Recently a church member invited those who object to the continued U.S. occupation of Iraq to wear a tie to worship on May 6.

You have to understand. We just about never see a tie in worship.

Christ Church Uniting in Kailua is a small church, but we aren't afraid of big ideas or big problems.

One year, after a period of study on the AIDS epidemic in Africa, our small congregation decided that we would refuse to be paralyzed. Church members pitched in and financed a year of antiviral AIDS therapy for one person in Africa.

Another year, we offered a competitive grant competition to support the best ideas for working with the homeless.

Small steps? A drop in the bucket? For us, the refusal to take action just because the problem is too big is simply unacceptable.

Now we are responding to the war in Iraq. We are a diverse faith community with many different questions and points of view.

"There is no single right answer," says Pastor Buddy Summers, "but as people of faith we are called to active peacemaking."

Every Sunday, the names of U.S. military personnel killed in the war that week are read. The list is always too long. The reader often has to pause to regain composure. We then pray for Iraqi families along with all others whose lives have been uprooted by the war and ongoing occupation.

Summers' sermon May 6 is titled "Christian Hope in Time of War." We'll consider several questions, namely: How can we find a way to bring our soldiers safely home? How can we protect the Iraqi men, women and children whose lives are lived in constant terror?

The 10 a.m. service includes silence, prayer, meditation and music. There will be prayer for the war dead and for those whose lives continue at risk. The church will pray for leaders on all sides and for new wisdom to find a way to peace.

Whether wearing the "protest" tie, traditional aloha wear or military uniforms, members and community friends will be together in worship acknowledging one another and the profound challenges we can only face together.

I can't speak for the other women, but I'll be wearing a tie, too, on May 6.

It's just about always interesting at our little church.

Estelle Codier, Ph.D., an instructor at University of Hawai'i, is a member of Christ Church Uniting in Kailua.