A Message From Our Kahu
Sebatical
A Time for Inspiration, Energy & Vision
I will be leaving on Monday, March 11, for a 3-month sabbatical in Europe! I’ll spend most nights in a home which was built in the 17th century, near the town of Libourne, which is just east of Bordeaux. This former convent is the same home where I stayed during my last sabbatical five years ago (photo above). I plan to travel throughout France, with side trips to Ireland, Italy and Iceland, and hopefully adding a couple other countries to that list as well. I intend to visit sacred places in each country and focus on what makes a place sacred, as well as how people have encountered the divine in such locations. I will also be doing some reflecting and writing on “joy and wonder.”
I deeply appreciate the opportunity to take a sabbatical every five years to focus on something that is important to me and benefits my commitment to pastoral ministry. I love ministering to the people of Koloa Union Church! Taking a sabbatical allows me some time to catch my breath, evaluate, focus, and find some new inspiration, so that I can continue in ministry with renewed energy and vision. Mahalo nui loa for this time away!
I’ll be doing another house and car exchange with Christian and Paule Riso, so don’t be surprised to see some different faces if you are passing by the parsonage or see someone else driving my car. Just in case you are wondering who they are…they are the owners of Christian Riso Fine Art and Framing next to Sueoka’s in Old Koloa Town (where a lot of my art is framed). The Riso’s spend most of the year in France and are always hoping to spend a few months here in Koloa where they used to live full-time and still have family.
I will return to the office on June 12, and then leave the very next morning to Honolulu for the annual gathering of the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ. I look forward to seeing everybody who will be in church on June 15!
Aloha Nui Loa!
Kahu
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