Most folks who lost properties or incurred damage in their properties have applied for assistance from FEMA. And although many (US citizens) have already received assistance from FEMA, there is still confusion whether foreign contract workers can avail of FEMA assistance. Except for the few, most contract workers who applied for assistance have been denied help.

Meanwhile the two families from St. Paul's who lost their homes found new homes. The church paid for their security deposit and first month's rent. Bob also found a new home and Mercy made an arrangement with her friend to stay with him. We also helped another family who lost their home to transfer to another place. The church assisted with the materials to fix the place.

The donations received are as follows:

St. John's Church Guam: $754

Hawaii Congregations and individuals: $8,980

Alaska: $650

Total cash donations: $10,384.00

We also received in-kind donations such as water gallons, butane gas, mosquito coils, bug sprays, flash lights, school supplies, clothes, battery operated fans, groceries, toiletries and hot meals.

With the cash donations the church gave housing assistance and food assistance to those who suffered severe loss and damage of properties and those whose work hours have been shortened ($1,350). We gave about 300 bags of groceries and non-perishable goods, inverters, flashlights, solar lights, candles, cell cards, solar phone chargers ($3,812) to members of the church and their friends and also to the United Methodist Church congregation.

Total expenditures: $5,162

The church has also been serving meals to those who come to church on Sundays. With the remaining donations the church will continue to extend help as needed.

For additional insight into the situation of contract workers after Typhoon Soudelor, please read the following open letter to President Obama HERE. 

Thank you for the support and advocacy and prayers. On behalf of St. Paul's congregation, I extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to those who opened their hearts and sent help.

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Reflections by The Rev. Raymond Woo

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Pictured at top, Bishop Fitzpatrick takes a quiet moment enjoying the serenity and beauty of Camp Mokule'ia; above right, the same spot framing the breathtaking sunset. (Photos by Alison Dingley)

 

Pictured above is the Waiolaihuiʻia community after celebrating the Eucharist with Fr. Ray Woo who presided at the special Spouses' weekend service in August. Spouses were invited to come on Sunday to meet with Bishop Richard Chang and his wife Dee (center) who conducted sessions to discuss some of the challenges and situations that both the Waiolaihui'ia participants and their spouses need to be aware of as they continue to move into the life of ordained ministry.  (Photo courtesy of Hau'oli Tomoso)

Waiolaihui'ia is the Diocese's three-year priest formation program that holds ten residential weekends during the year. For more information, download a description of the program HERE, or visit the Diocesan website HERE.  

 

On Sunday, August 23, 2015, the Inaugural Prince Albert Feast Day was celebrated at The Cathedral of St. Andrew. The event was organized and sponsored by the 'Iolani Guild in coordination with Cathedral church members. The service, which was dedicated to all children of Hawai'i, drew a wide audience of Hawaiian Civic organizations, the Fire Department, and children and families from all of the different Cathedral Sunday services. Fittingly, the children played a vital role in the service, singing and playing ukulele, under the tutelage of Kupuna Vicki Hollinger and Leilani Kaho'ano.  

 

 

St. Elizabeth's Featured in Honolulu Civil Beat

Cathedral's School Drive Brings in Record Donations
By Susan Hansen, The Cathedral of St. Andrew Outreach Committee

Members of all ages from Epiphany Episcopal Church enjoyed a fun weekend at Camp Mokule'ia in August. Pictured above, campers enjoyed the pristine beach, played silly games, devoured watermelon and of course celebrated the Eucharist at beachside with Malcolm Hee and the Rev. Irene Tanabe. Those staying in the lodges reported being treated to an awesome lightning show during the night!   (Photos by Portia Okamoto)

Christ Memorial Celebrates 1-Year Anniversary of Food Pantry

The following excerpt and photo are from the St.Michael & All Angel's monthly newsletter:

Loaves & Fishes: Community Service at Its Best

By Pat Hillegonds, Director of Outreach Ministries

The Loaves and Fishes ministry has been around since at least the 1980s, so while it seems rather silly, some 30 years later, to ask what it is, many people are in fact confused as to its purpose. Loaves and Fishes is the outreach feeding ministry of St. Michael's Church. In a nutshell, we give away food. But there's a whole lot going on every Wednesday morning besides cans of tuna fish and cartons of yogurt and orange juice. Every week, anywhere from seventy to over a hundred people gather at St. Michael's. What many of you don't know is that this is a real community of people who gather every Wednesday morning - people who know each other and care for each other. It's "those people", and the connections between people, that are the very heart and core of the Loaves and Fishes Ministry.

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Sharing the Laundry Love with ECWO

Members of All Saints' Episcopal Church in Kapa'a, were sharing the "Laundry Love" with representatives from the Episcopal Church of West O'ahu (ECWO) at its August 19 session. Pictured above, Keane Akao, Director of Operations and Congregational Development for ECWO, poses with All Saints' member Kim Shields in washing section #1. In the center photo, Shana Ikeda, Bishop's Warden for St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Kapolei, takes a quick break from loading machines. Keane and Shana came to Kaua'i to check out the new laundry ministry that began in June, and to see if a similar program could be implemented in West O'ahu. Laundry Love originally began with an Episcopal Church in California over 12 years ago and has spread nationwide with hundreds of groups now sharing laundry love! 

A Cup of Cold Water:  For the "Common Good"

By Cindy Schumacher

This past August, A Cup of Cold Water (ACCW) held its 2nd annual gathering at Trinity by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Kihei, to give thanks for the success of its outreach ministry. In late 2012 the four Episcopal Churches on Maui, Good Shepherd, Holy Innocents, St. John's and Trinity-by-the-Sea, worked on a vision - a vision right from the Gospel of Jesus - to serve the growing homeless population on this island.

Spearheaded by ACCW Founder and President Keku Akana, it began with a small group of Episcopalians and a few friends. With a blessing and joyful send-off from Trinity Church, the ACCW care-van took to the road on October 13, 2013. Therefore, it was with a great sense of privilege that Trinity welcomed almost 80 volunteers and many friends to the 2nd Annual Pa'ina Celebration.

"We gave thanks to the powerful ways in which God has sustained and grown this ministry for almost two years on the road," said the Rev. Austin Murray of Trinity-by-the-Sea. "On our journey the Gospels constantly remind us that Jesus spent most of his time with the poor and downcast. Inspired by his example, the vision took shape: support and minister to the homeless in a very basic way, a cup of cold water given in love."

ACCW is a shining example of how Christian efforts can bring religious convictions into the public arena and use them to serve the common good. The program, via the care-van, distributes food, clothing and essential hygiene to the poor and homeless throughout the island.

"As Christians, we are called to an active faith, not a passive one," added the Rev. Kerith Harding of St. John's, Kula.  Our partnerships with the four Episcopal churches on Maui and with our other ecumenical, interfaith and community partners echo Paul's words to the Galatians, 'In Christ there is no longer Jew nor Greek, no longer slave nor free, no longer male nor female.' What really matters is justice, love and peace. What matters is the common good!"

Founder Keku Akana shared impressive statistics but was quick to add, "ACCW is first and foremost a spiritual mission. So although we need numbers and stats, our most important program measure is that we serve, love, listen, touch, smile, pray and offer hope to our fellow neighbors in need.  ACCW is a mission that directs us away from our physical church to the streets," said Akana. "We find the incarnate Christ in the bodies of the neglected, addicted, lonely, mentally ill, depressed, voiceless and the poor."

"During this time ACCW has attracted support from willing volunteers from other Christian churches, from a variety of community organizations and from other faiths," noted Rev. Murray. "It was with particular joy at our 2nd Annual Pa'ina Celebration that we welcomed and prayed with our Buddhist brothers and sisters under the leadership of Rev. Richard Tennes from Kahului Hongwanji Mission."

Akana summarized. "We realize these simple acts of 'no strings attached aloha' are more necessary than ever. We cannot help everyone, but we can help someone," he said. "We are not here to solve poverty, we are here to comfort while we look for ways to minimize poverty."

Pictured above are Bishop Fitzpatrick with Maui clergy and volunteers of ACCW. For more information, to help, or to donate to ACCW, contact Keku Akana or Mary Lou Mellinger at Good Shepherd Church (808) 419-1637,  or e-mail .  (Photos by Cindy Schumacher)

In other ACCW news, on August 16, 2015, Bank of Hawai'i presented a $5,000 check to ACCW for its "diligent and consistent outreach program to the homeless of Maui." Pictured second from right, is Debra Lynch, the first female driver for ACCW and a run coordinator, who accepted the check on behalf of ACCW. (Photo from the Trinity By-the-Sea online newsletter) 

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Maui Legacy Society Gathering

The Diocese's  Hō'ike Ulu Legacy Society held their annual Maui gathering on Friday, September 4, 2015, at Aria's Restaurant and Catering. All church members that have  made provisions for a planned gift or bequest benefiting your local congregation or the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i are invited to join. Each year, members on each island gather together for food and fellowship. For more information on the Legacy Society, download the informational brochure HERE .  Pictured above from left are  Marilyn Cleghorn,  Arthur Kusumoto, Peter Pereira, the Rev. Linda Decker, the Rev. Jodene Hawkins, Susie Davis, Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick, John Decker, Kit Hawkins, and Teri Pike.  Members that were unable to attend were David & Ruth Fullaway, Ellen Lundquist, Paul and Cindy Schumacher, the Rev. Heather Mueller, and Jean Fiddes.  (Photo courtesy of the Bishop's Office.)
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Good Shepherd Annual Back to School Supplies Drive

Holy Apostles Shares the Word Through  Pop-Up Eucharist

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St. Jude's Annual Beach Mass

From the Congregations of St. James' Weekly Newsletter:

Reaching Out from St. James

During the month of August, volunteers at the St. James' Thrift Store were busy logging in over 1,100 volunteer hours, and donating tons of items to different organizations near and far, including blankets and coats to Hansi Ministries for the Ukraine, and clothing to Grace Episcopal Church on Molokai. Closer to home, they gave items to the Lion's Club, Food Bank, schools, the library, North Hawaii Community Hospital, and ministries for the homeless. They were also able to give 90 dresses and 24 suits to Hawaii Preparatory Academy for their Winter Ball!  Nina Disbro, the Thrift Store Ministry Coordinator  shared a thank you letter from The Kohala Animal Relocation and Education Service (KARES) who were delighted with the 14 bags of linens and rugs they received to help in their neuter/spay clinics.  

Members also make special collections for the Food Pantry, with weekly deliveries to Annunciation. Pictured above are bags of food from a recent special food drive. Sister church St. Columba's also contributes to the weekly collection.  (Photo by Jada Rufo)

 

Presiding Bishop, Other Faith Leaders Endorse 

Pope's Climate Change Imperative

By Pat McCaughan, Episcopal News Service

In the wake of Pope Francis' historic visit to Washington, D.C., Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and other faith leaders on September 24, committed to five initiatives to address global climate change.

On the Front Line of the Refugee Crisis in Hungary, Elsewhere

[Anglican Communion News Service]   Saint Margaret's Anglican Episcopal Church  in Budapest, Hungary, part of the  Church of England's Diocese of Europe,  is on the front-line of the Syrian refugee crisis, with tens of thousands of asylum seekers passing through the city each day en route to Germany via Austria. The German authorities have announced that anybody fleeing the conflict in Syria who reaches Berlin will be granted refugee status.

At the weekend, members of the parish gathered at the city's Keleti International Train Station to prepare and distribute aid packets to the refugees. "There were about 25 to 30 of us in all, everyone was enthusiastic and eager to help", the Rev. Frank Hegedus, the local chaplain and area dean, and a priest of the Diocese of Los Angeles, said in a report on the Diocese in Europe's website. "We felt that such simple things could make the biggest difference in the short term, although we also knew that much more would need to be done over the coming days and weeks."   READ MORE