From Rev Christen
Dear Epiphany Parish,
The news and images of the fires on Maui have been in my heart and my prayers all week. Below I’ve shared the most recent message from the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii in which he shares that the Historic Holy Innocents Church on Front Street in Lahaina has been destroyed in the fire.
If you would like to donate to the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii, the link to do so can be found below. Their diocesan relief efforts will be coordinated by A Cup of Cold Water, a subsidiary of their Diocese that serves the homeless on Maui.
Epiphany Parish is a church on a different Front Street on the other end of the country but we know what it’s been like to rebuild after a fire (the back portion of our building was damaged by fire in 1991). I will be making a donation of $500 from the rector's discretionary fund of Epipany Parish to A Cup of Cold Water. I invite you to join me in praying for the people of Holy Innocents Church, the Diocese of Hawaii, and all the people of Maui in the days and weeks to come.
Peace in Christ,
Rev. Christen
A message from Bishop Robert L. Fitzpatrick
This letter can be found online at:
Editor's note: This is an updated version of the Bishop's original message that was released yesterday, August 9, and includes the latest news as of this release.
My dear Siblings in Christ Jesus,
With the news of the fires on the islands of Maui and Hawaiʻi (“the Big Island”), I ask your prayers.
Lahaina was devastated. Historic Holy Innocents Church is on Front Street where the fire very quickly swept into old Lahaina town. Those old buildings made out of wood, went up in flames quickly. Some of the buildings destroyed date back to the days of whaling and when the town was the seat of the monarchy (early 1800s). Likely, this includes our church, Holy Innocents, based on an aerial photo sent to the office. The Sanctuary, vicarage, preschool and office appear to be completely gone (as does the public elementary school next door). Whole Lahaina neighborhoods are gone. Because of evacuations, downed landlines and cell towers, and the chaos of the situation, no one other than first responders are allowed into Lahaina, and we have had no first hand confirmation of the losses.
The clergy have reported in as safe.
What can you do? Many have asked how you can help through the Diocese with immediate response for relief efforts on Maui. The Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi is coordinating immediate diocesan relief efforts to the Lahaina fire disaster through the Diocese’s A CUP OF COLD WATER (ACCW) (a separately incorporated subsidiary of the Diocese that serves the houseless on Maui).
You may also mail checks directly to: A Cup of Cold Water, 2140 Main St., Wailuku, HI 96793
This is to help with immediate needs. The recovery efforts will take a very long time.
We have been in touch with Episcopal Relief and Development and with the Church Insurance Company.
We will share more as information becomes available.
Yours faithfully,
+Bob
The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick
(Pronouns: he, him, his)
Peace in Christ,
Christen
