by admin | Feb 27, 2018 | News
MEMBERSHIP GATHERING This Sunday, March 4! Interested in Learning More about our Church? On Sunday, Kahu Akana and the Deacons will meet with people who are interested in learning more about Kōloa Union Church and what is involved in becoming a member of our congregation. We will cover such subjects as: our church’s history, vision and mission; the various groups within our congregation; what we believe about God and Scripture; affiliation with the United Church of Christ; and benefits and expectations of membership. Those who participate in the gathering may choose to join the church, but there is no obligation to do so. The gathering will take place in Moore Hall after Aloha Hour, approximately 12:30 to 3:00. Please sign up on the bulletin board or by contacting the church office. Childcare provided.
MEN’S BREAKFAST The men of the church gather on Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. at Kalapaki Joe’s in Poipu. They will be meeting every Tuesday until further notice.
WEDNESDAY SOUP SUPPERS AND LENTEN REFLECTIONS We meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays in Moore Hall for soup and then spend time reflecting and discussing the theme of “Blessings.” Each Sunday during Lent, Kahu will focus on a particular kind of blessing during his sermon and then use that topic for our time together the following Wednesday evening. Throughout the Season of Lent, Kahu will be following one chapter per week of John O’Donohue’s book, To Bless the Space between Us: A Book of Blessings.
Please join us on Wednesday evenings and sign up to bring soup if there is a Wednesday that is not yet spoken for:
- February 28 (Penny)
- March 7
- March 14
- March 21 (Tiffany)
MOBILITY SCOOTER A resident of Sun Village in Lihue has a mobility scooter which she would like to donate to someone who can use it. Contact Kahu Akana if you are interested.
THE LATEST COCONUT WIRELESS The Council of the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ shares news on the Coconut Wireless, the regular newsletter of the HCUCC. If you would like to keep abreast on news, opportunities and events, please click HERE for this past week’s news. If you like what you see, you may subscribe and get every issue of the Coconut Wireless automatically.
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.
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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 | Feb 27, 2018 | Message from Kahu
“The Blessing of Our Desires”
This past Sunday, we continued our Lenten theme of “Blessings,” based upon the late John O’Donohue’s book To Bless the Space between Us: A Book of Blessings. I included in my message on Sunday the story of how I came to Koloa Union Church. It began between five and six years ago when a Spiritual Director, with whom I had been meeting, and I had a conversation about some anticipated changes in my life. Darlene asked me, “What would bring you the greatest joy?” As I paid attention to how God was showing up in my desires and how joy was calling to me, it became clear that watercoloring Hawaii’s flowers and pastoring a church were the two things in my life that truly brought me the greatest joy. As I created a vision for my life around these two things, I found great clarity around what I was committed to for my future…and eventually found myself as the Kahu of Koloa Union Church and living in the parsonage where I paint and show my art!
It was four years ago when I moved to Koloa and began my ministry at the church. It was also just one year ago when I opened Alan Akana Gallery at the Smith Memorial Parsonage as a fundraiser to care for the parsonage. As we celebrated these special occasions on Sunday, it was truly one of the most joyful days of my life! On Sunday morning, I was presented with a beautiful lei from Rose Tatiana, who then danced while Doug sang. As I thought back to my vision that I had created over five years ago, part of that vision was “to serve a church where the people appreciated Hawaiian culture.” As I listened to Doug play and sing, and as I watched Rose dance, I was deeply moved by the awareness that God has given me the desires of my heart! At the Open House at the gallery on Sunday afternoon, this awareness became even more real as so many people came to offer their blessings, express their appreciation of my art, enjoy delicious food, music and dance! By the end of the day, I was wearing a number of beautiful lei—symbols of everlasting aloha—which were presented to me by dear friends…and I felt deeply blessed with love and joy!
I trust that everyone who heard my message on Sunday morning was motivated to bring their desires before God and ask how God might show up in those desires…with love and joy! If you didn’t get a chance to hear the message on Sunday, you can click on the link just below and watch the video. Also, be sure to drop by on Wednesday evening for soup and to talk and reflect upon the topic of the week!
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
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Our Kahu (Pastor) offers a weekly message in church most Sundays during the year. Click HERE to see a video of this week’s message. You may also see the Koloa Union Church YouTube channel to see many of his past messages and 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.
“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 | Feb 24, 2018 | Message from Kahu
A Blessing for Beginners
This past Sunday, we began our Lenten theme of “Blessings,” based upon the late John O’Donohue’s book To Bless the Space between Us: A Book of Blessings. In the book, he begins each chapter by sharing about a different way or time that we may bless each other, and then he offers several blessings as examples. I am excited to journey with the congregation during the season of Lent by sharing each Sunday morning in my message about a particular kind of blessing for the week, and then reflecting further on it during our time together at the following Wednesday evening Lenten soup supper.
I included in my message on Sunday a story about a recent walk to Maha`ulepu right after a recent rainstorm on the island. When I arrived at the place where I looked down on the beach, there was a beautiful rainbow that stretched from the ocean to the Gillin House, with the majestic Mount Ha`upu in the background! It reminded me of God’s covenant with Noah just as the latter was about to exit the ark with his family on all of the animals. In the story, God placed the rainbow in the sky as a reminder of the covenant between God, people and all of creation—the Earth and every living thing. The rainbow was a sign of a new beginning: a world in which God, people and all creation would live together in harmony.
As with many beginnings, we have not held our end of the covenant very well. We have not always honored God and all that is sacred. We have polluted the land, skies and waters. We have not always treated each other with dignity and respect. As I reflected over the past few weeks about the false alarm that many of us received on our phones last month about an incoming ballistic missile, I thought of all the damage such an event could do—to all that is sacred, to the Earth, to people—and I wanted to do something to keep that from happening.
I Googled for awhile and came across the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, whose sole purpose is to rid the world of nuclear weapons. The organization is supported by Pope Francis, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, and many other world leaders whom I respect. As I thought about what I might do to personally begin working for a world free of nuclear weapons, I made a donation to the NAPF in honor of my sister for her birthday earlier this month. I also read the organization’s newsletter and committed to reading future editions. I also wrote on my weekly “Opportunities” list (which I used to call “Things To Do”), I wrote, “Do something today to end nuclear weapons.” It seemed like a daunting task (and still does at times!), but at least I started doing something and making a commitment to honor the covenant that God made to the world and the human race.
I invite you to start something new today. Begin making a difference in a brand new way. Think of all the things you might do…and then get started! Know that God is with you in all of your beginnings and blessing your efforts when they are made with love and compassion. By the way, you can click Here to learn more about the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. Perhaps you too will want to help make our community and the world safe from nuclear weapons.
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
P.S. Please join me at the parsonage on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. for an Open House celebrating the One-Year Anniversary of Alan Akana Gallery. All sales are 20% off at the open house and the net profits will go to the Smith Memorial Parsonage Fund for upkeep, repairs and maintenance of the building and grounds.
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Our Kahu (Pastor) offers a weekly message in church most Sundays during the year. Click HERE to see a video of this week’s message. You may also see the Koloa Union Church YouTube channel to see many of his past messages and 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.
“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 | Feb 24, 2018 | News
HENRY OPUKAHA`IA SCHOLARSHIP OFFERING This past week was the 200th anniversary of Henry’s death and we will be collecting an offering in his honor this coming Sunday, February 25! Each year around the end of February, churches throughout the Hawai`i Conference of the United Church of Christ collect the Henry Opukaha`ia Scholarship Offering. Henry Opukaha`ia was a young Hawaiian who sailed to New England, converted to Christianity, and is credited for inspiring the first missionaries to sail to Hawai`i from New England in the early 1800’s. The offering goes into a fund to support clergy training by providing financial aid for seminary, postgraduate and continuing educational expenses. Please give with generous hearts.
MEN’S BREAKFAST The men of the church gather on Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. at Kalapaki Joe’s in Poipu. They will be meeting every Tuesday until further notice.
WEDNESDAY SOUP SUPPERS AND LENTEN REFLECTIONS We meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays in Moore Hall for soup and then spend time reflecting and discussing the theme of “Blessings.” Each Sunday during Lent, Kahu will focus on a particular kind of blessing during his sermon and then use that topic for our time together the following Wednesday evening. Throughout the Season of Lent, Kahu will be following one chapter per week of John O’Donohue’s book, To Bless the Space between Us: A Book of Blessings.
SUNDAY SCHOOL & YOUTH EVENT This Sunday, February 25, after Aloha Hour! Please check in with Tiffany Marrotte if you and/or your kids plan to participate. $5 per person.
MOBILITY SCOOTER A resident of Sun Village in Lihue has a mobility scooter which she would like to donate to someone who can use it. Contact Kahu Akana if you are interested.
THE LATEST COCONUT WIRELESS The Council of the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ shares news on the Coconut Wireless, the regular newsletter of the HCUCC. If you would like to keep abreast on news, opportunities and events, please click HERE for this past week’s news. If you like what you see, you may subscribe and get every issue of the Coconut Wireless automatically.
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.
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ALAN AKANA GALLERY OPEN HOUSE
Featuring Alan’s watercolors of the flowers of Hawaii!
Sunday, February 25, 1-5 p.m.
Celebrating Our One-Year Anniversary!
Be the first to see Alan’s latest watercolor!
(He spent over 6 months working on it!)
Live Entertainment!
Delicious Refreshments!
20% Discount on All Purchases!
“Talk Story” with Alan about his Art!
Fabulous Door Prizes!
(Including a print of Alan’s latest piece!)
A great opportunity to introduce
your friends & neighbors to Alan and his art,
and raise money for the parsonage while having fun!
Located in the Smith Memorial Parsonage
3281 Waikomo Road, Koloa
The proceeds from sales benefit the care of the parsonage!
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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 | Feb 14, 2018 | News
MEN’S BREAKFAST
The men of the church gather on Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. at Kalapaki Joe’s in Poipu. They will be meeting every Tuesday until further notice.
SHROVE TUESDAY/MARDI GRAS/FAT TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER February 13, 2018, Tuesday, 6 p.m.
It is the day before Ash Wednesday, marked by feasting and celebration before the observance of the Lent fast. Started in the Middle Ages, restricted and perishable food was all consumed on Shrove Tuesday to avoid spoilage and waste. Join us for a fun pancake supper!
ASH WEDNESDAY February 14, 2018
We mark Ash Wednesday as the first day of Lent, which is traditionally a time of fasting and prayer in preparation for receiving or reaffirming baptism on Easter. We will begin the evening with a Soup Supper at 6 p.m. in Moore Hall and then move into the sanctuary at 7 o’clock for the service of the ashes.
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED Monday, February 19, Presidents’ Day
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Coming Up…
WEDNESDAY SOUP SUPPERS AND LENTEN REFLECTIONS
Beginning February 21, we will meet at 6 p.m. in Moore Hall for soup and then spend time reflecting and discussing the theme of “Blessings.” Each Sunday during Lent, Kahu will focus on a particular kind of blessing during his sermon and then use that topic for our time together the following Wednesday evening. Throughout the Season of Lent, Kahu will be following one chapter per week of John O’Donohue’s book, To Bless the Space between Us: A Book of Blessings. A limited number of copies in hardcover edition will be available for $18 beginning Ash Wednesday, February 14. Please contact Kahu or Penny if you would like a book reserved for you.
PRAYERS & SQUARES
Contact the church office 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!
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