A Message from Kahu Akana

by | Dec 19, 2016 | Message from Kahu

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MELE KALIKIMAKA!

This is always such a special time of the year for Koloa Union Church! We celebrated together at our annual Christmas party; about a dozen of us sang Christmas carols in front of Sueoka Market to raise money in order to feed hungry people on the island; our children presented a charming Christmas program in church yesterday; we have collected a large amount of food and money to assist struggling families on the south shore of our island (and will be making deliveries this week!).

One of my favorite new things this year has been the focus on art during the lighting of the Advent candles. Each week, a different artist shared with the congregation about his/her art and what it has to do with the Season of Advent and the particular theme of the day: hope, peace, joy and love. As we begin Christmas week, may you deeply feel the meaning of each of those words. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, may we give thanks for hope, peace, joy and love; and may we consider new ways of how we might share these things with others.

For those who are able, I invite you to join us this week for:

  • Christmas caroling in front of Sueoka Market on Friday (6-7:30 p.m.)
  • Christmas Eve service on Saturday (7:30 p.m.)
  • Christmas Day Communion service on Sunday (10:30 a.m.)

I also invite you to give generously to the United Church of Christ Christmas Fund for retired clergy and church workers who are struggling to make ends meet financially and for current ones who are facing emergency needs. Last year, Koloa Union Church was in the Top 10 congregations in the U.S. in terms of giving per member, so I know this fund is important to us. I trust that we will be just as generous this year.

Whatever your plans are for Christmas and the holiday season, and whomever you plan to spend them with, may you deeply feel the presence of our loving God who demonstrated that love through the birth of Jesus.

Mele Kalikimaka and Aloha Nui!

Kahu Alan Akana

“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.