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
Since Sunday, June 14, 2020, we have been worshiping again back in our sanctuary. We continue to provide our weekly services online for those who are uncomfortable or unable to return at this time (available on Tuesday or Wednesday each week at the latest).
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!)
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
***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
“God the Gatherer”
Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, “I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.” (Isaiah 56:8)
Both our Old Testament and New Testament readings on Sunday (Isaiah 56 and Matthew 15) reminded us that God gathers people together from different cultures and backgrounds from all over the world. The texts also reminded us that we are all fully human and completely valuable in God’s eyes. As far as God is concerned, we are worth gathering! Most societies tend to label certain people as less than human, less valuable, less important, or less equal; and they tend to keep the “lesser thans” apart and separate. However, God sees us all as beloved children and delights in gathering people together who are different.
As I ponder this fact, I think that God must be very happy with our church. Our families originated from so many different parts of the world. We come from various religious backgrounds: Congregationalist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Mormon, Buddhist, and people who grew up with little to no religious heritage whatsoever. People of all different ages show up. In terms of political backgrounds, I am just guessing that close to half of us had parents who were Republicans and close to half had parents who were Democrats. Some of us have made lots of money in our careers and others have spent our lives just getting by from one paycheck to the next.
Just as God has gathered us all together—whether in person at the church or virtually over the internet via the Weekly News, email, virtual church breakfasts, or watching the weekly worship services online—God is still gathering! Isaiah recognized that God had gathered together the people of God, including “the outcasts of Israel,” and also heard the divine voice saying, “I will gather others to them, besides those already gathered.” May we too recognize that God has not only gathered us together but continues bringing others to us; and may we continue welcoming them with open arms and open hearts. And may God continue to delight in the diversity among us!
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
August 23, 2020
10:30 a.m.
SUNDAY’S MESSAGE
“We All Play a Part”
JOIN US AT CHURCH
We Have LOTS of Room!
Seating in the Sanctuary
More Space Under the Big Tent on the Patio
Live-streaming in Moore Hall on a Large TV Monitor
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SHARE ALOHA in August
Child and Family Service
This is a Hawaii non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen families and foster healthy development of children. See their website to learn more: childandfamilyservice.org.
Help us Share Aloha throughout the month by picking up 1 or 2 of the following items while you are out doing your own grocery shopping, or search your house for some unused items you are willing to donate:
- Hand sanitizers
- Clorox wipes
- Face masks
- Hand soap
- Bleach
- Detergent
- Paper towels
- Lysol
- Non-latex gloves
You can drop items off at the church in the tote bin labeled “Community Outreach,” which is located near the front door of the sanctuary. You can also arrange a home pick-up by contacting the church office. We will be collecting donations until August 31st.
Mahalo for your support!
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LECTIONARY READINGS
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 August 16 are Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133; Isaiah 56:1-8; Psalm 67; Romans 11:1-32; Matthew 15:10-28.
Readings for August 23 are Exodus 1:8-2:10; Psalm 124; Isaiah 51:1-6; Psalm 138; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20.
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“Weekly News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, an Open and Affirming (ONA) Congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Please contact the church office if you would like to have our weekly news sent directly to your inbox. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!