A Message From Our Kahu

“A Time To Blossom”

There are some things that have gone really well this year and I’d like to begin by pointing them out.

• Under the leadership of Tiffany Marrotte, our youth ministry to middle and high school students continues to go well. Young people attend youth group meetings and activities, as well as show up on Sunday mornings and serve as lay readers, musicians and sometimes even dancers! Seven youth attended our confirmation retreat last month and learned all about the Christian faith, the Bible, church history, and the benefits and responsibilities of membership.
• We had an amazing Centennial celebration in July! Our entry in the Koloa Plantation Days parade was “over the top,” and our celebration at church the next day was well-attended and celebratory.
• A handful of generous donors chipped in to pay for a brand new certified commercial kitchen in its entirety. Dan Giovanni, who serves as chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, announced at our last Church Council meeting that we are waiting on a permit from the county in order to move forward, which should be any day now. In the meantime, the kitchen has been almost completely gutted so that work can begin as soon as we have a permit in hand.
• After successful fundraising efforts in 2021 and 2022, we completed most of the projects at the parsonage that were tagged “urgent” or “important,” including roof repair, fixing and replacing most of the areas caused by termite and water damage, termite tenting, repairing and/or replacing every movable window, replacement of all movable screens, mold removal, full exterior painting, and most of the landscaping projects on our list.

There are actually many other good things that have happened this past year, and I could probably fill up pages talking about them all. As I consider all that we have accomplished and also think of the possibilities for the future, I believe that Koloa Union Church is on the cusp of blossoming! We are ready to grow like never before! Here is what that looks like to me:

• A sanctuary filled on Sunday mornings with people worshiping God and connecting with one another—and people on the patio and in Moore Hall as well!
• An attractive space on the west end of our property with a large permanent covering, which serves as an overflow seating area for worship services, an outdoor space to enjoy meals and fellowship out of the elements, and a place for our growing youth group to gather.
• An increase in outreach to those less fortunate, including those who are lacking adequate healthcare and basic resources in life.
• Generosity that allows us to thrive without dependence on borrowing from our permanent funds to cover our normal expenses.

Those who have been around for awhile and paying attention know that I am not pulling these thoughts from “off the top of my head.” They are all part of the vision statement we created and adopted as a congregation in 2018 and revised in 2020 (due to the pandemic).

Our theme for 2024 is “A Time to Blossom.” I’ve mentioned above how we have been blossoming so far, as well as what further blossoming looks like. In order to truly blossom as a congregation, I invite you to consider two things:

• Ask yourself: “How would YOU like to see our church blossom in 2024?” Then let us know. Our Church Council will take your answers into consideration as we create next year’s budget and decide how we can focus our commitments. We’ve made it easy by creating a large board with stickers for you to write your answers on during the month of October. You can see pictures below of how we are already collecting answers from all ages—from middle school students to kupuna. Please add your suggestion in a word or brief phrase to the board on Sunday mornings or drop by the church during the week.
• Pray our Prayer for 2024 and allow your prayers to inform how you will commit to our vision in terms of your time, talent and treasures. Once you have determined a financial amount as your commitment to the church, please fill out a commitment card and bring it to church with you on Sunday, October 22, when we will bless all of our commitments for the coming year. Commitment cards will be mailed to our members this week. There will also be extras on the 22nd. You may also get one at any time by contacting the church office. We will also give thanks on October 22 for the past 100 years of our church’s history!

I hope to see you then!

Aloha Nui Loa!
Kahu

A Message From Our Kahu

Study Leave in Illinois

After visiting family in California for a couple of days in early August, I spent two weeks in Illinois on study leave with friends, Cathy, Barbara and Kitten. We began in Chicago, learning about the history, culture and art of the largest city in the midwest. We participated in several tours, which covered art, architecture, culture and history—beginning with a private tour of the Art Institute of Chicago. One of the interesting things I learned was that the very first Parliament of the World’s Religions took place in the Institute’s main building on September 11, 1893. I then spent an entire week at the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions. I shared some of my thoughts about both of those events on Sunday morning in church.

You can click HERE to see the short and impactful speech of Swami Vivekananda at that gathering and click HERE to watch my message on video if you missed church on Sunday. (Note, we have had technical difficulties uploading the video this week, but it should be there any time now.)

We then drove to central Illinois to the Allerton Park and Retreat Center, where Robert and John Allerton designed and created a majestic mansion, formal gardens and forest trails. After a brief stop in the town of Arthur, home to one of the largest Amish communities, we drove to Springfield to learn all about Abraham Lincoln, his life and legacy, which included a visit to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Lincoln Home (National Historic Site). After Illinois, Cathy and I said “goodbye” to Barbara and Kitten and flew to Quebec City where we learned about the history and culture of French-speaking Canada, including the life and history of the Indigenous people of the region.

I look forward in the coming weeks to continue sharing with you on Sunday mornings about my experiences during this time of learning and reflection!

Oh, and before flying home, I spent some time with my son Palani and daughter-in-law Isobel at their new home in New York City. Palani has begun his “Frontiers in Science” fellowship at Columbia University where he will be lecturing and continuing post-doctoral research in ecology. Isobel is also teaching ecology at Baruch College in NYC!

I hope to see you soon!

Aloha Nui Loa!
Kahu

A Message From Our Kahu

“A Successful Centennial Weekend!”

Our participation in Koloa Plantation Days and our Centennial celebration at the church last week was one of the highlights of all my years in ministry. Our parade entry was by far the best we have ever had! Our celebration on Sunday, consisting of a proclamation by the mayor, stories, photos, a slideshow, decorations, and delicious food, was fantastic! To be connected to the past 100 years of our church is truly an honor! I continue to be inspired by the rich history and the ongoing ministry of this congregation.

I am especially grateful to our Centennial Committee. Jeanie Odo (Chair), Penny Osuga, Penny Jessup, and JoAnne Machin (our honorary member), have served with me on this committee for over two and half years, and all of their work certainly paid off during our celebration! Michael Horning did an amazing job designing and building our float. Jeanette Bonilla’s brother Dennis was so generous to drive our former pastors, Nani Hill and John Lunn, in his beautiful 1930 Ford Model-A sedan in the parade. Finally, I am thankful for the many members, past and present, who helped to make the weekend so special and who continue to make our church such a special congregation!

Mahalo nui loa for continuing to make Koloa Union Church the loving, supportive community of faith that makes such a difference on the island and throughout the world!

Aloha Nui Loa!
Kahu

A Message From Our Kahu

“Our Centennial”

It is truly an honor to be serving as Kahu during the centennial year of Koloa Union Church! This community of faith has such a rich and fascinating history, with a presence dating back to 1835 when the first Protestant congregation of mostly Hawaiians was founded, eventually becoming four distinct congregations based upon language and culture, and then having three of them unite together in 1923 to become a strong and important presence on the south shore of Kauai.

I am especially grateful to our Centennial Committee. Jeanie Odo (Chair), Penny Osuga and Penny Jessup have served with me on this committee for 3 years! Special thanks to JoAnne Machin, our honorary member, who spent countless hours going through files and researching church records and information. Finally, I am thankful for the many members, past and present, who have made this such a special congregation!

As we celebrate during the final week of this month, I hope you will join us in helping with the Koloa Plantation Days reception at the Smith Memorial Parsonage on Monday, July 24; participating in the Koloa Plantation Days Parade on Saturday, July 29; and celebrating with us in church and at our Centennial Celebration Luncheon on Sunday, July 30! If you can’t be with us in person, I know you’ll be with us in spirit. We will be including the week’s events in our Centennial photo book, which will be available in the fall.

Mahalo nui loa for continuing to make Koloa Union Church the loving, supportive community of faith that makes such a difference on the island and throughout the world!

Aloha Nui Loa!
Kahu Alan Akan

A Message From Our Kahu

“Vision Update”

Every few years since 2014, our church leaders meet together in a retreat setting to give thanks for what has happened among us and to consider how God might be leading us into a vision for the future. Each time we have gathered, most of our Council members and Deacons attend, as well as other interested members of the church. By the end of the retreat, we set priorities and goals for the coming years and communicate them with the Congregation. In the past, this process has led us to our successful capital campaign—which allowed us to give a major facelift to our property and sanctuary—as well as becoming an official “Open & Affirming” congregation of the United Church of Christ, hiring a Youth Director, and significantly increasing our financial offerings to the church.

According to our most recent vision statement, “In December 2022…we have finalized plans for a certified kitchen that serves people in Moore Hall and in the patio area.” In the fall of 2022, Dan Giovanni, our Building and Grounds Chair, presented to the Council drawings made by the local architectural firm Palms Hawaii Architecture, along with estimated costs for the project ($90,000) and a timeline. I got busy putting a plan together to raise the money without having another major capital campaign.

Penny Jessup agreed to write a grant proposal for $40,000 from the Vidinha Family Trust. We were notified last week that the full amount has been awarded to us and the check is now in the bank! I am so grateful to Penny J. for her devotion to the church and all of the “behind the scenes” work she does for us on a regular basis! The remaining $50,000 has also been raised by a small handful of very generous members and friends of the church. I am once again so grateful (and, frankly, overwhelmed) by the generosity of the people of our church.

Dan will once again oversee the project: working with the architect and contractors, making sure permits are approved with the County of Kauai, approving bills to be paid on time, and communicating with the Congregation. It’s hard to imagine what we would do without Dan! Be sure to scroll down just a bit and see the drawings done by Palms Hawaii, as well as some of the details about the project.

In case you are wondering, our next major project of our vision after the kitchen is completed will be creating “an attractive, peaceful, safe and useful space on the west end of our property.” That’s the patio area just to the west of the church office and kitchen. We will be talking more about this toward the end of the year and getting input from the Congregation before moving forward.

In the meantime, I want you to know how grateful I am for the generosity of members and friends of the church who not only make projects like our kitchen possible but who also give faithfully throughout the year to keep our church’s vision and mission alive and well!

Aloha Nui Loa!
Kahu Alan Akan

A Message From Our Kahu

“The Holy Spirit Is Among Us”

May 28 is Pentecost Sunday! It is the day on which we celebrate the Holy Spirit among us. One of the symbols of the Holy Spirit is fire, which can be used either for purposes that are empowering or destructive. The Book of Acts makes it clear that God’s desire for us is to use our faith and our words to empower not only people but entire communities. When God’s Spirit descended upon the disciples as “tongues of fire,” they began telling people from all over the world what God was up to—not only in their lives but in the entire world. On that day some 3,000 decided to follow the way of Jesus! Pentecost reminds us of the unexpected possibilities when we use our faith and our words to build one another up.

On Pentecost Sunday, let us gather together and celebrate the Holy Spirit among us! Let us invite friends and family members to come and hear how our faith and our words can make a huge difference in the world! Let us give thanks that God’s Spirit is always with us! Aloha Nui Loa! Kahu Alan Akana

Aloha Nui Loa!
Kahu Alan Akana

RED on PENTECOST

Red on Pentecost reminds us that our lives are set aflame with divine love!
The color of Pentecost is RED.
Our deacons will decorate the sanctuary in RED.
You are invited to wear something RED.

STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH

“On Holy Ground”

Each year on Pentecost we collect the “Strengthen the Church” offering, which is one of the annual offerings of the United Church of Christ. You can give by placing a donation in the envelope provided in your bulletin on Pentecost Sunday, by sending a check to the church office, or by giving online (with “Strengthen the Church” or “STC” on the note section of your check or the “Comment” box on our donation page).

“Strengthen the Church” supports the expansion of ministry and growth of the local UCC congregations, helps create a just world for all by investing in new ministries. Your gifts will plant new churches, awaken new ideas in existing churches, develop the spiritual life in our youth and young adults.

Thank you for giving generously!