Lighting the Way in a Time of Challenge: A Pastoral Letter to the Central Union Church community
Dear Central Union Church ‘ohana,
Over the last few weeks in worship, we have been journeying through the Lord’s Prayer—those sacred words that Jesus taught us—I find myself returning again and again to one line in particular: “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” It is a prayer for justice. A cry for compassion. A call to action.
I write to you today with a heavy heart. Our dear friend and drummer in our 11 AM worship service praise team, Rogerio Araujo, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week. Rogerio is not only a gifted musician and artist—he is a cherished member of our church ‘ohana, a man of faith and kindness, and the beloved husband of Cheryl Bartlett, who sings alongside him in our worship band.This is a frightening and painful time for Cheryl and for all who love Rogerio. His absence is felt not only in our music, but in the spirit of our shared life. We grieve this injustice and stand in support of Cheryl as she navigates the uncertainty and emotional toll of this moment.
We also recognize that Rogerio’s detention is part of a broader reality—a political and immigration system that is deeply broken. Families are being separated. Citizens and long-time residents are being detained without warning. Human dignity is too often lost in the shuffle of policy and enforcement. As people of faith, we are called to respond—not with despair, but with compassion, courage, and conviction.
Here’s how we can support:
- Pray without ceasing. Pray for Rogerio’s safety and release. Pray for Cheryl’s strength and peace. Pray for wisdom and compassion to guide those in positions of power and authority. Let our prayers be persistent, not passive—prayers that rise like incense and move to make a difference.
- Support Cheryl in tangible ways. She needs our care and emotional support. If you’re able to assist, reach out to Cheryl so that she knows that she is surrounded in the love of our church ‘ohana.
- Speak up—and show up. We can write to our elected officials—local, state, and national—urging them to advocate for Rogerio’s release and to pursue humane immigration reform. But advocacy doesn’t stop at the page. We can also advocate with our presence—by joining vigils, and public witness events that call attention to unjust detentions and demand change. When we show up together, we send a clear message: our faith compels us to stand for justice.
- Be the church. This is a moment to live out our calling—to bear one another’s burdens, to seek justice, and to embody aloha. Let us be a community that surrounds Cheryl and Rogerio with love, that refuses to look away, and that acts with grace and resolve.
Rogerio and Cheryl are part of our family. Their pain is our pain. Their hope is our hope. And together, we will walk through this valley with faith, compassion, and the unwavering belief that love is stronger than fear.
With aloha and shalom,
Rev. A. Rushan Sinnaduray
Senior Minister
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