It's bad luck to see the bride...

Until the congregation split over spiritual issues, we attended the historical "Green Church" in Hanalei every winter. Built in the early 1800's, the building was the subject of many a tourist's photographs, and artist's canvases, postcards, tee shirts and calendars, not to mention weddings. (After the split, the congregation met in a huge tent, mentioned in an earlier blog).

Photo by Chris Cook

Pastor Steve, well educated and personable, with his cheerful wife, warmly led the church in reaching out to the community with the love of Jesus. Tricia motivated the ladies to put on a beautiful annual tea for all the women and girls. Each table was set with someone's special China, candles and flowers. The finger food was delicious, as is everything in Hawaii, so far as I'm concerned.

Thanksgiving pot-luck was well planned for the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day. Several folks roasted the turkeys, others made the other main dishes, and then everyone else brought vegies and desserts. On Thanksgiving Day itself, many of the church folks served a complete holiday dinner at the local Hanalei Schoolhouse where anyone, including the homeless could come for the traditional hot meal, and volunteers took food to the shut-ins.

At Christmas, a horse-drawn wagon, with fringe of icicle lights circled the shopping centers, and neighborhood of the church, full of riders singing carols to Ukelele accompaniment.

Beach picnics often followed the event of someone's baptism in the ocean. We were witnesses to all these good things, and warmly accepted.

I felt that Steve and Tricia deserved a special treat... so invited them to stay overnight at the B&B and to have breakfast (at no expense to the owners) with the other guests the next morning. After arranging for a sitter for their kids, they came to enjoy the restful quiet and ambience of this beautiful house. The only room available to them was the Honeymoon Suite. It was perfect, with a little sitting area, and kitchenette for late snacks and hot drinks.

Next morning, they came out and I introduced them to the guests, as I served the smoothies. When Pastor Steve met Scott and April, he chuckled and said, "I think I am supposed to meet with you today for wedding counseling." Startled Scott was dressed in long pants, shirt and tie. Steve put Scott at ease, telling him he didn't have to dress up for the meeting. Steve, Tricia and Scott and April left for the church a little later.

We hosted the bride's mother and aunt the night before the wedding, as they sent the groom to the other end of the island. After all, it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, you know!