WHERE WE WORSHIP
Presbyterian church to renovate

By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Faith Editor

The Rev. Jim Tweedie of the Mililani Presbyterian Church says the congregation is making plans for a new $400,000 "community ministry" wing as part of a renovation. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Denomination: Presbyterian

Where we are: 95-410 Kuahelani Ave. in Mililani.

Our numbers: About 175 members.

Our pastor: The Rev. James Tweedie, ordained 1978 in Daly City, Calif.

What we believe: As Presbyterians, church members believe in the trinity. They believe that the Bible is inspired by God. The two sacraments are communion, which is celebrated monthly, and baptism. They baptize children.

Also, women and married people can be ordained, as can "chaste" gay individuals, said Tweedie. By "chaste," he means those who do not engage in homosexual behavior.

The church's mission statement: "to glorify God, to know and serve Jesus Christ, and to live and share his good news."

Their regular 9 a.m. Sunday worship includes traditional hymns and praise (also known as contemporary) songs. The church's Praise Band plays at worship services monthly.

The Sunday school program at 10:30 a.m. is geared for adults as well as children, with Bible studies and fellowship.

Our history: While the Presbyterian church was not established on the Islands until the 1950s, Presbyterians from New England were among the members of the first missionary groups, Tweedie said.

The property for Mililani Presbyterian Church was purchased from Castle & Cooke in 1969 as part of the first phase of development of Mililani.

In 1970, the first wing was built, the preschool opened and worship began with the Rev. Phillip Lee as founding pastor.

Tweedie has been pastor at the church for the past nine years.

What's special about us: This is the first church to worship "on site" in Mililani, said Tweedie. Members of a Roman Catholic congregation may have had the first service in the new development, but they met at a cemetery chapel, not their own church, he said.

What we're excited about: The church is undergoing a renovation of its preschool and lanai playground, as well as making plans for a new $400,000 "community ministry" wing.

Why a new wing? Because the church's ministries continue to grow.

They provide some supplies for the nearby Kipapa School; provide support to the River of Life Mission, Hawaiian Islands Ministries, a Boy Scout troop and an abuse shelter; and lend their facilities to Korean- and Samoan-language congregations.

There are also Hawaii Bible Institute classes, two 4-H groups, two 12-step groups, sponsorship of overseas children and support activities for a multitude of Presbyterian mission programs around the world.

And for recreational programs, Mililani Presbyterian Church has a summer vacation Bible school, a Christmas play, and the annual block party, with an afternoon of food, games, entertainment and children's activities followed by an evening Christian band concert. The block party for this year is scheduled for Aug. 31.

Contact: mpc-hi.org or 623-6663.

If you would like to recommend a faith organization for a Where We Worship profile, e-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com, call 525-8035 or write: Where We Worship, Faith Page, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.