by admin | Feb 24, 2018 | Message from Kahu
A Blessing for Beginners
This past Sunday, we began our Lenten theme of “Blessings,” based upon the late John O’Donohue’s book To Bless the Space between Us: A Book of Blessings. In the book, he begins each chapter by sharing about a different way or time that we may bless each other, and then he offers several blessings as examples. I am excited to journey with the congregation during the season of Lent by sharing each Sunday morning in my message about a particular kind of blessing for the week, and then reflecting further on it during our time together at the following Wednesday evening Lenten soup supper.
I included in my message on Sunday a story about a recent walk to Maha`ulepu right after a recent rainstorm on the island. When I arrived at the place where I looked down on the beach, there was a beautiful rainbow that stretched from the ocean to the Gillin House, with the majestic Mount Ha`upu in the background! It reminded me of God’s covenant with Noah just as the latter was about to exit the ark with his family on all of the animals. In the story, God placed the rainbow in the sky as a reminder of the covenant between God, people and all of creation—the Earth and every living thing. The rainbow was a sign of a new beginning: a world in which God, people and all creation would live together in harmony.
As with many beginnings, we have not held our end of the covenant very well. We have not always honored God and all that is sacred. We have polluted the land, skies and waters. We have not always treated each other with dignity and respect. As I reflected over the past few weeks about the false alarm that many of us received on our phones last month about an incoming ballistic missile, I thought of all the damage such an event could do—to all that is sacred, to the Earth, to people—and I wanted to do something to keep that from happening.
I Googled for awhile and came across the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, whose sole purpose is to rid the world of nuclear weapons. The organization is supported by Pope Francis, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, and many other world leaders whom I respect. As I thought about what I might do to personally begin working for a world free of nuclear weapons, I made a donation to the NAPF in honor of my sister for her birthday earlier this month. I also read the organization’s newsletter and committed to reading future editions. I also wrote on my weekly “Opportunities” list (which I used to call “Things To Do”), I wrote, “Do something today to end nuclear weapons.” It seemed like a daunting task (and still does at times!), but at least I started doing something and making a commitment to honor the covenant that God made to the world and the human race.
I invite you to start something new today. Begin making a difference in a brand new way. Think of all the things you might do…and then get started! Know that God is with you in all of your beginnings and blessing your efforts when they are made with love and compassion. By the way, you can click Here to learn more about the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. Perhaps you too will want to help make our community and the world safe from nuclear weapons.
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
P.S. Please join me at the parsonage on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. for an Open House celebrating the One-Year Anniversary of Alan Akana Gallery. All sales are 20% off at the open house and the net profits will go to the Smith Memorial Parsonage Fund for upkeep, repairs and maintenance of the building and grounds.
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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 this week’s message. You may also 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 | Feb 24, 2018 | News
HENRY OPUKAHA`IA SCHOLARSHIP OFFERING This past week was the 200th anniversary of Henry’s death and we will be collecting an offering in his honor this coming Sunday, February 25! Each year around the end of February, churches throughout the Hawai`i Conference of the United Church of Christ collect the Henry Opukaha`ia Scholarship Offering. Henry Opukaha`ia was a young Hawaiian who sailed to New England, converted to Christianity, and is credited for inspiring the first missionaries to sail to Hawai`i from New England in the early 1800’s. The offering goes into a fund to support clergy training by providing financial aid for seminary, postgraduate and continuing educational expenses. Please give with generous hearts.
MEN’S BREAKFAST The men of the church gather on Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. at Kalapaki Joe’s in Poipu. They will be meeting every Tuesday until further notice.
WEDNESDAY SOUP SUPPERS AND LENTEN REFLECTIONS We meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays in Moore Hall for soup and then spend time reflecting and discussing the theme of “Blessings.” Each Sunday during Lent, Kahu will focus on a particular kind of blessing during his sermon and then use that topic for our time together the following Wednesday evening. Throughout the Season of Lent, Kahu will be following one chapter per week of John O’Donohue’s book, To Bless the Space between Us: A Book of Blessings.
SUNDAY SCHOOL & YOUTH EVENT This Sunday, February 25, after Aloha Hour! Please check in with Tiffany Marrotte if you and/or your kids plan to participate. $5 per person.
MOBILITY SCOOTER A resident of Sun Village in Lihue has a mobility scooter which she would like to donate to someone who can use it. Contact Kahu Akana if you are interested.
THE LATEST COCONUT WIRELESS The Council of the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ shares news on the Coconut Wireless, the regular newsletter of the HCUCC. If you would like to keep abreast on news, opportunities and events, please click HERE for this past week’s news. If you like what you see, you may subscribe and get every issue of the Coconut Wireless automatically.
PRAYERS & SQUARES Contact Angela Dressel if you would like to get involved in praying for people in crisis or helping to make quilt squares for those in crisis.
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ALAN AKANA GALLERY OPEN HOUSE
Featuring Alan’s watercolors of the flowers of Hawaii!
Sunday, February 25, 1-5 p.m.
Celebrating Our One-Year Anniversary!
Be the first to see Alan’s latest watercolor!
(He spent over 6 months working on it!)
Live Entertainment!
Delicious Refreshments!
20% Discount on All Purchases!
“Talk Story” with Alan about his Art!
Fabulous Door Prizes!
(Including a print of Alan’s latest piece!)
A great opportunity to introduce
your friends & neighbors to Alan and his art,
and raise money for the parsonage while having fun!
Located in the Smith Memorial Parsonage
3281 Waikomo Road, Koloa
The proceeds from sales benefit the care of the parsonage!
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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!
by admin | Feb 14, 2018 | News
MEN’S BREAKFAST
The men of the church gather on Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. at Kalapaki Joe’s in Poipu. They will be meeting every Tuesday until further notice.
SHROVE TUESDAY/MARDI GRAS/FAT TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER February 13, 2018, Tuesday, 6 p.m.
It is the day before Ash Wednesday, marked by feasting and celebration before the observance of the Lent fast. Started in the Middle Ages, restricted and perishable food was all consumed on Shrove Tuesday to avoid spoilage and waste. Join us for a fun pancake supper!
ASH WEDNESDAY February 14, 2018
We mark Ash Wednesday as the first day of Lent, which is traditionally a time of fasting and prayer in preparation for receiving or reaffirming baptism on Easter. We will begin the evening with a Soup Supper at 6 p.m. in Moore Hall and then move into the sanctuary at 7 o’clock for the service of the ashes.
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED Monday, February 19, Presidents’ Day
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Coming Up…
WEDNESDAY SOUP SUPPERS AND LENTEN REFLECTIONS
Beginning February 21, we will meet at 6 p.m. in Moore Hall for soup and then spend time reflecting and discussing the theme of “Blessings.” Each Sunday during Lent, Kahu will focus on a particular kind of blessing during his sermon and then use that topic for our time together the following Wednesday evening. Throughout the Season of Lent, Kahu will be following one chapter per week of John O’Donohue’s book, To Bless the Space between Us: A Book of Blessings. A limited number of copies in hardcover edition will be available for $18 beginning Ash Wednesday, February 14. Please contact Kahu or Penny if you would like a book reserved for you.
PRAYERS & SQUARES
Contact the church office if you would like to get involved in praying for people in crisis or helping to make quilt squares for those in crisis.
______________________________
“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!
by admin | Feb 8, 2018 | News
FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
The February edition of the Koloa Union Church Newsletter is now available. Click HERE to see the online version or pick up a copy at the church.
MEN’S BREAKFAST
The men of the church gather on Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. at Kalapaki Joe’s in Poipu. They will be meeting every Tuesday until further notice.
THE LATEST COCONUT WIRELESS
The Council of the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ shares news on the Coconut Wireless, the regular newsletter of the HCUCC. If you would like to keep abreast on news, opportunities and events, please click HERE for this past week’s news. If you like what you see, you may subscribe and get every issue of the Coconut Wireless automatically.
PRAYERS & SQUARES
Contact Angela Dressel if you would like to get involved in praying for people in crisis or helping to make quilt squares for those in crisis.
AND COMING UP……
SHROVE TUESDAY/MARDI GRAS/FAT TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER
February 13, 2018, Tuesday, 6 p.m.
It is the day before Ash Wednesday marked by feasting and celebration before the observance of the Lent fast. Started in the Middle Ages, restricted and perishable food was all consumed on Shrove Tuesday to avoid spoilage and waste. Join us for a fun pancake supper!
ASH WEDNESDAY
February 14, 2018
We mark Ash Wednesday as the first day of Lent, which is traditionally a time of fasting and prayer in preparation for receiving or reaffirming baptism on Easter. We will begin the evening with a Soup Supper at 6 p.m. in Moore Hall and then move into the sanctuary at 7 o’clock for the service of the ashes.
COUNCIL MEETING
Sunday, February 18, in Kahu’s office after Aloha Hour.
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
Monday, February 19, Presidents’ Day
WEDNESDAY SOUP SUPPERS AND LENTEN REFLECTIONS
Beginning February 21, we will meet at 6 p.m. in Moore Hall for soup and then spend time reflecting and discussing the theme of “Blessings.” Each Sunday during Lent, Kahu will focus on a particular kind of blessing during his sermon and then use that topic for our time together the following Wednesday evening. Throughout the Season of Lent, Kahu will be following one chapter per week of John O’Donohue’s book, To Bless the Space between Us: A Book of Blessings. A limited number of copies in hardcover edition will be available for $18 beginning Ash Wednesday, February 14. Please contact Kahu or Penny if you would like a book reserved for you.
______________________________
“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!
by admin | Feb 6, 2018 | Message from Kahu
The Source of Our Energy
Creator of the Universe
Isaiah 40:21-31
A Note from Kahu Alan Akana
On Sunday, I shared some of my experiences being outdoors on Kaua`i with my son Palani when he was visiting in early January. We went out on a boat and saw whales, dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, as well as spectacular scenery all along the southern shores of our beautiful island between Port Allen and Lihu`e. We also went on some wonderful hikes, including an all-day hike into the crater of Wai`ale`ale, which is known as one of the wettest places on earth. Fortunately, we hiked on one of the rare days when there were blue skies and no rain, yet waterfalls were abundant! It occurred to me that there are times when I should be too tired to keep my eyes open and, yet, I have tons of energy. It is often when I am surrounded by natural beauty when this occurs.
After reading from Isaiah, chapter 40, which is one of my favorite parts of the Bible, I realized that Isaiah must have known this very same thing. Listen to the words of Isaiah as he declares the majesty of creation:
It is the Holy One who sits above the circle of the earth…who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in…
Regarding the stars and the planets, Isaiah proclaims:
Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? The One who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing.
And regarding everything on the earth, Isaiah asks the rhetorical question and then immediately answers it:
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
Isaiah seemed to know this natural energy that came from being open to awe and wonder, for he then said:
The everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth…gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
May you be filled with energy this week. If you find yourself lagging, I encourage you to take a walk outside…look around…observe God’s creative energy in action…breathe it in…and give thanks for all the beauty…and energy!
Aloha nui loa,
Kahu Alan Akana
______________________________
Our Kahu (Pastor) offers a weekly message in church most Sundays during the year. Click HERE to see a video of this week’s message. You may also 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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