by admin | Feb 2, 2019 | Message from Kahu
Kalawao
Kalaupapa Peninsula
“Kalaupapa Sunday”
On Sunday, we observed Kalaupapa Sunday. Churches throughout Hawaii remembered Kalaupapa this week as that isolated peninsula on the north shore of Molokai where the Hawaiian government sent people who had Hansen’s Disease (leprosy) to live and die there separated from family and community. I began my message by sharing the tragic story of the murder of Dr. Jared Knapp Smith in 1897. Jared grew up right here in Koloa, the son of Dr. James and Melicent Smith, who arrived here in 1842. James was the only Western-trained medical doctor on the island and served all of Kauai and Niihau. Jared went to college and medical school in New England, and returned to Koloa to follow in his father’s footsteps. He not only had a busy medical practice but also started Koloa Industrial School for boys (after his family started and ran Koloa Boarding School for Girls). He met Margaret Brewer of Honolulu and fell in love. They were engaged to be married. One September evening, Jared sat down in his room and wrote her a letter. Just before he finished writing, he thought he heard a knock on his door. His life ended that night. When I shared the entire story on Sunday, I made the connection between Kalaupapa, on the island of Molokai, and Koloa, for it was because of the dread of loved ones going to Kalaupapa that Jared Smith was murdered. I reminded the congregation that Kalaupapa affected every community throughout Hawaii.
Our Gospel reading on Sunday was Luke 5:12-16—the story of a man with leprosy who dared to cry out in Jesus’ presence, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” This was an outrageous and illegal request. I pointed out the command in Leviticus that people with leprosy were to yell from a distance, “Unclean! Unclean!” The man was actually breaking the law by even being close enough to Jesus to make his request. Jesus also broke the law! He was not allowed to be that close to the man; and yet, he touched the man with leprosy—thereby making himself unclean. In the eyes of Jesus’ society, Jesus himself was unclean in God’s eyes, and deserved to be separated both from God and community. And yet, Jesus made a choice to touch the man! “I do choose,” said Jesus, “Be made clean.” We too get to choose whether or not we separate and divide people on the margins of society or risk scorn and ridicule from others by reaching out and touching with compassion all those who suffer emotionally, physically and spiritually. Jesus made it clear which was the better choice.
Two weeks prior to Sunday, I stood at Kalawao on Kalaupapa Peninsula with my son Palani. I took in the stunning beauty of the place and was reminded that this was the most dreadful place in the world for Hawaiians (and others living in Hawaii) with leprosy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. What irony: sadness, loneliness and terror at a place of such incredible beauty. And yet, this is part of the human story—even in our darkest moments, God shows up in light and beauty, reminding us of a loving presence that sustains even the worst times that we face.
May we all open our eyes and our hearts so that we will see the beauty—even during the darkest moments of our lives.
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
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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 a recent message from Sunday morning. 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, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
by admin | Jan 18, 2019 | Message from Kahu
“Kalaupapa Sunday / Annual Meeting”
Sunday, January 27, 2019
I know, I know, I’m jumping ahead a whole week, but attendance on January 27 is so important, I want to give everyone plenty of warning!
Last week, I had a fantastic time on Molokai with my son Palani where we stayed with former Koloa Union Church Pastor John Lunn. We enjoyed a trip to Kalaupapa, where a Congregational Church existed since the first year people with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) were sent there a part from their families and friends. We also hiked through the Kamakou Nature Preserve, way up in the mountains, where lehua blossoms and songs of native birds were abundant. On our last day, we hiked at Moomomi Nature Preserve, which is located along the northern coast far to the west of Kalaupapa and where native coastal flowers flourish. The trip gave me new subject matter for future watercolors. It also gave me some perspective on life at Kalaupapa over the years. The peninsula there is beautiful beyond description. It is hard to imagine thousands of people who were sent there to suffer and die far away from family members and friends. I look forward to sharing with the congregation on Kalaupapa Sunday, January 27 some thoughts from this recent trip.
Church members are asked to attend our Annual Congregational Meeting after the worship service on the 27th. Besides our usual business, reporting and voting that is conducted each year, the Open & Affirming Core Team will present a draft of the “Open & Affirming Covenant” to the congregation—a task directed by the Congregation on October 21 in order to create a statement showing our openness and sense of welcome to all people, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and those questioning their gender and/or sexual orientation. The intention is that our members will hear the presentation and read the draft on that day, and then spend a month in discernment and prayer. Everyone is invited to consider the intention of the covenant and how it might land on others; to give input on the covenant in its final form; and to envision all people knowing that they are welcome among us. Please offer any comments or suggestions to any member of the team: Lee Anderson, Sheri Fu, John Gilmore, Michael Horning (Chair), Tiffany Marrotte, Penny Osuga, Becky Sakimae, or me. Part of the discernment is to take a look at what the Bible actually says about gender and homosexuality and the various ways particular passages are interpreted. Although there are many ways people are different (ethnicity, gender, culture, politics, etc.), there are often strong feelings when it comes to differences in how others understand their gender or sexuality. I will offer two identical Bible studies for people who would like to read passages in the Bible and learn about how they are interpreted; there will also be time for questions and conversation. Please sign up on the church bulletin board for Sunday, February 3, after Aloha Hour in my office OR Wednesday, February 6, at 7 p.m. at the parsonage.
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
__________________________________________
Our Kahu (Pastor) offers a weekly message in church most Sundays during the year. Click HERE to see a video of a recent message from Sunday morning. 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, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
by admin | Jan 2, 2019 | Message from Kahu
Art & Sharing
During our worship service on Sunday, I was surprised to receive a stunning red lehua lei made by Rose Tatiana Warken Ceballos in honor of my 25 years of watercoloring the flowers of Hawai`i nei! In the afternoon, I hosted an open house at the parsonage and invited the community to come and celebrate my work over the past quarter of a century. I am so grateful for those who provided live music and dancing, delicious treats, beautiful gifts, and hospitality. What began as a hobby when my son Palani was born in Honolulu (something to do while he napped) became a passion over the years. I had no idea that painting watercolors was something for which I had any talent. I was really just looking for an enjoyable way to pass the time.
As I reflect back over the past 25 years, there are a few lessons I have learned. First of all, I think that it is important to find something you really enjoy and do it on a regular basis. It doesn’t really matter what it is. There are very few things that bring me as much joy as watercoloring, and I am glad that I have spent time every year since Palani’s birth doing something so enjoyable. Secondly, I realize that I have become a better artist by practicing my art. Some people call it discipline. I call it making time for what you love. Whatever it is that you do, you will only get better at it when you practice it over the years. Thirdly, I have discovered that there is great joy to be found in the sharing of my gifts—joy for both me and the recipients. Whatever your gift is, think of a way to share it with others…and feel the joy expand!
When I interviewed to be the Kahu of Koloa Union Church five years ago this week, I shared with the Church Council my desire to continue watercoloring. I am forever grateful for their encouragement and also for the congregation’s support and affirmation as both a pastor and an artist. These have indeed been the five most enjoyable years of my life. Mahalo nui to all of you for making it so!
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
__________________________________________
Our Kahu (Pastor) offers a weekly message in church most Sundays during the year. Click HERE to see a video of a recent message from Sunday morning. 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, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
by admin | Dec 19, 2018 | Message from Kahu
Celebration, Demolition & Construction
During our worship service on Sunday, I surprised Kei and Penny Osuga with a very special certificate regarding our office expansion, as the final big project of our capital campaign:
The Church Office Shall Be Named In Honor Of:
Tasaburo & Akiko Okamura
Kiyoshi & Takako Shintani
Kei & Penny Osuga
For their generous and varied contributions to our church over
three generations by gifts given by their family & friends
The certificate then listed the names of all of Kei & Penny’s family members and friends who made donations to the office project.
In early fall, we were still short about $30,000 in terms of what we needed for the office expansion and new women’s restroom. After Penny mentioned to me that she wished she could think of a special way to honor her parents and grandparents, who were Kōloa Union Church members, I visited with Kei and Penny’s daughter Tara about the possibility of their family and friend’s donating the funds for the entire church office and naming the office after all three generations—including Penny and Kei! Checks poured in over the last couple of months, and a few folks made promises to send money over the next few weeks.
It was a special honor to have Kei’s sisters, Irene and Sachiko, (who contributed to the effort), in church on Sunday to assist with placing lei on Kei and Penny!
We had a vision four years ago to create a space that was more welcoming and inviting on our church property. We began with an ambitious goal of $150,000. Since a handful of our church leaders raised than that mount on our own, we increased our goal to $300,000. With two grants from the Vidinha Charitable Trust and additional gifts from members and friends of the church, we have now raised over $400,000!
We will begin demolition on the women’s restroom and office expansion right after Christmas and plan to have both projects completed by March 1! We still have a small handful of unfulfilled capital campaign commitments. As some of those commitments are fulfilled in the coming weeks, we will be able to pay for every project on our list, including new signs on Moore Hall and the sanctuary, new doorknobs and hardware on all of the doors on Moore Hall, installation of light fixtures, completion of irrigation, and making the floor inside and outside the sanctuary attractive, level and safe.
As our capital campaign winds down and we finish up the final projects in the next few months, I want to thank once again every person who gave, volunteered and prayed for a successful capital campaign “Maika`i Hana Hou!” (Creating Goodness & Beauty Once Again!). Your generosity and support has definitely created goodness and beauty, which has certainly made us more welcoming and inviting.
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
__________________________________________
Our Kahu (Pastor) offers a weekly message in church most Sundays during the year. Click HERE to see a video of a recent message from Sunday morning. 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, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
by admin | Dec 11, 2018 | Message from Kahu
On Sunday, I called attention again to the painting “The Holy Trinity” by the 15th century Russian artist Andrei Rublev. (You can see the painting below.) It a picture of three Persons sitting around a table in love, trust, vulnerability and intimacy. I pointed again to the small rectangle on the front of the table just below the dish. Art historians are aware that there are remnants of glue in that space and believe there used to be a mirror there. The author Richard Rohr tells us in his book, The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation, that his purpose in writing the book was to call his readers to reposition themselves so that they could see their faces in the mirror.
Just imagine really seeing yourself as a true reflection of God, for that is what you are! Genesis tells us that human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God We are God’s reflection—not just me…or you…but every single person in the world. Imagine the peace we would have if we truly saw ourselves—all of us—in the mirror! Rohr writes, “We always become what we behold.” So let’s spend some time during this season of Advent beholding the true nature of God, which is a relational God, relating to the “selves” of God with love, trust, vulnerability and intimacy. And let us ask how we might “reposition” ourselves so that we can clearly see that we are actually a part of this loving God. Just imagine God looking upon us in the same way that the three Persons in Rublev’s painting look upon each other! There really is no better way to be at peace with ourselves, with God and with others.
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
“The Holy Trinity” By Andrei Rublev
__________________________________________
Our Kahu (Pastor) offers a weekly message in church most Sundays during the year. Click HERE to see a video of a recent message from Sunday morning. 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, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
by admin | Dec 4, 2018 | Message from Kahu
We began the Season of Advent on Sunday! The church is decorated with the Christmas tree, Advent wreath, poinsettias, and the beautiful Nativity seen on the communion table. Shellee Riggio shared personal words about “hope” (our theme for the day) and then danced a stunning American Sign Language interpretation to the song “I Hope You Dance.” Kathleen Dahill sung a perfect solo for the day and taught the congregation a new song about waiting for the Lord (another Advent theme).
In my message, I talked about preparation for the many ways Christ comes to us (and, yes, another Advent theme!). I said that it was a bit like when my son Palani used to visit me after I moved to Dallas and how I anticipated and prepared for each visit. It was also very much like when he came to live with me full-time in California just before his junior year in high school. God, in Christ, comes to us over and over again, and yet, God also comes to stay and never leaves. The question to ask is: “How do we constantly prepare for his presence among us—today, tomorrow and for the rest of our lives?”
I also shared a famous Russian painting by the 15th century artist Andrei Rublev called “The Holy Trinity.” (There is a picture of it below.) It is a very different image of the Trinity than the pictures I saw growing up, in college where I studied philosophy and religion, and in seminary. In most of those pictures, the figures are typically very masculine: an old man with a long white beard, a younger man with a long brown or blonde beard, and a dove or other figure or symbol for the Holy Spirit. The images in those pictures also indicate an authoritarian God, and frankly, a Caucasian God. In Rublev’s iconic painting, however, we see three figures sitting around a table enjoying a meal from a common vessel. Their heads are bowed in humility to one another and they sit as equals.
On the front of the table, in the center just below the bowl, there is a rectangle with remnants of glue. Some art historians believe there was once a mirror attached there. Whenever someone saw the painting, they saw themselves as part of this humble and intimate communion of God! During the Season of Advent, may we remind ourselves that God is relational, intimate and inviting. What more hope for the world do we need than that?
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
“The Holy Trinity” By Andrei Rublev
__________________________________________
Our Kahu (Pastor) offers a weekly message in church most Sundays during the year. Click HERE to see a video of a recent message from Sunday morning. 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, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
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