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

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

A Message From Our Kahu

“Lenten Love”

No one has greater love than this,

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

(John 15:13)

As I began looking at the worship schedule for the new year back in

December, one of the first things I noticed was that Lent begins this year on Valentine’s Day. That’s right: Valentine’s Day is also Ash Wednesday! My first thought was, “This just doesn’t feel right at all.” (Frankly, I am still trying to get used to it!) However, the more I thought about what these two “holy days” stand for, the more it made sense to me that they actually have something to do with each other.

On the Feast Day of St. Valentine, we honor this Roman saint, who was born some 200 years after Jesus died, and known as a fearless promoter of Christianity. He ministered to persecuted Christians and was later persecuted himself. According to legend, Valentine was arrested for advancing the Christian faith and placed under arrest. The wealthy judge who oversaw his case told him that he would grant him any wish if would restore his blind daughter’s sight. After miraculously giving the girl the gift of sight, Valentine asked the judge to convert to Christianity. The judge replied by smashing all of the idols in his home, freeing all of the Christian inmates under his authority, and baptizing his entire household. Upon being arrested again, Valentine was ordered to renounce his faith by the Roman Emperor Claudius II. Refusing to do so, the emperor sentenced Valentine to death. The execution took place on February 14, 269. Before he died, it is said that Valentine wrote a note to the formerly blind daughter of the aforementioned judge and signed it “from your Valentine,” which inspired lovers to send notes to each other with the same signature.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, which is a time of prayer, fasting and personal reflection before Holy Week and Easter. Christians are invited to ponder the love of God which is demonstrated in the death and resurrection of Jesus, and to consider how to be more faithful and committed to God because of such great love.

So these two “holy days” actually do have a lot to do with each other. They both remind us of the importance of reflecting upon love and commitment. Beginning on Valentine’s Day / Ash Wednesday this year, let us be especially mindful of God’s unconditional and eternal love for all people and how we might be more open to receiving and giving love, remembering the depth of God’s love as demonstrated in Jesus:

“This is my commandment, that you love one another
as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

You are my friends if you
do what I command you. 
(John 15:12-14)

Aloha Nui Loa!
Kahu

A Message From Our Kahu

“A New Year’s Message”

New Year’s is a time to look back and look forward.

We have much to celebrate as we think back over 2023: a fantastic centennial celebration; an expanding music ministry; ongoing outreach to the community; a strong youth group for our middle and high school students; a deep level of generosity to relief efforts in the world, including Maui after the devastating wildfires; a growing sense of community as people show up to worship services, outreach opportunities, and social activities. Many among us also celebrated important milestones during the year, such as births, graduations, birthdays, anniversaries. It has also been a difficult time for many, as illness, injury and death have all touched our congregation this past year. During these times, we have prayed for and supported those who have faced great losses.

As we enter a brand new year full of opportunities, we can look forward to the completion of our church kitchen, enjoying meals together again at church on a regular basis, and making plans for the next 3 to 4 years. Personally, I am looking forward to another sabbatical in Europe this spring (March 11 through June 11).

I am reminded that we never know what surprises the year will have for us. Some we will welcome with joy; others we would wish to avoid altogether. However, I am confident that we will be there for one another: celebrating the upcoming milestones and supporting each other whenever difficulty or tragedy strikes.

We are truly a special congregation: diverse in background and united in love for one another and for the world. One of my dreams for 2024 is that we will share the gift of our congregation with others; and so, I invite you to consider someone you might invite to church this year and also think of someone you know whom our church might help, whether it be our prayers, our fellowship, or our assistance in difficult times.

May 2024 be a year of growth and continued celebration!

Hauoli Makahiki Hou!

Kahu

A Message From Our Kahu

“A Christmas Message”

Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son,

    and they shall name him “Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”

Matthew 1:23

Christmas is a time of joy and fond memories for many of us. It is also one of the most difficult times of the year for some. This is especially tough for those who have lost loved ones. It is also hard for those who have experienced other kinds of losses: significant relationships, jobs, homes, health, etc.

Whether you are overflowing with joy or feeling the heavy burden of recent losses (or somewhere in between, like most of us), may you feel God’s loving presence. This is what Christmas is all about: in the midst of life as we experience it, God shows up and reminds us that we are loved, appreciated, adored even.

Jesus came into a world full of pain, hardship and injustice, and he reminded people of God’s deep, deep love for them—in their joy and in their sadness, in the midst of peace and in the midst of conflict, in their times of celebration and their times of grief and anger.

Whatever you experience during this Advent season and whatever emotions you may feel, may you be reminded of God’s unconditional and eternal love for you; and may you not miss the opportunity to remind someone else of God’s lover for them!

Mele Kalikimaka and Aloha Nui Loa!

Kahu

A Message From Our Kahu

“A Time To Give Thanks”

November is a time to give thanks, so let me begin by saying “Thank you” to the congregation! I am deeply grateful for the generosity and faithfulness of our church members and friends. We have had such an amazing year: celebrating our 100th anniversary; a huge turnout for the Koloa Plantation Days Parade (I believe our largest number of participants ever); generous giving to the general fund, as well as many other areas, including the Maui wildfire relief fund; support of our youth director and youth ministry. I am also so thankful to our Deacons, who have done an outstanding job moving into our “new normal” when it comes to our post-pandemic worship services. I am grateful for our Church Council, and especially Dan Giovanni (our Buildings & Grounds Chair) and Becky Sakimae (our Treasurer) for their management of our finances during a challenging year when the parsonage needed roof repairs (twice!), structural reinforcements, and replacement of damaged wood due to insects and moisture, and the church building had unexpected maintenance needs as well! Most importantly, I am grateful that we continue to to encourage those who are feeling sad, feeding those who are hungry, praying for all who need our prayers, and providing inspiration to all.

As we approach Thanksgiving Day, I hope that you too will feel a deep sense of appreciation for our church, for we truly make a difference in our community and in the world. I invite you to take some time this month to express your gratitude. Spend some extra time in prayer to thank God for your blessings. Write a thank you note to someone you really appreciate. Try to say “thank you” more often. And, as much as you can, live a life of gratitude!

Aloha Nui Loa!
Kahu