E Komo Mai!
Welcome to Koloa Union Church!
We are followers of Jesus—the man who opened his arms to all kinds of people (including the scorned and oppressed, the poor, those living on the margins of society, and people from other places), who gave voice to the voiceless, who fed the hungry and healed the sick. Following in his footsteps, we welcome people from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, cultures, nationalities, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities; and we share God’s love in its many forms. We are a diverse community where everyone has something to offer. Come and join us—let us follow Jesus together!
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here!
Church Location: 3289 Poipu Road, Koloa, HI
We are located in the heart of Koloa on Poipu Road between Old Koloa Town and Koloa School and Library. As you are driving along Poipu Road, you’ll see our church set back from the road between the large monkey pod trees. It is a lava rock church in old Hawaiian style with a large white cross in the window. Parking is available in the front and south side of the property.
Scroll to the Bottom for Directions!
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 536, Koloa, HI 96756
Phone: 808-742-6622
Click HERE To Watch
Our Recent Worship Services
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Worship During COVID-19
10:30 a.m. on Sundays
Our Board of Deacons and Church Council are committed to do all in our power to keep our congregation healthy and safe in the midst of this pandemic. While members, friends and visitors have varying theologies and opinions about worship services during this pandemic, we hold life as sacred and believe the imperative to protect and preserve life outweighs all other considerations.
Since Sunday, June 14, 2020, we have been worshiping back in our sanctuary after offering only online worship services. As long as we believe it is safe, we will continue to to offer on-site worship services. We continue to provide our weekly services online for those who are uncomfortable or unable to return at this time (usually available by Wednesday each week).
Seating in the Sanctuary
More Space Under the Big Tent on the Patio
Live-streaming in Moore Hall on a Large TV Monitor
(Please arrive BEFORE 10:30 if you wish to be seated in the sanctuary!)
We Welcome Visitors to Our Worship Services!
Please Abide by Our Visitor Guidelines:
You may attend in-person worship services if you are not required by the State of Hawaii or County of Kauai to quarantine and either of the following conditions apply:
—You have taken a voluntary test at least 3 days after your arrival, as requested by the County of Kauai, and the results are negative. For more information on the voluntary test, please click https://kauai.gov/visitorposttest.
OR
—You have quarantined for a minimum of 14 days.
Visitors are also asked to abide by “Guidelines for Attending Worship Services” below.
In order for everyone to remain safe while worshiping with us, we ask that you attend church with the following expectations:
- Approach the sanctuary with a cloth face mask that completely covers your mouth and nose. Wait for instructions before removing your face mask once you are in the sanctuary. (We have extras if you forget yours.)
- Remain at least 6 feet from others who are not from your household.
- Use a name tag to help us identify who you are. (It’s a little trickier with face masks!)
- You will be asked to affirm that you are healthy & have no symptoms of COVID-19.
- Your temperature will be taken before entering the sanctuary (with a “no touch” thermometer).
- You may drop off your offering in an offering bowl as you enter or leave the sanctuary.
- An usher will assist you in finding a seat. Once you are seated, please remain in your seat until the end of the worship service.
- Do not plan to make any verbal announcements.
- Offer joys and concerns for our prayer time by writing them down on a prayer card and dropping off the card as you enter.
- Put your face mask back on before the benediction and keep it on until you are at your car or off church property.
- Take your bulletin home with you or drop it off in the blue recycling container next to the Deacons’ cabinet.
- Please return permanent name tags (if you have one at the church) to the table in front of the name tag cabinet. Do not replace your name tag directly into the cabinet!
- Children are asked to sit with their families. There will be no Sunday school at the church until further notice.
- Children are not allowed to use playground equipment or play games with others where physical contact is involved.
- Please stay home if you are sick, if you have a fever or any other symptoms of COVID-19, or have had any known exposure to a COVID-19 case in the prior 14 days.
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A Scent-Free Environment: We have members, friends, and a kahu who are highly allergic to various scents, often resulting in coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing and speaking, as well as other symptoms. Heavy perfumes and colognes are particularly troublesome. We are requesting that our church be, as much as possible, a “scent-free” environment during worship services, social activities and meetings. We realize that there is no way to keep all scents away, and we plan to continue having fresh flower arrangements each week and leis for special occasions, but we do ask everyone to be sensitive to the needs of those around them when it comes to perfumes, colognes and lotions.
Alan Akana Gallery
***Due to the pandemic, the gallery will be closed until further notice.***
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Koloa Union Church hosts a gallery featuring the works of Kahu (Pastor) Alan Akana. The gallery is just around the corner from the church at 3281 Waikomo Road in the historic Smith Memorial Parsonage, a beautiful building on the grounds formerly owned by Congregationalist missionaries. Proceeds from sales at the gallery support the maintenance, upgrades and repairs of the parsonage. Dr. Akana has been watercoloring the flowers of Hawaii since 1993 and features his work of over a quarter of a century. Gallery hours are 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday and by appointment. See www.alanakanagallery.com to learn more about the gallery and Dr. Akana’s art.
A Message from Our Kahu
“Everyone’s Invited”
On Sunday, we read the Parable of the Great Banquet, in which Jesus surprised his listeners by telling of an emperor who invited people from the crossroads to a banquet celebrating the wedding of his son. The “crossroads” in those days was the place where the roads came together just outside the city. It’s where the “undesirable people” hung out: beggars, refugees, prostitutes, the sick, the poor. Jesus’ audience would have been shocked because these are not the kinds of people who are invited to the palace, especially not for a feast.
This story reminds us that all kinds of people are part of God’s great vision for the world, which I called on Sunday “an outrageous fantasy.” The shocking things that Jesus said would have sounded like a fantasy to the people living at that time. Imagine an emperor who loves you deeply, who considers your wellbeing with every word, action and policy decision in the empire. Those who do the emperor’s bidding carry forth his love throughout the empire. Everyone feels the love!
This still sounds like an outrageous fantasy today—whether the leader is a president, prime minister, or king. The Bible commentator Warren Carter writes in his book, Matthew and Empire:
Some might say that all of that is just a fantasy. Perhaps it is. I would suggest, though, that it is preferable to a fantasy of violence and domination.
His point is that we can choose the way of Jesus, which may be a fantasy. However, it is a fantasy that we turn into reality in a thousand ways. So why not come along and take part in this vision where everyone is loved and invited—including you?
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
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“A Message from Kahu Alan Akana” is provided most weeks by Koloa Union Church, an Open & Affirming (ONA) congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
To see a video of this week’s worship service, including the message, click HERE. You may see the Koloa Union Church YouTube channel to see previous worship services and many of Kahu’s past messages. You can subscribe in order be notified when a new message is posted. Please share these videos with friends and invite them to church. Please feel free to “Like” any of the videos you see and share them on social media, such as Facebook, so that others will notice them.
You are welcome to join us on Sunday mornings! To see our Sunday morning schedule, click HERE.
Kahu Akana is also an accomplished artist! He specializes in creating vibrant watercolors of the flowers of Hawaii and hosts a Sunday afternoon reception in a gallery at his home, the Smith Memorial Parsonage. He also meets visitors by appointment. Most of the profit from the sales go for the maintenance and upkeep of the parsonage. To see a video about his art and gallery, click HERE. To see the gallery website, click HERE.
Weekly News of the Church
Sunday Worship
October 18, 2020
10:30 a.m.
“The Things That Belong to God”
Join Us in Church or Online
Kumu’s Cupboard
Share Aloha in October
The Outreach Committee is collecting donations for Kumu’s Cupboard in October. Kumu’s Cupboard is a nonprofit store where Kauai’s teachers can shop for free. The store is filled with school supplies, office supplies, art and science materials, as well as student incentives. Did you know that our teachers have to use their own money on supplies for their classrooms? With all that is going on right now and school just starting, the shelves at Kumu’s Cupboard are going empty and they are in need of basic supplies to continue their mission. Help our island’s keiki by helping their teachers!
The following items are what the teachers have identified as things in need. If you are able, please consider picking up an item or two while at the store to donate. Sorry but Kumu’s Cupboard is not able to accept used items at this time. There is a printed list available at the Deacon’s station in back of the church.
SCHOOL/OFFICE SUPPLIES: paper of all types, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, colored pencils, scissors, staplers, staples, binders, paper clips, binder clips, brads, small white boards and cleaner, folders, composition books, notebooks, binders, new books (Kindergarten/Preschool age)
ART & SCIENCE MATERIALS: fabric (one yard minimums), puzzles, feathers, yarn, tiles, beads, paints, construction paper, glitter, science equipment, math manipulatives (like flash cards)
HEALTH SUPPLIES: disposable gloves, hand sanitizer, liquid soap, disinfecting wipes
NOTE: Deadline is October 30. All donated items will be delivered on October 31. You can drop items off at the church during office hours (Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to noon. Please call Penny beforehand). Outside of these hours you can drop items off in the tote bin labeled “Share Aloha,” which is located to the right of the front foyer. You can also arrange a home pick-up by Amber. Please text or call (907)227-9045 to do so.
LECTIONARY READINGS
Weekly Readings from the Bible
During challenging times, reading the Bible on a daily basis is a great source of inspiration and hope. I encourage you to read and meditate upon the Scriptures of the Revised Common Lectionary and ask yourself how God might be showing up in the Scriptures for you, what God might be saying to you, and what guidance you might find as you share God’s love in creative and meaningful ways.
—Kahu Alan Akana
Each week, Christians throughout the world read biblical passages from the Revised Common Lectionary, including the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels. After three years, a good portion of the Bible is included and the cycle begins again. RCL passages are often read in church worship services, and Kahu Akana usually includes at least one reading each Sunday.
Readings for October 11 are Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm 106:1-23; Isaiah 25:1-9; Psalm 23; Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:1-14.
Readings for October 18 are Exodus 33:12-23; Psalm 99; Isaiah 45:1-7; Psalm 96:1-13; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22.