A Message from Kahu Akana
A Tree Planted by a Stream
On Sunday, I shared with the congregation about Pando, which is the largest known single living organism on Earth. It has been growing in central Utah for some 80,000 years—around the time of the last ice age. It weighs 13 million pounds and covers over 100 acres. Pando is a cluster of aspen trees. When I moved to the mountains of Utah in 1997, I lived in a place that was surrounded by aspen groves. Someone told me that a grove is actually one living unit, connected by an amazing root system of sometimes thousands of trees, all sharing the same genetic material.
I pondered how the world would be so much better if human beings all saw that we are connected to one another like an aspen grove. Just like the individual trees, we all look different and are unique in our own special ways. Yet, we are connected in invisible ways that we will never truly comprehend in their entirety. Perhaps if we reflected on this more closely we would say, “Your happiness impacts my happiness; your health, my health; your fulfillment, my fulfillment.”
Jesus understood this when he said, “I am the vine and you are the branches.” I invite you to consider this week just how very connected we are to one another, to Jesus and to God; for an appreciation of our connectedness is what will save us and lead us to an abundant life together.
I look forward to seeing everyone this week at the beach!
Aloha nui!
Kahu
P.S. If you watch this week’s video of my message…I began by talking about my great-great-great-great-grandmother Wale. I said that she was born in 1888; I MEANT to say 1788! Those who know Hawaiian history and who were paying close attention to the rest of the message probably caught that mistake, but I just wanted to point it out because 100 years makes a big difference! 😉
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Our Kahu (Pastor) offers a weekly message in church most Sundays during the year. Click HERE to see a video of a recent message from Sunday morning. You may see the Koloa Union Church YouTube channel to see many of his past messages and subscribe in order be notified when a new message is posted. Please share these videos with friends and invite them to church. Please feel free to “Like” any of the videos you see and share them on social media, such as Facebook, so that others will notice them.
“A Message from Kahu Alan Akana” is provided most weeks by the Kahu (Pastor) of Koloa Union Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
Weekly News of the Church
CHURCH ON THE BEACH
Sunday, February 24, 11 a.m.
The Pavilion at Poipu Beach
Across from Nukumoi Surf Shop/Brennecke’s Restaurant
Come Early to Hang Out
Worship Will Begin at 11:00
Potluck Luncheon
Bingo and Other Games
Stay for the Afternoon
Bring something to eat for the potluck.
Bring lawn chairs if you like.
There will be no worship service at the church on this day!
(P.S. This date coincides with Kahu’s 5th anniversary as our Pastor.)
SCENT-FREE ENVIRONMENT We have members, friends, and a kahu who are highly allergic to various scents, often resulting in coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing and speaking, as well as other symptoms. Heavy perfumes and colognes are particularly troublesome. We are requesting that our church be, as much as possible, a “scent-free” environment during worship services, social activities and meetings. We realize that there is no way to keep all scents away, and we plan to continue having fresh flower arrangements each week and lei for special occasions, but we do ask everyone to be sensitive to the needs of those around them when it comes to perfumes, colognes and lotions.
THE LATEST COCONUT WIRELESS The Hawai`i Conference of the United Church of Christ shares news on the Coconut Wireless, the regular weekly newsletter of the HCUCC. If you would like to keep abreast on news, opportunities and events, please click HERE for the latest news. If you like what you see, you may subscribe and get every issue of the Coconut Wireless automatically and get the very latest news hot off the press.
LECTIONARY READINGS (Old & New Testament Readings for the Week) 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 of them on the following Sunday. This week’s readings are Genesis 45:3-15; Psalm 37:1-49; 1 Corinthians 15:35-50; Luke 6:27-38.
PARKING NOTE Thanks to all who are able who have been making parking more manageable on Sunday mornings! Those who have been carpooling and parking at the school and on Waikomo Road have made a big difference in making room for the elderly, our visitors, and those who have trouble walking.
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COMING UP. . . .
ALL CHURCH BREAKFAST Tuesday, February 26, 7:30 a.m. Kalapaki Joe’s Poipu. Join the ladies and men as we meet for breakfast and fun conversations.
OPEN and AFFIRMING MEETING The ONA Core Team will meet on Thursday, February 28, at noon in Kahu’s office.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, March 3, after the worship service. We will vote on our Open & Affirming Covenant.
BON VOYAGE PARTY FOR KAHU Kahu will be hosting a bon voyage party on Sunday, March 3, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Smith Memorial Parsonage. Come and enjoy cake, coffee and iced tea, and say good-bye to Kahu before he leaves on his 3-month sabbatical in southern France the next day. All items at the gallery will be 20-50% off on this day! Click HERE to see the latest mailing from Alan Akana Gallery, which includes an invitation to the party!
PANCAKE SUPPER/SHROVE TUESDAY/MARDI GRAS/ FAT TUESDAY Tuesday, March 5, 6:00 p.m. Join us on this eve before Ash Wednesday for a fun pancake supper. This tradition can be traced back to at least 1000 AD and is a time to feast due to the need to get rid of restricted foods/ingredients during the Lenten fasting such as eggs, milk, butter, flour.
ASH WEDNESDAY Wednesday, March 6, 7:00 p.m. We mark Ash Wednesday as the first day of Lent. It follows Shrove Tuesday. It is traditionally a time of fasting and prayer in preparation for receiving or reaffirming baptism at Easter. We will have a service of the ashes.
KALAUPAPA SPRING SERVICE RETREAT Resource for Christian Spirituality will be offering a retreat April 24-28 on Moloka`i. Our friend, the Rev. Dr. Phyllis Meighen, will lead this retreat to Kalaupapa. The cost is $700 and a $200 deposit it due by February 28. For more information, contact Phyllis Meighen at 647-4346.
RESOURCE CRUISE IN HAWAII Rev. Dr. Phyllis Meighen is leading a ReSource Cruise Retreat October 26 – November 2, 2019—another offering by Resource for Christian Spirituality. You will be sailing the Hawaiian Islands on the NCL Pride of America. On the retreat you’ll see the earth being formed, experience sustainable ancient Hawaiian farming and fishing practices, visit Kalaupapa where Saint Damien ministered to those exiled, trace the complex history of the Christian Church in the islands, learn of efforts to recover endangered species. The retreat needs at least 35. Call Phyllis at 647-4346 or Ted Bradpiece at 818-351-5085 for details. Please book the trip by the end of February!
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“Weekly News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!
Weekly News of the Church
MEN’S BREAKFAST Join the men of the church and their friends as they continue this winter tradition. The men meet each Tuesday (except the 4th Tuesday of each month when they are welcome to join the All-Church Breakfast) at 7:30 a.m. at Kalapaki Joe’s in Poipu for this time to catch up with returning snowbird friends and church members.
BIBLE STUDY Kahu will offer a Bible study for people who would like to read passages in the Bible and learn about how they are interpreted; we will read biblical texts that encourage welcoming and accepting people who are different, as well as texts that are often used to condemn people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and those who question sexual and gender norms. There will be a time for questions and conversation. You are welcome to attend the Bible Study on Wednesday, February 6, at 7 p.m. at the Smith Memorial Parsonage (3281 Waikomo Road).
CHURCH ENSEMBLE Singers are asked to meet at the church on Saturday, February 9, at noon for practice. You will be featured on Sunday, February 10, during Ka Mele Makana.
THE LATEST COCONUT WIRELESS The Hawai`i Conference of the United Church of Christ shares news on the Coconut Wireless, the regular weekly newsletter of the HCUCC. If you would like to keep abreast on news, opportunities and events, please click HERE for the latest news. If you like what you see, you may subscribe and get every issue of the Coconut Wireless automatically and get the very latest news hot off the press.
LECTIONARY READINGS (Old & New Testament Readings for the Week) 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 of them on the following Sunday. This week’s readings are Isaiah 6:1-13; Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11.
PARKING REMINDER We want to make sure that our visitors, our elderly, those with mobility issues, and those who carry things for worship, Sunday school and Aloha Hour are able to park on the church property. For all others who are able, please consider the following:
- Walk from home if you live in the neighborhood.
- Park at Koloa School / Koloa Library. We have their permission to use their parking area on Sundays.
- Park on Waikomo Road between Poipu Road and the Smith Memorial Parsonage.
- Carpool if there is more than one person attending from your household or even with a neighbor.
If you are running late and need to “double park” in order to attend on time, please move your car immediately after the worship service for those you may be blocking. (There are usually people leaving at that time, so you can hopefully take their space if you want to stay for Aloha Hour.)
CONSTRUCTION UPDATES The crew continues construction on the soon to be brand new ladies’ restroom, which is scheduled for completion by the end of February! Feel free to take a peek on Sunday morning and see the progress!
- As construction continues, the men’s restroom is back open and the women are asked to use the restroom directly across from the kitchen door or the porta-potty behind the kitchen.
- The workers are also working on the church office expansion and plan to have that project done by the end of February as well.
Thank you for your patience during construction, and for everyone’s generosity to the capital campaign to make these projects possible!
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COMING UP. . . .
MOVIE NIGHT Friday, February 15, 6 p.m. Movie TBA. We will enjoy hot dogs and popcorn. Bring your lawn chairs, warm jackets and sleeping bags for a fun time.
HENRY OPUKAHA`IA SUNDAY Sunday, February 17. Each year we collect a special offering in honor and in memory of “Henry O”, the first Native Hawaiians known to become a Christian. Henry Opukaha`ia is credited with motivating the early New England Protestant missionaries to moving to Hawaii. The money collected supports the training of current and future clergy for Christian ministry by providing financial aid for seminary students.
OFFICE CLOSED Monday, February 18, for Presidents’ Day.
CHURCH ON THE BEACH Join us on Sunday, February 24, 11 a.m. for an outdoor worship service at the Pavilion across from Nukumoi Surf Shop at Poipu Beach. Come early if you want to hang out.
Worship will begin at 11:00, followed by a potluck luncheon, followed by bingo and games for kids. Bring something to eat for the potluck and your lawn chairs if you have any. There will be no worship service at the church on this day. (P.S. This also coincides with Kahu’s 5th anniversary with us at Koloa Union Church.)
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, March 3, after the worship service. We will vote on our Open & Affirming Covenant.
KALAUPAPA SPRING SERVICE RETREAT April 24-28 on Moloka`i. Our friend, the Rev. Dr. Phyllis Meighen, will lead this retreat to Kalaupapa. The cost is $700 and a $200 deposit it due by February 28. For more information, contact Phyllis at 647-4346.
___________________
“Weekly News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!
A Message from Kahu Akana
“The Greatest Commandments”
On Sunday, I shared a couple of stories about gay friends of mine who were physically and emotionally tortured. The people inflicting pain believed they were doing God’s will, and had Scriptures to back up their actions. I wholeheartedly disagree with their interpretation and use of biblical passages. There are commands in both the Old and New Testaments which are troublesome and conflict with others. I shared some of those commands (and the ensuing punishments) which are so outlandish that no followers of Jesus would ever attempt to follow. People have used the Bible to defend slavery, abuse women and children, and inflict judgment and pain on those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender-nonconforming.
So how do we interpret the difficult biblical passages—or any parts of the Bible, for that matter? I said in my message that we should first pay attention to Jesus when he gave tha answer to the question, “What is the greatest commandment?” His response was, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Since Jesus said that these are the two greatest commandments, it seems clear to me that all other commandments should be seen in light of these two.
Our church is going through the process of moving toward becoming an official “Open & Affirming” congregation of the United Church of Christ. By doing so, we will publicly state that everyone is welcome to worship and participate in the full life of our church. Since many people often struggle the most with welcoming people of “other” sexual orientations and gender identities, I offered a Bible study on this topic on Sunday afternoon so that we could take a look at what the Bible actually says and how we might interpret certain passages. I will be offering an identical Bible study at my home on Wednesday evening this week, February 6, at 7 p.m. I invite anyone who is interested in attending. If you haven’t already done so, please let me know if you plan to attend. If you have any questions about the Open & Affirming process or its implications, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
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Our Kahu (Pastor) offers a weekly message in church most Sundays during the year. Click HERE to see a video of a recent message from Sunday morning. You may see the Koloa Union Church YouTube channel to see many of his past messages and subscribe in order be notified when a new message is posted. Please share these videos with friends and invite them to church. Please feel free to “Like” any of the videos you see and share them on social media, such as Facebook, so that others will notice them.
“A Message from Kahu Alan Akana” is provided most weeks by the Kahu (Pastor) of Koloa Union Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
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