A Message From Our Kahu

“Celebrating the Light”

2024 so far has been a year of conflict. Nations are at war. Our own nation experienced a hostile presidential campaign. Family members can barely speak to one another from different political parties and ideologies. On top of all that, some of us have experienced immense disappointment, loss, grief and even trauma.

And yet, the light shines! The stars still shine at night and the closest one, our sun, shines during the day. We may not like the politics of our day and are anxious over the politics to come, but there are always people letting their light shine through truth telling, advocating for justice, and acting with kindness and compassion.

As we enter into the season of Advent, we are especially mindful of the light. In fact, it’s a time to celebrate the light. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he entered a world of conflict. There were people constantly trying to stomp out the light. Herod the Great was in power and he stopped at nothing to retain his power for himself and his family. Yet, as hard as he tried, he simply could not extinguish the light of God’s love.

Each of us has that very same light within us, for God’s Spirit lives in our hearts. In fact, we are the light of Christ! During this days leading up to Christmas, may we allow the light to shine brightly. May it touch every dark corner within us and around us. Let us keep sharing the light of God’s love

Aloha Nui Loa!
Kahu

A Message From Our Kahu

“Our Vision”

Thank you to everyone who participated in creating the draft of our Vision! Most of our leaders attended an all-day retreat in September. A couple dozen people (including some of our teenagers) wrote a phrase on our Vision Board (above). Four volunteers spoke in church in October about their dreams for the church. A handful of people have spoken directly to me. It all began with the question: “What do you believe God is leading us to be and do during the next 3 years?” Out of that question came the draft vision that is printed below.

As promised, we are including it in this Newsletter. Since this document will guide our ministry, our decisions, our budgets through 2027, please take a careful look and offer any feedback you may have during the next few weeks. You can do this by talking directly to me or anyone on the Church Council. In December, the Church Council will take another look at the draft and then present it to the Congregation at our Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 26. In January and February, we will create and expand teams / committees in order to fulfill each part of our vision; so start thinking about an area where you would like to devote some time.

Remember: this is our vision, your voice matters, and your involvement is important!

Aloha Nui Loa!

Kahu

Vision Statement

2025-2027

(DRAFT)

Kōloa Union Church is known throughout the island for our

mission and vision, especially our aloha for people of all backgrounds

and our commitment to stand alongside those on the margins of society,

cooperating with other churches and not-for-profit organizations on the island.

A social media task force has put together a plan to assure that these things

are clearly visible before the congregation and throughout the community.

A social media expert keeps our vision and activities in the spotlight.

Our sanctuary is filled on Sundays,

overflowing into Moore Hall and the patio.

We have a thriving music and performing arts ministry.

Vocalists, instrumentalists and ensembles of all ages perform

traditional, contemporary and Hawaiian music in worship services.

Dancers and other performing artists regularly participate as well.

We also have programs throughout the year where we

invite people on the island to enjoy the talent of

our congregation and our friends.

We have a clear plan in place to build an attractive,

useful, safe and accessible space to the west of the kitchen.

A large covering with lighting and fans allows people to comfortably

eat, play, socialize, and hear what’s happening in the sanctuary.

The area is beautifully landscaped with a nice “outdoor” feel.

There is storage for tables, chairs, and other items.

There is a nice area where children safely play.

We have a thriving educational ministry for all ages.

Our Christian Education Director and committee assure that we

are meeting the educational and spiritual needs of our congregation,

and inviting members of the community to enjoy this ministry.

There is a notable increase in the number of children and

teenagers participating in opportunities for spiritual

and educational growth in a positive and

healthy social environment.

Our stewardship of time, talent and treasures has increased

so that our members and friends volunteer in such meaningful ways that

we have greatly expanded our ministries and fully support them financially.

We do not need draw from our reserve funds to cover our budgeted expenses. 

We have a plan in place to build one or more additional dwelling units on

the property located to the east of the Smith Memorial Parsonage—

in order to provide income for the church and assist

with the housing shortage on the island.

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 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

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

While our Kahu is on sabbatical, we will continue publishing the article below…….

and we are proud and excited to welcome guest preachers and speakers to fill our pulpit from Kauai, Maui, Hawaii Island and Oahu including the Hawaii Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. David Popham, Associate Conference Minister Rev. Jonathan Roach, Ph.D, retired Kahu Kealahou Alika (Maui), Rev. Scott Landis (Hawaii Island), Rev. Dr. Walt Weiss (Kauai), Linda

Kaauwai-Iwamoto (Kauai) and our very own Youth Director, Tiffany Marrotte and the church youth.  …..

A Message From Our Kahu

Sebatical

A Time for Inspiration, Energy & Vision

I will be leaving on Monday, March 11, for a 3-month sabbatical in Europe! I’ll spend most nights in a home which was built in the 17th century, near the town of Libourne, which is just east of Bordeaux. This former convent is the same home where I stayed during my last sabbatical five years ago (photo above). I plan to travel throughout France, with side trips to Ireland, Italy and Iceland, and hopefully adding a couple other countries to that list as well. I intend to visit sacred places in each country and focus on what makes a place sacred, as well as how people have encountered the divine in such locations. I will also be doing some reflecting and writing on “joy and wonder.”

I deeply appreciate the opportunity to take a sabbatical every five years to focus on something that is important to me and benefits my commitment to pastoral ministry. I love ministering to the people of Koloa Union Church! Taking a sabbatical allows me some time to catch my breath, evaluate, focus, and find some new inspiration, so that I can continue in ministry with renewed energy and vision. Mahalo nui loa for this time away!

I’ll be doing another house and car exchange with Christian and Paule Riso, so don’t be surprised to see some different faces if you are passing by the parsonage or see someone else driving my car. Just in case you are wondering who they are…they are the owners of Christian Riso Fine Art and Framing next to Sueoka’s in Old Koloa Town (where a lot of my art is framed). The Riso’s spend most of the year in France and are always hoping to spend a few months here in Koloa where they used to live full-time and still have family.

I will return to the office on June 12, and then leave the very next morning to Honolulu for the annual gathering of the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ. I look forward to seeing everybody who will be in church on June 15!

Aloha Nui Loa!
Kahu