Volume 2019 Number 4
Kukui Lamalama
Jubilee Anti-Racism Training Deepens & Launches New Learning
Fifty participants joined Convener Paula Cole-Jones and Jubilee Trainers Lutricia Callair and Dr. Leon Spencer for twenty-two hours of anti-racism learning. Over forty of the participants are church members and friends, including nearly all Board Officers and Directors and almost all Worship Team members. Produced by the 8th Principle Task Force, Jubilee 2019 delved deeper and left participants fully aware the learning never ends. Quoting Robin DiAngelo, author of “White Fragility” and trainer on issues of racial justice for over twenty years: “Interrupting racism takes courage and intentionality, the interruption is by definition not passive or complacent. So in answer to the question “Where do we go from here?” I offer that we must never consider ourselves finished with our learning.” Many thanks to the volunteers: 8th Principle Task Force Carla Allison, Eileen Cain & Lee Curran, website tech Deborah Bond-Upson, graphic designer Brennan Simcock, audio/visual techs Jim Cooper & Mike Mottl, greeters Allison Jacobs & Jill Rabinov, parking plus Dan Curran, kitchen/coffee assistance Debbie Yasaki, Zoe Sims, Marie Ann & Leanne MacIntire, lunch delivery Blake Porter, trainer hospitality & transportation Deborah Bond-Upson, Jim Cooper & Martina Queenth and Carla Allison, Rev. T.J. for his ongoing support and promotion of Jubilee and our anti-racism work plus all who assisted in transforming the sanctuary to/from the training space several times throughout the weekend. Special thanks to the Executive Committee of First Unitarian’s Endowment Fund for the $2000 grant which enabled fifteen participants to attend on full or partial scholarships.
The Magazine of the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu April 2019
Stewardship Dinners happened on April 20 and 27. Many members and friends enjoyed this celebration and social event while also committing financial support to their church. If you did not have an opportunity to fill out a pledge form, forms are available in the office OR we can mail one to you OR Pick one up on Sunday from any member of the stewardship team or Board. We need all members and UU friends to contribute to our budget, so we can continue our good work and support each other. Email: nschildt7072gmail.com or call 808 225-2744 if you have any questions. Mahalo to the following Pledge Dinner hosts: Junko and David Davis Catherine Graham and Nancy Schildt Martina Queenth and Jim Cooper Molly and Al Rowland, Karen and Richard Valasek Nan and Pierre Kleiber Mauricio and Troy Underbrink The Proposed Budget Presentation (2019 - 2020) will take place in the sanctuary on Sunday, May 5th, from 11:30 - 12:30. Our Board Treasurer, Mike Mottl, will present the proposed balanced church budget for 2019-20. There will be no line item vetos accepted at the annual meeting on May 19. This meeting is the time to voice questions. The budget has been prepared based on committee requests and last year’s expenditures.
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.
I forgot a friend’s birthday yesterday. He lives in England and the time differences make it a challenge to remember to call him when he’s awake. But still, forgetting an important date is something I try to avoid when I can. It helps to have reminders. It was last week when I got a reminder about another important date—today. Today (May 1) marks this year’s commemoration of Yom HaShoah. The Shoah is what the holocaust perpetrated by the Nazi regime during World War II is called in Hebrew. And Yom HaShoah is the day on the Hebrew calendar for the remembrance of this monstrosity of human evil. I learned of Yom HaShoah about a decade ago. I was attending a Lutheran church in New York City, and as the day approached, announcements and invitations for Yom HaShoah began. Our church was across Lexington Avenue from Central Synagogue. And the senior minister explained that the custom of the two faith communities was that the Yom HaShoah service moved from one house of worship to the other on alternating years. Without knowing much about the service, but sensing how important it was, I attended the service at the synagogue. I settled in and took part as best I could, fumbling through transliterations of Hebrew. And then there was a moment set aside in the program for our church’s senior minister to speak. And as he did, he first thanked the congregation for their kind invitation and hospitality, and then he did something I didn’t expect. He apologized. He explained that every year it is his deep moral responsibility to come to the service and beg forgiveness and to swear never to forget the harms his Lutheran forebears in faith allowed to be perpetrated against the Jewish people. It was shocking and breathtaking. But the graciousness with which the rabbi accepted his words was otherworldly. Before that service I didn’t know much about this day. I was woefully uninformed. But now I know that this day intentionally coincides with the commemoration of the founding of Israel—so it is a celebration of perseverance and remembrance of the lives of those who lived as much as it is a remembrance of what is the gravest sin in modern history. But knowing what I know now, I can’t forget. This day haunts my rosy notions of what the world is, what humans are, and what faiths can fail so tragically to do, as it always should. And so it was an honor to receive an invitation to be a guest of our beloved siblings, Congregation Sof Ma’arav, at this evening’s service of remembrance being held at Temple Emanu-El. And as Sandy, the President of Sof Ma’arav shared, all are welcome to attend. The service begins at 7 pm. My friend sent me a message back after I apologized for forgetting his birthday. And when I read, “I love you too!!!” I was grateful—not only to be forgiven my human failings, but for each of us acknowledging the precious gift the other’s life is in our own. And I pray that is something I will never forget. And may it always be so. Rev. T. J.
Index
Rev. T.J.'s Message: Never Forget
Stewardship 2 T.J.'s Message 3 Gallery on the Pali 4 Microaggressions 5 Workshops Faith Action Pizza Party 6 Work Party News 6 Chalice Circles 7
Stewardship and Upcoming Dates to Remember
Editorial Policy
Upcoming Saturday Workshop on Saturday, June 8th
Recognizing and Interrupting Racial Microaggressions* Workshop Launch
You are in the line at the grocery store and overhear the customer in front of you speaking to Ruben, the store clerk. The tall, white male customer is saying things like, “Do you speak Mexican? I’m from Texas and know a few words. Do you know any swear words in Mexican?” You cringe, noticing Ruben is nodding but avoiding eye contact, hurrying to complete the transaction and send the abusive customer on his way. You want to say something, to stop the pain being inflicted on Ruben but you don’t know what to do or how to begin. So you say nothing, feeling deep regret for the lost opportunity, knowing that silence supports the everyday experience of racial microaggressions in the lives of black and brown people everywhere. Reports like this one brought about the launch of the Recognizing and Interrupting Racial Microaggressions Workshop and real life examples like this one are part of the workshop’s discussion and practice. On April 20th participants really dug in and pushed themselves and each other to try different approaches while speaking authentically from personal experiences. The workshop ended with participants’ reporting learning and wanting more opportunities for practice. Created and facilitated by 8th Principle Task Force members Carla Allison, Eileen Cain and Lee Curran, this skill building opportunity brings participants together for intensive practice. Following the pilot training in February, the April and June workshops filled quickly. More workshops will be scheduled based on demand. There is no fee but each workshop is limited to nine participants. If you are 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. * “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” Submitted by Carla Allison, Eileen Cain & Lee Curran
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. Upcoming Exhibition: Art by Lauryn Assata Ford Lauryn Assata Ford says "I use art as a way of expressing my thoughts and ideas. I’ve been creating art in some form or another for 10 years. I like to create miniatures, design and sew clothes, play the piano, make short films, and paint. Artistic expression is my way of communicating powerfully. Over the past year I have taken drawing and painting classes at Honolulu Museum of Art and presently have some of my work on display at HMA in the Spring Young Artist Exhibition. I’ve also been taught by freelance artist. I like to use acrylic paint more than any other medium because I like the way I can get the colors to pop. My work varies: I like to sketch faces, landscapes, still life, or whatever inspires me at the moment. Some artist that I’ve been inspired by include: Lorna Simpson, Romare Bearden, Basquiat, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso. I hope thatyou find beauty in my work and that you are inspired to create your own. 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
...to the Faith Action Pizza Party on Friday night, May 24th, at 6 pm at the church. This will be an opportunity for us to get to know each other better. Christy MacPherson of Faith Action for Community Equity will lead the activities after we’ve enjoyed our pizza. Families are invited too. Please call Nancy Young at (808) 389-2225 if you need a baby sitter for the discussion part of the evening. Looking forward to our time together. Faith Action for Community Equity is an organization comprised of churches on Oahu and United 5, the union of hotel workers. Each year Faith Action polls their members to find out what concerns them. Then they decided on several major community problems, large and small, to work to solve. Examples of successes are the signal at the corner of the Pali Hwy. and Jack Lane and last years bill giving $200 million to provide more housing for the homeless. - Submitted by Nancy Young
Chalice Circles Support Each Other!
Work Party News
Doris Justis auditioning at Ohana Hal
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
Harmony Bentosino’s Toastmaster Contest
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.
Thanks to Kief, Sue, Dan, Al and Molly, the front entry was thoroughly cleaned, the basement organized, various yard clean-up chores done, and some finishing tasks for the renovations were completed at our work party on April 6th. There was a lot more to be done, but we lacked volunteers. Hopefully more people will participate in our next Work Party, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 15th from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Please join us even if you can spare only an hour or so. The church hires yard and cleaning services, but there are many tasks for which volunteers are needed to keep our church home clean and in good repair. Your reward for participating is a sense of providing stewardship in the company of other church volunteers. Refreshments and fellowship are guaranteed. If you have questions or suggestions about work parties, please contact Al Rowland at 988-4426.
You're Invited...
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
