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A Message From Kahu: October 3rd, 2024

by admin | Oct 3, 2024 | Message from Kahu

A Message From Our Kahu

“We Have Begun”

We have begun imagining! At our Leadership Retreat last month the leaders of the church began to “Imagine Together” what God might be calling us as a congregation to be and do during the next 3 years.

During October we are asking people to prayerfully imagine how you believe God is leading us as a congregation. I have invited various people to share their thoughts about this on Sunday mornings. I also invite you to share your thoughts with me and the Church Council.

In the November Newsletter we will include a draft of our vision for the next 3 years and invite any feedback you may have at that point.

In the December Newsletter we will publish again the vision with any updates that may be made. I hope that looking at the vision over the next few months will help everyone stimulate ideas of how to accomplish everything in it.

At the Annual Meeting on January 26 the members of the congregation will vote on the new vision and we will begin implementing it.

In the meantime, I invite you once again to look at the picture above and consider what ideas might pop into your head as you consider the empty space where the lightbulb would normally be. Knowing that God “is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine,” what do YOU think God might be calling us as a congregation to be and do in the next 3 years? Please feel free to think “outside the box”! Have fun imagining! Let us know your thoughts! You can do this by talking directly to me or anyone on the Church Council. Remember: this is our vision, and your voice matters!

Aloha Nui Loa!

Kahu

Aloha Nui Loa!

Kahu

A Message From Kahu: September 11th, 2024

by admin | Sep 11, 2024 | Message from Kahu

A Message From Our Kahu

“Imagine Together”

I am looking forward to our Leadership Retreat on Saturday when the leaders of the church will gather to “Imagine Together” what God might be calling us as a congregation to be and do in the years ahead! In the coming weeks, we will be sharing with the congregation some of ideas we imagined, as well as any commitments that may come out of our time together.

During the fall, we will continue with the them of “Imagine Together.” In fact, I would like all of our members and friends to look at the picture above and consider what ideas might pop into your head as you consider the empty space where the lightbulb would normally be. Knowing that God “is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine,” what do YOU think God might be calling us as a congregation to be and do in the next 3-6 years? I invite you to think “outside the box” of limitations and fears. Have some fun imagining; and please consider sharing what you come up with when we ask you about it in October

Aloha Nui Loa!

Kahu

Church News: September 11th, 2024

by admin | Sep 11, 2024 | News

Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

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

Watch the most recent 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!

Kitchen Update

Alan Akana Gallery

Youth Gathering Event Koloa Union Church

Lectio Divina

Leadership Retreat

Leadership Retreat

Saturday, September 14, 2024

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Smith Memorial Parsonage 3281 Waikomo Road

Calling All Leaders, Potential Leaders, and Those Wishing To Participate!

The Church Council, Board of Deacons and anyone else who would like to participate, is invited to a Leadership Retreat at the parsonage! We will celebrate our past accomplishments and look ahead to create a new vision for the church, based on what we feel God leading us to be and do.

We appreciate your input and visions.

Breakfast and lunch will be served.

Church On The Beach

Youth News

Church Breakfast

Tuesday, September 24 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Join us for breakfast in Koloa Village! Break + Feast

Koloa Village* 5460 Koloa Road

RSVP on the sign-up sheet or by contacting the church office

You may place your order ahead of time.

(They are closed on Mondays)

Identify yourself as part of the Koloa Union Church group. Join us on the 4th Tuesday of each month for delicious food and a fun time getting to know others from Koloa Union Church!

Location each month to be determined.

Please RSVP by signing up on the church bulletin board or contacting the church office.

Prayers & Squares

Kauai Quilting Class Prayer Meeting Koloa

Neighbors In Need

Special Mission Offering

Sunday, October 6

The Neighbors in Need offering will be collected on Sunday, October 6, 2024. Neighbors in Need is the United Church of Christ’s annual offering to support ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States, including the Council for American Indian Ministries, justice and advocacy efforts and direct service projects.

Together with UCC congregations throughout the country, we make a huge difference in making the world a healthier and more just place for all. Please consider a generous donation.

Special offering envelopes will be provided in your bulletins on that day. Also, checks may be sent to the church office, made out to “Koloa Union Church” with “Neighbors in Need” or “NIN” written in the note section. If you make an online donation, be sure to write “Neighbors in Need” in the “Comment” box.

Lectionary Readings

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 September 15: Proverbs 1:20-33; Psalm 19; Isaiah 50:4-10; Psalm 116:1-9; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38

Readings for September 22: Proverbs 31:10-31; Psalm 1; Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 54; James 3:13-4:9; Mark 9:30-37

Readings for September 29: Esther 7:1-10; 9:20-22; Psalm 124; Numbers 11:4-29; Psalm 19:7-14; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50

Mahalo To Our Volunteers

More Fun Pics

A Message From Kahu: August 7th, 2024

by admin | Aug 7, 2024 | Message from Kahu

A Message From Our Kahu

“Wonder All Around Us!”

After spending three months on sabbatical in Europe I returned to Kauai in June with the intention of holding onto the same sense of wonder that I experienced while away. Let me just say, it has not been difficult to do! Soon after my return, I began walking in some of my favorite places on Kauai’s south shore. I came across flocks of nene (Hawaiian goose), a number of `ilioholoikauaua (Hawaiian monk seal), and many honu (Hawaiian green sea turtle)—sometimes dozens at a time on Poipu Beach!

The natural beauty of our island provides enough wonder to last a lifetime. The same can be said for our cultural beauty and aloha. I have been thinking a lot lately about the beauty of community as well. When I look out among the congregation on Sunday mornings, I see beautiful faces and am reminded of the wonder of people who are gathered for the purpose of loving one another and the world.

The Revised Common Lectionary focuses on the Gospel of John for the second half of the summer. (Scroll down to “Lectionary Readings” below to learn more about the RCL.) John highlights the wonder of heaven and earth, body and spirit, Word and flesh—and most importantly, the wonder of God’s love which is abundant and eternal!

I invite you to spend some time every day thinking about the wonder that is all around us. Whether you are reading this on Kauai, on the U.S. mainland, or abroad, just remember that there is beauty and opportunities for wonder all around us!

Aloha Nui Loa!

Kahu

Church News: August 7th, 2024

by admin | Aug 7, 2024 | News

Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

Watch Our Most Recent Worship Service

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

Watch the most recent 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!

Church Office Closed

The Church Office will be closed on the following dates: August 15th, September 2nd, 2024

In observance of Hawaii Statehood Day, Juneteenth and Labor

A Celebration of Life

Kitchen Update

3 Great Loves

Alan Akana Gallery

We Are Open for Business!

2nd Sundays & By Appointment Drop by and visit!

See what’s new! See what’s coming! After closing temporarily in December, 2023, as Kahu prepared for and enjoyed his sabbatical in Europe, the gallery is now open most days by appointment and will be open on the 2nd Sunday of the month from 2 to 5 p.m. beginning in August.

Re-Opening Reception Sunday, August 11 2 – 5 p.m.

“Overwhelmed with Wonder” Sabbatical Reflections Alan Akana Gallery will host a reception when Kahu will share about his sabbatical at 3 p.m. He will also play a slide show and sign photo books, Overwhelmed with Wonder, from his sabbatical. The slide show and book contain some of his favorite photos from his trip, and the book contains personal reflections about “wonder.”

Alan Akana Gallery Is Located In The Smith Memorial Parsonage 3281 Waikomo Road Koloa, HI 96756 Appointments may be made: By phone: 808-855-8806 By email: [email protected] Funds from sales at the gallery support the care and maintenance of the Smith Memorial Parsonage.

Visit Gallery

Lectio Divina

Youth News

Hindu Monastery Tour

Church Breakfast Buffet

Tuesday, August 27 8-9:30 a.m. Kauai Poke Co. at Poipu Bay

2250 Ainako Street in Poipu (At the Poipu Bay Golf Course Club House)

Join us for a very special $20 breakfast buffet! Kauai Poke is offering this just to Koloa Union Church! (They are opening the restaurant just for us!) Directions: Drive pass the Grand Hyatt Resort. Make the next right on Ainako Street. Turn left into the only driveway. You’ve gone too far if you arrive at Shipwreck Beach. Park in the back if the front parking lot is full. Join us on the 4th Tuesday of each month for delicious food and a fun time getting to know others from Koloa Union Church! Location each month to be determined. Please RSVP by signing up on the church bulletin board or contacting the church office.

Prayers & Squares

Leadership Retreat

Saturday, September 14, 2024 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Smith Memorial Parsonage 3281 Waikomo Road

Calling All Leaders, Potential Leaders, and Those Wishing To Participate! The Church Council, Board of Deacons and anyone else who would like to participate, is invited to a Leadership Retreat at the parsonage! We will celebrate our past accomplishments and look ahead to create a new vision for the church, based on what we feel God leading us to be and do. We invite anyone and everyone to join us! We appreciate your input and visions. RSVP by September 3rd

Lectionary Readings

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 August 11: 2 Samuel 18:5-33; Psalm 130; 1 Kings 19:4-8; Psalm 34:1-8; Ephesians 4:25-5:2; John 6:35-511

Readings for August 18: 1 Kings 2:10-3:14; Psalm 111; Proverbs 9:1-6; Psalm 34:9-14; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58

Readings for August 25: 1 Kings 8:1-43; Psalm 84; Joshua 24:1-18; Psalm 34:15-22; Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-69

Readings for September 1: Psalm 45:1-9; Deuteronomy 4:1-9; Psalm 15; James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-23

Youth Sunday

Church Workday Success

Thank you to all volunteers who showed up with their buckets, rags, lawn tools, work gloves, enthusiasm and smiles! So much was accomplished inside and outside! There’s more to do, so see Dan or Penny if you would like to do some maintenance work on your own time.