For the choir’s first Sunday back we sang “Celebrate the Differences” by Jill Gallina. The chorus sings of celebrating what makes us unique and about loving one another even when differences arise. The rhythm is the mover of these positive words. The phrasing focuses on the offbeat, which can kind of feel like it is lifting you up. While I was learning the words it took a few tries of singing it before the rhythm felt right, especially because the tempo was quite fast.

And then, after a few times of singing and listening, the rhythm fell into place and then I could give my focus to the words, phrasings, and dynamics. For more experienced vocalists, sight-reading all those things is easier. For beginners, it takes time and help to work through each part.

This is in large part how I think about ministry, the church, and life. In Maria Harris’ book Teaching and Religious Imagination: An Essay in the Theology of Teaching, she spends a lot of time emphasizing the importance of the pace of teaching and the first moments of encounter between the teacher, students, and subject matter. “At the beginning … we seek the primary receptive moment where ordinary knowing slows for a moment, and not-knowing enters, silently enabling an encounter to occur. A too-quick move to cover the material can end in covering over the material.” The way it begins, the trust involved, and setting the stage for the longer learning relationship is so important.

We find a rhythm by sensing and feeling the environment around us and allowing God to take shape. We begin by listening and watching for a moment to let our not-knowing enter so that there is space for an encounter. As we encounter, we give a first try to move with the rhythm of the moment. We learn how our voice fits and engage our creative contributions. We might try improvising and find out how others respond.

The hope is that this first encounter out of our not-knowing turns into a movement and we find a rhythm together that lifts us and others up. It is like the choir rehearsing for our first Sunday back. At first most of us are listening and attempting to sing our words, rhythms, and notes. And then as we gain confidence, we start to hear the other singers and try to complement their singing. Finally, if we have enough time and meet each other ready to encounter the music, we stop singing just our parts and we join in the music as a whole. We find our rhythm as a choir and sing together. 

To me the Spirit shows up like rhythm. Not as an overwhelming force, but as an encounter out of our not-knowing that offers a space for us to find our voice together. As my time with you begins, I appreciate your willingness to slow down with me and allow my not-knowing to be opened up to an encounter. It is a blessing to be finding a rhythm with you, to join the long rhythm of our Crossroads ‘Ohana, and beginning to add my voice and allowing the Spirit to create something beautiful among us.

Peace,

Pastor Jacob

pastorjacob@churchofthecrossroadshawaii.org

From the Coconut Wireless Newsletter (Hawaiʻi Conference UCC):

For three days, 35 clergy gathered on the North Shore of Oʻahu to recharge, converse, learn, and rest. Starting first at Liliʻuokalani Protestant Church, we enjoyed the beautiful historic grounds, good food, and fun fellowship. Then at Camp Mokulēiʻa, we could hear the waves crashing as we enjoyed meals, learned together, and spent time in good conversations. Nani Hill led our times of worship and Ray Aldred shared his experiences of reconciliation through an indigenous perspective. Together, they complimented one another in their approaches and content, allowing the clergy to soak in their invitations and wisdom. 

Photo: Hawaiʻi Conference UCC

Operating behind the scenes, your Coordinating Council has led us through the past year of intense change. No need to give details; we have together felt the anxiety and uncertainty of change and then great relief and joy.  

In no specific order, this is your council: Annie Renick, Jesse Pullen, Tim Stoddard, Mike Ryan-Kern, Greg Codispoti, Ehito Kimura, Linda Rich, Frances Wong, Bruce Anderson, Linda Green, Ted Demura-Devore. They represent our Mission Teams: Nurture, Service, Peace Justice and Stewardship of Creation (PJSC), Administration, and the Executive team (Ted, Linda G., Bruce, Frances, Kathy). Quietly but with passion, intensity and integrity, they are doing the work of the church that keeps us able to see each other every Sunday.

Mission Teams represent our operating system. They are small groups where you can put your heartfelt interests to work and create space for interests we may not currently address. Join us!

There is a mix of long-time members and newer members on the Council. As I see it, the newer members represent our next generation of leaders. It will take all of us to make and keep the future successful; some of us as advisors who can share institutional knowledge and others doing the day-to-day work. Please step into the seats of those who have reached their term limit on the Council. Your voices are important to who we will be. These are pivotal years at the church as well as for the country. 

Church of the Crossroads was named because the state stands at a crossroads of east and west; it wasn’t an arbitrary naming. The church came at time of tremendous global shift. WWI had ended only a few years prior; the world (including Hawaiʻi) experienced the pandemic of 1918; the major waves of immigration to Hawaiʻi were winding down. 

What we face in the coming decades is unknown; planning for it rather than watching it unfold is important. Forward and insightful thinking may parallel what those young people inspired back in 1923. Be part of it!

We have settled a bit these last two months since Pastor Jacob’s arrival. He is thoughtfully and actively involved in the life of the church—having group and individual meetings, joining activities, having conversations, and crocheting with the Handicraft Hui. He is making time in his schedule to have coffee with those who come to worship. We are glad you are here, Pastor Jacob!

Campus cleaning is underway. The long-awaited file cabinets for the church’s archives have been installed so Sigrid and her team can restart the gargantuan task of documenting the history of the church. There are records that go back to the beginning. There are wonderful photo albums in the closet next to the office conference room. Please handle with care. 

Speaking of photographs, as Amy and Shanti’s personal collection of photographs continues to be sorted, some of you will receive packets of photographs you may never have seen or will remind you of days past. This is a work in progress that we hope to wrap up soon, so if someone hands you an envelope with pictures, enjoy it. 

The music office is now clear of an old-style schoolteacher’s desk so Collin can now navigate that space and it can be used more effectively. 

One last note – our beautiful Golden Shower Tree (fronting University Avenue) lost a large branch as Hurricane Lowell passed by us. Hopefully, with good trimming, the tree will be in its full glory next time it blooms.

Kathy Triolo

kathygla@gmail.com

A TALE OF TWO HOUSES

This has been a year of change for Crossroads in many ways, including our properties. Decades ago, our parsonage was repurposed to an abused women's shelter and since then it has helped many people through a difficult transition.



However, this year the house was turned back over to us, and we have re-repurposed it back to a parsonage, first for Pastor Laura and now for Pastor Jacob and his family. Many people donated their time and materials to this effort, plus there were significant expenses covered by the church's checking account.

The report by treasurer Ted Demura-Devore in the July 9, 2026, Chimes edition gives more financial details about these projects.

The house next to the parsonage had been occupied by the Horiuchi family for a couple of generations while they served as the church custodian. Isaac vacated the house when he retired, and we have completely renovated it since then. We are now calling it the "cottage.''  It is now in great shape to use as rental property or other uses that will benefit the church. This also involved quite a bit of volunteer labor from Crossroaders, plus even more cash from our reserves.  

Both houses still need a little work. The parsonage has a leak in the dining room roof, and the cottage needs air conditioning. But the end is in sight. The houses now represent a big increase in the assets of the church, money well spent.

Thanks to all who participated in these projects.

Bruce Anderson

Immediate Past Moderator and 

Member of the Property, Use and Maintenance (PUM) Team

Mark Hamamoto, Crossroads member and Director of Mohala Farms, recently wrote an article for The Friend, July 2026 edition. The Friend is a publication of the Hawaiʻi Conference of the United Church of Christ (HCUCC), and this publication is “The Oldest Newspaper West Of The Rocky Mountains.”

We hope you will get to know Mark through the following excerpts from his article

(pg. 3, https://www.hcucc.org/_files/ugd/1c51b0_91dd9cc06c5646b29cff49b8f6ac398a.pdf).

Ellipses are not included. The link to the entire article is noted.

Mohala Farms is a six-acre farm in Waialua that was started in 2005 on old sugar lands. It’s a non-profit, faith and vision-driven farm that was inspired by my time living and working at Hoa‘āina O Makaha, a five-acre farm in Makaha Valley, immersed fully in the life of the farm and in the surrounding community. That farm was started by a Catholic priest, Gigi, from Northern Italy who had been working in the Philippines before coming to Hawai‘i in the late 70’s. Hoa‘āina was born out of Gigi’s experience growing up in a small, rural village where people lived close to the land and his experience of injustice and inequality in the Philippines. Hoa‘āina was also born out of the land in Mākaha itself—land that had been cared for by countless generations of Kānaka Maoli who felt a deep sense of connection to the ‘āina.

Farming is a challenging occupation and business—notorious for its hard physical work and low financial benefits. But farming is also an expression of love for the Earth. Farming calls to people who want to use their bodies physically and who want to be involved in work that is caring for the Earth, defending the natural world—defending and perpetuating biological diversity, genetic diversity, nutrient-rich soils, and nutrient-rich food.

In the Bible, one of the strongest messages that gets repeated over and over is to not forget the past—specifically, to not forget that “we” were once slaves in a foreign land and that God heard our cries and liberated us from bondage. It is the basis and foundation for welcoming the stranger, caring for the orphan and widow, defending the poor, and challenging the powerful.

A faith-based farm, honoring the past in both old Hawai‘i and the Old Testament, is based on the life-giving qualities in creation and the life-giving qualities in our Creator. The Earth is a blessed creation and we are blessed to be stewards of this beautiful planet. But it is also filled with injustices and the misuse of power that destroys life. God calls us to remember our collective past, our ancestral story of liberation and redemption, and to build communities that are based on the sanctity of life that exists in creation and in each human being.