THIS SUNDAY: July 25, 2021
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Kings 4:42-44
Elisha, the successor to the great prophet Elijah, trusts God to multiply food beyond the scarcity of the ongoing famine.
Psalm 145:10-19
The Psalmist affirms their trust in God's might and goodness to provide all they need.
Ephesians 3:14-21
The writer draws their strength from Abba God, from whom all the families of the earth get their name.
John 6:1-21
Jesus' miraculous feeding of the 5,000, impressing upon his disciples the vastness of God's mercy and grace.
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ON-SITE CHURCH SERVICE
WITH COMMUNION
8:00AM
Joe Adorno (EM)*
Judy Saronitman (U)
Lorna Nishi (AG)
Muriel Jackson (DM)
9:30AM
Linda Crocker (EM)
Mary Margaret Smith (U)
Rachel Secretario (LR)
Jan Hashizume (AG)
Mabel Antonio, Vikki Secretario (HP)
David Crocker, Ron Morinishi (DM)
Live Stream
9:00AM on our home page, YouTube, or Facebook accounts
@allsaintskauai
* EM - Eucharistic Minister; U - Usher; LR - Lay Reader; AG - Altar Guild; HP - Healing Prayers; DM - Digital Ministry; SS - Sunday School
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Blessing of the Backpacks
Sunday, August 1st
9:30AM
Church
Travel with Joan - Ethiopia
Monday, August 2nd
5:00 - 7:00PM
Memorial Hall
Organ Concert
Sunday, September 12th
2:00 - 4:00PM
Guest Organist: Peter Dubois
Church
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Aloha Hour
Every Sunday, 10:45AM - 12:00PM
Under lanai tent
Monday/Friday Crew
Every Monday/Friday, 8:00AM
Church Office
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Laundry Love
1st & 3rd Wednesday, 5:00PM
Kapa`a Laundromat
Daughters of the King
2nd & 4th Thursday, 7:00 - 8:00PM
Zoom
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For those affected by the pandemic, those affected by racial violence, Nestor, Wanda, Clay, Vanessa, Noah, and those we name silently or aloud, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For those saints who have gone before us in the Grander Life, especially those affected by the COVID-19 virus, Lawrence, Nathan, and those we name silently or aloud, in the hope of the resurrection, and for all the departed, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
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Prayers for the Passing of Nathan Kalama
Kaua`i has Lost an Hawaiian Treasure
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Nathan Liberato Kahikolu Kahapea Kalama aka "uncle Nathan"
It is with a heavy heart and deep regret that I inform my All Saints' `Ohana that Nathan Kalama passed away at 4:00AM on Sunday, July 18th.
Nathan was designated a Kaua`i Living Treasure and dedicated his life to spreading and empowering local culture in many different ways. He was a Kamehameha Schools alumnus, a kumu hula, composer and performer, and was was an active supporter of All Saints' annual Holy Sovereigns' Service. Nathan performed the Hawaiian Blessing for the opening of the All Saints' bookstore, Hale Lani, in 2006. He was always willing to help us out and he never said "no" to a request for help or support - no matter how urgent the request may have been!
Nathan was one of the founders of the annual Mokihana Festival, a week long celebration of Hawaiian culture. The festival always begins with a church service on Sunday and Bill and I first met Nathan at the First Hawaiian Church in Kapa`a at the start of the festival in 2003. We remained good friends from that day. As an aside, we also met our two absolute best friends, Wini Smith and "Tita Jean" Yim, at that same church service. Wini and Jean were members of Nathan's hula halau - "Na Kupuna O Kalamaolaimaluhialani".
No details of a funeral or memorial service have yet been released.
Weʻll miss you uncle Nathan. You may be gone but you will never be forgotten.
A hui hou, because we know we will meet up with you again some day.
-David Murray
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Annual Blessing of the Backpacks
Special Prayers for Our Keiki and Youth Returning to School
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As the school year gets underway, we will have a "Blessing of the Backpacks" on Sunday, August 1st during the 9:30AM service. Please bring your backpack in-person or virtually over Livestream - we will lift up our keiki and youth to ask God’s special blessing on their new school year.
-Kahu Kawika+
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First Project Vision Donation Pickup
All Saints' Provides Needed Items for Portable Shower Project
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Grace Meeks (Project Vision Community Health Coordinator), Cami Baldovino (All Saints' Administrator) and Carolyn Morinishi pose with some All Saints' donations. (Photo: Taylor Ragsac).
Project Vision Hawai`i (a 501(c)3 non-profit organization) thanks the members of All Saints' Kaua`i, as our little blue bin overflowed with donations to their ministry! For several more Sundays -- until August 15 -- the blue plastic bin will be outside All Saints church to collect donations.
Project Vision (https://hotshowerskauai.org) helps bring free hot showers to Kaua`i's houseless community. They currently have a need for the following:
- gently used towels, any size and color (bath towels, hand towels, washcloths)
- boxes of gallon ziploc bags for the mobile hygiene kits
- New, individually wrapped toiletry items (packets of wipes, bandaids, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene supplies, floss pics, hand sanitizer, etc)
- unopened travel-size soaps, shampoos and lotions from hotels
For more information on this service project, please contact Carolyn Morinishi or the Church Office.
Thank you All Saints' members for your incredible generosity!
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Travels with Joan - Ethiopia
Monday, August 2nd, 5:00 - 7:00PM
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Dr. Joan Roughgarden has offered to share with us her presentation of her pilgrimage to Ethiopia -- a land steeped in Christian tradition dating back to the days of the early church. Joan is an expert photographer and also has a keen sense of entering into cultures and being able to talk story with us.
This will take place at Memorial Hall on Monday, August 2nd, 5:00-7:00PM. We plan on catering with prepared Ethiopian food, and you are invited to bring along a side dish, desert, or beverage to share. Those of you who joined us a few weeks ago for Joan's presentation of her pilgrimage to the Holy Land know what a wonderful time we had together, so this coming event promises to be one not to be missed.
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Learn to Play Kaua`i's Only Pipe Organ
Scholarship Applications Being Accepted
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Has All Saints' new organ sparked your interest in learning to play this wonderful instrument? The American Guild of Organists-Hawaii Chapter is accepting scholarship applications from August 1 to August 31, 2021 for the scholarship period October 2021 through September 2022. Auditions will be held in September 2021. Visit agohawaii.org to download an application. For details, e-mail Elizabeth Wong at ew_ago_hawaiichapter@yahoo.com
-Morris Wise
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Sloggett Center Solar and Roofing Project Update
An Environmental Initiative
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The preschool roofing and painting project is finally reaching a conclusion. All of the Spanish tiles have been removed and sent to PCCC for recycling. The protective underlayment has been placed over the entire roof and now they have installed the asphalt shingles. The roofing is almost complete and remaining painting is touch up work. The new colors will be dark burgundy facia boards and light tan stucco walls. The kids will have a brand new preschool when classes begins in August.
The solar panel project is in the KIUC permitting stage. Most likely, we will wait for the fall break in the school calendar (October) to do that installation.
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The Vestry and the Environmental Ministry are grateful to all the donors who have contributed to make this project possible. We have gained another $1,000 since our last update. A special thanks to Kathy Northcutt for writing the NPT grant application that brought in $100,000 toward our goal. We are thankful that the All Saints’ `Ohana recognized the value of this project and donated so generously.
Mahalo nui loa to you all!
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Leatherman Called to Serve
St. Timothy's in 'Aiea will be "Sharing" Their Priest with the National Guard
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St. Timothy's in 'Aiea will be "sharing" their priest with the National Guard through September 30. Fr. Dan Leatherman was called to serve as the Joint Task Force Chaplain in support of the State of Hawaiʻi’s COVID response. Despite the added responsibilities, he will still be present on Sundays, pastoral emergencies, funerals and special needs. |
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Dozens of Episcopal Churches Give to Nonprofit Helping to Eliminate Millions of Patients’ Medical Debt
David Paulsen
July 21, 2021
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St. Bede’s Episcopal Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico, gave $15,000 from its outreach fund to RIP Medical Debt in July 2021, which in turn, eliminated about $1.4 million owed by 782 households. Photo: St. Bede’s via Facebook
[Episcopal News Service] St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, a congregation in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with about 250 members, sets aside 10% of its plate and pledge collections each week for outreach efforts. This year, St. Bede’s used that money to join a growing number of Episcopal congregations that are each helping hundreds of people they’ve never met by paying their overdue medical bills through an organization called RIP Medical Debt.
The charity, founded in 2014, negotiates the purchase of medical debt from collection agencies and hospitals for pennies on the dollar, and instead of making the patients pay, RIP Medical Debt sends them letters saying their bills have been forgiven with no strings attached. The nonprofit estimates it has eliminated $4.5 billion in debt this way, benefiting more than 2.6 million people in the U.S.
The Rev. Catherine Volland, St. Bede’s rector, told Episcopal News Service she plans to reference the congregation’s donation during her next Sunday sermon, on the Gospel story of the loaves and fishes: “How a little money goes a long way when God’s hand is in it,” she said.
At least 29 Episcopal churches have contributed to RIP Medical Debt since January 2019, according to info provided to ENS by the nonprofit. Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church in Champaign, Illinois, was one of the earliest of those church donors, when the congregation eliminated $4 million in debt with a $15,000 gift. An April 2019 ENS story about Emmanuel has been cited by some of the other congregations as their inspiration to participate.
“Ever since the ENS story, I hear probably about every three months from an Episcopal church somewhere in the U.S. that is considering working with RIP Medical Debt,” the Rev. Beth Maynard, Emmanuel’s rector, told ENS by email. She sees the charity’s work as a natural fit for churches looking for ways to serve their neighbors.
“Something I tell people every time is that a church putting forgiveness into action in this way makes intuitive sense to people, whether or not they come from a faith tradition,” Maynard said. “It’s a great way to testify to how much grace means to us and to put into action the Gospel we proclaim.”
RIP Medical Debt was founded by former debt collection executives who wanted to use their insider expertise to turn the industry’s model on its head. Health care providers sometimes resort to selling unpaid bills to the secondary debt market to recoup part of the bills’ value while writing off the loss. Collection agencies treat the debt as an investment product, bought at a discount in the hopes of turning a profit by collecting on the debt.
Instead of profiting from patients’ payments, RIP Medical Debt eliminates them. By buying up discounted debt portfolios from collection agencies and directly from hospitals, it can leverage even small donations to wipe out the overdue accounts of thousands of patients at once.
RIP Medical Debt often can target its debt relief in regions requested by churches, though it is somewhat limited by the availability of debt portfolios. It estimates that $1, on average, can purchase about $100 in debt. Various factors, such as the age of the debt, can drive that cost higher or lower. The organization also limits its relief to people living at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, or $53,000 for a family of four, and it ensures that credit reporting agencies update the patients’ records to show the repayments.
“Medical debt is an enormous challenge for many, many people in the United States, and even being wealthy doesn’t necessarily insulate you from this problem,” Scott Patton, RIP Medical Debt’s director of development, said in an interview with ENS.
The scale of the problem was underscored this week by new research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that showed collection agencies held $140 billion in unpaid medical bills last year, far higher than previously known. Researchers also found that 18% of all people living in the United States have some medical debt that has gone to collection. Although the debt forgiven by RIP Medical Debt is a small fraction of that national total, the organization’s financial capacity has grown exponentially in recent years, partly thanks to word of mouth and the support of Episcopal churches like Emmanuel and St. Bede’s, Patton said.
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Medical debt is a rare problem in most other developed nations, he said, and he acknowledged that debt forgiveness doesn’t address the American health care system’s underlying problems, which leave many people with medical bills they can’t pay. RIP Medical Debt is helping to raise awareness of those problems while paying down debt, he said, though that approach also is different from organizations that respond directly to requests for assistance from struggling consumers.
“We’re supply side, so we look at the debt that’s available to purchase and then we buy it. And we buy as much as we can,” he said. The donations that fund those purchases mean a lot to each individual whose debt is eliminated, he said. He credited churches across all denominations for participating and spreading the word. “Churches are inherently interested in providing service in their communities, even outside their congregation.”
“It’s really just loving your neighbor unconditionally and without expecting anything in return,” said the Rev. Sara Milford, the vicar in Bentonville. By Easter, the campaign had raised more than $20,000, helping to eliminate about $2 million in medical debt across Arkansas.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Mamaroneck, New York, announced in January 2020 that its donation had retired nearly $10 million in debt for more than 10,000 people. And in Walla Walla, Washington, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church attracted the attention of local news outlets in July 2020 for donating $21,000 to RIP Medical Debt to pay off the bills of about 1,300 people.
The Rev. David Sibley, rector of St. Paul’s, told ENS that donations from his congregation of about 125 families ranged from a couple dollars to one gift of $5,000.
“The parish’s response was just completely overwhelming,” he said. “We are in a position where we feel the church is in a decent spot, and so the right thing to do is to give generously and abundantly.”
Volland, the Santa Fe rector, said RIP Medical Debt deserves most of the credit. “They do the heavy lifting here. All we do is write a check.”
Forgiveness is scriptural, she said, and though her church still can do more to advocate for systemic solutions to the high cost of medical care, St. Bede’s donation to RIP Medical Debt offers a little relief to those who have been struggling with financial burdens.
“Medical debt, unlike other debt, is almost always involuntary. You don’t expect to get sick or injured,” she said, and it can happen to anyone.
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The Feast of St. James, Apostle and Martyr
July 25, 2021
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On July 25th, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. James, apostle and martyr.
This James is often styled “St. James the Greater,” to distinguish him from the other Apostle of the same name and from James, “the brother of our Lord.” Along with his brother John, James was called by Jesus at the Sea of Galilee as they mended nets with their father, Zebedee, and his hired hands. St. James is named regularly during major events in the Gospels, witnessing the Transfiguration of Christ (Matthew 17; Mark 9; Luke 9), the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5, Matthew 9; Luke 8), and Jesus’ agony in the garden (Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22).
For all this honor, though, James also receives correction from Jesus on more than one occasion. He and his brother are given the nickname “Sons of Thunder,” or Boanerges, for their zealous and temperamental dispositions. For example, when Samaritan villagers refused to welcome Jesus, the brothers eagerly asked whether he would have them call down fire from heaven to destroy the town. The Lord rebukes them and instead moves on to another village (Luke 9). The Gospels record the brothers (or perhaps their mother) asking the Lord to place them at his right and left hands in his kingdom, which also results in admonishment (Matthew 20), and James is among the apostles who fall asleep in the garden while Jesus prays (Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22).
Still, James’ dedication to Jesus is without question, as he is understood to be the first of the twelve to die for him. As the Acts of the Apostles records, “About that time Herod the King laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the Church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword” (Acts 12:1–2).
Holy Women, Holy Men explains the veneration of and devotion to St. James following his death: “According to an old tradition, the body of James was taken to Compostela, Spain, which has been a shrine for pilgrims for centuries” (p. 484). His name was translated from the Hebrew Ya’akov to the Spanish Iago; thus, “Saint James” becomes “Santo Iago,” or “Santiago.” Santiago de Compostela was an extraordinarily popular destination for pilgrimages, leading to the development of the Camino de Santiago, a route across the countryside, marked by the fisherman’s symbol of a scallop shell.
Collect for St. James
O gracious God, we remember before you today your servant and apostle James, first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ; and we pray that you will pour out upon the leaders of your Church that spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have true authority among your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen.
Published by the Office of Formation of The Episcopal Church, 815 Second Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017
© 2021 The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. All rights reserved.
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Bishop of Aru, Georges Titre Ande, elected as next Primate and Archbishop of the Congo
July 19, 2021
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[Anglican Communion News Service] The Bishop of Aru, Georges Titre Ande, has been elected to serve as the next archbishop and primate of the Province de L’Eglise Anglicane Du Congo. He was elected at the province’s July 2-9 General Synod. He will be installed as archbishop in January 2022, succeeding Archbishop Zacharie Masimango Katanda.
Speaking to the Anglican Communion News Service, the archbishop-elect said: “In a country marked by violence, unstable economic conditions and severe poverty, my election as the next archbishop of the Anglican Church of Congo came as a ‘surprising dream.'”
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Feeding Our Hearts With Grace
Leslie Scoopmire
July 22, 2021
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Lord Jesus Christ, we kneel before You in thanks for this day.
Forgive us our sins, O God, we humbly pray,
and guide us into new pathways of peace and mercy
for your love’s sake.
Bring us into a new fellowship of faith and hope,
and drive far from us all division and fear.
You, Lord, bid us sit down and eat:
open our eyes to see your abundant blessings all around us.
As you multiplied the loaves and fishes
to feed the multitudes,
feed us with your grace and peace,
satisfying our souls.
Pour out your Spirit upon us, O God,
that we may reflect the light of love and healing
into the darkest corners of the world.
We turn to You, O Holy One,
for your healing touch:
place the balm of your blessing upon all who call upon You.
Amen.
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IN BRIEF . . .
These news briefs were featured in previous issues of "The Epistle"
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From The Epistle, July 16, 2021
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Finances
Church:
May 2021:
Income: $27,729; Expenses: $30,340. Difference: -$2,611 ($186 over budget)
YTD 2021:
Income: $144,591; Expenses: $$152,030. Difference: -$7439 ($4,673 under budget)
Preschool:
May 2021 (approx.):
Income: $34,720; Expenses: $40,000. Difference: -$5,280
YTD 21-22 Without Grants:
Income: $398, 613; Expenses: $434,013, DIF: -$35,400
YTD 21-22 Grants:
$123,423. Updated Difference with Grants: +$93,938
Solar Panel Project: Roof work commencing on July 5th.
Tenting of Sanctuary: Getting quotes.
Livestreaming Improvements: New camera, audio, and platform equipment required an additional $1,000 to be spent. We are appealing especially to our church 'ohana who benefit from livestreaming to consider a special donation to offset this cost.
Centennial Planning Group (CPG): Considering members. Anyone interested should contact Kahu or someone on Vestry.
Installation of a New Sanctuary Security System: Approved.
Upcoming Organ Concerts: (1) Peter DuBois on Sunday September 12th at 2:00PM; (2) Katelyn Emerson on Saturday October 16th at 6:00PM. Suggested donation of $20 per attendee.
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From The Epistle, July 9, 2021
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CONVENTION 53 and Education Day
Registration Now Open
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Registration is now open for the Diocese's 53rd Annual Meeting of Convention and Education Day taking place October 22-23, 2021, at `Iolani School. (Please note recent change in dates.) Both the Annual Meeting and Education Day will be live-streamed. There is no fee to watch but online viewers must also register.
For more information, visit the Convention 53 webpage HERE. If you have questions, contact Rae Costa at (808) 536-7776, ext. 326 or email her HERE. To register, click on the button below.
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Who Do You Call?
Contact information for All Saints' Ministries and Outreach
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HALE HO`OMALU ACCEPTING DONATIONS
There is an on-going need for travel sized toiletries and canned goods so these items will be accepted every week. As always, monetary donations are gratefully accepted. Leave them in the red wagon outside the sanctuary
KUPUNA SHOPPING ASSISTANCE MINISTRY
Any of our All Saints' kupuna who need assistance with grocery shopping can contact Carolyn Morinishi at church@allsaintskauai.org to set up a delivery.
ALL SAINTS' VIRTUAL SWAP MEET
If any ministry has an unmet need, reach out to put it in the All Saints' Virtual Swap Meet and it will be published in the Epistle. Contact Bill Caldwell at news@allsaintskauai.org.
PASTORAL CARE CONTACT INFORMATION
Whenever you have a need for support, please call (650) 691-8104 and leave a voice mail. The system will immediately forward the information to the Pastoral Care Committee who will respond to each request. If you prefer, you may send an electronic pastoral care request via email to pastoralcare@allsaintskauai.org.
PRAYER CHAIN MINISTRY
Individuals who want to participate in the Prayer Chain Ministry must re-enroll to continue receiving the email communications. To re-enroll, please visit the newly established Pastoral Care web page or contact the Church Office at (808) 822-4267.
SUBMITTING A PRAYER REQUEST
Prayer requests will now be submitted online or by contacting the Church Office at (808) 822-4267.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Names can be added to the Prayers of the People petitions by using the Prayer Chain Request form or by contacting the Church Office at (808) 822-4267. Names will remain in the Prayers of the People for a maximum of four Sundays before a name must be resubmitted.
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