by admin | Nov 25, 2019 | Message from Kahu
“Expansive Gratitude”
On Sunday, I shared about two recollections from my childhood. When I was quite young, I remember someone saying to me: “Why can’t you just be grateful for what you have?” I felt extremely guilty for wanting more than I had. A few years later, I wore a bracelet with the words, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” This not only increased my guilt, but I began believing that God did not want me to have desires, that desires were a bad thing, and that any desires pointed to the fact that I was ungrateful.
I now believe that I can be profoundly grateful for God’s grace, the gift of life and all of the blessings I have, and at the same time want something more. This past week, I was walking along the Poipu Beach just before sunset and came across some turtles…and then some monk seals…and then saw my first whales of the season. I was overcome with gratitude to be walking in such a beautiful place and seeing such amazing creatures. However, my immediate reaction after feeling gratitude for seeing the whales was a desire to see them again, and so I stood there and looked until I did see them again—several times, in fact—and then I saw a whole other pod even further away by the horizon. I was filled with a sense of wonder and awe—and felt even more gratitude! There was absolutely nothing wrong with my desire to see more whales. I can hold both gratitude and desire at the same time. There is a kind of gratitude that allows for wanting more, such as: more wonder, more love, more joy, more peace, more justice.
In Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18, he points out the problem with the kind of gratitude that the Pharisee had. “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” The way in which he held gratitude was demeaning, divisive and based upon the fact that the Pharisee thought he was morally superior and ontologically more valuable than others. It is a toxic kind of gratitude. On the other hand, the tax collector simply prayed, “God be merciful to me, a sinner.” He asked for God’s mercy. He knew God was a merciful God. His kind of prayer leads to what I call an expansive gratitude, whereby all people receive God’s love simply because God loves them and not because of any kind of superiority or greater inherent value over others.
May your Thanksgiving Day, your week, and your entire life be filled with an expansive gratitude, which connects you to God and all that God loves!
Aloha nui!
Kahu
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“A Message from Kahu Alan Akana” is provided most weeks by Koloa Union Church, an Open & Affirming (ONA) congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
To see a video of Kahu Akana’s message, click HERE. 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.
You are welcome to join us on Sunday mornings! To see our Sunday morning schedule, click HERE.
Kahu Akana is also an accomplished artist! He specializes in creating vibrant watercolors of the flowers of Hawaii and hosts a Sunday afternoon reception in a gallery at his home, the Smith Memorial Parsonage. He also meets visitors by appointment. Most of the profit from the sales go for the maintenance and upkeep of the parsonage. To see a video about his art and gallery, click HERE. To see the gallery website, click HERE.
To learn more about Kahu Akana (and the rest of the staff at Koloa Union Church), click HERE.
by admin | Nov 19, 2019 | Message from Kahu
“Prophetic Imagination”
On Sunday, I shared with the congregation my love for Disneyland as a child—a love that remains as an adult! I still remember the feeling I had when I first visited the park around the time I was in kindergarten. I also remember the sights and sounds, as well as the tastes and smells. It is remarkable how all of the senses of an experience as a very young child can stay with me all these years later. Walt Disney was a genius when it comes to imagination. He began imagining Disneyland in the 1930’s, continued imagining through the 1940’s and 1950’s until the park opened in 1955. What impresses me the most is that he imagined a place to bring great joy and happiness to children and their families during very difficult times in our nation’s history: the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War and the early years of the Civil Rights Movement. These are times I would describe as fearful, dark, confusing and anxious. Disney did not let the overall mood of those years dictate his life or his vision. Furthermore, the impact his imagination had on the world has continued long after his death.
This is the case with so many creative and imaginative people of long ago. It is certainly the case of the writers of the book of Isaiah. Look at some of the things one of them imagined some 600 years before the birth of Christ (chapter 65):
- New heavens and a new earth
- Eternal gladness and rejoicing
- No more tears and no more crying
- No more death at childbirth, in infancy, in childhood, in young adulthood, or even in middle age
- No more homelessness, hunger, thirst, or unemployment
- No more war or violence
- God’s blessings for everyone
- Answered prayers for everyone
- Animals participating in a nonviolent, peaceful and life-giving future
This section of Isaiah was written during a fearful, dark, confusing, and anxious time for the people of Jerusalem and Judah. It was right around the time of the Babylonian captivity when foreign troops conquered Jerusalem and marched the leaders of the city and many of the Jewish people back to Babylon to work virtually as slaves. Yet, the prophet knew that his large and wild imagination would lead the people through those times and begin to unfold even during their lifetimes. The other prophets knew the same thing, as did Jesus. May we hold onto their vision and imagine it anew for our own time, regardless of how fearful, dark, confusing, and anxious, our own time might become. And, like them, may we do our part in realizing the vision with our own lives through our words, actions and prayers.
By the way, I just discovered this morning that yesterday was Mickey Mouse’s 91st birthday! (And I must say: he is looking fantastic for such an old mouse!)
Aloha nui!
Kahu
__________________________________________
“A Message from Kahu Alan Akana” is provided most weeks by Koloa Union Church, an Open & Affirming (ONA) congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
To see a video of Kahu Akana’s message, click HERE. 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.
You are welcome to join us on Sunday mornings! To see our Sunday morning schedule, click HERE.
Kahu Akana is also an accomplished artist! He specializes in creating vibrant watercolors of the flowers of Hawaii and hosts a Sunday afternoon reception in a gallery at his home, the Smith Memorial Parsonage. He also meets visitors by appointment. Most of the profit from the sales go for the maintenance and upkeep of the parsonage. To see a video about his art and gallery, click HERE. To see the gallery website, click HERE.
To learn more about Kahu Akana (and the rest of the staff at Koloa Union Church), click HERE.
by admin | Nov 16, 2019 | Message from Kahu
“God of the Living”
In nearly every church I visited during my sabbatical in southern Europe this past spring, I saw paintings, murals and statues of saints. Some of the pieces of art were over a thousand years old, reminding me that Christians have been honoring those who have gone before us for a very, very long time! Remembering and honoring loved ones and legends keep us connected to our past and grounded in the present.
On Sunday, we read from Luke 20 that God “is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.” Jesus said this to the Sadducees after mentioning Moses, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection or the afterlife, so they asked Jesus about some of his beliefs in the particulars of heaven. Jesus’ response to them makes me think that those who die never leave us completely. Their spirits and memories remain. It also makes me think that Jesus wanted his followers to focus on the here and now. Even as we carry our beloved ones with us in our memories—and perhaps even in our conversations—when we live in the present with a firm faith that God is with us at every moment and with every breath we take, we can actually help to answer Jesus’ prayer, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
I closed my message by reading a poem written by Jan Richardson—a gifted artist, poet, author and minister—as she approached All Saints Day (November 1) after her husband Gay died:
It is hard being wedded to the dead;
they make different claims,
offer comforts that do not feel comfortable at the first.
They do not let you remain numb.
Neither do they allow you to languish forever in your grief.
They will safeguard your sorrow
but will not permit that it should become your home.
They knew you first in joy, in delight,
and thought they will be patient when you travel by other roads,
it is here that they will wait for you,
here they can best be found
where the river runs deep with gladness,
the water over each stone singing each unforgotten name.
May this day bring you life in all its fullness, even as you embrace those who remain with us only in memory and in spirit.
Aloha nui!
Kahu
__________________________________________
“A Message from Kahu Alan Akana” is provided most weeks by Koloa Union Church, an Open & Affirming (ONA) congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
To see a video of Kahu Akana’s message, click HERE. 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.
You are welcome to join us on Sunday mornings! To see our Sunday morning schedule, click HERE.
Kahu Akana is also an accomplished artist! He specializes in creating vibrant watercolors of the flowers of Hawaii and hosts a Sunday afternoon reception in a gallery at his home, the Smith Memorial Parsonage. He also meets visitors by appointment. Most of the profit from the sales go for the maintenance and upkeep of the parsonage. To see a video about his art and gallery, click HERE. To see the gallery website, click HERE.
To learn more about Kahu Akana (and the rest of the staff at Koloa Union Church), click HERE.
by admin | Nov 7, 2019 | Message from Kahu
My Study Leave Retreat on Oahu
“Study Leave”
I returned to the church office yesterday from my 2-week study leave in California and Oahu. I spent 3 days in Berkeley, beginning with a welcoming/training session and dinner for new trustees and staff at Pacific School of Religion, where I have been a trustee for four years and am a member of the Board Membership and Effectiveness Committee. I then spent 2 days in board meetings, considering important matters such as academics, finance, recruitment, enrollment, innovation in education, and, of course, advancement, which is the committee I chair that oversees our philanthropic endeavors. I also attended chapel on Tuesday where I listened to students share about the saints in their lives. (All Saints Day was November 1.) That evening, I had dinner with PSR’s President David Vasquez-Levy as the two of us planned his next trip to Hawaii in January. After dinner I attended a talk at First Presbyterian Church Berkeley to hear Jim Wallis, who is one of my favorite authors and heroes of the Christian faith. He spoke about his newest book Christ in Crisis, focusing primarily on the parable of the Good Samaritan and how Christians in America today have missed the point of being neighborly to those who are considered “other.” After the talk, David Vasquez-Levy participated in a panel with Jim. By the way, Jim authored the book America’s Original Sin, which our church’s book group discussed over the summer!
For the remainder of the two weeks, I spent most of my time reading, writing, focusing on our church’s vision and mission statements (and how they might guide us in the upcoming months), preparing worship services and catching up on a bunch of church “business” that I rarely seem to have time for in my regular weekly schedule. For example, I updated our church website with new color, photos and fonts, and updated information on most of the pages.
Overall, it was a very productive study leave. I also got to spend a bit of time with family and friends. The highlight was being with my sister and her family, including her 3 grandkids, including baby Kaia who is less than 2 months old! On Oahu, I enjoyed staying in a beach house near Kahana Bay. It was a nice place to work without interruptions while listening to the ocean and enjoying a view of the beach right outside. It was also a great place to hike and swim during my breaks. I also got together with good friends for Halloween and my birthday on Sunday! I feel rested, refreshed, “caught up,” and ready for the upcoming holiday season!
Aloha nui!
Kahu
__________________________________________
“A Message from Kahu Alan Akana” is provided most weeks by Koloa Union Church, an Open & Affirming (ONA) congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
To see a video of one of Kahu Akana’s recent messages, click HERE. 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.
You are welcome to join us on Sunday mornings! To see our Sunday morning schedule, click HERE.
Kahu Akana is also an accomplished artist! He specializes in creating vibrant watercolors of the flowers of Hawaii and hosts a Sunday afternoon reception in a gallery at his home, the Smith Memorial Parsonage. He also meets visitors by appointment. Most of the profit from the sales go for the maintenance and upkeep of the parsonage. To see a video about his art and gallery, click HERE. To see the gallery website, click HERE.
To learn more about Kahu Akana (and the rest of the staff at Koloa Union Church), click HERE.
by admin | Oct 23, 2019 | Message from Kahu
“God Loves a Cheerful Giver”
Sunday was another special day in the life of Koloa Union Church. In my message, I talked about how 2 Corinthians is a testament of generosity and joy among the early followers of Jesus. The Apostle Paul points out that the Christians in Macedonia and Corinth were both extraordinary in their generosity. When Paul wrote the letter, the Macedonian Christians had already given more than he thought they were capable of giving and the Corinthians had committed to giving an extraordinary gift themselves. Paul also wrote about the abundant joy they experienced. When he wrote, “God loves a cheerful giver,” it wasn’t to try to get them to give more, but to point out the reality of their experience. I feel very much like how I imagine Paul felt, for the people of Kōloa Union Church are already generous and joyful, already giving more than I knew we were capable of giving and already experience and sharing so much joy. My stewardship message this year: “Keep being who you are being and keep doing what you are doing. It’s working!”
During Aloha Hour, we had a fantastic meal and a beautiful and delicious chocolate cake with the words: “Generosity and Joy.” We then had a fun and meaningful kanikapila reception at the parsonage, filled with music, singing, dancing, refreshments, a slideshow and plenty of sales in the gallery.
Mahalo nui loa to a congregation that is filled with generous and joyful people!
Aloha nui!
Kahu
__________________________________________
“A Message from Kahu Alan Akana” is provided most weeks by Koloa Union Church, an Open & Affirming (ONA) congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
To see a video of one of Kahu Akana’s recent messages, click HERE. 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.
You are welcome to join us on Sunday mornings! To see our Sunday morning schedule, click HERE.
Kahu Akana is also an accomplished artist! He specializes in creating vibrant watercolors of the flowers of Hawaii and hosts a Sunday afternoon reception in a gallery at his home, the Smith Memorial Parsonage. He also meets visitors by appointment. Most of the profit from the sales go for the maintenance and upkeep of the parsonage. To see a video about his art and gallery, click HERE. To see the gallery website, click HERE.
To learn more about Kahu Akana (and the rest of the staff at Koloa Union Church), click HERE.
by admin | Oct 16, 2019 | Message from Kahu
“Stories of Generosity & Joy…
And Appreciation!”
I was surprised and overwhelmed on Sunday morning when Penny Osuga came to the front of church for one final “announcement.” She told the congregation that it was “Pastor Appreciation Sunday,” and then explained that dozens of members and friends submitted words of appreciation for me, including some of our “snow angels” from as far away as New Hampshire! Expressions of appreciation were read, lei were placed around my neck, then Rose danced a beautiful hula while Doug sang “You Are My Strength.” By the end of all the expressions of appreciation, my eyes were moist with tears of gratitude, not only for the appreciation that was shown to me but also for the opportunity to minister alongside and among such a loving, generous and joyful congregation. Thanks to each and every person who makes Kōloa Union Church what it is, for we are a special church where every person can come and know that she or he is loved unconditionally and offered opportunities to participate in and share that love with one another and the world around us.
My message was about the stories we tell which are so very important to our lives and our communities. I shared about the Mokihana Festival, which I attended just a couple of weeks ago, and how the songs, chants, dances and even the implements all told stories about these islands and the people who have lived here for hundreds of years. I also talked about how the kupuna, or elders, in Hawaiian culture passed down the important stories from one generation to another. I also shared a story from 2 Corinthians, chapter 8, where the Apostle Paul told a story to the Christians in Corinth about the Christians living in Macedonia. It was a deeply personal story about the Macedonians’ exceptional generosity in the midst of extreme pain and poverty. Paul wrote that they “gave themselves first to the Lord,” and they also gave generously to the spreading of the good news of Jesus through Paul’s mission. By giving themselves first to the Lord, they recognized that everything belongs to God in the first place; they are simply stewards of their lives and the things God puts them in charge of for a short while. It was this recognition that allowed them to be so generous and to give with such joy. I challenged each person to consider if they had given themselves “first to the Lord,” and to think of any part of their lives that they might be holding back from God; for the greatest joy I know about in this life comes from giving oneself completely to God.
Joni Ito then shared an inspirational testimony about how much Kōloa Union Church means to her, what it meant growing up in the church, how much people generously gave of themselves in the past, and how her children now are benefitting from being a part of our congregation.
This coming Sunday, we will all have an opportunity to generously express our gratitude to God as we commit ourselves financially to our church’s mission in the upcoming year. All of our members and regular attendees should have received a letter and commitment card in the mail by now. I ask that you prayerfully consider what a meaningful and joyful amount looks like for you in terms of your giving to next year’s general fund. In the following weeks, our Church Council will create a budget based upon all of our generous gifts.
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Click HERE to see Sunday’s message by Kahu Akana. 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, an Open & Affirming (ONA) congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
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