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THIS SUNDAY
August 13, 2026
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Worship
Sermon by Rev. Rushan Sinnaduray
"Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled"
7 AM: Atherton Memorial Chapel
8:45 AM – Gift of Music
by Cayanna Herrera & Margaret Lloyd
9 AM: Sanctuary
View service live/later on YouTube
11 AM: Parish Hall
View the worship bulletin
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CHILDREN & YOUTH
Nursery
A staffed Nursery is available during the 9 & 11 AM worship services.
Children, from birth through 3 years old, may be left in the Nursery with our caregivers during the service.
Sunday School
We offer a Sunday School program for children, ages 3 through 5th grade, during the 9 & 11 AM worship services. Children participate in the first part of the service and will leave for Sunday School following the Time for Keiki.
Contact: cayanna-herrera@centralunionchurch.org
Youth Group
Our Youth Group is for young people in grades 6 through 12.
Youth will be meeting in the new youth room from 12-1:30 PM this Sunday.
Contact: melissa-thach@centralunionchurch.org
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Central Union Windward Ministry
Sunday Worship
10 AM: Sanctuary
38 Kāne‘ohe Bay Drive, Kailua, HI 96734 808-254-3802 • cuwindward@gmail.com
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Central Union Pohnpei Ministry
Sunday Worship
11 AM: Atherton Memorial Chapel
| | NEWS + ANNOUNCEMENTS + REMINDERS | | Choir rehearsals begin tonight! | | | | |
Join the Chancel Choir!
The Chancel Choir sings in the 9 AM service 2-3 times a month and rehearses weekly on Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 PM. Musicians of all levels are welcome to join! While we'd love for you to be weekly participants, we also welcome seasonal singers who would love to be part of our Advent or Easter season, Annual Messiah rehearsal, or just want to give singing in a choir a try. Reach out to our Director of Choirs (Sarah-Young@centralunionchurch.org) with any questions!
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Save the Dates:
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August 13, 6:30 PM - Chancel Choir Rehearsals Begin
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August 27, 6:30 PM - Fall Kickoff Pupu Potluck
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October 29, 6 PM - Annual Messiah Rehearsals Begin
| | Attend Time & Talent Fair! | | As part of our stewardship campaign, we will celebrate with a "Time & Talent Fair" on August 23 in the Women's Building at 10 AM (between the 9 and 11 AM services). Explore how our church is building upon our four "Strategic Pillars & Goals" and how time and talents can be shared to support the ministries of our church. Come check out the various booths... perhaps you will find yourself in one of the photos! Join the fellowship and fun featuring special treats like cotton candy and popcorn! | | | | |
Come to Messy Church
Looking for a fun and engaging way to explore faith? Messy Church is a fantastic opportunity for all ages to come together, get creative, and learn about God’s love in a relaxed and informal setting. All are welcome to the next Messy Church gathering on Wednesday, August 26, 5-7 PM in the Parish Hall. Dinner will be provided so please RSVP!
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Book Study – Reclaiming Our Faith: A Conversation for Curious Minds
Have you ever found yourself sitting in a pew, hearing a traditional religious word like "salvation," "sin," or "faith," and feeling like it didn’t quite capture the depth of what you experience in your daily walk with God? Sometimes, the words we grew up with can feel worn out, misunderstood, or even like a barrier to the spiritual life we actually live.
This September, you are warmly invited to join us for a four-week book study as we explore Marcus J. Borg’s Speaking Christian: Why Christian Words Have Lost Their Meaning and Power and How They Can Be Restored. Copies of the book are available for purchase from Pastor Rushan or the Church office for $20.
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Annual Member & Budget Meeting
The 2026 Annual Member and Budget Meeting will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 11 AM in the Parish Hall (and Zoom) following ONE in-person worship service at 10 AM in the Sanctuary. Please plan to attend as we reflect, look forward, and do the shared business of our church together! Meeting materials will be made available soon.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Calling all CUC women
As women of Central Union Church, we are called to serve with purpose, compassion, and excellence. Scripture reminds us that each of us has been entrusted with gifts to “serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10). When we gather, we live out this calling — strengthening our fellowship, shaping our ministry, and supporting the next generation.
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All CUC women are members of the CUC Women’s League and have a voice in its life and direction. We invite you to join us for an important special meeting to discuss and vote on the newly revised Women’s League of Central Union Church Bylaws and Policies. The meeting will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 10 AM in the Women’s Building, and will also be available by Zoom.
Come for fellowship, light refreshments, and — most importantly — to lend your voice to the future of the CUC Women’s League. As Galatians 5:13 reminds us, “through love serve one another.” Your presence matters, your service matters, and together we continue the good work God has entrusted to us.
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Stewardship Season
We are in the midst of our stewardship campaign for the 2027 calendar year. Our theme, "There Our Hearts Will Be", invites us into a season of deep spiritual alignment. It is a time of reclaiming our sacred why. We are learning to re-frame giving, not as a performance or obligation, but rather the quiet, courageous work of placing our hearts in God’s care. Throughout this season, we invite you to prayerfully consider how you will share your time, talent, and treasure. Estimate of Giving cards were mailed to members this week. An online version is also available.
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New Associate Minister
Members received the exciting news that we have called the Rev. Irene Willis Hassan as our Associate Minister.
Read Pastor Rushan's announcement to members about Pastor Irene who will begin her ministry at Central Union in September.
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Seeking Instruments
Our CUC Pohnpei Ministry (which worships in Pohnpeian on Sundays at 11) is hoping to start a young adult ministry with music. You know that our Pohnpeian friends love singing and music, but they currently have no musical instruments. If you have a musical instrument of any kind that you are planning to get rid of or donate, they would love to receive it! It would make their dreams come true! If you can contribute, please call/text Wp. Robinson Fredrick (808-741-2547). Kalahngan & thank you!
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Say It with Flowers!
Got a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion coming up? Commemorate it with flowers at a Sunday worship service!
Our Flower Committee creates floral arrangements for our worship spaces each week. You can give flowers in honor of someone with a printed dedication in the worship bulletin.
Email:
flowers@centralunionchurch.org
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Learn to Play the ‘Ukulele!
Interested in learning how to play the ‘ukulele? Beginner players of all ages are welcome to come and learn from Wade Cambern who is freely sharing his love of music through teaching ‘ukulele. Bring your own ‘ukulele and join the musical fun on Sundays from 1-2 PM in the Women’s Building. Sessions have started back up on August 2!
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Pray for the Chancel Choir as they start up again. Give thanks for the opportunity to sing and hear!
Pray for those making big transitions.
Pray for those of us feeling alone or isolated.
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Church Council
Next meeting: August 27
Church Council meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month at 5:00 PM in the Rewick Board Room in the Church Admin Building. These regular monthly meetings are open to all CUC members who wish to attend as an observer.
Contact the Church Council: council@centralunionchurch.org
| | The Coconut Wireless is a weekly e-newsletter of what is happening in and around the Hawai‘i Conference United Church of Christ. Get word on the latest news, events, learning opportunities, and more. Connect, share news and resources with sister churches. | |
The Hawai‘i Conference Office is CLOSED until further notice. Staff are working remotely.
READ FULL UPDATE
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Floral Arrangers Needed
Do you have a knack for arranging flowers? Would you like to learn how the church floral arrangements are done?
The CUC Flower Committee is happily welcoming new people to learn and help with the floral arrangements that adorn our worship spaces each Sunday. If you're interested in being part of this blossoming ministry, contact Dona Hanaike for more info: flowers@centralunionchurch.org
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Volunteer to read in the Sunday worship service!
Sundays at 7 AM / 9 AM / 11 AM
Worship is one of the heartbeats of our church – it is the work of the whole church community in praising God, hearing God's word to us and responding in faith. One way to help each other in our worship is by reading scripture and other parts of our service. It enhances our experience of worship when we can have different faces and voices leading worship. If you are willing to read in a worship service, please join our pool of readers! Learn more and sign up by clicking HERE.
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Volunteer with Community Ministry Next: September 8
Every month on the second Tuesday, our small but dedicated team of volunteers prepares a hot meal to be delivered to shelters in the community. They are in need of extra help! If you're available around 2:00 – 4:30 to help cook, or a bit later to deliver in Waikiki, your support would be greatly appreciated! If you're available for any of the Tuesdays and would like to volunteer, let us know how/when you can help. Sharing the responsibilities will allow volunteers to take breaks.
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Online Zoom Fellowship
Are you interested in helping folks stay connected with the CUC ‘ohana? Are you unable to come to the church campus but want to connect? Join this casual time of virtual fellowship via Zoom on Sundays at 11 AM. Just drop in whenever! It's a great way to meet and keep in touch with people, especially those who may be homebound.
Click to join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 810 1050 2863
Passcode: cuc
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Contemplative Prayer Meditation
Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 PM • Rewick Board Room (Honolulu campus)
Mindfulness Meditation with Marion
Mondays, 5 PM • JOIN ON ZOOM
Mindful Movement with Bamboo Sticks
Tuesdays, 2 PM • Women's Building (Honolulu Campus) OR JOIN ON ZOOM
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HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE?
We welcome relevant news and events to share in our publications. Please submit items to news@centralunionchurch.org by Wednesday to be published in the following days.
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In the CUC Archives
From our Historian, Karl Hedberg
In 1975 our church chose wisely, after the passing of Reverend Ken Rewick, selecting Reverend Robert Hero Midgley as the next Senior Minister, having Ken’s same interests. At that time Reverend Robert Hero Midgley, was Senior Minister of Second Congregational Church in Rockford, Illinois.
While with us (1975-1983) many important developments occurred. "The Learning Tree" held between our (then) two services, 7 AM service was started, our involvement in Meals on Wheels, Hawai‘i Literacy, and two Alcoholics Anonymous groups.
A story in his final sermon reflects his humor and his sowing good seed. WWII in the Pacific had just ended… 1945
the incarceration, imprisonment, and persecution of Japanese Americans during World War II, was a stain on America. One major job of the Church in the postwar era was to erase racial prejudice and plant tolerant seeds of brotherhood and sisterhood in a new generation of youth. This we tried to do by having racially-integrated youth camps in Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho.
| | For more info, contact Karl Hedberg: historian@centralunionchurch.org | | |
After one such camp in 1948, thirty high-school kids and two or three of us leaders were riding back home in an open truck across the hot desert of Utah. We were all anticipating stopping at Como Springs swimming pool about a hundred miles down the road for a refreshing swim. Our truck pulled into the place and the youth piled off to pay their 50 cents and have a cooling swim. But as they lined up to enter, the manager of the pool came out and pointing at three Japanese young people who were with us, said, "Those three Japs can't swim in my pool." Without a moment's hesitation, 27 haole high-school kids decided they too were not going to swim there. They returned to the truck and continued their hot way with their Japanese friends.
The sequel to this true story came 31 years later here in Honolulu. I had been here less than two weeks when the phone rang and a voice said he had seen my name on the Church bulletin board at Central Union. "Had I ever been a minister in Wyoming?" he asked. I said I had been. The voice continued, "Do you remember a kid by the name of Peter Ote?" Indeed, I did. Peter Ota was one of those Japanese boys who had been befriended at a youth camp in Utah to erase racial prejudice. "Pete," I asked, “Where are you and what are you doing?" "I am now a Captain in the U.S. Navy and am the Chaplain at the Submarine Base at Pearl Harbor," Pete said. A sower went forth to sow seeds of tolerance amidst weeds of prejudice and some seed fell on good soil and flourished.
Rev. Midgley was with us, retiring in 1983, to be followed by Reverend Dale Turner and Reverend Ted Robinson.
To read more of Rev. Midgley's tenure go to cuchistory.org, Central Union Ministers.
| | Looking for a venue? Our church's range of facilities can accommodate all kinds of events! By renting out our spaces, we can provide a gathering place for the community and generate revenue for ministry. Learn more about our venues and consider hosting your next event at Central Union. (Members receive a discount!) | | Reminder while on campus: We are fortunate to have a large, open campus with lots of people passing through for different reasons. To protect your belongings, we recommend not leaving things unattended in public spaces, including our worship spaces. Please be vigilant and guard your personal items and valuables. | | |
Beware of Email Scams!
Scams come in many forms, whether it's someone impersonating church staff or even a member, or a stranger seeming to have a good deal for you on a special product or service. Please be cautious when checking emails! Know that church staff will never ask you to purchase something or give personal information by email. Often you can identify an email's authenticity by verifying the sender’s email address (CUC staff emails end with @centralunionchurch.org), but it's also possible for scammers to mimic email addresses. So if you receive any strange message at all and are ever in doubt, just delete it, don't reply or click on any links. You may call the church office (808-941-0957) to confirm.
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