It has been a big week for us!

Our Social Justice Growth
Our incredible, indefatigable, stalwart team of Marie Anne and Francine Less welcomes four new members to support our justice work in our larger community. We are thrilled to welcome Zach Fraser, Keif Ariola, Sorcha McCarrey, and Paul Davis to our expanded Social Justice team. 

Help for Us – Year 2
This windy week brought Rev. Dr. Samantha Wilson, a wonderful Taizé experience Friday night designed and led by Beth Beyers, with Catherine Graham and Karen Fothergill readings. Saturday, our core year 1 (First Hope) and core year 2 (More Hope) teams met at my house to confer and plan.  Rev. Sam is leading our beloved community with love and skill as we take our next steps in deep listening, integrating our history, and freeing our loving energy. The Sunday service was well-received, and our TalkStory in the study was rich. See Rev. Sam’s message for details and to consider how you may engage in the enriching work. 

Our Beautiful Church
While some of us met for spiritual, soulful relational work to support our church, others tackled the tough physical stuff– floors, storage areas, the kitchen, moving the piano (!), and cleaning the windows –  oh my!! Juliet Begley and her friend have cleared our views from the sanctuary and gallery. We are looking better and better!

Our Friend Thomas
Our choir director, Thomas DeLaine, has worked with our choir and pianist to deliver beautiful music, supporting our Sunday services and delighting us. He has accomplished this while suffering from serious neurological issues. We are deeply saddened and concerned to report that Thomas is still suffering through these problems. He has just resigned to focus on his health. We are sad to lose his support of our music program, but we are hopeful that his health will improve. Thomas, Abby, and Benji are beloved in our congregation, and we hope they will stay close.

Please Join Us as a Member!
This Sunday, directly after church, friends who wish to become members will meet with me in the study for an orientation. Grab some refreshments and join us so we may begin soon after 11 am, aiming to conclude by noon. After this orientation session, new members may sign the membership book and make a contribution, and we will induct them as new members during the church service on March 1st.  We will offer optional workshops for new members and any others interested in the next weeks, including  “UU History and Theology” and “How our Church Works.” 

InterFaith Retreat and Sunday Service in Honor of InterFaith Harmony Month
I am writing to you from The InterFaith Hawai‘i retreat in Kona, including two representatives of the International InterFaith Alliance, clergy, religious leaders and activists from diverse faiths across the state. The retreat is produced by the TIAH board members, including our Marie Anne (Secretary) and friends Cynthia (President) and Tom Lynch (Board Member). The presentations and conversations have been stellar. This has been a wonderful opportunity for me to network and to learn – especially as our Sunday worship service is: “Intersecting Faith: InterFaith Harmony Month.”

Mahalo for all you do,
Deborah

Rev. Deborah Bond-Upson, Minister
First Unitarian Church of Honolulu
808-367-0710
2500 Pali Highway, Honolulu, 96817
office hours: Tuesday 10am-2pm, Wednesday 2pm-6pm