Last week (on Wednesday, May 27), the Bishop concluded a study of the First Letter of Peter with Midday Prayers. The Bishop’s Bible Study will return on Wednesday, June 10. The fifteen to twenty minute online studies will no longer be presented in the context of Midday Prayers. They will be posted each Wednesday and can be used for personal or group study and reflection at any point during the week. The Bishop will offer a question (or two) for reflection and a concluding prayer at the end of each study. The Letter of James will be the focus of the study beginning on June 10, and will continue for a few weeks thereafter. The Bishop encourages Bible study using the Common English Bible translation (or the New Revised Standard Version).

The rubrics of The Book of Common Prayer on page 445 state: “The Minister of the Congregation is directed to instruct the people, from time to time, about the duty of Christian parents to make prudent provision for the well-being of their families, and of all persons to make wills, while they are in health, arranging for the disposal of their temporal goods, not neglecting, if they are able, to leave bequests for religious and charitable uses.” READ MORE

(You can also visit the Diocese's Planned Giving webpage for more information HERE .)

It is nearly impossible to keep up with the events taking place in our nation and the world today. With the agonizing loss of life, jobs, and an economy in ruins from COVID-19, the world is facing unprecedented times. Compound that with the murder of George Floyd, and you have a nation with a short fuse, outraged at the emboldened racism infecting our society. With the Presidential election just a few months away, the politics dealing with the virus, economy, power and white supremacy, have polarized our nation more than ever.

Yet, through all of the ugliness and anguish, hope is alive. Scientists around the world are working together to find an answer to this strange and deadly virus. We see the courage of our front line workers; the resilience of students and teachers; families spending more time together, and a generation getting to experience and enjoy the ʻaina without crowds. Pet shelters are seeing record adoptions, and people have explored new ways of communication, including our own congregations. The list goes on, and for our nation, the growing awareness of the true meaning of #blacklivesmatter, has the potential to bring us all closer to the world that Jesus died for.

Here are links to some of the latest headlines and messages from our leaders in the Episcopal Church. More article links can be found at the bottom portion of this issue under The Episcopal Church & Beyond:

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, our State, and Counties. It will likely involve some use of online communication (Zoom) and limited gatherings. Latest updates will be posted on the Convention 52 webpage HERE, or click on the logo at left to go there now.

When the State began lifting restrictions, churches in the Diocese started planning and preparing to welcome their members back. Services are being carefully planned to meet the guidelines set by the CDC, State and County officials, and the Worship Task Force sent out a Customary During a Pandemic. With masks and social distancing guidelines still in place, seating will be limited in our churches. A few have moved services outdoors, and some require reservations. Singing has been curtailed and the passing of a collection plate is being replaced by a stationary bowl or online giving.

Most churches that have been offering online services during the past few months, will continue to do so for those that are not comfortable gathering in public. This is in special consideration for our kupuna and those with underlying health conditions. Be sure to check with your church for details, dates, and times of worship. Church contact info and websites can be found through links on the Diocesan webpage HERE.

Trinity Sunday is coming up on June 7, and each year, the Diocese has set this day for a special collection to go to Camp Mokule'ia. Click HERE to view the special appeal email and donate today!

The Rev. Cn. Sandy Graham has put together two videos for those who may want to use American Sign Language during their congregation's Eucharistic liturgies, especially in a time when wearing face masks make communal participation more difficult. Click on the links to watch the videos:

We give thanks and praise to the Chuns, who for years, have served selflessly as Chaplains to our Retired Clergy Families. READ MORE

The fallout from the pandemic has been devastating, leaving thousands without work and an income. Feeding ministries have become crucial, but for churches with older volunteers, the risks involved forced some to halt their services. Others have been able to partner up with different organizations to fill the gap, and have been working harder than ever. Take a look at some of our members hard at work on the Outreach page of the Diocesan website HERE.

Holy Week and Easter were unlike any other in recent history, with lock downs and social distancing forcing churches to close and get creative in their observance of the holiest time for Christians. In case you missed it, visit the Diocesan Holy Week & Easter webpage HERE to see videos of online services that took place throughout the Diocese. There is also a special video recap of Holy Week and Easter using clips from different church services.

The Diocese's Spring Training (Education Day) was to have taken place at The Cathedral of St. Andrew on Saturday, March 28, 2020, when COVID-19 brought the world to a halt. READ MORE

Clergy were invited to spend the day with Bishop Jim Mathes, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Anglican Studies at Virginia Theological Seminary, and the former Bishop of the Diocese of San Diego. READ MORE

Emmanuel recently had the opportunity to support the Kahala Clinic for Children & Family in their COVID-19 Tablet & PPE Drive for Kahauiki Village families. Mahalo to our generous donors and volunteers! We collected 33 tablets and 18 cloth masks during the two day drive. Donations are still being accepted by Emmanuel. Please contact us at (808) 262-4548 to arrange your donation. More about this ongoing collection can be found HERE.

The Diocese welcomed its newest priest on February 29, 2020, when Andrew Arakawa was ordained to the Presbyterate at St. Albanʻs Chapel in Honolulu. READ MORE

[February 2020] St. Elizabeth's acolyte, Shellianne, is filled with grace and gratitude, expressed through a moving poem written by the 12-year old. The poem was shared with the congregation during a Sunday service. READ MORE

[December 21, 2020] St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Kailua welcomed the Diocese's newest Deacon in James Shire, who was ordained to the Transitional Diaconate on Saturday, December 21, 2019.  READ MORE

On November 24, 2019, The Cathedral of St. Andrew blessed the newly renovated Wahi Kapu (sacred space) in honor of its founders, King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma. READ MORE

The 14th annual All Angels Music Festival was held February 7-9, 2020, and featured an outstanding line up of jazz musicians. The event includes a Friday and Saturday night concert, but the Sunday Jazz Masses have always been the highlight,with crowds overflowing. 

This signature event of St. Michael's and All Angels has been a huge community attraction with a following that draws people to the islands just for this event. To see more photos, visit their Facebook page HERE.

All Saints' Episcopal Church in Kapa'a has a new labyrinth! Read about all the heavy lifting and effort in an article by Ron Morinishi who was the project coordinator for the giant job! READ MORE

With the only food pantry in Kula, St. John's Episcopal Church has a big responsibility, and has seen the demand for food grow during this time of COVID-19. With shelves looking bare, they held a successful food drive on May 3, 2020, and are able to continue to serve those in need. For more information on their food pantry, visit their website HERE.

One of the Diocese's most successful outreach programs, A Cup of Cold Water, had to suspend services to comply with government restrictions due to the pandemic. It has been difficult for the volunteers who worry about their constituents. Although they have considered limited runs, they have also found other ways to serve, including sewing face masks, collecting and dispensing hygiene items to other organizations that serve the homeless, and served at the Salvation Army.

The Episcopal churches on the Big Island have been serving the needs of their communities in myriad ways, but during this time of COVID-19, their feeding ministries have been a lifeline to hundreds of people each week. While many of their outreach services had to be halted due to social distancing and health concerns, drive-though food pick-ups have flourished. To see more photos of the church outreach ministries operating during this time, visit the Diocese's Outreach page HERE.

As mentioned under the Diocesan section, Trinity Sunday, June 7, is when the Diocese takes up a collection for Camp Mokule'ia. With programs cancelled, your donation means more than ever. Click on the button to make a donation now!

With schools shut down from the COVID-19 pandemic, students and faculty found ways to utilize their facilities and time to help with sorely needed supplies:

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York John Sentamu issued the following statement on June 2. READ MORE

On June 1, Julia Joyce Domenick and the Rev. Gini Gerbasi went to St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square, across the street from the White House, expecting to give snacks, water and pastoral support to the nonviolent protesters who had gathered there. READ MORE

By all accounts, an ecumenical prayer vigil organized by the Diocese of Washington didn’t go as planned June 3. A White House security perimeter forced the event north of its intended site on the grounds of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square. READ MORE

Over 6.5 million people worldwide have tested positive for the coronavirus, and more than 387,000 have died, the vast majority – 107,728 – in the United States. READ MORE