by admin | May 16, 2017 | Message from Kahu
You Know the Way (John 14:1-14)
On Sunday, I shared with the congregation about several people who found the way against all odds and while facing seemingly unsurmountable challenges. My maternal grandmother Alice was one of those people. Wanting to be an expert in agricultural sciences was her dream as a young girl when she was growing up in rural Montana. Family and friends laughed at her because this was considered “man’s work,” and besides, she would have to go to college and get a degree in agriculture to achieve her goal, and a woman had never done that before, at least not in Montana. To make it even more challenging, there wasn’t even a high school within many miles of the small community of Rockvale where Alice grew up.
Alice, however, was determined to achieve her dreams. She left home at 14 to attend high school and then attended Montana State College (now University) in Bozeman in order to achieve her dream. The only problem was that no organization was willing to hire her after she graduated. It was so entrenched in the culture that agriculture was a “man’s work” that she couldn’t find employment even though she was better qualified than some of the men who did get the jobs.
Alice then met a handsome young man with a decent job, who made her all kinds of promises if she would marry him. About 5 years later, she found herself as a mother of three young children (my mother and two uncles) and married to a completely irresponsible alcoholic who spent most of his money on alcohol and gambling. Alice made clothespin bags in order to make a little money for food for her and the children, and made regular visits to the food bank.
One day, her husband took her for a ride and was in a bad car accident with a train. (Alice wondered for the rest of her life if driving under the influence of alcohol was the reason he didn’t look before crossing the train tracks.) Alice ended up in the hospital with a broken neck and burns all over her body. When she regained consciousness she remembered hearing the doctor tell her family that she would not survive.
I am astounded that my grandmother found her way…out of the hospital…back to college…raising her three children during the Depression…moving to Kauai as the University of Hawaii Extension Services Home Agent and 4H leader.
When Jesus’ disciple Thomas asked, “How can we know the way,” they were entering a fearful, anxious and uncertain time in their lives (and I’m pretty sure we have all been there at least once!). Jesus said in that same passage: “You know the way,” and “I am the way.” These two statements give me tremendous courage because I am reminded that I too know the way, and it is the person of Jesus. I many not know the destination or the path I might travel, but the way of Jesus is my way. It is the way of compassion, grace, light and wisdom. When I am being these things and trusting these things, I know that I am walking in the way of Jesus.
When you are walking through dark times, I invite you to look to Jesus—all that he was and is to this day—and walk in his way; and remember, his words to the disciples still ring true for us: “You know the way.”
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
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Videos of Kahu’s sermons are available most weeks. Please share these videos with friends and invite them to church. You can also subscribe to Kahu’s sermon page on YouTube; that way you can easily watch any past sermon and even receive a notification when a new sermon is posted.
“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.
by admin | May 16, 2017 | News
CONCERT THIS WEEKEND A concert of classical, folk and flamenco selections, Saturday, May 20, 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 21, 5 p.m. at St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihue. Our Karen Johnson, Becky Sakimae, Chris and Kathleen Dahill will be sharing their beautiful voices.
SERVICE OF INSTALLATION ON SUNDAY The Rev. Malcolm Carr will be installed as Pastor of Lihu`e Christian Church on Sunday, May 21, at 3 p.m. Please contact Kahu Alan if you would like to carpool, as Kahu will be participating in the installation service.
KAUAI ASSOCIATION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST The Association will be gathering for their monthly meeting on May 23 at 5:30 in order to honor and say farewell to our departing Conference Minister, Charles Buck. Please join us for dinner at Lihue United Church to say ‘thank you’ and show our appreciation for his 13 years of service.
BOOK RELEASE RECEPTION On Friday, May 26, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Kahu Alan Akana will be hosting a reception at Alan Akana Gallery (3281 Waikomo Road) for the release of the revised edition of The Volcano Is Our Home: Nine Generations of a Hawaiian Family on Kilauea Volcano. The Author’s Talk will be at 7:30. Signed copies of the book will be available for sale. The event will be a fundraiser for the Smith Memorial Parsonage And Church Buildings & Grounds. Parking is available at the gallery and at Koloa Union Church. For more information, call Alan Akana Gallery at 353-1347 or check out the gallery website at: www.alanakanagallery.com.
YOUTH BEACH DAY Our youth will be joining other young people from Kaua`i UCC churches on Saturday, May 27, at 9 a.m. to participate in a beach cleanup at Donkey Beach and then picnic and play time at Kealia Beach. Please see Kahu Akana if you did not receive the email with all of the details.
TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION! Join us on Pentecost Sunday, June 4, to celebrate the second anniversary of our capital campaign “Maika`i Hana Hou” (Creating Goodness & Beauty Once Again). We will celebrate our accomplishments during our MORING WORSHIP SERVICE at 10:30 and then move out to the lawn for an OLD-FASHIONED CHURCH PICNIC and POP-UP TALENT SHOW! Bakers are encouraged to sign up to bring a pie ahead of time and people who would like to share their talent can sign up on June 4th. Come and celebrate all we have accomplished in the last two years! You are also invited to join us in one of our church traditions of wearing the color RED, which is the liturgical color of Pentecost.
STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH OFFERING On June 4 we will collect the special mission offering called “Strengthen the Church.” This is a special mission offering to reimagine and build the future of the United Church of Christ. Shared at the conference and national levels, STC largely supports youth ministries and full-time leaders for new churches in parts of the country where the UCC voice has not been heard. As God calls our congregations to be the church in new ways, your generosity will plant new churches, awaken new ideas in existing churches and develop the spiritual life in our youth and young adults.
PRAYERS & SQUARES Contact Angela Dressel if you would like to get involved in praying for people in crisis or helping to make quilt squares for those in crisis.
“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 | May 12, 2017 | News
WOMEN’S GATHERING The Women’s Board of Missions for the Pacific Islands is gathering at Lihue United Parish Hall on Saturday, May 13 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Women are encouraged to attend the gathering for worship, fellowship and to learn about new missions.
NA HIMENI CONCERT Hanapepe Hawaiian Congregational Church invites you to their 4th Annual Na Himeni Concert on Saturday, May 13. Heavy pupus will be served at 5 p.m. and the concert begins at 6. Special guests will be singing, including Ken Makuakane, Cindy Combs and `Ohana Ni`ihau O Waimea Church Choir! Tickets are $25, and proceeds benefit West Kaua`i Music Ministry, a community outreach program for music education. Call 335-3505 for reservations.
MOTHER’S DAY LUNCHEON Join us for a special lunch on May 14, immediately after church services. The men (with a little help from the ladies) will be preparing a delicious meal to honor the moms, grandmas, aunties.
FAREWELL LUNCH Sadly, Mike and Fran Johnshoy and JoAnne Machin are moving to the mainland. We will be serving a special lunch in their honor on Sunday, May 21, immediately following church services. These three church members have been the epitome of volunteerism, and Koloa Union Church and members will certainly miss their presence.
SERVICE OF INSTALLATION The Rev. Malcolm Carr will be installed as Pastor of Lihu`e Christian Church on Sunday, May 21, at 3 p.m. Please contact Kahu Alan if you would like to carpool, as Kahu will be participating in the installation service.
BOOK RELEASE RECEPTION On Friday, May 26, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Kahu Alan Akana will be hosting a reception at Alan Akana Gallery (3281 Waikomo Road) for the release of the revised edition of
The Volcano Is Our Home: Nine Generations of a Hawaiian Family on Kilauea Volcano. The Author’s Talk will be at 7:30. Signed copies of the book will be available for sale. The event will be a fundraiser for the Smith Memorial Parsonage And Church Buildings & Grounds. Parking is available at the gallery and at Koloa Union Church. For more information, call Alan Akana Gallery at 353-1347 or check out the gallery website at:
www.alanakanagallery.com.
YOUTH BEACH DAY Our youth will be joining other young people from Kaua`i UCC churches on Saturday, May 27, at 9 a.m. to participate in a beach cleanup at Donkey Beach and then picnic and play time at Kealia Beach. Please see Kahu Akana if you did not receive the email with all of the detail
PRAYERS & SQUARES Contact Angela Dressel if you would like to get involved in praying for people in crisis or helping to make quilt squares for those in crisis.
“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 | May 12, 2017 | Message from Kahu
Pacific School of Religion
On Sunday morning, I was sitting on an airplane to Oakland in order to attend the spring meeting of the Board of Trustees at Pacific School of Religion (PSR) in Berkeley. I have been serving on the board for a year and a half and now feel more strongly than ever about the importance of theological education and training for ministry for our future pastors and other servants of the church.
On Tuesday afternoon, I had the privilege of attending a reception for two of PSR’s longtime faculty who are leaving: one due to a new job as dean at another theological school and the other due to retirement after 26 years at the school. As students, faculty and staff expressed their appreciation for these two beloved professors, I was touched by their commitment not only to quality education but to the students they taught over many years. PSR is not only a place to learn theology, but a place to experience community as well. It is a place where theology happens as people experience community. In other words, it is a training ground for future church and community leaders.
As you probably know, I have also been serving for the past two years in various capacities on the Hawaii Conference Council and Board of Trustees. One of the things I hear on all of our islands is the need for more well trained local church leaders. We need places like PSR to provide the education and training. I want to thank the people of Koloa Union Church for allowing me to serve the wider church in the ways that I do. I am convinced that my time spent serving in these ways benefits all of our churches, including our own. Perhaps some day, a current or future student of PSR will be a pastor of Koloa Union Church because of the work we are doing today.
In the meantime, I am grateful for the opportunities to make a difference in the church and in the world.
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
_______________
Click HERE to see a video of LAST week’s Sunday sermon. Videos of Kahu’s sermons are available most weeks. Please share these videos with friends and invite them to church. You can also subscribe to Kahu’s sermon page on YouTube; that way you can easily watch any past sermon and even receive a notification when a new sermon is posted.
“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.
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