On Monday, November 1st, several churches of the United Church of Christ (UCC) will host an all-day memorial event to remember those people in our Hawai‘i community who have died of COVID-19. One chair for each person will be placed on the lawn in front of Central Union Church which is located at 1660 South Beretania Street in Honolulu. At noon, the church bell will begin to toll for each person in Hawai‘i who has died of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. There will be no formal gathering. Instead, throughout the day, pastors from several UCC churches will take shifts at the memorial to welcome all who stop by. The memorial will be open to the public starting at 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 1, 2021. Masks should be worn at all times on campus. Scott Jung, owner of Absolute Party Rentals, and his sales rep, Lee Tokoma‘ata, have generously loaned the church all of the chairs for the memorial. Says Rev. Abraham Han of Mānoa Valley Church: “It’s such a blessing when members of the business community are willing to be partners in service like this.” The date, November 1, is known as All Saints Day, and is the day on which many Christian churches take a moment to remember those who have died during the previous year. “However,” says the Rev. David Turner of Church of the Crossroads, “we would like to welcome all people from every faith tradition, and those with no tradition at all—all are invited to stop and take a moment to remember their loved one in whatever way is meaningful. We are here to serve you and your loved ones.” Says the Rev. Jeannie Thompson of Nu‘uanu Congregational Church: “With all of the safety protocols we have to live with, many people have not had the chance to grieve with the support and companionship of the community. We hope this memorial will be for people a public experience of community connection, unity, and caring.” Says Kahu Ken Makuakāne of Kawaiaha‘o Church: “This is an opportunity to take a moment, to remember, to give thanks, to grieve. I and others will offer a ministry of presence.” Says the Rev. Brandon Durán of Central Union Church: “We hope to provide a space for loved ones to know that their loss is seen and felt by us all—we are community, ‘ohana, one body.” Find this event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1207506209726552.