July 9 Minister’s Message

Aloha mai kākou,

I’d like to share some “Firsts” —

No sermon – The clock said 11 am on Sunday morning, and the “Courage- the Uprising Heart” service had been so rich and heartfelt that the sermon and meditation still lay ahead. I looked at our bright and loving congregants and thought— we have all gained enough, from Gabe’s moving and dynamic story of the courage and valor of Queen Liliuokalani, from the beautiful music delivered by our choir with Peg on guitar, from the representative of the Pacific Gateway Center, our share-the-plate beneficiary this month. So I put my sermon aside for another day, canceled the meditation, and we moved to hearing Eddie Vedder sing “Hawai‘i 78” as a prayer, and to sing our own closing song. A new kind of leadership for me, to NOT DO when enough has been done.

“SocialJustice@Heart” had its first monthly Zoom meeting last night. John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas presented historical context and current repercussions of Anti-DEI. This was his PhD topic, and we all benefited from his clear and layered understanding. Throughout the discussion, participants raised questions and penetrating insights. This was a valuable evening. You can find the video on the Justice tab of our website. Next month, on the first Tuesday, August 4th, John-Paul is assembling a panel of experts on Immigration. Register at that same tab.

“OMG” (Oh My God!), the discussion group will meet for the first time on Tuesday, 7/14 at 4pm. This group grew out of our service last month. Congregants shared their views and beliefs. Many of us were captivated by the depth we saw in each other. We will be sharing with each other, and I will offer optional videos and books for us to peruse. Based on group interest, current themes in the spiritual/social/psychological sphere we may explore are Collective Trauma, the Great Turning, trauma-informed education and counseling, the “SBNR” (spiritual but not religious) movement, Quantum Convergence, as well as UU history and theology. More people identify with UU beliefs, yet UU church membership is down nationally. We may find ways the church can enrich life in ways that spur membership.

“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.)

Mahalo for all you do!
Rev. Deborah

P.S. Some crazy emails are reaching some of you, purporting to be from me, and asking for things I would never ask. Please, if you get an email that seems like it is from me, your minister, click on the email address of the sender– if it is anything but “Minister@UnitariansofHI.org” – it is NOT me! I regret we all have to deal with these fraudulent emails and phishing schemes!!!