A Message from Our Kahu

You may have heard that I have been rather sick the past couple of weeks. On Wednesday evening before Easter, my throat was sore and I was rather tired. I figured I was pushing myself a bit too hard and my allergies were kicking in but, just to be safe, I took a Covid test…and it came out positive. I thought it might be a “false positive” as I wasn’t feeling that bad. Since I was planning on serving communion at our Maundy Thursday service the next day, I decided to test again in the morning—but there was no need. When I woke up I felt like I had come down with the worst flu of my life. For a week and a half, I felt sick and had very little energy.

When I went to bed that Wednesday night, I was all ready for Maundy Thursday, looking forward to hanging out with the kids as they colored Easter eggs on Good Friday, and my message for Easter morning was nearly complete. I was looking forward to it all! Once I started to feel a bit better, one of my first thoughts was, “I have missed Easter!” However, as I looked at the church calendar and continued preparing worship services for the upcoming weeks, I was reminded that Easter is a season! Yes, I missed the first day: Easter Sunday. As I spent most of the next week lying in bed and on my couch, I missed some more days. However, I am now “up and about” and looking forward to celebrating the rest of the Easter Season with more energy!

As I have been reading over the Scriptures for the upcoming weeks, I am reminded that, throughout the Gospels, Jesus kept showing up to his disciples. Sometimes they recognized him; sometimes they did not. Sometimes they seem to understand who he was; sometimes they did not. Sometimes the path seemed clear; sometimes it did not. That continued to be the case even after the resurrection; and it continues to be the case today. However, now as then, Jesus keeps showing up. Sometimes he does so in ways we expect; sometimes in unpredictable and surprising ways. Regardless of how the Risen Christ appears, and whether or not we recognize him, I am grateful that he keeps showing up, in fact, that he never leaves us—not even in our sickness, or when we face the death of loved ones, or when we confront our own mortality.

May we keep our eyes and our hearts open so that however Jesus shows up, we will say the words of the disciple whom Jesus loved, “It is the Lord!”

Aloha nui loa!
Kahu Alan Akana

Prayers & Squares

One Great Hour of Sharing

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING “Love Remains”

Thanks to everyone who supported disaster, refugee, immigration and development ministries throughout the world by donating to One Great Hour of Sharing!

Thank you for your generosity!

Share Aloha

Thanks to everyone who supported the foster kids of Kauai by donating to Hale Opio during Lent! Your generous donations are appreciated!

Thank you for your generosity!

Hookipa Wellness Class

A Free Exercise/Stretching Class for Seniors

Led by RoseTatiana Warken Ceballos

The next class will be on May 1. Sundays 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Please register with RoseTatiana before attending: call or text (808)652-8985 or email at kupunawellness@gmail.com

Membership Gathering

Sunday, June 5 Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Kahu and our Deacons will spend a couple hours with those who wish to learn more about our church and what is involved in membership. You will learn about our history, how we function as a congregation, our connection to the wider Church, benefits and responsibilities of membership, and more. It will also be a time for participants to ask questions.

Although there is no expectation for participants to join the church, those who wish to do so will be able to join the church on Pentecost, Sunday, June 5, during the worship service. There will be opportunities on other Sundays as well.

You are invited to bring a sack lunch (or a snack) and a drink, as we will eat together on the patio before we meet.

Please RSVP to Penny Osuga in the church office by May 29.

A Note From CAPS

A Note From CAPS

The Committee for the Assurance of Pandemic Safety (CAPS) wishes you a safe and healthy Easter Season!

Please remember that the new variant is still spreading here on Kauai as it is in many parts of the country. Even people who are vaccinated, boosted, and extra-careful, can still contract the virus and get very sick.

Even though several of our members, including our Kahu, have contracted the virus, we are committed to keeping everyone safe when they are at church, and so our Covid guidelines will stay in place for now.

Let us continue to keep ourselves and our loved ones as safe and healthy as possible.

Please do not hesitate to contact any member of CAPS if you have questions, concerns, or need clarification on any matters regarding pandemic safety. CAPS is Kahu Akana, Michael Horning, Penny Osuga, and Penny Jessup.

Thank you for doing your part to keep our church and our island safe!

Youth Director Update

The Search Committee has begun receiving resumes and applications for the new position of Youth Director. Our goal is to choose someone in June and have the position filled by July 1.

Visit our Staff Position page and please click the link “Position Description” for more information and the link “Employment Application” to apply; and if you know anyone whom you would like to see in this position, be sure to pass along this information!

Kauai Pride Parade & Festival

Saturday, June 4 Parade: 9-10 a.m.
Festival: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Koloa Union Church will once again participate in the Kauai Pride Parade and then have a table set up afterward during the festival. Members and friends of the church are invited to walk in the parade as we let the community know that our church welcomes everyone!

A signup sheet will be available on Sunday mornings. Please let us know if you plan to walk with us, can help with the table setup and decoration, or volunteer for a time at the table during the festival.

More information will be coming in May.
In the meantime, save the date on your calendar!

Maundy Service

Rev. Dr. Walt Weiss conducted our Maundy Thursday service at the very last minute when we contacted him on that day. We gathered, heard the Scriptures read from the Gospel of John, and celebrated Holy Communion on the night we honor Jesus’ last supper with his disciples.

You may watch the service by clicking the link below:

Watch Our Most Recent Worship Services

Our online worship services are a great way to introduce people to Koloa Union Church…and provide inspiration and hope to friends and family!

Feel free to forward this email or send the YouTube link to anyone whom you think would enjoy watching our online worship service.

Share our worship service with even more people! You can also put the link of any video of our worship services directly onto your Facebook page and thereby introducing every one of your Facebook friends to our worship services and our church!

Mahalo to Worship Participants

Mahalo nui loa to. . . Steve Sparks, Doug Duvauchelle, Rosemary Smythe, Debbie Gunning, Becky Sakimae, Chris and Michelle Molina, and our amazing Bell Choir for providing our beautiful and inspiring music for our worship service!

RoseTatiana Warken Ceballos for the beautiful hula.

Evan Strong and Michael for welcoming everyone to Sunday service by blowing the pu shell!

Thank you, Chuck and Joey Rebb for the beautiful tropical flowers!

Lectionary Readings

Weekly Readings from the Bible

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:
April 24 are Acts 5:27-32; Psalm 118:14-29; Psalm 150; Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31.
May 1 are Acts 9:1-20; Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19.

Fun Pictures Since Our Last Weekly News

May Day