Message given by Mrs. Elizabeth "Liz" Day, for the Sermon,
at St. Michael And All Angels Episcopal Church, Guam,
on October 1, 2006, at 10:00 A.M.
in the Service of the Holy Eucharist in honor of its patron saints.

Mrs. Liz Day receving the award of recognition of services from Bp. George Packard presented by Mr. Harold Parker, the Bishop's Deputy for ECIM

I have been asked to share my experiences on Guam during the last 39 years, less two years when we went to Virginia for my husband's last tour of duty before retirement. We chose to come back here - at that time we all loved Guam and felt like we wanted to come back as a civilian family. Guam had changed a lot in those two years: tourism had become the No.#1 industry; Vietnam War was over; hotels were springing up and Japanese tour companies had come to Guam. St. John the Divine Church had a new church building.

We were involved with a couple of local families in a glass bottom boat enterprise in Merizo - we were able to rent a house in the Kaiser Development in Dededo so we had a long commute every day. Then we bought our house in Santa Rita. At that time you picked a lot from a map and house design and waited for it to get built. We were able to move into our house in August of 1972, the same home I have today.

Sadly, my husband and I were divorced in 1974, he went back to the mainland, while the children and I stayed on Guam. It was at this time that I started teaching at Inarajan Junior High School, 1974-81. As a teacher and counselor in the public schools I've seen the changes and growth in the school system and in the island community. When we first came in 1967, all of the Executive Branch of the Government of Guam was located in the one building that now houses GPSS. It was still a very slow, paced, tranquil island. I remember all the cars stopping by the government offices while a hen and little chicks crossed the road.

Throughout the years of teaching and counselling, there's one goal and prayer that I believe I share with all other teachers, and that is, to impact and make a difference in the lives of the students. With this comes along the trust that good leaders in our government system or any institution in the community started out as good learners or students, taught in good schools by effective teachers. Even those students who posed the biggest disciplinary challenges, we as teachers and counselors harbor the hope that we've planted some seeds of love and wisdom in their heads and that these will help them in their decision-making and relationships in their future lives.

One of the great things about living on Guam for many years is that we actually have the chance from time to time to see some of the rewards of our work! Leah Ibabao Duenas was one of my students. She grew up and taught at Truman and Umatac schools and then became a counselor at Oceanview where we worked together for a number of years. And I am happy to say that she is still there doing a great job. One of the vice principals at Oceanview had been one of my students and she moved from counseling to administration, and currently is the principal at Talofofo Elementary School. I had a very quiet and bright student at Inarajan Junior High School in the Seventh Grade Social Studies Class. His name is Arthur Barcinas - now Judge Arthur Barcinas! Just about every place I go someone will say to me, "Aren't you Mrs. Day? Do you remember me?" Always nice when they tell you who they are - and often they have children in tow, sometimes grandchildren!

As a teacher in the classroom or as a counselor in an office I have the same prayer for children. I pray that they will grow and develop their God-given gifts and talents, and that they will contribute their best to make a better world. And we also want our children to grow spiritually, to learn the sense of the holy - in themselves, in nature, and in all of life. It has been pointed out in various articles that children who are actively involved in community organisations, such as Church, are better students in school. That shouldn't surprise anyone. While schools focus on the mental and physical growth of students, children need the church for the nurturance of their spirits. My children remember most the time that St. Andrew's Church services were held in our home, before the church facility in Agat was built. Saturdays were spent preparing for Sunday (clean the house, set up the altar, put in those old wood-folding chairs with kneelers... I've asked them what they remember most about those services and they both say that they can remember me playing the hymns on a little children's keyboard that we had. The strangest part about this is that I don't remember this at all!

My daughter Lisa is in her last year of Seminary at Princeton Theological Seminary, after having practiced law for many years. I believe that the seed of interest in the ministry was planted here in Guam. I think Father Needham probably influenced her the most. Speaking of people in the Seminary - only a couple of years after St. Andrew's was built a young man named Tony Gomowad appeared - we all loved him - he had boundless energy. I remember having some big ironwood trees in my front yard and had said something about wishing I could get them trimmed. And within a couple of days I looked out and guess who was in my tree with a machete just hacking away. If you had overgrown grass it would disappear - Thank you Fr. Tony! We were so delighted when he was able to return as our priest.

Growth in the spirit doesn't just happen. Children need to get exposed in worship, in church liturgy and language, in the symbols and actions in church services. I love to see the children take communion. This could never happen when I was growing up. The children were not given holy communion until they were instructed and confirmed at about ages 10 or 11, then they would be allowed to receive communion.

Regardless of our work and career, when we go to church we let down our guard before God and ask God to shape and mold us into the kind of persons that He wants, and to do those things that od wills. I think this posture of openness and listening is the unique gift that the church offers in contrast to the school setting. In the school, the students are taught to take command of their learning. They are there to make themselves, to map their directions and shape their future. In Church, children are like everyone else, we ask God to make and shape us. Going to church is a ritual in itself, a kind of prayer in itself, if you will.

At this point, may I ask any and all teachers and teachers' aides, be it in schools, nurseries and day care centers, to please stand. As an educator for many years I know the great challenges for your work. Congratulations! Last week was Teachers' Appreciation Week. I hope that you were all appreciated by your students, fellow workers, and parents. I hope you have all received your long-overdue salary increase. (14%) I believe that most teachers enter the profession becuase of the love of teaching, and most stay because they love to teach. I do not feel that you as educators receive the respect from the community that you deserve. You need so much and get so little. Let's hope that the present and future government officials do a better job. You are the backbone of our community, cherish the knowledge that your career is a noble one.

If there is anyone here who is thinking of pursuing a career in teaching, please do so. There are great scholarship opportunities, and UOG will pay you to become a teacher, provided you meet the requirements. Keep your grades up, work on community projects and you will be able to qualify for all the financial aid that is available to you. Some of the younger generation of teachers say, "it's ool o teach." Current trends show that teaching is getting increasingly recognized, valued and properly rewarded. Parents are also becoming aware of the need to support their children in their school work. However, there is still much to be done.

What I said about the support of parents to their children in their school work I would say the same thing about supporting children in their spiritual growth. Bring your children to church with you. The saying, "Families that pray together stay together" is meaningful. When your children get their driver's license, and get their jobs, you may not be able to get them to church with you. In most cases it's the seeds planted in their spirits while they are going to church with us are all they got. We pray and trust that God will engage them at some point and route them back in their spiritual journey.I close now with St. Paul's words in his Letter to the Romans (15:13), "May the God of hope ill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mrs. Liz Day also served as the Bishop's Deputy of ECIM from August 1992 - 2003.
She will be relocating to a retirement home in Virginia in early November 2006.
Bishop George Packard, the Suffragan Bishop for Chaplaincies who has jurisdiction over ECIM had sent an Award of recognition of services to Liz Day, and this was presented by Mr. Harold Parker, the Deputy for ECIM, during the Patronal Service at St. Michael And All Angels.
Note: Postal address and contact number for Liz will be available at St. Andrew's Of the Philippine Sea Church Office or through Fr. Manny Querido, Jr.

Seniors please take your seats for a moment; I have something to say before blessing you on your way.

The Blessing of Those Who Show Such Service

Indeed, we have been blessed by the selfless services of others in this place. In particular this graduation allows me to say how grateful I am to serve with the Episcopal priests on this Island, Fr. Tony Gomowad and his wife Nettie, Fr. Manny Querido and his wife Jeannie, and Fr. Rich Towers and his wife Barbara. I particularly want to note Fr. Tower’s generosity during my visit. It’s not easy having the Bishop comes a’ calling and he has been gracious in every instance.

Citing a moment for blessing as it does in our program infers a perspective. We have to sum up before doing so and acknowledge how God has brought us to this vantage point. That is why I would like to call former Board President Mark Fish forward for recognition.

Mark, you have served this School for nearly two decades. During that time you were a faithful steward of its resources and always dedicated to its longevity and welfare. Thank you. Please accept this Bishop’s medallion as a small gesture of my gratitude not only for years served but for the poise and graciousness you have shown in very recent years. Clearly we wouldn’t be here now if it weren’t for you.

And there is another person who likewise has insisted on our School’s prominence on this Island. Tim Kernaghan, would you please come forward? Tim, your Presidency has brought us through the shoals of change. Your calm presence, leadership, and sense of humor have been a gift. Thank you for your blessing to us. We wouldn’t be here now if it weren’t for you. Please accept this Bishop’s medallion as a sign of our feeling.

A New Tradition: Citing an Annual Blessing by the Nunu Tree

On the far side of the soccer field there is a Nunu tree. It is probably the oldest living thing in some miles of us.

Through wind and storm, through years of war, it has stood. Nearly 50 years ago we received the caretaking of this property (a trifling time as the measure of years go for this tree in our midst); we revere this tree’s sentinel presence not only as a figure for the Chamorro people and a receptacle for the honored thoughts of ancestors, but also as a continuing statement that an insistent, living thing resides in our midst. It gives us inspiration to proceed with diligence, living life fully or “completely” as I said yesterday at our Baccalaureate service.

Moreover, an Episcopal education is distinguished by intellectual and spiritual animation. As well, it has at its center: worship, community life, social justice and service, and religious training. The many schools of the Episcopal Church are committed to leaning forward into life. “Fearless excellence” could be a descriptive phrase. As it says on the wall of my own seminary, a quote not from the Bible, but from Cicero: “Seek the truth come whence it may, cost what it will.” We are fearless, for God is at our side when we are on this quest for truth for He resides in and authors truth.

So our Nunu tree, standing as it does on the edge of the cliff, seems to command attention to this stamina of spirit, this gutsy endurance for good things.

That is why I am inaugurating at this ceremony – standing by the tree – respectfully, with a past year’s distinguished achievement.

In years’ past we could have paused and stood by the tree as we gave acclaim to the service of Mel Santos, our mother of so much, or to Dale Jenkins for his many contributions to this institution, or even for our women’s volleyball team in 2003 (I was there when they played Academy on that night!).

So in this year at the beginning of our reflective, annual, and well deserved pat on the back, I would like to ask Dr. Nelson and Mrs. Santos to stand by the ceramic replica of the Nunu Tree here on stage.

Jorge, you honor this School and the team leadership you have forged with Mel in this past year by your innovation of forming a middle school here at St. John’s. A plaque will be inscribed on the support pedestal of the Nunu tree replica and it will say simply, ‘Middle School, 2004-2005’. Those words declare a fact, an existence, which heretofore has not been. In subsequent years other activities, programs, perhaps even persons will adorn the base reflecting a luminous achievement of the year.

As the father of a middle schooler I know how important it is to distinguish this age group. It is through your clarity and insight that those in grades 6-8 will be known for the curious, explorative, physical, imaginative persons they are.

You have begun a tradition through your zestful thinking here. Thank you.”

Helping hands The students of St. John's School raised more than $10,000 during a three-day coin drive held Jan. 18 to 20, for the victims of the tsunami that struck South Asia on Dec. 26. Shown in the photo are center, Christine Suhr and Steven Yang, fourth-graders from Paula Wallace's class, putting the last of the donations in the laundry bin, which was donated by Clean Living for the drive. Flanking are members of Karen Alvia and Cindy Bell's sixth-grade classes. They are Cole Calvo, Cristian Cayanan, Meagan Crisostomo, Daniel Curran, Hayley Curran, Kristoffer Domingo, Kristi Hammond, Brian Kami, Aditya Kashyap, Masaya Kawauchi, William Koo, Anran Li, Nicole Mesa, Sharon Na, Alissa Nishida, Raisa Ramos, Joel Tribaudini, Ryan Abdullah, Christina Botha, Carl Browne, Junifer Chun, William Chung, Mariana Gabriel, Young Ji Kim, Hannah Lam, Kyle Legozzie, Troy Macris, Raisa Ramos, Anastasia Rodehorst, Nicholas Shepherd, Rigel Swavely, Mari Yahiro, Brittany Yang and Van Yoshimura. Looking on from the left are Alvia, James Moore, Katie Greenland, Maria Johnson, Joyce Larmore, Bill Pavesic, Bell and Jorge Nelson, headmaster.

Prayer Request from St. Andrew's, Guam

Friday, October 15, 2004

Dear Bishop,

St. Andrew's was saddened by the news about recent bombing in Iraq where one of our parishioners, FERDINAND IBABAO, was reported one of the victims. Reports said 99% that he was one of them and cannot give final words until a DNA confirms, and some personal belongings identify to be his.

At this moment of sorrow and uncertainty, we ask everyone's pray specially for his wife MISON and son ALEXANDER who are in Arizona and his grieving mother OFELIA.

God bless,

Manny

More information follows from Fr. Tony Gomowad:

“....Understably, this is hard to believe, and we would want a reconfirmation if possible. I've known Ferdinand since he was a boy, married them at St. Andrew's (Agat, Guam) and baptized their son. He retired from the Police Force on Guam, then got assigned with the United Nations Security Contingency in Kosovo. He came back and joined the Army. I remember him writing that he was working for DYN CORP Technical Services, and assigned inside the US Embassy Compound in Iraq.

Aside from Ferdy, St. Michael's has three other young soldiers assigned in Iraq....”

Newsletter from the Episcopal Church in Micronesia

Most of you reading this have probably never heard of The ECIM [Episcopal Church In Micronesia]; therefore a little geographic and historical background might be helpful. Micronesia is a group of many small islands spread out over a vast area of the Western Pacific Ocean. Guam is the largest of these islands--it has an area of about 220 square miles, about forty miles in length and ten to twelve miles at its widest. The southern part of the island is quite mountainous and there is still quite a bit of this area that is undeveloped. The Episcopal Church has three churches and a school on Guam and a small group on Saipan where services are held once a month. Someday we hope we may be able to reach more of the smaller and more remote islands.

Guam was a Spanish colony for hundreds of years. Spanish galleons used Guam to resupply on their trips to the Philippine Islands. Spain had a military administration here and along with the military occupation came the Roman Catholic missionaries. Many of todays local Chamorros have Spanish ancestry and are still Roman Catholic. Guam became a territory of the United States as part of the Treaty of Paris in 1898. It was not until 1952 that the people of Guam were granted US citizenship. Until the early 1960's entry to Guam was strictly controlled by the US government. Japan occupied Guam during World War II years, many Chamorros were tortured and killed during this time. Now tourism is the primary industry and most of the tourists come from Japan.

Today Guam is much like many American communities, we have our malls, housing areas, fast food restaurants, a university, community college, 5-star hotels, beautiful beaches, clean air, and we are blessed with a wonderful yearround warm climate! We have felt the economic crunch over the past several years--the Japanese economy took a downturn five or six years ago and that hurt Guam's tourism. We have seen a fairly large increase in the military since the tragic events of September 11.

The Episcopal Church was started on Guam in the late 1950's or early 1960's when a beautiful piece of land overlooking Tumon Bay and the Pacific Ocean was given to the church by a local businessman. Soon after that St. John's opened in a quonset hut to be followed shortly by the opening of an elementary school. St. John's Church and St. John's Episcopal School [pre-k thru grade 12, and the finest in the Western Pacific] still occupy that same land. Today the church and the school have some beautiful buildings--every typoon brings a few changes!

St. Andrew's was established in Agat, a village in the South, in the early 1970's. The church building was built by funds given by the United Thank Offering of US. The congregation of this church is predominately Filipino. The large Navy base is located in Agat and when it was opened the US brought many people from the Philippines to do a lot of the construction and then to run and maintain the facilities. Many of these people stayed and made Guam their home, bringing their families or marrying the local Chamorros. Many of these people had been members of the PIC[ Philippine Independent Church] affiliated with the US Episcopal Church. Fr. Manny Querido is the priest at St, Andrew's. St. Andrew'scelebrates the Patron Saint Day, St. Andrew, on November 25. All three churches will clebrate together that day. Besides celebrating the mass there will be a fiesta [lots of wonderful food] games, good fellowship and fun and a raffle with the proceeds to go to the local Habitat for Humanities.

Our youngest church started in the late 1970's is St. Michaels and All Angels, located in Dededo, located in the North and most populated area of the island. For many years services have been held in a carport of one of the parishoners, in the last year or so St. Michaels was able to purchase a couple of lots and the congregation is now busy making plans for the construction of a church building, Fr. Tony Gomowad is the priest at St. Michael's.

The three churches are bound together administratively by the ECIM Council of Advice. This council is headed by our bishop, Bishop George Packard, and the members are made up of two representatives from each church, two at large, two from the school, the three priests, chancellor thef Bishop's Deputy. We employ a part time administrative assistant who takes care of our financial responsibities and manages a small group of apartments owned by the ECIM. The ECIM is a mission church, and we receive monthly funds from the Missionary Society and some from St. John's school. These funds are needed primarily to pay our priests. Our goal is to become independent financially---one that we are really finding hard.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell you a little bit about our church in our part of the world---we wouldn't be here without all the wonderful help from our fellow church members in the US. Thank you so much!!

ECIM