Elvis, who loved Hawaii, sang a song called “Home Is Where the Heart Is.” Well, my heart is in Hawaii, and I have two homes here, with two families. When I moved to the islands forty years ago, I soon started my own family, with a wife and son. My church home on Maui was Holy Innocents in Lahaina, but eventually I found my new church home on Oahu. Epiphany has been my second family ever since, and I love the warm welcome I received, and still receive. I also love the fact that it is like a village parish, in the neighborhood village of Kaimuki, and just a mile from my own family home.
My spiritual growth has been nurtured at Epiphany. It is an ideal environment to worship with others, to enjoy the fellowship, and to draw strength from the beautiful building, the words of scripture and prayer, and the glory of music. I could not have dreamed of a better parish home.
The little word “home” carries so much meaning, so many memories, for all of us. One of Jane Austen’s characters says, “Ah! There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” Home is a place to feel comfortable, to have support, and have opportunities to contribute to the home. We contribute to family members and the family welfare. Likewise, with our church family, we contribute with time and resources, including pledging and supporting the village church as readily as we support our own families.
With our church family, as with our own families, when we follow the heart, we receive more than we give. Every day brings new rewards, new comfort. Maya Angelou wrote, “The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go and not be questioned.” God bless our homes.
Michael Little
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