While Jean and I enjoyed our almost (but not quite) annual mid-winter week away in Hawaii, I attend a bi-lingual UCC (Congregational) service in Makena, Maui, in an historic 1836 church. As in our UUSS community, this church family of local residents, “snowbirds,” some Hawaiian members, and many tourists like me honored all those members and friends who passed away last year in their annual “feast of tears” on January 6th. It was important to Jean and me, and emotional, because the 27 year old daughter of good friends succumbed to cancer back in Oregon on the morning we arrived. I was touched that my prayer card with Emma’s name was read out with others of this church’s “ohana” (family).

The service was bi-lingual (in Hawaiian and English), and I sang several familiar songs and hymns from my Protestant background in Hawaiian! Their Native Hawaiian minister, with his service dog under and around the pews, spoke movingly of seeking the Light in dark times. The women lay associates and female choir singers wore fresh flowers behind their ears. Through open doors and unscreened windows the ocean waves murmured and sighed.

This stone church and small graveyard sits just a few yards from the ocean, among trees and grass. Just a few miles away we found a labyrinth in a lush “sacred garden.” Taken together, my thoughts about young Emma and spiritual experiences a thousand miles away from Sacramento reminded me of our UUSS family, which in our own culture and language shares with these islanders these things — “aina” (land), “ohana” (family), and “aloha” (in its deeper meaning — affection, openness, truthfulness, caring, humility, and love).

PS–All welcome to join the weekly UUSS Choir rehearsal, Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30 PM, in the Fahs Classroom.