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Haili Congregational Church Celebrates Our 200th Anniversary in May 2024

200th Anniversary Corner

4th of July

 

July 4th was full of good food, warm fellowship, and beautiful fireworks.  We thank all those who gathered on Tuesday to celebrate together.

 

We want to especially  thank Sweetie Osorio and Cindy Lee for chairing this event and doing a great job.  A special mahalo to the Akimseu ohana from bringing an ice shave machine for all of us to enjoy!  And thank you to all who shared your ono food.

 

The lanai of the gym was a perfect place to watch the fireworks and this year the show seemed the best yet.  Mahalo Ke Akua for blessing us with a great time.

 

Vacation Bible School

Theme:  Babylon – Daniel’s Courage in Captivity

When:  July 17-22, 2023

Who:  Pre-3yrs. to those who just completed 8th grade.

Time:  5:30pm to 8:30pm

 

Dinner is from 5:30 to 6:00pm and then the children meet in the sanctuary for a time of sharing before starting their various activities   They will have a time of crafts, recreation, music, tribe time and Bible content learning.

 

Ask Lyndy how you can help.  We are looking for helpers with food prep, crafts, recreation and music or monetary donations for food and supplies.

 

Most important, pray with us that the children of the community will hear about VBS and will want to come and learn about God.

Plans for August

 

Currently, we are planning a workday at the church on Saturday, August 12, 2023.  We want to spruce up our church campus for our big celebration next May.

 

If you want to come to help, bring your gardening gloves to help pull weeds or clothes to help wipe the surfaces in the sanctuary.  Many hands make light work.

 

The details have not been finalized but check next week’s bulletin for more information.  We will be posting the upcoming events on the website also.

 

History and Trivia

Last week’s trivia question was:

Who were the first two assigned mission workers to this new mission station?

While the Rev. William Ellis gave the first sermon on January 25, 1824, he was assigned as a helper, along with Dr. and Mrs. Abraham Blatchely.  The mission selected Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Goodrich and Rev. and Mrs. Samuel Ruggles to head the mission station.

 

Upon arrival, they were provided with a temporary dwelling previously used earlier to store lumber and canoes.  It was a 70 X 30 thatched building with no windows or floors.  It had a door at each end.  At once they cleaned up the dwelling and put it in order to house the 17-person company.

 

Sunday services were held in a nearby building provided by Queen Kaahumanu.  On Monday, the men started searching for a more permanent site for the mission station and decided on a site not far from the landing, accessible to water and close to the forest for timber.

 

At first Chief Maalo did not give permission to the mission workers to build their homes, but the Regent Kaahumanu sent him a message.  The chief conceded and gave orders for his men to build the two houses anywhere the mission workers chose.   Understanding the system of the “Kings Days” in which 2 and a half days of every seven days was given to the king or government, helps to understand how they were able to quickly erect these homes within two months.

 

Trivia Question:

Although dedicated on May 19, 1824, when was the first church completed?

 

 

 

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Highlights from General Synod 34

 

Haili Church Kicks Off 200th Anniversary Celebration

Haili Congregational Church in Hilo is commemorating their 200th anniversary (May 2024) with a year of special events. Read more about the celebration and view photos from recent events CLICK HERE.

 

Aloha Members and Friends of Haili

June 19, 2023

 

Haili Congregational Church celebrates our 200th Anniversary in May 2024.  God has blessed us richly, and the Holy Spirit has worked in and through Haili for these many years.

 

Our 200th anniversary kickoff is on June 25, 2023. Kahu Hope Daniel Kawaha will perform a blessing of the church and a rededication of members and friends.  An ono stew luncheon will follow for all!

 

As part of the blessing, we will be draping a multi-strand t-leaf lei on both doors of the sanctuary.  Sweetie is in charge of making the T-leaf lei and is asking that each family participate.

 

For those who would like to participate, please do the following:

• pick 20 T-leaves.
• strip it up both sides of the middle bone so you now have 40 half leaves.
• bring the 40 half leaves to the church and be prepared to weave your lei.

For those who don't know how to weave the lei, someone will teach you.  For those of you who know how to weave a t-leaf lei, please do not bring them already made, you will need to weave them into the bigger lei.

T-leaf lei making will be at the church on the following dates and times:

• June 22, 2023, from 2pm to 6pm.
• June 23, 2023, from 2pm to 5:30pm.
• June 24, 2023, from 9am to 2pm.

 

We hope you will participate in our lei of love and unity and hope you will join the celebration.  We pray that this celebration will display God’s love at Haili and reflect his handiwork.

 

There will be a Floral Arrangement workshop on July 1, 2023, 9:30-11:00am.  Kuulei Hughes-Okada and her son, Scott DeSa will demonstrate how to make beautiful bouquets.  Space is limited so please call the office and make your reservation.  More information will follow.

 

Come join us on the Fourth of July, we will be having a bar-be-que potluck at the church.  We will provide the hotdogs and hamburgers and you are asked to bring your favorite side dish.  We will start gathering at the church pavilion at 6:00pm, have dinner and fellowship, then stay and watch the county fireworks from our parking lot.

 

We have been praying and preparing for this significant milestone for many months as we plan the activities for the next twelve months.  To find out what other activities we have planned for July 2023 through May 2024, please check our website at hailichurch.com or our Facebook page at Haili Congregational Church where we will be posting our calendar of events.

 

We pray that you will be able to join us in fellowship at many of our activities.

 

Iesu Pu,