by admin | Sep 10, 2015 | Message from Kahu
FAITH AND HOPE
On Sunday, I shared with the congregation about an inspiring story I heard on NPR regarding the thousands of refugees from the Middle East and North Africa pouring into Hungary. Initially, the Hungarian government allowed the refugees to purchase train tickets to countries to the north, namely Austria and Germany, where they would be welcomed to begin a new life. After many of the refugees arrived in Hungary, the government decided to no longer allow them to board trains for the north; so the refugees decided to walk hundreds of miles to their final destinations.
The part of the story that really touched me was hearing how the Hungarian people responded: they gathered together food, blankets, shoes and clothing and brought them to the refugees. One Hungarian woman gave some of her personal belongings to a woman and looked down to see that she was wearing flip-flops. She immediately took off her shoes and gave them to the woman because she needed them for the long journey ahead.
I mentioned on Sunday that this inspiring story was one of “faith in action,” of people “rich in faith.” It also occurred to me that this is story full of hope: hope in humanity, hope for the Church, and hope for our world. During the next four Sundays, our theme in our worship services will be “A FUTURE WITH HOPE.” On October 4th, we will celebrate our hope as a church by giving members and friends the opportunity to make a financial commitment to our church’s general fund for 2016 during the worship service…and then enjoy a great time of food and fellowship at our Oktoberfest Celebration right after church.
I hope you will join us during the next four Sundays as we prepare for “A FUTURE WITH HOPE.”
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
by admin | Sep 9, 2015 | News
KOLOA UNION CHURCH GETS READY FOR FALL MUSIC!
Fall choir rehearsals will begin at 9:15 on Sunday mornings beginning September 13, 2015, and the choir will begin singing regularly in church beginning September 20th. New choir members are always welcome. We are known as a “drop in” choir when you can just “drop in” for a Sunday or two or three.
SPECIAL MUSIC THIS SUNDAY!
This Sunday, September 13, we will have a special musical presentation by Peter Baldwin, Jamie Baldwin and Becky Sakimae. What a great Sunday to invite friends!
by admin | Sep 9, 2015 | Newsletter
Click Sept 2015 to see the September Newsletter.
by admin | Sep 6, 2015 | Message from Kahu
DRAWING NEAR TO GOD
On Sunday, we took a look at the traditions of the church and what makes them valuable (or…perhaps not so valuable!). I shared about a previous church where I served in which a beautiful chapel was no longer used because the people couldn’t let go of anything that had been donated to the church. The chapel was filled with broken and unused items which hadn’t been touched in decades. Since the chapel was the only place where there was any room left to store these items, we could no longer use the chapel for prayer, meditation, small memorial services or weddings.
As I reflected on this predicament, it became clear to me that we often allow traditions to get in the way of moving forward. Even worse, we can allow those traditions to keep us from drawing near to God and enabling others to do the same.
In Mark 7, Jesus had some harsh words for the religious leaders of his day for doing that very thing. They kept all of their traditions and insisted that others do the same. Yet, they kept people from drawing closer to God, and therefore missed the whole point of their religion!
Whatever traditions and practices we decide to keep (or start), let’s make sure that they truly draw us closer to God and one another…and encourage others to do the same! This good to consider for our church, as well as for our personal lives and our families.
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
by admin | Sep 6, 2015 | News
SERVICE OF ORDINATION
Please join us for this special occasion for Mary Herbig and the Kaua’i Association at Church of the Pacific on Sunday, September 27, 2015, 3:30 pm. Reception immediately following.
FALL YOUTH CAMP
Middle and high school students are invited to Camp Erdman on Oahu for the annual Hawaii Conference Fall Youth Camp, October 4-7. Space is limited and the registration deadline is September 14. The cost is $175 for Neighbor Island Youth, including airfare, and $100 scholarships are available to the first 10 youth who register. Koloa Union will help pay expenses as well. Please see Kahu Akana asap if you know a youth who might want to attend.
“LISTEN FOR YOUR OWN HEARTBEAT”
A Christian Women’s Event at Makanalani Ranch in Kilauea, Kauai, October 16-18. The cost is $85 (Sept)/$95 (late). Enjoy expansive time with God and sisters in Christ as you learn to listen deeply for your own heartbeat. Register online by clicking HERE or call Rev. Phyllis Meighen at 245-3796 or 647-4346.
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