Hawaiian Church Chronicle: Latest news in the Diocese

August 10, 2023

This issue's header photo was taken during the Diocese's first ChurchBiz Conference held on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at The Cathedral of St. Andrew. Presenters from the Native Hawaiian Ministry Committee talked about adding ‘ōlelo Hawai'i into liturgy. See the Feature Story section below for the link to the full article. Pictured from left are: the Rev. Mark Haworth, Kalani Holokai, the Ven. Steve Costa, the Rev. Jazzy Bostock, the Rev. Keleawe Hee, and the Rev. Deacon Lani Bowman. (Photo by Rae Costa)

Proper 14

Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

From the Bishop

PRAY FOR MAUI

Updated Message Regarding the Fires on Maui & Hawai'i Island

Editor's note: This is an updated version of the Bishop's original message that was released yesterday, August 9, and includes the latest news as of this release.

My dear Siblings in Christ Jesus,

With the news of the fires on the islands of Maui and Hawaiʻi (“the Big Island”), I ask your prayers.

Lahaina was devastated. Historic Holy Innocents Church is on Front Street where the fire very quickly swept into old Lahaina town. Those old buildings made out of wood, went up in flames quickly. Some of the buildings destroyed date back to the days of whaling and when the town was the seat of the monarchy (early 1800s). Likely, this includes our church, Holy Innocents, based on an aerial photo sent to the office. The Sanctuary, vicarage, preschool and office appear to be completely gone (as does the public elementary school next door). Whole Lahaina neighborhoods are gone. Because of evacuations, downed landlines and cell towers, and the chaos of the situation, no one other than first responders are allowed into Lahaina, and we have had no first hand confirmation of the losses.

The clergy have reported in as safe.

What can you do? Many have asked how you can help through the Diocese with immediate response for relief efforts on Maui. The Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi is coordinating immediate diocesan relief efforts to the Lahaina fire disaster through the Diocese’s A CUP OF COLD WATER (ACCW) (a separately incorporated subsidiary of the Diocese that serves the houseless on Maui).

You can make an online donation through the Bishop’s Pastoral Fund HERE and also through the website of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi (the funds will be gathered and sent to ACCW).

You may also mail checks directly to: A Cup of Cold Water, 2140 Main St., Wailuku, HI 96793

This is to help with immediate needs. The recovery efforts will take a very long time.

We have been in touch with Episcopal Relief and Development and with the Church Insurance Company.

I urge you to pray: A PRAYER FOR THOSE FACING WILDFIRES.

We will share more as information becomes available.

Yours faithfully,

+Bob

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick

(Pronouns: he, him, his)

Bishop Diocesan

The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i

229 Queen Emma Square

Honolulu, HI 96813-2304

www.episcopalhawaii.org

Bishop-in-Charge

The Episcopal Church in Micronesia

911 North Marine Corps Drive

Upper Tumon, Guam 96913

www.episcopalmicronesia.org.

Be sure to stay informed with the Bishop's latest messages by clicking on the button shown. All video messages also appear on the Dioceseʻs YouTube Channel and Facebook page.

FEATURE STORY

ChurchBiz Buzz!

The Diocese's first ChurchBiz Conference was held on Saturday, July 29, 2023, on the grounds of The Cathedral of St. Andrew. Nearly 20 workshops were offered during three sessions, with topics related to "church business." From finances and reports to live streaming and burnout, the conference was being offered to assist clergy and lay (especially volunteers) to better understand and tackle some of the more challenging or even mundane tasks required for the church to ... READ MORE

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DIOCESE

Visit the Diocese's Calendar page HERE for Diocesan events & activities.

LATEST CONVENTION 55 NEWS:

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

REMINDER: SUBMIT NOMINATIONS & RESOLUTIONS:

Nominations for Diocesan Council, Standing Committee, Cathedral Chapter, and Secretary to Convention, are now being accepted online. Resolutions are also being accepted. For information, instructions, deadlines, and online links, visit the Convention webpage HERE.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT COMMENTS ON THE 2024 DRAFT BUDGET IS TOMORROW, FRIDAY, AUGUST 11!

The Diocesan Council has made available the 2024 Draft Budget for review and comments. Click on the buttons further below to view the Draft Budget Numbers, Draft Budget Narrative, and to submit any comments to the Bishop. Please submit your comments by Friday, August 11, 2023.

ISLAND-WIDE VOLUNTEER EVENT FOR SEASON OF CREATION: The ecumenical and international creation care event known as the Season Of Creation is nearly here, beginning September 1 through October 4! We would love to promote this event and encourage congregations, schools, and communities on all of the islands to plan a day of service, work day, or other creation care/ environmental justice event during this time. You can then share photos and descriptions/stories of your event with the Revs. Jenn Latham and Brianna Lloyd HERE. With your permission, they will share these events and photos on our Creation Care and Environmental Justice webpage, and plan to compile them into a slideshow or video to share at Diocesan Convention.

SEASION OF CREATION VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: If you are on Oʻahu, join us for a volunteer workday on September 16, 2023, from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, at Nā Mea Kūpono in Waialua, where we will learn about the ahupuaʻa and sustainability practices of the loʻi. We will help with the projects that the farmers have for us. Please contact the Rev. Jenn Latham HERE prior to September 1 to sign up.

For more information about the Season of Creation, download the flyer HERE (designed by Audrey, an ʻIolani student)! Feel free to use this poster in any promotional material.

Clergy Conference - August 14-16, 2023, Kaua'i

ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Classes - Beginning September 5, 2023 through the school year

CONVENTION 55 & EDUCATION DAY - October 20-21, 2023, 'Iolani School, O'ahu

ISLAND HAPPENINGS

Visit the Diocese's Community Calendar page HERE for ongoing activities in your neighborhood.

O'AHU: Summer Outreach at The Cathedral

Pictured above, the Cathedral of St. Andrew's summer outreach efforts make a difference in the community, from left: donations to the Diocese's Prison Ministry BacPac project were blessed; Canon Heather delivers slippers to Princess Ruth Ke'elikolani Middle School; the annual school supplies drive for Kalihiwaena School was blessed and delivered! (Photos from the CSA online newsletter)

COMING UP:

Collections for Food Vault Hawai'i have resumed. Collection baskets for the Cathedral will be located on the Diamond Head side of the Cathedral, near the Platform. For more information on Food Vault Hawai'i, please visit their website HERE.

Sunday, September 3, 2023, 5:00 PM: Choral Evensong in honor of of Queen Lili'uokalani's birthday.

KAUA'I: Coming Up - Sing Out Kaua'i Concert at St. Michael's & All Angels

St. Michael's and All Angels in Lihue will be hosting two concerts called My Favorite Things by Sing Out Kaua'i. The concerts will take place on Saturday, August 26, at 6:00 PM, and Sunday, August 27, at 3:00 PM. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Visit the event website HERE for more info.

HAWAI'I ISLAND: Children & Youth Shine at St. Augustine's

The children and youth at St. Augustine's in Kapa'au were shining brightly this summer with scholarships, teen nights, and a new year of Godly Play! Pictured above are the 2023 College Fund Recipients with (L to R): the Rev. Jennifer Masada, returning scholar Kara Fernandez, Melanie Sahagun standing in for returning scholar Mark Sahagun, Chevy Apostadiro, Mark Joshua Salvador and Youth Minister, Kathy Matsuda. (Not pictured: Ziggy Bartholomy). Each student gave a speech thanking the congregation and sharing how meaningful the awards were to their studies. At right, youth in middle school and high school were invited to a Teen Night, where pizza and lots of fun were served up. They made friendship bracelets and tie-dyed t-shirts.

Below, a new church year of Godly Play kicked off with Kathy Matsuda leading "The Circle of the Church Year" story, and Deacon Lani Bowman and Pastor Jennifer share the Eucharist with the Sunday School children. (Contributed photos)

LAY POSITION OPENINGS

(Visit the Diocesan website HERE for more information.)

OʻAHU: The Parish of St. Clement - Parish Sexton (Full-time)
OʻAHU: The Cathedral of St. Andrew - Seeking Volunteer Docents
OʻAHU: St. Stephen's Church, Wahiawa - Organist (Part-time)
MAUI: Trinity By-the-Sea, Kihei - Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper (Part-time)

The Episcopal Church & Beyond

Photo: ENS/Zeke Kalua, County of Maui

Episcopal church presumed destroyed as wildfires on Hawaiʻi’s Maui kill at least 36

[August 10, 2023] Three separate wildfires have killed at least 36 people since Aug. 8 and destroyed hundreds of buildings on the Hawaiʻian island of Maui, likely including an Episcopal church, prompting the evacuation of thousands of people. The worst of the wildfires has caused widespread damage to the island’s western community of Lahaina ... READ MORE