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Highlights & Resources from the 197th ‘Aha Pae‘āina
June 19, 2019

Over 180 people from UCC congregations across the state gathered for the 197th ‘Aha Pae‘āina, the annual meeting of the Hawai‘i Conference United Church of Christ, in various business sessions, plenaries, workshops, and worship services through June 5-8, 2019 at Kaumakapili Church in Honolulu. 

View more photos HERE.

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Plenary Resources

William Lyons and Donald Remick were invited to join us at the ‘Aha to help us nānā i ke kumu—to look to our roots—to care for the roots of our churches. Find resources from their presentations below.

Don Remick is the Transitional Interim Conference Minister of the Massachusetts Conference UCC. His ministry has been in Massachusetts in local churches, through outdoor and disaster ministries, and as an associate conference minister. He has a degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Maine and graduated from Andover Newton Theological School.

Bill Lyons served more than 30 years in local church, state prison, and hospital settings. He is the Conference Minister of the Southwest Conference UCC. He serves on the Arizona Attorney General’s Clergy Council and is a member of that group’s committee on the opioid crisis. Bill is a graduate of Kentucky Christian University, The University of St. Joseph, Cincinnati Christian Seminary, and McCormick Theological Seminary. 

Workshop Resources

We're No Strangers
Ron Fujiyoshi, Kachusy Silander, and members of the Micronesian Committee

Attendees learned about the historical relationship between Hawai‘i and Micronesia, where many missionaries, especially native Hawaiian missionaries, planted the Gospel in Kosrae, Pohnpei, the Marshall Islands, and Kiribati. We have deepened our partnership with the Micronesian Council of the United Church of Christ, especially with regard to the growing number of Micronesian congregations in Hawai‘i and North America. Highlighted were some of the problems faced by Micronesians,
 including why they are leaving Micronesia and what they face here in Hawai‘i.
 

View slides online. Download PDF.

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Sermons

Read the messages preached during the Friday and Saturday worship services.

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Transitions of Conference Ministers

We said mahalo to Gabrielle Chavez and her husband Thomas Chavez who has supported her throughout her time as our Intentional Interim Conference Minister for a little over a year. Gabrielle will end her time with the Hawai‘i Conference UCC in July 2019.

The 197th ‘Aha Pae‘āina voted to call the Rev. Dr. David Kentner Popham to serve as the Hawai'i Conference Minister. He will begin serving in this position by September 2019.

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Churches Recognized for Giving

View a list of churches recognized for their giving contributions in the past year.

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Taste of O‘ahu

The highly anticipated and enjoyed Taste of O‘ahu dinner featured special dishes served by members from O‘ahu churches. The variety of flavors offered enhanced the fellowship enjoyed around the table while music played by Ken Makuakane and friends livened the room. Thank you to everyone who made the evening one to remember. 

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Youth Stewards

Youth from Hawai‘i Island, Kaua‘i, Lāna‘i, Maui, and O‘ahu were present as Youth Stewards led by Jack Belsom and Jeannie Thompson. For just $25, churches could send youth to the ‘Aha to learn, serve, and offer insight. They planned and led worship, collected offering, served communion, talked with the candidate for Conference Minister, discussed the resolution to support a living wage, and made new friends in the HCUCC.

Conference Minister Candidate, David Popham, and his wife Kerrie joined the youth and young adults for dessert and conversation after Day 1 of the ‘Aha Makua.

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Young Adult Fellowship

After the close of the 197th ‘Aha Pae‘āina, these young adults made their way to the top of Diamond Head Crater, talking story along the way and enjoying new views.

A reflection by Wryen Keoki Kiwaha:
God's plan requires us to do things we don't normally do, and go places we haven't gone before. Life's journey is an uphill climb. Getting to the promised land is tough and we will be tested physically, emotionally, spiritually. But as long as we remember that Christ is the source of our strength, that He walks with us on this journey, and that He will never leave us alone, getting there may be difficult, but it is possible. Praise be to the God of journeys. Praise be to the God of unlimited possibilities. 

Young adults gathered for food and fellowship after attending different churches for Sunday morning worship.

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