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THIS SUNDAY
September 15, 2024
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Central Union Church has a long tradition of hosting the Royal Court, representatives of Hawai‘i’s past, at the 9 AM Sunday service during Aloha Week in Hawai‘i. It is a way to show our support of the people and culture of Hawai‘i and is a reminder and acknowledgement of the important role of the culture and history that shapes these islands.
The theme for this year’s Aloha Festivals is ‘Aʻa I Ka Hula, which can be interpreted as “Dare to Dance.” The theme is a phrase taken from the saying, “ʻAʻa i ka hula, waiho ka hilahila ma ka hale” – “When one wants to dance the hula, bashfulness should be left at home.” ʻAʻa also means to be brave, to dare, and to challenge. Hula was viewed as a pagan ritual by missionaries, driven underground due to prohibition, and nearly lost as a vital cultural artform, these meanings are a striking reminder. They remind us of the fragility of our artforms, and that vigilance and care are required to ensure their inheritance throughout the generations.
This year, we celebrate the brave, the daring, the challenge seekers. Let us celebrate our kumu hula, our hula teachers and hula masters. By their tutelage our hands and feet tell the beautiful stories of this land and its people.
Join us in celebrating Aloha Sunday in all of our worship services this Sunday, September 15 (7 AM, 9 AM, 11 AM, online). The Royal Court will be present at the 9 AM service.
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WORSHIP
Aloha Sunday
Sermon by Rev. Rushan Sinnaduray
"Dare to Dance"
7 AM – Atherton Memorial Chapel
9 AM – Sanctuary
Royal Court will be present
11 AM – Parish Hall
View the worship bulletin
10 AM - Online
Via Zoom or Facebook
Webinar ID: 871 4936 7567; Passcode: cuc
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Young(ish) Adults (generations X, Y, Z) are invited to the monthly Brunch Bunch gathering for food and conversation (and coffee, obviously) at 10 AM in the Women's Building this Sunday. No need to bring anything – just yourselves, your keiki if you have any, and your appetite. | |
Join us for our first Service of Healing and Prayer this Sunday, 5:30-6:30 PM in Atherton Memorial Chapel. Too often in our living we struggle with woundedness – whether of the body, mind, or spirit. All are invited to come to this intimate and contemplative service to discover healing for your soul, rooted in the traditions of the Scottish island of Iona where Celtic Christianity flourishes. The service will include Taizé music, prayer, silence, and the ritual of the laying on of hands. | | |
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Central Union Windward Ministry
Sunday Worship
10 AM - Windward Sanctuary
Sermon by Rebecca Woodland
"Gifts"
Lorna Bright, Worship Musician
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Central Union Pohnpei Ministry
Sunday Worship
No 11 AM service
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Meet Our New Staff Member
Please join us in welcoming our newest staff member, Sam, who works in our communications department as our Multimedia Assistant! Sam started at Central Union earlier this month and works closely with our Communications Manager to support and amplify media production. Get to know Sam below!
Contact: samuel-matsuzaki@centralunionchurch.org
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Hello! I'm Samuel Matsuzaki and was born and raised in Kapālama, Hawaiʻi. I'm excited to be back home after getting my bachelor's degree in Cinema Studies at the University of Oregon. As a child, I often shopped at the Central Union Church Thrift Shop with my family so I'm grateful to give back to Central Union Church through this role. I enjoy wheel-throwing, reading, watching movies, and eating. On the weekends you can find me at the beach or around the island filming with my camera. I'm happy for the opportunity to pursue my media interests at Central Union Church and look forward to showcasing its beauty. | | |
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Thrift Shop Hours
Wednesday, September 18
Saturday, September 21
OPEN: 9 AM – 12 PM
Due to a few key volunteers being away, the Thrift Shop is adjusting its hours next week to the times above.
The Thrift Shop will resume their regular hours on Wednesday, September 25 (open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 AM - 3 PM).
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Become a Member of CUC
Interested in becoming a member of Central Union Church? Join Pastor Rushan to learn more about church membership! We will gather in the Rewick Board Room to get to know others who are new to Central Union, learn about CUC’s history and ministries, and find ways you can get involved!
Please RSVP by Wednesday, September 18, 5:00 PM to
cuc@centralunionchurch.org.
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Give Aloha throughout September! | |
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This month you can go to any Foodland cash register with your Maika‘i card (free at any Foodland service counter) to make a donation with cash/check/card, naming Central Union Church #78511 or Central Union Preschool #78270 as the recipient.
Through Foodland's Annual Community Matching Gifts Program, Give Aloha, you can donate any amount, up to a total of $249 (per person, per participating organization) and we'll get even more in return. Submit your receipt to the Church Office by mail or in the offering plate to get credit on your giving statement.
PLEASE consider paying any part of your pledge, or make an extra donation, through Give Aloha this September – and make your money go farther!
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Get Tickets for Benefit Dinner in October! | |
The Annual Benefit Dinner for the UCC Transition House will be held in our Parish Hall on Thursday, October 17, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. Central Union has a batch of tickets to sell. If you'd like to attend and support this great cause in our community, contact our Associate Minister, mary-herbig@centralunionchurch.org. | |
Registration Open for 35th Annual Women's Retreat! | |
This year marks 35 years of the CUC Women's Retreat! ALL women are invited for a weekend of rest, renewal, and joyful connection at Camp Mokule‘ia on the North Shore. The retreat starts on Friday evening and goes through Sunday noon. You may also go just for the day on Saturday. Click below for more info and registration! | | |
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Join the Chancel Choir
Rehearsals for the Chancel Choir have started for the season. Musicians of all levels are welcome! If you enjoy singing and would like to sing with the Chancel Choir which serves our 9 AM worship service 2-3 Sundays a month, join us on Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:30 PM in the Music Building.
To register, please click HERE.
If you have any questions, you may email our Director of Choirs, sarah-young@centralunionchurch.org.
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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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Give thanks for the opportunity to observe Aloha Sunday with the Royal Court.
May we always honor and celebrate the native people and culture of these islands.
Pray for the courage to dance and move in ways that align with the Holy Spirit.
Pray for those who come to the Service of Healing & Prayer seeking healing for their bodies, minds, and spirits. May they find comfort and restoration.
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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. | |
WEEKLY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES | |
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Volunteer at the CUC Thrift Shop
Wednesdays and Saturdays, between 9 AM – 3 PM
Volunteers are needed to assist customers on the sales floor
Contact Joanne Matsumoto thriftshop@centralunionchurch.org
Volunteer with the Flower Committee
Fridays or Saturday mornings
Contact flowers@centralunionchurch.org for more info
Volunteer at Serving Aloha
Wednesdays, 10 AM – 1:30 PM; check in outside Women's Building
NEED FOOD? Walk-in: 11 AM – 12 PM; Drive-through: 12 – 1 PM
Volunteer with Community Ministry
Second Tuesdays
2:30 – 5:30 PM - Prep and cook; 5:45 – 6:45 PM - Distribute meals
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Readers Needed for Worship!
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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HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE?
We welcome relevant news and events to share on the CUC website, e-blast, and/or to post on our bulletin boards. Please submit items to news@centralunionchurch.org by Wednesday to be published in the following days.
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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!) | |
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Beware of Email Scams!
Scams come in many forms, whether it's someone impersonating a church leader, 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. 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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