E Komo Mai! (Welcome!) to Koloa Union Church
We are followers of Jesus with a distinctly Hawaiian identity. Some of us are descendants of the native people of these islands and we celebrate with the language and customs of our ancestors. As an inclusive community of faith, reflecting the diversity of the people of Hawai‘i, we respect all cultures and backgrounds.
Our mission is to embrace, enhance and nurture God’s diverse and unique faith community, all to the glory of God.
Whoever you are and wherever you have been on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
Church Location:
3289 Poipu Road, Koloa, HI
We are located in the heart of Koloa on Poipu Road between Old Koloa Town and Koloa School and Library. As you are driving along Poipu Road, you’ll see our church set back from the road between the large monkey pod trees. It is a lava rock church with a large white cross in the window. Parking is available in the front and south side of the church.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 536, Koloa, HI 96756
Directions from Old Koloa Town:
From Koloa Road, turn onto Poipu Road by the Texaco Gas Station. As you drive on Poipu Road, look to your right in about a block and a half.
Directions from Kukuiula (The roundabout where Poipu Road runs into the Shops at Kukuiula):
Exit the roundabout onto Poipu Road towards Old Koloa Town. As you drive on Poipu Road, look to your left just past Koloa School and Library (& Snorkel Bob’s).
Phone: 808-742-6622
Alan Akana Gallery
Koloa Union Church hosts a gallery featuring the works of Kahu (Pastor) Alan Akana. The gallery is just around the corner from the church at 3281 Waikomo Road in the historic Smith Memorial Parsonage, a beautiful building on the grounds formerly owned by Congregationalist missionaries. Proceeds from sales at the gallery support the maintenance, upgrades and repairs of the parsonage. Dr. Akana has been watercoloring the flowers of Hawaii since 1993 and features his work of nearly a quarter of a century. Gallery hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. See www.alanakanagallery.com to learn more about the gallery and Dr. Akana’s art.
A Message from Kahu Alan Akana
“Kalaupapa Sunday / Annual Meeting”
Sunday, January 27, 2019
I know, I know, I’m jumping ahead a whole week, but attendance on January 27 is so important, I want to give everyone plenty of warning!
Last week, I had a fantastic time on Molokai with my son Palani where we stayed with former Koloa Union Church Pastor John Lunn. We enjoyed a trip to Kalaupapa, where a Congregational Church existed since the first year people with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) were sent there a part from their families and friends. We also hiked through the Kamakou Nature Preserve, way up in the mountains, where lehua blossoms and songs of native birds were abundant. On our last day, we hiked at Moomomi Nature Preserve, which is located along the northern coast far to the west of Kalaupapa and where native coastal flowers flourish. The trip gave me new subject matter for future watercolors. It also gave me some perspective on life at Kalaupapa over the years. The peninsula there is beautiful beyond description. It is hard to imagine thousands of people who were sent there to suffer and die far away from family members and friends. I look forward to sharing with the congregation on Kalaupapa Sunday, January 27 some thoughts from this recent trip.
Church members are asked to attend our Annual Congregational Meeting after the worship service on the 27th. Besides our usual business, reporting and voting that is conducted each year, the Open & Affirming Core Team will present a draft of the “Open & Affirming Covenant” to the congregation—a task directed by the Congregation on October 21 in order to create a statement showing our openness and sense of welcome to all people, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and those questioning their gender and/or sexual orientation. The intention is that our members will hear the presentation and read the draft on that day, and then spend a month in discernment and prayer. Everyone is invited to consider the intention of the covenant and how it might land on others; to give input on the covenant in its final form; and to envision all people knowing that they are welcome among us. Please offer any comments or suggestions to any member of the team: Lee Anderson, Sheri Fu, John Gilmore, Michael Horning (Chair), Tiffany Marrotte, Penny Osuga, Becky Sakimae, or me. Part of the discernment is to take a look at what the Bible actually says about gender and homosexuality and the various ways particular passages are interpreted. Although there are many ways people are different (ethnicity, gender, culture, politics, etc.), there are often strong feelings when it comes to differences in how others understand their gender or sexuality. I will offer two identical Bible studies for people who would like to read passages in the Bible and learn about how they are interpreted; there will also be time for questions and conversation. Please sign up on the church bulletin board for Sunday, February 3, after Aloha Hour in my office OR Wednesday, February 6, at 7 p.m. at the parsonage.
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
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Our Kahu (Pastor) offers a weekly message in church most Sundays during the year. Click HERE to see a video of a recent message from Sunday morning. You may see the Koloa Union Church YouTube channel to see many of his past messages and subscribe in order be notified when a new message is posted. Please share these videos with friends and invite them to church. Please feel free to “Like” any of the videos you see and share them on social media, such as Facebook, so that others will notice them.
“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.
Weekly News of the Church
You Are Invited to a Lecture
“THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON IMMIGRATION”
By Rev. Dr. David Vasquez-Levy
Koloa Union Church
Friday, January 25, 2019
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Rev. Dr. David Vasquez-Levy is the author of various publications that explore migration stories in sacred texts and in people’s lives. An offering to strengthen the ministry of Pacific School of Religion will be taken, and a dessert reception in Moore Hall will follow the lecture, where people can visit further with Dr. Vasquez-Levy.
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ALL-CHURCH BREAKFAST According to our practice since last spring, everyone is invited to breakfast on the 4th Tuesday of the month at Kalapaki Joe’s in Poipu at 7:30 a.m. The next All-Church Breakfast will be January 22.
CHURCH VITALITY WORKSHOP The Kauai Association UCC is hosting a workshop on “Church Vitality” at Lihu`e Christian Church on Tuesday, January 22, from 5-7 p.m. The Hawaii Conference UCC Associate Conference Minister and author, Rev. Tracy Barnowe, will be presenting during this workshop. If anyone is interested in how to make our church more vital and would like to attend with Kahu Akana, please contact him.
THE LATEST COCONUT WIRELESS Kahu Alan Akana and Koloa Union Church are both mentioned in the Coconut Wireless! The Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ shares news on the Coconut Wireless, the regular weekly newsletter of the HCUCC. If you would like to keep abreast on news, opportunities and events, please click HERE for the latest news. 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 Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 36:5-10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 ; John 2:1-11.
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COMING UP. . . .
ANNUAL CONGREGATION MEETING Join us on Sunday, January 27, after our worship service as we reflect on the past year and look ahead to the coming year. We need all members to attend in order to have a quorum to vote on the budget and our new leaders. There will also be a presentation by the Open & Affirming Core Team.
MEN’S BREAKFAST Join the men of the church and their friends as they continue this winter tradition. The men meet each Tuesday (except the 4th Tuesday when they are welcome to join the All-Church Breakfast) at 7:30 a.m. at Kalapaki Joe’s in Poipu for this time to catch up with returning snowbird friends and church members. The next Men’s Breakfast will be January 29.
SALVATION ARMY LUNCH We will be serving lunch at the Hanapepe Salvation Army on Wednesday, January 30. We need 4-5 volunteers. You can meet at the church at 9:30 a.m. if anyone wants to carpool or meet at the Salvation Army around 10 a.m. Please contact Suzanne Pearson if you want to participate: 742-2858.
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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!