A Message from Our Kahu

Prayers & Squares

Youth Event

Friday, May 13, 6 – 8 P.M.

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 afterwards 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!

If you can participate in the parade:

Arrive at the Vidinha Stadium parking lot by 8:15 a.m.
Park on the north end of the parking lot (closest to the soccer field & KPD);
then meet the rest of us on the south end of the parking lot (closer to Rice St).
You may leave your vehicle at the parking lot or at the civic center
parking lot for the remainder of the parade and festival.

Parade Staging
Koloa Union Church will be entry #11:
2nd entry in the 3rd row: Yellow (Y).

We need to be ready to line up, all ready to go, at 8:40 a.m.

We will start moving into position at 8:50 a.m.

The parade will begin at 9:00 a.m.
and will end at the Historic County Building.

Preparing for Weather
We will likely be in the sun most of the time,
so consider wearing sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
Feel free to bring an umbrella.
Bottles of water will be provided.

Covid-19 Safety
Since the parade is outdoors, there is no need to wear a face mask.
However, the organizers suggest that all participants bring masks
in case of emergency or if you will be near others after the parade.
Of course, you are always welcome to wear a mask at any time.

Restrooms
There will be restrooms at the beginning and end of the parade route.

Additional Participants
Please invite friends and family member to join us in the parade.
They can show up even at the last minute.
The more, the merrier!

Festival after the Parade
On the Lawn in front of the Historic County Building

There will be 4 hours of food, music and entertainment!
Our church will also have a table!

If you signed up to sit at the table, we want to have
2 volunteers at all times to hang out, hand out stickers,
information about Koloa Union Church, answer questions, etc.

If you haven’t signed up to sit at the table,
feel free to drop by and say hello!

Just look for our church table under the big tent.

Petecost Sunday

Join us on Sunday, June 5, 2022 for

Strengthen The Church

STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH

Special Mission Offering

“All Together”

Sunday, June 5

Youth Director Update

Search Committee Update

The Youth Director Search Committee met again this week and plans to present a candidate for the position to the Church Council at their June meeting.

Hookipa Wellness Class

A Free Exercise/Stretching Class for Seniors

Led by RoseTatiana Warken Ceballos

Mahalo to Worship Participants

Lectionary Readings

Weekly Readings from the Bible

Fun Pictures Since Our Last Weekly News

Memorial Day

A Message from Our Kahu

On Easter morning, Mary Magdalene did not recognize Jesus, who was standing there in her midst and talking to her. Seven of the male disciples did not recognize Jesus when he stood on the lakeshore and had a conversation with them. Throughout history, church leaders have failed to recognize Jesus as he appeared over time. And today there are times when we too do not recognize Jesus as he shows up in our midst. One reason is that Jesus shows up in so many different ways, and we all have our preferred ways. I’m guessing most of us also can think of ways that we would rather Jesus not show up—for most instances of divine presence and direction tend to be inconvenient, to say the least, and possibly even disorienting or causing us to live our lives in a completely different way! One thing I am pretty confident about is that Jesus always shows up in love: love for me and love for you, love for family and friends, love for strangers and enemies, love for those who make important policy decisions and those on the margins of society. My prayer for you is that you would be open to any way that Jesus shows up in your life and in the world so that you will both recognize Jesus and joyfully serve him!

Aloha nui loa!
Kahu Alan Akana

Prayers & Squares

A Quilt For Ukraine

Support Ukrainian Refugees By Getting “LUCKY DRAWING” Tickets!

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!

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, nearly 6 million people have fled Ukraine, mostly women and children. Even more have been displaced within Ukraine. Hands On Global is currently on the Ukrainian border providing medical support to refugees. Cathy Evans has just returned from there! All proceeds from the quilt and any additional donations will go directly to Hands On Global to support their efforts to provide medical assistance to refugees.

A ticket will be drawn on Sunday, May 22, in church. We are requesting donations of $5 per ticket. You don’t need to be present to win.

You can get your tickets the following ways:

• On Sunday mornings
• At church during office hours
• On our website
• Mailing a check to our P.O. box

When getting tickets online or by check, write in the “Comment” section “Ukraine Quilt”.

You may also make a straight donation to Hands on Global by writing in the “Comment” section “Ukraine Donation” (for those who don’t want tickets for the quilt).

DEADLINE for getting tickets at church: Before the worship service on May 22

DEADLINE for getting tickets online or by check: 8 a.m. (HST) on May 19

Call Amber at 907.227.9045 or Penny in the Church office if you have any questions or need assistance.

Cathy Evans returned two weeks ago from the Ukraine/Romania border, working the front lines assisting refugees. She shared some of her experiences with us in church.

Youth Event

Friday, May 13, 6 – 8 P.M.

Calling ALL youth (middle & high school) to our next youth group activity on Friday, May 13, in Moore Hall at Koloa Union Church. We will work on our calendar for the year and begin scheduling future activities; also fundraising planning and discuss the Aha Paeaina Youth Event in Honolulu June 16 – 18, 2022. As always, we will have FUN!

Friends are welcome!

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 afterwards 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!

More information will be coming in late May and early June.

Be sure to check the next edition of The Weekly News and listen for announcements on Sunday mornings.

In the meantime, please sign up on Sundays or contact Penny at the church office by Sunday, May 29, for the following:

—Walk in the parade
—Ride in the parade (limited availability)
—Set up KUC’s table at the festival before 10:00 a.m.
—Sit at the table in 1-hour shifts from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m

Petecost Sunday

Join us on Sunday, June 5, 2022 for

Strengthen The Church

STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH

“All Together”

Sunday, June 5

Each year on Pentecost, we join other United Church of Christ congregations in collecting the “Strengthen the Church” special offering…. Thank you for your generosity!

Memebership Gathering

Sunday, June 5 Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Kahu and our Deacons will spend a couple of 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, the 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 a future designated Sunday 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.

Youth Director Update

Search Committee Update

The Youth Director Search Committee met last week and will begin interviewing candidates in early June. Please keep the committee in your prayers as they seek to find the best Youth Director to present to the Church Council by the end of June.

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!

Hookipa Wellness Class

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

Doug Duvauchelle and Debbie Gunning for providing our beautiful and inspiring music for our worship service!

RoseTatiana Warken Ceballos for the beautiful hula.

We always look forward to having our youth serve as Sunday lay readers. Thank you, Krayson Dao.

Michael Horning for welcoming everyone to Sunday service by blowing the pu shell!

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

Congratulations!

Krayson Dao

Kauai High School Class of 2022

We honored Krayson in church on May 8!

Congratulations to Krayson, Parents Taylor & Van Sakimae, Grandparents Bruce & Becky Sakimae!

Thanks to Krayson for being one of our faithful youth lay readers!

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 May 8 are Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30.

Readings for May 15 are Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148; Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35.

Fun Pictures Since Our Last Weekly News

Memorial Day

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 [email protected]

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