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Member Spotlight
Member Spotlight is a new addition to our Newsletter! Each month we will run an article about a church member in order for us all to get to know each other better. If you have someone whom you would like to recommend to be featured in a future Newsletter, please contact the church office.
Thank you, Ellen, for being our very first and for sharing your life with us!
Dr. Ellen Caringer was born in Highland, Illinois, but grew up in Alhambra, a small village of about 500 people near Highland. A favorite childhood memory was her first trip to Hawaii to spend time with her family here. She knew even as a child that Hawaii was where she intended to live as soon as she was able!
Ellen has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, a Master’s degree in developmental psychology, and a Ph.D. in clinical and developmental psychology with a focus on cross-cultural psychology. After working at Kapiolani Hospital in Honolulu in their counseling department, she then did additional training in the field of neuropsychology. Still working part-time, the her career primarily has had a two-fold focus in clinical child psychology and neuropsychology. A large part of her practice was spent at the intersection of neuropsychology and child psychology, with specific focus on assessment of children with learning disabilities or other brain dysfunctions. She was the only neuropsychologist on Maui for many years and practiced neuropsychology across all age groups.
In her earlier years, she was very active with the Hawaii Psychological Association, which included work at the legislature pursuing or addressing legislation that affected the practice of psychology, and that affected patients and their wellbeing. “I suppose from the time I was a child, I always felt strongly about righting injustices, and had a particular heart for those who were less fortunate: children, animals, and any groups who were vulnerable to unfairness and mistreatment.”
Ellen is married to Takayuki “Taka” Harada. They have 3 daughters from Taka’s first marriage and four hanai children. They have 5 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and grandchildren through their hanai kids as well. In addition to that, they have many nieces and nephews and “friends that are like family.” They are never short of company at their house!
Ellen and Taka first attended Koloa Union Church about two years ago after moving from Maui to Kauai (Taka’s childhood home!). “The church was recommended to us by both of our previous pastors on Maui, and I’m so glad they did! Our first Sunday was so lovely and so peaceful and we so enjoyed hearing Doug sing and seeing RoseTatiana dance and marveling at a pastor who could give a sermon with no notes! (I was wishing my memory worked as well!). I keep coming back for the wonderful sermons, great music, and the wonderful warmth of this church family.”
As anyone who attends our church knows, Ellen is an accomplished pianist and loves to play the piano. She is our regular accompanist and is taking a break these days while her finger heals after surgery. She also chairs the church’s Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. She enjoys reading and learning new things, such as Japanese! She also loves planning trips to Ireland and inviting others to join her and Taka. (The photo above was taken by Kahu Akana on the grounds of Ashford Castle in County Galway.) Be sure to get on her list of future participants if you ever want to see Ireland and meet some of the most wonderful Irish people!
When asked what keeps her grounded, Ellen replied, “Absolutely one of those things is Taka: he is one of the kindest, calmest, human beings I’ve had the good fortune of knowing…and he’s a good cook!” “The second thing that comes to mind is that for many years I have been a meditator. I won’t start the day without it and some prayer time. It’s a gift to myself to take the time to still my mind, be centered, and feel the presence of God…. I would also be remiss if I didn’t say that having the love of animals in our lives is another wonderful grounding experience. They keep us grounded in the present moment, and their unconditional love is a model I aspire to!”
When asked about any interesting facts about her life, Ellen responded, “I had two sets of parents who were good friends with each other. My biological parents in Illinois, Marj & Al Caringer, who gave me an amazing foundation in music; and my hanai parents, Abe and Rose Aiona, who lived on Maui. My hanai father was the former Maui Chief of Police and former Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee, and that was where I got my immersion in Hawaiian culture.
Finally, Ellen is involved with Indivisible, a nation-wide organization that seeks to protect democracy and the rights of groups who are most vulnerable to exploitation or persecution. She is the leader of Hui Aloha O Hawaii, a faith-based statewide chapter of Indivisible which encourages people of all faiths to take action promoting social justice and protecting democracy in the U.S. If you are concerned about the state of democracy in our nation and wonder how you can make a difference regarding the direction that our country is heading, Ellen has some really good suggestions…so be sure to ask her!
Congrats Tiffany
Tiffany Marrotte, our Christian Education Director, attended and completed another training session:
Lectionary Readings
Wednesday, September 10th 7-8:30 pm
Smith Memorial Parsonage
Lectio Divina is a time to silently reflect together on a repeated reading from the Bible and then share with one another about the experience (if so desired). Please let Kahu or Karen Johnson know if you plan to attend.
Summer Book Group
Alan Akana Gallery Fall Reception
Sunday, September 14 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Featuring a Slideshow from Kahu’s Recent Trip
Guatemala 2025: Culture, Art & Flowers
Smith Memorial Parsonage 3281 Waikomo Road (1/2 block from the church)
Parking is available at the church, on the gallery property and on the street.
Can’t make it to the reception? Call the gallery directly to make an appointment to visit: 808-855-8806
When you make a purchase at the gallery, you support the parsonage! Since the gallery opened in the spring of 2017, Kahu has donated the net profit from the gallery to the parsonage fund, which pays to maintain the
care and maintenance of the building and grounds.
Youth Gathering
For Middle School & High School Youth
Sundays at the Church 4:45-7:00 p.m. September 14 & 28 October 12 & 26
RSVP: Youth are asked to RSVP to Aunty Tiffany for all youth events!
Volunteers: See sign-up sheet if you can provide a meal for the youth or if you are interested in helping out in another way.
Church Breakfast
Tuesday, September 23 8-9:30 a.m.
Breakfast in Koloa Village!
Break + Feast 5460 Koloa Road Upstairs on Koloa Road You may place your order ahead of time. Identify yourself as part of the Koloa Union Church group Join us on the 4th Tuesday of the month for delicious food and a fun time getting to know others from Koloa Union Church! Location each month to be determined. RSVP on the sign-up sheet or by contacting the church office
Movie Night for Adults
Wednesday, October 1st
Moore Hall 5:30 Potluck Dinner 6:00 Movie (Followed by a brief discussion)
“The Shack” is a fun and popular movie about religion and faith, based on the book by the same name. It is also an appropriate movie for teenagers. Please sign up on the bulletin board or contact Tiffany Marrotte at 808-651-1397 to RSVP and sign up to bring something for the potluck. The evening will end at 8:30. Friends are welcome, and this is a great opportunity to introduce people to our church!
Neighbors in Need
Special Mission Offering Sunday, October 5
The Neighbors in Need offering will be collected on Sunday, October 5, 2025. Neighbors in Need is the United Church of Christ’s annual offering to support ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States, including the Council for American Indian Ministries, justice and advocacy efforts and direct service projects.
Together with UCC congregations throughout the country, we make a huge difference in making the world a healthier and more just place for all. Please consider a generous donation.
Special offering envelopes will be provided in your bulletins on that day. Also, checks may be sent to the church office, made out to “Koloa Union Church” with “Neighbors in Need” or “NIN” written in the note section. If you make an online donation, be sure to write “Neighbors in Need” in the “Comment” box.
World Communion Sunday
October 5 is also World Communion Sunday: the day on which we remember the diversity of all God’s children and welcome seekers and followers of Jesus of all backgrounds & abilities.
Join us for Holy Communion on this special day when we remember that Christian Churches are filled with all kinds of people!
October Aloha Hour
Sunday, October 5
Following the Worship Service Chili Bar to Welcome Fall We usually enjoy Aloha Hour right after the worship service on the first Sunday of each month. If there is more interest (and volunteers!), we can have Aloha Hour more often. Please check in with Penny Osuga, our Aloha Hour chairperson, if you have any questions or would like to volunteer. See the sign up sheet on the bulletin board for food contributions. Kitchen help is also needed for a successful gathering. Everyone is welcome, whether or not you are able to bring food!
Prayers and Squares
Prayers and Squares – Tuesday, October 7, 2025 10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Prayers & Squares continues to meet in Moore Hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. once a month on a Tuesday, where we spend most of our time promoting prayer by creating hand-tied quilts. Volunteers with all ranges of quilting experience may join for prayer, fellowship, stitching, and learning about quilting. The motto: “It’s not about the quilt; it’s all about the prayers.” If you or someone in your ohana are in need of a tangible representation of prayer, please contact Debbie Gunning to request a quilt.
Lectionary Readings
Each week, Christians throughout the world read biblical passages from the Revised Common Lectionary, including the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels. After three years, a good portion of the Bible is included and the cycle begins again. RCL passages are often read in church worship services, and Kahu Akana usually includes at least one reading each Sunday.
Readings for September 14: Jeremiah 4:11-28; Psalm 14; Exodus 32:7-14; Psalm 51:1-10; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10
Readings for September 21: Jeremiah 8:18-9:1; Psalm 79:1-9; Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13
Readings for September 28: Jeremiah 32:1-15; Psalm 91:1-16; Amos 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31; Psalm 146
Readings for October 5: Lamentations 1:1-6, 3:19-26: Psalm 137; Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4; Psalm 37:1-9; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17:5-10
Help us with the newsletter!
The KUC Newsletter is how we stay in touch! We send out our Newsletter on a monthly basis in order to keep everyone updated on what is going on at Koloa Union Church.
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Add to the KUC Newsletter! Scroll to the bottom of this email to learn how to add any announcements to the Newsletter or add an email to receive future editions! The next edition of the Newsletter will be April 9. Deadline for articles is April 6 Early submissions are greatly appreciated!
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