A Message From Kahu: July 13th, 2022

image of Smithsonian museum of African American History & Culture
“Gratitude, Faith, Love, Hope”

On Sunday, I told the congregation that this past 4th of July was hard for me to get into the spirit of the holiday. Early in the day, I heard the news about the tragic mass shooting at the Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois. I had spent close to a year there consulting a church with their capital campaign. The former mayor of the town was part of the campaign leadership team, as were other community members. Although it has been nearly 20 years since I was there, I knew that some of those people with whom I worked rather closely would have been at the parade last week. I wondered if any of them were shot. I wondered if any of their family members were killed or injured. I wondered how many funerals they would be attending in the days to come.

To be completely transparent, most of the news these days has been very difficult to hear. I almost dread turning on the radio to NPR every morning. So much of what our country promotes regarding independence and freedom these days seems the opposite of what our founding fathers would have wanted and certainly different from what Jesus and his early followers taught about freedom.

We began this week diving into the Letter to the Colossians and we find in the opening chapter 4 themes that help us both to figure out what freedom meant to Jesus and also how to cope with national politics when so many of our leaders who claim to be followers of Jesus seem to not be following him at all.

Gratitude
Faith
Love
Hope

I encourage you to spend some time reflecting on these four themes—in terms of how they help you to define true freedom and also how they might help you determine a role you might play in helping our society to overcome and end inequality, racism and injustice. May these themes guide us and may they sustain us and help us to thrive as individuals, families, communities and as a nation.

Aloha nui loa!
Kahu Alan Akana

Church News: July 13th, 2022

Our New Youth Director!

Congratulations to
Our New Youth Director
Tiffany Marrotte
Tiffany began her role as our new youth director on July 1! During the summer months, Tiffany will be planning a comprehensive youth program for middle and high school students, checking in with the youth and their families in terms of availability and interests, meeting with Kahu weekly in order to communicate and present plans, and also creating a survey for church members which will be attached to a future edition of the Weekly News by the fall.
Here are some ways you can begin helping now:
  • Invite youth from your family, neighborhood, or social circles to a youth gathering or activity.
  • Provide a meal or dessert for a youth gathering.
  • Volunteer an area of expertise that you can present to the youth.

All of our youth are invited to walk with us
in the Koloa Plantation Days Parade
Saturday morning, July 30th.

The next youth group gathering will be
Friday, August 12, at 6 p.m.

Nature Hike

Nature Hike
Mahaulepu/Makauwahi
Sunday, July 17
5:00-7:30 p.m.

See the night-blooming maiapilo—the endemic flower of Hawaii in the photos above and below, which grows on the ocean cliffs— as well as many other indigenous flowers!

Meet at the church parking lot at 5:00 p.m.
We will carpool to a place near the CJM Stables.
We will drive on a dirt road but it is kept up nicely.

  • Wear closed-toe shoes. The terrain is rocky and uneven! Dress for the wet & windy cliffs, including ocean spray!
  • Be sure to bring a camera on this hike. Capture the beauty of the flowers and the stunning coast at sunset!
  • Bring a bottle of water and a flashlight—just to be safe.We plan to be back at the vehicles just before dark.
  • Bring a face mask for the car ride if you carpool and when we are gathered close together. Friends and family members are welcome!

Kahu will lead this hike and point out some of the beautiful flowers he paints in his watercolors: ilima, maiapilo, naio, naupaka, and more! The entire hike, lasting about two hours, is considered easy and we will go at a slow pace and stop often.

Please see Elizabeth Mares or Kahu if you have any questions regarding this fun activity!

Opening & Affirming

You Event Koloa Union Church Poipu Youth Group

Our church Council approved sending a gift of $250 to the Open & Affirming (ONA) Coalition in order to support the LGBTQ+ community in our congregations and denominational organizations. The Coalition provides ongoing support to ONA congregations like ours and also to those that are considering becoming ONA.

In response to our gift, we received a lovely thank you note from the ONA Coalition:

June 30, 2022

Dear friends,

Thank you for your generous donation of $250.00 on June 30, 2022 to the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ.

Thank you for putting your hope into action by donating to the Coalition.

You, our donors, are invaluable to us and our work.

It’s because of your faithful giving that we are able to continue advocating and teaching throughout the entire United Church of Christ. Already this year, we’ve certified ONA church #1,750 and the number continues to grow. Every month, new congregations join our movement. Our ambitious program of webinars, workshops and coaching is bringing churches together and opening up new possibilities for ministry with and for LGBTQ+ neighbors. The results: an unprecedented growth in the number of Open and Affirming congregations in the United Church of Christ, and a revival of existing ONA churches who through the Coalition’s ministry are discovering radical and effective ways to work in their communities for justice, freedom and dignity.

By giving to the Coalition, and by taking action in your church and community, you are growing our movement in numbers and spirit. The staff and Leadership Team of the Open and Affirming Coalition thank you and ask you to hold us in your hearts and in your prayers. The work is sometimes difficult, but knowing we have the support of a movement of more than 350,000 faithful people in more than 1,750 congregations gives us the confidence we need to face the future with hope.

Wishing you every blessing and the deepest joy,

The Rev. Andrew G. Lang
Executive Director

Kauai Pride Parade & Festival

Kauai Pride Parade Festival

Thank You Note from Kauai Pride

Koloa Union Church also received a very appreciative thank you note from the Kauai Pride Parade Committee for our participation and on-going support. Thanks to all who participated last month by walking in the parade, working at the Koloa Union Church table during the festival, praying that our presence would encourage people who need encouragement.


Mark Your Calendars for NEXT YEAR:
Kauai Pride Parade and Festival
Saturday, June 3, 2023

Koloa Plantation Days Parade

Pentecost Sunday Koloa Union Church

Saturday, July 30, 2022
“Gather Together Again”

Koloa Union Church is joining the parade as it returns after a 2-year hiatus! We plan to decorate a vehicle pulling a trailer, followed by a walking unit, along with music, and most likely a vehicle for those unable to walk the entire parade route. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please speak with Kahu, Michael Horning or Penny Osuga.

The parade starts at 10 a.m., but we plan meet earlier to decorate and get organized. We need to be in the line up at Koloa School by 8:30 a.m.

Don’t forget your walking shoes, sunscreen, water and hats.

Please write your name on the signup

sheet on the church bulletin board
if you plan to participate!

Prayers & Squares

Stop Covid Sign
Stop Covid Sign

This beautiful quilt was blessed in church on July 3 and gifted to Sharon McCoubrey.

Please keep Sharon McCoubrey in your prayers. She is in Arizona suffering from poor circulation in her legs and a foot amputation.

Prayers & Squares meets monthly in order to create prayer quilts for people in crisis and those who might need some extra aloha in their lives.

Contact the church office if you would like more information about Prayers & Squares or else have a name to suggest as a recipient of a quilt.

Remember:
It’s not about the quilt; it’s about the prayers.

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!!!

Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

Stop Covid Sign

Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

You can click the button below to watch a video of a recent worship service:

Watch the Worship Service

Watch ALL of Our Worship Services

Please Share!

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

Chris and Michelle Molina, Doug Duvauchelle and Melissa Gregory 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! Mahalo to 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 July 10: Amos 7:7-17; Psalm 82; Deuteronomy 30:9-14; Psalm 25:1-10; Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37.
Readings for July 17: Amos 8:1-12; Psalm 52; Genesis 18:1-11; Psalm 138; Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42.
Readings for July 24: Hosea1:2-10; Psalm 85; Genesis 18:20-32; Psalm 138; Colossians 2:6-19; Luke 11:1-13.

Fun Pictures Since Our Last Weekly News

Church News: June 22nd, 2022

A Message from Our Kahu

“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

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!

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

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.

A Message From Kahu: June 22nd, 2022

image of Smithsonian museum of African American History & Culture
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

A Message From Kahu: June 2nd, 2022

Picture of a lamb in a tall grass looking at the camera

It has been an amazing three weeks on the East Coast! The highlight was the wedding of my son Palani to Isobel Mifsud in New York City! The wedding was beautiful, and it was so nice to gather with family and friends, and finally meet Isobel’s parents and sister who flew over from England! From there I took a train to Philadelphia to see the sites for a couple of days and then onto the D.C. area for an entire week. I then drove in a rental car to southern Virginia to see more historic sites and also visit the Norfolk Botanical Garden where they will feature my art when they celebrate the opening of a state of the art conservatory that will feature tropical plants and trees! On my final day, I took a leisurely drive through Maryland and Delaware to catch my flight home from New York.

Except for NYC, it was my first time to visit these places. There was a lot of history to take in from all the museums, monuments, statues, battlefields, historic homes, and so much more. I look forward to sharing some of my thoughts on Sunday mornings during the coming weeks, especially from my time in Philadelphia and D.C. One thought in particular that stands out to me is that there are many ways to be a democracy and even more ways to structure a government—and some of those ways are certainly better than others.

In the meantime, I look forward to celebrating Pentecost on Sunday as we consider what it means to be filled with Spirit. Just as there are many ways to understand democracy and government, there are also many ways to understand God’s Spirit and be the Church—and some of those ways are better than others!

Let us discover together how we can be filled with the Spirit and honor the life and teachings of Jesus!

Aloha nui loa!
Kahu Alan Akana