The Hawaiian Issues-Essentials Training was held in conjunction with the 24th Annual Ho'okuikahi - Legacy of Justice, Nonviolence, and Reconciliation service that took place on Sunday, January 17, at Harris United Methodist Church in Honolulu. The service honors Queen Lili'uokalani's legacy of non-violence.  Pictured above, the service featured a floral reconciliation ceremony, and included guest speakers from the Episcopal Church in Hawai'i (Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick, Dean Walter Brownridge, Rev. Kaleo Patterson and Dr. Ha'aheo Guanson), the United Methodist Church (Dr. Rev. See Hee Han) and the Inclusive Orthodox Church (Bishop Stephen Randolph Sykes). Music was performed by the Cathedral Choir and First Tongan United Methodist Choir.  (Photos by Kai Markell)

There were lots of angels, shepherds and wise men gathering together to celebrate Christ's birth this past Christmas. Here's a look at a few of the Christmas services and pageants around the Diocese. Do you recognize anyone? (Photos are from church Facebook pages, websites and newsletters.)

At the end of November 2015, St. Nicholas Episcopal Church moved to their new worship location at Kapolei Elementary School, about 1.5 miles from their previous location at Island Pacific Academy. The Bishop's regular visitation was scheduled for Sunday, December 20, and he was able to celebrate at their new location. Pictured above, are Keane Akao, Director of Operations for ECWO, and Shana Ikeda, Senior Warden, ready to welcome worshipers. At right, the Bishop delivers his sermon.  (Photos by Kevin Shin and David Jones.)

(Photo contributed by Kaleo Patterson)

Christmas Camp came to the children living at Kanaha Beach Park for three days just before Christmas, on December 21, 22, and 23, 2015. The Rev. Kerith Harding, Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church on Maui, received one of the Diocesan Council 1% grants to help support this unique outreach. Over 20 volunteers gathered each day with over 30 children, their parents, aunties, uncles (and a pet rooster named Ekahi) to experience art projects, Hawaiian crafts, games, face painting, music and a hot breakfast and lunch in a fun, relaxed community atmosphere.

The Rev. Austin Murray, Trinity by the Sea, Maui, joined in on the day we made blankets. He said, "This ministry is Incarnational... offering an experience of the living God in the lives of the 'least', who often have little to hope for."   An uncle during breakfast said, "I watch out for the children." A young girl smiling, "I need to make a blanket for my little brother."

Each child went away having made an Ugly doll (the favorite craft by far the first day), decorated their new slippers (the favorite craft the second day), finished tying off a blanket, had a visit with the balloon man, and made a trip to St. Nicholas toy shop tables to pick out toys so generously donated by members of the Na Leo Lani O Maui Community Choir and friends. It was delightful seeing how many children selected toys they said they wanted to give to a friend or family member as well.

Of the 40 volunteers who participated, the Stone Family of Connecticut traveled the furthest to participate. Reflecting on the event and its impact on her teenage children, Elise Stone commented afterwards that her family was still spending a lot of time talking about the young people they worked with through Christmas Camp. "I have never done more rewarding volunteering than [this camp]," Elise said, "Real community is the most rewarding thing that you will ever do and leaves you asking yourself, 'Why didn't I do more. What's next? How are they now? etc.' I am proud of how much our kids threw their hearts into those great kids and families and I think the fact that our kids are struggling to let go is not a bad thing. We really hope to be part of future projects."  

Each volunteer went away having been blessed with the gift of meeting these children, talking with them, creating with them, and loving them. The camp achieved far more than expected: not only were the children entertained and fed a hot breakfast and lunch, their families got to see generosity of hands and spirit. The volunteers got to experience the joy of Christmas with the children and were able to "talk story" with family members and gain a better understanding of what "houseless life" means -- the struggles and the hopes. Many volunteers left saying, "Sign me up for next year!"

There was laughter, and sometimes tears. We all came away realizing how much more we have in common than not, and starting out as strangers, we became friends.   (Photos courtesy of Kerith Harding)

On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake struck Haiti, a diocese of The Episcopal Church, killing more than 300,000 people, seriously injuring more than 250,000, and leaving 1.3 million homeless. An extensive number of private and public buildings were destroyed including Holy Trinity Cathedral and the affiliated Episcopal institutions in the Cathedral Complex. (Photos above by Harvey Wang via the Episcopal Relief and Development website.) On the sixth anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Haiti,  Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry issued the following:

Six years ago today, a tremendous earthquake of historic magnitude shattered the lives of Haitian mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers. Their cries of lamentation echoed across Haiti even as the aftershocks continued to rock Port-au-Prince and the surrounding countryside. Haiti, the poorest state in the Western Hemisphere, is also the island-home of a branch of The Episcopal Church. More Episcopal souls live and breathe in the Diocese of Haiti than in any other diocese in the world, and on this day, we stand in solidarity and solemn remembrance with Haitians everywhere.

We continue to grieve with families who lost their loved ones in the earthquake and with those who were affected by the cholera epidemic that still ravages the Haitian community. We express gratitude for the lives salvaged from the ruins, for the creative resiliency of the Haitian people, and for new dreams imagined and realized as the rebuilding effort continues, including in the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Port-au-Prince. Finally, we recognize that there is still tremendous work ahead of us to heal, transform, and sustain the country of Haiti.

Tens of thousands of Haitians remain displaced from their homes, subsisting in the dangerous and unsanitary conditions of tent camps. The Haitian cholera epidemic has sickened hundreds of thousands of Haitians and ended over 9,000 lives to date. Faced with these enormous challenges, we find hope and strength in our faith. The Haitians have a proverb: Bondye di ou: fè pa M or "God says to you: 'Do your part, and I'll do mine.'" God is at work in Haiti, moving with doctors and engineers, teachers and farmers, and reminding and encouraging us to continue our good work. Indeed, as Episcopalians, we have a crucial part to play.

We can hold our governments accountable for ensuring that development aid is distributed fairly and transparently, and we can call on policymakers to adequately fund the Cholera Elimination Plan that delivers much-needed supplies and vaccinations to at-risk Haitians. We can give our time, our expertise, and our funds to the ongoing effort of restoring Haiti and promoting sustainable development therein. And last, we can remember that the Haitian people are our family, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and by working together with them and with our God, we can fulfill the holy task of healing  Haiti.