peaceful and simple, may you feel held by God’s grace and strengthened for the season ahead. Know that I am giving thanks for you—your faith, your kindness, your presence in this community!

Our Thanksgiving Day Eucharist is at 10 a.m. in the Chapel. And if you can join us afterwards for Thanksgiving Dinner in Sumida Hall, please do!

LAST SUNDAY we celebrated the Reign of Christ. We also commemorated our Holy Sovereigns, King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, who invited the Anglican Church to serve in Hawai‘i. We explored Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, and Luke 23:33-43 to discover the characteristics of servant leadership that Jesus exemplified, and that Kamehameha and Emma sought to follow. May their example be a shining light for all of us!

THIS SUNDAY the season of Advent begins! It’s a time of prayerful preparation for the coming of the Christ Child. We’ll begin our services with the lighting of the Advent Wreath. We’ll also be dedicating a new Advent blue chasuble and stole, donated by Nancy Chun, for which we are grateful. Please join us as we begin our journey to the manger this Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Chapel, or on Facebook Live.

KEEP IN MIND that on three Wednesday mornings during Advent—December 3, 10, and 17—we will be offering an informal Service of Healing with communion from the reserved sacrament. Please join us if you can in the Chapel at 9 a.m.

ALSO, on three Sundays during Advent—November 30, December 7 and 14—Revs. David Ota and Karen Swanson will be leading a special Adult Sunday School Series, “Sharing Your Spiritual Journey,” in the Vicar’s Office starting around 10:30 or so. Join us and share your own experiences of faith.

Dear sisters and brothers, I am thankful for you! You are in my prayers, and I ask for your continuing prayers for St. Timothy’s Church, for our dedicated staff and devoted lay leaders and ministers, for your fellow members, and for your vicar. May God bless you and your loved ones always.

Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+

ALOHA! Dear friends, as we head into Thanksgiving week, and look just beyond it to the start of Advent, let’s all take a moment to breathe and get our hearts ready. These coming days invite us to notice our blessings, practice gratitude, and then lean into the hopeful season of preparation that follows. In the middle of our travel plans, grocery lists, and the early holiday buzz, let’s also prepare ourselves spiritually, making some room for kindness, reflection, and the quiet ways God nudges us toward hope. May this whole stretch of days help us slow down, pay attention, and welcome the holy.

THIS SUNDAY is the final Sunday in the church year as we celebrate the Reign of Christ. We will also commemorate our Holy Sovereigns, King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, who invited the Anglican Church to serve in Hawai‘i. We’ll dig into Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, and Luke 23:33-43 to discover the characteristics of servant leadership that Jesus exemplified, and that Kamehameha and Emma sought to follow. Christ leads us by lifting us up, drawing out our gifts, and showing how to live in aloha with one another. So join us as we celebrate Christ our King and honor our sovereigns this Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Chapel, or on Facebook Live.

LAST SUNDAY we explored Isaiah 65:17-25 and Luke 21:5-19. As Jesus and his disciples admired the stately Temple in Jerusalem, which for faithful Jews was the dwelling place of God, Jesus spoke of a dark future, the Temple in rubble and a world spinning out of control, and yet he called it good news. In the midst of destruction, there is resurrection! We learned that Jesus doesn’t promise escape from chaos, but endurance through it. And we can testify to God’s faithfulness in our daily lives. How is that going for you this week?

​LOOKING AHEAD—There’s a Lot Going On Here!

• Next Thursday, November 27, St. Tim’s will have a Thanksgiving Day Eucharist at 10 a.m. with a turkey potluck dinner following in Sumida Hall at around 11:30. All are welcome! Please let us know you’re coming. Turkeys will be provided. If you haven’t already done so, please sign up and bring a side or dessert or two to share.
• The season of Advent begins on November 30, a time of prayerful preparation for the coming of the Christ Child. We’ll begin the services with the lighting of the Advent Wreath. We’ll also be dedicating a new Advent blue chasuble and stole, donated by Nancy Chun, for which we are grateful.
• On three Wednesday mornings during Advent—December 3, 10, and 17—we will be offering an informal Service of Healing, with communion from the reserved sacrament. This is something of an experiment, so please consider joining us in the Chapel at 9 a.m.
• On three Sundays during Advent—November 30, December 7 and 14—Revs. David Ota and Karen Swanson will be leading a special Adult Sunday School Series, “Sharing Your Spiritual Journey,” in the Vicar’s Office starting around 10:30 or so. Join us and share your own experiences of faith!

Dear sisters and brothers, you are in my prayers, and I ask for your continuing prayers for St. Timothy’s Church, for our dedicated staff and devoted lay leaders and ministers, for your fellow members, and for your vicar. May God bless you and your loved ones always.  

Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+

ALOHA! I’m so grateful to be back home at St. Timothy’s! After an amazing vacation cruising around New Zealand, Dan and I are back home with lots of wonderful memories and way too many photos. I have really missed you, and I’m so grateful that Rev. Karen Swanson was able to preach and preside on November 2, and Rev. David Ota on November 9. Mahalo, Karen and David! Now, as you can imagine, I have a lot of catching up to do!

THIS SUNDAY we will explore Isaiah 65:17-25 and Luke 21:5-19. As Jesus and his disciples admire the stately Temple in Jerusalem, which for faithful Jews was the dwelling place of God, Jesus speaks of a dark future, a world spinning out of control, and yet he calls it good news. In the midst of destruction, there is resurrection! Jesus doesn’t promise escape from chaos, but endurance through it. And isn’t that a message we need today? Let’s find out more! Join us for worship on Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Chapel, or on Facebook Live.

Dear sisters and brothers, you are in my prayers, and I ask for your continuing prayers for St. Timothy’s Church, for our dedicated staff and devoted lay leaders and ministers, for your fellow members, and for your vicar. May God bless you and your loved ones always.  

Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+

Our Vicar is on vacation from now until November 16. Please keep Fr. Pete and Dan in your prayers for a safe, restful, and enjoyable cruise around New Zealand. 
 
Rev. David Ota will be our preacher and celebrant on November 9. Welcome back, Rev. David!  
 
If you need pastoral care during this time, please reach out to Paul in the church at [email protected] or 808-488-5747. He will notify Rev. Karen or another priest to be in touch with you as soon as possible.

ALOHA! Well, beloved friends, it’s vacation time for me! I am currently off island until November 16. Dan and I are cruising around New Zealand, and I have very limited internet access. But you are in very good hands as Rev. Karen Swanson serves as our celebrant and preacher this Sunday, November 2, and Rev. David Ota on November 9.

If any need for pastoral care arises while I am away, please contact Paul Mahuka in the church office – 808-488-5747 – and he will reach out to our supply priests to respond as they are able.

This Sunday is All Saints Sunday, as well as our Stewardship Ingathering. After the service, led by Rev. Karen, we will enjoy a POTLUCK LUNCH to celebrate the ingathering in Sumida Hall. Please plan on bringing your most festive and delicious dishes to share as we celebrate our life together at St. Tim’s! Join us for worship on Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Chapel, or on Facebook Live.

Our guest preacher last Sunday was the Rev. Irene Maliaman, Vicar of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Tamuning, Guam, and Priest in Charge of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Saipan—our sister churches in the Diocese of Hawai‘i. I know you enjoyed her inspiring message. Mahalo, Rev. Irene!

Dear sisters and brothers, you are in my prayers, and I ask for your continuing prayers for St. Timothy’s Church, for our dedicated staff and devoted lay leaders and ministers, for your fellow members, and for your vicar. May God bless you and your loved ones always.
 
Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+

ALOHA! I’m very excited to tell you that our guest preacher this Sunday will be the Rev. Irene Egmalis Maliaman. Rev. Irene is Vicar of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Tamuning, Guam, and Priest in Charge of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Saipan. Earlier this year, St. Timothy’s sent a donation to Rev. Irene to support her ministry there. We are so honored to have her with us while she is on O‘ahu for Annual Convention, and we look forward to learning more about her work in that part of the Diocese of Hawai‘i. Rev. Irene is just a delight and I’m honored to be her clergy colleague. So let’s welcome Rev. Irene! Join us for worship on Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Chapel, or on Facebook Live.

LAST SUNDAY we considered how we might see hope as resistance against the evil in this world, and how we might be persistent witnesses to God’s love amidst the chaos all around us. We heard Jeremiah 31:27-34; 2 Timothy 3:14—4:5; and the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8, and we sought to find ways to trust God no matter what is happening around us. So, have you found reasons for hope in this past week? How are you persisting in prayer? And have you considered shining a single candle light in a window as a reminder that despair does not have the last word?

THIS SUNDAY we will conclude our Adult Sunday School class, “Heart and Soul: The Emotions of Jesus.” Our topic this week is JOY. Yes, Jesus was a “man of sorrows,” but if we study the gospels carefully, we can see joy shine through his life and teachings. How did Jesus experience joy? What does he teach us about this emotion? Join us for some stimulating conversation during our final session.

Dear sisters and brothers, you are in my prayers, and I ask for your continuing prayers for St. Timothy’s Church, for our dedicated staff and devoted lay leaders and ministers, for your fellow members, and for your vicar. May God bless you and your loved ones always.  

Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+

ALOHA! As the news headlines speak of hopeful peace settlements after so many fragile ceasefires and uneasy truces, our hearts still ache for peace, for the people of the Middle East and for all places where peace has seemed so fleeting. Even here at home, we continually struggle with loss and fear. In such times, it can feel as though our prayers and efforts are too small to matter. But Jesus reminds us that even the smallest act of faith — a mustard seed of hope, a cup of cold water, a word of kindness — carries the power of God’s love into the world.

So let us be persistent witnesses for that love! When peace seems tenuous, we keep praying for it. When hope feels thin, we embody it. When fear rises, we answer with compassion. Every gesture of care, every choice for understanding rather than suspicion, becomes a seed for the flourishing of God’s Kingdom. So, hold fast to hope, beloved. The world needs your quiet light.

THIS SUNDAY we’ll explore what all this means—how we might see hope as resistance against the evil in this world, and how we might be persistent witnesses to God’s love amidst the chaos around us. We’ll take a look at Jeremiah 31:27-34; 2 Timothy 3:14—4:5; and the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8 to find ways to trust God no matter what is happening around us. So please join us for worship on Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Chapel, or on Facebook Live.

LAST SUNDAY we delved into Luke 17:11-19, the story of Jesus’ healing of the ten lepers. Only one, a Samaritan, returns to Jesus to offer his heartfelt gratitude. This one man’s example can teach us a lot about how to live a life of gratitude, and how we might be better stewards of our gratitude. Have we been mindfully expressing our gratitude for all the big and little things in life that God so graciously and generously shares with us? And how can we express that gratitude by giving of our time, talent, and treasure? I hope we’ll all keep pondering these things!

THIS SUNDAY we will also resume our Adult Sunday School class, “Heart and Soul: The Emotions of Jesus.” Our topic this week is GRIEF. Many of us are dealing with this emotion as we navigate the losses of our lives. What can Jesus teach us about handling our grief through his own example and his teachings? We’ll explore this together. Then our final session will be on October 26 as we focus on JOY.

Dear sisters and brothers, you are in my prayers, and I ask for your continuing prayers for St. Timothy’s Church, for our dedicated staff and devoted lay leaders and ministers, for your fellow members, and for your vicar. May God bless you and your loved ones always.
​ 
Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+

ALOHA! Say, how are you doing? So many members of our St. Timothy’s family are dealing with a lot right now. And in the swirl of our daily life—with headlines of violence and political discord, the weight of medical concerns, financial worries, personal losses, and the constant thrum of stress—it’s easy to feel pulled apart. Our spirits grow weary, our sanity feels fragile. Yet the invitation of Christ is simple and steady: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Sanity and spirituality are not found in escaping this world, but in finding sacred pauses within it. A few deep breaths, a whispered prayer, a walk in the sunny breeze, a moment to notice the beauty all around us—these become small anchors for our souls. In these pauses, God’s peace can take root. Oh, dear friends, we cannot control the storms, but we can open our hearts to the One who speaks stillness into them. That’s how we can find strength, peace, and hope to keep walking in faith, day by day. And being involved with our St. Timothy’s ‘ohana each week can be a nourishing part of
that walk of life.

And speaking of uplifting and nourishing, didn’t we have a fantastic celebration of the Feast of St. Francis and the Blessing of the Animals last Sunday? We offered many blessings for our beloved pets—about a dozen pets were with us in person, dogs, a cat, and a turtle! And two dozen pets were blessed via photos. What a joy it was! In the sermon we explored Luke 12:13-21, and the example of St. Francis. We considered what our pets can teach us, and how St. Francis’ ministry can guide us today, especially in how we care for all of God’s creation. If you have a pet, what have they shown you this past week about living in God’s creation?

THIS SUNDAY we will delve into Luke 17:11-19, the story of Jesus’ healing of the ten lepers. Only one, a Samaritan, returns to Jesus to offer his heartfelt gratitude. What does his example teach us about how to live a life of gratitude, and how might we be better stewards of our gratitude? Let’s find out! Please join us for worship on Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Chapel, or on Facebook Live.

THIS SUNDAY the Daughters of the King will have their monthly class in the Takafuji Room starting at 10:30 a.m. Anyone is invited to participate. We will not have our Adult Sunday School class on “Heart and Soul: The Emotions of Jesus” this Sunday, but will gather again on October 19 to focus on the topic of GRIEF.

Dear sisters and brothers, you are in my prayers, and I ask for your continuing prayers for St. Timothy’s Church, for our dedicated staff and devoted lay leaders and ministers, for your fellow members, and for your vicar. May God bless you and your loved ones always.  

Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+

ALOHA! This Sunday is a special day in the church. We’ll celebrate the Feast of St. Francis and the Blessing of the Animals, so please plan on bringing your beloved pets to the 9 a.m. service, leashed or in a crate or carrier. Or if you prefer, you can bring photos! We’ll offer a prayer for each one. And if you have friends and neighbors who would like to have their pets blessed, why not invite them? All are welcome at St. Timothy’s! In the sermon, we’ll consider what our pets can teach us and how St.
Francis’ ministry can guide us today, especially in how we care for all of God’s creation. Please join us for worship on Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Chapel, or on Facebook Live.

THIS SUNDAY we’ll also continue our Adult Sunday School series, “Heart and Soul: The Emotions of Jesus.” By looking at key moments surrounding Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection through the lens of human emotions, our understanding of Jesus can come alive. This week we’ll consider the emotion of Fear—how Jesus experienced it and what he taught about it. Join us for an interesting, fun, and stimulating session!

LAST SUNDAY we dug into Jeremiah 32:1-3a,6-15; Psalm 91:1-6; and Luke 16:19-31 and discovered how important the idea of “home” is in the Scriptures. Home is more than the four walls around us. Home is where the hope is! It’s the place where we are known, accepted, and rooted. We asked, how might we trust that we always have a home with God, who in turn calls us to open our own homes in hospitality and love? I hope you are experiencing dwelling with God wherever you are this week!

​As you know, it seems that in recent weeks several among us at St. Timothy’s have faced illness, surgery, loss, and other personal challenges. These moments remind us how delicate and precious life truly is—how quickly the ground beneath us can shift. And yet, even in life’s fragility, God’s mercy holds us steady. God is our foundation and our strength. The Bible tells us that “underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33:27). When one of us feels weak or suffers, the whole community gathers close, bearing one another up in prayer, presence, and love. It is in these small but holy gestures— a phone call, a meal, a quiet word of encouragement— that God’s strength is revealed. So let us keep one another in prayer in these days, trusting that Christ walks with us through shadow and light alike. And let us remember that even in the frailty of our human lives, hope rises: God’s love does not falter, and in that love we are bound together, always. Amen!

And while you’re praying for your brothers and sisters here at St. Tim’s, please include me as I undergo a surgical procedure next Tuesday. I will rest at home on Wednesday. Lord willing, I will be fine, but will not be able to lift or exert myself for a couple of weeks. Mahalo for your prayers!

Dear sisters and brothers, you are in my prayers, and I ask for your continuing prayers for St. Timothy’s Church, for our dedicated staff and devoted lay leaders and ministers, for your fellow members, and for your vicar. May God bless you and your loved ones always. 
 
Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+