Volume 2018 Number 12
Kukui Lamalama
Rev. T.J.'s Message: In Humble Gratitude
My friends. I want to thank you so much for the generous and welcoming way you took the next step of bringing our ministries together in a more cohesive way on Sunday. By voting to extend a call to me, you have accomplished a great deal as a community, and that should be applauded. And as it happened, from where I was sitting in the minister’s office on Sunday during the vote, I could hear the applause you gave yourselves loud and clear, wafting up through the office window. Bravo for that. We begin a time now of conversations. I am sure that many people want to know what working together in a new way will “look like” or what it will “feel like.” The short answer is that that for the time being, it will look and feel a lot like it does right now. In the time we’ve been working and learning together, many positive expressions of that work and that learning have come to be. We want a lot of that healthy, organic growth to continue to be nurtured and blessed by the wonderful ways so many attend to the life of this shared community. On January 20, following the worship service, I will hold an open conversation in the sanctuary. I will share (with pie charts, I promise) the way my ministry with you has looked over the time I’ve been with you. I will be open to hearing any and all questions at this time…and I’ll even do my best to answer them. A free exchange of ideas is at the core of our Unitarian Universalist principles. And to that end, I hope people will feel free to bring questions, comments, hopes, and concerns of all kinds. I’m looking forward to this a lot. And we will talk more on January 20 about additional kinds of conversations that will make sense after that initial conversation. Alongside these conversations, please know that your thoughtful and caring Board of Directors has begun the usual and customary process of assembling a team who will serve as point persons for discussions with me about the more formal employment matters this relationship also requires, like a contract, etc. Like any relationship, this one will grow and deepen one conversation, one kind action, and one pie chart at a time. I am deeply and wonderfully humbled by your kind invitation and I am excited to speak more about what we together can offer one another and offer this land that we love so well. Continued on page 2 Continued from page 1 I will be on study leave following our Annual No-Rehearse Christmas Pageant on December 24 at 4 pm and returning January 8. In that time I will be monitoring e-mail and available for emergency matters. In this time I will be meditating and thinking upon ways that we can continue to grow in the healthful and supportive ways we have so far and consider ways we might strive together for a future filled with the best things we and our community have to offer. I hope you will be, too. Many blessings, always. Love, Rev. T. J.
The Magazine of the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu December 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.
Index
Images of Celebration
T.J.'s Message, continued 2 Gallery on the Pali 2 Images of Celebration 3 A.D.O.R.E. 4 Guest at Your Table 4 Chalice Circles 5 New Year's Work Party 5
Editorial Policy
Gallery on the Pali Paintings by Kealohilani "Sam" Ahai
Our Christmas "tree" decorating party was enjoyed by more than 40 adults and children. The ukulele/autoharp holiday music and T.J.'s piano dinner music was wonderful and festive. Next year it looks like we need more tables!
Sam Ahai retired eight years ago from the post office, and was looking for something to do other than coaching canoeing, which he did for the past 40 years. He saw a poster at the Ala Wai Clubhouse offering beginning watercolor classes seven years ago, so he signed up. He is still involved in the class, which he enjoys. Sam likes to paint watercolor and now is involved in working with acrylic as well. He is glad to be back a second-time-around for this current show in December here at Gallery on the Pali. Sam's art will be on display through Jan. 10th, 2019 Gallery Hours (Closed Monday and Saturday): Tuesday through Friday 9 am - 2 pm, and Sundays 9 am to 1 pm.
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at Hongwanji Temple
Guest at Your Table
Are you yearning to: Connect deeply with others Engage in substantial questions that go beyond small talk Listen attentively & share deeply Develop & clarify personal values, beliefs and theology Explore ideas, needs and emotions in a high-trust environment Benefit from being part of a caring community Chalice Circles are always open to new participants. Please join us!
Current Locations, Dates & Times: Hawaii Kai: 2nd & 4th Mondays @ 6:30 - 8:30 pm Makiki: 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 Pali: 1st & 3rd Mondays @ 6:30 -- 8:30 pm
A.D.O.R.E.
New Year's Work Party
Our December 9th discussion of chapters 1-4 of Robin DiAngelo’s book, White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism, was deep and insightful for all of us. At our January 27, 2019 meeting, we will discuss chapters 5-12 of White Fragility. Here is a good review of this very important book: White fragility is the secret ingredient that makes racial conversations so difficult and achieving racial equity even harder. But by exposing it and showing us all – including white folks- how it operates and how it hurts us, individually and collectively, Robin DiAngelo has performed an invaluable service. An indispensable volume for understanding one of the most important (and yet rarely appreciated) barriers to achieving racial justice. – Tim Wise We have had requests from A.D.O.R.E. meeting participants, who arrive at our church building after the service, to start a little later which will make parking easier. Therefore, our January 27th meeting will run from 11:40am-1:40pm in the church sanctuary. Pizza will be available for $1.50 per piece and there will be childcare offered upstairs. All are welcome! For questions regarding A.D.O.R.E. discussion content or schedule, please contact: Jill Rabinov and Allison Jacobs at adore@unitariansofhi.org.
Interested in participating or don’t see a location or timing that works for you? Contact us! We are happy to provide additional information or to expand the program to include you. Carla Allison, cbm@hawaii.rr.com, 396-1488
Many of us have taken home Guest at Your Table boxes. If you still need one, you pick one up from the table by the front door of the church. Put your daily pocket change in your box or write a check to the UUSC or to our church with UUSC on the line in the bottom left hand corner. On Jan. 13 and Jan. 20 we’ll be collecting the boxes and checks at the service. Any amounts of $125 or more will be doubled by the Veach Fund for the UUSC. Our UUSC helps people around the world help themselves. We are proud of the work our UUSC does and of our contribution. - Nancy S. Young
The Building and Grounds Team hopes we will have lots of helping hands at the first Work Party of 2019. It will be on January 26th from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. We will have both inside and outside jobs on the list to meet all levels of strength and skill. Please come and join us in our efforts to care for our church home. Even yard work and household chores can be fun in the company of others. At the end of the day, we'll enjoy refreshments together. Call Al Rowland at 988-4426 if you have questions or suggestions. - Molly Rowland
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
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