Continuing Support Needed for Victims of Kilauea Volcanic Eruption

As lava from the Kilauea eruption continues its crawl of devastation through the Puna District of the Big Island, Episcopal churches and organizations around the island have quickly mobilized to help their neighbors in need.  

The Church of the Holy Apostles in Hilo has been actively coordinating relief efforts for the victims, some of whom are members of the church.  In a recent article by the Episcopal News Service (May 24, 2018), Priest-in-Charge, the Rev. Katlin McCallister shared how Holy Apostles created its own Kilauea Relief Fund to collect donations from across the diocese to help pay for items such as blankets, pillows, clothing, air purifiers, and rental assistance. The church offered its parking lot for displaced residents wishing to camp in their cars rather than stay at emergency shelters, though most people are staying with family members or friends.

A number of members from Holy Apostles have been directly affected; some located in the evacuation zone had to flee, and one family lost their home and farm to the lava. 

McCallister spoke about the challenges they face going forward. "It's an emotional situation for people. We're talking about homes and lives, cultural heritage. Family heritage is a deep, deep part of life here," she said, "and for families who have lived in the same home for generations, it is hard to suddenly leave that behind."

To assist with volcano relief efforts, checks can be mailed to:

The Church of the Holy Apostles

Attn:  Kilauea Relief Fund

1407 Kapi'olani Street

Hilo, HI  96720

Up north, St. James' Episcopal Church has also seen the fallout with an increasing number of people at Spencer Beach Park, where they deliver meals. Volunteers from the St. James' Community Meal Ministry discovered that more and more evacuees from Puna are camping there, and are making sure to bring back additional meals. They are also partnering with others in Puna to supply much needed items.  That list can be viewed in their e-news HERE. 

Other local organizations actively involved with relief efforts and are seeking assistance, are listed on the Holy Apostles' Facebook page and also shown below:

1. Pahoa Red Cross Shelter - See wish list HERE. Items should be dropped off at the Pahoa Gym (pet friendly shelter).
2. Kea'au Red Cross Shelter - See wish list HERE. Items should be dropped off at the Kea'au Shelter.
3. Pu'uhonua O Puna (Grass roots distribution center on corner of Hwy 130 and Pahoa High School) Please note that unlike the Red Cross, Pu'uhonua O Puna WILL take gently used items.
4. Pahoa High School is looking for air purifiers, preferably ones that cover 800 sq. feet. 50 are needed to cover the whole school. The link to sign up to donate air purifiers is HERE.  
5. Salvation Army is in charge of meal service for both the Pahoa and Kea'au Red Cross Shelter. They are in need of help with hot meals. If you have a certified kitchen and would like to provide a hot meal(s) or if you are willing to purchase hot meals from a restaurant and donate it to the shelter please call (808) 756-0306, or signup to do hands-on volunteer service HERE. 
6. Hawaii Community Foundation (Monetary donations to be used locally by any proposing non-profit for direct relief services) Their link is HERE.
7. Food Basket - Help the food bank sort and package donations for distribution! Contact the Hawaii Food Basket at (808) 933-6030 to volunteer.
8. Aloha Kokua - To offer or seek housing, click HERE.  

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50th Annual Meeting of Convention Updates

The 50th Annual Meeting of the Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona, on Saturday 27, 2018.  (To view Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick's letter to the Convention, click HERE.)

The Opening Eucharist will be on Friday, October 26, 2018, at 4:00 PM.

Education Day will take place on Friday, October 26, 2018.  The Design Teams will report on their work in 2018, moving toward the implementation of the Strategic Plan for the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i.

Please visit the Annual Meeting page on the Diocesan website for details, materials and announcements HERE.

For questions regarding registration or delegate changes, please contact Irina Martikainen at [email protected].  

For all other inquiries, please contact Rae Costa at [email protected] .

 

REGISTRATION: Early registration is now open through Wednesday, September 12, 2018, at $70 per person. The regular registration fee will take effect Thursday, September 13, and will be $85 per person. After Thursday, October 5, the late registration fee will be $110 per person.  NOTICE:  If you are a delegate, your registration fee will be paid by your church.  To register, please click HERE.

RESOLUTIONS: The deadline to submit resolutions is Wednesday, September 12, 2018. For more information on how to submit resolutions to the Convention and what information to include when writing a resolution, please visit the Annual Meeting page HERE.

NOMINATIONS: Nominations are to be submitted online. The submission deadline is Wednesday, September 12, 2018, for publication in the Annual Meeting booklet.  (Nominations may still be made after this date, but will not be published.) The nomination form can be accessed HERE.

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Prison Ministry Seeking Support and Donations for Hawaiian Bible Study Program

In recent years, the Diocese of Hawai'i has become heavily engaged in a Prison Ministry at our correctional centers that has grown and continues to flourish. The program, which involves a deep connection to Hawaiian cultural practices, is interwoven with a Hawaiian Bible (Baibala) Study Program.  

The Rev. Kaleo Patterson, who has been instrumental in building this ministry, is seeking to obtain Hawaiian Bibles for the Baibala Bible Study Project at the Halawa and Waiawa Community Correctional Centers. The program emphasizes the weekly study of the Revised Common Lectionary Gospel Lessons, and Hawaiian language/vocabulary.  Hawaiian Himeni, Mele and pule (prayers) are also taught and practiced.  

Patterson invites interested volunteers to join in as a guest in the program to perhaps lead a session or share in song or prayer.  He is also seeking donations to purchase a special Hawaiian English New Testatment Bible that they use in their Baibala Study. 

"These Bibles are very popular in prisons and encourage the study of God's Word," said Patterson in an e-mail. "It is a bright light and a lamp to the path and the feet."

These Bibles normally retail for $45 but are being provided to the program by Mutual Publishing on O'ahu for only $13.75. His goal is to provide 100 Bibles in 2018.  If you would like to help with the purchase of a Baibala, checks may be made out directly to Mutual Publishing, and mailed to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 1679 California Avenue, Wahiawa, HI 96786

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Mark your calendars!

St. Jude's Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

St. Jude's Episcopal Church on the Big Island will be holding their spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Friday, July 6, 2018, from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM.  Doors open at 5:30 PM.  The menu features spaghetti, spaghetti squash, your choice of sauce, meatballs, salad, drinks and dessert.  Tickets will be available at the door or pre-purchase before or after Sunday services.  The cost is $8 per person, $15 for two, or $20 for a family.  

Proceeds from this event helps cover operating expenses for St. Jude's community service programs such as Free Hot Showers, Free Hot Lunch, and Free WiFi. For more information, call (808) 939-7555 and leave a message.  St. Jude's is located at 92-8606 Paradise Circle in Ocean View.

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Video & Text of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Royal Wedding Sermon

In case you missed it and want to know what all the commotion is about, t wo videos and the full text of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's sermon at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle follow can be found HERE.  The first video is the official broadcast from the BBC and the second was recorded on one of the large public screens stationed along the procession route in Windsor, where 150,000 well-wishers thronged the streets.  Presiding Bishop Curry has found instant celebrity status with his powerful sermon on love.

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This Saturday!

Fashion Show to Benefit St. Paul's

The date and venue for the St. Paul Fundraiser has been changed. In a previous announcement the event was to take place on Friday, May 4, at the Pomaikai Ballrooms at Dole Cannery.  The date and venue has been changed to Saturday, May 26, 2018, at The Pagoda Hotel, International Ballroom, located at 1525 Rycroft Street in Honolulu. Erlinda Tauyan of Isabella's Boutique is putting on this fashion show fundraiser with proceeds to benefit St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Honolulu. There will be lots of door prizes too. The event runs from 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM. Several of St. Paul's members will be modeling Erlin's fashions like the one shown above left. Tickets are $65, or $60 pre-sale. For more information and pre-sale tickets, contact the following people:  Helen Sampiano (808) 681-3278, Erlinda Tauyan (808) 375-6225 or Fay De Jesus (808) 636-5061.  

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This Sunday!

St. Christopher Hosts Organ Concert Series

St. Christopher Episcopal Church in Kailua will be kicking off its 2018 organ concert series on Sunday, May 27, 2018, at 5:00 PM.  The first concert will feature Todd Beckham, Director of Music and Organist at The Cathedral of St. Andrew.  The concerts are free and open to the public. St. Christopher's is located at 93 North Kainalu Drive, Kailua. For more information, contact the church office at (808) 262-8176.

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Alzheimer's Forum Series at Epiphany

There are two more Alzheimer's forums remaining of the 3-part Alzheimer's Forum Series at Epiphany Episcopal Church.  The forums are led by Marilyn Moku, Director of Programs and Advocacy at the Alzheimer's Association.  The Sunday forums are being held between services at 8:30 AM-9:15 AM, and is open to all.  The dates and topics of the remaining two sessions are as follows:

Epiphany is located at 1041 10th Avenue in Kaimuki.  For more information, contact Roxane at (808) 734-5706.

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Message from the Bishop

Ordinations to the Transitional Diaconate

Aloha,

 

Having received the consent of the Standing Committee, I hereby inform the Diocese of Hawaiʻi that on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at 10:00 AM, it is my intention, God and the People willing, to ordain:

 

Jasmine Bostock

Christopher Bridges

Alison Donohue

Ha'aheo Guanson

Mark Haworth

Preston Lentz

 

to the transitional diaconate in the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu (O'ahu).  

 

Clergy are invited to vest.  White stoles.

 

If you are available, please join us.  Please remember to keep them in your prayers.  

 

Yo ur s faithfully,

+Bob

 

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick

Bishop Diocesan 

The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i

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Eucharistic Minister and Visitor Training - O'ahu

Training for Eucharistic Ministers and Eucharistic Visitors at the Cathedral of St. Andrew's Von Holt Room, will be taking place on Saturday, June 23, 2018.  The session will be led by the Rev. Giovan King, Rector of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, and will begin at 9:00 AM for approximately 2-1/2 hours.  Those intending to be Eucharistic Ministers only may then leave.  Those intending to be Eucharistic Visitors must stay for an afternoon session that will last until 3:30 PM.  For more information and to register, click  HERE .   To view the requirements for licensing, visit the diocesan website HERE .

Register NOW!

HUI PU Diocesan Summer Youth Camp 2018

June 24-29, 2018

Camp is a great ministry for winning young hearts to God! We hope campers DISCONNECT from WiFi and CONNECT to something GREATER! 

This year's Hui Pu camp will be held June 24-29, 2018, and the theme is "Arise" to remind our youth that they are well equipped to take on this life. Youth will gather in a safe environment for fun faith-filled fellowship. With friends old and new, we hope they will be reminded that they are never alone.

All three camps will be taking place simultaneously at Camp Mokule'ia on O'ahu. Cost and details are as follows:

• 'OHA (Ages 9-12) - June 24-27 (3 nights)
  'Oha is the young shoot that grows from a kalo (taro) plant. The word 'ohana means many shoots from the same root.  'Oha campers will learn social skills through fun games, exploring their sense of wonder while playing in a natural setting, and expressing their creativity.

• LOKAHI (Ages 13-14) - June 24-28 (4 nights)
  Lokahi means unity or to come to an agreement.  Lokahi campers will experience independence in a controlled setting; learn the value of being in Christian community through shared spiritual experience and team building activities, that include jumping down a zip line.

• 'OPIO (Ages 15-18) - June 24-29 (5 nights)
  'Opio means youth. 'Opio campers will have an opportunity to hike and swim at Ka'ena Point and participate in the high ropes challenge course. The responsibilities and challenges will encourage personal growth and enhance self-confidence, in a setting of fellowship and spiritual awareness.

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SUMMER OF SERVICE: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Camp Mokule'ia hosts Hui Pu, an annual summer camp for a week, catering to campers between the age of 9 and 18. We look forward to the camp as a time of growth not just for the campers but counselors as well.  We are looking for volunteers for the following positions:

• COUNSELORS - Must be 20 years or older; love working with kids; enjoy working outdoors and have some experience catering to children between the ages of 9-18.

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Mark your calendars!

Annual Clergy Retreat On Maui

The annual clergy retreat will be held from Monday, August 27, through Wednesday, August 29, at the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel in Lahaina, Maui. Participants are invited to arrive beginning at 10:00 AM on Monday, and begins with lunch at 11:00 AM. The retreat ends after lunch on Wednesday. 

The guest speaker for the retreat, is Rosa Say, who is a workplace culture coach determined to reinvent our workplaces value by value, making them healthier and more rewarding for us all. As founder of Say Leadership Coaching, Rosa is hired as an expert coach on values-based management, and as a change agent leading business in organizational culture design. She is widely known for her work leading the Managing with Aloha movement within Hawai'i and internationally, work which draws from her 30-year career in the resort hospitality industry and residential resort development.

 For more information and to register, click HERE.  

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Save the date!

Emmanuel's 16th Annual Chocolate Extravaganza

Mark your calendars for Emmanuel Episcopal Church's 16th Annual Chocolate Extravaganza!  This year's event will take place on Saturday, October 13, 2018, featuring its decadent displays of chocolate treats and sweets to indulge in, and a silent auction with something for everyone!  For more information, visit their website HERE.

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Your donations are vitally important now more than ever.  Episcopal Relief & Development is responding to the horrific suffering caused by the natural disasters around the world. 

www.episcopalrelief.org/

May 10, 2018:

Bishop's Reflection on a Volcano and a Flood

RIP Melody Kahealani McPeek

RIP The Rev. Teresa Nelle Thomas Bowden

Update: Strategic Plan 2017

Annual Clergy Retreat on Maui

House of Bishops' Pastoral Response to #MeToo

Episcopal Asset Map Unveiled

May 4, 2018: Special Announcement: Volcanic Eruption on the Big Island

April 30, 2018:

Historic Flooding

Ordinations to the Transitional Diaconate

50th Annual Meeting of Convention

Volincor Volunteer Training

DOK Spring Assembly

Thy Kingdom Come

April 12, 2018:   Special Announcement: Reclaiming Jesus Affirmed by Clergy and Lay Leaders of the Diocese of Hawai'i

April 6, 2018:

Update: Strategic Plan 2017

General Convention Update

March 31, 2018:

Reclaiming Jesus: A Confession of Faith in a Time of Crisis

March 23, 2018:

Cainguitan Selected to Attend General Convention

Eucharistic Minister/Visitor Training

Presiding Bishop, Others Begin to Campaign to 'Reclaim Jesus'