Volume 2, Issue 21
July 29, 2017
In This Issue
EYE Reflection
Heavenly Hikes
Project Update
Blessing of the Backpacks
Sunday School News
Ho'omalu August Collection
Upcoming 'Aha Mele Concert
PB Statement
Sermon from PB
KISS Concert
Slack KeyDays
THIS SUNDAY
Upcoming Dates
View the Online
Master Calendar


Every Wednesday
McMaster Slack Key Guitar and Ukulele Concert
6:00PM -  Church

Every Thursday
Choir Practice
6:00PM - Choir Room

Sunday, July 30
Heavenly Hike
11:30AM Depart Church
Wai Koa Loop

Monday, July 31
Phase II of Organ/Sanctuary Project Begins

Wednesday, August 2
Laundry Love - Team "C"
5:30PM - 8:30PM
Kapa'a Laundromat

Thursday, August 3
'Aha Mele Concert:
Slack Key
4:00PM - 8:00PM
St. Michael and All Angles

Sunday, August 6
Worship in the Gym
7:00AM & 9:30AM

Blessing of the Backpacks
9:30AM Eucharist Service
Church

Parent/Guardian
Preschool Orientation
6:00PM
Church & Preschool Campus

Monday, August 7
Orientation/Open House
8:30AM - 11:30AM
Preschool Campus

Tuesday, August 8
First Day of Classes
Preschool Campus

Thursday, August 10
Daughters of the King
7:00PM
Memorial Hall

Sunday, August 13
Sunday School Resumes
Blessing of Teachers and Students
9:30AM Service
Church

Wednesday, August 16
Laundry Love - Team "A"
5:30PM - 8:30PM
Kapa'a Laundromat

August 18 - 20
'Ohana Church Retreat
Camp Sloggett

Sunday, August 20
No Services at All Saints'
Due to 'Ohana Retreat

Tuesday, August 22
Vestry Meeting
6:00PM - Eucharist
6:30PM - Meeting
Rectory

Thursday, August 24
Daughters of the King
7:00PM
Memorial Hall

Sunday, August 27
Diocese Clergy Retreat
Dinner, Eucharist, and Open Session at All Saints'
TBD
Rectory & Gym
Quick Links
Latest Sermons
Social Media
Get the All Saints' Epistle
YOUTH NEWS
Grace Yatsko reflects on EYE 2017 experience
 
Three years later and here I am back from my second EYE (Episcopal Youth Event). I have been fortunate enough to attend this amazing event twice and although there were many changes to what I remember from the last one, it was still awesome to attend!

EYE is a huge event organized specifically for youth to connect to God and the other 1,500 youth that attend. It's so cool to meet people from all over the country and even from places like Guam! We gave shell leis and macadamia nut chocolates and had everyone asking where the Hawaii kids were so they could meet us. Although I had some knowledge about what to expect from this event, the majority of our group had no idea what they were going into. I had a blast and got to see my group have a lot of fun as well.

It's amazing looking back on how shy I was at the first one to now going up to random kids and asking if they wanted a shell lei. I didn't see that same shyness I had in the other Hawaii kids. That's what this event does, it brings people together for the common goal of worship and exploring the world and the people in it.

Along with attending this four day event, we also got to serve the community of Oklahoma City. From making and packaging 3,300 sandwiches to serving meals for homeless people, we truly got to see the issues in the community and how people lend a hand daily to help others out.

The theme of EYE this year was "Path to Peace" and we definitely got to experience that by making a peaceful change in the world no matter if it was through a child knowing they had their lunch covered for that day, or someone getting water for the first time in a couple days. We heard heart breaking stories and had the people with those stories tell us how giving them a simple glass of water changes their whole perspective on life. Being able to help others and see how it changes yourself and the people around you is an incredible feeling and inspires me to continue to work to make this world a peaceful and better place.

I would always recommend going to EYE if you get the chance because of how many people you meet, the messages you hear, and seeing the world a totally new and beautiful place.

A big thank you to all who helped us attend and have a life-changing experience. 

Grace Yatsko
Ke Akua Youth Group Member


To view more photos of EYE, visit the Diocese of Hawai'i Facebook page.
HEAVENLY HIKES
This Sunday: Wai Koa Loop
 
Heavenly Hikes returns this Sunday, July 30 and will be heading  north to Kilauea to hike the Wai Koa Loop. The trail is located behind Kauai Miniature Golf.   This 5-mile loop  is suitable for all hikers--the terrain is flat with only a few very minor elevation changes.

The hike starts out in the Kilauea Woods, with soaring Albizias and Norfolk Island Pines and winds its way through the United States' largest Mahogany Forest, with approximately 86,000 Honduras Mahogany trees.   Moving along, the group will pass community gardens, guava orchards, a large hydroponic facility, and Kalihiwai Lagoons--the lagoons are home to tilapia, bass, and koi.

The pinnacle of the hike is the historic stone dam lookout and gardens.  Over 130 years old, this dam was constructed as a water source for the sugar plantations. Still providing irrigation to Wai Koa Plantation, this beautiful and hidden treasure holds numerous places of peace and serenity.

The group will depart at 11:30AM from the Church. Please remember to bring your walking/hiking shoes, a water bottle, a hat, sunscreen, and a lunch.

ORGAN AND SANCTUARY PROJECT
Phase II focuses on church sanctuary
 
On Monday, July 31st, All Saints' will begin the second phase of its project to reconstruct the organ and enhance the sanctuary space. Phase II will take approximately 6-8 weeks and will require all services to be held in the All Saints' Gym. 

The projects slated for this phase include: 
  • Rewiring of the Church's electrical system
  • Installing new interior and exterior lighting
  • Removal of the carpet and installation of a new carpet runner
  • Refinishing/polishing of the concrete floors
  • Painting of the sanctuary
  • Preparation of the organ chamber.
"This is an exciting next step in this transformational project," said Rev. Ryan Newman.  "It will require us to move out of the Church for approximately two months, but when we return to the Church we will have a revitalized sanctuary space including a modern electrical and lighting system. The Church will look and feel clean and will be ready for the final phase of the project; installation of the reconstructed organ."
 
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to talk to any member of the project team: Byron Barth, Bill Caldwell, David Crocker, David Murray, Ryan Newman, or Morris Wise.
BACK TO SCHOOL
Sunday, August 6th:
Blessing of the Backpacks
 
A new school year and a new tradition at All Saints'.  Next Sunday, August 6th, we will offer a special liturgy during the 9:30AM Eucharist service that will include the "Blessing of the Backpacks." 

The purpose of the special liturgy is to honor our keiki as they go back to school. Through prayers and a blessing, the congregation will remind the keiki that their Church 'Ohana are praying for them during their educational journey.

We invite all the keiki and youth to bring their backpacks and/or computer cases to be blessed.

A special offering of "School Supplies" will be collected and donated to Hale Ho'omalu.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
Preparing for the new school year
 
Sunday School resumes August 13th. It will be the second year of All Saints' utilizing the Weaving God's Promise curriculum. Would you be interested in joining our Sunday School teaching team?

There are four teaching teams (with a minimum of 4 teachers on each team)-meaning each team is only responsible for about nine Sundays in the school year.

Teachers are asked to arrive at 9:15AM. Sunday School begins roughly at 9:40AM (teachers and students follow the Keiki Cross from the Church to Memorial Hall during the hymn of praise). Sunday School concludes just before the congregation exchanges the peace. Teachers and students join the congregation for the celebration of Holy Eucharist.

Teaching experience is not needed! A Christian Education background is not required! We are seeking caring, loving, and passionate people who want to offer to our keiki a great Sunday School experience. If you are interested, please contact Rev. Ryan.
HALE HO'OMALU COLLECTION
August collection
 
This month's special collection for Hale Ho'omalu, a family service center located 1/2 block away from All Saints', is Canned items:( Tuna, Fruits, Vegetables, Ravioli, and Spaghetti)

Hale Ho'omalu also needs and appreciates monetary donations as well as gifts-in-kind items. Every Sunday, all gift-in-kind donations can be left in the red wagon at the Church's entrance.
UPCOMING 'AHA MELE CONCERT


The sounds of slack key
 
The next installment of the All Saints' 'Aha Mele Concert Series is Thursday, August 3rd, 4:00PM - 8:00PM at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihue.

The event is in partnership with Slack Keys Days occurring on Kaua'i July 29-August 6th. Artists scheduled to perform at the concert: Aja Gample (slack key & ukulele), Paul Togioka (slack key guitar) Lindsay Maclean (music therapist), and Doug & Sandy McMaster (slack key guitar & ukulele).

The concert is free. For more information and other Slack Key Days events visit:
www.slackkeymusiccenter.org/events.html
NATIONAL CHURCH NEWS

Presiding Bishop responds to Trump's transgender military ban
 
In light of President Trump's tweet banning transgender individuals from serving in the military and the Department of Justice's argument that employers can legally discriminate against people on the basis of sexual orientation, I am compelled to oppose these actions and to affirm the moral principle of equal rights for all persons, including the LGBTQ communities. I do so as a follower of Jesus Christ, as Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, and as a citizen who loves this country.

This conviction is not born primarily of a social ideal, but of the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and the witness of our biblical and theological tradition.

Genesis 1:26-27 teaches us that all human beings are created in the image and likeness of God. This is a divine declaration of the inherent sanctity, dignity and equality of every person.

Further, the sanctity of every human person and the principle of human equality before God are deeply imbedded in the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. In Mark 22:26 and Luke 13:10-17, Jesus teaches the inherent worth and dignity of the human person. In Matthew 5:43-38, he tells us of God's love for all people equally. In Luke 10:25-37, he commands us to love God and to love every person. Above all, Jesus teaches that we are to treat all others as we ourselves would want to be treated (see Luke 6:31-36).

As followers of Jesus Christ we believe the inherent sanctity, dignity, and equality of every human being as a child of God is part of the moral foundation of our faith. In the Episcopal Church we promise in Holy Baptism to "respect the dignity of every person," and to "seek and serve Christ in all persons."

As Americans, we believe in civil and human equality, as one of the foundational ideals of our country. Discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation is a violation of the fundamental ideal of equality in America. The Declaration of Independence says, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights."

Those rights - and the protection from discrimination - apply equally to all Americans.

I truly believe that the overwhelming goodness and kindness and sense of justice of the American people are summed up in the words of the Pledge of Allegiance, which says that we are "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."  Therein is the soul of America!

So, to the transgender individuals currently serving in the armed forces: thank you. We are grateful for your service and for your sacrifices.  We support you and all service members and veterans. You are our neighbors, brothers and sisters in God's human family, and fellow citizens of this country we love.

The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
NATIONAL CHURCH NEWS
PB preaches during Union of Black Episcopalians Eucharist
 

[Episcopal News Service - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania] Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preached at  African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas during a July 25 Eucharist commemorating the 225th anniversary of the black presence in the Episcopal Church.

"The child you save today may save you tomorrow," was Curry's refrain during the sermon. He called on people of faith and politicians, including President Donald Trump, to ensure a safe and secure future for all children.

The service was part of the  Union of Black Episcopalians' 49th annual conference, held at a nearby Cherry Hill, New Jersey, hotel. The UBE met jointly for the first time with the  African Descent Lutheran Association and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton presided at the Eucharist.

To view Presiding Bishop Curry's sermon, click on the image above.
UPCOMING CONCERT
SLACK KEY DAYS

"The Epistle" is published weekly by Friday.
Submissions for consideration are due by Wednesday at noon and can be sent to ryan@allsaintskauai.org.