Volume 2018 Number 7
Kukui Lamalama
Rejoining FACE
On June 23, 15 UUs attended the FACE (Faith Action for Community Equity) Delegated Council Meeting where The First Unitarian Church was sworn in as members. Kathy Kaknes, chair of the FUCH Social Justice Council, is now the Steering Committee member of our Church to FACE. She will attend all meetings and report back to our congregation decisions and actions. Here is the Covenant Statement that we signed: We, the members of Faith Action for community Equity, are a multicultural people, richly diverse in ethnicity, language, economics and faith. We are convinced that, at every level of society, our system of power and power sharing, originally based on democratic traditions, is not working for all people. As a people of hope who share values arising from our religious convictions, we celebrate the historical teachings of our heritages as they show us the way of justice and compassion, and set us to care for the needs of all people. Out of these commonly shared values and out of deep pain over the growing inequities and incivility in our society, we covenant: To strengthen and enhance the vitality of our own congregations, to discover the hopes, dreams, fears and talents of our members; To come together to impact the life of our community, uniting to act on real life concerns in hope; To be a grassroots organization of organizations, uniting in ministry, and caring for the common good of the people of these islands; To examine core issues and the root causes of problems, and to be a vehicle through which our people can act to improve quality of life; To support materially our emerging organization, contributing to its financial needs through pledges and an equitable structure of dues. Everyone is invited to the FACE Accountability Assembly on the morning of Oct. 13 at Harris United Church where we will ask candidates for office if they will work with FACE on our important issues. More about that later. - Catherine Graham
The Magazine of the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu July 2018
Articles (from members or other UU leaders) submitted to the church magazine will be selected on the basis of their informative and/or inspirational nature or value to the life and ministry of this congregation. The editor has the authority to make the decision to not include a submission. Print versions of the magazine will be limited to selected 4 (or 8 back to back) pages.
When we open our eyes, life is forever fascinating. There is significant benefit, as well as enjoyment, when we gather together and share our perceptions and experiences of our lives. No surprise “Talking Story” is a basic positive cultural practice. We invite you to take it one step further and join our Story Sharing Writing Group. Real or imagined; all are welcome. We will begin this informal group on Second Sundays after church. We will meet upstairs in Room 1 (or Fred Harper Room if necessary) beginning on Sept. 9th. Aloha, Mike Compton
Chalice Circles Launch a New Series: The Blessings of Connection
Index
If you are ready to experience being listened to and connecting with others in a way you may yet to have experienced in your life, join a Chalice Circle. Groups of 5-12 people meet twice a month for two hours to explore preselected topics together. Each group is guided by a trained facilitator. For more information, contact Carla Allison, cbm@hawaii.rr.com, 396-1488. Locations, Dates & Times: Hawaii Kai: 2nd & 4th Mondays @ 6:30 - 8:30 pm Nu’uanu: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Kailua: 2nd & 4th Saturdays @ 3:00 - 5:00 pm Kaka’ako: 2nd & 4th Mondays @ 6:30 -- 8:30 pm Lower Manoa: 1st & 3rd Mondays @ 6:30 -- 8:30 pm
Sharing Our Stories: A Continuing Writing Group
Rejoining FACE 1 Chalice Circles 3 Sharing Stories 3 Work Party News 4 Renovations 4 A.D.O.R.E. 5 July Services 6 Gallery on the Pali 6 Supporting BLUU 7 Decorator Needed 7
Editorial Policy
Renovations and New Spaces
The work party on June 2nd consisted of a combination of Building and Grounds and Religious Education volunteers, and it was a productive afternoon. Thanks to Dan, Lee, Pierre, Nana, Marshall, Al, Molly, Laura, Steven, Susan, Nancy, John, Hilary, Jared and Betsy, windows and chairs were washed, vines pulled, bushes and trees trimmed, the playground fence repaired, the refrigerator cleaned, and the attic trash removed! August 18 is the next Saturday afternoon work party, sponsored by the Building and Grounds and Religious Education teams. Everyone is invited to come and help in the job of keeping our church home and grounds clean and in good repair. The list of tasks will include both inside and outside work, and help at all levels of strength and skill will be welcome. The Party is scheduled from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Cold drinks and snacks will be provided. If you have any questions, please contact Al Rowland at 988-4426.
On June 24th, 2018, the A.D.O.R.E. group viewed and held discussed the documentary, "The Untold Story." Here is a description of the film: Within hours of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawai'i authorities arrested several hundred local Japanese on O'ahu, Maui, Hawai'i and Kauai'i. They were Buddhist priests, Japanese language school officials, newspaper editors, business and community leaders. In total, over 2,000 men and women of Japanese ancestry were arrested, detained and incarcerated in 13 confinement sites throughout Hawai'i. There was no evidence of espionage or sabotage and no charges were ever filed against them. While the story of the 1942 mass round-up, eviction and imprisonment of Japanese Americans in California, Oregon and Washington has been well documented, very little is known about the Hawai'i internees and their unique experience during World War II. This is the first full-length documentary to chronicle this untold story in Hawai'i's history. Several guests who are involved with the Nissei Legacy Exhibit and/or the Sons and Daughters of the 442nd Regiment, attended our meeting, which added greatly to the richness of our discussion. For our July 22, 2018 meeting, the A.D.O.R.E. group carried on an insightful discussion about Chapters 1-6 of the wonderful book, So you want to talk about race, by acclaimed writer and speaker Ijeoma Oluo. In her book, Ms. Oluo “offers a clarifying discussion of the racial landscape in America, addressing head-on the issues that divide us. Positioned to bridge the gap between people of color and white Americans struggling with race complexities, Oluo explains the concepts that continue to elude everyday Americans, and answers the questions readers don’t dare ask, like ‘What is cultural appropriation?’ ‘Why do I keep being told to check my privilege?’ ‘and ‘If I don’t support affirmative action, does that make me racist?’” Over the past 2 ½ years, our A.D.O.R.E. group has developed the ability to delve deeper, to become braver and more honest in its discussions. The discussion regarding this book reflected our gradual progress with this ability. We are getting closer to founder of A.D.O.R.E. Paula Cole Jones’s goal, “We have to talk about race until it loses its power.” For our August 26, 2018 A.D.O.R.E. meeting, we plan to discuss the second half of So you want to talk about race. That discussion promises to take us even deeper in our awareness of the crucial topics that Ijeoma Oluo presents.
Do you like the meditation and social aspects of painting walls? This is your opportunity. We are getting our church spruced up. Our 2nd floor room 3 is ready for painting. Soon the first floor nursery and 3rd floor will also be ready to paint. Every Wed. from 9-2 someone will be at church to supervise. Saturdays or evenings are also possible and necessary to finish the jobs. Other tasks are: install new click flooring, sanding, cleaning, sorting, organizing. There is a job for everyone. Contact Nancy S. 808 225-2744. nschildt707@gmail.com or Dan Carpenter, Pierre Kleiber, Mike Mottl or Sue Yamane Carpenter.
Work Party News
A.D.O.R.E.
Cynthia Lynch July 22, 2018 "Why Are People Unethical?"
Tom Lynch July 22, 2018 "Why Are People Unethical?"
Mary Mackay July 15, 2018 “What’s Justice Got to Do With It?”
Decorators Needed
Gallery on the Pali
Artist Esperance Rakotonirina was born in Madagascar and has lived in Hawai'i since 2010. He says he was "quickly taken by the natural beauty of the islands which resemble the landscapes of Madagascar". While adjusting to his new home and completely different culture he found great comfort in his art. For the first time he was able to experiment with acrylics, water colors, and professional grade oils. His preferred focus is nature and wildlife painting in the realistic style. Numerous hours of studying Hawai'i flora allows him to paint detailed depictions of local palm, fern, and flower species. His paintings will be on display through September 6th. For more information, please call the First Unitarian Church Office at (808) 595-4047 or e-mail Gallery@UnitariansofHI.org
First Unitarian Church of Honolulu is joining other UU Congregations to do something different in this extraordinary moment to connect our finances with our theological values as we enter a new chapter within our faith. We’ve made the pledge to The Promise and the Practice of Our Faith campaign in support of Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism. This campaign is our faith’s opportunity to take the lead as a denomination to address our history of upholding white supremacy, collectively work to dismantle it and amend a long broken promise to the Black Lives within our Unitarian Universalist Association. Each UU congregation has been asked to donate the equivalent of $10 per member. Through our church’s Share the Plate for BLUU in February along with donations from A.D.O.R.E., our Dialogue on Race and Ethnicity group and an anonymous donor, our check for $950 is being delivered to the campaign in July 2018. Through a generous matching fund, the first $1 million raised by UU congregations will be matched so our church’s donation will be doubled. In making the pledge to The Promise and the Practice of Our Faith, First Unitarian of Honolulu has also made a long-term commitment to dismantle white supremacy, racism and oppression from within our denomination and beyond, and uplifting the Black Lives, Voices, and Leadership of Unitarian Universalism. “This is our time to be Bold, Radical, and Transformational as we commit to nurture a radically inclusive, justice centered, multiracial and multigenerational religious faith!” - submitted by Carla Allison
July Services
The volunteers who provide a decoration for the sanctuary on Sunday mornings contribute to the pleasant atmosphere we all enjoy, and their efforts are appreciated. If you have access to plant materials and some skill in arranging, we welcome your help in providing a decoration. Some volunteers do this on a monthly basis, while others prefer to do it occasionally. Whatever your preference, we need your help. Please call Molly Rowland at 988-4426 or talk to her at church if you can help out.
The Promise and the Practice of Our Faith: In Support of Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU)
Island Homes - Madagascar & Hawaii - Paintings by Esperance Rakotonirina
First Unitarian Church of Honolulu A Welcoming Unitarian Universalist Church
Submission Deadline: The deadline for both hard and electronic copy for the Magazine is noon on the third Sunday of the month. Bring hard copy submissions to the church office; email electronic copy to: Magazine@unitariansofhi.org Section Word Limits: Please limit your copy to 100 - 200 words. N.B. The editors may edit any submission for content, length, and/or clarity. 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. If a member does not have an email address, paper copies of the Magazine are available at the church for Oahu-based members. The Magazine will be mailed to any member or friend upon request and following payment of the subscription fee. Mail Subscriptions: The Magazine subscription fee is $20.00 per year payable in advance . The subscription year runs January to December. New subscriptions will be prorated on a quarterly basis. Publisher: Nancy Schildt Editor and Composition: Jane Raissle Distribution: Suzette Tom
Publication Information
Return Service Requested 2500 Pali Highway Honolulu, HI 96817 Phone: (808) 595-4047 Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Web: www.unitariansofhi.org Twitter: UUHonolulu Facebook: First Unitarian Church of Honolulu
