FEB. 12, 9:00 AM

Please join us for Adult Ed where we will be joined by our church member, The Rev. Irene Willis Hassan, who presently serves as the Minister for Refugee and Migration Services at the UCC National Office in Cleveland. She will be sharing about her work at the National Office, but also helping to draw some connections between that work and key issues here in Hawaii. Before leaving for Cleveland, Irene was the pastor at Ka Hana O Ke Akua in Waianae and the chaplain at the Institute for Human Services. She has been an active member of Crossroads for many years, and continues to participate in online worship with us. She is often present in the Zoom gatherings of our Cosmic Bamboo Hui. 

FEB. 19, 9:00 AM

Our second session on the history of Church of the Crossroads involves the first years of our church and its young members. Who were these young people? How did they form a new church? Where did they worship? What was their vision for Church of the Crossroads?  Come and learn, so you, too, can share our story!

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

Our Annual Congregational Meeting was held on Sunday, Jan. 29, with 39 members signed in at church and 24 signed in on Zoom. After accepting the minutes of last year’s congregational meeting (zoomed on Jan. 23, 2022), we accepted our Annual Reports after each mission team shared their highlights and challenges of the past year. 

Treasurer Stephen Chang presented our 2023 budget, focusing on sources of income and main expenses in the budget, including 4% raises for our staff. Bruce Anderson moved to amend the budget by changing pledge income to $213,500 (from $215,000), increasing facility use income from $295,000 to $309,000 and including monies to cover our upcoming financial review ($7500). The motion to amend passed by unanimous consent, followed by the acceptance of the complete budget.

The PJSC mission team moved that we support Advocacy items this legislative season on Gun Safety (Assault weapons, Firearm permits), Affordable Housing, and Permanently shutting down Red Hill. After some discussion, the congregation approved our support by unanimous consent.

We voted in our new slate of 2023 Officers, including our new Moderator, Galen Fox, and Council members. We thanked our 2022 council members and Moderator Lee Takagi, who received a beautifully framed print of our congregation on the day Mala and Len Lange were baptized. We hope to have our Moderator-Elect in place soon and find a Clerk to take minutes at our meetings. 

MAHALO to our 2022 Moderator Lee Takagi and council members,

and WELCOME to our 2023 Moderator Galen Fox and

 our new and returning council members!

Our 2023 MLK Jr. Peacemaker honoree is Dr. Adam M. Robinson, Jr., Director, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System. Dr. Robinson has over 30 years of experience as a senior leader in the US Military Health Care system. 

The VA health care system in Hawaii provides care for more than 63,000 veterans and dependents in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas. The system provides personnel, facilities, and policies to provide care to the military veterans who protect us daily and over the years.

A recent challenge came in the 2022 PACT Act, which expanded care for veterans exposed to toxic substances during the Cold War and Operation Desert Storm. 

Dr. Robinson received his Doctor of Medicine from Indiana University School of Medicine and began a naval career with increasingly responsible positions, including a tour as 36th US Navy Surgeon General. He has written numerous publications and is the recipient of many awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal (three awards) and the Navy Achievement and Commendation medals, as well as various service and campaign awards.

Retired from the US Navy as a Vice Admiral, Dr. Robinson has devoted his career to service to our nation and to the needs of our veteran population, including the homeless and incarcerated.

As in past years, we will have an informal reception in Weaver Hall following the service. If you are able to contribute light pupus or finger foods, please contact our fabulous coordinator Cathy Sox soxpollard@aol.com. Helping hands are also appreciated for assistance with set up and clean up.