by admin | May 3, 2015 | Message from Kahu
MAIKA’I HANA HOU!
NOT THE SIZE OF THE GIFT, BUT….
On Sunday, I shared the story of a church where a very wealthy man wrote a $1 million check to his capital campaign, and the pastor announced this gift to the congregation. The next day, a poor, divorced mother of two young children visited the pastor and told him that she was disappointed regarding their church’s capital campaign…but not for the reason the pastor expected! She shared her deep desire to participate in the campaign, but felt that she simply couldn’t give any more to the church than she already did. She told the pastor that she already tithed (gave 10% of her income) to the church, and she was afraid that this was all she could do. The pastor told her to do what he had asked everyone in the church to do: simply pray, “O Lord, what is it that you would have me do to accomplish your will for our church.” The woman agreed and began praying that very day. As she prayed, she had a “light bulb moment.” She went back to the pastor and told him that she figured out that she could give $1,500 during the 3-year giving period of the campaign. She would forgo her daily “Super Meal Deal” during her daily lunch break and make herself a sandwich for lunch every day for the next 3 years. She added up the savings of $2 per day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks of the year, and 3 years (minus holiday and vacation time): It was $1,500! The next Sunday, the woman shared her story in church. Her congregation far exceeded their goal, and I am convinced that her gift was just as inspiring to the congregation as the $1 million gift. I am also convinced that in God’s eyes, her gift was at least as big!
My request of the members and friends of the congregation is that you pray our capital campaign prayer and see what God might lead you to do during this very important time in the life of our church. And please remember, it is not the size of the gift the counts the most, but the amount of love and faith as you pray and act upon your prayer. Whatever gift you choose to give on Commitment Sunday, May 17, I invite you to make your decision based upon prayerful reflection and with lots of love and faith! If you do, I know that we will have a very successful capital campaign!
Kahu….
Our Capital Campaign Prayer
O God, we ask for your blessing on our capital campaign.
Thank you for all that Kōloa Union Church means to me and our community. (Be sure to be specific and mention some of these blessings by name.)
What do you want to do through me to accomplish your will
during this important time for Kōloa Union Church?
by admin | May 2, 2015 | News
Diana Butler Bass Author to Visit Kaua‘i this Week
Celebrated author Diana Butler Bass is the author of eight books. Most of her writing focuses on Christianity in America and what seems to be working (and not working) in mainline churches, such as the United Church of Christ.
Friday, May 8, 7-9 p.m.
Dr. Bass will be speaking at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihue (4364 Hardy St.) as the guest speaker of the Malcolm Miner Memorial Lecture. The theme is “Where Is God.” She will be speaking about the book she is currently writing, which will be available in October. Kahu Akana will be attending this FREE event and encourages interested persons to carpool, leaving the church parking lot at 6:15 p.m. sharp.
Saturday, May 9, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Dr. Bass will be having a conversation with church leaders about how we might respond in word and action to a spiritual awakening that is happening in the world. The theme is “Where Is God Igniting a Flame in Our Community?” Please sign up with Kahu Akana for this event, as there is a cost. Koloa Union Church will pay your fee, but you must RSVP and space is limited. Continental breakfast and lunch are included.
Sunday, May 10, 10:30 a.m.
Dr. Bass will be our guest preacher during our Sunday morning worship service. (Dr. Bass is a friend of Kahu’s from college!) She will sign her most recent book, Christianity after Religion, after the worship service for those who wish to purchase it.
Also, This Summer….
Kahu Akana has chosen Dr. Bass’ most recent book, Christianity after Religion, as the book for the summer book group during July and August, which will meet on Wednesday nights at the parsonage. Please sign up at church on Sunday mornings if you are interested.
by admin | Apr 28, 2015 | Newsletter
Click Newsletter May 2015 to see what is going on in May!
by admin | Apr 14, 2015 | News
JOIN US ON APRIL 24 AND 25 IN LIHUE!
Our annual island-wide gathering of the United Church of Christ congregations will take place at Lihue United Church (4340 Nawiliwili Road in Lihue, behind King Auto). Our choir will be singing once again at Aha Mele!
Join us for any part, including the delicious free meals (but you must sign up at Koloa Union Church by Sunday, April 19, for any of the meals):
Friday, April 24
5:30 Tongan-style Dinner
7:00 ‘Aha Mele (An Island-Wide Musical Celebration!)
Saturday, April 25
8:00 Breakfast & Registration
8:30 Kauai Council of Hawaiian Churches
9:30 Kauai Association Annual Meeting
11:30 Break
11:45 Worship
12:30 Lunch
by admin | Apr 14, 2015 | News
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, APRIL 18-19, 11 A.M.-6 P.M.
“YELLOW PLUMERIA ON BLUE AND GREEN”
Kahu Alan Akana will be participating in the Kauai Artists’ Open Studios Tour this weekend! You can drop by his home (the Smith Memorial Parsonage: 3281 Waikomo Road in Koloa) and visit his art studio where he creates watercolors of tropical flowers and other themes. Local artists Julie Berg and Eileen Kechloian will be joining him on both days. All three artists will be creating works of art and talking to visitors about their work. Pieces will also be available for sale.
This is a free event on the south shore and west side of the island. (North shore and east side studios will be open for visits the following weekend.) Catalogues will be available at the parsonage if you would like to visit other studios on the tour.
The Kauai Society of Artists Gallery at Kukui Grove Shopping Center in Lihue is displaying works from all participating artists on the tour, so be sure to drop by there and see works of art from Kauai artists all over the island!
More info is available at www.kauaiarttour.com.
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