Aloha Beloved Diocesan ‘Ohana and friends,

A few weeks have passed since the Bishop’s Pastoral Note to us, written after his trip to Maui right after the wildfires. In his message, he mentioned I would be spending a few days each week on-island offering the in-person support of the Diocesan Support Center (DSC) to Holy Innocents and in any place or moment where it is needed or would be helpful. With three of these weekly trips taken, and the most immediate and expedient response at least begun, I write to offer a summary of where things are at the moment. READ MORE

#seaburystrong: Priory Students Share Message of Support to Maui

The St. Andrew's Priory Seniors took time during their Senior Camp to share a heartfelt message to their sibling Episcopal school on Maui, Seabury Hall, knowing that the entire closeknit community on Maui is deeply affected by the fires. To view the video message on YouTube, click HERE or on the image.

The Racial Reconciliation Task Force (RRTF) has almost finished the final draft of the hybrid curriculum using Difference and Hōʻimi Pono, that will be presented during Education Day at Convention 55 in October. Last month, the General Convention Deputies had the opportunity to pilot the five sessions of Hōʻimi Pono. The Deputies were able to provide wonderful comments to help our reconciliation curriculum become stronger! Pictured above L-R: the Rev. Charles Browning, Evette Tampos, Kim Arakawa, the Rev. Hauʻoli Tomoso, the Rev. Jenn Latham, the Ven. Steve Costa, Peter Lee, Bea Fitzpatrick, the Rev. David "Kawika" Jackson, Laura La Gassa, Ryan Kusumoto, the Rev. Canon Brian Grieves, the Rev. Andrew Arakawa, and Joseph Eppink. (Missing is Mary Sueoka) (Story and photo contributed by Joseph Eppink)

Coming Up at Camp Mokulēʻia

HALLOWEEN 'OHANA STAY-CAY WEEKEND, October 27-29 - Trick or treat your way through Camp Mokulēʻia's family friendly weekend full of pumpkin carving, silhouette painting, monster collages, outdoor movie showing of Hotel Transylvania, zip-lining, kayaking, paddle boarding, yard games and s'mores at the campfire. We'll finish the campfire with a teen only spooky story time! Family friendly costumes are encouraged! REGISTER HERE

New feature! Our Traveling Clergy

Clergy in our Diocese travel far and wide during their time away from their churches, whether for vacation, sabbatical, on a pilgrimage or retreat. When documented through a blog or shared in a newsletter, their journey serves as a wonderful adventure for readers to enjoy. We will be sharing periodic stories in this section called Our Traveling Clergy. Our first story takes us to England with the Rev. Paul Lillie from St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Honolulu. Click HERE to read about his extensive three-week pilgrimage in England that was hosted by The Living Church. (Photo of St. Paul's Church, London, from his blog)

During the Diocese of Hawai'i's first ChurchBiz Conference held at The Cathedral of St. Andrew in July, Diocesan Archivist Stuart Ching prepared a display of "treasures" from our archives.

Among the treasures are an old English Prayer Book belonging to one of Kamehameha I’s trusted advisors, Chiefess Liliha’s copy of the Gospel of Matthew, Kamehameha IV’s Bible, Kamehameha V’s Prayer Book, a first edition Hawaiian language Prayer Book given by Bishop Staley to his daughter, Queen Emma’s Holy Bible/Prayer Book combination, and more. You can view a video of these treasures with Canon Sandy Graham and Stuart Ching on the Diocese's YouTube channel HERE or download a hardcopy version nmow available HERE.

Protecting Places of Worship

Did you know that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has a Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships? Along with preparedness training and resources, they "seek to partner with faith and community leaders to promote whole community participation in disaster emergency response and recovery." Visit their website HERE for more information and resources including the Six Steps to Enhance Security Against Targeted Violence. The Center is also offering the following free webinars during September, as part of National Preparedness month:

• CISA Introduction to Bomb Threat Management - September 20 (12:00 PM EDT, 6:00 AM HST)
• CISA Active Shooter Preparedness - September 20 (2:00 PM EDT, 8:00 AM HST)
• Negotiating Mid- to Long-Term Recovery - September 21 (12:00 PM EDT, 6:00 AM HST)
• Faith-Based Situation Manuals - September 21 (2:00 PM EDT, 8:00 AM HST)
• CISA Response to Suspicious Behaviors - September 27 (2:00 PM EDT, 8:00 AM HST)

The United Thank Offering Board is pleased to announce the availability of its 2024 UTO Annual Grants, with a focus on projects that welcome and include “the stranger.” Application deadlines are December 1, 2023, for Anglican Communion partners and January 19, 2024, for dioceses of The Episcopal Church.

More information—including criteria for applicants, sample budgets and timelines, and helpful hints—as well as application and other forms are available online in English and Spanish. Instructional videos created by the UTO grants committee will be posted online. READ MORE

The St. Andrew's Ringing Society (StARS) will be hosting various events during the week of September 26-October 1, 2023, and introducing the visiting ringers to The Cathedral and our eight change ringing bells. Many of them have been on international ringing trips to South Africa, Canada, and around the United States.

The public is invited to the following events:

• Saturday, September 30 - Bell Tower Tours given from 5:00-7:00 PM. This is a Diocesan-wide event, and all congregations are invited to visit and explore.
• Sunday, October 1 - The Cathedral will be hosting a special Aloha Hour after the 10:00 AM service under the Aloha Tent. All are welcome to grab some refreshments and stay to hear bell ringing from StARS and our English visitors.

For more information, email the Cathedral Office or call (808) 524-2822. The Cathdral of St. Andrew is located at 229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu, HI.

HAWAI'I ISLAND: Kahili for St. Augustine's

Members of St. Augustine's have been working with master feather workers since June to make kahili for their church. It has been a wonderful opportunity to learn this ancient Hawaiian craft from skilled kupuna and bring to fruition the project envisioned by both late music director Mila Polevia and Bishop Diana Akiyama.  

The group last met September 9, and made great progress! To make the kahili, feathers are attached with thread to specially designed wire forms that have three prongs. After the feathers are on, each prong must be carefully wrapped with ribbon to cover the wire. So far, we have completed most of the feather work, with only a few left to attach. Next time, we'll be working hard on ribbon wrapping. (Photos and story submitted by Kathy Webb)

St. Augustine's Episcopal Church will be holding their Annual Bazaar on Saturday, September 23, 2023, beginning at 8:30 AM for household items and plants, and from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM for all other shopping. There will be lots of food, live music, a Silent Auction, plants, produce, household goods, and great bargains from the Thrift Shop & Boutique. For more information, download their flyer HERE or call the church office at (808) 889-5390. St. Augustine's is located at 54-3801 Akoni Pule Hwy., in Kapa'au.

Presiding Bishop Offers Pastoral Word on Church Safety, Accountability

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry addressed concerns related to safety and accountability in the following video statement. A transcript can be found below the video. VIEW HERE