Aloha Friends,

Growing up, I remember Palm Sunday for the waving palms in church and for the hot cross buns that were served during the coffee/juice hour following church. The next time I would be in church would be seven days later on Easter Sunday, at which there were usually trumpets playing and women wearing fancy hats. To me, as a child, “Holy Week” was simply the seven days between hot cross buns and trumpets in church. It was not until I got to Divinity School, 40 years ago, that the fullness of Holy Week began to descend upon me.

In those seven days between the palms and the bonnets, the journey of Jesus’ life and the church goes from triumphant exultation to the lowest of lows – betrayal, arrest, denial, beating, trial, execution, burial -- to the highest of highs -- an empty tomb, the risen one calling us by name, the triumph of life and love over hate. I came to realize that in order to know Easter as more than egg hunts and fancy brunches, one needed to go through the struggles and the pains that encompass those roller coaster days of Holy Week.

At Crossroads, we try to honor that tumultuous journey that leads to new resurrection and new life. We let Palm Sunday be a festive day with exultation, shared meals, and laughter together. We gather in a service of shadows and extinguishing lights (Tenebrae) for Maundy Thursday, the night in which he was betrayed; and a service of reverence and solemnity on Good Friday, the day in which his life was taken from him; and connect together in the vigil of prayer through the long night of Saturday. On Easter morning, as we watch the sun rise together, we celebrate the son rising in each of our lives, and then gather to eat, play, worship and exult in the good news of Love ever wondrous.

Whether you can be with us in-person or online, or not at all, I hope this special week that will soon be upon us is one in which you give yourself time to pause and live into both the hurts that continue to plague us and the joy that is always waiting to be present in your heart. If you can join us, here is where you can find information about each of our upcoming gatherings.

Aloha,

Kahu David

Joseph Lewa shares the joy of a new permanent job, after leaving a former job where he had worked for 9 years. He is also excited that he passed his driving test.

Jeanne Roberts and Rebekah Dickinson shared that they had a great visit to Hawaii. They are sad that they were not able to visit with everybody that they wanted to. However, they were glad to spend some time with "mum and grandma," and to be with you all in person.

Caleb Nag has been without phone service for a couple of weeks. He reports to us that his middle son, John, was sick for a week, and annual exams were held. Currently, James, their little one, is sick with mumps and fever. Please keep him in your prayers.  

From Linda Green: Please remember the family of Ed Quisenberry, cousin of Linda Quisenberry Green, who died unexpectedly on March 14, 2024 at the age of 80. He is survived by his wife Susan Quisenberry, sister Pat Lambert, children, and grandchildren. He was a retired airline employee and chili cook-off judge living in Arizona.

Jean Coffman has moved from Pohai Nani to live with Susan and Thom, her daughter and son-in-law. Jean continues on hospice care. We surround them all with love and care. Cards can be sent to Jean at 14 Aulike St., #603, Kailua, HI 96734.

Jan Hanashiro has moved into Pohai Nani – 45-090 Namoku St., #1307, Kaneohe, HI 96744. We wish her well in her new home.

We keep Mark Wilson in our prayers as he undergoes knee replacement surgery on April 11. He will be unable to drive for a month and will be staying with Sigrid and John Southworth for a week during his initial recovery.

Saturday, March 23

Come and celebrate the life of Amy Hiratzka Mizuno this Saturday, March 23.

Visitation at 10:00 AM followed by a 10:30 AM service (in-person only). Lunch to follow in Weaver Hall.

Amy had reached the amazing age of 102 in January!