Church News: June 22nd, 2022

by | Jun 22, 2022 | News

A Message from Our Kahu

image of Smithsonian museum of African American History & Culture
“No Longer Slave or Free”
On Sunday, I shared with the congregation about my time in Jamestown, Virginia, where the first slaves from Africa arrived in 1619 on soil that was to become the Unites States. I also shared some of my written reflections regarding my visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture the day before. I visited both of these places just a few weeks ago while I was on my study leave. The massive Smithsonian building is in the shape of a slave ship with four stories above ground, which focus on heritage, community and culture, and three levels below ground focussing on history. I was with my friend David, who lives in the D.C. area, and we were told that it is best to start at the very bottom level and work our way up.
Suffice it to say that by the time we got to the ground level, I was emotionally spent. There is so much sad history in our nation as well as so much perseverance, drive and hope! However, a person can only take in so much emotional trauma and hope at once, and so David and I decided that we would each have to return to the museum at a later date in order to see the four stories above ground!
One of the things I learned at the museum was that Juneteenth has been celebrated by African Americans since June 19, 1865, when news of the end of the Civil War came to Galveston, Texas, the final location in the American South where slaves were freed after four long wars of bloody battles for their freedom. Last year, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, thus making June 19 a federal holiday. It is a day for Americans to reflect on the importance of freedom for all people and to recognize that freedom has come to us at great cost of blood, sweat and tears. Our nation has made great strides toward equality and freedom since the end of the Civil War, but I have no doubt that we still have a lot of work to do in order for freedom and equality to fully work their way through all segments of our society.
The Apostle Paul wrote in his Letter to the Galatians, “There is no longer slave or free…for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” To Paul, the Gospel meant freedom, and he knew that there were many forms of slavery in human life and community. May we all live free and do whatever we can to ensure that everyone lives free in our nation and in the world.
Aloha nui loa!
Kahu Alan Akana
Watch Past Services

Our New Youth Director!

Tiffany Marrotte
On Sunday, the Church Council voted unanimously to offer the position of Youth Director to Tiffany Marrotte, which she will begin on July 1!
Tiffany grew up in Koloa Union Church and has served for years as our Sunday School Superintendent and has overseen our youth program. She will now work 20 hours a week with our middle and high school students as she oversees a comprehensive youth program.
The Church Council expresses mahalo nui to the Youth Director Search Committee for their good work over the past few months and offering Tiffany’s name to the Council for approval. The committee consisted of Joni Ito, Trudi Shim, Amber Strong and Kahu.
Join us on Sunday as we
congratulate Tiffany as our Youth Director!

Opening & Affirming

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Open & Affirming Sunday June 26, 2022

The last Sunday in June is designated “Open & Affirming Sunday” (ONA) in the United Church of Christ. Since Koloa Union Church was officially designated an ONA Congregation in 2019, we will celebrate our important commitment to welcome all people into the life and membership of our church!

Join us on Sunday as we celebrate our Open & Affirming commitment!

Kauai Pride Parade & Festival

Kauai Pride Parade Festival
Pentecost Sunday Koloa Union Church

On Saturday, June 4, Koloa Union Church once again participated in the Kauai Pride Parade and had a table set up during the festival. We had 16 members and friends of the church walk in the parade letting the community know that our church welcomes everyone!

Koloa Plantation Days Parade

Pentecost Sunday Koloa Union Church

Saturday, July 30, 2022
“Gather Together Again”

Koloa Union Church will once again participate in the parade! We hope to have a float, a walking contingency, music, and hopefully a vehicle for people to ride in who are unable to walk the parade route. If you have any ideas, please speak with Michael Horning, Penny Osuga or Kahu.

The parade starts at 10 a.m., but we normally meet quite a bit earlier to decorate, line up down the street at the school, and visit with one another. Look for all the details in the July 13 Weekly News.

In the meantime, please save the date on your calendar!

Salvation Army Lunch

Stop Covid Sign

June 29, 2022

Koloa Union Church volunteers will be serving lunch at the Hanapepe Salvation Army on Wednesday, June, 29, 2022. Please contact Amber if you would like to volunteer.

Volunteers may either carpool from the church or meet at the Salvation Army at 10 a.m.

Prayers & Squares

Stop Covid Sign

The next meeting will be in Moore Hall Tuesday, July 5, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

And let us all remember… It’s not about the quilts; It’s about the prayers!

Strengthen The Church

Stop Covid Sign
STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH
Special Mission Offering
“All Together”
Thank you for your generosity!

Steve accompanied Becky and Miss Kairi as they sang  ”Jesus Loves the Little Children”

Our Stewardship Chair, Norma, talked about the “Strengthen the Church” offering and thanked everyone for continued generous support.

Hookipa Wellness Class

Rev Dr Walt Weiss Koloa Union Church
A Free Exercise/Stretching Class for Seniors
Led by RoseTatiana Warken Ceballos Sundays 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (Usually not the 3rd Sunday of the month) Please register with RoseTatiana before attending: call or text (808)652-8985 or email at [email protected] Mahalo nui loa to RoseTatiana for your ongoing commitment to the health of our kupuna!!!

Mahalo to Worship Participants

Steve Sparks, Becky Sakimae, Doug Duvauchelle for providing beautiful and inspiring music for our worship service! RoseTatiana Warken Ceballos for beautiful hula. Michael Horning for welcoming everyone to Sunday service by blowing the pu shell!
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 for June 19: 1 Kings 19:1-16; Psalm 42 and 43; Isaiah 65:1-9; Psalm 22:19-28; Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 8:26-39.
Readings for June 26: 2 Kings 2:1-14; Psalm 77:1-20; 1 Kings 19:15-21; Psalm 16; Galatians 5:1-25; Luke 9:51-62.
Readings for July 3: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; Isaiah 66:10-14; Psalm 66:1-9; Galatians 6:1-16; Luke 10:1-20.
Readings for July 10: Amos 7:7-17; Psalm 82; Deuteronomy 30:9-14; Psalm 25:1-10; Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37.

Fun Pictures Since Our Last Weekly News

Huge mahalo to Sydney & Caleb (and Paul and Joni) for prepping and painting the walkway! It’s so clean and safe!!!!

Ezra is working on tonight’s dinner menu for Kiawe Roots!!!!

Aunty Tiff and Aunty Bonnie were there to watch Miss Kairi at her dance recital!!!!

Congratulations, Miss Kairi, for her talented performance at her dance recital!!! I understand she was in four dances!!

So happy having Bridget in church!!!

Don and Sharon were in Tennessee to watch grandson, Kurt, win a championship!

JoAnne and Penny in Kokee with visiting Oregon friend, Karen. It was a beautiful, warm, clear day. Lunch at Kokee Lodge was delicious!

Office Close Independence Day

The church office will be closed
Monday, July 4, in commemoration of Independence Day
The next Weekly News will be July 13.