Archive for category: Minister Message

Aloha mai kakou!

Sunday, I stood on an overlook at Big Sur with my son Max and daughter, Gwendolyn, viewing the Mc Way waterfall.  This is the only West Coast U.S. waterfall that descends directly into the ocean. The phrase “waterfall descends directly into the ocean” does not sound that impressive – until you actually see it. So I am providing a picture – though you will have to squint to see the fall behind us.

This Big Sur trip brought to mind words Pulitzer Prize-winning Mary Oliver said in an interview, which were quoted in the American Masters documentary Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World. 

“I got saved by poetry, and I got saved by the beauty of the world.”

We are so fortunate to be surrounded by such natural beauty here on Oahu. I know we all are influenced and grounded by our sea, mountains, flora, fauna, and ‘aina. And it is good to be reminded of the beauty in other parts of the world, in all the world. (It assuages the guilt some of us feel to be so rich in beauty here.)

As we close out the summer, I’d like to share a Mary Oliver poem – 

Poem 133: The Summer Day:

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean—
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
—Mary Oliver

I’ve gotten permission from the distributor to show the documentary (which is not scheduled for Oahu release) here at our church. Please let me know if you are interested in seeing it. 

This Sunday I will be back at our church, delighted to see you!

Mahalo for all you do!

Rev. Deborah

Aloha from a perch above the Hudson River!

Traveling – expanding views!

After time with NY family, museums, shows, and seeing the magnificent dance of one great-niece and the great comedy of another– I am off to California on Friday. These young people give me hope and joy! (If you like, click the links for very short, very rough videos.)

In line with our focus on “Between Screen and Soul” and the many complex questions our various generations face:

Hawai‘i public schools announced a ban on cellphones in school yesterday.  Along with other districts across the country, in response to lost focus in the classroom, our Board of Ed set, and our district HIDOE is implementing the new cellphone policy. Cellphones are banned for students in elementary and middle school, and high school principals can give some extra leeway for students to use phones before and after classes. 35 states and over three-quarters of U.S. public schools now ban cellphones during instructional time. These limits come as we all see the awesome and worrisome advances of AI. I believe this is a subject we will continue to wrestle with here.

I feel connected, though at a distance via emails, texts, planning, an OMG Zoom, and you all present in my heart and mind.  Email me as needed – minister@unitariansofhi.org.

Mahalo for all you do!

Rev. Deborah

Aloha mai kākou, 

“Free Lunch” on Sunday, July 19th, will be our first after-service communal meal in a while. Free Lunch will recur on the 3rd Sunday of each month, hosted by committees in our church. The Social Justice Team is hosting our first. (Donations welcome, but NOT required.)

The Social Justice Team has been mighty active – last Tuesday the first episode of the “SocialJustice@Heart” discussion group was held. John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas, one of our valiant SJTeam members and executive director of Hawai‘i Kids Can, led the discussion on the important and dangerous national anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) actions. You can watch and listen on our UUHonolulu YouTube channel. Here is the direct link: SocialJustice@Heart Episode 1 DEI

Join SocialJustice@Heart Episode 2 IMMIGRATION

Tues, August 4 @ 6:30 pm to learn and discuss Immigration. John-Paul is organizing a panel of experts.

Link to join monthly SocialJustice@Heart discussions 

Our “OMG” discussion/study group met Tuesday for our first in-person meeting in the church study. We will meet again next week, then we will have a 3 week summer break, with the next meeting on and members will each get set up with access to an online sharing area– where links to articles, videos, notes on meetings, members’ interests and reflections are housed.
You are welcome to join us next Tuesday, 7/21 @ 4 pm.
We will resume on Tuesdays at 4 pm 8/18, 8/25, 9/1, and 9/8.
Email me if you want to join at any time so that I can give you access to our online sharing area.

Intriguing Guest: Andrew Laro, our remote communications pro who has just earned his MDiv and MSW, is joining us for the next two Sundays. He and his partner Megan will be with us for this week and next.

You are invited to a communications/media meeting on Friday, 7/17, at 3 pm. Our goal is to reach more people through videos, events, posts, and information, seeking to raise awareness of UUHonolulu and to foster peace and unity in our larger community.

My summer travels: From July 24th to August 15th, I will be in NYC, DC, and SF with family and friends, seeing my niece dance and conducting a memorial for a heroine.

Together at church: Let me know if you can join me during my church “office hours” on Wednesday, 1:30-6:30 pm! I would love to see you!

Mahalo for all you do!

Rev. Deborah

Aloha mai kākou, 

What a beautiful day in Hawai‘i. I am writing with over-the-top gratitude today. Mahalo nui loa to you all, to my beloveds beyond, and to our precious place. It is my birthday today (yesterday, as you read this). And on our birthdays, we likely all reflect on life. For me, it was unforeseen that I would have the opportunity to serve this church. I feel privileged, honored, and grateful.

When the church is full of people, I feel an energy and an eagerness to join together for good. When it is empty, I feel opportunity. It has been wonderful to see other groups come together here for shared objectives. 

We are fortunate to have this congregation, this church foundation from which to derive strength, support, and the mana to help others. In these challenging, concerning times, that is a real blessing. I am grateful to inhabit it with you.

And today is the first day of our new church year. We are entering it with a new board: president Jim Wood, vice-president Mary Mackay, treasurer Sue Yamane Carpenter, secretary Karen Fothergill, and directors Leanne MacIntire, Juliet Begley, and Peg Neva..

Mahalo nui loa to this past year’s president Sue Yamane Carpenter, VP Catherine Graham, Treasurer Dave Hafner, and Secretary Karen Fothergill! Thank goodness Sue is staying on, now as treasurer, and Karen continues to support us as secretary. Our volunteers carry this church on their backs with whole hearts, and we are so thankful for them.

We are going to begin an “Oh My God” discussion group this week, exploring the divine we each see and sharing thoughts and beliefs. There will be a bit of optional reading. But mostly it will be deep sharing.  I sent a Doodle poll to each of you to see when and if you might want to join. We have about 8 signed up so far; some will miss weeks due to travel. The preferred day and time is Tuesday from 4 – 5:30 pm. Please email me if you wish to join. We will meet July 7, 14, 21, and 8/18, 25, 9/1, and will see if there is interest in continuing beyond then. I hope you join!

> Sunday, we will consider COURAGE. I hope to see you then.
> At 9:30 am, Keif Arriola will host a meditation in the study.
> Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm, consider the impact of “Anti-DEI,” our member, executive director of HCAN, John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas, will lead the first of our Social Justice Team-initiated Social Justice@Heart on Zoom. Read about it in the SJ Column by Francine Less in this newsletter.

In my photo today, you see my birthday roses sent by beloved kids and long-distance husband. It is a wonderful birthday so far, and you are part of what makes it so!

Mahalo,

Rev. Deborah

Aloha mai kākou,

“To Err is Human, to Forgive, Divine.” William S said it, but that’s how I feel about my invitation to you all to join me at my house this Saturday at 2 pm to watch the Rt. Rev. Marian Budde deliver our UUA annual Ware Lecture.

Carla Allison kindly warned me that I was breaking a rule! I had not realized that the Ware lecture is only to be seen by paying UUA General Assembly participants. I was surprised. I have not attended UUA GA in many years, and was not aware of the rules. I appreciated her heads-up and wrote to the GA organizers, noting that I am the minister of First Unitarian Church of Honolulu and would like to host members and friends who might like to watch Rev. Budde on my home screen. The UUA organizers wrote back immediately, thanking me for asking and noting that “no,” we cannot share the Ware lecture. I looked into it and found that Ware’s lectures are not available on YouTube (or anywhere I can find them), even years later. I could only find 2019 and 2015.

We are in such a fearsome and dangerous time that I feel inspiring examples of the kind of insight and courage we need should be shared with the widest possible audience. Carla and I have been watching the GA meetings and panels despite her high fever! And the messages and speakers are inspiring and informative, and they make me proud and hopeful about our denomination.

I do not want to be discouraged by this rule, but I do want to support our UUA. So…

You are invited to my house to watch some of Rt. Rev. Budde’s finest messages that model clarity, kindness, and bravery — and hear a recap of the Ware lecture.

“Sharing the Courage of Rt. Rev. Budde”
3 pm on Saturday, just AFTER the Ware lecture
46-173 Kalai Place, Kaneohe
Pupus (RSVP to minister@unitariansofhi.org, so I have enough pupus)
And of course, this Sunday is our Annual UUA General Assembly Sunday Service with an honoring of Juneteenth and a “Fathers” Story for all Ages. The service will be followed by our Annual Meeting. We hope to see you Sunday!

Philip Riley’s Gallery on the Pali show, promoted by Marshall Heaney’s online video, opened last Saturday and brought joy with its beauty, depth, and wonderful words for each landscape and portrait. Please visit the Gallery and do not miss reading Philip’s title cards! Above are some pix of Philip with Marshall, Waipahu VP Gary Chun, and Waipahu’s Art and Drama leader, Thelma Madriago. Philip has long been a Special Ed teacher at Waipahu HS, and Marshall and I talked with his friends about a possible Waipahu student show in our Gallery!

Our visiting author/journalist, Nico Lang, arrived Monday, dined with Marie and me, and met Oberon. Today they are off to Kauai, Hawai‘i, and Maui to speak and sign books. Next week, they will rejoin us for the 6/27 5 pm Saturday panel with Kim Coco Iwamoto and others, and for the 6/28 Sunday service. See Nico and Oberon here.

Mahalo for all you do!
Rev. Deborah

Aloha mai kākou,

Seeing more sunlight? It’s June!

And with this June brightness, we have more opportunities to honor, celebrate, study, and support together!

“What’s Laughter Got to Do With It” – This Sunday, we are looking at how humor lifts our spirits and our lives, and considering how religions have employed it from Jesus to Mohammed to Buddha to Ganesh. Come have a hearty (spiritual) laugh with us!

June is National and Hawai‘i State Pride Month
(Here on Oahu, our main celebration and march is in October.) So, we celebrate both and all ways!

On June 14th, Keola will deliver the service: “Come Home: A Pride Sermon on the Body as Holy Ground.”

We have been working with Nico Lang, LGBTQ+ journalist and author of “American Teenager – How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era.” They will be delivering our Sunday service on June 28th, and we have organized a panel discussion and Book Signing for Saturday, June 27th, at 5 pm.

Aloha mai kākou, 

Congregant initiatives are growing!

Social Justice Learning Circles

In June, new member John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas will begin a series of monthly Zoom Social Justice sessions featuring informative presentations and conversations. Stay tuned for more info on these weekday evening events. Email SocialJustice@unitariansofhi.org if you want to brainstorm topics or be involved.

Lay Pastoral Care

Seeing and hearing each of our lay pastoral care team address describe their approach to deep listening and support was awesome. If you missed it, you can watch them here beginning at 33:51 (33 minutes and 51 seconds into the service). Email Care@unitariansofhi.org to connect with one of our caregivers, Martina, Nancy, Jim or Gabe.

Services to Support our Members

We are looking for volunteers to pick up congregants for church services, drive them home after evening meetings, and, if needed, to appointments. The first volunteer to step up to lead this can name the team– possibly “Holy Drivers”, “Holy Rollers”, “UUber” or ??
I drove one of our volunteers from an appointment last week, and it was delightful to get to know him. Driving another in the car provides such a lovely meeting space and time! Please email me minister@unitariansofhi.org. 

Spaghetti lunch, Pancake Breakfast, Sunday Sliders?

Many of us have talked about how much we enjoyed the Pledge Dinner and how we’d like more opportunities to share a meal with each other. Would you like to share your cooking and hosting with us? We will get a group together to lead this– in the meantime, please email me minister@unitariansofhi.org. 

Summer Services

The worship and RE teams are discussing summer services and programs. We would love your input. Musicians, poets, thinkers, storytellers– please share your ideas or requests! Email any of us!

Outreach to Oahu Military 

Are you interested in spreading the word of our congregation to military personnel? So many wonderful members and friends have joined us in the past while on military duty here. You may know more about the bases and communities than I do. Please share your insights as we prepare to reach out, emailing, calling, and visiting religious centers, chaplains, community and family service offices, and distributing brochures and invitations to our events.

Mahalo for all you do!
Rev. Deborah

P.S. In Sunday’s service, my background slide showed Oberon, the peacock who adopted me, who was taken away, but miraculously found his way back to me. See his picture above and ask me about this amazing true story!

Rev. Deborah minister@unitariansofhi.org 808-367-0710
Office hours: Wednesday, 1:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Or schedule a meeting for another day and time.

Aloha mai kākou,

Our Talk Story after our “Mind, Heart, & Soul Continuum – from Youth to Elder” service was lively and productive! Here are 5 ideas that came from  about 20 of us gathered in the Study, talking about opportunities and acknowledgment we might offer across the age continuum.

In Talk Story:

1) Restoring “singing the children out” in our church services – I will discuss this with the choir today. 🙂
2) Beginning “Story Circles” convened for folks to share personal stories that would deepen understanding of their experiences and intimacy – please email me if you would like to join a monthly “Story Circle” group, noting whether you prefer in-person or Zoom, and day and time best for you.
3) Need for deeper theology and understanding of UU –  We discussed ways adult education may help. We may elicit information to direct the focus via a Sunday service discussion with a survey administered during the service, or through an online survey. Stay tuned and please share your ideas.
4) Collaboration with community groups – This Sunday, our member, Zac Fraser, leads the “Revolutionary Optimism” service.  We have decided to add a bento box lunch and a “Community Talk Story” session, and we are inviting community groups hoping to spur dynamic, positive collaboration. Please tell your friends, all are welcome!
5) Pastoral care and other services that could help our members. This past week we convened our group, including Martina Queenth, Gabe Tiogangco, Nancy Schildt, Jim LoPresti, Lorraine Fay (as senior advisor), and me. We decided to create a church service on May 10th to introduce our members to what pastoral care can be. We are also creating an online resource guide to provide members with easy-to-find information on community services, and we will begin considering services in addition to pastoral care that we hear are needed, such as rides to church services and meetings. Please share your ideas on any of this.

It is a joy to work with you, mahalo for all you do!

Rev. Deborah

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

‘Aloha from California!

How are you?

As I headed to my ride to HNL on March 12th, a gutter collapsed above my head, and I brought some Kona Lows rain with me to California, soaked as I was. But I  just missed the March 13th record-breaking 5.5 inches of rain in a day record you all have just braved!

Congratulations on making it through the power outages, Internet failures, flooded driveways, closed roads, the need to climb 10 flights of stairs for days (Mary M), helping with Red Cross (Catherine G), and all the other special efforts this storm has required of our community.

In spite of all the wind and rain,  many of you made it to Mary’s wonderful service last Sunday! I heard reports on Mary, Crystal, Noe, Beth, and the choir’s beautiful “The Great Arizona Orphan Abduction” service. How good it is to be together in spite of such challenges.

And now, to our wet world, we welcome Rev. Samantha and Rev. Sarah for our Hope for Us activities and Rev. Sarah’s Sunday service.  She is bringing her family, and I hope they see a bit of blue sky, given predictions of showers through Mon. the 23rd.

I just said goodbye to my son Max, the one in the picture above.  I’ve been here for my granddaughter’s 5th birthday, to help with my daughter’s shingles and sciatica, and other events for my many SF Bay Area relatives. But even leaving my beloved family members, and even knowing the rains continue, I am eager to return to Oahu and you.

Mahalo for all you do,
Rev. Deborah