The Episcopal Church joins this international effort of prayer and action for climate justice and an end to environmental racism and ecological destruction. This year's theme was Let Justice and Peace Flow that kicked off with an online global ecumenical prayer service on September 1 (shown here).
Churches around the Diocese of Hawai'i took this year's observance of the Season of Creation to heart in multiple ways: liturgically in worship, with intentional congregational planning for reducing energy use, and by taking action in our community. Mahalo to the Rev. Brianna Lloyd, a member of the Diocese's Environmental Justice and Creation Care Task Force (EJCC), for her help in putting together the stories below. |
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Work Day at Nā Mea Kūpono Learning Center (Oʻahu)On September 16, 2023, Episcopalians living on Oʻahu gathered to work on a farm in Waialua, the Nā Mea Kūpono Learning Center. Kuʻuipo, the farmer, shared stories and taught us about what she does to live in harmony with the land, including farming kalo and other crops using all natural inputs. She showed us how to work in one of her loʻi, weeding and trimming the grasses that were encroaching on the kalo. Working all together, we made good progress in freeing the kalo from the weeds (as you can see from the photos). Being in the loʻi, so close to the ecosystem that helps these important crops to grow, was inspiring for us all. Each part of the system is important, from the mud to the fish to the kalo to the farmer. Many of us decided we would welcome another chance to work with Kumu Kuʻuipo. If you are interested in the work being done at Nā Mea Kūpono Learning Center, please check out the video HERE and look for an opportunity to join another workday in the future.
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Because of the fires on Maui, they redirected their plans to address more immediate needs of neighbors on the island. They strengthened their capacity for community meal and food pantry outreach by adding two new Energy Star refrigerators and an Energy Star freezer. These additions were aided by support from the Carbon Reducton Assistance fund delivered through the diocesan EJCC Task Force (for more information about these funds, see our web page on the diocesan website HERE).
The church was able to host a successful Garden Day before the season officially began, hoping to host additional ones in the future, but they have since struggled with axis deer on the property. For questions about upcoming Gardening Days, contact Janet Makua at (808) 878-1485. Recently, the church harvested two buckets of homemade compost from their rotating composter for use on some young, native trees on their property, and held a Pet Blessing service on Sunday, October 1. Julenne Mounts from the Green Team also offered this link as a helpful resource for greening congregations: https://earthministry.org/greening-congregations-toolkit/ |
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St. James' (Hawai'i Island):A beautiful new altar hanging for St. James' Kawaihae Beach Mass, was created by Virginia Bourdeau, to be used during the Season of Creation. The detailed artwork was inspired by Fr. David Stout on the Feast of St. Francis, when he said "All God's creatures have a place in the choir." It features animals and plants from around the Island of Hawai'i, on land and in the ocean. (Click on image for larger version.)
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'Iolani School: Poster For Season of CreationWith the support of Candice Sakuda, ʻIolani Schoolʻs Director of Community and Civic Engagement, student Audrey took some time this summer to create this year's Season of Creation poster, which was used by the Diocese's Environmental Justice and Creation Care (EJCC) Task Force. Audrey adapted the poster shared via the Season of Creation website, adding a QR code and some information about our EJCC hopes for the season. Mahalo nui loa to Audrey! (Click on image for larger version.)
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Click above to go to the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i's main website.
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