With the increase in COVID-19 cases on O'ahu, the Bishop released an important message on Wednesday, August 5, with regard to in-person worship. It is in line with the County restrictions announced on Thursday, August 6. Click HERE to read the Bishop's message.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, plans for the Annual Meeting in October have been changed and are being carefully considered to comply with safety guidelines of the CDC, State, and Counties. It will involve some use of online communication (Zoom) and limited gatherings. As CDC, State and/or County guidelines change, plans for the Annual Meeting may have to change, so keep up to date by visiting the Diocesan Convention 52 webpage HERE, or click on the logo at left.

The pandemic may have altered and delayed graduation ceremonies around the State, but it is no less important or meaningful for the Class of 2020. On Saturday, July 25, 2020, Seabury Hall in Makawao, Maui, held their Commencement ceremony on a picture-perfect day with a stunning backdrop! Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick was unable to attend the ceremony in person, but shared his congratulatory message through the Rev. Heather Mueller who lives on Maui. You can view the full ceremony on their website HERE.

The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona is hosting the Provincial Deacons Conference for Provinces VIII & VI this year. The conference will be held online through Zoom on August 20 & 21, 2020. Although primarily for deacons, this year's conference theme welcomes those who have a call in the ministry of Care of Creation.

The cost is only $35 and features an impressive line up of speakers, including former Presiding Bishop the Rt. Rev. Katharine Jeffferts Schori. For more information and to register, click HERE. Deadline to register is Monday, August 17.

Fr. Jar Pasalo, the Diocese's Youth and Young Adult Missioner, has launched a weekly LIVE Compline on the Episcopal Youth of Hawaii Facebook Group page. All are invited to join in every Thursday at 8:00 PM. All sessions are available for viewing on the page if you miss it. If you are interested in assisting/leading Compline, contact Fr. Jar HERE.

All are invited to take part in a free online Godly Play session on Sunday, August 23, 2020. Jenny Wallace will be leading this Zoom gathering on the Creation Story, and invites families and all those interested in Godly Play's newest program, Stories of God at Home, to tune in. For more information and to register, click HERE. You will receive Zoom connection info once you are registered.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to limit our ability for in-person worship in some of our communities. To view a listing of churches in the Diocese offering online worship with links to connect, click on the button at left or HERE. The page is being continually updated as State and County regulations change.

With the retirement of the Rev. Phyllis Mahi Beimes, St. Matthew's in Waimanalo will have a new clergy "team" in place to oversee the church. The Rev. Jennifer Latham, who was recently ordained to the Presbyterate (Chronicle, July 24, 2020), has been serving as a transitional deacon at St. Matthew's for the past several months. She will be joined by the Rev. Ernesto "Jar" Pasalo who is also the Diocesan Youth & Young Adult Missioner. In October, the Rev. Ha'aheo Guanson, who is actively involved with the Diocese's Prison Ministry, will complete the team that will share in responsibilities.

Back in April, when the reality of COVID-19 and the need for face masks became evident, Ignacia Terno from St. Elizabeth's took on the challenge of sewing face masks with some of the Diocese's leftover 50th anniversary palaka fabric. At only $4 each, orders for the face masks poured in from all around the Diocese. Ignacia single-handedly sewed over 300 masks! Funds raised from her efforts have gone towards St. Elizabeth's outreach in support of the Micronesian community. Ignacia is pictured here along with a couple of the different styles of face masks that she made. MAHALO NUI LOA IGNACIA!!!

Continuing support for their "adopted" school, Kalihi Waena, The Cathedral of St. Andrew recently blessed and delivered a huge supply of school supplies donated by members over the summer. Pictured above left, the Rev. Heather Patton-Graham blesses the mountain of supplies collected. Above right are Ann Hansen, Elizabeth Conklin and Peg Jackson making the delivery to Principal Daniel Larkin at Kalihi Waena.

Principal Larkin shared that the school is facing a shortfall to supply internet access to about 100 families, something the Cathedral's Outreach Committee is looking into. They are also welcoming used laptops for kids to use for remote learning. If you have one to donate, please contact Ann Hansen HERE. (Photos from the Cathedral enews)

The Emmanuel 'Ohana is celebrating 60 years in Kailua! Over the years we have forged valuable relationships through worship, fellowship, and community outreach! So much to celebrate! Last Sunday Mother Annalise arranged for the church to provide Hokulani Bakeshop cupcakes for our birthday which was on July 28! Special thanks to Becky for the magnificent flower arrangement, and to Carolyn for providing the flowers! We are so blessed! Happy 60th birthday Emmanuel!

It's Christmas in August at the St. James' Thrift Store! We are jumpstarting the holiday season with presales of our Christmas decor. Stop on by and browse our selections. Jesus is the reason for the season! Don't forget our online sales page! Preview items available for sale online on Facebook HERE. St. James' Thrift Store is located at 65-1237 Kawaihae Road in Waimea.

St. Columba's will have an outdoor Thrift Sale on Saturday August 29, 2020, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We will continue to have the $5 a bag for clothing and will have other items priced for quick sale.  St. Columba's is located at 43-1425 Hauola Rd, in Pa‘auilo. For more information, call the office at (808) 885-4923.

In the aftermath of the devastating explosion that caused widespread damage across Beirut, Lebanon, on August 4, Episcopalians are reaching out to their Anglican counterparts in the region to assess their needs and offer assistance. The explosion, which killed at least 135 people, injured more than 3,000 and left 300,000 homeless, leveled much of the city’s port when a fire ignited a massive amount of explosives that had been warehoused there for six years. READ MORE

With passing cars honking approval, the Rev. Peter Huang and hundreds of Asian and African Americans gathered Aug. 1 in South Los Angeles’ historic Leimert Park neighborhood raising fists; praying on bended knee; singing; chanting in solidarity, “Your liberation is our liberation”; affirming that Black lives matter. READ MORE

The Episcopal Church’s Becoming Beloved Community NOW, a three-part series of webinars on different aspects of the church’s racial reconciliation work, was overwhelmed by interest in the Zoom sessions this week, both in registrations and in replay of the videos on Facebook. READ MORE

In lieu of an in-person annual Clergy Retreat, there will be an online Clergy Gathering on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, from 9:00 AM-2:00 PM via Zoom.

The guest speaker will be Br. Randy Greve, from the Holy Cross Monastery in New York, an Anglican Benedictine community of men. To learn more about Br. Randy, the gathering, and to register, visit the event webpage HERE.

CAMP MOKULE'IA ANNOUNCES ITS FALL STAY-CAY PACKAGES! Camp Mokule'ia is offering a wonderful way to escape the confines of the pandemic this fall, with a family "Stay-Cay." Enjoy all the great outdoor activities the Camp has to offer in a safe and friendly environment. But hurry and book now! Dates and accommodations are limited and will go fast! To learn more, click on the flyer at left, or visit the Camp Mokule'ia website HERE.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS! Hurricane season runs through November. Be prepared and make sure your 14-day emergency supplies are in place. For more information visit the State of Hawai'i's Emergency Management webpage HERE.

PALAKA FACE MASKS FOR SALE: Don't forget to order your palaka face mask from the Good Shepherd Women in Ministry for only $5 each plus postage. All sales benefit their outreach ministries. Place your order via contact form HERE, and mail your check to 2140 Main St., Wailuku, HI 96793.

One of the Diocese's most successful annual church fundraisers, the Chocolate Extravaganza at Emmanuel, is not letting the pandemic stop them from sharing decadent desserts! Mark your calendars! October 17 is the date, but it's not the in-person event you're used to... stay tuned for more details from Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Kailua, and get ready for some mouth-watering treats!

The Presiding Bishop’s delegation to the 64th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW 64) invites all to join the online study group Beijing +25: Celebrating the Blessing, Realizing the Dream This series of webinars, blogs and conversations are facilitated by the delegates from July through November 2020. To download the schedule, click HERE. For more information and to register, click HERE.