ALOHA
We are delighted to greet you and tell you about Harris United Methodist Church. Friendship, Inspiration and comfort are here for everyone. The Vitality of our congregation is expressed through programs for all ages: worship, music, education, fellowship, Bible study and mission outreach. We are called to tell the good news of Jesus Christ and to help people come to a deeper relationship with God.
OUR PAST
Harris Church was founded in 1888 with the mission to serve the members of the Japanese speaking community. The congregation was first housed on River Street and later moved to several different sites during Honolulu's redevelopment of the downtown area. The current facilities were dedicated in 1962. Through the years the congregation has become multicultural.
OUR PRESENT AND THE FUTURE
Through God's grace we are committed to helping people discern God's intention for their lives through worship, study of the Scripture, and the sharing of faith journeys with one another.
We are also committed to developing, supporting, and nurturing people as they grow in Christian discipleship in their community, creating a more just and loving society.
HARRIS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
has a diverse congregation serving the Lord.
There are many opportunities for you to participate with this community of believers.
Leading the congregation are:
Rev. Dr. Nobuko Miyake-Stoner, Senior Pastor (808) 389-5045
Rev. Bob Miyake-Stoner, Associate Pastor (808) 389-7759
Rev. Akira Shimizu, Japanese Language Pastor (808) 734-6058
Many qualified laity conduct meetings, coordinate programs, and play major roles in the ministry of the church.
Elected lay leaders for 2008 are:
June Shimokawa (808) 732-6791
Sachiko Taketa
Bobby Harris (808) 561-0569 TTY
Church Council Chair: is Ken Matsuura (808) 395-8022
Co Chair is Maile Lee
Secretary - Doreen Akamine
At Harris United Methodist Church there are many opportunities to become involved in its activities.
You are welcome to participate.
Education
Ministry At Harris United Methodist Church there are many
opportunities to become involved in its activities. You are welcome to
participate.
We encourage you to have your children become a part of this exciting
experience. Join the Christian Education Ministry Team by becoming a
Sunday School Teacher, assisting the education program at Harris Church,
or participating as a member of an Adult Bible Study Group. Sunday
school classes for all ages begin at 9:00 a.m. Child care is available.
See Kim Kingsbury, Education Ministry Chair, for
information.
HarrisCare ministry
Involves doing blood pressure tests given on the 4th Sunday each month, making
comforters and quilts for those in need and for the annual Harris Bazaar on
Fridays at 9 am, and other eldercare opportunities. Contact Janet Shigemura at
(808) 422-4945, Marcus Pang (808) 737-3392 or Lenora Stone (808) 536-2462. Be a
part of those serving on Celebration of Life committee whose role is to care
for those who have suffered losses and want help. Teams of Harris church
members visit with shut ins once a month. If interested contact Seizen Maeshiro
(808) 833-2687. We care about you. Call the pastors if you have concerns, want
words of comfort or counseling, or whish a pastoral visit.
Fellowship Small groups meet regularly for fellowship, food and Bible study—TGIF (Thank God It’s Friday) AM meets on the 1st and 3rd Fridays at 10 o’clock; TGIF PM meets on the 1st and 3rd Fridays at 6 or 7 o’clock, and BLT (Bible, Lunch on Tuesdays) convenes on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. These groups may meet in the members’ homes—call the church office for location. The Royukai social group for Japanese Language ladies meets for fellowship on Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. A 5 p.m. Thursday evening Bible study group meets to seek a further understanding of the Bible and how it relates to our lives. A Journaling class meets on Mondays at 5 p.m. Check the bulletin for more opportunities for fellowship at Harris Church. Youth workers are welcomed.
Worship There are many ways to serve during the worship services at Harris Church. Become a greeter or usher, a liturgist or lay speaker, or a communion steward. The Multimedia Team can use your help with projection and sound skills. Call M. V. G. at 722-1918. Your talents can be expressed through music ministry—vocal, or instrumental; or through visual, drama, or dance ministry. The children’s choir whose director is Cindy Matsuura (395-6659) has practices during the Sunday School hour. The Chancel Choir which rehearses after the Sunday worship service and on the 1st Saturday of the month has as its contact person Diane Matsuura (395-8022) There are several prayer and healing ministry groups that are eager for new members. See Mel Billingsley and Jo Tanimoto-Carmichael, Worship Ministry Team chair, for information on how you can become involved.
Outreach Locally there is the Harris Soup Ministry for IHS - a group that comes in at 6am, 10am and 2pm on Mondays to prepare soup. Call Kimi Sugamura (808) 941-6502 to participate and Deaf and disability Ministries (Francine Kenyon fmkyn@yahoo.com) who created an open atmosphere at Harris Church. United Methodist Women has as one of its purposes to support women in the church and mission efforts of the church. It has a variety of programs throughout the year. Marilyn Van Gieson (808) 947-3642 is president. Global Ministries Team with Kitty Robertson as chair (808) 533-7076 put on annual bazaar in November and Japanese Visitor Ministry involves helping with the Japanese Wedding Blessings. Harris Church Thrift Shop/Boutique always needs volunteers for its Saturday morning openings. If interested, call Janet Shigemura (808) 422-4945.
Administrative
There are several important ministries that are
needed to operate the church. The Board of Trustees who meet the 1st Wednesday
of each month determines the needs of managing the 40+ year old building and
grounds. Finance Ministry meets the last Wednesday of each month to budget and
discuss financial concerns of the church. Keven Matsuura is Chair,Finance
Committee, and Lorraine Kadooka, Treasurer. Nominations/Lay Development Ministry meets to find the best laity
among the membership to participate in the various ministries. Stewardship
Ministry Team (Berni Duckrow, chair-734-3481) meets throughout the summer and fall
to encourage church members to pledge. History and Archives Ministries collect
and maintain the historical records of the church. The Staff Parish Relations
Ministry meets monthly handling the staffing concerns, evaluating performance
and serving as liaisons between staff and laity. Volunteers are needed to write
and update information for the NUU VINEYARD NEWS and the web site.
For membership information, contact the pastors. We welcome you to be a member
of Harris Church.
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, was asked, "What is a Methodist?"
He replied, using scripture, "A Methodist is... One who loves the Lord God with all one's heart, soul, mind and strength."
Moreover, he urged that our faith be approached by balancing reason, experience, scripture, and tradition. The implication is that the distinguishing marks of a Methodist reside not in complying with narrowly defined scheme of beliefs but upon commitment to a lifestyle based upon the example of Christ.
As United Methodists we uphold these attitudes and sentimnts.
