Missions Beyond the Church

MISSIONS BEYOND THE CHURCH

Missions Beyond the Church include ministries of justice, peace and reconciliation, being responsive to human needs beyond our walls, including Episcopal Relief and Development, seminary support, feeding ministries, interfaith/ecumenical, and relationship with the Anglican Communion partners and the Philippine Independent Church. Below are just a few of these missions that churches in our Diocese are involved in.

Disaster Preparedness

With earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis a living part of our corporate memory, the people of this Diocese take the phrase “this fragile earth, our island home” from the Book of Common Prayer (see Eucharistic Prayer C, page 370) with the utmost seriousness. We know too well that disasters can and do occur – often with little or no warning. But if we prepare, we can face nearly any disaster backed by knowledge, skills and a network that could endeavor to assess and address needs quickly and efficiently. It is now up to every congregation and the leaders of this Diocese to put the work of many contributors to good use, and to prepare for the unforeseen.

Resources
Disaster Preparedness Handbook - This is the current version of the diocese's Disaster Preparedness Handbook, entitled "In God's Hands and Ours". It is intended for use by all in the diocese, including families and individuals. The forms and leaflets at the back of the Handbook can be printed for use in implementing the plan.

Grateful recognition is given to the Episcopal Dioceses of East Tennessee and New York for leading the way with their plans, from which this our Hawai'i resource has evolved. Our plan and its antecedents also draw heavily upon work by Lutheran Disaster Response of Tennessee, the American Red Cross and FEMA, and numerous other governmental and nonprofit sources.

Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD)

Episcopal Relief and Development - Episcopal Relief & Development is an international relief and development agency and a compassionate response to human suffering on behalf of The Episcopal Church of the United States. Our work to heal a hurting world is guided by the principles of compassion, dignity and generosity.

Faith Action for Community Equity

Faith Action (Faith Action for Community Equity, formerly known as FACE) a Gamaliel Foundation affiliate, is a faith-based grassroots organization in Hawaiʻi founded in 1996. Faith Action grew out of a sponsoring committee established in the mid-1990s with the assistance of the Center for Community Change. In November 2008 Faith Action became a statewide organization when the Maui chapter was founded. They currently have a membership base of 27 institutions on Oahu, 24 on Maui, and one statewide institution. Combined on both islands, they are made up of 38 churches, a Buddhist temple, 2 Jewish congregations, 10 community groups and non-profit organizations, and one labor union. Faith Action's membership reflects the cultural and socio-economic diversity of our community.

Faith Action exists to allow its members to live out our common, faith-based values by engaging in actions that challenge the systems that perpetuate poverty and injustice. They work to balance social, economic and community activity with a deep spiritual commitment. The spiritual centeredness empowers a return of hope and love to the public arena.

While rooted primarily in religious congregations, Faith Action invites the membership of other community groups as well. A church or civic organization is accepted for membership when the senior pastor, church council, or equivalent body formally signs our Covenant Statement.

Homeless Ministries

IHS Hawaii - IHS, The Institute for Human Services, Inc., is a comprehensive social services agency working to prevent and end homelessness in Hawaii. They are a 501(C)3 – a private, non-profit organization, that is solution oriented and positive outcome-driven. Their mission is to provide "respite for those who are unsheltered and solutions that transform the lives of homeless and at-risk people." Their vision is "a community where everyone has a right to, and responsibility for safe, decent, and affordable housing."
Family Promise of Hawaii - A non-profit group with a mission to mobilize existing community resources to aid families with children experiencing homelessness and help them transition to sustainable independence.

Interfaith Alliance

Interfaith Alliance Hawaii - The Interfaith Alliance Hawai‘i (TIAH) has risen to be a voice for justice in our state. It is an organization of individuals that speak from the perspectives of over 30 faith-based traditions.

Interfaith Power & Light

Hawaii Interfaith Power & Light: A religious response to global warming. The goals of HIPL are to raise awareness of the spiritual importance of global warming among diverse faith communities, provide inspiration and resources for taking action, and advocate on behalf of policies that promote energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy.

Thrift Shops

Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop - Serving the North Shore Community of Kaua'i at 2518 Kolo Road in Kilauea by offering a large selection of highly affordable clothes, books, children’s toys, and household goods for sale.
Holy Nativity Thrift Shop - Situated at 5286 Kalanianaole Hwy, Honolulu, the Holy Nativity Thrift Shop has merchandise ranging from high end to ordinary, always in good condition, occasionally one-of-a-kind. Two or three times each years, special one-day sales happen in the Morrett Gymnasium.
St. Augustine's Thrift Shop - In addition to other Community Outreach programs, St. Augustine's has a Thrift Shop (54-3801 Akoni Pule Hwy, Kapaau, Big Island - located near Walker Hall) that was recently remodeled and is run by a volunteer manager and four to five women who help sort and sell the many donated items. The shop is open twice a week in the afternoons and the last Saturday of the month to avail the community lunch crowd. The shop meets the needs of the community as well as bringing in additional income for the church.
St. James' Thrift Shop - Located in Waimea, on the Big Island, please stop by for vintage clothing, household goods, and everything else you can imagine. They also welcome contributions to inventory.
St. Stephen's Thrift Shop - 1679 California Ave, Wahiawa (Oahu); call (808) 621-8662 for hours and directions.