What to Expect at Keawala’i
If you’re thinking about visiting a new church in a new place, it’s natural to feel a bit anxious about what to expect. Whether you have never been part of a church before or if you’ve been a long-time member somewhere else, we are here to help welcome you on your journey. Here is what you can expect.
Will I fit in here?
Keawala’i is a very welcoming faith community. We are a hale pule (house of prayer) for all people. As a Congregational church affiliated with the United Church of Christ (UCC), we welcome all people (dogs, too!) no matter who you are or where you are on your journey. We are committed to welcoming people of every race, language, age, gender, ethnicity, economic status, mental or physical ability, and sexual orientation into the full life and ministry of the church.
Will I be welcome for who I am?
We all share the desire to explore our individual faith with others doing the same. There is no test to pass or pledge to recite! Some of us have been on a lifelong spiritual journey and others are just beginning to come to grips with what it means to have faith.
How do I find you?
We are in south Maui at 5300 Mākena Road, just south of Kihei Town and Wailea. You will find parking next to the building or across the street, or you may park on the street.
Are you accessible?
The hale pule is all on one floor with easy access to the parking lot, and a short walk to classrooms and offices, and outdoor pavilion (where we have “Aloha Hour” each Sunday after worship). It’s a simple design that is inviting at every turn. We also have large print bulletins for anyone who needs them.
What will happen on our first visit?
There will be some friendly people to welcome you with Aloha, answer any questions you have, and direct you to the worship service. We will also give you a copy of our weekly bulletin which shows information about the Sunday service and has announcements. During announcement time we recognize all visitors. No worries, you will not be alone; the historic nature of our church and its location means that we attract many first-time visitors each Sunday!
What is available to my kids? Will they feel welcome?
If you have keiki (children), they are welcome to sit with you during the worship service. Worship includes “Keiki Time,” when our Kahu (Pastor) welcomes all keiki to come up front for a short bible story or song. After this, your children are welcome to attend Sunday School, where they will do a craft and hear an age-appropriate Bible lesson. Our Sunday School teachers are parents or other members and they are wonderful at helping new children feel comfortable.
What do people wear?
On Sunday mornings you notice a wide diversity in what people wear. Some wear sun dresses, many come in shorts and Aloha shirts. Those coming up onto the “chancel” (the elevated platform in front) are asked to remove their footwear.
What is the worship space like?
Our worship service is held in our beautiful hale pule. You can choose to sit anywhere you’d like, indoors or outdoors. The west side door opens onto the ocean, the east door leads to the parking lot and outdoor seating. A plain wooden cross hang above a simple wood worship table decorated with candles, leis, and flowers, celebrating our unique Hawaiian heritage.
What is the worship service like?
If you arrive early, you may find our Choir rehearsing, and our musicians, deacons, and Kahu preparing for worship. The service begins at 10 am with opening praise music, followed by announcements and welcome of visitors. The order of worship is in the bulletin for you to follow. The opening portion of worship is done in both English and ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i (the Hawaiian language). We have lots of singing by everyone throughout – a mix of musical styles.
Our Kahu offers a mana’o (sermon) rooted in the readings from the Bible that morning and delves into issues of what it means to live with love and hope and follow Jesus in the world we live in today. We hope it will touch your heart, be relevant to your life, and leave you with something to reflect on in the week ahead. The service closes with a blessing as the light of Christ is carried from the hale pule out into the world.
Will our children participate in the worship service?
Keiki (children) in worship are invited to come forward and sit on the steps of the chancel to have a conversation with our kahu about faith. For almost two hundred years we have celebrated the gifts our youth and children bring to us when they read scripture, participate in drama, or offer musical talent.
Will I be able to receive Holy Communion
On the first Sunday of the month we celebrate communion as part of the worship service and remember Jesus’ last supper with the disciples. We welcome everyone who would like to receive communion because we are celebrating Jesus’ extravagant welcome and love.
Will people be welcoming after the worship service? What if I need head out immediately after worship?
After the worship service, we move outdoors and gather under a pavilion for Aloha Hour. Cold and hot beverages are served, and often delicious baked goods to eat there is fruit and! We’d love to have you stay to “talk story” with us. If you can’t stay for Aloha Hour, please feel free to take with you some literature about our church. We look forward to your next visit!
We hope this will give you some idea of what to expect. We would love to welcome you with the spirit of aloha and share in your faith journey experience!