In our parish, we pray for Kelly, Hanohano, Chris, Lola, Sylvia, Deedie, Heather, Ronnie, Wayne, Coco, June, Beverly, Susan, Chase, Sarah, and for all who have contracted the Corona virus, caregivers, and those facing unemployment.
We also pray for victims of violence around the world.
If you wish to add a name to the prayer list, please be in touch with Puna Coldwell in the parish office at hncparish@gmail.com
We are posting a day by day meditation from Forward Movement. This is a great way to start your day with prayer. Please consider clicking on the website above.
MEMBERS OF THE HOLY NATIVITY THRIFT STORE WITH STAFF AT THE INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN SERVICES, TOP, AND LIMA KOKUA, BELOW
THRIFT STORE OFFERS GRANTS TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
At our Thrift Store's Fall Festival last November, business was brisk! Though staff and volunteers were unsure if they should even hold the annual event, given COVID, they went ahead--and achieved wonderful --and unexpected--success.
As is the tradition, Thrift Store volunteers give away 100% of the proceeds from that event to local organizations in the community. Last Thursday, February 11, they delivered the first two checks, in the amount of $3800 each, to the "Institute for Human Services" (which assists people across the island with needs ranging from food and shelter to education) and "Lima Kokua" (which helps some of the very smallest charitable groups on the island achieve their goals).
Mahalo to our incredible volunteers for their work and generosity. (Look for more news of their other grants in upcoming editions of The Banyan Tree!)
BECOMING THE BELOVED COMMUNITY:
A STUDY FOR LENT
This year, during Lent, we at Holy Nativity will offer a five-session series entitled, "Becoming the Beloved Community" on Wednesday evenings from 6-7pm. It will begin on Wed, Feb 24. As our nation experiences its current racial and political challenges, it is important for us to engage in work that will equip us to build relationships and mend the broken places in our communities. This series seeks to help us do just that through the practices of individual reflection and small-group conversation.
The introduction to the series, which comes to us from the Diocese of Los Angeles, describes it theme: The core value of the quest for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's "Beloved Community" was "agape" love...which he described as "understanding, redeeming good will for all." "Agape is love" he went on, that "seek(s) to preserve and create community." In this series, we will ask ourselves how we are engaging in agape here and now--"in meaningful and steadfast ways to help a challenged world."
Facilitators Bob Steele+, Alison Dingley+ and I hope that many from our Holy Nativity community will join us on Zoom for this series. We especially welcome friends and colleagues from Holy Nativity School. (The link to the series will be on our website: holynatiivtyhawaii.org). Please let me know if you have any questions or if you would like more information: hncrector@gmail.com
Blessings of a Holy Lent,
Libby+
WORSHIP PRACTICES DURING COVID -- UPDATES FROM OUR BISHOP
The Bishop's Worship Task Force has offered updated guidelines for our Episcopal parishes in the Diocese of Hawaii. The latest “Customary in the Time of Pandemic” can be found on the diocesan website: www.episcopalhawaii.org. Here are two changes that will affect us at Holy Nativity:
Books may return to the pews.
The original customary asked us to remove all Books of Common Prayer, Hymnals, and similar items from the pews. As long as items are not being shared between people, they may return. (As congregational singing is still not allowed, we will not return hymnals at this time.)
Processions are again allowed–either in silence or to music played or sung by individuals not in the procession.
Many of the changes in the updated customary reflect the lower rates of COVID that we currently are experiencing. We are grateful for that trend, and will continue to pray for the overall health and safety of our people in Hawai'i.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY -- FROM OUR HOLY NATIVITY SUNDAY SCHOOL!
