Hawaiian Identity

 

Island Hospitality

A United Church of Christ Serving Kauai Since 1835

United Church of Christ

Come Worship with Us

Sundays at 10:30 AM

 

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  Po‘ipu Road, Koloa, HI

We are located in the heart of Kōloa on Po‘ipu Road between Old Koloa Town and Koloa School and Library. As you are driving along Po‘ipu Road, you’ll see our church set back from the road between the large monkeypod trees. It is a lava rock church with a large white cross in the window. Parking is available in the front of the church.

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 536, Koloa, HI 96756

Directions from Old Koloa Town:
Turn onto Po‘ipu Road by the Chevron Gas Station. As you drive on Po‘ipu Road, look to your right in about a block and a half.

Directions from Kukui‘ula (The roundabout where Po‘ipu Road runs into the Shops at Kukui‘ula):
Exit the roundabout onto Po‘ipu Road towards Old Koloa Town. As you drive on Po‘ipu Road, look to your left just past Koloa School and Library (& Snorkel Bob’s).

Phone: 808-742-6622

A Message from Kahu Alan Akana

Sep 19, 2017

American Gospel
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like….”
(Matthew 18:23)
“Changing Lives, Transforming the World”
We are continuing our series on “Changing Lives, Transforming the World.” It is so easy “getting stuck” both in our personal lives and on a societal level. We have a difficult time moving away from patterns and habits that no longer serve our best interest and are sometimes downright harmful! I invite you to look with yourself and look around you and think about the changes and transformations of which you can be an active participant.
On Sunday, I shared with the congregation about the strict religious and ethical rules and codes of conduct for the first English settlers on the American Continent. I have been reading Jon Meacham’s book, American Gospel, in which he points out that America eventually became known in Europe as the place to go in order to escaped religious persecution. Yet, according to Meacham’s examples, those who once were persecuted back home in Europe began gaining control in certain colonies, and they began inflicting the same kind of religious intolerance upon others. In other words, they escaped mistreatment and unjust persecution by fleeing to America only to exact the same kind of persecution on others once they had control of a colony. They believed that they somehow deserved justice, tolerance and acceptance for their beliefs, yet were unwilling to offer these things to others once they were running the place.
We have seen this attitude over and over again throughout history, but it is this attitude that Jesus condemned in the Gospel reading we heard on Sunday. In Matthew, chapter 18, Jesus tells the parable of a slave who was forgiven an outrageously enormous debt (and most likely his freedom as well) by the emperor, only to turn upon another slave who owed him a relatively small amount of money and have him thrown in prison. The point is that we simply cannot receive the enormity of God’s grace and then not share it with our fellow human beings. Receiving God’s grace with gratitude and sharing it with others is what Jesus taught when he said, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like!”
I was greatly puzzled and deeply disturbed last month as I watched videos of White Supremacists, Nazis and members of the KKK openly march in public places. I am confident that most of them are descendants of immigrants who were given a brand new start in America. Yet they seem to be completely unwilling to extend the same kind of hospitality to people of other races and ethnicities—even to many who are already citizens of our nation.
When we truly understand the great gift of God’s grace and allow it a welcome space within us, that grace will change our hearts so that we will welcome and share aloha with others with open arms.
May God continue to surprise us with many wonderful changes within and all around us!
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
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Videos of Kahu’s Sunday’s sermon are uploaded ontoYouTube most weeks. Please share these videos with friends. 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. You may also subscribe to the page on YouTube; that way you can receive a notification when a new sermon is posted.
“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

Sep 19, 2017

BREAKFAST & BINGO AT POIPU BEACH! Our church family and friends will gather for good food and fun this coming Saturday, September 23, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Join us at the big pavilion across Nukumoi Surf Company for a delicious breakfast followed by a rousing game of bingo! Bring your lawn chairs for additional seating and swimsuits for those who want to swim. Donations for food costs are much appreciated. If you have not signed up yet and plan to attend, please RSVP calling Bonnie Kakinami BY WEDNESDAY so we know how much food is needed.
FALL CHOIR There will be NO rehearsal on September 21 or 28!
HURRICANE RELIEF The United Church of Christ has established a fund to support Harvey and Irma relief and recovery efforts. Donations may be made online by clicking HARVEY or IRMA. Gifts may also be made through Koloa Union Church; please indicate “Hurricane Harvey,” “Hurricane Irma,” or “Hurrican Relief” (for both) on the note line; checks will be then forwarded to the Hawaii Conference for Wider Church Missions. Donation will be accepted through October.
PRAYERS & SQUARES Contact Angela Dressel if you would like to get involved in praying for people in crisis or helping to make quilt squares for those in crisis.

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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!