The Bishop shares a Christmas message reflecting on the continuing challenges of the pandemic, and on a favorite Christmas hymn by Christina Rossetti called "Christmastide." To view his video message, click on the image or HERE. To view or download the text version, click on the link below:

I have received word that Mrs. Roberta DuTiel’s 100th birthday will be on January 10, 2022. Mrs. DuTeil is the widow of the Rev. Claude DuTeil (who served at St. Stephen’s, Wahiawa [1949-1954] ; Good Shepherd, Wailuku [1954-1958]; St. Christopher’s, Kailua [1958-1985], and he was also the founder of the Institute for Human Services IHS, Honolulu). Mrs. DuTeil was deeply involved in the life of the Church here in Hawaiʻi and continues to remember the Diocese with fondness.  She also continues to encourage support of IHS.

To make this special birthday memorable, please send birthday cards to: Roberta DuTeil, 1044 E Jeter, Argyle TX 76226.

In addition, please make a donation to IHS in her honor. Send your check to IHS: The Institute for Human Services, Inc., Attention: Development, PO Box 17040, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817, OR donate online HERE.

Please share this with those who might know Mrs. DuTeil.

Yours faithfully,

Bob

The Diocese's Annual Clergy Retreat is coming up on January 24-26, 2022, on the Garden Island of Kaua'i. All clergy in the Diocese are invited to attend. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Mark Jefferson, Assistant Professor of Homiletics at Virginia Theological Seminary.

The event will be taking place at the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort where we have secured a special group rate. This special rate will expire on January 5, 2022, so those interested in taking advantage of the discounted rate must make reservations before then. For complete details and to register, visit the event webpage HERE.

The retreat will begin with lunch on Monday, January 24 at 12:00 PM, and end at 1:00 PM after lunch on Wednesday, January 26. Please plan accordingly. If you have any questions, please contact Canon Sandy Graham.

Amid the controversial water contamination of Red Hill, the Diocese's Creation Care & Environmental Justice Task Force, led by the Rev. Jennifer Lathan and the Rev. Brianna Lloyd, initiated a statement to shutdown the Red Hill fuel storage facility. It is signed by the Bishop and other faith leaders in our community. To view the statement, click HERE.

The Diocese of Hawai'i's Youth Ministry announces its first youth event for 2022, a Prayer Hike that will be taking place simultaneously on O'ahu, Kaua'i, and Hawai'i Island, on January 14, 2022. All youth (grades 6-12) are invited to participate. All three hikes will begin at 9:00 AM and end at 2:00 PM. The hike is free and will be led by members of the Diocesan's Youth Ministry. For more information, visit the Dicoesan website HERE. To register, click on the button below. Please register by Wednesday, January 12, 2022.

In 2022 Camp Mokuleʻia will proudly celebrate its 75th anniversary! For over 74 years now, the Episcopal Diocese's camp on Oʻahu’s North Shore has been a place where thousands of children, youth, and adults experience that thin boundary between heaven and earth. Camp Mokuleʻia has served many generations of islanders, as well as many from the U.S. mainland and around the world. For so many people it is a place where they experience God’s abundance, touch God’s creation, and deeply feel God’s presence. We are committed to this always being the case.

Needless to say, 2020 and 2021 have been challenging years for the Camp. The pandemic has affected our community and camp life in so many ways. We were able to adhere to and abide by the numerous fluctuating restrictions. We offered successful well-received Family Stay-Cay weekends last fall and in the spring. Most importantly, we opened our grounds to a Summer Camp program that included youth overnight and day programs, as well as an inaugural family camp. We were blessed to have 221 participants experience God’s love in real and lasting ways.

Camp Mokuleʻia is a spirit-filled ministry that can only continue the work of transformation with your generosity. Your donation will help us sustain and grow this valuable work, ensuring we survive the current economic challenges brought on by the pandemic and thrive as we continue to serve Christ and one another into the future. Our ministry may look different in the days to come but please know that our commitment to our youth and families has not changed.

Young Adult Service Corps (YASC), the international missionary program of The Episcopal Church, is accepting applications for 2022-2023 placements. The deadline is Jan. 21.

Now in its 20th year, YASC offers Episcopalians ages 21-30 the opportunity to follow the Way of Love into deeper relationship with God and the global Anglican Church while spending a year living and working with communities around the world.

YASC participants typically serve as teachers in church-run schools, work alongside development professionals who seek to empower their local communities, and participate in the daily life and ministry of churches and cathedrals around the Anglican Communion. Since the start of the program, young adults have served in 41 countries, and, in 2022, placements may include, but not be limited to, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, England, France, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.

Learn more about YASC—including videos and blogs—and find the application form and instructions HERE.

On Saturday, December 18, 2021, Emmanuel Episcopal Church held their annual Merry Little Christmas Party for the Windward community. Along with generous donors, they partnered with the Kailua Chamber of Commerce to distribute loads of toys, food, and gift cards to families. It was a truly festive event with colorful lights, music, and lots of cheer! (Photo by the Rev. Annalise Pasalo on the Emmanuel Facebook page))

The Episcopal Church on West Kaua'i (ECWK - St. John's and St. Paul's) have called the Rev. Kerry Holder Joffrion to be their Priest-in-Charge. She will begin serving on February 1, 2022.

 

Kahu Kerry has been at ECWK as their 'priest-in-residence' several times over the past few years and has made a positive impact on our faith community and the community in general during her relatively short time here. She currenty lives in Huntsville, Alabama where she served for seven years among the Blackfoot tribe, and for eight years as an associate rector and community organizer.

Kahu Kerry and her husband Peter (pictured here with daughter Lilly) have four adult children. We look forward to welcoming them to Kaua'i and the Diocese of Hawai'i.

The December 5th storm that wreaked havoc across the islands, especially on Hawai'i Island and Maui, hit Trinity By-the-Sea in Kihei especially hard. Giant kiawe trees crushed buildings, storage containers for their thrift shop were flooded, and their outdoor worship space and columbarium were under a foot of mud. An unstable kiawe tree threatens their altar and needs to be removed. While insurance covers some of the storm damage, it will not cover the tree removal. If you'd like to help our brothers and sisters at Trinity, please consider donating HERE. (Photos contributed by Scott Zipf)

St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View is well known in and around their community for the many outreach services they provide, and Christmas provides just another opportunity for their generosity! On Saturday, December 11, they held their annual Keiki Christmas Party with Santa arriving right on time in the parking lot. Due to COVID, the event was held drive-by style but the energy and enthusiasm were no less. Keiki welcomed St. Jude's traditional hand-made Christmas stockings filled with toys that were lovingly prepared by volunteers. Over 100 stockings and 500 books were distributed. Right alongside, St. Jude's free hot showers and lunch ministry was back in full swing with music and lots of smiles! (Photos from the St. Jude's newsletter)

[December 15, 2021] Presiding Bishop Michael Curry shares a special Christmas message, calling us to help all refugees. “The Christmas stories are reminders that this Jesus came to show us how to love as God loves. And one of the ways we love as God loves is to help those who are refugees, those who seek asylum from political tyranny, poverty, famine, or other hardship." To view his video message and and download the transcript, click HERE.

At Christmas we lift our voices to join with the angels in heaven’s song of praise. The account told by St. Luke fills us with the hope and joy of God’s promise, now fulfilled in the incarnate Christ. READ MORE

[December 22, 2021] 2021 was an extraordinarily eventful year for Episcopal News Service as we covered the impacts of societal upheaval on church life, from the pandemic to the racial justice reckoning to political disruption. We picked 12 of our favorite and most important stories from this year, especially stories you might have missed, so you can look back on 2021 during the 12 days of Christmas. READ MORE

[December 15, 2021] Episcopal leaders and church members are working with their communities to provide disaster relief and assistance to areas affected by the powerful storm system overnight Dec. 10 that produced deadly and destructive tornadoes across a wide swath of the central United States. READ MORE

[December 15, 2021]  The Rev. Fletcher Harper first became involved in environmental projects when he was in grade school. Now 58, he’s the executive director of GreenFaith, which has under his leadership become an international, community-led climate and environmental movement. READ MORE

The Diocese has made available two very special publications for purchase:

There is also an option to buy these as a set for a discounted price. To order your copies today click HERE.

Be sure to stay informed with all the latest COVID-19 updates in Hawai'i through the State's portal HERE. You'll find latest news updates, stats, media resources, information on Safe Travels, Vaccination sites, and much more. Quick links to separate County vaccine webpages are shown below:

County of Kaua'i City & County of Honolulu Maui County Hawai'i County