My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus,

The hateful and racist murder of innocent people at prayer in their home church on Wednesday is unfathomable and unacceptable. The shootings at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, strike to the core of the violence and hatred that are too often taken as acceptable and even expected in the United States.

As I heard of the murders, my mind filled with the words from Edmund Stuart Palmer's hymn, "Jesus, Son of Mary" (see The Hymnal 1982 #357):

I dwelt on the line: "Here 'mid stress and conflict toils can never cease; there, the warfare ended, bid them rest in peace." Whatever the mental state of the murderer, the reality of racism, white privilege and hate infect our very body politic in the United States and help create the environment for hate to grow and violence to flourish. Why must the "stress and conflict toils can never cease"? I fully accept the reality of human sin, but we must stand boldly against corporate sin and institutional racism. We must say no to gun violence.

Though the faces and presenting concerns are different, the hate and the barriers of society even exist in our Island home. We do, however, have insights to share with our sisters and brothers on North America. We Episcopalians in Hawaiʻi must make a difference.

For these immediate days, however, we must pray and mourn with our sisters and brothers in South Carolina. I call the Diocese to prayer this Sunday and instruct every congregation to specifically remember those who were murdered in South Carolina. As we stand in prayer in our churches, how can we not pray for those murdered at prayer in Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

O God, the King of saints, we praise and glorify your holy Name for all your servants who have finished their course in your faith and fear: for the blessed Virgin Mary; for the holy patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs; and for all your other righteous servants, known to us and unknown; and especially this day for the martyrs of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Charleston, South Carolina, and we pray that, encouraged by their examples, aided by their prayers, and strengthened by their fellowship, we also may be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Your servant in Christ Jesus,
+Bob

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick, Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i
and The Episcopal Church in Micronesia

Immediately following the Laundry Love meeting next Wednesday, there will be a meeting for volunteers and those interested in helping out with our 10th Annual Fun in Fellowship (FiF) Dodgeball Tournament. 

This will be a very special tournament with custom awards and t-shirts for both participants and officials. After ten years, Tournament Director, Sybil Nishioka, has announced that this will be her final year running the program and is looking for someone willing to take over. Nishioka has enlisted the help of Faith Shiramizu, who has been a co-chair in its early years, and returns to help make this a very special tournament for our community.

Depending on the preceding Laundry Love meeting, folks can expect the dodgeball meeting to begin at approximately 6:45 PM. We also anticipate it to be quick meeting.

Each year we have offered a souvenir program, but as part of this year's celebration, we will be printing a very special souvenir program that will contain photos from the first tournament in 2006 through 2014. It will also help raise extra funding for the special awards and items being planned for this year's tournament, so if you would like to help support dodgeball, consider purchasing an ad for your business or cheering on your favorite team!  You can download the information and program ad form off the FiF Dodgeball webpage or click HERE.  

Our July Saturday Market and Swap Meet will be all about animals and our pets, and we are currently working with the Kauai Humane Society to bring some pups for adoption.  Along with our regular line-up of fabulous crafters, we are seeking vendors with animal services and items to participate for free, that could include pet sitters, trainers, groomers, pet treats, fish breeders & aquariums, birds, and most anything to do with all creatures great and small! Free spaces are limited, so sign up or inquire early.  For more information, visit the webpage HERE, or to register, click HERE.

FOOD VENDORS WANTED! We are also looking for food/coffee vendors that will make the Saturday Market a regular site. If you know of any potential food vendors, please share the word and have them visit our webpage HERE, or e-mail halelani@hawaiiantel.net. 

POP-UP TENTS AVAILABLE FOR RENT!  The church has made available a couple pop-up tents that vendors may rent for $10. We are offering this option for new vendors that may want to "test the waters" before purchasing a tent of their own. These go fast, so requests should be made early.

Our 10th annual Fun In Fellowship Dodgeball Tournament is coming up on July 24 & 25, with practices starting up on Tuesday, July 7.   This year, we are ordering up special trophies, shirts, awards and prizes, to commemorate 10 years of fun and fellowship that this event has provided to our community.  We will need lots of volunteers and especially referees and gym supervisors who will get special training sessions. Our first meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 24, immediately following the Laundry Love meeting in Memorial Hall that starts at 6:00 PM. For more information, visit the dodgeball webpage HERE or visit us on Facebook!    

Dont' forget to ask for a headset or large-print service bulletin! Both items are available through our ushers who will be more than happy to set you up!

The nursery has also been hooked up so that the service can be heard through a speaker in that room. Parents with very young children can now sit and relax with them while they play, and are also able to hear the service.