a publication of the first unitarian church of honolulu · a publication of the first unitarian...
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Volume 2016…. Number 6….June 1, 2016
A Publication of the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu
This year’s Nominating Committee is proud to present
its slate of candidates to be voted on at the
June 12th Annual Meeting.
Board
To be elected: (Officers are elected for a 1 year term)
Margaret Mann...President Nancy Schildt...VP TBA...Treasurer Secretary...Russell Castagnaro
Directors to be elected: Bill Scarvie...3 year term Jerry Matiotis...2 year term Jim Skauge...1 year term Allison Jacobs...2 year term
Continuing: Susan Lebo...Director Leeanne McIntire...Director
Nominating Committee To be elected for a 3 year term:
Marie Anne Janice Davis
Continuing: Catherine Graham Lee Curran Heather Lemkelde Meghen Bundtzen
Social Justice Council To be elected for a 2 year term:
Catherine Graham David Diamond Lee Curran
Continuing: Steve Lohse Deborah Bond Upson Jeff Kim
Margaret
Russell
Bill
Jerry
Allison
Leeanne
Janice
Catherine
Lee
Heather
David
Steve
Jeff
Bio pg 7
Bio pg 7
Bio pg 7
Bio pg 11
Bio pg 10
Kukui Lamalama Volume 2016 Number 6 June 1, 2016 Page 2
Upcoming Services First Unitarian Church of Honolulu, 2500 Pali Hwy http://www.unitariansofhi.org/
Rev. Deborah Bond-Upson
Sunday, May 29, 10:00 am Great Teachers
By Rev. Deborah Bond-Upson
Recall a breakthrough learning moment when something suddenly made sense and we felt lighter or tighter or righter. Our souls were fed, not just our minds. Great teachers bring us close to truth, give us delightful entrée to knowledge, and show us our-selves. Evoking, exploring, honoring great teachers, let us multiply these moments of illuminating soulful learning for ourselves and others? Followed by a Sunday Discussion at 11:30 am, Hawaii Education – Urgent Hope, a view of Hawaii public education with input to the Hawaii DOE Strategic Plan and the US DOE. Worship Associate: Steve Lohse Hospitality: Social Justice Council
Sunday, June 5, 10:00 am “Deepening Connections in
the 21st Century” By Rev. Deborah Bond-Upson
How can we deepen our connections to self and others in this digital age? How is learn-ing transforming? What are the worrisome dangers and the exciting new gains? How will the digital natives experience spiritual and relational life given the digital immer-sion of many? What can each side of the digital divide share with the other? What can non-natives gain from this transfor-mation? Followed by a Sunday Demonstration at 11:30 am, Digital Sharing for all ages, we will display compelling uses of digital learn-ing, media, social media, and more. Worship Associate: Cynthia Lynch Greeters: Nancy Mower, Rick Mower Decorator: Al Rowland Parking: Hospitality: Sue Greene A/V Tech: Rick Stanley
Sunday, June 12, 10:00 am Making a Choice: In between
Mormonism and Unitarian Universalism By Natasha Smith
In 2014, Natasha made a decision that led to the Mormon Church issuing her an ultimatum. Come hear about her experience and what she has learned since her spiritual transition. Worship Associate: Marie Anne Greeters: Hilkka Easterwood Decorator: Martina Queenth Parking Hospitality: Sue Greene A/V Tech: Paul Marshall
Bill Scarvie
Sunday, June 19, 10:00 am Pilgrimage as Practice
By Bill Scarvie
The Camino de Santiago is an ancient pilgrim-age to the cathedral of the Spanish city Santia-go de Compostela. Legend has it that the re-mains of James, the apostle, are entombed there. Every year more than 100,000 pilgrims traverse several routes to the cathedral. In 2014, Bill Scarvie walked the 790-kilometer French Route across the north of Spain from the Pyrenees to Santiago. Along the way, one ques-tion commanded his attention: "Can a faithful Unitarian Universalist find religious meaning on a pilgrimage created, more than 1200 years ago, as an act of penance and purification for Roman Catholics and steeped in the history, imagery and architecture of the Catholic Church?" Bill will respond to this question through stories from his experience along The Way. Worship Associate: Jerry Matiatos Greeters: Junko Davis, Helen Slaughter Decorator: Theresa Moorleghen Parking: Blake Porter Hospitality: Sue Greene A/V Tech: Jim Cooper
Gene Parola
Sunday, June 26, 10:00 am “ Kanaka Maoli--The Host (?) Culture"
By Gene Parola
Gene Parola offers a brief, gentle exploration of elements of Kanaka life--perhaps the most ad-vanced stone aged culture revealed in the nine-teenth century. Worship Associate: Greeters: Shirley Parola Decorator: Nancy Schildt Parking: Michael Brockert Hospitality: Sue Greene A/V Tech: Ian Valasek
Leeward Campus Island Pacific Academy, Kapolei http://www.unitariansofhi.org/
Natasha & Ben Smith
Saturday, June 11, 5:00 pm Making a Choice: In Between
Mormonism and Unitarian Universalism By Natasha Smith
In 2014, Natasha made a decision that led to the Mormon Church issuing her an ultimatum. Come hear about her experience and what she has learned since her spiritual transition. Natasha’s husband, Ben will be on the keyboard helping to provide music for the Service. The Service be-gins at 5:00 pm with Famous Fabulous Pot Luck immediately after the Service. Child care is pro-vided. This Service will be the last one we have at Is-land Pacific Academy. UU Leeward Ohana will NOT have Services during July and August. Starting in September, we will meet in private homes and our first Service in will be at the home of Sue and Dan Carpenter. Thanks to everyone who has supported and
encouraged UU Leeward Ohana.
Kukui Lamalama Volume 2016 Number 6 June 1, 2016 Page 3
Big Island Services
Big Island Services http://hiuu.weebly.com/
Unitarian Universalists of West Hawaii
Meets every second and fourth Sunday, at 4:00 pm, in Kailua-Kona. Address: Sadie Seymour Gardens (Outdoor Circle) 76-6280 Kuakini Hwy Kailua-Kona Facebook: Unitarian Universalists of West Hawaii Phone: 808-640-4485 Website: www.uuwesthawaii.org
Hilo Unitarian Roundtable Meets every Sunday at 9:30 am in Hilo Email: [email protected]
Unitarian Universalists of Puna Meets every Sunday at 10:30 am in Hawaiian Paradise Park Address: 15-1791 14th Ave., HPP Paradise Dr. off Hwy 130, Right on 14th Facebook: facebook.com/UUPuna Phone: 808-966-7852 Website: www.uupuna.com
Sunday Services: May 29, Memorial Day - Please bring mementos to share of loved ones who have passed.
June 5, POTLUCK & United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #14 "Life Below Water” by Keola Downing
June 12, “Life’s Passages” by Margaret Drake
June 19, Your Father & the Founding Fathers
June 21, Tuesday, Budget Meeting Time TBA
June 26, Annual Congregational Meeting
Please send your thoughts to our Board:
Bob Jacobson [email protected]
Cathy Young [email protected]
Jenna Way [email protected]
Jessie Wenner [email protected]
You Are Needed
Volunteer Summit
Help organize a one-time
very exciting Volunteer Summit
in which we discuss how to recruit,
train and maintain
volunteers in our church. Contact Nancy Schildt, [email protected]
Song of the Month
Hello Friends & Members of First Unitarian,
As a request and a good suggestion we are going to make Wo Ya Ya - #1020 - Song of the Month for June....
Aloha, Dennis Music Director First Unitarian Church of Honolulu www.dennisgraue.com Dennis' music is available at: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/dgraue http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/dgraue2 http:/www.cdbaby.com/cd/dgraue3 (Pictured above is the amazing First Unitarian Band which Dennis has assembled and which provides the extraordinary music for which we have become known. Left to Right: (First Row) Pierre, Caryn, Leslie, Gabe, Beth (Second Row) Paul, Dennis, Ian (Photo by Karen & Ian Valasek, Lettering by Becky Maltby)
Kukui Lamalama Volume 2016 Number 6 June 1, 2016 Page 4
Consulting Minister Dorothy Emerson had been with us for two months leading us in a magnificent process to determine where to go from here (we hired her to work ½ time and she has worked time and half!). We have been without a settled minis-ter since last July and we are doing amazingly well. We are, in fact, in fantastic shape. Attendance is up, visitors are pouring in the door, pledging is on target, the Teams are more active than ever offer-ing workshops and fun things to do and there is a rumor floating around that we may well end the year in the black. Dorothy has led us in a series of workshops and has written a brilliant report. Here are the combined results of both the report and the workshops (Part One was in last month’s Newsletter):
Volunteer coordination. The workshop participants took a hard look at what is working and what needs to be im-proved. On the plus side, we have busy lives and serve joyfully and we have a remarkable talent pool of people in this church. But there are few challenges as well mostly focused on coordination as we have no minister to keep tabs on everything going on. It was suggested that perhaps the Council of Chairs could expand its role into volunteer management and among other things discuss how to achieve better coordi-nation of all our activities and perhaps re-do our organiza-tional chart.
From the President There also was a lively discussion about how we might do a better job of recruiting and training volunteers. A suggestion was made that perhaps a Volunteer Coordi-nation position should be created paid or unpaid. Other items discussed were: creating bite-sized volunteer op-portunities within existing structure, keep track of volun-teer hours to count as in-kind contributions on grant appli-cations. We need address the training and placement of volunteers, writing clear descriptions, update the existing team handbook and organize a congregational wide Vol-unteer Summit.
Fund raising. The fundraising group came up with many good ideas among them to plan fund-raisers that bring in outside money, and bring in younger members through events like movies, film festivals, concerts, conduct a talent auction and to rent out the building. If we did these things we could not only increase our funding but also increase our membership and be more welcom-ing to new members. We also should look into applying for grants that would support our work. We also need to do a better job on stewardship, perhaps conduct an all member canvass. Dorothy suggested two things: One, that we should focus on making fundraising a church-wide project and not just
leave it to the Board and the Fundraising Team. Every-one needs to own the reality of church finance. Two, there are numerous UUA resources available to us that will share innovative approaches im-plemented by other churches. Be open to seeing things in a new way and trying something different. The Pacific Region has a series of webinars on different aspects of fundraising, perhaps the videos could be shown to the congregation. She also had very detailed suggestions for the stewardship team that will be shared with them.
A huge Mahalo to all who participated!!
Aloha, Margaret Mann
808/265-6551 Skype address margaret-mann
Moving Forward Part Two
By Margaret Mann, President of the
Board
...HELP WANTED...HELP WANTED...HELP WANTED...HELP WANTED...HELP WANTED...
Stewardship Committee
Help plan two stewardship campaigns annually,
assist the congregation to understand their role
in the churches finances. Contact
Margaret Mann, 265-6551,
Finance Team
Looks after the financial health of the congregation,
prepares the annual budget, oversees fundraising and stewardship committees.
Contact Tom Lynch, 225-270-0764,
or email [email protected]
Fund Raising Committee
Are you good at planning parties?
This is the committee for you!
Plan fun, exciting events for the congregation.
Contact Cynthia Lynch, 225-939-5349
or email [email protected]
Everyone needs to own
the reality
of Church finance.
Lifespan Religious Education
Kukui Lamalama Volume 2016 Number 6 June 1, 2016 Page 5
Engaging children, youth, and adults in opportunities that
empower them to develop their own religious philosophies.
During the weekend of May 13-15, First Unitarian Church of Honolulu Religious Education Families took to Bellows Beach for a weekend of sand, sun, and silly fun. A few folks slept over and many more people came to stop and visit. Meals were shared, as were light-ers for starting fires, hammers, tents, sleeping bags, floaties, and sand toys.
Far greater than those material goods was the shared time, ca-maraderie, laughter, and support. The bonds that make the human experience exponentially greater are built upon those nuanced and essential factors. In fact, one of the main reasons people love church is because of the "community." That means so much for than just sitting in chairs every Sunday. Each of us has one to one and group interactions that bridge our Sundays together; at least, you should! If you don't, consider this your nudge to find a way to gather around Sunday, not just one it.
Our children, too, benefit from these relationships. They find in other parents and in other adults within our church community a warm, supportive, engaging group of people who like and respect them. And, we all know that a sure-fire way to build loving kind people is to love them and be kind to them.
The children grow up believing that people will listen to them, because adults do. They believe that change can happen; they make it so in church all the time. They are willing to cross generational divides because they spend time becoming friends with those outside their family unit.
The Joy of Good Friends
By
Katie Ackerman Director of Lifespan Religious Education
(DLRE)
The friends kids make in their own age group at church are essential, too. The relationships are ongoing in a way that school is not, and as UU kids, we have a pretty good idea that other parents are probably trying to teach them the Principles of Unitarian Universalists. Our UU kids use the principles, and they really do try to be good people to each other and in the world; and they like knowing that the other kids are trying to do the same thing, too.
As far as support, time and again I've seen parents breathe a sigh of relief when they enter a gathering when they find their kids are welcomed and that their are other parents and non-parents or empty-nesters who are happy to support their family. We need each other, and it is a
lovely, lovely need to attend to!
Our UU friends are a gift that we not only deserve, but that we helped cre-ate. In a lovely, synergistic feat, our community is greater than the sum of its parts. What is more amazing is that we can take that loving friend-ship out into the world and continue to let it grow. When our family heads to Oregon in July, we will carry with us all the love and friendship that we have found here; what is miraculous to me is that I know that the love and friendship will continue to grow here, too.
Each of us is a tiny, miraculous generator of this community, and we need only ask ourselves to try, and the connections will be made.
Reaching out a little, gathering in friendship and love, making a volun-teer team, each little choice to work together continues to grow the love, community, and joy in our FUCH community. And as everyone pulls together, the unbreakable bonds are formed.
Aloha nui loa and malama pono,
Katie
Katie Ackerman Director of Lifespan Religious Education First Unitarian Church of Honolulu
2500 Pali Highway, Honolulu, HI 96817 Church Phone: 808-595-4047 Office Hours: Tues 1:00-3:30 pm, Wed 10:00 am-Noon, Sunday by Appt.
More Beach Pictures On Page 14
Kukui Lamalama Volume 2016 Number 6 June 1, 2016 Page 6
Have You Ever Benefitted From White Privilege ?!?
Sunday, June 26th, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm In the Sanctuary
The June ADORE Worshop will be presented on JUNE 26
th (not June 19
th) and there will be pizza.
We will view and discuss the DVD “Mirrors of Privi-lege” and then reflect upon the idea of White Privi-lege.
ADORE (A Dialogue On Race and Ethnicity) was founded by Paula Cole Jones who gave a wonderful sermon and workshops at First Unitarian in Novem-ber. The goal of ADORE is to provide a safe space for people to openly and honestly discuss about race, a subject so often swept under the rug.
For more information, please contact co-chairs,
Jill Rabinov and Allison Jacobs at [email protected].
Your Summer Reading:
ADORE Book Study
ADORE (A Dialogue On Race and Ethnicity) will hold three study sessions during Sundays in July and August, 2016: July 10th and 24th, and August 14. All sessions will be at 11:30 am -1:00 pm in the First Unitarian Sanctuary. The discussions will be lead by Lee Curran and Allison Jacobs.
We will discuss the UUA Common Read, "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson, an attorney who founded the Equal Justice Initiative and has dedicated his practice to "defending the poor, the wrongly condemned, and those trapped in the furthest reaches of our criminal justice system." This book is the story of Mr. Steven-son's struggle in the defense of Walter McMillian, "a young man sentenced to die for a notorious murder he didn't commit."
We encourage you to order the book or get it from the library and read it in advance of the discussion ses-sions.
Also, there are several videos on YouTube of Bryan Stevenson speaking about "Just Mercy," including a TED Talk.
Reading and discussions about this book will continue to raise our awareness about the unfairness so preva-lent in our criminal justice system.
The more we learn, the more empowered we will be
to make positive changes!
Things White People Seem To Not Understand (Because, White Privilege)
By Macy Sto. Domingo
White Privilege is being able to move into a new neighbor-hood and being fairly sure that your neighbors will be pleasant to you and treat you with respect.
White Privilege is being able to watch a movie, read a book and open the front page of a newspaper and see yourself and your race widely represented and spoken for.
White Privilege is being able to seek legal, financial and medical help without having your race work against you.
White Privilege is living in a world where you are taught that people with your skin tone hold the standard for beau-ty.
White Privilege is never being told to, “get over slavery”.
White Privilege is arrogantly believing that reverse racism actually exists.
White Privilege is being able to stay ignorant to the fact that racial slurs are part of a systematic dehumanization of en-tire groups of people who are and have historically been subjugated and hated just for being alive.
White Privilege is being able to fight racism one day, then ignore it the next.
White privilege is having your words and actions attributed to you as an individual, rather than have them reflect mem-bers of your race.
White Privilege is being able to ignore the consequences of race.
Save These Dates… For the Fall Adore Schedule…
September 25 October 23
November 20
All are on Sundays. All start after the 10:00 am Service.
Dust Off Your Old Photos!
I’m trying to locate a photograph of FUCH’s former minister Rev. Gene Bridges, who marched in Selma in 1965.
I don’t need the original, just a scanned copy of the photo, emailed to me Gloria Borland [email protected]
I might include this picture in my documentary: BARACK OBAMA MADE IN HAWAII. A group from Hawaii marched in Selma, including Rev. Bridges.
Thanks,
Gloria Borland
Kukui Lamalama Volume 2016 Number 6 June 1, 2016 Page 7
Social Justice Program of the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu
Interfaith Alliance Hawaii (TIAH) will present a TIAH Open Table on Education Excellence & Equity, followed by focus groups to provide input to the governor’s Task Force and the HI DOE. This is a time of remarkable opportunities for public edu-cation and the spiritual wisdom of Learning Justice in Hawaii. Together, let’s make the most of these opportu-nities within our congregation and our community! Watch the Weekly Bulletin for updates on First Unitarian Learning Justice events, and get involved.
2016 FOOD DRIVE – FINAL REPORT
Our annual First Unitarian Food Drive in support of the Hawaii Food Bank wrapped up on Sunday, April 10. On Friday, April 22, we delivered 198 lbs of canned goods and $2540.66 to the Food Bank. With a $500 employer match, our Food Drive Final Tally is $3040.66 and 198 lbs!
GOOD JOB! Remember, the Food Bank provides 250 hot meals for every $100 in donations. It is Compassion, Cash, and Canned Goods all the way to the Food Bank, so no one in Hawaii goes hungry.
THE SOCIAL JUSTICE COUNCIL ...
is the leadership team of the Social Justice Pro-gram and the acknowledged Church/FACE Liaison of the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu.
The Program as a whole engages our Church in re-sponsible and effective social action, both inwardly with-in our Congregation and outwardly within our Communi-ty.
The Council meets regularly on the THIRD FRIDAY of every month at 6:00 pm in the Fred Harper Room.
The Council’s Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG) meets regularly on the Third Sunday of every month at 11:30 am in the Sanctuary. See http://www.unitariansofhi.org/ for more infor-mation, or contact the Council at 808-595-4047 or [email protected].
FIRST UNITARIAN – FIRST IN EDUCATION EXCELLENCE & EQUITY
Our First Unitarian focus on Learning Justice began on May 29 Fifth Sunday and will include two Sunday morn-ing services, two Sunday afternoon events, and an In-terfaith Alliance Open Table facilitated by Rev. Deborah Bond-Upson.
Deborah is a Social Justice Council member; board member of Parents for Public Schools-Hawaii; CEO of LearningBond and AwesomeStories; and participates both locally and nationally in HSTA, HI DOE, and Edu-cation Institute of Hawaii (EIH) activities. Our various Learning Justice events will include representatives from these groups.
This is a time of exciting opportunity for education is-sues in Hawaii and in the larger world. Equity, technolo-gy, testing, and the role of teachers are receiving urgent attention nationally and in Hawaii. Clergy are uniquely qualified to engage in these issues and bring their inspi-ration and action to our congregations. Families also have current opportunities to be heard and to support and improve Hawaii Public Schools.
Last Fall, the Hawaii State Teachers’ Association (HSTA) proposed omnibus legislation to increase aid to schools to support 10 key needs. The HSTA bill was approved by the Senate but not by the House, and the governor declared nonsupport.
One key point, air conditioning for schools, did pass the 2016 State Legislature, and efforts will continue to ad-dress the other points, including our teacher turnover rate, the highest in the nation.
In December, the U.S. Congress passed and the presi-dent signed new legislation, the “Every Student Suc-ceeds Act” (ESSA). ESSA replaces No Child Left Be-hind to return flexibility to states on important issues. Governor Ige created a task force to see how Hawaii can benefit from the flexibility, while the HI DOE is re-freshing its Strategic Plan. The Governor’s Task Force and the HI DOE now seek community input on priorities.
On June 14, Rev. Deborah, First Unitarian, and The
Board Candidates...Board Candidates...Board Candidates...Board Candidates...Board Candidates
Allison Jacobs - Director Allison is an attorney and was most recently a legislative analyst this past session. Her parents were founding mem-bers of the New Haven Conn UU church, so she is a cradle born UU. She is co-facilitator of the ADORE program, which she adores, and hopes to use her skills as a Board member.
Jerry Matiotis - Director Jerry is new to Hawaii, only 5 months, but not new to UU. He was an active member at the UU Fellowship in Prescott, AZ for 12 years. He moved here for a job at Kaiser Permanente as an Optician. He sees that our church is at a cross-roads and feels he has experiences from his previous church that may prove useful.
Bill Scarvie - Director Bill and his wife, Karen, have been snowbirds for the last 4 years from the Seattle area but they have moved here full time now. Bill has been a UU for nearly 20 years. He has retired from his 3 careers, the most recent of which was man-aging Karen's toy store. His natural inclination is to be of service and would very much like to be in that capacity in our church.
Kukui Lamalama Volume 2016 Number 6 June 1, 2016 Page 8
Death With Dignity
LIVE WITH PASSION, DIE WITH DIGNITY
In 1988, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) adopted its “Right to Die with Dignity” Resolution that states in part, “Guided by our belief as Unitarian Uni-versalists that human life has inherent dignity, which may be compromised when life is extended beyond the will or ability of a person to sustain that dignity; and believing that it is every person's inviolable right to de-termine in advance the course of action to be taken in the event that there is no reasonable expectation of recovery from extreme physical or mental disability; . . . . Unitarian Universalists advocate the right to self-determination in dying, and the release from civil or criminal penalties of those who, under proper safe-guards, act to honor the right of terminally ill patients to select the time of their own deaths . . . .” See http://www.uua.org/statements/right-die-dignity.
In 2003, following the language of the UUA resolution, the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu adopted its own “Resolution to Support the Right to Die with Dignity.” See http://www.unitariansofhi.org/sjd.
The Interfaith Alliance Hawaii (TIAH) also adopted a statement, “TIAH and Religious Leaders for Assisted Dying,” declar-ing in part, “We respect the right of compe-tent adults to make their own decisions con-cerning end of life choices according to their own be-liefs and val-ues . . . . Just as we should be free to wor-ship according to our individual understanding of faith, we should have the freedom in making our own end-of-life choices . . . . We do not believe it is up to any religious leader to dic-tate how this final and perhaps most intimate decision between a dying person and his or her God should be made.” See http://www.interfaithalliancehawaii.org/assisted_dying.htm.
On April 23, 2016, the Oahu County Democratic Con-vention adopted the following Resolution OC2016-8, On Death with Dignity: “WHEREAS, Hawaii has long affirmed the rights of in-dividuals to make informed decisions regarding their health care at the end of life; and WHEREAS, The Democratic Party of Hawaii has, through duly-adopted prior platform planks, established a long history of support for and the endorsement of Death with Dignity for terminally ill patients at the end of life; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Oahu County Democrats of the Democratic Party of Hawaii urge the Legislature to take all measures to affirm the right of dying patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare, ensure that Hawaii residents are provided with a full range of end of life options, including a decision to advance the time of death, and provide safeguards to ensure pa-tients are in control if they choose Death with Dignity.”
As of this writing, Resolution OC2016-8, On Death with Dignity, will be heard next at the Democratic Party of Hawaii State Convention on May 28 and 29, 2016.
The First Unitarian Church of Honolulu has actively supported Death with Dignity advocates for many years. On May 17, 2016, First Unitarian hosted a TIAH Open Table panel discussion of end-of-life issues, in-cluding medical aid in dying. Co-sponsored by TIAH and Compassion & Choices, this panel included Scott Foster, Hawaii Death With Dignity Society (http://hawaiidwdsociety.org/); Dr. Craig Nakatsuka, MD, Kokua Mau (http://www.kokuamau.org/); Jade Young, MDiv, Hospice Chaplain and Educator; and discussion facilitator Mary Steiner, Campaign Manager, Compassion & Choices Hawaii (https://www.compassionandchoices.org/hawaii/).
Mary Steiner writes, “Thank you again for joining the cause in Ha-waii as we pre-pare for our own legislative effort in 2017 . . . . I’m excited to share with you that Com-passion & Choices HI will launch a media blitz in May,
taking our movement to the next level to ensure aid in dying is open and accessible to the people of our state . . . . we will not give up until a full complement of end-of-life care options are available to all of us — in-cluding hospice care, pain management, palliative care, the ability to refuse unwanted medical treatment, and medical aid in dying.”
Scott Foster writes, “There is much to do between now and the 2017 legislative session . . . . Death With Digni-ty is very possible for Hawaii — if we build the needed political and grassroots support base.” Remember how our progressive interfaith ‘ohana came together in 2013 to do the right thing for Marriage Equality? Now is the time for our progressive community to come together again to make this the next Historic Moment in Hawaii. Remember, assisted dying laws result, not in more people dying, but in fewer people suffering. Together, we can make this happen!
Open Table Panel Discussion on
"End of Life Care and Dying With Dignity"
May 17 A collaboration of The
Interfaith Alliance Hawaii (TIAH) and Compassion and Choices in Hawaii
(From left to right: Mary Steiner, Moderator, Dr. Craig Nakatsuka, Jade Young and Scott Foster)
Kukui Lamalama Volume 2016 Number 6 June 1, 2016 Page 9
Do It For You…. Everything Is Better When Shared
Including Meditation
There is a synergy that takes place when people meditate togeth-er. Are you a beginner having trouble getting started?
Experienced and seeking connection and support in your medita-tion practice?
Feel free to bring your own meditation ritual or, if you are a begin-ner, you may want to try the Hong-Sau technique to help get you started.
We begin with 15 minutes of instruction, social and sharing time then connect as we meditate together from 9:15 to 9:45 am.
Finish in time to join the 10:00 am Worship Service.
To learn about the Hong-Sau technique visit http://www.ananda.org/meditation/getting-started/how-to-meditate/
Questions? Contact Carla Allison, the group’s coordinator, or simply arrive by 9:00 am to join the weekly session. (Carla Allison)
Witch’s Cauldron
Just like that, summer is upon us! In the Northern Hemisphere, we observe the Summer Solstice on
June 20th. Also known as Litha in the Wiccan tradition, the Solstice is celebrated in many regions and most spiritual traditions. It seems to be a primal instinct to pay tribute to the long days of sun and bounty of the earth this time of year.
Nearly every pantheon includes a sun deity and rituals to celebrate her/him. If you choose to make merry in the Western Pagan tradition you might make offerings to Apollo, Juno, Lugh, or Sunna, have a bonfire, or set your altar with solar symbols like sun discs, yellow and orange candles, and foliage like sun-flowers, dandelions, and daisies. Here in Hawaii it often seems like summer all the time, so celebrations of the seasons tend to run a bit differently. Still, you can pay homage to the sun by learning more about the traditional Gods and Goddesses of Hawaiian and oth-er Pacific Island cultures if you are so inclined. I personally love learning about new deities so I could go down the rabbit hole of the Internet doing this! Even if you don’t have a specific Pagan path to fol-low, be sure to spend this Solstice outside, enjoying the sun, some delicious summer fruits, and maybe even catch a wave or two. After all, for Pagans the Goddess is all around us and the Earth is our altar. Blessed Be,
Aimée Olivera Sanchez
Volunteer Opportunity
Become a Lay Minister,
all you need is a warm heart
and an attentive ear. Contact
Sheila O’Keefe, 489-4629,
sheila.okeefe.hawaii @gmail.com
Tranquil Flow
By Amitav Radiance
Observing the flowing water
There is a feeling of tranquility
Which washes over the worries
Holding the essence of life
An elixir which infuses hope
Take a dip to energize the soul
Cleanses away the negativism
Remember, it’s a part of you
Connecting with your inner self
Rejuvenating the life’s possibilities
None greater force
Which can smoothen the rough edges
Life’s a tranquil flow
(Thanks to Janice Davis for submitting this poem)
Travel Plans
Help Wanted
Volunteer Opportunity: Join the task force on
The Building. A short term commitment and a
vital contribution to the future of this church.
Have an interest in where we meet in the future?
Contact Margaret Mann, 265-6551
Bethany’s Summer
Bethany Schwartz has com-pleted the first year of her PhD and this summer she headed out to Ubon Ratchathani in eastern Thailand to participate in an English teaching practi-cum. The Second Language Studies department at UH Manoa has been going there for years.
She hopes to do some traveling around SE Asia on the long weekends and there's a short trip to Delhi, India af-ter the practicum in the works but she'll be back by early August to start her new Graduate Assistantship in the fall semester.
Aloha To The Launert Family
The wonderful Launert Family, Kathryn, Dameon, Emily, Sarah and Dakota are leaving for the Mainland this Spring. Both Kathryn and Dameon have been active Members of our Church.
Dameon was Board Treasurer and Kathryn was the editor of the Weekly Bulletin. Both were very active with the UU Lee-ward Ohana. They and their beautiful children will be missed.
Dusty Baker Heads to China
Culinary Arts Student and Kailua Chalice Circle Member Dusty Baker, pictured serving at Sec-ond Sunday Lunch, has been selected for a schol-arship to study abroad in China. This summer she’ll learn Mandarin, taking two years of college level courses in just twelve weeks! In the fall, she’ll attend classes at Shanghai University while doing service learning/community service. Congratulations Dusty!
Got Issues? The Building and Grounds Team Is Here To Help!
Have you ever come to church and seen something that just made you shake your head and wonder WTFSM did some idiot do that? You know, issues and questions like: Who butchered the oleander? Why doesn’t anyone ever fix the soffits? Why is the paint bubbling up near the entryway stairs? Just who is The Queen of The Base-ment? If you want the answers to these issues or other things around here that trigger your WTFSM response system, you are in luck, as the Buildings and Grounds Team promises to address all your issues and questions about what goes on around this old house and grounds.
All you have to do is join our team (it is totally free to join!).
We meet in the Fred Harper Room the 2nd
Wednesday of every month @7:00 pm and hold bi-monthly work parties on Saturdays from 1:00 to 5:00 pm
(our next party is June 25, 2016).
It is OK if you don’t know what a soffit is or you don’t even care who The Queen of The Basement is. We just need more help from a few new team members in order to keep this old house from falling down. Please contact Dan Curran ([email protected]) or Al Rowland ([email protected]) to join the Building and Grounds Team.
Don’t wait, join today!
Social Justice Council Candidate
Lee Curran Lee is an educational aide for special education at Kaiser High School. She has only been a UU for 3 1/2 years, all of them here with us but she is so active is so many things that I thought is was much longer. She is passionate about being a proactive force in promoting social justice issues, an exten-sion of being a former Peace Corp volunteer.
Kukui Lamalama Volume 2016 Number 6 June 1, 2016 Page 11
UU Leeward Ohana
Yet Another Successful Spaghetti Lunch!!!!
Thanks to our very hungry and generous Congregation, the May 22nd Fourth Sunday Lunch netted $119.00 which the UU Leeward Ohana will use to continue its mission to boldly grow compassion, justice and joy on the Leeward Side of Oahu.
Of course, this is possible because of our amazing vol-unteers: Mark & Ron Brasher (our brilliant, hardworking, creative chefs), John Elder, Sue Greene, Pierre Kleiber, Charlotte & Veronica Morgan, and Emily Mottl.
The Fourth Sunday Lunch Crew is taking the Summer off.
There will be NO lunch in June, July and August. See you in September.
Veronica prepares the salad
Ron and Sue celebrate after another success-ful 4th Sunday Lunch & Coffee Hour
Jeff Captivates UU Leeward Ohana
The May 12th Service of the UU Leeward Ohana, at Is-land Pacific Academy featured Jeff Gillis-Davis who spoke on Computer Devices: Virtues and Vices. Jeff emphasized how it is normal for people these days to be glued to their screens and that this behavior is both changing us and shaping our future.
There was a lively Talk Back after Jeff’s commentary.
The Service was followed by the Famous Fabulous Pot Luck.
Jeff in the lovely Library at Island Pacific Academy
Veronica, John, Lisa, and Betty enjoy the Pot Luck
The sons of Jeff and Lisa enjoy the Pot Luck
Nominating Committee Candidates...Nominating Committee Candidates
Janice Davis Janice is a retired speech pathologist born and raised in California. She has been a UU for 4 years, all of those here in Honolulu. Because she is so friendly, makes it a point to get to know people, new comers as well as long term members which makes her perfect for the job of being on the Nominating Committee.
Marie Ann Has been an English as a Second Language teacher all over the world, most recently here in Honolulu, where she retired from the DOE. She has been a UU for over 20 years and here at our church for 5. She is very involved in Sunday morning hospitality and on the aesthetics team and is looking forward to making even bigger decisions as a member of the Nominating Committee.
Kukui Lamalama Volume 2016 Number 6 June 1, 2016 Page 12
Art, Music, Literature & More
Gallery on the Pali (GOTP) Presents…
“Hawaii Illuminated" - Paintings by Holly Hughes
On exhibit from Sunday, June 5 through Thursday, July 7, 2016. Artist Reception: Friday, June 10, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 pm
Honolulu's GOTP announces an exhibition of artwork by North Shore artist Holly Hughes. Holly Hughes was born and raised in Colorado, but has made her home here on Oahu with her husband. Her educational and profes-sional background is in archaeology (Bachelor’s and Master’s de-grees from BYU), and she has worked as an archaeologist and ar-chaeological illustrator since 2003 in the Great Basin region of the US and at sites in Jordan and Syria.
Her experiences at these archaeological sites along with her travels to Egypt, Turkey, and Europe have inspired many of the themes and subject matter in her work. Holly’s work is also strongly influ-enced by illuminated manuscripts, miniatures, and the Art Nouveau Movement. Her preferred media are watercolor, gouache, and me-tallic acrylic ink. Here on Oahu, Holly has been quite inspired the beauty of the island and has created a body of work that reflects this. (Marshall Heaney)
The Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, weekends from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. There is no admission charge and parking is convenient and free.
For more information, please call the First Unitarian Church Office at (808) 595-4047 or email [email protected]
Book Group Wednesday, June 1 at 7:00 pm
Fred Harper Room
We will discuss An Astro-naut's Guide to Life On Earth by Chris Hadfield in which he draws upon his many experiences as a pilot, astronaut and space station commander to sup-port his philosophy of life.
Wednesday, July 6 at 7:00 pm Fred Harper Room
We will discuss A General Theory of Love by Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini, and Richard Lannon. These psychiatrists explain how who we are and who we become depend largely on who we love. They assert that modern society regularly courts disaster by flout-ing emotional laws it does not yet recognize. (Roger Wickenden)
Opera Night Out Friday, June 24
Humperdinck’s Hansel und Gretel with Fassbaender + Gruberova + Prey + Vienna Philharmonic
Hansel and Gretel is one of the most popular and most frequently performed operas. It is based on a well known Grimm's fairy tale and has some memorable melodies. It appeals to all ages. The idea came from Humperdinck’s sister Adelheid who also wrote the libretto. The premier was just before Christmas 1893 in Weimar and conducted by Richard Strauss who said it was "a masterpiece of the highest quality".
Performances are shown via sub-captioned DVD on a large screen in a large comfort-able room with cushioned dining-type chair seating. Arrive early and/or stay late to help set up and clean up. Performances are formal / Dress is casual E Komo Mai
First Unitarian Church of Honolulu FREE
From 6:00 PM until c. 9:50 PM—Preceded by Pot Luck Pupus to Share
Kukui Lamalama Volume 2016 Number 6 June 1, 2016 Page 13
Chalice Circles
Chalice Circles Launch a New Six Month Series in July
Come join a community of care and connection! Chalice Circles launch a new six month series where you can benefit from being part of an intimate, caring community of Unitarian Universalists and friends. Chalice Circles are always open to new members and meet twice a month for two hours to explore pre-selected topics. Membership requires commitment to regular attend-ance twice each month July through December, 2016.
Locations, Dates & Times
FUCH: 1st & 3rd Saturdays @ 2:00 – 4:00 pm Hawaii Kai: 2nd & 4th Mondays @ 6:30 - 8:30 pm Kaka’ako: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays @ 6:30 -- 8:30 pm Nu’uanu: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Kailua: 2nd & 4th Saturdays @ 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Interested in participating? Being a Facilitator?
Hosting a group in your home? Contact Carla Allison,
[email protected], 396-1488 or
The Chalice Circle Facilitator Team: Nancy Schildt, Lee Curran, Nan Kleiber, Martina Queenth, Carla Allison, Blake Porter and Heather Lemkelde. Not pictured Meghan Bundtzen (Photo by Al Rowland)
Chalice Circle Facilitators Blake Porter & Heather Lemkelde contribute to Church safety at Building and Grounds’ April Work Party. (Photo by Catherine Graham)
Kaka’ako Chalice Circle celebrating Blake Porter’s birthday. (Photo by Catherine Graham)
Chalice Circle Members prepare Second Sunday Lunch (Photo by Carla Allison)
Kukui Lamalama Volume 2016 Number 6 June 1, 2016 Page 14
For Our UU Keiki….Life Is A Beach
During the weekend of May 13-15, Katie Acker-mann, our Director of Lifespan Religious Educa-tion (DLRE) at First Unitarian Church of Honolu-lu organized a weekend of sand, sun, and silly fun at Bellows Beach.
Job Description for the DLRE Position
From the Board Do you have a passion
for expanding the minds and heart of our keiki?
First Unitarian Church of Honolulu is looking for a new Director of Lifespan
Religious Education!
Basic description: The Director of Lifespan Religious Education is a team player who is responsible for planning, developing, coordinating, and administering a holistic, trans-formative, inclusive, and vibrant Uni-tarian Universalist religious educa-tion program.
Mission: We are a Unitarian Univer-salist community, inspired by our principles, boldly growing compas-sion, justice, and joy. Vision: The First Unitarian Church of Honolulu (FUCH) envisions a Re-ligious Education (RE) program that will boldly grow children who will become good citizens of the world while embodying Unitarian Univer-salist principles and values.
Responsibilities: include manag-ing and supervising RE program-ming to youth (3-18) and supporting adult (>18) programming; recruiting, training, and childcare providers (volunteer and paid staff) and RE
program volunteers; coordinat-ing social events/retreat opportuni-ties for RE families; budgeting work; and providing pastoral care.
Salary Range: in accordance with credentialing level and UUA Guide-lines, Geo-3 for a small (<150) con-gregation ($34,050-$54,350 at 1 FTE) + professional expenses, health/dental benefits, and vaca-tion.
Hours: 0.5 to 0.75 FTE (20-30 hours per week)
Submission process: Email job application and resume to RE Chairs ([email protected]) initial consideration will be given to applications received prior to 5 pm on June 10, 2016. For additional duties, qualifications, and skills, or to make other inquiries please send questions to the above email ad-dress or call Jeff Gillis-Davis, RE co-chair, at 808-294-2055. Here is your link direct to the docu-ment: http://www.unitariansofhi.org/files/67/.pdf%20files/DLRE-job-description.pdf
And, of course, our home link: http://www.unitariansofhi.org/home
Aloha Katie
Our Director of Lifespan Religious Edu-caion, Katie Ackerman will be leaving us this Summer to be with her wife, Caryn who has received a position on the Mainland.
Katie will truly be missed. From devel-oping new programs to giving life to old ones, Katie has given us a Religious Education program that is astounding. One only needs to see the enthusiasm of the keiki and the adults as they go off to RE classes to appreciate the fine job Katie has done.
We wish Katie and Caryn and their three children only the best in their new home.
Thank you Katie for all you have done.
Caryn & Katie Ackerman
Kukui Lamalama Volume 2016 Number 6 June 1, 2016 Page 15
Church Calendar Thursday, June 9 9:00 am Rachel Finch yoga series (MR#1) 6:00 pm Sunday Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 6:15 pm Feminist Theology (FHR)
Friday, June 10 4:00 pm Art Reception Setup (Gallery) 5:00 pm Art Reception (Gallery Kitchen) 8:00 pm Art Reception Cleanup (Gallery Kitchen)
Saturday, June 11 All day King Kamehameha Day (Church Holiday) 9:00 am Sof Ma'arav (Downstairs) 1:00 pm Sof Ma'arav (FHR Sanctuary) 5:00 pm UU Leeward Ohana (Island Pacific Academy) 6:00 pm Sof Ma'arav Evev Shavu'ot/ Annual Meeting (Downstairs)
Sunday, June 12 7:30 am 2nd Sunday Lunch Prep (Down Stairs) 9:00 am Band Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 9:00 am Hindu Meditation Group (FHR) 10:00 am RE Program for Children (Upstairs) 10:00 am RE Teen Group (FHR) 10:00 am Sunday Service (Downstairs) 12:00 pm Annual Meeting (Sanctuary)
Monday, June 13 All day Monday Church and Grounds closed
Tuesday, June 14 11:00 am Staff Meeting (FHR)
Wednesday, June 15 6:00 pm 'Ohana Potluck and Games (Gallery) 6:30 pm Board Meeting (Sanctuary) 6:30 pm Chalice Circle Facilitators (FHR)
Thursday, June 16 9:00 am Rachel Finch yoga series (MR#1) 1:30 pm Gallery Team (Gallery) 6:00 pm Sunday Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Friday, June 17 6:00 pm Play Reading Group (FHR) 6:00 pm Social Justice Council (Sun- Room)
Saturday, June 18 9:00 am Sof Ma'arav (Downstairs) 1:00 pm Sof Ma'arav (FHR Sanctuary) 2:00 pm Chalice Circle Meeting (FHR) 5:00 pm Y/F Ohana Covenant Group (MR1, 5 FHR)
Sunday, June 19 All day Father's Day 9:00 am Band Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 9:00 am Hindu Meditation Group (FHR) 10:00 am RE Program for Children (Upstairs) 10:00 am RE Teen Group (FHR) 10:00 am Sunday Service (Downstairs) 11:30 am Economic Justice Action Group (Sun-Room) 12:00 pm Newsletter Submission Deadline
Monday, June 20 All day Monday Church and Grounds closed
Tuesday, June 21 11:00 am Staff Meeting (FHR)
Thursday, June 23 9:00 am Rachel Finch yoga series (MR#1) 6:00 pm Sunday Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 6:15 pm Feminist Theology (FHR)
Friday, June 24 5:30 pm Opera Group (Sanctuary)
Saturday, June 25 9:00 am Sof Ma'arav (Downstairs) 1:00 pm Sof Ma'arav (FHR Sanctuary) 1:00 pm Working Party (Whole Church)
Sunday, June 26 9:00 am Band Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 9:00 am Hindu Meditation Group (FHR) 10:00 am RE Program for Children (Upstairs) 10:00 am RE Teen Group (FHR) 10:00 am Sunday Service (Downstairs) 11:30 am SJC ADORE (Sanctuary)
Monday, June 27 All day Monday Church and Grounds closed
Tuesday, June 28 11:00 am Staff Meeting (FHR) 6:30 pm All Believers Network (Sanctuary)
Thursday, June 30 9:00 am Rachel Finch yoga series (MR#1) 6:00 pm Sunday Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Saturday, July 2 9:00 am Sof Ma'arav (Downstairs) 1:00 pm Sof Ma'arav (FHR Sanctuary) 5:00 pm Y/F Ohana Covenant Group (MR1, 5 FHR)
Sunday, July 3 9:00 am Band Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 10:00 am RE Program for Children (Upstairs) 10:00 am RE Teen Group (FHR) 10:00 am Sunday Service (Downstairs) 11:30 am RE Team (MR#1)
Friday, May 27 5:30 pm Opera Group (Sanctuary)
Saturday, May 28 9:00 am Sof Ma'arav (Downstairs) 1:00 pm Sof Ma'arav (FHR Sanctuary) 4:00 pm Parking for Anniversary party
Sunday, May 29 9:00 am Band Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 9:00 am Hindu Meditation Group (FHR) 10:00 am RE Program for Children (Upstairs) 10:00 am RE Teen Group (FHR) 10:00 am Sunday Service (Downstairs) 11:30 am SJC Learning Workshop.1 (Sanctuary) 5:00 pm Vibe tribe (Sanctuary)
Monday, May 30 All day Memorial Day (Church Holiday) All day Monday Church and Grounds closed
Tuesday, May 31 11:00 am Staff Meeting (FHR) 6:30 pm All Believers Networ (Sanctuary)
Wednesday, June 1 7:00 pm Book Discussion Group (FHR)
Thursday, June 2 9:00 am Rachel Finch yoga series (MR#1) 6:00 pm Sunday Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Friday, June 3 2:00 pm Art Show Take Down (Gallery)
Saturday, June 4 9:00 am Sof Ma'arav (Downstairs) 1:00 pm Sof Ma'arav (FHR Sanctuary) 2:00 pm Art Show Setup (Gallery) 2:00 pm Chalice Circle Meeting (FHR) 5:00 pm Y/F Ohana Covenant Group (MR1, 5 FHR)
Sunday, June 5 9:00 am Band Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 9:00 am Hindu Meditation Group (FHR) 10:00 am RE Program for Children (Upstairs) 10:00 am RE Teen Group (FHR) 10:00 am Sunday Service (Downstairs) 11:30 am Budget meeting update (FHR) 11:30 am RE Team (MR#1) 11:30 am SJC Learning Workshop.2 (Sanctuary)
Monday, June 6 All day Monday Church and Grounds closed
Tuesday, June 7 11:00 am Staff Meeting (FHR) 6:00 pm Worship Team (FHR)
Wednesday, June 8 7:00 pm Building Team (FHR)
The deadline for both hard and elec-tronic copy for the Newsletter is Noon on the Third Sunday of the month.
Typeface— Arial, 12 point Format—Single space. Block para-graphs. One line space between para-graphs. NO—Indentations, tabs, all caps, bolding, centering, tables, colors Section Word Limits Events – 50 words per item Coming Services – 50 words per ser-vice description Committee/Team/Task Force Updates – 100 words per item N.B. The editors may edit any piece for content, length, and clarity. Please bring hard copy to the Church Office or email electronic copy to Aimee Olivera Sanchez, [email protected] . Newsletter Mailing Policy All Members and Friends with email addresses registered on our website will receive an email notification when
the Newsletter is uploaded and ready to view. www.unitariansofhi.org * If a Member does not have an email address, the Newsletter will be mailed to the Member at no cost. * If an Oahu based Member has an email address and wants a paper copy of the Newsletter, she/he may pick it up at Church. * For any Member or Friend who has an email address and wants a copy of the Newsletter mailed to them, there will be a $20.00/year subscription fee, payable in advance. Mail Subscription Policy * The Newsletter Subscription fee is $20.00/year, payable in advance. * The subscription year is the calendar year: January to December. New subscribers will have their sub-scriptions prorated quarterly: Fifteen dollars ($15.00) for nine (9) months; Ten Dollars ($10.00) for six (6) months; Five Dollars ($5.00) for (3) months. * The subscriber may send the sub-scription check to the Church Office,
Attention: Newsletter Subscription. Please write “Newsletter Subscription” on the check memo. * A reminder notice may be put into the subscriber’s Newsletter in Novem-ber.
First Unitarian Church of Honolulu
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www.unitariansofhi.org
Publication Information
A Unitarian Universalist Church of Honolulu 2500 Pali Highway, Honolulu, HI 96817 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Phone: 808-595-4047 Web: www.unitariansofhi.org Facebook: First Unitarian Church of Honolulu Twitter: UUHonolulu
Staff Newsletter Coordinator: Aimee Olivera Sanchez
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Charlotte Morgan Technical Coordinator:
Jennifer Kane