Reflections on the 'Aha Pae'āina

Within a matter of two weeks, we will be gathering online for the 'Aha Pae'āina. On the one hand, our annual gathering is a meeting of the congregation—the members of the church—to direct the business of the church and to assess how we are living into our vision of unity in relationships. From the Conference perspective, this is the most important business meeting of the year. From the 'Aha Pae'āina flows emphasis, tasks, and directions that guide our Council, missional teams, and where the Conference staff spends its time and talents.

On the other hand, the 'Aha Pae'āina is much more than just a business meeting. It is a family reunion—that space in which we talk story and come to recognize the spiritual richness of each other's lives. While we cannot join around a common table this year, we can still gather around our common yearning to discern together the life of the Hawai'i Conference of the United Church of Christ. Some portions of the meeting did require a registration, such as pieces of the 'Aha Iki and the plenary session of the 'Aha Makua. Other portions of our family reunion are open to all—the daily morning devotions, daily workshops, as well as opening and closing worship.

I hope to see you there on my computer screen joining in the wide, diverse family of Christ!

David K. Popham, Conference Minister