July 23, 2026 Minister’s Message

Aloha mai kākou,

Communications!
It has been wonderful to have our communications consultant (who is assembling this very newsletter), Andrew Laros (and his wonderful girlfriend Megan), with us over the last week. Andrew shared his “Between Screen and Soul” message along with me last Sunday. We ran long; I apologize! There was too much to share. I’ll find other solutions so it doesn’t run long again. But I was glad to hear, despite the length, that many of you felt this service was valuable to you.

Suzette, Marshall, Irina, and I met with Andrew in a communications workshop on Friday! We hope that some of you will join us in a communications team! Please email me if interested in helping us to spread our messages via Newsletter, social media, videos, pictures, PR, etc!

Community and Food!
Kudos to Paul Davis for originating, Marie Anne for orchestrating hospitality and lunch without debacle, and the Social Justice Team for laying out a delicious spread for “Free Lunch” last Sunday. It was delightful to be with joyful, congenial folks in a relaxed setting with a truly delicious lunch. I know it is an awesome task for the Board to be the next host of “Sunday Three/Free Lunch” (third Sunday) on August 16th. I hope to see you there!

Music and Pain!
We are all wincing with Peg Neva at her broken hand. The accident came while running – seems to me anyone who runs should only be rewarded, not punished by pain. This brings her guitar playing to a halt for a while– and so our music will be limited on Sundays for the next few weeks. Noe will be back August 16th.

Our OMG (Oh My God!) gang gathered for our second time Tuesday at 4 pm. Scheduling in-person with disparate schedules is tough, so we are a smallish group. Since I will be traveling, our next in-person Study meeting will be Tuesday, August 18th at 4 pm. We have a shared website with resources we are gathering theological, philosophical, and religious notes, links, and videos on concepts and thinkers. We will meet on Zoom next Tuesday at 3 pm to make sure all can navigate and add to our shared site. If you would like to join our group, you may join the Zoom with this link on July 28th  at 3 pm, or you may join us in person on Tuesday, 8/18, at 4 pm in the study.

My time away
I leave Thursday 7/23 to see my great-niece dance with the American Ballet Theater and visit with my extended family in NY. Then I will be in CA with my family there and will conduct a memorial for a dear friend and civil rights heroine, returning 8/15. Look forward to seeing you all 8/16!

I will be managing Sunday services and emergencies while on the road. So, go ahead and email me as needed – minister@unitariansofhi.org.

Mahalo for all you do!
Rev. Deborah