MESSAGE FROM OUR OUTGOING MODERATOR, LEE TAKAGI

Our annual Congregational Meeting is this Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, following worship. We gather as members to acknowledge the good work of the mission teams, to approve a budget which includes raises for our staff, to support a number of important legislative resolutions advanced by the PJSC mission team, and to elect our new officers, of which there are some troubling puka (see nomination slate below). Please help us to find a moderator-elect and a clerk. Mahalo nui!

We also celebrate the start of our 100^th anniversary year! The Young People’s Church was officially started in 1923, in Mission Memorial Building. Did you know Jack Gillmar's grandpa, Frank Scudder, suggested the name Church of the Crossroads? He said it fit for this intentionally interracial, welcoming group of young people who were about to move into their brand new sanctuary in 1935. We are the church’s descendants, the ones who today carry on the work of this church, still dedicated to peace and justice, and proud to be an Open and Affirming Church. Together we will journey as faithful witnesses through our prayers and stories, our words and actions. We are ALL part of our church’s continuing story. 

In an email to Mark Wilson after last year’s congregational meeting, I wrote “Thank you for your idea (to talk to Galen Fox about becoming moderator elect)." I had a good back and forth (emailing) with him. He changed his point of view as I talked about this position and who should be in it. He first said “No, my brother (Don, tragically killed in a car accident over 20 years ago) would have been a good moderator.” Also that his father (Morrie Fox) had been a reluctant, but then good, moderator. He said to go after Cathy Sox. I told him no way, that she was way too overburdened with work and all she does for Crossroads. Through these emails, he said he had learned something but still didn’t think he wanted the position. He said he was working hard to finish a book. (I’m afraid to ask if he has had any time to do this). 

Galen (who is named after our founding minister, Galen Weaver) called me as soon as worship was finished (the day of the congregational meeting, Jan. 23, 2022. Talk about down to the wire!) He asked if the position was still open. I said, “Yes, of course it is.” He said, “Well then, I’ll take it. I was reading stuff from way back and came upon some writings by my Dad, reflecting on Crossroads 25^th anniversary.” Galen felt this was a sign that he should be open to taking the position. I said, “Yes, it absolutely is.” 

Galen, I know you will be a competent, interested, and interesting moderator. You are one of our few Republican members. You are clear you don’t like politics coming from the pulpit. But you (and your beautiful, energetic, Democrat wife Sharon Moriwaki!) are committed to Crossroads, your legacy church as you called it, and also because Sharon is so passionate about Crossroads. You are a smart and diplomatic person with years of legislative work in Hawaii and state work in China before that. I’m looking forward to your leadership. 

With sincere gratitude,

Lee Takagi, Outgoing moderator

Gratitude travels with Carlo and Rebekah as they have returned to their homes. Knowing them better now and experiencing their wonderful performances, we continue to share aloha and give thanks for their friendship and gifts of music. Mahalo to the many who made the concerts a success, most notably Harriet, Annie, Don, Liz, David T., Cathy, Bill, and Kahu.

~ Kathy Triolo, Anniversary committee chair