STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH OFFERING is one of 5 special offerings collected each year for the United Church of Christ ministries in Hawaii and in the nation. Your support provides for the growth of new UCC ministries with leadership support and development of spiritual life for the youth and young adult ministries. Kōloa Union Church will be accepting your generous donations for this offering for the entire month of July. Please make your donation in the special envelopes provided or make a note on your check for Strengthen the Church Offering (STC). Mahalo for your donations!

SUMMER BOOK GROUP  This summer’s choice for our book group is Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living, by Krista Tippet. The author is one of the preeminent voices in religion in the 21st century, having interviewed many of the great religious thinkers and leaders of our time. The group meets on Wednesday evenings through August 1 (but NOT on July 4), at 6 o’clock for dinner followed by a discussion led by Kahu Alan Akana. Please sign up so that Kahu knows how much food to prepare for dinner. Please read chapter 2 for June 27.

PICK-A-PARTY FUN-RAISER  KOloa Union Church members and friends will host a variety of parties during the next few months, starting on Sunday, July 1. Hosts will choose the party theme, food selections and number of guests. Hosts will also provide the meals and pay for all expenses, and also sell tickets for a chosen amount. All of the tickets sales income will be donated to the church’s general fund. Look for the Pick-a-Party folder for available parties. If you have any questions, please contact Bonnie Kakinami.

KAUAI FLOOD RELIEF  Koloa Union Church continues to reach out to our neighbors who were affected by the recent flooding on the island, especially our neighbors in Koloa. So far, we have collected $2,961and many items that are already being used by flood victims. We have delivered many carloads of items and gift cards to the Hardware Store in Koloa to most families in the community whose homes were damaged by the flood. Unless needs change, additional money will be used for kitchen appliance purchases and more gift cards. Those who wish to make monetary donations can write checks to “Koloa Union Church” and write “Flood Relief” in the note section. Thanks to everyone who has given so generously so far!!!

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER In order to save trees and money on increased postage costs, we are offering our monthly newsletter online for those of you who wish to read it on your computer or print it off yourself. Just contact Penny if you would like to no longer receive a paper version of the newsletter; and she will send you a notification each month as soon as the newsletter is uploaded. You can visit our website page anytime for the most current and past newsletters. Our next newsletter will be available on July 1.

THE LATEST COCONUT WIRELESS The Council of the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ shares news on the Coconut Wireless, the regular newsletter of the HCUCC. If you would like to keep abreast on news, opportunities and events, please click HERE for this past week’s news. Please note that the Pacific School of ReligionConversation on “Immigration” has been canceled. Kahu Akana is working with PSR to host another event with PSR President David Vasquez-Levy during that time period. If you like what you see, you may subscribe and get every issue of the Coconut Wireless automatically and get the very latest news hot off the press.

LECTIONARY READINGS (Old & New Testament Readings for the Week) 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 of them on the following Sunday. This week’s readings are 2 Samuel 1:1-27; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43.

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COMING UP. . . .

PRAYERS & SQUARES All are welcome to participate in this ministry of making quilts and prayer squares for those members of our congregation who are experiencing a life crisis. Our next gathering is scheduled for Tuesday, July 10, at Koloa Union Church from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Angela Dressel.

WAINEKE WORK DAYS July 13 and 14. Time to clean the grounds and cabins! These are “our” cabins, belonging to the Kauai Association United Church of Christ. We, as members and friends, have access to rent and utilize these two cabins throughout the year. Our youth, members, leaders, friends have taken advantage of this beautiful site. A couple times each year we ask for volunteers to help clean the inside and outside of Waineke. If you go up on Friday, July 13, you may stay overnight and food will be provided. A few of us are driving up to help on Saturday, lunch provided. Please consider helping in this important and necessary maintenance. Let Kahu or Penny know if you can help.

MOVIE NIGHT Friday, July 20, 6:30 p.m. Come for a hot dog dinner!! Movie: TBA. Bring your comfy lawn chairs, sleeping bags. Join us for another fun evening.

BREAKFAST GATHERING Everyone is invited to meet for breakfast at Kalapaki Joe’s Poipu, 7:30 a.m., 4th Tuesday of every month. Our next breakfast is on July 24.

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“Weekly News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!