by admin | Jul 26, 2016 | Message from Kahu
A GENEROUS CHURCH
I was notified this morning by Charles Buck, our Conference Minister, that Koloa Union Church was in the Top 10 per capita in the United Church of Christ for the Christmas Offering this past December. (We ranked #10.) What this means is that the people of our congregation gave more per person than all but 9 other congregations in the United States to this special offering, which we collect at Christmastime. There are more than 5,000 congregations in our denomination…and we gave more per person than all but nine of them! In terms of numbers, we gave $2,752, which figures at $30.58 per member (90 last year).
Nationwide, we were part of $1.5 million given to last year’s Christmas Fund, which supports four assistance programs for clergy and church workers: supplementation of small pensions, health premium supplementation, emergency grants, and Christmas “Thank you” gift checks to retirees. This fund makes a big difference to people who have served the Church for many years and are struggling to make ends meet. It is our way of saying “Thank you,” and “We care about you.”
On top of an incredibly successful capital campaign and significantly increasing our income to the general fund, the people of Koloa Union Church are also giving money to others more generously than ever! I am honored to serve as the pastor of this church and to witness to such heartfelt generosity!
Aloha nui!
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 10:30 on Sunday mornings at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa to hear a full sermon by Kahu Akana.
by admin | Jul 26, 2016 | News
DINNER & BOOK GROUP The final meeting of our summer dinner & book group (6-8 p.m.) will be this Wednesday, July 27, at the Smith Memorial Parsonage. This summer’s book is: Something Rich and Strange: Discovering Your Path to Wholeness and is led by the book’s author Susan Davis, Ph.D.
KOLOA PLANTATION DAYS PARADE We will again participate in the parade (Saturday, July 30) this year! We will have a large decorated golf cart for our kupuna and those unable to walk the distance. Meet at the church at 8:30 a.m. for instructions. Roads will close at 9:00 a.m. Kahu will drive the riders and have them in a shaded area while waiting for start of the parade. (The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Koloa School and ends at the Anne Knudsen Ballpark). Colorful attire is suggested this year as the theme is “Planting the Seeds that Nourish the Soul.” Bring your bottled water for the parade walk.
HONG KONG-STYLE MAHJONG We had a well attended Hong Kong-style mahjong lesson last Saturday at the church: twelve people attended and enjoyed the games! Thanks to Matt Shim, who provided everything needed and lessons. There will be more gatherings in the future. Dates and times to be announced.
MUSIC DIRECTOR We are still looking for a new Music Director. Click HERE to see the position description and application for employment. Please pass along this information to anyone you know who has experience leading musical groups.
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“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!
by admin | Jul 22, 2016 | Message from Kahu, Uncategorized
Hawaiian “Hospitality”
On Sunday, we heard the story in Genesis 18 of Abraham entertaining three strangers with “over the top” hospitality. When they arrived, he washed their feet, insisted they rest in the shade, and brought them water and a lavish feast. Even though Abraham most likely had no idea who any of the three guests were, we read in the text that Abraham and Sarah were entertaining God! It reminded me of the stories I read about my ancestors on Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii Island when a stranger—usually an elderly woman—would show up at a home on the slopes of the volcano. As it turned out, the stranger was Madame Pele herself—the great goddess of the volcanoes! If the family showed hospitality, the next eruption would spare their home—sometimes by just a few feet. However, if they did not show hospitality, the home would be covered by lava within days. The elders told these stories to their grandchildren to make sure they knew the importance of showing hospitality to others. These stories remind me of what Mother Teresa used to say when she was alive: that every stranger we meet is Jesus in disguise.
I think our church does really well when it comes to hospitality! The people here have definitely showed “over the top” hospitality to me, and I have watched them share it with others. Our capital campaign even came from our desire to show hospitality toward others; coming right from our new vision statement:
When people pass by our church, they notice its beauty and feel a sense of invitation and welcome. When they visit, they feel God’s unconditional love and a sense of beauty and peace everywhere on our campus. When they return, they find it effortless to connect spiritually and emotionally with others and to become involved in the life of the church in meaningful ways.
I am so honored to be the kahu of a church that cares so much about hospitality and making people feel so welcome among us! I invite you to come and experience the Hawaiian hospitality for yourself!
Aloha nui!
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 10:30 on Sunday mornings at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa to hear a full sermon by Kahu Akana.
by admin | Jul 21, 2016 | News
Koloa Union Church Summer Youth Camp July 23-25, 2016: Our middle and high school students (and their friends) will be attending Anahola’s Kumu Camp. The theme will be “Self Respect and Acceptance.” Contact Tiffany Marrotte or Sheri Fu for details.
Free Hong Kong-style Mahjong Lessons at the church. Learn the basics of a simplified Hong Kong Mahjong for beginners. Saturday, July 23, 2016, 2 – 4 p.m. Youth (accompanied by an adult) and adults are welcome. Cost: free. Limited to 20. To register: [email protected].
Koloa Plantation Days Open House at the Smith Memorial Parsonage on July 25, 4 – 6 p.m. This event is part of the week-long KPD festivities! Kahu Akana will talk about our church and parsonage, the Smith-Waterhouse legacy & cemetery, and the neighborhood. There will be tours of the the parsonage and discounted sales of Kahu’s watercolors as a fundraiser for parsonage improvements and repairs.
Koloa Plantation Days Parade is July 30. We will again participate in the parade. We will have a large decorated golf cart for our kupuna and those unable to walk the distance. Meet at the church at 8:30 a.m. for instructions. Roads will close at 9:00 a.m. Kahu will drive the riders and have them in a shaded area while waiting for start of the parade. (The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Koloa School and ends at the Anne Knudsen Ballpark). Colorful attire is suggested this year as the theme is “Planting the Seeds that Nourish the Soul.” Bring your bottled water for the parade walk.
Music Director We are still looking for a new Music Director. The position description and application for employment are found on the “News” page of our church website: www.koloaunionchurch.org. Please pass along this information to anyone you know who has experience leading musical groups.
__________________________
“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!
by admin | Jul 13, 2016 | News
A LETTER TO THE EDITOR
This letter was in the Garden Island, Sunday, July 10, 2016:
Mahalo to the pastor and entire congregation of the Koloa Union Church for the beautiful upgrade they just finished up. While enhancing their parking lot, they were kind enough to offer a wonderful gift to the Koloa Town community with a major construction and tree trimming project that added a lovely and much needed sidewalk along the entire front of their property.
It makes it a much safer place for children walking to Koloa Elementary and the library. The work was done in a first-class manner and everyone passing by benefits from the church’s generosity of community spirit. Koloa Town has long needed a proper sidewalk along Poipu Road.
Could this be the inspirational beginning of a long overdue sidewalk all the way to the traffic circle?
Tom Biehn
Koloa
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Summer Youth Camp, July 23-25, 2016, Anahola’s Kumu Camp. The theme: “Self Respect and Acceptance.” Our middle school and high school youth and their friends are invited to attend Koloa Union Church’s Summer Youth Camp. Contact Tiffany Marrotte or Sheri Fu for details.
Koloa Plantation Days Open House at the Smith Memorial Parsonage on July 25, 4 – 6 p.m. part of the week-long festivities! Kahu Akana will talk about our church and parsonage, the Smith-Waterhouse legacy & cemetery and the neighborhood. There will be tours of the the parsonage and sales of Kahu’s watercolors as a fundraiser for parsonage improvements and repairs.
Koloa Plantation Days Parade, July 30. We will again participate in the parade. We will have a large decorated golf cart for our kupuna and those unable to walk the distance. Meet at the church at 8:30 a.m. for instructions. Kahu will drive the riders and have them in a shaded area while waiting for start of the parade. (The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Koloa School and ends at the Anne Knudsen Ballpark). Colorful attire is suggested this year as the theme is “Planting the Seeds that Nourish the Soul.”
MUSIC DIRECTOR
We are still looking for a new Music Director. The position description and application for employment are found on the “News” page of our church website: www.koloaunionchurch.org. Please pass along this information to anyone you know who has experience leading musical groups.
KOLOA UNION CHURCH WEEKLY E-NEWS
We have begun sending our latest news every week directly to anyone who requests it. If you would like to get our latest news in your inbox, please send us your email to [email protected].
__________________________
“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!
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