Volume 6, Issue 33
August 13, 2021
THIS SUNDAY: August 15, 2021
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost


ON-SITE CHURCH SERVICE
WITH COMMUNION

8:00AM
Joe Adorno (EM)*
Judy Saronitman (U)
Diane Sato (AG)
Mark Cain(DM)

9:30AM
Linda Crocker (EM)
CeCe Caldwell (U)
Nelson Secretario (LR)
Jan Hashizume (AG)
Vikki Secretario, Mabel Antonio (HP)
David Crocker, Jan Hashizume (DM)

Live Stream
9:00AM on our home page, YouTube, or Facebook accounts
@allsaintskauai

* EM - Eucharistic Minister; U - Usher; LR - Lay Reader; AG - Altar Guild; HP - Healing Prayers; DM - Digital Ministry; SS - Sunday School
UPCOMING EVENTS

Aloha Hour
Canceled
Until Further Direction from the Bishop

Guest Celebrant
Rev. Austin Murray
Sunday, August 8th and 15th
8:00 and 9:30AM
Church

Ke Akua Youth Group Meeting
Wednesday, August 25th
5:00 - 6:00PM
Zoom Meeting
Contact Cami for login info.

Daughters of the King
Thursday, August 26th
7:00 - 8:00PM
Zoom Meeting
Contact Mabel Antonio for login info.

Organ Concert
Sunday, September 12th
2:00 - 4:00PM
Guest Organist: Peter Dubois
Church


Recurring Events
Aloha Hour
Every Sunday, 10:45AM - 12:00PM
Under lanai tent

Monday/Friday Crew
Every Monday/Friday, 8:00AM 
Church Office
Laundry Love
1st & 3rd Wednesday, 5:00PM
Kapa`a Laundromat

Daughters of the King
2nd & 4th Thursday, 7:00 - 8:00PM
Zoom
For those affected by those affected by the Pandemic, those affected by racial violence, Clay, Vanessa, Noah, Patsy, Susan, and those we name silently or aloud, let us pray to the Lord. ​Lord, have mercy. 

For those saints who have gone before us in the Grander Life, especially those affected by the COVID-19 virus, and those we name silently or aloud, in the hope of the resurrection, and for all the departed, let us pray to the Lord. ​Lord, have mercy. Amen.
Customary in the Time of Pandemic
Bishop Bob Reminds Us How to be Safe
In a special announcement the Bishop has emphasized some of the items in the Diocesan Customary in the Time of Pandemic. These reminders are to help battle the Delta variant of the COVID virus that is surging through the Islands and filling our hospitals. All Saints’ has been following the principles of the Customary since its publication. The Bishop reminds us of two things we can do to protect our brothers and sisters in Christ:

  • Masks must be worn, even when reading behind the plexiglass shield at the lectern, during the church service. The only exception is removal while consuming the Sacrament.

  • The Aloha Hour will be canceled until further direction from the Bishop.

May God be with us as we battle the evolution of COVID-19.
August 11, 2021

The following message from the Bishop was just shared with all Clergy, Wardens, and Administrators in the Diocese of Hawaiʻi. 

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, THE DELTA SURGE, AND THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 21-05 (Statewide Limits for Social Gatherings, Restaurants, Bars, and Social Establishments)

Aloha,

I have received some questions about the Governor’s newest directive regarding the pandemic [see THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 21-05 (Statewide Limits for Social Gatherings, Restaurants, Bars, and Social Establishments)].

If each congregation is following the Diocesan Customary in the time of Pandemic, we should be in compliance and no major adjustments are needed (please review the Customary). I direct that Episcopal Churches should reasonably be considered under the category of “Restaurants, Bars, and Social Establishments” in the Executive Order (there are exceptions for churches and special events). In this Diocese of Hawaiʻi, we must ensure no more than 50% capacity in our worship spaces. With the six foot social distancing requirement already in place that should not be a problem. Again, outdoor worship with masks and social distancing is the ideal.  

I also instruct that during the Delta variant surge everyone should be masked throughout worship (indoors or outdoors) except when consuming the Sacrament (ideally God’s people will do this quickly at their seats). For now, this needs to include officiants, readers and preachers (even with plexiglass barriers). 

There should be no congregational singing, but in addition I also think we must discontinue soloists or other singing during the Delta surge (even with masks and plexiglass barriers). We should limit music to instrumentalists or recorded music.

During the Delta surge, all “Aloha Hour” gatherings should be suspended. This needs to include outdoor gatherings.  

Pastorally, I know this is difficult, but the spread of the Delta variant makes this response prudent at this time to protect our children. We know that Hospitals Are Near A Breaking Point As Hawaii’s COVID Case Count Grows

Most importantly, my hope is that every Episcopalian in this Diocese who is medically able has been or will be vaccinated against COVID-19. Please share the video message from the Presiding Bishop with your congregation urging everyone to get vaccinated: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry encourages Americans to get vaccinated: ‘Do this one for the children’.

By God’s grace and grounded in love, we will move together through this Delta surge as we look to our “new normal.” All shall be well. 

O gracious and holy Father, give us wisdom to perceive you, diligence to seek you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you, and a life to proclaim you, through the power of the spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Your Brother in Christ Jesus,
+Bob

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick
(Pronouns: he, him, his)

Bishop Diocesan
The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i
229 Queen Emma Square
Honolulu, HI 96813-2304

Bishop-in-Charge
The Episcopal Church in Micronesia
STATE OF HAWAI'I COVID-19 PORTAL

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:

austin murray


Join Us in Welcoming the Rev. Austin Murray
Guest Celebrant August 8th and 15th
While Kahu and Muriel will be away on vacation, we have the honor and delight of having as our supply guest priest the Rev. Austin Murray, for the Sundays of August 8th and 15th. Fr. Austin is a long-standing continuing member of the Diocese of Hawai`i, although he currently resides in New Jersey as the Priest-in-Charge of St. James Memorial Church, Eatontown. He is the former rector for many years of Trinity-by-the-Sea in Kihei, Maui. In addition, he was the founding Dean of the Waiolahui`ia Center for Ministry (WCM) in our diocese to train people for the lay, diaconal, and priestly orders of ministry and in which Kahu Kawika is the chief instructor. Please welcome and embrace Fr. Austin during his time with us!
Worship Ministry in Search of Ushers
Please Consider Joining this Important Ministry
The pandemic has changed many things at All Saints': how we greet one another, where we sit in the pews, how we receive communion. One not-so-visible change is our number of ushers. A stalwart few have returned with our in-person worship to greet our `Ohana and visitors as they arrive at the sanctuary and help guide them through communion, open the sanctuary before services and close it afterward, set up and break down the informational table by the front door, and other tasks as they appear. While the pandemic has reduced the duties of our ushers it has not eliminated the need for these dedicated volunteers. We look forward to the day when we can once again offer visitor lei and bring the offering to the altar for the blessing.

The duties of an usher are simple but vitally important to our Sunday services. If you feel called to serve, please contact Cami at church@allsaintskauai.org. She will pair you with a current usher to learn the responsibilities of this important ministry.
Sloggett Center Solar and Roofing Project Update
An Environmental Initiative
The preschool roofing and painting project is now finished. The new roof and paint give the Sloggett Center a fresh updated look. The kids will have a brand new preschool when classes begin in August.

The solar panel project is in the KIUC permitting stage. Most likely, we will wait for the fall break in the school calendar (October) to do that installation.

Our fundraising effort continue to ensure we have the capital to cover any unexpected expenses and to maintain our investment in our new roof and solar system. Continued support raised our total by $1,100 last week. Thank you to everyone who continues to give to this project.
The Vestry and the Environmental Ministry are grateful to all the donors who have contributed to make this project possible. A special thanks to Kathy Northcutt for writing the NPT grant application that brought in $100,000 toward our goal. We are thankful that the All Saints’ `Ohana recognized the value of this project and donated so generously.

Mahalo nui loa to you all!
Announcing the Inaugural All Saints' Organ Concert
September 12, 2021
First in an On-going Series Supporting Our Community
Featuring Peter DuBois
Director of Music and Organist

Third Presbeterian Church
Rochester, NY
Peter DuBois has served as Director of Music/Organist at Third Church since 1991. In addition to his full-time duties at Third Church, he is Host and Producer for the popular nationally syndicated public radio program With Heart and Voice. For 15 years, while serving Third Church, Peter concurrently served on the faculty of the Eastman School of Music as Assistant Professor of Sacred Music and Director of the Sacred Music Diploma program. Prior to coming to Third Church, he served 10 years as Director of Music/Organist at Christ Church United Methodist in Charleston, West Virginia, and taught at West Virginia Wesleyan College and the University of Charleston.

Peter holds degrees in organ performance from the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Peter maintains an active performing career, with recitals throughout the United States and abroad, including at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, Notre-Dame de Paris (twice), the Basilica of Ste. Clotilde in Paris, and the Cathédrale du Saint-Saveur in Aix-en-Provence. 

Please join us on September 12th at 2:00PM for what promises to be a spectacular concert performed on All Saints' Rosales Opus 41 Pipe Organ.

Details to follow. Until then, mark the date!
Coming Up: Daughters of the King Retreat
All Episcopal women are invited to take part in the Daughters of the King (DOK) Retreat, taking place on Saturday, September 11, 2021, from 9:00AM - 2:00PM, at The Cathedral of St. Andrew.

While one of the goals of the retreat is to connect DOK members throughout the State of Hawai'i, this retreat will broaden the Episcopal community's view of the mission of the DOK organization in Hawai'i: Through prayer, service, and evangelism, we are Episcopal women dedicated to the spread of Christ's love and the strengthening of the spiritual life of our congregations.

For more information about the retreat, click on the image above to view and/or download the event flyer. For more information about DOK, visit the Diocesan website HERE. Note: With increasing COVID-19 counts, organizers are preparing for an online version of the retreat if need be
News from the Diocesan Creation Care and Environmental Justice Task Force
The Creation Care and Environmental Justice Task Force is currently working on worship plans for this year's Season of Creation, which takes place September through October. For information about this global and ecumenical work, see www.seasonofcreation.org. If you would like to help in planning this worship event, please contact either the Rev. Jenn Latham HERE, or Vicar Bree Lloyd HERE.

The Task Force is also excited to learn what you are doing or what resources you have available for creation care and environmental justice! We have begun compiling an informational picture of the overall creation care and environmental justice work of each of the churches in the diocese and in other statewide conferences (i.e. asset-mapping). This includes advocates connected to our churches who are working at local and state levels. The purpose for this asset-mapping is to strengthen our network, our awareness of each other's work, and our ability to match needs with resources. You are welcome to contact us and share your work with us. We will be calling you at each of our faith communities. Anyone who is interested in helping with these conversations and/or putting together this asset map, please contact Jenn or Bree at the contact information above.
FREE Wisdom of Kalaupapa Series Project Now Being Offered

Quarantined for Life: More than 8,000 People Banished to the Kalaupapa Peninsula on the Island of Moloka'i

The Wisdom project is producing five video‐supported workshops for churches, which take us beyond the pain of human suffering and injustice to the triumph of God’s life‐giving work in the Kalaupapa settlement. The purpose of the series is two‐fold: 1) to draw upon the wisdom of kūpuna (elders) of Kalaupapa (those affected by Hansen’s Disease, otherwise known as leprosy) as they overcame the challenges of exile, social isolation and separation from family, to become resilient people of purpose; and 2) to be inspired by their example as we face our challenges today.

The Wisdom of Kalaupapa is being offered to churches as a set of five workshops. They focus on God’s redeeming work in the human conditions of:
  • Personal Response to Crisis: From Fear to Faith
  • Disruption to `Ohana: From Separation to Restoration
  • The Long Haul: From Despair to Hope
  • Speaking Your Truth: From Oppression to Freedom
  • The Path to God’s Future: From Estrangement to Forgiveness

The video preview from the first workshop is ready for viewing HERE. The first full 90‐minute interactive workshop is available for scheduling with churches as well. Modules are offered in
zoom and in‐person formats by facilitators of the Wisdom team. As modules continue to be developed, the project welcomes family stories about everyday experiences of the people of Kalaupapa. 

For more information, to schedule your church for a workshop, or to share a family story, please contact ReSource Director Phyllis Meighen HERE or call 808‐647‐4346. Mahalo nui loa for partial funding from the following foundations: G. N. Wilcox, Dora Isenberg, Elsie Wilcox, and Vidinha.

The Wisdom of Kalaupapa project is a collaboration of the Hawai‘i Conference UCC Formation Team, ReSource for Christian Spirituality, and Episcopal churches on Kaua‘i.
Delta Variant: What We Know About the Science
On July 27, 2021, CDC released updated guidance on the need for urgently increasing COVID-19 vaccination coverage and a recommendation for everyone in areas of substantial or high transmission to wear a mask in public indoor places, even if they are fully vaccinated. CDC issued this new guidance due to several concerning developments and newly emerging data signals. First is a reversal in the downward trajectory of cases. In the days leading up to our guidance update, CDC saw a rapid and alarming rise in the COVID case and hospitalization rates around the country.

  • In late June, our 7-day moving average of reported cases was around 12,000. On July 27, the 7-day moving average of cases reached over 60,000. This case rate looked more like the rate of cases we had seen before the vaccine was widely available.

Second, new data began to emerge that the Delta variant was more infectious and was leading to increased transmissibility when compared to other variants, even in vaccinated individuals. This includes recently published data from CDC and our public health partners, unpublished surveillance data that will be publicly available in the coming weeks, information included in CDC’s updated Science Brief on COVID-19 Vaccines and Vaccination, and ongoing outbreak investigations linked to the Delta variant.

Delta is currently the predominant strain of the virus in the United States. Below is a high-level summary of what CDC scientists have recently learned about the Delta variant. More information will be made available when more data are published or released in other formats.

Infections and Spread

The Delta variant causes more infections and spreads faster than early forms of SARS-CoV-2
The Delta variant is more contagious: The Delta variant is highly contagious, nearly twice as contagious as previous variants.

  • Some data suggest the Delta variant might cause more severe illness than previous strains in unvaccinated persons. In two different studies from Canada and Scotland, patients infected with the Delta variant were more likely to be hospitalized than patients infected with Alpha or the original virus strains.

  • Unvaccinated people remain the greatest concern: Although breakthrough infections happen much less often than infections in unvaccinated people, individuals infected with the Delta variant, including fully vaccinated people with symptomatic breakthrough infections, can transmit it to others. CDC is continuing to assess data on whether fully vaccinated people with asymptomatic breakthrough infections can transmit. However, the greatest risk of transmission is among unvaccinated people who are much more likely to contract, and therefore transmit the virus.

  • Fully vaccinated people with Delta variant breakthrough infections can spread the virus to others. However, vaccinated people appear to be infectious for a shorter period: Previous variants typically produced less virus in the body of infected fully vaccinated people (breakthrough infections) than in unvaccinated people. In contrast, the Delta variant seems to produce the same high amount of virus in both unvaccinated and fully vaccinated people. However, like other variants, the amount of virus produced by Delta breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated people also goes down faster than infections in unvaccinated people. This means fully vaccinated people are likely infectious for less time than unvaccinated people.

Vaccines

Vaccines in the US are highly effective, including against the Delta variant

  • The COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States are highly effective at preventing severe disease and death, including against the Delta variant. But they are not 100% effective and some fully vaccinated people will become infected (called a breakthrough infection) and experience illness. For such people, the vaccine still provides them strong protection against serious illness and death.

Masks

Given what we know about the Delta variant, vaccine effectiveness, and current vaccine coverage, layered prevention strategies, such as wearing masks, are needed to reduce the transmission of this variant

  • At this time, as we build the level of vaccination nationwide, we must also use all the prevention strategies available, including masking indoors in public places, to stop transmission and stop the epidemic.
  • Vaccines are playing a crucial role in limiting spread of the virus and minimizing severe disease. Although vaccines are highly effective, they are not perfect and there will be vaccine breakthrough infections. Millions of Americans are vaccinated, and that number is growing. This means that even though the risk of breakthrough infections is low, there will be thousands of fully vaccinated people who become infected and able to infect others, especially with the surging spread of the Delta variant. Low vaccination coverage in many communities is driving the current rapid and large surge in cases associated with the Delta variant, which also increases the chances that even more concerning variants could emerge.

References

  1. Bernal JL, Andrews N, Gower C, et al. Effectiveness of Covid-19 Vaccines against the B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant. N Engl J Med. 2021 Jul 21
  2. Brown CM, Vostok J, Johnson H, et al. Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Infections, Including COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Infections, Associated with Large Public Gatherings — Barnstable County, Massachusetts, July 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 30 July 2021; https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7031e2.htm
  3. Chia PY, Ong SWX, Chiew CJ, et al. Virological and serological kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant vaccine-breakthrough infections: a multi-center cohort study. 2021
  4. Fisman DN, Tuite AR. Progressive Increase in Virulence of Novel SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Ontario, Canada. medRxiv. 2021 Jul 12; 
  5. Li B, Deng A, Li K, et al. Viral Infection and Transmission in a Large Well-Traced Outbreak Caused by the Delta SARS-CoV-2 Variant. medRxiv. 2021 Jul 12
  6. Mlcochova P, Kemp S, Dhar S, et al. SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 Delta Variant Emergence and Vaccine Breakthrough. Research Square Platform LLC. 2021 Jun 22; 
  7. Musser JM, Christensen PA, Olsen RJ. et al. Delta Variants of SARS-CoV-2 Cause Significantly Increased Vaccine Breakthrough COVID-19 Cases in Houston, Texas. medRxiv. 2021 Jul 22
  8. Nasreen S, Chung H, He S, et al. Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against variants of concern in Ontario, Canada. medRxiv. 2021 Jul 16
  9. Ong SWX, Chiew CJ, Ang LW, et al. Clinical and Virological Features of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern: A Retrospective Cohort Study Comparing B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.315 (Beta), and B.1.617.2 (Delta). SSRN Journal. 2021 Jun 7
  10. Riemersma KA, Grogan BE, Kirta-Yarbo A, et al. Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Individuals Have Similar Viral Loads in Communities with a High Prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant. medRxiv. 2021 Jul 31
  11. SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and variants under investigation in England, Technical briefing 19 Public Health England Technical Briefing 19. 2021 Jul 23
  12. Sheikh A, McMenamin J, Taylor B, Robertson C. SARS-CoV-2 Delta VOC in Scotland: demographics, risk of hospital admission, and vaccine effectiveness. The Lancet. 2021;397(10293):2461-2462
  13. Stowe J, Andrews N, Gower C, et al. Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against hospital admission with the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant. 2021.
  14. Thompson MG, Burgess JL, Naleway AL, et al. Prevention and Attenuation of COVID-19 with the BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 Vaccines. N Engl J Med. 2021 Jul 22;385(4):320-329.
  15. Dagpunar J. Interim estimates of increased transmissibility, growth rate, and reproduction number of the Covid-19 B.1.617.2 variant of concern in the United Kingdom. medRxiv. 2021
Saint Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Mary the mother of Jesus has been an object of veneration in the church since the apostolic age. She has been a favorite subject in art, music, and literature. Her humility and obedience to the message of God at the time of the Incarnation have made her an example for all ages of Christians. The following events of her life are in the NT: her betrothal to Joseph; the annunciation by the angel that she would be the mother of the Messiah; her visit to Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist; the birth of Jesus; the visits of the shepherds and the wise men; the presentation of Jesus in the temple; the flight into Egypt; the visit to Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve years old; the wedding at Cana; an occasion when Mary and Jesus' brothers asked to speak to him while he was speaking to the people; the crucifixion when Jesus commended her to John; and the meeting with the apostles in the upper room after the Ascension. Early in church history she was honored and esteemed. Irenaeus called her the New Eve, Athanasius taught her perpetual virginity, and the Council of Ephesus in 431 declared her Theotokos, Mother of God, because of the hypostatic union of divinity and humanity in the one person Jesus Christ. Anglicanism has not generally accepted beliefs concerning Mary's perpetual virginity or bodily assumption to heaven after her death, but some hold these views as pious opinions. In addition to Christmas, feasts associated with Mary include the Presentation, the Annunciation, and the Visitation. Mary the Virgin is commemorated in the Episcopal calendar of the church year on Aug. 15.
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry Encourages Americans to Get Vaccinated: ‘Do this One for the Children’

Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs
August 10, 2021
Join Presiding Bishop Michael Curry by sharing your own “I Got Mine” story. Post your photo or video with the #igotmine hashtag, tag and invite your friends, and tell the world what getting the COVID-19 vaccine means to you.

COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit (via @iamepiscopalian): https://t.co/u5HnH41VaF
“The #COVIDVaccine saves lives,” Curry said. “#igotmine to do my part to live out the Bible’s commandment to ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ And I’m inviting my friends to share their own #igotmine stories.”
Infrastructure Bill Includes Energy Efficiency Grants for Houses of Worship

YONAT SHIMRON
August 12, 2021
[Religion News Service] Buried on Page 1,729 of the trillion-dollar infrastructure bill approved by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday (Aug. 10) in a bipartisan vote is a project titled “Energy efficiency materials pilot program.”

It would fund $50 million in grants to nonprofits, including religious congregations, so they can buy new energy-efficient heating and cooling systems for their buildings. The program, to be administered by the Department of Energy, would provide grants of up to $200,000 each for nonprofits that want to purchase new HVAC units and generators or fund replacements of windows and doors to make them more energy efficient.

The relatively small item in the substantial infrastructure deal has been in the works for years. It was spearheaded almost a decade ago by the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center, a Jewish public policy arm representing one of the largest Orthodox Jewish group in the U.S., and supported by a coalition including the National Council of Churches, the National Association of Evangelicals and the YMCA of the USA.

“For synagogues, energy and utility costs can be the most expensive line item in their budget, especially if they have a small staff,” said Nathan Diament, executive director of the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center.

This project, he said, would allow congregations to “allocate greater funding to programs and services and less to energy bills, ultimately decreasing their energy footprints.”

Back in 2012, the Orthodox Union worked with Sens. Amy Klobuchar and John Hoeven to push for the Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act, which was reintroduced in Congress twice since then.

Maintaining older sanctuaries has become an ever-increasing burden. Congregations of all faiths are aging and membership is declining, putting a greater financial strain for building upkeep on fewer people.

Given the overall size of the infrastructure bill, the project is tiny. If it awards maximum grants of $200,000 each, it would only help 250 nonprofits.

There are an estimated 350,000 religious congregations in the U.S.

Still, it’s an important measure, said Galen Carey, vice president of government relations for the National Association of Evangelicals, part of the coalition that pushed for the program.

“Anything we can do to help the energy efficiency in the nonprofit sector is good for mitigating climate change and the operating efficiency of nonprofits that play such important roles in our society, “ Carey said.

The main features of the $1 trillion infrastructure measure the Senate passed would mostly pay for roads, bridges, rail and water systems. The bill now goes to the House, where it may face a bumpy path. Some Democrats have suggested the measure falls short of what they seek.

Nonprofits have a much harder time accessing energy efficiency subsidies, which typically come in the form of tax credits. Since nonprofits don’t pay taxes, the tax credits aren’t useful to them.

At the same time, many religious congregations have deferred maintenance upgrades for years and are paying costly utility bills as a result.

Felipe Witchger, executive director of the Community Purchasing Alliance, a Washington, D.C.-based cooperative that helps struggling churches and nonprofits buy basic services, said 80% of religious congregations desperately need maintenance upgrades on such items as aging heating and air conditioning units, leaky roofs, drafty windows, cracks in the basement and crawl spaces.

“HVAC and building envelope improvements can reduce 20 to 30% in energy usage and cut carbon emissions,” said Witchger.

Recently his cooperative helped Mount Lebanon Baptist Church, a historically Black Washington, D.C., congregation, replace a $30,000 HVAC system for which the congregation took out a 20-year loan.

Funds awarded through the pilot project grants would not pay for labor, only materials, Diament said.

He was “pretty optimistic” the energy efficiency project would survive whatever changes the House makes to the bill. Assuming President Joe Biden signs the measure this fall, Diament said he hoped the Energy Department would be in a position to award the first grants in 2022.
Interactive Church Yard ‘Trails’ Become Unexpected Summer Hit 

August 8, 2021
A group of churches on Dartmoor is welcoming an increasing number of people over the summer after installing interactive prayer ‘trails’ in churchyards.

The idea of prayer trails began during lockdown, led by Heidi Lewis, Mission and Families Development Worker at St Andrew’s Church in Ashburton, St Mary’s in Holne, and St Peter’s Buckland-in-the-Moor. 

Each ‘trail’ consists of a series of stations including a Bible verse, a reflection point and a QR code linked to relevant music located throughout the churchyard.

Today, the interactive churchyards continue to appeal to families, as well as passers-by enjoying the green spaces near the church. 

Josh, from the Dartmoor village of Holne (pictured above, with son, Harry and daughter, Erin) said: “We like to go out for family walks in the evening and we’ve done the trim trail a few times. The children really enjoyed doing it. 

“For many children, their first access to church is a service, where it can be hard for them to sit still. This is a good way for them to be active instead.”

The impact of the prayer stations has since reached far beyond Dartmoor and even Devon – with other churches across the country now adapting the creative prayer trails for use in their own church contexts. 

Heidi reflects: “It has been lovely to see how they have adapted the stations and built on the ideas to suit their own communities.

“For me, the most exciting part is knowing that people who do not attend church are engaging with the church in this way – and that the impact of these prayer stations is reaching beyond our own benefice.”

FROM THE EPISCOPAL CAFÈ
The Rebel Jesus (Followers)

Leslie Scoopmire
August 12, 2021
All year round, not just in March around “St. Paddy’s Day,” I am a fan of Irish music, and of course when one talks about Irish music, the Chieftains are often the first to come to mind. In 1991, they put together an album of “Christmas” tunes with a tasty collection of guest artists. While some of these songs were traditional, some were written by more contemporary singer-songwriters. One of the tunes that made it onto the album was one Jackson Browne wrote especially for this occasion: “The Rebel Jesus.”

In this song, the narrator gently criticizes the commercialization of Christmas, and in a way, Christianity itself. At the end of the song, the singer calls himself, “a heathen and a pagan,” but nonetheless he identifies himself to be “on the side of the rebel Jesus.” The “rebel Jesus” who didn’t just urge us to go along with the injustices of the world, or to throw a few sacks of coins into the lap of beggars, but who freed beggars from their marginalization, who dined with outcasts, and who called the powerful down from their thrones (as his own mother predicted).

In our epistle reading this coming Sunday, St. Paul likewise urges Christians to own their counter-cultural heritage, to live fully and counter-culturally according to Jesus’s precepts of peace, justice, and hope in action. Such a commitment leads, without a doubt, to Christians living as, “strangers in a strange land,” whether in the context of 2000 years ago or now.

We in the US especially are often prone to assume a dominant Christian culture. Even people who are not particularly religious absorb a milieu that is nominally Christian. Our exclamations may include “Oh, my God!”—it even made it into Valley Girl-speak in the 1980s. Most people know that a “Judas” is a traitor, even if they never darken the door of a church. And of course, we see politician after politician posturing outside or inside the doors of churches, regardless of the way in which they live their very public lives. Tepid shows of piety for the sake of access to power is practically an American tradition. Probably as many business deals have been concluded at coffee hour at famous churches as have been concluded on the 18th fairway of the local country club.
 
Still, the reading from Ephesians reminds us that the Christian way of life is countercultural—and what is countercultural is often seen as foolish, at best, rather than wise. Living according to Christian precepts in a non-Christian culture such as that of the first century Mediterranean world made you outcasts—and outcasts quickly sank to the bottom in a culture based on family, tribe, and nation. Are we that much different?

As Christians, even living in a context awash with a mixture between secular and religious life, those of us who resolutely identify as Jesus-followers are STILL called not to conform ourselves to the world, quasi-Christian or not. That is, we as Christians are challenged not to bow to the expectations of a society founded on values that often fly in the face of the radical love and care that Jesus demonstrated time and again in the gospels. The author of the Letter to the Ephesians attempts to build a spirit of urgency, because most first generations of Christians believed Christ’s return to be imminent. But, even two thousand plus years later, we are challenged to embrace the radical ethos of the one who was crucified as a rebel against imperial power, rather than being a prop to it.

The 20th and 21st centuries have been marked by a pronounced loss of faith, hope, and love. Some acknowledge this by moaning about how “evil” these days are, and imagining that they are punishment from God for one perceived societal sin or another. Interestingly, the television preachers who trade in this kind of fear-mongering always pick an alleged “sin” from which they themselves feel safely insulated in their “personal” relationship with Jesus, which also demands nothing of them in terms of living as a person “FOR” others, as Jesus himself was wont to do.

While the days may be evil, they are evil due to our forgetting of the obligations we owe to each other as children of God and fellow pilgrims upon this earth. Yet this world is also a beautiful world, filled with wonder and love and loveliness. For this, Christians are instructed to give thanks to God always. 

We are not supposed to stomp around hating this life, but are called to transform it through our action. This has great implications for those who are growing weary of attempts to reform our justice system and confront the systematic oppression built into our relationships often with each other. 

Throughout the scriptures, we see a three-fold pattern that emerges for living a life in God: weep; hope; act. As we have discussed previously, much of our society now is directed at distraction and entertainment, which would be fine, except when we then become unable to sit with ourselves and our thoughts and values and examine them to see their effect on us and upon the world around us. Too often, it seems that many of us lack the ability to be empathetic to the suffering of others, especially if the action required to alleviate that suffering might make us uncomfortable or disturb the status quo. Wisdom can lead us to the place where we are able to weigh the costs and benefits of action against our calling to Christian love and radical acceptance and celebration.

We are called as self-identified Christians to be followers not of a corporate, buttoned-down savior. We are called to be followers of “the rebel Jesus”—rebel because he preached liberation to the captives; sight to those who were willfully blind, especially to the suffering of others; and hope to those who were told to suffer in silence rather than challenge the thrones and principalities that profited from human division and misery.

This is how the world is reconciled and redeemed: through the love that overturns powers and assumptions of privilege. It is a love that calls us to open our hands to received God’s good gifts rather than remain with clenched fists and closed hearts. 

Lead on, O Rebel Jesus.
The Rev. Leslie Scoopmire is a priest in the Diocese of Missouri. She is rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Ellisville, MO. She posts daily prayers, meditations, and sermons at her blog Abiding In Hope, and collects spiritual writings and images at Poems, Psalms, and Prayers.
IN BRIEF . . .

These news briefs were featured in previous issues of "The Epistle"
From The Epistle, August 6, 2021
Taking advantage of a unique virtual opportunity, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites all Episcopalians over 18 to consider applying to be a delegate to the 2021 United Nations climate change conference — known as the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties, or COP26. Applications are due by Aug. 20, and the presiding bishop’s delegation will attend daily virtual events during COP26, which takes place in Glasgow Oct. 31 to Nov. 12.

“This year’s online platform will allow for wider representation on the delegation,” said the Rev. Melanie Mullen, director of reconciliation, justice, and creation care for The Episcopal Church. “Episcopalians who are young adults, people of color, Indigenous, LGBTQ identifying, and from communities affected by climate change and environmental injustice are especially invited to apply.”

Organizers underscored the vital importance of decisions from the annual COP gatherings in the effort to reverse the worst effects of climate change. Already this year, June was recorded as North America’s hottest on record and the fourth hottest globally; the western U.S. is experiencing its worst drought in two decades.

“Non-governmental organizations, including religious bodies like The Episcopal Church, participate in these UN meetings by advocating for our own needs and concerns, especially giving voice to vulnerable populations within our Church,” said the Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California and head of the delegation. “As delegation members, we stand in solidarity with smaller nations, such as those in the Pacific Ocean, who already feel the leading-edge effects of climate change.”

During the conference, delegates will be expected to attend two to five hours of events per day and follow a particular issue within the climate negotiations. They will have the opportunity to speak at Episcopal Church COP events and write and publish blog posts about their engagement with the event.

“We bring our values and beliefs into the room at the COPs,” Andrus said. “The world religions hold the earth to be sacred, respect the rights of vulnerable populations, and have sacred paths for people to travel that lead us from disintegration to wholeness.”

The presiding bishop began sending a delegation to the COP with the historic Paris Agreement meeting in 2015 and has done so every year since. Delegates bring back what they learn to share with the wider church and also carefully monitor the major workstreams of the COP. These workstreams include mitigation, finance, adaptation, loss and damage, and raising ambition, which means accelerating progress to achieve emissions reduction goals and involves building consensus and partnering strategically at local and global levels.

The presiding bishop will announce his nominations for the delegation by early September. Members will meet monthly ahead of COP26 via video conferencing as well as daily during the November event.

To learn more and to apply by Aug. 20, visit https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/creation-care/cop26/

Contact creation@episcopalchurch.org with questions.

Published by the Office of Formation of The Episcopal Church, 815 Second Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017
© 2021 The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. All rights reserved.
office angel logo

Office Angels Want to Help Celebrate Your Birthday!
Look Forward to a Birthday Card in the Mail
The Office Angel Ministry humbly requests your participation in their new outreach effort. They would like to honor all participants on their birthdays with a special birthday card from All Saints' Church. If you would like to participate in this birthday initiative, please email back church@allsaintskauai.org with your birthday and any other information you would like to share. 

Birth years are not required, just the month and day. If you know of anyone else who may enjoy participating, please feel free to pass on their birthday and mailing address to us. Going forward, if we learn of birthdays from any sacramental events (baptisms, marriages, etc.) we will update your information to our list automatically. 
 
For those without email addresses, we will prepare a sign-up sheet to fill in at the church on Sundays. 
 
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. 
 
Mahalo!

-Cami Baldovino
Church Administrator
From The Epistle, July 30, 2021

Learn to Play Kaua`i's Only Pipe Organ
Scholarship Applications Being Accepted
Has All Saints' new organ sparked your interest in learning to play this wonderful instrument? The American Guild of Organists-Hawaii Chapter is accepting scholarship applications from August 1 to August 31, 2021 for the scholarship period October 2021 through September 2022. Auditions will be held in September 2021. Visit agohawaii.org to download an application. For details, e-mail Elizabeth Wong at ew_ago_hawaiichapter@yahoo.com

-Morris Wise
From The Epistle, July 23, 2021
Project Vision Hawaii
First Project Vision Donation Pickup
All Saints' Provides Needed Items for Portable Shower Project
project vision donations
Grace Meeks (Project Vision Community Health Coordinator), Cami Baldovino (All Saints' Administrator) and Carolyn Morinishi pose with some All Saints' donations. (Photo: Taylor Ragsac).

Project Vision Hawai`i (a 501(c)3 non-profit organization) thanks the members of All Saints' Kaua`i, as our little blue bin overflowed with donations to their ministry! For several more Sundays -- until August 15 -- the blue plastic bin will be outside All Saints church to collect donations. 

Project Vision (https://hotshowerskauai.orghelps bring free hot showers to Kaua`i's houseless community. They currently have a need for the following:
  • gently used towels, any size and color (bath towels, hand towels, washcloths)
  • boxes of gallon ziploc bags for the mobile hygiene kits
  • New, individually wrapped toiletry items (packets of wipes, bandaids, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene supplies, floss pics, hand sanitizer, etc)
  • unopened travel-size soaps, shampoos and lotions from hotels

For more information on this service project, please contact Carolyn Morinishi or the Church Office. 

Thank you All Saints' members for your incredible generosity!
From The Epistle, July 9, 2021


CONVENTION 53 and Education Day
Registration Now Open
  • Registration is now open for the Diocese's 53rd Annual Meeting of Convention and Education Day taking place October 22-23, 2021, at `Iolani School. (Please note recent change in dates.) Both the Annual Meeting and Education Day will be live-streamed. There is no fee to watch but online viewers must also register.

For more information, visit the Convention 53 webpage HERE. If you have questions, contact Rae Costa at (808) 536-7776, ext. 326 or email her HERE. To register, click on the button below.
Who Do You Call?

Contact information for All Saints' Ministries and Outreach

Please submit your story ideas to the Epistle Staff at news@allsaintskauai.org.
HALE HO`OMALU ACCEPTING DONATIONS
There is an on-going need for travel sized toiletries and canned goods so these items will be accepted every week. As always, monetary donations are gratefully accepted. Leave them in the red wagon outside the sanctuary

KUPUNA SHOPPING ASSISTANCE MINISTRY
Any of our All Saints' kupuna who need assistance with grocery shopping can contact Carolyn Morinishi at church@allsaintskauai.org to set up a delivery.

ALL SAINTS' VIRTUAL SWAP MEET
If any ministry has an unmet need, reach out to put it in the All Saints' Virtual Swap Meet and it will be published in the Epistle. Contact Bill Caldwell at news@allsaintskauai.org.

PASTORAL CARE CONTACT INFORMATION
Whenever you have a need for support, please call (650) 691-8104 and leave a voice mail. The system will immediately forward the information to the Pastoral Care Committee who will respond to each request. If you prefer, you may send an electronic pastoral care request via email to pastoralcare@allsaintskauai.org.

PRAYER CHAIN MINISTRY
Individuals who want to participate in the Prayer Chain Ministry must re-enroll to continue receiving the email communications. To re-enroll, please visit the newly established Pastoral Care web page or contact the Church Office at (808) 822-4267.

SUBMITTING A PRAYER REQUEST
Prayer requests will now be submitted online or by contacting the Church Office at (808) 822-4267.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Names can be added to the Prayers of the People petitions by using the Prayer Chain Request form or by contacting the Church Office at (808) 822-4267. Names will remain in the Prayers of the People for a maximum of four Sundays before a name must be resubmitted.