Camp Ho’omana is a Blessing!

Two weeks ago, I was privileged to serve as chaplain at our Episcopal Camp Mokule’ia for

Camp Ho’omana (which, from Hawaiian, translates to “empowerment”). It was the second annual gathering of adult campers with Intellectual disabilities, most commonly Down’s syndrome and autism.

Our staff had a lengthy orientation session before the campers arrived; our facilitator helped us

learn how best to support our adult campers.

Ohana brought their 24 family members to us the

next morning, sad to leave them but also grateful for a very rare few days of respite from

24- hour care. Counselors and other staff jumped in, as they do in every camp session, to

welcome, orient and encourage their campers to sing, swim, paddle, make art, rest, and pray

together for the next few days.

A highlight of the week, for me, was the talent show on our last evening together. The variety

was greater than I have ever seen. Entries included solo and duet singing and dancing to

popular music, but also hula, story-telling, an art show, and the completion of a word search on

a big whiteboard on stage. Support for the participants was incredibly enthusiastic; it was loud!

My prayers continue for each of these campers, as they return to their families. If anyone would

like to meet some of our campers, know that many of them participate in Special Olympics,

which always welcomes new volunteers.

Let me know and I’ll get you connected!

With gratitude for every one in God’s household, –Rev Libby+

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General Convention Update

Continuing coverage from the past few weeks, from Rev. Jenn



Another person who spoke in support of green initiatives was Ronny Newman, with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, who shared the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act for non-profits who are working toward carbon neutrality. Churches and other non-profits can receive up to 30% cash back for solar projects, EV chargers, and purchasing EV cars, making all of these carbon reducing investments more affordable. For more information, check out this website. https://www.irs.gov/inflation-reduction-act-of-2022

There were a couple of resolutions adopted by GC81 that will have positive impacts on the Churchʻs efforts to reduce our carbon output by 2030 (something that the Church committed to doing at GC80 two years ago).

First, Resolution A021 creates a $3 million loan program for churches to draw on for carbon reducing capital projects. This program is intended to help churches reach net zero by 2030. Second, ResolutionB002 builds Eco-Region Creation Networks of dioceses that will help regions that share watersheds to “link people, projects and properties dedicated to nature-based solutions to slow climate change through preserving and restoring plant communities appropriate to their bioregion; modeling transformative agriculture and food systems; and tackling issues of water quality and supply.”

Finally, Resolution D050 allocates funds to help map out steps for our churches to reach net-zero by 2030. This final resolution, D050, was submitted by the Diocese of Northern California, where they have 37 churches in the process of attaining net-zero.



See the Church of St. Martinʻs website describing their journey to become a zero carbon church.

 https://churchofstmartin.org/2021/04/08/becoming-a-zero-carbon-church/

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NEW School Board Elected

On July 1, 2024, four board members began their new terms.

Congrats & Good Luck!

·        Carol Ching (HNC member)

·        Rick Sing (former HNS parent/returning for a 2nd term)

·        Jack Tonaki (HNC member & former HNS parent)

·        Jarrett Walters (parent of a current HNS student)

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BOOK SIGNING!

Sunday, July 21st



Dr. Bill Heran will be sharing with us this Sunday about his new book,

The Missing Peace: Discovering Inner Peace one Day at a Time. 

Bill will be giving an introduction to his book during our announcements. There will be books available for sale after Service, and Bill will 

sign your copy. 



The cost of the book, now in paperback, is $20. Cash or check only, please.

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Newly Paved Thrift Shop

Parking Lot!

HNS parents donated the funds to have our Thrift Shop parking lot repaved, and it looks great!

Mahalo Nui Loa to the DeWolf family for their generosity, and for this much needed upgrade!

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REMINDERS

Please pick up your

2nd quarter Giving Statement, on Sunday or in the office during the week.

Statements that are not picked up will be mailed.

+++++++

The new Service Participants ROTA starts

July 21st.

The link can be found at the top/left of this newsletter and on the HNC website.

https://www.holynativityhonolulu.org/

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Thrift shop bargains the month of July:

all items with Green Tags will be 50% off.

New hours for JULY, Wednesday & Saturday

9a-12p -- CLOSED FRIDAYS

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