by admin | Jun 13, 2019 | Message from Kahu
It was so good to be back in church after spending three months in Europe! I shared with the congregation about worship services I attended in France, Portugal, Italy, and Switzerland. Although I enjoyed each place, I understood almost nothing of the sermons because they were spoken in languages I did not understand. Sunday was Pentecost, the day we celebrate the Holy Spirit in our world and the Spirit’s desire for everyone to clearly hear in their own language the good things that Jesus did and taught.
Throughout the history of the Christian Church, there have been people on the margins of society who have been kept from hearing and knowing God’s all-embracing love for everyone. On Sunday, we celebrated our unanimous decision to become an official “Open & Affirming” (ONA) congregation of the United Church of Christ. I cannot think of a better day to celebrate our new status, for Pentecost is about making sure that all people are able to hear about and experience God’s love. Our ONA celebration was featured in The Garden Island Newspaper last week. I was overjoyed to see people in church for the first time who learned about us through the article and by personal invitations! Click HERE if you want to see the article. I wanted to offer a special thanks to Penny O. and Penny J. for the fantastic decorations; Rose and Shellee for the amazing dances; Kathleen, Doug, Nancy Murphy and Eric Yoder, for beautiful and meaningful music; Chris for the nice photograph of our congregation (above); the entire Open & Affirming Team for such a great celebration and for leading us through the process of becoming ONA (Michael, Lee, Penny O, Tiffany, and Becky); and for everyone who showed up on Sunday and who participated in any way for us to become Open & Affirming and hold such a wonderful celebration!
I invite you to join me this coming Sunday morning for “Trinity Sunday” as I share more about my sabbatical and some of the more important things I learned, experienced and focused on during my three months in Europe. I will be talking about my favorite piece of art which I saw in a church in Paris that affected me so deeply that I found it difficult to leave! A little hint: It had to do with the Trinity! After church, we will have a special Aloha Hour honoring Father’s Day!
Also this Sunday, June 16, after church I will be hosting a reception at the parsonage from 2 to 5 p.m. to share more about my sabbatical. I will have my brand new photo book Beauty, Art & Spirituality (the theme of my sabbatical) available for sale on Sunday. There will be a talk and slideshow at 3 p.m. Please see the announcement below for the details.
As a follow-up to becoming Open & Affirming, Koloa Union Church has the opportunity to participate in Kauai’s Pride Parade and Festival on Saturday, June 22, in Lihue. I hope you will consider walking in the parade or sitting at our table to hand out information about our church and answer questions about our church. Please see the announcement below for more information.
Aloha nui!
Kahu
__________________________________________
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.
by admin | Jun 5, 2019 | Message from Kahu
Lisbon, Portugal
Kahu’s Last Day in Europe
It is good to be home after spending three months in Europe! I had a fantastic time focusing on beauty, art and spirituality in France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland—and I look forward to sharing with everyone in the coming weeks and months about my adventures and what I learned over the past three months! I’ll be talking about my sabbatical on Sunday mornings throughout the summer and also showing a slideshow at the parsonage on June 16. I saw some amazing art and inspirational places of worship and reflection. Throughout the entire spring, beauty was unfolding everywhere as flowers burst on the scene as landscapes and gardens transformed from earth tones to stunning places of color and vibrancy.
This Sunday will be a special time as we celebrate Pentecost and our new “Open & Affirming” (ONA) status in the United Church of Christ. I’ll be talking about some of my experiences worshiping in churches throughout southern Europe during my sabbatical. We will give thanks for our newly adopted ONA covenant and commitment to welcoming and including people of all backgrounds and lifestyles. We will also collect our annual “Strengthen the Church” special mission offering in order to promote new areas of growth in ministry throughout the UCC. We will continue to celebrate after the worship service during a special Aloha Hour as well! Be sure to wear one of the colors of the rainbow, if you are able, as we plan to take a group photograph on this special occasion!
I look forward to spending Friday and Saturday this week with Bridget Hammerquist and Shellee Riggio in Honolulu at the `Aha Pae`aina, which is the annual gathering and business meeting of the Hawai`i Conference of the United Church of Christ. One of the decisions we will make at the `Aha is whether or not Rev. Dr. David Popham will become our next Conference Minister. Thanks to everyone who attended the special dinner in Lihu`e yesterday to meet David! Please keep us all in your prayers as we seek God’s guidance for our churches in Hawai`i nei!
Aloha nui!
Kahu
__________________________________________
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.
by admin | Jun 5, 2019 | News
Pentecost Sunday
June 9, 2019
Celebration of Our “Open & Affirming” Status
In the United Church of Christ
Welcome Kahu Akana Back from His Sabbatical
(It is also the 29th anniversary of his ordination!)
Enjoy a Special Celebration Luncheon for Aloha Hour!
Church Photograph
(To be taken right after our worship service)
Let’s Reflect the Colors of a Rainbow!
You are invited to join in the Spirit of the celebration
by wearing a color of the rainbow:
REDORANGEYELLOWGREENBLUEPURPLE
_________________________
MORE NEWS….
`AHA PAE`AINA The 197th annual state-wide gathering of the Hawai`i Conference United Church of Christ will meet June 7-8 at the Kaumakapili Church in Honolulu. Koloa Union church will be represented by Rev. Dr. Alan Akana, Bridget Hammerquist, and Shellee Riggio.
STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH SPECIAL MISSION OFFERING We collect this year’s Strengthen the Church offering on Sunday, June 9. This special mission offering supports the expansion of ministry and growth of the United Church of Christ throughout the country. Your support will help the UCC fulfill its commitment to creating a just world for all by investing in new ministries and practices that meet the emerging needs of local communities. Thank you for your generosity!
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 leis 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
Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-26; Romans 8:14-17; John 14: 8-17.
___________________
COMING UP….
FATHER’S DAY LUNCHEON Sunday, June 16 after Sunday service. Join us as the church ladies prepare a lunch worthy of the men of Koloa Union Church.
FATHER’S DAY RECEPTION AT THE GALLERY You are invited to Alan Akana Gallery on June 16 from 2 to 5 p.m. as Kahu will share with the church and community about his sabbatical in Europe during the past 3 months. There will be a talk and slideshow at 3 p.m. and Kahu’s latest book “Beauty, Art & Spirituality” available for purchase. Click HERE for details.
ALL CHURCH BREAKFAST Tuesday, June 25, at 7:30 a.m. Join the church members and friends for a fun, relaxing breakfast. Location TBA.
_________________________________
“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. Please contact the church office if you would like to have our weekly news sent directly to your inbox. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!
by admin | Jun 2, 2019 | Newsletter
June Newsletter
by admin | May 23, 2019 | News
KAHU ON SABBATICAL/REV. SARAH JONES FILLING IN
Our Kahu, Rev. Dr. Alan Akana, is on sabbatical from March 4 through June 3 in Europe. Based in southern France, he is traveling, reading, writing and painting while focusing on the theme, “beauty, art and spirituality.” He will be back with us on Pentecost, Sunday, June 9. We are grateful to have the Rev. Sarah Jones filling in most Sunday mornings while Kahu is gone. If you have need for pastoral care, you may contact Sarah at Wilcox Medical Center or at 631-2444. Our Deacons are also available to pray with and assist church members and friends in crisis; please contact the church office or Christine Kube (Chair of our Board of Deacons) at 635-1785.
YOUTH BAKE SALE & POOL PARTY Sunday, May 26. The church youth will have a bake sale (asking for baked donations) followed by an afternoon at the beach. They hope to earn money for future activities/events and to replenish the Youth Account Funds. Please see Tiffany.
OFFICE CLOSED Monday for Memorial Day
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 leis 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 Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10-22:5; John 14:23-29.
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.
___________________
COMING UP……
ALL CHURCH BREAKFAST
May 28, 7:30 a.am. Kalapaki Joe’s Poipu.
Join our church members and friends for a relaxing breakfast. It is a great time to visit with our friends and members.
SALVATION ARMY LUNCH
Wednesday, May 29. Looking for lunch servers at the Hanapepe Salvation Army. You can meet at the church to car pool at 9:30 a.m. or meet at the facility.
MEET THE HAWAII CONFERENCE MINISTER NOMINEE
Monday, June 3, 5-7 p.m. potluck pupu dinner, Lihue United Parish Hall. All Kauai UCC members and clergy are urged to attend to meet Rev. Dr. David Popham, the Hawaii Conference minister nominee. `Aha Pae`aina delegates are encouraged to attend this evening session so they will be equipped to cast their votes at the `Aha on Oahu on June 7 & 8, 2019. Let Penny know if you would like to attend.
WELCOME BACK, KAHU ALAN
Sunday, June 9. Let’s gather to welcome back our Kahu, returning from his 3-month sabbatical! We are planning a special Aloha Hour lunch to welcome him back and to officially announce that Koloa Union Church is an Open and Affirming church. We proudly make a public covenant of welcome to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions. Join us at our “LAUNCH LUNCH” after Sunday worship.
PENTECOST SUNDAY
June 9, 2019 Remember to wear red to church.
____________________ “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!
Recent Comments