A Lenten Message

from Rev. Jenn

I remember the beginning of Lent five years ago. At the time, I had decided to practice a Wednesday daytime fast in which I did not eat food during daylight hours. Since it was my last semester in seminary, I wanted to mark this Lent with some sort of self-discipline. Little did I know that at the time, my Lenten fast would continue for more than a year. A few weeks into the fast, we found ourselves in the middle of a pandemic and our former Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, encouraged Episcopalians to continue their Lenten fast through the pandemic. Suddenly my fast of six weeks turned into a fast of more than 60 weeks. By the end of my fast, the vaccine was available and we were able to

gather together again.

During Lent some Christians still practice fasting whether from certain foods, television, alcohol, or social media. Some Christians take on something, like a more formal daily prayer practice, or a gratitude journal, or acts of kindness. Fasting or taking on something is supposed to help us notice things, help us reflect on our lives and what we hold to be important. I would encourage all of us to consider something we feel called to do or not do that will bring us into a closer relationship with God in the hope that it will remind us of Jesusʻ call to “follow me.” 

In a sermon a few months ago I talked about our diocesan Creation Care team retreat where we considered a new name for our work. We recently adopted a new name, Kahuaola, which means "guardians of life.” This year Kahuaola is bringing a series of events to the diocese called “Huli nā lima i lalo” (turn the hands down). The word Huli is like our English word “to repent or to turn.” When we turn our hands down to the earth, we are also asking our community to turn our hearts back toward the generous Creator, Ke Akua, who loves all that has been created. Our God is a generative God, who makes new life out of the old, who has made us out of the elements of the earth. God also made all the other parts of creation out of those same building blocks, making us the siblings of the plants and animals and ʻāina around us.

One way you can mark Lent is to join me for our Adult Formation Creation Care series. The curriculum is provided by The Episcopal Church and includes wonderful video and text resources. This is one opportunity to huli or turn back toward the One who created and loves us beyond measure. 

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COMING UP!

March 5th

Ash Wednesday Observances

7:30am-8:00am - In Monteiro Chapel, Rev. Jenn will offer "ashes to go" and a prayer for the school, staff, and parents.

ALL others are most welcome!

11:00am-2:00pm Rev. Libby and other clergy will make their way to the UH Manoa Campus and offer "ashes to go" and prayers, in shifts.

12:00 noon A traditional Ash Wednesday service* will be held in the HNC Nave.

Rev. Jenn will lead this service.

2:30pm - 3:15pm ash packets (with instructions) will be distributed to all HNS keiki at pick up time.

*Note: There will be no 6:00pm Ash Wednesday service at HNC this year.

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Other options for Ash Wednesday Services at Episcopal churches around town:

Click HERE

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Fat Tuesday is Malasada Day

in Hawai’i Nei!



In 1878, Portuguese laborers from Madeira and the Azores started to immigrate to Hawaii to work on the plantations. They brought with them their traditional foods, including fried doughnuts they called malassadas― now commonly spelled as malasadas.

Malasada Day which dates back to the days of the sugar plantations of the 1800s. always falls on the day before Ash Wednesday and is also known as Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday. It refers to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods and desserts before the ritual fasting of the

Lenten season.

To be sure, we all know where to get great malasadas, and some folks even take the time and energy to make them from scratch at home.

For the rest of us:

The Easiest and Fastest Malasada Recipe Ever!

Here are the steps:

1.  Go the store and buy buttermilk biscuit dough, the kind in a tube in the refrigerated section.

2.  Go home and heat up some oil in a deep cast iron skillet or pot to 350 degrees.

3.  Put the precut biscuit dough pieces into the oil and fry for a few minutes on each side until golden brown. Take care to make sure the donuts are cooked all the way through the middle.

4.  Toss hot donuts in sugar. A paper bag is great for this part.

5.  THAT’S IT, FOLKS! SOOOOO GOOOOOOOD, and Easy!

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REMINDERS

Interfaith Training on Deportation Raids

to be held:

TONIGHT, Thursday, February 27th 5:30p-7:30p

at

St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church

720 N. King St.

(White church with red doors)

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A Poetry Series with Dan Muenzer

“Epiphanies: Encountering Christ

through Poetry.”

The last meeting of the series will be

THIS Sunday March 2 --

10:45am, after coffee hour.

Come as you are -- no homework required!

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CREATION CARE

Are you intrigued by the ministry of Creation Care but arenʻt sure where to start?

If yes, please join Rev. Jenn during the season of Lent.

She will be leading an adult formation curriculum developed by The Episcopal Church called “Love God, Love Godʻs World.”

Resources will be available online to be engaged during the week prior to Sundayʻs discussion-based session.

If you are interested, please contact Rev. Jenn.

All are welcome!

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