by admin | Apr 1, 2015 | News
KAHU ALAN AKANA TO SPEAK ON WEDNESDAY
Our Kahu has been invited by the Kauai Museum to speak about his book, The Volcano Is Our Home: Nine Generations of a Hawaiian Family on Kilauea Volcano, on Wednesday April 1 at 4 p.m. He will sign books after he speaks.
Please come if you can and invite anyone you know on Kauai who is interested in Hawaiian history and culture told from the perspective of the Maka’ainana (the “common” and fascinating people who attend the land) who have lived on the slopes of Kilauea Volcano for nearly 2,000 years.
The Kaua’i Museum is located at 4428 Rice Street in Lihue. For more info, see the link below.
http://www.kauaimuseum.org/kauai-events
MAUNDY THURSDAY COMMUNION SERVICE
Join us in the sanctuary at 7 p.m. on April 2 for a special communion service in remembrance of Jesus’ last supper and his commandment to love one another. We will share music, Scripture readings, reflections, and, of course, holy communion.
EASTER EGG DECORATING & LUNCH
Friday, April 3 The children of the church, their families and friends are invited to decorate Easter eggs and eat lunch tomorrow, 10 a.m. to noon, in Moore Hall. The eggs will be used in the Easter egg hunt on Sunday morning.
EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 5
6 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service at Kukuiolono Park in Kalaheo.
Join us and five other churches on the south shore to welcome Easter morning as the sun comes over the mountains. There will be prayers, Scripture readings and lots of music. Bring a raincoat or umbrella.
9 a.m. Easter Breakfast in Moore Hall
A delicious breakfast and time of fellowship before our Easter Sunday worship service. Please see Penny Osuga if you would like to volunteer.
10:30 a.m. Easter Sunday Worship Service and Sunday School
Easter is the celebration of the resurrection or our Savior and all that it means to us! The children will learn about the meaning of Easter and receive instructions for the Easter egg hunt in Sunday school.
11:30 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt and Lunch at the Parsonage
Join us at the parsonage (3281 Waikomo Road) for a delicious lunch and a fun Easter egg hunt for the children. We request that space in the driveway and front of the parsonage be used for handicap parking. NOTE: Children are asked to bring an Easter basket and stay out of the front yard until the Easter egg hunt begins!
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
We will collect the OGHS offering on Maundy Thursday and Easter morning. Please use the special offering envelope provided in your bulletin or write OGHS on your checks made out to Koloa Union Church. Mahalo nui for your generosity!
MAIKA‘I HANA HOU!
Capital Campaign Information Packets will be available on Sunday after church for members and friends of the church. If you are on our mailing list, please be sure to pick up the packet with your name and address on it. Visitors are also welcome to receive a packet. And remember to PLEASE SAY “YES” when invited to volunteer for the capital campaign.
ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE
SATURDAY, April 11, 2015
8:00 am —- 12:00 Noon
We are asking for volunteers to get all “gently used” donations onto display tables from Wednesday afternoon (April 8) to Friday night (April 10). JoAnne has been pre-sorting all donations so setting up will be organized and go quickly. We need volunteers to work during the Rummage Sale (cashiers, working the bake sale, volunteers to continuously straighten the array of items we hope to sell, etc.). We especially need volunteers to help take all un-sold items to a pre-selected drop off spot. Please use the sign up sheet on the bulletin board.
AUNTY NIELE’S NEWSY NOTES
From the April Newsletter
Per MSN, Hawaii is the 2nd Happiest State!!! #1 Happiest State is ALASKA!!! No wonder our friends, Ed/LeEllen Baker and Bill/Sally Brook are always smiling! High fives to Luke! Won 1st place in the Oahu/Kauai Boys & Girls Club “youth of the year” competition! Thank you to Mokihana Powers for filling our pulpit. We all enjoyed hearing of her Hawaiian family and traditions. Thanks to Becky and Bonnie for attending the Church Leadership Event on Oahu. Thank you, Carole Pugsley for serving as layreader…..twice! And also to Ed Perrin , both always do such a great jobs. Doug and the youth are putting our new mission statement to music!!!! Exciting!! Aunty Dollie’s daughter, Nanette, has moved home. Always enjoy her energy! Dollie’s beautiful granddaughters, Chenoa and Chloe, came for a visit. We now start our Sunday Service with the call of the pu shell, traditional gathering call of the Hawaiian people. Garrett Sakimae was home for a visit from SoCal. Lee/Carol Bowen have left us for their “extended 40 week vacation in Michigan.” The word is Logan Baptiste is directing a play!!! Hi-Tops? Please wear your name tags on Sunday. It helps our visitors. Great having Spencer Duvauchelle home while on spring break. Thank you to the Shigezawa/Sueoka families for the beautiful altar flowers. Thanks, Sam Tucci & Doug for the fab duet. Was soooooo nice having Dan/Joy King here for a visit. We still miss their volunteerism and endless energy! Joy’s 1st stop? The kitchen!! To our members/friends: we will be disposing of the piano that currently sits in Moore Hall. Please let Penny know if you are interested having it. Enjoyed a fun “Taco Toss” dinner at the parsonage with our mainland ohana=snowbirds.
by admin | Mar 3, 2015 | News
A NOTE FROM KAHU AKANA
Dear Members and Friends of Kōloa Union Church:
I have found that the older I get, the more meaningful Lent becomes for me. When my parents’ sent me to Catholic School as a kid, I was asked, “What are you going to give up for Lent?” Of course, suggestions were made that I was not interested in at all: meat, candy, dessert. From my perspective Lent was all about sacrifice and guilt. (The guilt came mainly because I didn’t want to give anything up, especially candy and dessert!) All of the students were required to attend Ash Wednesday services where I was told I was going to die–and the implication was: “So get used to it,” or, at the very least, “Get ready to die.” As a 10-year-old, Lent was a pretty scary and negative time.
I don’t remember Lent being mentioned at the Baptist Church I attended in junior high and high school. Yet, as I reflect back upon those days, it seems that every week provided that same kind of Lenten experience steeped in sacrifice, guilt and fear. As kids, we were constantly reminded of the threat of hell… and told to accept Jesus NOW…and tell our friends to accept Jesus NOW…because we could die or Jesus could return at any moment. We even sang in a musical called “Tomorrow May Never Come.” The message was, “Accept Jesus NOW because (you guessed it) tomorrow may never come.”
After attending several churches which celebrate Lent, this special season has become for me a time of joy and reflection while focusing on God’s compassion and the human ability to imagine how such compassion can change hearts and even change the world. Our Ash Wednesday service this year was a special time to remember God’s love and the hope we have in life–even in the midst of saying good-bye to loved ones and remembering the temporary nature of all physical things, including our human bodies. On Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, we will be focusing on our brand new Mission Statement and how God might be leading us as individuals and as a congregation to move forward into our identity and calling as God’s people.
I hope you will join us on Sunday mornings and on Wednesday evenings during Lent as we celebrate the joy of God’s presence among us and all around us, and as we explore how God can lead us into an exciting and joy-filled future!
Aloha Nui Loa!
Kahu Akana
Check out our special edition newsletter for Maika’i Hana Hou (our capital campaign):
Special Edition Newsletter
AUNTY NIELE’S NEWSY NOTES
By Penny Osuga
Fab having Dan (Naomi) Giovanni join the church AND lead our Capital Campaign! As many of you recall, Naomi’s dad, Rev. Susumu (Miyeko) Yamane was our pastor 1957-1962! Marie Buckner (George) sang a beautiful duet with Doug [“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”] before heading home to Washington. Kahu awoke with laryngitis on Sunday, February 8! Doug filled the pulpit that day and did such a fine job….again. One of the lessons he preached: “Love is forgiving and love is for giving.” Totally enjoyed Lori Miller as she filled our pulpit on February 15. She attends Kapaa Hawaiian. She joined our “drop in choir” that day. Kahu had flown to the Big Island to inter his Mom’s ashes. Mom is now happily resting next to Dad. Was great having Tom Batey and Toyo Nishida in church. Thanks to Bonnie Kakinami and Missy Foley for the weekly altar flowers. I have been told that somewhere in this world everyone has a twin. I found my “twin” in church last Sunday! And I am proud to say she has great taste. Please allow me to introduce my twin, Jane Reed, visiting all the way from British Columbia, Canada! I am the one wearing the name tag! The Deacons had a very productive retreat at the parsonage. Thank you, Deacons, for all you do. We celebrated Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday/Shrove Tuesday with a fun pancake dinner. About 30 attended. The following night we started our annual soup suppers then an Ash Wednesday Service. Fran Johnshoy’s carrot ginger soup was such a hit everyone requested she make that soup a 2nd time!!! Their daughter and 2 granddaughters [Lisa, Bronwyn and Avery]helped and Bronwyn was one of the readers during the service as were Al and Carole Pugsley. The Pugsley’s daughter, Lori, has been here for a visit and she joined in our fun events. Wowwie! I hear Kelsey Duvauchelle has been invited to attend the Cannes Film Festival! She will be hobnobbing with the rich and famous and she will be, too!!! Congratulations to our former pastor, Rev. Dr. Nani Hill on her recent retirement!! I am guessing that she and Jerry will be spending a lot of time with their 7 year-old granddaughter, Mililani.
Parking on Sunday Mornings Good News and Bad NewsFirst the good news: we are growing as a church and our attendance is increasing! (Actually, that is great news…fantastic news!!!) The bad news: with attendance in the 70’s and 80’s, we are running out of space for parking in front of the church. With further growth, we anticipate that this space will get even tighter. Since lack of parking (even the perception of a lack of parking) is one of the hindrances for visitors (especially first-time visitors) to attend our church, we request our members and regular attendees to park along the south side of Moore Hall. We will leave the gate open on Sunday mornings, so you can pull right in. That way our guests and handicap drivers will be able to park in the front; and they will be able to see as they drive into the parking lot that there is a space for them! Mahalo for your kokua!
Church Membership and Baptism Interested in Joining the Church or Baptism? The Deacons are hosting an informational gathering on Sunday, March 1, from 12:30-2:00 (right after the Aloha Hour) for everyone interested in church membership, baptism, or having children baptized. All those who attend and decide to join Kōloa Union Church will have the opportunity to do so during the worship service on Sunday, March 29th. If you are interested in membership or baptism but cannot attend the gathering on March 1, please contact Kahu Alan Akana as soon as possible to make an appointment for another session with him and the Deacons.
Capital Campaign Please Say YES! Our Capital Campaign Leadership Team has begun meeting and will need YOUR help in order to have a successful capital campaign. Please see the enclosed Special Edition Newsletter for all of the details. And, remember, Please Say YES, when asked to volunteer!
A Dinner for Snowbirds, Monday, March 2, at 5 p.m. Kahu Alan Akana invites all of our snowbirds (those who “flock” to Kaua‘i each year to escape the cold climates on the mainland) to the parsonage for an old fashioned “taco toss” and social gathering. Kahu will provide rice and Mexican chicken, as well as ice tea and water; everyone else can sign up to bring anything else you would like to add to the tacos (and additional beverages if you like). Please invite other snowbirds who are your friends and neighbors, and let Penny know what you would like to bring. The parsonage is located at 3281 Waikomo Road in Kōloa.
Henry ‘Opukaha‘ia Sunday Thanks for Giving to the Special Offering on Feb.15! Thanks you to everyone who gave a gift to the Henry ‘Opukaha‘ia offering. This special offering honors the memory of the first known Hawaiian to convert to Christianity and who was instrumental in bringing the first Christian missionaries to Hawai‘i. A special offering was collected on Sunday, February 15, to provide educational scholarships for current and prospective pastors. Together, we raised $306! Combined with what other churches in Hawai‘i gave, we make a big difference every year toward the Hawai‘i Conference scholarship fund!
One Great Hour of Sharing Please Consider a Generous Gift this Year One Great Hour of Sharing is the Lenten Offering of the United Church of Christ that supports disaster, refugee, and development actions. Please consider a generous offering this year. We will collect the One Great Hour of Sharing offering on Palm Sunday (March 29), Maundy Thursday (April 2) and Easter Sunday (April 5).
Lenten Soup Suppers & Reflections Wednesdays in Lent Each Wednesday in Lent (February 25 through March 25), we will enjoy a soup supper at 6 p.m. and then a time of reflection afterwards in Moore Hall. We will use our recently adopted Mission Statement as a guide while exploring our spirituality. Please sign up to bring soup if you are able.
Save The Dates
Take a Look at What is Coming Up….
April 2, 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday Communion Service
April 3, 10 a.m. Good Friday Easter Egg Decorating and Lunch
April 5, 6 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service, 9 a.m. Breakfast, 11:30 Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt
April 24-25 Spring ‘Aha Mokupuni at Lihue United Church (‘Aha Mele on 4/24!)
May 17 Capital Campaign Commitment Sunday and Special Event
June 7 Capital Campaign Celebration Sunday and Party
Website Updates www.koloaunionchurch.org Did you know that our website gets updated every week? Did you know that Kahu Alan posts a weekly devotional message? Did you know that important announcements get posted? Did you know that you can receive all of our website posts in your email so that you can automatically get the most recent news and announcements as soon as they are posted? (To do so, just enter your email address in the white box on any page and click “Subscribe”.)
Thank you, Joni, for our updated,fresh, fancy and fabulous bulletin board.
Our talented choir: Jean, Edie, Doug, Jo, Becky, Debbie, Karen, Sam, Karen and Sally!!!
by admin | Jan 30, 2015 | News
GAME NIGHT AT THE CHURCH
Join us at 6:30 on Saturday, Feb. 7, in Moore Hall for fun games for all ages. Refreshments will be provided, but feel free to bring an appetizer or dessert to share.
A DINNER FOR SNOWBIRDS
Kahu (Pastor) Alan Akana is hosting a potluck dinner at the parsonage at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8, for Kaua’i snowbirds (those people who flock to our warm climate in the winter time to escape the cold weather on the mainland!). Come and enjoy a fun time together with other snowbirds! The parsonage is located at 3281 Waikomo Road. Parking is available in the driveway, yard and on the street. Please let us know if you are coming by signing up at the church or contacting Penny Osuga: kucpenny@gmail.com or 808-742-6622.
WEEKLY UPDATES FOR YOU!
You can receive weekly updates in your email inbox from Koloa Union Church, which include A Message from Kahu Akana and important news of the church. To sign up, simply scroll down to the bottom of the Home page or the right of the News page…type in your email in the white box…and click on the “Subscribe” button. If you ever decide you don’t want to receive our updates, it’s easy to unsubscribe.
THIS WEEK AT KOLOA UNION CHURCH
We will celebrate Holy Communion and welcome new members in our worship service on Sunday, Feb 1. Come and join us!
by admin | Dec 24, 2014 | News
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE – Wednesday 12/24
Join us at 7:30 p.m. for a special Carol and Candle Service. We will sing many of the favorite Christmas carols in English and Hawaiian, read the Christmas story from the Gospels, listen to special music, and close the service with the lighting of the candles.
CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE – Thursday 12/25*
Join us at 10:30 a.m. on Christmas Day for more carols, more special music, a Christmas Day message by Kahu Akana, and Holy Communion.
Recent Comments