The Bishop shares a reflection on Ash Wednesday and the practice of celebrating this service during these unusual times. To read his message, click on the image or HERE.

When the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Oregon was ordained on Saturday, January 30, 3021, many in the Diocese of Hawai'i were watching online with hearts full. The Right Reverend Diana Akiyama was consecrated as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland. She continues her remarkable journey that has broken glass ceilings and made history in the Episcopal Church as the first Japanese-American woman to become a priest, and now a bishop.

As the former priest of St. Augustine's on the Big Island, the impact she made in the Diocese and The Episcopal Church will be felt for years to come (See Chronicle article HERE).

Due to COVID-19, the in-person ceremony was limited to participants only, but live-streamed online. Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick was in attendance and served as co-consecrator.

Also in attendance was Mila Polevia, the music director of St. Augustine's who performed a beautiful and deeply stirring number from a prayer written by Bishop Akiyama, that opened with a phrase from Jeremiah 29:11 in Hawaiian and English. He also shared a post-communion song.

You can view the entire ceremony on YouTube HERE. (Polevia's number begins at 1:05:07.) To read the Diocese of Oregon's article of the event, click HERE.

In an email to clergy and wardens on February 5, the Bishop shared the latest "Customary in the Time of Pandemic" that has been updated to reflect changes in relation to the pandemic here in the islands. It also contained a link to an article with Dr. Fauci. Click on the links below to view now:

Stay informed! Visit the Diocese's COVID page HERE.

The Episcopal Church Good News Gardens program will be offering an online workshop about community gardens. Whether you already run a community garden, want to get more community members involved in your church garden, or you’re thinking about it for the first time, this training is open to all! The workshop will be held on Thursday, February 10, from 2;00-4:00 PM EST (9:00-11:00 AM HST). For more information and to register, click HERE.

The Episcopal Church’s Task Force on Creation Care and Environmental Racism is now accepting applications for its 2021 Grant Cycle. An informational webinar for those interested in learning more about the grants and the application process is scheduled for February 18 at 3:00 PM EST (10:00 AM HST).

Created by the 2018 General Convention of The Episcopal Church, the Task Force on Creation Care and Environmental Racism is charged with supporting and expanding The Episcopal Church’s loving, liberating, life-giving relationship with God, with each other and with Creation. That year, the General Convention allocated funds to this task force to support local and regional eco-ministry efforts. This is the second and final granting process for this Task Force during this triennium. Deadline to apply is March 26, 2021. For more info, click HERE.

The Diocese's annual Spring Training event is coming and will be held online, Saturday, March 13, 2021. Workshops being offered will cover a variety of topics including grant writing, Safe Church, youth ministry, communication tools and much more! Participants can sign up for three sessions. Be sure to mark your calendars and save the dates for the Spring Training. Registration and details coming soon!

The Diocese's Coffee Hour, an informational gathering of church administrators and wardens, is moving to Thursdays beginning this week, February 11. It will still be held at 9:00 AM. For those wishing to take part in Coffee Hours with the Diocesan Support Team, contact Rae Costa HERE. For more information about Coffee Hours, visit the Diocesan website HERE.

Beginning in March, the Diocese's Communications Design Team will be hosting monthly online gatherings that will be open to all in the Diocese. Called CHATS (Communicate, Help, Ask, Thank, Share), these gatherings will last about an hour beginning with a short presentation on different topics followed by conversation and time for Q&A. Topics being considered include website design, social media, livestreaming, online chat apps, graphic design, video editing, and whatever our community would like to learn more about!

These gatherings are being designed to help all in the Diocese to keep moving forward (or catch up) in this rapidly changing world of media and technology. CHATS will take place on the last Thursday of the month at 2:00 PM. Our first gathering will be on Thursday, March 25! If you are interested in participating, please register HERE to get on the list and receive online instructions.

Coming to the Diocesan website and Chronicle will be a new publication feature that will share books and other publications by authors and collaborators from our Diocese! It will also contain suggested reading by the Bishop and Presiding Bishop. If you would like to share a particular book for inclusion, please submit it through the online form HERE.

Hawaiian Electric has pledged $2 million to launch the Hawaiʻi Utility Bill Assistance Program to provide a one-time assistance grant of up to $750 for qualifying households who may be impacted by the economic downturn caused by COVID-19. The program, administered through Aloha United Way (AUW) in partnership with local United Way chapters across all islands, aims to help customers who have fallen behind on their electric, water, sewer, and gas bills by offering a one-time payment of up to $750 to reduce past due balances. For more information, click HERE.

'Iolani Schools annual Founders' Day Chapel, honoring the legacy of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, was held on Tuesday, February 9, in St. Alban’s Chapel, and streamed live to all K-12 homerooms.

February 9 is the heavenly birthday of King Kamehameha IV, born Alexander ʻIolani Liholiho, in 1634. He was the ruling monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi from January 11, 1855, until his death on November 30, 1863, at the age of 29. Along with his wife, Queen Emma, Kamehameha IV was the royal patron who brought the Church of England to Hawaiʻi in 1862. Shortly thereafter, Anglican clergymen established the school that would later bear his name.

Today's mo‘olelo (sharing of story) was given by the Rt. Rev. Robert L. Fitzpatrick, the 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i. He spoke primarily of Queen Emma, who, despite personal losses and political challenges, found ways to support her people that have continued to live on and thrive. (Story and description from the 'Iolani School Facebook page)

St. John the Baptist is having a smoked meat fundraiser! Don't miss out on getting your onolicious plate of smoked meat that also includes rice, tossed salad, and a dessert for only $10. Pickup is Tuesday, February 23, at St. John's (87-227 St. John's Road, Waianae, HI 96792). If you live in town and can't make it out to the church, you can still support them. Please contact Rev Jazzy Bostock by email HERE or call (808) 384-3091 for drop off on Wednesday, February 24.

Nā Kūpuna Makamae Center will be providing a free food distribution for the community, Saturdays in February from 12:00-1:30 PM (or while supplies last). Pick up is at 653 Ala Moana Blvd., at the corner of Keawe St. and Ala Moana Blvd. For more information download the flyer shown (click on image) or call (808) 773-7047.

On Saturday morning, January 30, 13 high school seniors from Island School gathered in our kitchen/parish hall and cooked eggs, sausage and potatoes. With the help of Olivia and Eleanor, and the addition of tortillas, cheese and salsa, 150 breakfast burritos were made and then delivered to the homeless encampment at Lydgate Park. We plan to be back at it again on Saturday, February 13; anyone who wishes to become involved in this ministry please see Father Andrew or Sue Macklin. (Article and photo from the St. Michael and All Angels e-news.)

All Saints' Episcopal in Kapa'a will be resuming their popular Laundry Love outreach ministry on the first and third Wednesdays of the month on a modified basis. Normally, volunteer teams wash, dry and fold laundry for patrons, but due to COVID restrictions, they will pass out quarters, detergent pods, and dryer sheets. Laundry service begins at 5:00 PM at the Kapa'a Laundromat. For more information, contact the church office HERE.

Episcopal congregations on Hawai'i Island will have an opportunity to journey together during Lent via Zoom. Each Wednesday, beginning February 24 at 6:00 PM, the Right Rev. Bob Gillies will lead Evening Prayer or Evensong and a devotional talk live from his home in St. Andrewʻs, Scotland. The title of his talks is "Sounds before the Cross". In these talks Bishop Gillies will be speaking about various sounds associated with Jesus’ approach to his final days in Jerusalem. For more information, Zoom link/passcode and worship booklet, contact the St. James' office HERE.

[February 9, 2021] The invitation to preside at worship came on short notice. In an afternoon phone call Feb. 6, the Very Rev. Randy Hollerith, dean of Washington National Cathedral, asked the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson if he would come to the cathedral and preside at the next morning’s service. READ MORE

[February 4, 2021] Many Episcopal bishops, priests and deacons feel called by faith to bear public witness on issues of the day, but few have been as prominent or outspoken in recent years as Diocese of Washington Bishop Mariann Budde. READ MORE

[January 28, 2021] The webinar was part of BJC’s (Baptist Joint Committee) Christians Against Christian Nationalism initiative, which started in 2019 with a statement signed by an ecumenical coalition of faith leaders, including Curry, rejecting Christian nationalism as a “persistent threat to both our religious communities and our democracy.” READ MORE

COVID VACCINATION INFORMATION: Stay informed with the latest about COVID vaccination schedules. Visit the State COVID-19 webpage HERE for more info, and click HERE to learn how to register for a vaccination.

2021 SPRING FAMILY STAY-CAY WEEKENDS - Camp Mokule'ia will be offering more Stay-Cay weekends this Spring: February 19-21, March 26-28, and April 16-18. For more information and to make your reservation, visit the Camp website HERE.

2021 SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM - REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Camp Mokuleʻia has set their summer camp program dates for 2021. Click HERE to learn more about the summer camps 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 this 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.

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.