A Message from Kahu Akana

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THE ESSENCE OF ALL TRUE RELIGIONS

You have undoubtedly heard by now about the tragic mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando in the early morning hours of this past Sunday. A man by the name of Omar Mateen walked into the club and opened fire, killing 49 and injuring 53. While his victims lay on the floor of the nightclub, he dialed 911 and pledged his allegiance to ISIS. It is beyond my comprehension how a person would kill another human being simply for being different. It is mind-numbing to try to understand how a single individual can shoot over 100 people simply because they were gay. It is deeply disturbing that a person can carry out such a hateful act in the name of a religion or religious-based organization.

Throughout the ages, religions have played a vital role in many cultures in influencing how their followers should treat “the other.” It is unfortunate that religions, including my own, have often taught a spirit of intolerance and judgment towards those who are different. Such teachings promote acts of hatred and terror of various extremes. We have seen the worst of the extremes this week when Omar Mateen opened fire on the patrons of Pulse—the gay nightclub in Orlando.

I personally condemn all forms of intolerance and judgment against others who are different: the extreme form that we have witnessed this week and the subtler forms as well. Here are a few examples to which I refer:

  • A close friend—when he was a teenager—was visited by his pastor in the hospital after a suicide attempt, caused by deep shame over his sexual orientation. The pastor told him it would be better if he had died than to engage in homosexual behavior and suffer eternity in hell for it.
  • Another friend was subjected to “reparation therapy” so that he could understand that he “really never was gay,” because, according to his pastor and therapist, being gay is against God’s will and therefore unreal.
  • I was told in the church of my youth that homosexuality is sinful, contrary to human nature, disgusting and evil, and punishable by God with a sentence of death and hell.

I condemn the words used by these religious professionals and the context they created within their churches and communities—a context where it is acceptable to dehumanize, devalue and demonize the people who, like me, are simply being honest about who they are and what they want in life.

In addressing the mass shooting in Orlando, the Rev. John Dorhauer, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ had these words to say about all forms of intolerance and judgment:

“Especially concerning to the United Church of Christ are those brands and expressions of Christianity that demonize the LGBTQ community. When religious leaders [say such things] they create a context in which such violence is cultivated.”

Rev. Dorhauer’s point is that all forms of intolerance and judgment add fuel to the fire of the extreme acts of hatred and terror, such as the one we witnessed this week. The beliefs we espouse and the words we choose indeed create a context in which we all act. I call upon the leaders and members of all of our faith communities to leave intolerance and judgment behind and to embrace tolerance, understanding, grace, and one another.

Regardless of the faith you choose, may you live by the words of Jesus, which I believe are the essence of all true religions:

“Love one another…just as I have loved you.”

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

“Love your enemy.”

Let us continue to pray for the victims and their families of the Orlando shooting, and let us take responsibility for our beliefs, our words, and the resulting consequences.

Aloha nui to all,

Kahu Alan Akana

“A Message from Kahu Alan Akana” is provided most weeks by the Kahu (Pastor) of Koloa Union Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.

Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!

News of the Church

Dinner & Book Group
This group begins on June 15 at 6 p.m. at the Smith Memorial Parsonage (3281 Waikomo Road). This summer’s book is: Something Rich and Strange: Discovering Your Path to Wholeness and will be led by the book’s author Susan Davis, Ph.D. Dinner at 6:00 pm and discussion 6:45-8:00pm. Books are available on Wednesday evenings and at church. The book group will meet on Wednesdays from June 15 through July 27. Please contact Kahu if you would like to bring something for dinner.

Strengthen the Church Special Mission, June 19, 2016
Strengthen the Church is a special mission offering to re-imagine and build the future of the United Church of Christ. STC supports youth ministries to help young people in developing their spiritual gifts and leadership skills. Funds also support full-time leaders for new churches in parts of the country where the UCC voice has not been heard. We will collect this special offering on Sunday, June 19, during out worship service. Please give generously to STC.

Memorial for Al Moe, June 25, 2016, 11:00 am
A memorial service for Al Moe will be held at Koloa Union Church on June 25, 2016 at 11:00 am. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the National Tropical Botanical Garden and/or to Koloa Union Church.

Salvation Army Lunch Servers
Koloa Union Church took on the task of serving lunch at the Hanapepe Salvatin Army facility whenever there is a 5th Wednesday. June 29, 2016 is a 5th Wednesday! We need four (4) volunteers. Contact Judyth Foley @ (818) 726-1344.

 

“Weekly News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!

You CAN park in the church parking lot!

The church parking lot is not quite finished, but you CAN park on it…and our worship service WILL take place at the church on Sunday, June 12.

Please enter the church along the north driveway that runs alongside the church.

See you on Sunday!

A Message from Kahu Akana

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Under Construction!

Dear Members and Friends:

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported our capital campaign “Maika`i Hana Hou” (Creating Goodness & Beauty Once Again)! We have done so much this past year, and we are working on our parking lot this week! Part of our new vision is to become more welcoming and inviting…and I can tell you that we will certainly be looking a lot more welcoming and inviting when our parking lot and landscaping project is completed!

At our “Capital Campaign One-Year Anniversary Celebration” on Sunday at the parsonage, I shared with everyone about my maternal grandmother. She was a significant role model in my life and was very influential in her example and support to help get me where I am today. She taught me that a person always has love to give, even during the most difficult and trying circumstances in life. She also taught me how I can overcome even the most difficult obstacles if I make a plan and am determined to fulfill it. Therefore, I wanted to honor her by doing something very special: I decided to pay for our new koa pulpit in full and name it in her memory.

I hope every person in our church will honor in one way or another the important people in his/her life. If it turns out that you want to honor someone through our capital campaign, please contact me or Dan Giovanni, our capital campaign chair, and we will help you discover how you might do that.

I hope to see you on Sunday as we use our new parking lot for the first time!

Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana

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In Memory of Alice McClintock Gagner

“A Message from Kahu Alan Akana” is provided most weeks by the Kahu (Pastor) of Koloa Union Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.

Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!

News of the Church

Lawai International Center  June 12, 2016

We have room for 5 more to visit the “88 Shrines” in Lawai on Sunday.  Let us know if you are interested kucofc@gmail.com. We will be meeting at the church at 1:15 pm for carpooling.

 

`Aha Pae`aina

Kahu and Graceleanor Baird will be attending the 194th `Aha Pae`aina this week on Oahu at Central Union Church. They will back in church on Sunday.

 

No Church Parking

There will be no on-site church parking this week.  Cushnie Construction is removing the old asphalt & smoothing out the area in preparation for our new parking area.

 

Summer Dinner & Book Group Begins  June 15, 2016

We will be reading and discussing Susan Davis’ book  “Something Rich and Strange: Discovering Your Path to Wholeness.” Susan will be facilitating the discussion. We will meet every Wednesday until the end of July from 6-8 p.m. at the parsonage (3281 Waikomo Road).  Books are available for $20 after church on Sundays and on Wednesday evenings.

 

Strengthen the Church Special Mission  June 19, 2016

We will be collecting Strengthen the Church special mission offering on June 19. This special offering helps build the future of the UCC and supports youth ministries developing their spiritual gifts and leadership skills.  Funds also support full-time leaders for new churches in parts of the country where the UCC voice has not been heard.  Please join us in giving generously to this annual fund.

 

“Weekly News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!