On Wednesday, December 2, 2020, the Diocesan Support team of the Rev. Cn. Sandy Graham, Business Manager Rae Costa, and Executive Assistant Denise Esposito, held the first "Coffee Hour with the Diocesan Support Center" via Zoom. The Coffee Hours were established to help congregations with the administrative side of church life. ​Church Administrators and Wardens are invited to attend these continuing sessions that will address various topics, including reports to be filed, insurance, forms, policies, etc. READ MORE

After 8 long months of being "grounded" on O'ahu, Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick flew to Kaua'i on Sunday, November 15, 2020, for confirmations and blessings at Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in Kilauea. After taking the 72-hour pre-test and following all safety protocols, the Bishop arrived at the quaint north shore church ready for a busy morning. READ MORE

The Diocesan Support Center will be closed from Thursday, December 24, 2020, through Monday, January 4, 2021. This is due in part to tenting for termites of the Cathedral and Memorial Hall during this time period. If you need to reach someone in the Diocesan Support Center, you may contact them by email HERE.

The General Convention of The Episcopal Church adopted resolution 2018-C014, which recognized that "clergy and adults who work with youth are often on the frontlines of suicide prevention" and resolves suicide prevention education, using evidence-based trainings, should be made available. This work was assigned to the Department of Faith Formation of The Episcopal Church.

We have contracted with LivingWorks for 1000 enrollments in their LivingWorks Start training. We are offering this training free of charge to folks who work with individuals in our highest risk communities, including LGBTQ+, BIPOC, veterans, youth, and young adults. If you know anyone you would like for us to include as we implement this initiative, please email Wendy Johnson for more information.

If you have not already signed up and would like to take this free training, click HERE to register. If you have already registered but haven't taken the training yet, please do so before January 31 or we will revoke and reallocate unused registrations for those who are able to participate.

In a time such as this, how do we as leaders and individuals embody and rejuvenate our own Spiritual Practices, and then how do we lead this rejuvenation in our ministry context? This is the core question we will be leaning into during Forma21 as we listen to wisdom-leaders and each other. The Forma21 gathering will include opportunities for leaders to experience community and learning through curated worship, wisdom, and workshop offerings. For more information and to register, click HERE.

The Rev. Dr. Christopher Corbin from the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota is working on more formal education for congregations on discernment, and would like to establish a baseline of what people know or think about ordained ministry. If you would like to help out, please take the survey HERE. He will make the full results available to anyone that may find the information useful.

Remember drive-in movies?! It's like that, but Christmas! Led in prayer by Bishop Fitzpatrick, join with our Queen Emma Square community as we come together on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of Jesus in this new, different, and as-safe-as-possible way. Once you arrive and are parked, you will be directed to tune to a specific FM radio station in your car to hear the Scriptures, share in the prayers, and belt out the music for your own Christmas "car-eoke!" The 5:30 PM service will also be live-streamed on the Cathedral Facebook page!

RSVPs are required, as there is limited space in "the inn."  Contact Lauren in the Cathedral Office to RSVP for your spot at (808) 524-2822. Be sure to designate: Car RSVP for a parking spot OR Lawn RSVP for a distanced outside spot on the lawn (for up to 5 people, same household)

One of the most successful church fundraisers in the Diocese is the Chocolate Extravaganza put on by Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Kailua. Over the years, they've raised over $100K for Family Promise. Unfortunately, the pandemic prevented the highly anticipated event from taking place this year, but members forged on, rallying supporters.

With the help and generosity of chocolate donors and sponsors, the 18th Annual Chocolate Extravaganza exceeded the goal of raising $5,000 for Family Promise of Hawai'i, and on Saturday, November 21, they delivered luscious chocolate treats to our brave front line workers at: Kailua Fire Station, Aikahi Fire Station, Olomana Fire Station, Kailua Police Station, Adventist Health Castle (ER, ICU, and COVID-19 Units). The recipients were grateful and happy to have this diversion. Mahalo to everyone involved in making it a success!! To learn more about the Chocolate Extravaganza events, visit the Emmanuel website HERE. (Photos from the Emmanuel Facebook page)

When the Director of Waikiki Youth Outreach (WYO) made an urgent appeal to Epiphany Episcopal Church for a cash donation, their Outreach Committee didn't hesitate. Epiphany responded with a $1,000 check to support their ongoing efforts to serve homeless youth in the community. WYO serves as a safe haven for homeless youth, offering medical care, social services, and non-judgmental support along with food, hot showers and clothing. Epiphany continues supporting WYO through the generous donations of their members with canned food and clothing; another example of doing Jesus’ work in the community. (Contributed photo)

For over 15 years, the Kapa'a Interfaith Association (KIA) made up of seven churches in the town of Kapa'a, has put on an annual Thanksgiving luncheon for its close-knit community. The event begins with an interfaith service followed by a delicious turkey meal.

All Saints' Episcopal Church has been hosting the event for many of those years, but this year, it required more than one site to handle the hundreds of meals being prepared and distributed. The interfaith service was held at All Saints', organized by the Rev. David Jackson, and involved priests and associates from seven churches. All Saints' and neighboring Kapa'a Hongwanji Mission is where all the meals were packed up for delivery or pick-up. In total, 725 meals were delivered to 300 locations by 37 sets of drivers, and 700 meals picked up at All Saints'. 750 flower bouquets were also put together to accompany the meals.

It is truly a community effort with dozens of volunteers involved and the generosity of many, but the event wouldn't be as successful or delicious without Kaua'i's most well-known chef, Mark Oyama, owner of Mark's place and Contemporary Flavors, and his crew of nearly three dozen (pictured with orange shirts), donating their time to prepare and cook the entire meal, while helping onsite as well!

Standing in front of a beautifully arranged altar, the Rev. John Hau'oli Tomoso Celebrates the Feast of the Holy Sovereigns at Holy Innocents Episcopal in Lahaina, on Sunday, November 22, 2020. Special services honoring our Holy Sovereigns, King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, take place all around the Diocese during this time of year. (Photos from Holy Innocents Facebook page)

The folks at St. John's Episcopal Church in Kula served up platefuls of a delicious Thanksgiving feast at their special drive through pick-up. (Contributed photos)

Church of the Holy Apostles in Hilo is pleased to announce a Winter Holiday Concert that will be live-streamed on their website HERE and Facebook page HERE, this Saturday, December 12, 2020. at 6:00 PM. D’Andrea is a classically trained soprano known for her bel-canto style of singing and perfect pitch, and a force to be reckoned with as The Queen of Opera. For more information, contact the church office at (808) 935-5545.

On Saturday, December 19, 2020, Santa will be making an appearance at St. Jude's with elves and gifts! The Drive-by give-away will begin at 10:00 AM and end at noon or until the gifts are gone. Drive your keiki to St. Jude's for a book, Christmas stocking, and other goodies. St. Jude's is located at 92-8606 Paradise Circle in Ocean View. For more information, contact the church at (808) 939-7555.

St. James' in Waimea has partnered with the Hamakua Health Center and Dr. Joseph Coleman to provide free dental services for keiki and persons up to 21 years, at the Amazing Tooth Bus. This mobile dental office is available at St. James' every Tuesday by appointment only. Following CDC/ American Dental Association guidelines; all precautionary measures including pre-screening questions are being taken. For more information, visit the Hamakua Heath website HERE.

St. Augustine's n Kapa'au now hosts a free fruit sharing market put on by Kohala Gleaning, an all-volunteer non-profit organization. Folks are invited to "bring what you can" and "take what you need." The market runs every Thursday at 4:00 PM. St. Augustine's is located at 54-3801 Akoni Pule Highway.

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, St. Jude's in Ocean View was able to hold their annual Thanksgiving feast, "to-go," On Saturday, November 21, 2020, members cooked, packed and distributed 120 turkey meals with all the trimmings. The packaged meals were distributed at the door, and while some took their meals home, others sat down on the church benches to enjoy. The event couldn't happen without the heart and leadership of Steve Stigall and Dan Garrett, who started this annual event years ago.

The teens of St. Augustine's had a Makana Pack drop-off Drive-Through on Saturday, November 14, from 4:30 - 6:00 PM. A total of 1,332 diapers, wipes, hygiene products, books, toys and clothes were donated. Thank you to the Kohala Community for their support!

To view Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Christmas video message along with text, click HERE.

The Episcopal Church’s mission work in Africa is adapting to COVID-19, but those who coordinate it are concerned that the pandemic will disrupt, or even reverse, progress that had been made in other areas of critical need. As serious as COVID-19 is, its indirect effects on other health issues, education and gender equality could be more devastating in the long term. READ MORE

Washington National Cathedral hosted a virtual event focused on healing the divisions in American society on Nov. 20, featuring a discussion between Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Russell Moore, executive director of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. READ MORE

For many Episcopalians, it just wouldn’t be Christmastime without the familiar festivities of lessons and carols, nativity scenes and pageants. Behind the scenes, lay leaders, volunteers and church employees are often the ones who make the magic happen. And this year, across The Episcopal Church, they are stepping up to the challenge with ingenuity, finding ways to keep the Christmas spirit alive while keeping their parishioners safe. READ MORE

CAMP MOKULE'IA 2021 SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM - Despite the uncertainties of life during a pandemic, Camp Mokuleʻia has set its sights on making sure programs will be in place for our children, youth, and families in 2021. Save the dates!

SCHOLARSHIPS - Camp Mokuleʻia is once again offering scholarship funds in 2021. All congregations are eligible to receive up to $1,000 to help their children and youth attend camp.

SUMMER STAFF - The Campʻs goal next summer is to hire the majority of summer staff locally. If you have college students in your congregation that you think would make good counselors, please provide them with the following link HERE.

For more information about Camp Mokuleʻia and their programs, visit their website HERE.

FULL COVERAGE OF CONVENTION 52: In case you missed the Special Edition Chronicle with full-coverage of Convention 52, the Diocese of Hawaiʻi's first virtual Annual Meeting, visit the article webpage HERE. Posted is the full live-stream video of the meeting and the videos shown that include the Bishopʻs Convention Sermon, Bishopʻs Address, Response to the Bishopʻs Address, Memoriam (Necrology) video and Highlights video.

YOUTH WEEKLY COMPLINE SERVICE: 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.

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.