View from the Pew
A look inside Hawaii's houses of worshipBy Mary Adamski
Saturday, March 17, 2001
Just approaching the imposing Central Union Church across its green eight acres is an experience. "Here I am, going to church." This is not just a church, it's THE church: the establishment, kamaaina, Punahou community church. It's the closest thing Hawaii has to the president's chosen place of worship. Central Union Church
a comfortable house
of worshipMembers are generous and expect the best. The seats are padded, side doors open to the tradewinds. The main building is surrounded with a side chapel and support structures. A huge floral arrangement in the sanctuary rivals that in any hotel.
The familiar format of Christian worship is clearly planned and staged: a pre-service musical interlude by guest artists; the robed and well-rehearsed choir; and a charming gathering of keiki choir and kids from the pews for a simple story lesson by Marcia Eveland, associate minister for children and families.
Central Union Church
WELCOME
Greeting newcomers is institutionalized. Greeters at the door hand out postcards and refrigerator magnets. Visitors fill in cards collected at the "ritual of friendship." No one surrounding me spoke to me, but we did join hands to sing the final benediction. Regulars socialize between services at hospitality hour, but a newcomer can feel alone in the crowd.
MESSAGE
"Lent is a wake-up call. If you don't bear fruit, you aren't worth very much." Senior minister Ted Robinson is a master at imparting a simple take-home distillation of the Scriptural account of Jesus' teaching, "I am the vine and you are the branches."
PRAISE THE LORD
Participation in hymns and recited prayers is subdued. Most lean back and listen to the leaders, minister and choir.
The preacher tells us that, like the grape vine, there is dead wood here, and gently encourages people to participate and contribute. The pulpit at the top of the stairs is the showiest feature in the pillared space.
It's a peaceful, comfortable hour.
The edgiest moment comes in the pastoral prayer invoking global and community concerns, the victims of the Ehime Maru tragedy and a call for humility from the Navy.
The 10 a.m. congregation, which fills about a third of the church, is heavy on senior citizens and visitors. The hint of a livelier alternative is heard as the amplified Christian rock band cranks up in Atherton Chapel for the 11:30 contemporary service. A peek in later reveals about 20 parishioners in the pews.
Rich in physical assets, well endowed and able to support a large staff, Central Union is the envy of the family of 126 local congregations in the United Church of Christ.
Is this perhaps a little too comfortable, I ask a member, who brought his teen daughter to the rock and gospel service in hopes of sparking her interest.
When he tells of his participation in the Thursday project -- delivering hot meals to the homeless at Ala Moana Park -- I'm impressed. Now that's not a comfortable thing to do, but it sure is Christian.
Central Union Church
Mary Adamski covers religion for the Star-Bulletin.
Email her at madamski@starbulletin.com.
