Volume 2019 Number 3
Kukui Lamalama
The Middle Eastern Bazaar - A Stellar Event
The Middle Eastern Bazaar on March 23rd at the Church was a party to remember. The food was amazing, the Silent and Live Auctions were riotous and profitable, Madame V and her Taro Cards provided insights to all who visited her tent and, as expected, Jeff Gere with his Shadow Puppet Theatre was riveting. Let us not forget the wonderful and vibrant dance music provided by Dennis Graue and the Spirits While all the receipts have not yet been received, it does look as if the Church netted about $8,000.00. This is truly indicative of the enthusiasm of all who participated. We appreciate and are grateful for everyone who made this event a success. Thank you to our participants for sharing their joy and abundance…to our auction donors for their generosity & creativity…& to our hardworking and dedicated volunteers. The Coordinating Team: Food...Nancy Schildt Auction...Catherine Graham Decorations...Martina Queenth Tickets...Sue Yamane-Carpenter Print Materials...Charlotte Morgan Everything Else...Jackie Burke & Mike Compton Additional photos...Pages 8 and 9
The Magazine of the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu March 2019
Open to FUCH Women and Children Arrive any time after 9 am at the Carpenter Hale and park across the street from the house on the makai side of Pokai Bay St with car nose pointing towards ocean to maximize parking. Please stop in to say hi, use the lua, and drop off anything you don’t want to take to the beach with you. The swim beach is just a quick walk from our house. Pokai Bay is considered one of the safest family beaches on Oahu. The waters are calm due to a breakwater, and great for lazing with your noodle, snorkeling, and paddle boarding. We will have three paddle boards available at the beach to try out. Bring sunscreen, towels, beachmats, hats, and bottled water. Pokai Bay can be hot. Lunch will be served noonish back at the Hale consisting of sandwiches, carrot sticks and celery, with fruit. Ice water will be provided. Bring your own snacks. Right after lunch we’ll have a get-to-know-you circle. After that you can head back to the beach, or to town if you’re already worn out. Whatever works for you. Host: Sue Yamane-Carpenter, 86-012 Pokai Bay Street, Waianae, (808) 258-8968, syamanecarpenter@gmail.com Please RSVP by Thursday, April 11, to get a head count for lunch.
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 this month began, some folks at the church shared their experiences with balance with me, the spiritual theme for March. And some folks shared with me what they thought was the best or closest Hawaiian word or principle that stands as a corollary to balance. Kaulike was one of the words, which is more akin to the kind of equity that comes from balancing an equation or balancing on a board in the ocean. And yes, this is also applied to seeking or achieving a sense of balance in one’s life. The other concept shared with me was pono. When I arrived here, much of my learning about language was contextual. Pono was among the Hawaiian words used in committee meetings and in discussions about personal relationships more than other Hawaiian words. And from committee meetings I took it to mean, “All is well.” And from personal relationships I sensed it more or less meant, “We’re cool.” But being here a little longer, I think I was missing something. There was more to this idea than describing the end result of something. I was missing the means to get there. “All is well…because we took action to make it so,” or “We’re cool…now.” These might be more accurate—and more helpful. Some years ago and on the advice of a close spiritual adviser, I devoted time to setting right some of the ways I’d wronged others in the past while I was preparing for the ministry. And I remember the very last conversation I had in this process. It was with my best childhood friend. We were still very close, but I spoke with him about the past and named what it was I’d done, seeking to set it right. The taste of adrenaline as the words were spoken was like iron under my tongue. And then it happened. He said, “Well, if you did that, I don’t remember it, man. And I wouldn’t have cared anyway.” I was almost breathless. And there followed a conversation like we’d never had in adulthood. Maybe because I’m not sure I had truly grown up until that day. I spend time with him and his family much more than I ever had before now. I was not consciously avoiding my friend. But something shifted in naming how I thought I’d hurt him and then the course of our friendship changed forever. It is comfortable not to bring up wounds and pains we may have caused. It’s convenient to think of them as part of our past. They’re not. They really, really are not. The force of feeling behind past wrongs is less like a sting and more like a hand on our shoulder we get used to feeling and from which we get used to taking unquestioned direction. And this truth is deep in the Hawaiian practice of ho’oponopono, which is one way in the traditions of these islands of setting right the wrongs we’ve done. No journey worth taking is easy. And the course to humble righteousness is one for the stout of heart. But at the journey’s end, easy rests the head who knows…we’re cool…now. And may it always be so. Rev. T. J.
Index
Rev. T.J.'s Message: We're Cool...Right?
Beach Day - Pokai Bay 2 T.J.'s Message 3 Gallery on the Pali 4 A.D.O.R.E. Book Club 4 Microaggressions 5 Workshops Chalice Circles 6 and 7 M.E.B. Photos 8 and 9
A Beach Day at Pokai Bay
Editorial Policy
Pono
A.D.O.R.E. Book Club
Upcoming Saturday Workshops April 20th or Saturday, June 8th
Recognizing and Interrupting Racial Microaggressions*
You are with a small group of acquaintances and the subject of racism comes up. Someone says, “I don’t see color.” The majority of the group agrees. You’ve learned that claiming to not see color ignores the unique cultures of people of color as well as the historical and ongoing racial oppressions. Ignoring color ignores racial inequalities that occur minute by minute and are embedded in our institutions. You want to say something, to point out the consequences in not seeing color, but you don’t know what to say or how to begin. So you say nothing, feeling deep regret for the lost opportunity, knowing that silence is voting for maintaining white privilege and supremacy. Reports like this one brought about the launch of the Recognizing and Interrupting Racial Microaggressions Workshop. Created and facilitated by 8th Principle Task Force members Carla Allison, Eileen Cain and Lee Curran, this skill building opportunity brought participants together to pilot the training on February 16th. Many thanks go to Rev. T.J., Allison Jacobs, and Jill Rabinov for their guidance in the workshop design, their participation, and their feedback following the pilot. Thanks also to the participants who took on the challenge of practicing to enhance their skills and in so doing, helped co-create this workshop. Are you ready to take on the challenge of building your skills to recognize and interrupt racial microaggressions? Contact Carla Allison @ cbm@hawaii.rr.com or 396-1488 to attend one of the upcoming workshops: Saturday, April 20th or June 8th, 2:00-5:30pm in the Gallery on the Pali. There is no fee, but each workshop is limited to nine participants. “Microaggressions are the everyday verbal, nonverbal and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.” -Derald Wing Sue Ph.D. “Microaggression: More Than Just Race”
Aloha All! Thank you so much for coming to the book group and engaging in such rich and important conversation. This was my first time coming to the ADORE Book Group and I wasn't sure how to structure it. I am very open to feedback for future book discussions. The April 7 book selection is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. In addition to talking about the book, I would like to engage in a wider conversation about health outcomes for Black women. - Lee
Artists' Reception Saturday, April 13th 6 - 8 pm.
Gallery on the Pali: "Local Color" An Exhibition of Paintings by David Friedman
ABOUT THE EXHIBIT: David Friedman explores the dynamic use of color which is his metaphor for spirit. Radical color for Friedman is the aliveness, energy and pulse of life. His art is about joy, appreciation and celebration. A Kailua based award winning artist, David's creative experiences include Graphic & Exhibit Design, Filmmaking, Arts Advocacy and Teaching. His art explores themes that feature paths, gardens, mountains, coastlines, portraiture & illusion. He has produced logos, print media, murals, visual games & video animations as well as commercial signage for offices, hotels & airports. The exhibition will run April 7, 2019, through Thursday, May 16 at GOTP, located at the First Unitarian Church at 2500 Pali Highway. Gallery Hours (Closed Monday and Saturday): Tuesday through Friday 9 am - 2 pm, and Sundays 9 am to 1 pm. For more information, please call the First Unitarian Church Office at (808) 595-4047 or e-mail Gallery@UnitariansofHI.org On the web @ Unitariansofhi.org/exhibits
Visiting Honolulu for the first time since relocating to Anchorage nearly two years ago, former Hawaii Kai Chalice Circle Facilitator Meghan Bundtzen and family were celebrated by thirty plus adults and children who gathered March 17 to reconnect. The group enjoyed good food, warm conversation and pool time under glorious skies.
Meghan, Eleanor and Margot
Henry
Judith, Mike, Jytte and Nancy
Makoa
Current Locations, Dates & Times: Hawaii Kai: 2nd & 4th Mondays @ 6:30 - 8:30 pm Kaimuki: 2nd & 4th 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
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 using the deep listening/deep sharing format, each guided by a trained facilitator. Always open for new members, there’s a Chalice Circle waiting for you! For more information contact Carla Allison, cbm@hawaii.rr.com, 396-1488.
Right: Bethany and Jace
Theo
Nico
Left: Jimmy and Travis
Chalice Circle Celebration
Images of the Middle Easter Bazaar
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
