Hawaiian Church Chronicle: Latest news in the Diocese

January 26, 2023

This issue's header photo was taken at the First United Methodist Church on January 17, where this year's Queen Lili'uokalani Ho'ukuikahi Reconciliation Interfaith Service was held. The Revs. Kaleo Patterson (second from far left), Andrew Arakawa and Haaheo Guanson (both far right) were on hand to participate in this important annual service, along with others from the Diocese. See Feature Story below for more photos and information about this and other services that took place in the community during January. (Photo: Mike Peacock, Pacific Justice & Reonciliation Center)

From the Bishop

RIP: The Rev. John B. Connell

The Reverend John B. Connell (age 92) died on Saturday, January 21, 2023, after a long illness. John was ordained to the transitional diaconate (1985) and priesthood (1986) by Bishop Edmond Browning. He was the Vicar of St. Barnabas Church, Kapolei (previously Ewa Beach), from 1985 to 1998. He served in various interim ministries through the following years: St. Augustine’s Church, Kapaʻau; the Episcopal Church on West Kauaʻi; St. Peter’s Church, Honolulu; St. George’s Church, Pearl Harbor; and St. Luke’s Church, Honolulu. When his health allowed, John was a frequent supply priest for most congregations in the Diocese. Through the decades, John was active in the governance of the Diocese and the Cursillo community.

Please keep his wife, Carol, and the Connell family in your prayers.

O God, who hast made thy servant John to flourish among the Ministers of Apostolic Succession in the honorable office of a Priest: grant, we beseech thee, that he may also be joined with them in perpetual fellowship. Through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

(Service information is pending)

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick

(Pronouns: he, him, his)

Be sure to stay informed with the Bishop's latest messages by clicking on the button shown. All video messages also appear on the Dioceseʻs YouTube Channel and Facebook page.

Feature Stories

Wintertalk: Episcopalians Share Stories of Pain, Healing, Faith

The Episcopal Church's Office of Indigenous Ministries held their annual Winter Talk Conference in Green Bay Wisconsin, January 21-23, 2023. Winter Talk is an "annual multi-day conference that honors and highlights Indigenous and Native American traditions and contributions within the church."

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris were in attendance "to listen." From the Diocese of Hawai'i, Roth Puahala, the Junior Warden and Verger of The Cathedral of St. Andrew, was also there and shares his experience and take-away further below. READ MORE

Ecumenical & Interfaith Services: Bringing the Community Together

January is a busy month of special observances and services, especially here in Hawai'i. Epiphany (January 6) marks the end of the Christmas Season as we journey towards Lent, but in between, we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day (3rd Monday), Ho'okuikahi (January 17) honoring Queen Lili'uokalani on the date of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25), and Religious Life Sunday (January 22).

All of these observances and services have brought the community together; people of different races, beliefs, and faiths, marching, praying, chanting, listening, and remembering those who paved the way with the hope of a better, more peaceful world. A number of clergy from the Diocese, including our Bishop, take part in these events. READ MORE

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DIOCESE

Visit the Diocese's Calendar page HERE for Diocesan events & activities.

Coming Up!

Annual Chrism Mass & Spring Training

The Diocese's annual Chrism Mass and Spring Training will be taking place on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at The Cathedral of St. Andrew in Honolulu. This year's Spring Training will feature a wide variety speakers from our Listening Team, Racial Reconciliation Task Force, Creation Care Task Force and more, including workshops on congregational finance! Save the date and stay tuned for more information and registration coming soon!

Reconciliation Task Force: Get Involved!

The General Convention of the Episcopal Church has mandated that each diocese create programs to address racism in their communities...for decades. Last summer, the General Convention in Baltimore had almost 100 resolutions on racism and reconciliation. These programs do not receive financial assistance from The Episcopal Church.

The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i has passed resolutions to address racism and reconciliation for many years. Several years ago, the Reconciliation Task Force was created consisting of people from around the Diocese. The main goal is to bring awareness of various forms of racism and consider what reconciliation can mean. For Episcopalians in the Diocese, racism can be very subtle, and we often do not realize how we may unknowingly participate in it every day. The Hawai'i legislature has produced a document to address racism (see HERE).

The Reconciliation Task Force is hard at work on developing a curriculum for all ages to address racism and reconciliation, and bring it to light among our parishioners. So, clear your calendars! The training for facilitators begins in August 2023. If you are interested in bringing your skills to this endeavor please email the Rev. Andrew Arakawa. You are welcome to participate as much or as little as your schedule permits.

On the lighter side of this topic, watch this video about our local pidgin/slang and cultural misunderstandings HERE.

Deadline Approaching to Apply for Young Adult Service Corp

The deadline to apply for 2023-24 placements for YASC is February 1, 2023. Selected applicants will be invited to an in-person discernment retreat at Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, New York, March 22-26; final candidates will attend a two-week cross-cultural orientation session in June. For more information about this rewarding opportunity, click HERE.

The Diocese of Hawai'i invites all youth to take part in upcoming events. You DO NOT need to be a member of an Episcopal Church.

Coming Up! Annual Prayer Hike in March

For the second year in a row, the Diocese of Hawai'i will be holding a Prayer Hike concurrently on three islands. This year, family members are invited to join in, so get ready for a great day of hiking, prayer, fun and fellowship! Hikes take place on Saturday, March 25, beginning at 9:00 AM. Hikes should be completed by 1:00 PM.

O'ahu: Aiea Loop Trail (Leader - Lynea Mitchell)
Kaua'i: Sleeping Giant (Leader - Rachel Secretario)
Hawai'i Island: Volcano National Park (Leader - Lindy Marzo)

For more information, visit the Diocesan Youth webpage HERE, or download the flyer including the Prayer Hike Guide HERE, then register HERE. Be sure to complete the Waiver/Release form HERE and bring it with you.

Hurry! Register Today! Chaperones Needed

Camp Mokulē'ia Youth Retreat: Doing a New Thing With God

It's not too late to register for the Diocesan youth retreat at Camp Mokulē'ia, February 3-5. All youth in grades 6-12 are invited to attend. Scholarships are available, including air travel for neighbor island youth. Email Lynea (the Camp's Assistant Director) to take advantage of scholarship opportunities.

Calling all chaperones! We are in need of 2 male chaperones for the Diocesan Youth Retreat and 1 more female chaperone. If you would like to spend the weekend at camp helping youth reconnect with God and each other, come join! Any adult coming as a chaperone/cabin counselor will need to be up to date on Safe Church Training. If they are not, it takes about 3 hours to complete the courses.

For more information, download the Diocesan Youth Retreat flyer HERE. Youth and chaperones can register using the QR Code on the flyer or click HERE.

(Stay informed with The Episcopal Church's governing body. Visit the GC Connection webpage.)

How long should General Convention be? Church writes new chapter in long-running debate - (ENS 01/19/23) The Episcopal Church has long debated the proper length of General Convention, balancing bishops’ and deputies’ availability and the cost of hotel stays with the need to schedule enough days for effective churchwide governance, legislative activity, networking and fellowship.

As the church’s governing body, General Convention has historically convened in a different city every three years with activities spanning up to two weeks. That model, however, was upended last July when the 80th General Convention was held four years after the previous meeting – not three – because the pandemic had forced a one-year postponement, and only four legislative days were scheduled. READ MORE

TIPS FROM LOT'S LIST - "Take shorter showers. When washing hands, wet hands, turnoff water with forearm, soap hands, turn on water to rinse."

‘Iolani Community Engagement Project: Creation Care Infographics for Church Bulletins, Newsletters, etc.- Sharing their gifts and learning with our Task Force, four 'Iolani students have created a set of 25 infographics on the theme of creation care. These infographics can be used by any diocesan church or school that may want to publish them in their weekly church bulletin or newsletter or, for example, to help educate around a Lenten environmental theme. Like the tips in Lot’s List, these infographics include individual action items and environmental facts and tips. See their first entry shown here. The full list of 25 can be accessed HERE. The team also created a website with information on meat consumption, solar power, and individual actions that can be accessed HERE. Thank you Leah, Olivia, Sky, Jesse, and Mrs. Kawatachi!

Oʻahu Happenings

Visit the Diocese's Community Calendar page HERE for ongoing activities in your neighborhood.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUEEN EMMA!

In celebration of Queen Emma's birthday, students and faculty from Saint Andrew's Schools offered ho'okupu of dance and roses (the Queen's favorite flower) throughout the day. (Photo: The Cathedral's Facebook page HERE where you can view videos of the day's event)

Cathedral Outreach: Kalihi Waena Breakfast with Santa

The Cathedral of St. Andrew distributed over 1,000 pounds of chicken to families of Kalihi Waena School, at a Breakfast with Santa event in December. The school has been a long-time recipient of The Cathedral's outreach efforts, and the event was celebrated by many happy families. Shown here, volunteers load up bags with chicken, pictures with Santa, and a cheerleading performance! (Photos by Ann Hansen)

'Iolani School Seeking Chaplain Curate

'Iolani School in Honolulu is seeking a full-time Chaplain Curate for a two-year period. Housing is provided. The full job description can be viewed HERE. Apply directly with the school through their online portal HERE.

O'AHU LAY POSITION OPENINGS

(Visit the Diocesan website HERE for more information.)

St. Christopher's, Kailua - Nursery Caregiver (Part-time, 3 hours, Sundays)
St. Stephen's Church, Wahiawa - Organist (part-time)

Kauaʻi Happenings

Visit the Diocese's Community Calendar page HERE for ongoing activities in your neighborhood.

Full House at All Saints' Organ Concert Series

All Saints' Episcopal Church in Kapa'a has been bringing in guest organists to play at their Makana Mele Concerts, and their latest concert featuring virtuoso John Sherer, packed the house! To watch the concert in its entirety, visit their Facebook page HERE.

Maui Happenings

Visit the Diocese's Community Calendar page HERE for ongoing activities in your neighborhood.

This Saturday! A Celebration of New Ministry at Trinity By-the-Sea: The Rev. John Hau'oli Tomoso

Trinity By-the-Sea Episcopal Church invites you to a Celebration of a New Ministry of the Installation of their Vicar, the Rev. John A. Hau'oli Tomoso, on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 9:00 AM. Clergy are invited to vest - red stoles. A reception and lunch to follow.

Coming Up: A Celebration of New Ministry at Good Shepherd: The Rev. Moki Hino

Good Shepherd Episcopal Church invites you to a Celebration of a New Ministry with their Rector, the Rev. Moki Hino, on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at 10:00 AM. Clergy are invited to vest - red stoles. Potluck to follow - please bring a dish to share. Email or call (808) 244-4656.

Hawaiʻi Island Happenings

Visit the Diocese's Community Calendar page HERE for ongoing activities in your neighborhood.

Taking It to the Hills With St. James'

The folks at St. James' got up well before the roosters to hike up the Hoku'ula hills, and celebrate a sunrise eucharist. Jaisy Jardine, the church's Parish Administrator, shared this beautiful account in their online news: “We celebrated an incredible sunrise Eucharist in an extraordinary place this morning. We were permitted to hike up to Hoku’ula beginning well before dawn, and in the dark, we set out into the lush pastures with headlamps and the waning moon's light to guide us. As we climbed, the stars slowly faded away, revealing the emerald green grass at our feet and the sweeping vista of all three mountains before us. The veil was thin this morning; it felt like God’s country. What a beautiful place, what a beautiful island, what a beautiful world.”

The Episcopal Church & Beyond

Presiding Bishop leads King Day ‘Power of Love’ celebration, call for housing justice

[January 17, 2023] Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, along with Bishop John Harvey Taylor and Mayor Karen Bass, issued a rousing call for housing and socioeconomic justice at the Jan. 15 annual King Day celebration in the Diocese of Los Angeles, where more than 40,000 are homeless and five people die daily on the streets. READ MORE