A Spring in Our Step

Aloha mai kākou, 

On the heels of these damaging floods, this past week, our church has been active together and in our larger world in many ways. Spring is here, and we have a spring in our step as we encounter challenges and blessings and seek to care for our church community and beyond.

On our church level, skilled workers came to prune our mighty Monkey Pod tree and began removing the dangerous, overgrown schefflera trees along our Pali Highway border yesterday. You will see wide open space when you next arrive. Greenery will be restored over time, and our church will be more visible to all.

Caring for our Church Home – pruning our Monkey Pod tree	Zac Fraser at the Capitol “No Dictator’s Day” rally
Rev. Deborah with clergy	A few of us UUs at the march

Over 30 of us gathered in a clergy, youth and more march, partnered with The Interfaith Alliance Hawai‘i, the ACLU, and others. A bomb threat forced us to parade down the sidewalk towards Iolani Palace, delaying arrival at our Capitol until the bomb sweep was complete. Proud aunties, uncles and friends looked on as our member and one of our Social Justice leaders, Zac Fraser, took the stage. It is with genuine respect and mahalo that I opine, Zac delivered the most authentic, caring, insightful speech of the day. I am filled with pride at the value of the activity of this church in protecting and restoring safety and dignity for all.

At the Supreme Court, the ACLU argued for birthright citizenship this week. We can support this critical national work by the ACLU HERE. We support Hawai‘i ACLU, which many of us know was founded at our very church, in partnerships like our shared march on No Dictator’s day, their powerful explication of dangers to immigration rights to over 100 at our church some weeks ago, and daily opportunities to work together to protect our people and the rule of law.

Friday at 4:30 pm, we gather for a magic show by a renowned magician, a gracious meal together, and the opportunity to reflect on the value of our church to consider what we might each contribute to nurture our growth together. I hope to see you there.

For Sunday service, we have a UU Easter, celebrating spring, the flower communion first initiated by Norbert Čapek in Prague, our energy to resist threats to safety and dignity, and of course, an Easter Egg hunt. Please join us! 

Mahalo for all you do,

Rev. Deborah