Updated 9/7/2023
September Follow-Up Appeal (in response to communications with The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick, Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai’i)
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all who have donated to the Bishop’s Appeal for Maui fire victims. In addition to funds sent directly to Episcopal Relief and Development (ER&D), the Diocese received over $18,000 to be forwarded to ER&D in support of those devasted by this disaster.
Bishop Marray has been in touch with Bishop Fitzpatrick of the Diocese of Hawaii who suggests donating to Holy Innocents’ Church. Bishop Fitzpatrick shared that the church, preschool and vicarage have all been destroyed. Many parishioners and preschool teachers lost their homes, and one parishioner was killed in the fire. More information and updates (including links to donate online) can be found here: MAUI RELIEF – The Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii (episcopalhawaii.org).
Moving forward, all donations for Hawaii that come to the Diocese will be redirected to Holy Innocents. Donations may also be mailed to:
The Episcopal Church in Hawai’i
Attn.: Holy Innocents Episcopal Church
229 Queen Emma Square
Honolulu, HI 96813
Original August 15th Appeal from Bishop San:
Dear Diocesan Family,
My beloved in Christ, the images of the unimaginable destruction and the faces of those who have lost everything in the wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui remain fresh in our minds as the news coverage continues. As a result of this natural disaster, so many lives have been affected by the fires aftermath. We pray for those whose lives have been lost, and their families left behind to grieve.
There are four (4) Episcopal churches on Maui, the second largest Hawaiian island: Church of the Good Shepard in Wailuku, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Kula, Trinity Episcopal Church by the Sea in Kihei and Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in Lahaina (site of much death and destruction).
Excerpted from the Diocese of Hawaii’s website: “Lahaina was devastated. Historic Holy Innocents Church is on Front Street where the fire very quickly swept into old Lahaina town. Those old buildings made out of wood, went up in flames quickly. Some of the buildings destroyed date back to the days of whaling and when the town was the seat of the monarchy (early 1800s). Likely, this includes our church, Holy Innocents, based on an aerial photo sent to the office. The Sanctuary, vicarage, preschool and office appear to be completely gone (as does the public elementary school next door). Whole Lahaina neighborhoods are gone. Because of evacuations, downed landlines and cell towers, and the chaos of the situation, no one other than first responders are allowed into Lahaina, and we have had no first hand confirmation of the losses.”
“The clergy have reported in as safe.”
Considering the devastation and destruction that surrounds us, we give thanks for the safety of our homes and loved ones. In the spirit of our many blessings, I ask that you reach out in your abundance and make a donation to Episcopal Relief and Development (ER&D) to aid those impacted in Maui.
The humanitarian needs are many, and ER&D stands ready to dispense much needed funds quickly. Your gift will provide our ER&D partners on the ground with critical supplies, such as food and water, pastoral care, and other urgent needs. You will also be assisting with the long-term effort needed to rebuild and heal. Please be generous with your gifts.
If you are not comfortable making your donation online to ER&D, you may mail or deliver your contribution (made out to the Diocese of Easton), to Bray House at 314 North Street, Easton, MD 21601, and please include in the memo line Bishop’s Disaster Relief. The diocese will remit your donation together with the name of your parish or personal names to ER&D. All donations will be directly deposited to the Episcopal Relief and Development office.
We continue to pray for the victims, first responders, and relief workers in the wake of the wildfires that have affected the island of Maui.
With a grateful heart,
+Bishop San
