First United Protestant Church, UCC

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FUPC at the National Youth Event 2008

After more than a year of planning, fundraising, and hoping, our four youths who met the age criteria, and two adult advisors, attended the 2008 NYE in Knoxville, Tennessee. They stopped in New Orleans along the way to visit St. Matthew church, and at Tugaloo college in Mississippi. Here are some pictures of the preparations, and the event.

May 18: a Planning Session for the Trip to the National Youth Event (NYE) in Knoxville, Tennessee in July

At noon, our delegates and their families, and the chaperones and guardians for the trip, met for lunch at the manse to discuss details of their big journey. Faye had prepared a big folder for each of the families with all the pertinent information - maps, schedules, phone numbers, etc, etc, even information on the weather and climate to expect at their destination!

thanks to Debbie Walter for the pictures of the meeting at the manse

June 22: A Celebration in Anticipation of the Trip to the NYE

This day, the last day of the more than year-long fundraising efforts of our youth to reach their goal to go to the National Youth Event in Tennessee next month, turned into a glorious celebration. They had worked so hard, for so long, to realize this goal. It was wonderful to hear the excitement with which they were bringing us up-to-date on the latest planning for their trip:  originally designed t-shirts which they will wear while traveling will soon be ready.

They thanked  not only the Laulima Team, who shares their faith with our children and youth every Sunday,  but also many others who had helped in the fundraising effort, with beautiful leis. It was especially touching that even the little ones, who had helped to fold napkins and handed out notes, as well as grandmothers who took care of the babies so that the mothers and older children could help, were honored.

 After worship, we enjoyed a Teriyaki Steak Lunch fundraiser on the lanai.

June 29: Sending good wishes; and: the shirts have arrived!

This picture was taken early in the morning. Later, before and after worship, these tables in the narthex were hubs of activity: on the table in the foreground, a birthday card is in the works for one of our members who will celebrate her 92nd birthday on the 4th of July; and on the table in the back are the journals our delegates will take with them on their trip to the National Youth Event in Tennessee later this month. The first entries in these journals are the many good wishes from our fellowship that go with our delegates!

The beautiful shirts which our delegates will wear during their travels have arrived.

The shirts are an original design by June Dela Cruz.

thanks to Rev. and Mrs. Walter for most of these pictures

July 6: Practice Skirts for our Delegates

When our delegates leave for the National Youth Event in Tennessee, they will take these brand new practice skirts with them to wear when they are practicing

July 13: Ready to go to the National Youth Event in Tennessee!

Our delegates are finishing the preparations for their trip. About all that remains is to pack their bags! They wore the beautiful garments donated by Sig Zane; these are the outfits they will wear when they will dance a liturgical hula at one of the worship services there.

They danced the hula for us that they will do at the NYE. The banner they will be carrying is in the background.

July 20: Commissioning our Delegation

to the UCC National Youth Event 2008

Our delegates will be leaving the next morning. They will stop at St. Matthew Church, UCC,  in New Orleans; and at Tougaloo College, in Jackson, Mississippi on their way to the NYE in Knoxville, Tennessee. They will return a week later, with a couple of days to spare before school starts!  

Day of Departure! July 21, 2008

After a full year of praying, planning and preparation, of dreaming and working and of overcoming obstacles of every dimension, our youth are on their way to the United Church of Christ  National Youth Event in Knoxville, Tennessee.  They left Hilo Airport in full Spirit for their long Journey.  They would first stop in New Orleans to visit with St. Matthew UCC with whom we partnered during the first two years of Hurricane Katrina response.   They would then travel to historic Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi and then on into the NYE.

More Glimpses of FUPC at the National Youth Event 2008

FUPC Youth Meet the President and General Minister of the United Church of Christ

Raella, Royalyn, JR and McCharles had the wonderful experience of meeting Rev. John Thomas while at the National Youth Event.  Rev. Thomas was kind enough to spend a few moments with our youth.  Reports are he was pleased to know that FUPC was once again active on the  national level of the UCC. You will note that the girls are wearing their beautiful Sig Zane dresses.

Return to Hilo!  

The delegation was greeted with fond Aloha upon their return.  More photos will be added here as soon as they become available.  The delegation wishes to thank all those who made this journey possible through their love and support.  They also wish to acknowledge all those near and far, known and unknown, who held them in prayer during this wonderful adventure. 

A Time to Dance!  Our delegation was invited to Hula before the entire assembly of the National Youth Exchange.  They prepared and practiced for many weeks for their performance.  They appear here just before going on stage on Saturday evening, July 26.  We will  have more photos of their time at the NYE as soon as they become available from the kids! (we appologize for the small photo - original was taken at a very small size!)

(page updated  02/09/09