Seeking God in the Quiet

In February, I joined four Episcopal clergy colleagues at Holy Cross Abbey in Berryville, VA for a three-day retreat. The five of us, all women, come have been meeting together once or twice each year for nearly twenty years. While our group sometimes enjoys the flexibility that comes with renting a house, we often visit a monastery or convent, appreciating the quiet and clarity of their set schedules.

At Holy Cross, we joined the brothers in regular prayer, joined other retreatants at the daily meals that were prepared for us, and kept silence at all times, except when our group met to check in with each other and pray. We each had a separate room, a private place to be on our own.

I always return from these retreats refreshed and recommitted to my own prayer practice. It occurred to me that it might be helpful to share with you all a word about what it feels like to be "away" on retreat, but also to remind you that we can "go away and be with God for a time," no matter where we are:

--On O'ahu, there is a Roman Catholic convent that hosts guests overnight.

--Online every Thursday from 4-5pm, a contemplative prayer group that met for years in person at Holy Nativity now meets on Zoom. There is a time for silence and a time for sharing the "fruits" of that silence, for those who wish to share.

--Also online, prayer "apps" are available that let you set your own number of minutes for silence or reflection and then call you back to your regular day with a quiet chime.

--If you have only a moment, you can simply walk outside or look out the window at God's creation once or twice a day, offering gratitude for your blessings and asking God's guidance as you continue on.

The photo above shows the winter wonderful on the East Coast that I spent three days of blissful silence in last month. I invite you to pause and silently look out your window today and see a very differently beautiful part of God's creation. Even a few moments can make a difference in your life!

--Rev. Libby+

March 1, 2026

Letter from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe on Military Strike on Iran & Action Alert from the Episcopal Public Policy Network

Dear people of God in The Episcopal Church,

Here in the United States, we awoke this morning [2/28/26] with alarm to the news that the United States and Israel have launched a large military strike on Iran. This violent attack comes despite weeks of negotiations that many of us had hoped would prevent armed conflict in this fragile region, which is home to so many religious traditions and faithful people...

Pray for all the people of the Holy Land, and especially for the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East and its leader, Archbishop Hosam Naoum...

I commend to you the letter that he has sent to the people of his diocese this morning. [...]

To view the entire message and

Action Alert click

HERE

We send a loving Hauʻoli Lā Hānau, to Miyo Takeshi, our friend, and one of our regular Thrift Shop volunteers, on the occasion of

her 99th birthday!

And many more, Miyo! "Chee Hoo!" 

JUSTICE CIRCLE

Several people gathered at coffee hour this past Sunday to share their commitment to God's justice in our community. We made a list of the many possibilities for actions we could take together, including being present at a "No Dictators" rally that is taking place in Honolulu (and across the nation) on Saturday, March 28.

We will meet again during coffee hour on Sunday, March 15 to pray and talk more about next steps.

All are invited to gather at the back table marked "Justice Circle." Please join us!

Daylight Savings Time



It is time for the mainlanders to spring forward after 2am on Monday (early morning)

March 8, 2026.

• Pacific Time (CA, WA, OR): 3 hours ahead

• Mountain Time (AZ, CO): 4 hours ahead

• Central Time (IL, TX): 5 hours ahead

• Eastern Time (NY, FL): 6 hours ahead 

So remember when calling your loved ones on the Continent,

"eh, no wake dem up, stay late ova dea!"

~REMINDERS~

Adult Formation in Lent

Kathleen Norris, an Episcopalian and NY Times bestselling author, will be with us during Lent as we read her book, Amazing Grace.

The series will continue in-person on

Monday, March 9th at 12noon in

Monteiro Chapel.

We will make plans for the next few weeks. The series will conclude on or about Eastertide (April 5). Books are available in the parish office. All are welcome!

+++++++

"Lent Madness"

Holy Nativity continues to participate in the annual Lent Madness. This unique Lenten devotion is a fun, engaging way to learn about saintly examples of people who followed Jesus in their own day.

SUBSCRIBE at https://www.lentmadness.org

you will initially be provided with biographical information to start voting in the first round. Subsequent rounds evolve as the field narrows toward selecting the winner of the coveted golden halo.

+++++++

Summer Camp Mokule'ia

Discount for Holy Nativity Church families,

For more information and/or to register Click HERE

HNC DISCOUNT

The discount is $100 per camper for up to 10 campers from HNC.

After enrolling a camper, it will take you to the payment page and you will enter the discount code "Nativity2026A”. 

click on list to ENLARGE