Volume 6, Issue 44
October 29, 2021
THIS SUNDAY: October 31, 2021
Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost


Ruth 1:1-18
The opening of the book of Ruth displays the self-sacrificial love of Naomi, from Judah, and her daughter-in-law Ruth, from the nearby "enemy" nation of Moab. Their righteousness will bear fruit for centuries to come, especially through the birth of Ruth's great-grandson King David and eventually to the birth o Jesus Christ.

Psalm 146
The main thing in life that we can trust in is the goodness and power of God to love and to save.

Hebrews 9:11-14
Jesus as both our High Priest and our High Sacrifice.

Mark 12:28-34
Jesus distills the whole of Scripture down to two things: The Great Commandments to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
ON-SITE CHURCH SERVICE
WITH COMMUNION

8:00AM
Joe Adorno (EM)*
John Hanaoka (U)
Marge Akana (AG)
Mark Cain (DM)

9:30AM
Muriel Jackson (EM)
CeCe Caldwell (U)
Rachel Secretario (LR)
Jan Hashizume (AG)
Viikki Secretario, Nelson Secretario (HP)
Carolyn Morinishi, David Crocker (DM)

Live Stream
9:00AM on our home page, YouTube, or Facebook accounts
@allsaintskauai

* EM - Eucharistic Minister; U - Usher; LR - Lay Reader; AG - Altar Guild; HP - Healing Prayers; DM - Digital Ministry; SS - Sunday School
UPCOMING EVENTS

Wisdom of Kalaupapa
Monday, November 1st
5:00 - 6:30PM
Church
Pre-registration required: Contact sweetp808@gmail.com
Attention: Pammy Chock

Ke Akua Youth Group Meeting
Wednesday, November 3rd
5:00 - 6:00PM
Zoom Meeting
Contact Cami for login info.

Project Vision Hi`ehi`e Mobile Showers with Laundry Love Go-Bags
Thursday, November 4th
11:00AM - 4:00PM
Church Lawn

NOTE: Day and Time Change
Daughters of the King
Wednesday, November 10th
6:00 - 7:00PM
Zoom Meeting
Contact Mabel Antonio for login info.




Recurring Events
Aloha Hour
Postponed until further notice

Monday/Friday Crew
Every Monday/Friday, 8:00AM 
Church Office

Project Vision Hi`ehi`e Mobile Showers
1st and 3rd Thursday, 12:00 - 3:00PM
Church Campus
Laundry Love Go-Packs
1st and 3rd Thursdays, 12:00 - 3:00PM
Church Campus

Daughters of the King
2nd & 4th Wednesday, 6:00 - 7:00PM
Zoom
You care for the sick and suffering in body, mind, and spirit, especially Noah’s ʻOhana; RebeccaJennieCathyLarrySuzanne, and those we name silently or aloud, let us pray to the Lord. ​Lord, have mercy. 

You embrace all who have died in the faith and bring them into your glorious presence. We pray especially for Noah and others we name silently or aloud. We thank you for their example and rejoice in their lives. We pray to you, O Lord. 
The All Saints' Budget
The Difference Between Operational and Restricted Funds
Operational Funds:
These are funds used for things like paying the salaries and benefits for our staff, continuing Sunday Worship services, paying for water and sewer services, and all the things required for our church to function. All Saints' needs your support for the ongoing operations of the church through annual pledges.

Restricted Funds:
These funds are used for special projects, certain types of maintenance, and capital improvements. These funds are restricted by the donor and can only be used within the wishes of the donor. All Saints' always respects the wishes of our donors and therefore any funds donated for specific purposes like the Columbarium or the Youth Group will only be used for those purposes. These funds may be seen as "Capital".
As we think about the many blessings given us by God, we should think about how we can best use the resources that God has provided to each of us. While donating to the Columbarium or Youth Group may be attractive, as you can see in the chart above, the church doesn't need any more money for either of these noble causes. Instead, the church needs your PLEDGE of financial commitment to the ongoing operation of the church.

You have probably heard that Stewardship is not about money. Rather it is an outward demonstration of your faith. I agree with that but I also realize that we can't, as a viable church, run deficit budgets. I urge you to pray and reflect on the financial needs of All Saints'. Your pledge will ensure our ongoing operations and enable us to use our capital resources according to the wishes of our donors.

-Bill Caldwell
Pledge

A commitment to give one's time, talents, and money as an expression of faith and a personal response to God's generosity. Parish members are encouraged to make an annual stewardship pledge. This pledge represents their specific Christian commitment to “work, pray, and give for the spread of the kingdom of God” (BCP, p. 856). Parish budgets are prepared in light of the pledges received from the members. A pledge is a statement of intent, not a legal obligation. It can be changed at any time.
When reading this week’s Gospel I’m primed to expect confrontation of some sort. Given how Jesus was treated by religious leaders of the day, I expect a trap. However, the interaction with the scribe is entirely different. The scribe approaches Jesus with a sincere question, “Which commandment is the first of all?”

Jesus’s response is a “drop the mic” kind of moment – boom – end of story! Not only did the scribe agree with Jesus’s answer, but every faithful person hearing the response would have agreed as well, given that his reply was part of their affirmation of faith. Today, it’s part of our Catechism and it is a call to action – “love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as you would yourself”.

That “all-in” kind of love for God and agape love for our neighbor is foundational to our stewardship efforts. It requires faithfulness, inclusion and commitment to something bigger than self. We saw examples of this kind of agape love demonstrated during the pandemic in mask wearing, social distancing, and caring for the most vulnerable. All of those efforts were examples of love for our neighbor in action. Pandemic life also illustrated the importance of faith and connection to - and care for- our neighbors. Additionally, the pandemic highlighted loneliness, inequities, and profound need in our world.

As we transition to post pandemic life, I pray that our eyes are opened and we acknowledge there is work to be done. Work that is core to both our Christian identity and philosophy of stewardship. Stewardship is the balm that allows our communities of faith to tend to a host of needs including loneliness, inequity, and need in our world.

Friends - we have work to do -- let’s put our love into action!

Lynn Farlin serves as Canon for Formation in the Southern Diocese of Virginia.
Reflections from Kahu Kawika
The Leap of Faith

Proper 25B
Mark 10:46-52
Job 42:7-17
Psalm 34:4-8
October 24, 2021


As a film buff, I’m excited that the studios are making the fifth movie of the “Indiana Jones” series. When I was going through a low point in my first year of college – due to some family issues as well as trying to adjust to university life – the first film, “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” came out. I admired Jones’ “never give up” tenacious attitude, and wanted to emulate in my own life. 

In the film clip I just showed you from the third film, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” we see the rather unreligious Jones having to make a “leap of faith” in order to go forward to bring back the Cup of Christ to his father, who is dying after getting shot. Jones has a choice to make – either to give into his fears in playing it safe and not daring to attempt to cross the deep chasm to get to the other side, or to take the “leap of faith” that was indicated in the ancient map to the location of the Cup of Christ. Jones has to overcome his quite understandable fear of falling to his death in order to save his father’s life. Ultimately, his love for his father gives him the impetus to take the “leap of faith.”

Whenever I have had similar forks in the road in my life, I have often thought about that Indiana Jones scene. In today’s readings from Mark 10 and Job 42, we encounter two other biblical characters who have their own forks in the road: Bartimaeus and Job. They both end up on a high note in their lives, but in order to get there they each have to be willing to take a “leap of faith.” This morning we can learn a couple of lessons from them to help open up ourselves to what I call “the Vault of Heaven” – to all God’s blessings waiting in store for us.

In our Gospel story from Mark 10, Jesus and his disciples are still on the road going from the region of Galilee up north down to the south along the commonly-traveled route along the Jordan River to Jericho, with the goal of then going up the windy 25-mile road to Jerusalem. As they are on their way out of Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus – Bartimaeus is there no doubt because he had situated himself in a strategic spot to beg for money at a place of high traffic with a lot of travelers.

In our first of the two lessons we can learn about taking our own leaps of faith, Bartimaeus is a role model of someone who takes the initiative to improve his life. Ignoring the crowd’s demand of him to shut up, he nevertheless persists in calling out to Jesus loudly until he gets his attention. Now, why would the crowd want him to pipe down in a public outdoor setting? Remember back in Jesus’ time, a common assumption was that if someone had a disability or a disadvantage in life, they must have done something bad to displease God – otherwise it was assumed that they would be blessed. So the reason the crowd told him to be quiet is because they think he doesn’t deserve special attention. However, to Bartimaeus’ credit, he breaks through that societal prejudice, and thereby takes ownership of his own healing process. He could have given up and blamed the crowd for keeping him from Jesus, but instead he pushes through anyhow – he doesn’t let them hold him back.

Beyond that, when Jesus stops and talks with Bartimaeus, Jesus asks him a telling question: “What do you want me to do for you?” Again, Bartimaeus takes the initiative to make it clear his intentions: “My teacher, let me see again.” No doubt, Jesus could have easily perceived already what Bartimaeus might want, since his blindness would be clearly evident. But besides that, maybe Jesus wants to see if Bartimaeus would merely ask him for money, or would go for the ultimate prize of total healing. Again to Bartimaeus’ credit, he asks of Jesus for what would ultimately do himself the best good (and by the way, would also solve the problem of having to beg for money once and for all). No wonder Jesus replies, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Once able to see again, Bartimaeus’ initiative even drives him to join the disciples and follow Jesus to Jerusalem and thus away from the comforts of his home town!

One of the things that blocks our ability to draw closer to God and to realize more of the blessings that might be in store for us, is our own unwillingness to grab hold of our own lives and take the initiative to seek God out – wherever that may take us. We let our fears, old habits, and entrenched attitudes get in the way of the new areas of growth and blessing God would have for us. In short, we often refuse to avail ourselves of what God could offer us because we are used to the comfort of our everyday lives. Bartimaeus is willing to have his whole life turned upside down in order to receive God’s blessing for him. He courageously takes hold of his life to be able to follow in God’s path.

The second lesson on how we can take leaps of faith in our lives comes from our friend Job, who is able to take his leap of faith when he forgives other people. Job is a guy who had it made at first with a great family, lots of wealth, a healthy life, and was popular. But then an unrelenting series of setbacks forces Job to question his life. Before that, everyone knows that Job must be virtuous because he is so obviously blessed by God – now those same people think Job must have some secret sin or shortcoming to merit God’s disfavor.

The story of Job maintains how good, noble, and spiritual a guy Job who nevertheless seems to suffer God’s curse on his life. Now Job had done everything right in his life except for one thing that comes out in the end – to pray for the people who had hurt him. Our reading says this: “After Job had prayed for his friends, Our God restored Job’s prosperity, blessing him with twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10).

In all the times I had read the book of Job before, I had never seen that vital point – Job’s fortunes turn around for the good as soon as he forgives his “friends” who had accused him of being at fault for his suffering. Even though they had not yet done anything to deserve such forgiveness, Job’s ultimate act of noble kindness raises himself up to be in line for the many ways God ends making him whole and blessing him. Job has to take a significant leap of faith – one I am sure he does not feel like doing, one that he probably feels justified in not having done before – not because his friends merit such kindness, but because Job has to act in a way to put himself back in a position to draw closer to God and thus to allow God’s full blessings to flow once again.

At times in our own lives, we may feel quite understandably self-righteous, and thus unwilling to give others around us any slack of kindness because we think they don’t deserve it. But what we see is that it doesn’t matter if they deserve it, it doesn’t matter whether or not they have apologized. When we wonder why we feel distant from God and where are God’s blessings, a key step is to ask ourselves if we have some grudge against someone else – well-deserved or not. In short, if we want kindness and mercy from God, then we have to extend the same thing to those around us – even if we have been hurt by them in the past. As we pray in the Lord’s prayer, “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us.” We cannot control if the other person or other people will grow and mature from the harm they had caused, but what we can control is our own growth and fullness of life as a result. Forgiveness is not condoning the bad that we have experienced – forgiveness instead is not letting that initial harm continue to dominate our lives, multiply our pain beyond the initial hurt, and to rob us of all the love and blessings we could be having from God. Taking such a leap of faith is at times very rough to do, but will release ultimate rewards if we do so – if not from others than definitely from God.

So, the leaps of faith we take in our lives requires at least two difficult things – to take charge of our own lives as our kuleana and not blame others, and to forgive others for the harm they had inflicted on us. When we remove both our inertia to change and our entitled unforgiving attitudes, then we remove two big obstacles to taking our own leaps of faith. May God’s Holy Spirit give us the vision, courage, and persistence to grab hold of the life that could be ours. Amen.
In Remembrance of Those Who Have Passed
Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord:
And let light perpetual shine upon them

We will be including the names of our loved ones who have gone on to the Grander Life between November 1, 2020 and October 31, 2021 in our All Saints’ services on Sunday, November 7th. Please email Kahu Kawika+ at: rector@allsaintskauai.org by Thursday, November 4th the names of your loved ones to be included in the services.

Laundry Love Is Moving
Laundry Love is Now Partnering with Project Vision Hi`ehi`e Mobile Showers
Laundry Love Kauai is transitioning once again, as local conditions persist in limiting a return to pre-pandemic services. It’s been a remarkable journey, dating back to a 2014 launch, amassing nearly 10,000 loads of laundry washed, dried, folded and bagged. The tireless efforts of volunteers, team leaders and resident cooks inspired growth, as hundreds of grateful neighbors became a part of our ohana.

The current pivot involves blending our program with Project Vision Mobile Showers, which recently brought their operation to the All Saints' campus. The first and third Thursday of each month, between 12:00 – 3:00 pm, anyone in need of a hot shower or financial assistance with their laundry can come to All Saints'. Laundry Love in particular will be offering a “go-pack” of sorts, containing detergent, dryer sheets and a roll of quarters ($10). 

We invite those interested in taking an occasional shift distributing these resources to contact the office. Mahalo in advance for supporting the ongoing spirit of Laundry Love, in whatever form it may take.

With Aloha,

-Geoff               
Laundry Love Ministry Lead 
Project Vision Hawaii
All Saints' Members Provide Lunches at Project Vision Hi'ehi'e Mobile Showers

Thank you to all those who have volunteered to make lunches for the Project Vision mobile hot showers. The clients, volunteers and staff of the Hi'ehi'e mobile shower trailer all agree that the lunches served at All Saints' are the best!

A big thank you to the following who have (or will) prepared lunches:

  • Oct 7 - Mabel and Mario Antonio
  • Oct 21 - Wayne Doliente
  • Nov 4 - Altar Guild
  • Nov 18 - Daughters of the King

If you, your family or group would like to prepare lunches, please contact Carolyn Morinishi.
Aloha All Saints' O’hana,

Thanksgiving is next month and the Free Community Dinner and Service will again be hosted by the Kapa`a Interfaith Association. All Saintsʻ will be an active participant again this year by hosting both the Interfaith Service and the “Pick-Up” Meals from the north side of the gym.

Sign up sheets for drivers for Home Delivery and for Gym Clean-Up will be available outside the church sanctuary in the next couple of weeks. Home Delivery will be distributed from the Kapa`a Hongwanji like last year. You can also sign up by calling Sarah at 808-822-3473 or emailing her kuipokauai@gmail.com.

If you can assist in this worthy community effort by either donating time or money, we would greatly appreciate your kokua!

Mahalo nui loa.

-Sarah Rogers
Thanksgiving Chair 2021

My Dear Siblings in Christ,

At Saturday’s Annual Meeting of our Diocesan Convention, we adopted a resolution on Creation Care and Environmental Justice (see https://www.episcopalhawaii.org/uploads/2/5/4/8/25486559/2021_am_resolution_3_substitute.pdf). This resolution calls the Diocese to action. It was also adopted immediately before the convening of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). 

I urge all Episcopalians to become aware of COP26 and the role of The Episcopal Church in advocating for Creation Care and Environmental Justice:

  • The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, on 31 October – 12 November 2021: see https://ukcop26.org




In addition, I urge our congregations to pray for COP26 and for our responsibility as Christians, especially as Episcopalians, to live out the intentions of our prayers. 

  • Mysterious God, whose imagination and desire embrace all: We seek to discern you in the interplay of forces, in the order and the chaos of the universe, and in the complexities of every living system. Give us grace to honor your goodness in what we know and in what we do not know, in the world’s harmonies and turbulence, and in its promise and change. For you are in, through, and beyond all that is: one God, made known to us in Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, our inspiration and guide. Amen.

  • God, maker of marvels, you weave the planet and all its creatures together in kinship; your unifying love is revealed in the interdependence of relationships in the complex world that you have made. Save us from the illusion that humankind is separate and alone, and join us in communion with all inhabitants of the universe; through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, who topples the dividing walls by the power of your Holy Spirit, and who lives and reigns with you, for ever and ever. Amen

  • Bountiful God, you call us to labor with you in tending the earth: Where we lack love, open our hearts to the world; where we waste, give us discipline to conserve; where we neglect, awaken our minds and wills to insight and care. May we with all your creatures honor and serve you in all things, for you live and reign with Christ, Redeemer of all, and with your Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

In addition, remember that our own Diocesan Creation Care and Environmental Justice Task Group has put together a brief online survey that they are hoping can be sent out to all members/parishioners. Please complete the survey and share it with the members of your congregation. The link for the survey is below. Related to creation care and environmental justice, the Task Group is asking about what churches/members are doing, what resources they have or need, what their challenges are, what interests they have, and what is happening in their surrounding communities/neighborhoods. They plan on gathering detailed information from each church by phone and email in the future, and they hope that this effort will capture information from the grass-roots level about what some of God's people living in Hawaiʻi are doing to care for God's masterpiece.
 

This is a clear priority of our Diocese, our Islands, and our world. 

Mahalo!

Yours faithfully,
+Bob

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick
 (Pronouns: he, him, his)

Bishop Diocesan 
The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i
229 Queen Emma Square
Honolulu, HI 96813-2304

Bishop-in-Charge
The Episcopal Church in Micronesia
911 North Marine Corps Drive
Upper Tumon, Guam 96913

Office: (808) 536-7776, ext. 302
Fax: (808) 538-7194

Vestry Meeting Synopsis
September 26, 2021

  1. Approval for the Finance Committee to initiate distribution portfolio of special donations to various investment areas.
  2. Columbarium Termite Remediation: Junior Warden Ron will arrange this.
  3. Approved looking into pew kneeler hinges.
  4. Solar Roof Project's final phase of installing the solar panels will occur the week of October 11-15. After that, we will just need a final inspection by the County to make it all "live."
  5. Lihue-side driveway and parking area is now graveled, getting rid of deep potholes. There is still a large mound of gravel left -- church members may have any they want at a suggested donation of $50 per cubic yard.
  6. Approved purchase of candle holders for Altar and Lectern.
  7. Bill Caldwell and Kahu will lead an Adult Education series on Tuesdays 10/5 and 10/12 on "The Episcopal Church Demystified" in the run-up to the Annual Diocesan Convention.
  8. Project Vision mobile shower services for the houseless happening on a trial basis at All Saints on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, 12 noon - 3pm.
  9. Peter DuBois organ concert on September 12th was well received and had over 550 views online.
  10. Approved setting up permanent mikes to improve the sound quality of the organ for Livestreaming.
Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
October 28
Simon and Jude are two of the apostles. Very little is known about them. Simon is known as Simon the Canaanaean and Simon the Zealot. He was probably a member of the political sect known as the Zealots, which was violently opposed to the domination of Palestine by Rome. Tradition claims that he carried the Christian faith to Egypt, Cyrene, Mauritania, Armenia, and Persia, and that he died in Persia by being sawed in half. Jude, also known as Thaddeus and Lebbaeus, was probably the author of the epistle of Jude. By the twentieth century Jude had become popular as the “patron of hopeless causes.” According to tradition, Simon and Jude labored and died together. They are commemorated in the Episcopal calendar of the church year on Oct. 28.
Episcopal Church Announces ‘My Way of Love for Small Groups’ Resource for Spiritual Growth

Responding to a hunger for deeper discipleship among Episcopal congregations, creators of the My Way of Love initiative announce an upcoming new spiritual journey guide, video and other materials designed for small groups.

“My Way of Love for Small Groups” expands on the individualized spiritual journey laid out in My Way of Love and offers step-by-step guidance, scriptures, prayers, and reflections for nine weekly group gatherings. The resources will be available in early October; a sample can be found at this link online. READ MORE

EPISCOPAL CHURCH GOVERNANCE
"Take Me To Your Leader!"
"Who's That?"
The following was first published in The Epistle, 4, July 5, 2019
Recently, I was engaged in a lively discussion of the Episcopal Church and its Leadership. You know the conversation. 

“Did you hear what they are going to do?”
“Don’t worry about them . I think they are doing fine.”
“Yah well, they don’t get it.”
“Do you ever talk to them ?”
“Who are they ?”

This last question really got me thinking. Who are “ They ”?
This week I would like to return to our discussion of Diocesan Governance. Now that we have a feeling for how the national church is governed, it should be easier to understand the fine points of governance at the level of the Diocese. As we noted before, Bishops serve as chief pastors of the church, exercising a ministry of oversight and supervision. Diocesan bishops hold jurisdiction in their dioceses, with particular responsibility for the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the church.

In addition to the bishop, our Diocese has three governing bodies. We learned about the first of these, Diocesan Convention, a few weeks ago. This week we will look more closely at Diocesan Convention as a governance body and introduce the other two bodies, Diocesan Council and Standing Committee.
Diocesan Convention

The Diocesan Convention is a body composed of all clergy who are canonically resident in the Diocese and elected delegates from each congregation. The number of delegates is based on the number of confirmed communicants in good standing in the congregation. The Diocesan Convention meets once each year, in October, to conduct the business of the Diocese. The Diocesan Council is the legislative body when the Convention is in recess.

Additional information is available by viewing the "Diocesan Convention" page.

Diocesan Council

Exercises the power of the Convention and performs planning and policy making between meetings of Convention. Oversees the policies, programs, mission, and budget of the Diocese and may initiate new work. Also is the legal corporate body of the Episcopal Church in Hawai‘i and, as such, is responsible for the business and property of the Church. 

Additional information is available on the "Diocesan Council" page.

Standing Committee

Serves as the Bishop’s Council of Advice. Performs duties as specified by the General and Diocesan Convention, and the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Hawai‘i. Serves as the Ecclesiastical authority when there is no bishop. The Standing Committee meets on the third Saturday of each month, (on the morning of Diocesan Council meetings) and, occasionally, on call.

Additional information is available on the "Standing Committee" page.

So, what does all this mean for you? 

Once again, this governance structure gives you an ideal opportunity to get involved. You can run for a position as a Convention Delegate from All Saint's. Each January, during our Annual Parish Meeting, we elect delegates. Please consider running.

Once you are engaged in the Diocesan Convention, seek a seat on the Diocesan Council or Standing Committee. This is exactly what Nelson Secretario did. He is now a member of the Diocesan Council and also serves on the Commission on Finance and Administration that reports to the Diocesan Council. 

Mahalo Nelson for accepting this responsibility and serving on our behalf.

Hey, if Nelson can do it, so can you!

I hope this information is helpful the next time someone says, “Take me to your leader”. 

If you have any questions about Leadership at our Parish, please feel free to contact Kahu Kawika, Bill Caldwell, or any member of the vestry.

-Bill Caldwell
The Epistle

NOTE:

Since the publication of this article in 2019, Nelson successfully completed his tenure on the Diocesan Council. Mahalo Nelson!

At the recent Diocesan Convention, The position of Lay Kaua‘i County Representative to the Council was filled by Bill Caldwell.
Constable Fund and Roanridge Trust
Applications are Open for Two Grant Opportunities
The Episcopal Church announces two funding opportunities offered annually:

Constable Fund grants, which focus on religious education, and Roanridge Trust grants, which support leadership development in small towns and rural communities. The application deadline for both is Dec. 12.

The Constable Fund provides grants to fund mission initiatives that were not provided for within the budget of The Episcopal Church as approved by General Convention 2018, with a stated preference for work in the area of religious education. The grants are named for visionary philanthropist Marie Louise Constable, who made a gift to The Episcopal Church in 1935, during the Great Depression, to establish the fund.

Constable Fund applications may only be submitted by: (1) applicants approved by one of the nine provinces of The Episcopal Church; (2) an interim body of the General Convention of The Episcopal Church; or (3) a program office or staff department of The Episcopal Church. More information on Constable Fund application requirements and the application forms are available here: iam.ec/enconstable.

The 2021 Constable Fund grants totaled $213,596, distributed among six recipients. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $55,302.

The RoanridgeTrust was established by the Cochel family, who originally gave a working farm in Missouri called Roanridge to The Episcopal Church. Income from the trust generates the grant funds, which are used for the “training of town and country ministry and rural Christian workers” of The Episcopal Church. They support creative models of leadership development and training for laity and clergy in small towns and rural communities across The Episcopal Church. Programs to be conducted in metropolitan areas are not eligible for Roanridge Trust grants.

Dioceses, congregations and Episcopal Church-related organizations and institutions are invited to apply for Roanridge Trust grants. Applications require diocesan bishop approval. More information, application forms and instructions about the Roanridge Trust grants are available in English here: iam.ec/enroanridge.

The 2021 Roanridge Trust grants totaled $209,851, distributed among 12 recipients. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $29,000.

For more information about either grant, contact the Rev. Molly James, deputy executive officer of the General Convention, 212-716-6048, or Mr. George Wing, chair of the grant review committee, winggeo@winglaw.com.

Published by the Office of Formation of The Episcopal Church, 815 Second Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017
© 2021 The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. All rights reserved.
Executive Council Meets for the First Time in Hybrid, In-Person and Online Format

Egan Millard
October 25, 2021
The Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, president of the House of Deputies, speaks to Executive Council in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, on Oct. 25, 2021.

[Episcopal News Service] The Episcopal Church Executive Council’s first meeting with in-person attendance since February 2020 opened on Oct. 25 with addresses from church leaders on the state of the church, as a tumultuous year and a half has given way to a new normalcy.

The four-day meeting’s hybrid format, with some council members gathered in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, and others joining by Zoom, represents the church’s capacity to persevere through adversity and adapt, noted both Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, president of the House of Deputies, in their opening remarks. Watch the full opening plenary session here.

Out of a litany of the social crises that have befallen the United States and the world in 2020 and 2021 – from the suffering wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic to the reckoning on racial justice – “something good is emerging,” Curry said, adding that the church did not falter but lived into its mission more deeply.

“The good news is only good news when you face the bad news,” he told council. “In the midst of this, I have seen this church do what I never thought it would do or could do. I’ve seen goodness rise up in spite of the fact that we were a little confused by what was going on around us. I’ve seen people try to figure out, how do we care for each other?”
Curry praised the church’s rapid transformation to a primarily virtual institution during the first few weeks of the pandemic, saying it proved that radical change is possible despite the church’s failure to embrace change in the past. He compared that transformation to the outcome of the Taskforce for Reimagining The Episcopal Church, or TREC, created by Resolution C095 of the 77th General Convention in July 2012. Its dual mandate was to reimagine The Episcopal Church and present a plan for reforming the church to facilitate its “faithful engagement of Christ’s mission … in a way that maximizes the resources available for that mission at all levels of the church.” The resolution passed both houses unanimously. The task force’s reportreleased in December 2014, acknowledged that the church’s structure and governance had not changed in response to the “profound changes occurring across the country and the world.”

“If we had a commission,” Curry said in his opening remarks, “another kind of TREC that would have said … ‘Episcopal Church, you must move your worship from the buildings that you love and put it online,’ I guarantee you the same thing that happened to the TREC report would happen to that report.

“But necessity is the mother of invention,” he added. “The Episcopal Church got online. … We figured out and we’re doing it.”

In her opening remarks, Jennings outlined two ways for the church to engage in the work of social justice: first, by addressing gun control in the U.S. and, second, by advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ people in West Africa.

On Sep. 21, Jennings and Curry joined other interfaith leaders in signing a friend of the court briefsupporting reasonable gun legislation in the U.S. Supreme Court case New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. The case challenges the constitutionality of a New York law that requires applicants seeking a permit to carry a concealed handgun in public to show “proper cause” for self-defense. The brief addresses the burdens on religious institutions and individuals imposed by the unrestricted ability to carry concealed weapons, as well as the potential costs and burdens of increased security and insurance liability measures. Arguments are scheduled in the Supreme Court for Nov. 3. (The Episcopal Church has long called for more sensible gun control legislation. For more information on how you can act, click here.)

Jennings also noted that the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church in Ghana – a member of the Anglican Communion – has endorsed a “draconian” anti-LGBTQ+ law now awaiting a vote in the Ghanaian parliament. The bill would impose a penalty of up to five years in prison for identifying as LGBTQ+, and up to 10 years for advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ people, according to Reuters.

Jennings said the Ghanaian bishops’ action contradicted the 2005 commitment of the primates of the Anglican Communion to stand against the “victimization or diminishment” of LGBTQ+ people and reminded council of The Episcopal Church’s 2015 resolution committing the church to work with its Anglican partners in Africa to oppose anti-LGBTQ+ laws there. Jennings said she hoped council would explore possible responses during its meeting.

“I expect that it has not yet been possible to understand exactly what has transpired in the church in Ghana and what kind of risk our LGBTQI friends and allies there are now facing, but we must commit ourselves to standing with them in whatever ways we can,” she said.

Jennings also spoke about the disparate societal impacts that the pandemic has had based on socioeconomic status.

“I have been reflecting on the ways this pandemic will be with us for a long time to come, particularly through the troubling disparities that it has exacerbated in the United States and throughout the world. In the United States, the wealth gap before COVID was already enormous. Now it’s much worse,” she said.

“In short, if you started the pandemic with a lot of privilege, and I include myself, there’s a good chance that you have more of it now. And if you didn’t, things might well be worse for you and those you love than they were in March of 2020.”

Jennings also encouraged members of council to read the recently released 2020 Parochial Report, which for the first time included both quantitative and qualitative data in the form of narrative responses. In addition to the many successes the report shows, it also showed that “COVID hasn’t just widened disparities among individuals. It has also widened the gap that separates our congregations” in terms of financial resources and attendance, she said.

Treasurer Kurt Barnes gave an “optimistic” summary of church finances that echoed some of Jennings’ observations, noting that the church’s investment portfolio has delivered strong returns in spite of the pandemic because of record-high stock market performances. Barnes explained that although the pandemic has been financially devastating for many Americans – 45% of whom do not own stocks – the church’s investments are healthy, and income from dioceses and trust funds is coming in as expected.

Barnes did mention one unexpected legal expense. Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court on Feb. 22 declined to hear the then Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth’s appeal of a state court ruling, leaving more than $100 million of diocesan property in the hands the Anglican Church in North America, or ACNA. “To further resolve the matter, with no admission of liability,” in August, The Episcopal Church paid $4.5 million to ACNA “to protect and defend all loyal Episcopalians in North Texas and allow them the freedom to move forward in their congregations,” according to The Episcopal Church’s Office of Public Affairs.

In 2008, a majority of clergy and lay leaders in the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth voted to leave The Episcopal Church over disagreements about the ordination of women and LGBTQ+ people. The Episcopal Church partnered with what was then the Diocese of Fort Worth throughout the litigation process. The former Diocese of Fort Worth is now known as the Episcopal Church in North Texas. (Click here for related coverage.)

Among the items to be discussed in committees during the council meeting, which continues through Oct. 28, are the finalization of The Episcopal Church’s 2022 budget and requests from the Province IX dioceses for financial relief and assessment waivers. The Rev. Mally Lloyd, chair of council’s Finance Committee, said her committee has reviewed those requests in consultation with representatives from Province IX and will present its recommendations. Council will also hear from the Indigenous Boarding Schools Ad Hoc Committee, which is working to address The Episcopal Church’s involvement with residential schools that separated Native American children from their families and, in many cases, attempted to eradicate their culture and language.

– Egan Millard is an assistant editor and reporter for Episcopal News Service. He can be reached at emillard@episcopalchurch.org.

FROM THE EPISCOPAL CAFÈ
This is what I love about the dark…

Kimberly Knowle-Zeller
October 26, 2021
This is what I love about the dark
[an attempt to unmask my fear]
Looking up to a sky full of stars
Being forced to slow down
Remembering that in the dark ground, seeds germinate
Trusting and knowing that after the darkest of night comes the break of dawn
Darkness invites rest, calls me to be still and to listen
Growth seems to take place in darkness, in the unseen moments
In the dark I’m given the chance to rely on my other senses: feeling the coolness of the air, listening for an owl’s screech, the scent of burning leaves, and the taste of hot tea
In the darkness someone else can come along to light a flame beside me and lead the way
At night in a manger, the light of the world was born
At early morning, in the dark of an empty tomb, death no longer had the final word
By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1: 78-79).

**This post originally appeared on the author’s blog
Kimberly Knowle-Zeller is an ordained ELCA pastor, mother of two, and spouse of an ELCA pastor. She lives with her family in Cole Camp, MO. You can read more at her website, follow her work on Facebookor sign up for her monthly 
Religious, Political Leaders Mark Centennial of Partition of Ireland in Cathedral Ceremony

October 22, 2021
An early morning view of St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh

[Church of Ireland] At a unique gathering to mark a deeply significant time in the history of Ireland, a young high school student carried a lantern through St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh, Northern Ireland, on Oct. 21, symbolizing the light of hope. The simple symbolic act took place during a service of reflection and hope to mark the centennial of the partition of Ireland and the formation of Northern Ireland, organized and hosted by the Church Leaders’ Group, which brings together Protestant and Roman Catholic leaders.

The hour–long service in Ireland’s ecclesiastical capital was attended by representatives of the British and Irish governments, including United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The service also brought together civic dignitaries, children and young people and over 100 community leaders working in peace–building, community development, health, youth work and various different aspects of church life.

“We see this service as a moment in a much longer journey towards reconciliation, which will require the prayerful support and engagement of Christians across these islands,” the Church Leaders’ Group said before the service.

IN BRIEF . . .

These news briefs were featured in previous issues of "The Epistle"
From The Epistle, October 22, 2021
Bishop Bob offered a sermon last Sunday as a part of the annual Diocesan Convention (Saturday, October 24th). It was broadcast on monitors in the All Saints' sanctuary for those attending in person and online. To hear his sermon, click below.
From The Epistle, October 15, 2021
Welcome Suzanne Kobayashi!
Suzanne Joins All Saints' as Our Priest Intern
Below is a message from Suzanne to the All Saints' `Ohana
Aloha,

I am Suzanne Kobayashi. I have been warmly welcomed by your church on my first month worshipping with you and I thank you.

I am originally from Santa Monica California. I was raised Catholic. Religion, other cultures, and people have always fascinated me though. After graduating from UCSD with a BA in Biology, I married a surfer and moved to Kauai in 1978. Most of the time since then, I have attended Christ Memorial Church in Kilauea. I attended some evangelical churches when I first moved to Kauai and Kalaheo Missionary when I lived on the south side for a couple of years. I enjoyed and learned from all the churches I attended. 

At Christ Memorial I taught religious education to the Kilauea school when my kids were little for about 9 years. Later, I was on search committees, the Bishop’s Committee, and played music at church. My Mom lived with us for her last 7 years. My mom and some of my fellow church members thought I might be a good priest and encouraged me to think about it. When my mom passed, I felt the Holy Spirit was saying it was time I gave back. 

The Episcopal Church has always been a good fit for me, with my Catholic roots and inclusive beliefs. I wanted to be an altar boy when I was little. (Clearly, I didn’t understand the requirements. I was very young.) I guess God may be gifting me my childhood desire to serve in his Sanctuary after all. Since studying for the priesthood, I have fallen more deeply in love with the Episcopal Church, the scriptures, and how God’s spirit works through us fallible people to bring His Kingdom here. I have much more appreciation for how our church has grown and changed, as indeed the whole body of Christ grows and changes, with so many different and distinctive parts all interconnected by God’s love. 

In the secular world, I’ve worked in restaurants, a dental office, painted murals, helped build houses, sold art, and taught art to children. The surfer and I divorced after 18 years and have 2 beautiful children from that marriage. I’ve been married to my husband Joe and had a small property management business for the last 20+ years. We have a beloved son, Ryan, and I gained a step daughter. I am a grandma. I currently facilitate a Compassionate (Non-Violent) Communication Practice group and am in 2 book clubs. I love my friends, art, plants, music and… I used to like to travel too :o) 

I am so happy to be able to worship and grow with you over the next two years. I enjoy teaching and art, which I hope I will have a chance to share with you. I look forward to seeing what God will do. I feel very blessed. Mahalo!

Thanks so much for your patience and reaching out to me.

God's blessing on us this week and always.

-Suzanne
Who Do You Call?

Contact information for All Saints' Ministries and Outreach

Please submit your story ideas to the Epistle Staff at news@allsaintskauai.org.
USHER MINISTRY
If you would like to serve as an All Saints' usher, please contact Cami at church@allsaintskauai.org.

HALE HO`OMALU ACCEPTING DONATIONS
There is an on-going need for travel sized toiletries and canned goods so these items will be accepted every week. As always, monetary donations are gratefully accepted. Leave them in the red wagon outside the sanctuary

KUPUNA SHOPPING ASSISTANCE MINISTRY
Any of our All Saints' kupuna who need assistance with grocery shopping can contact Carolyn Morinishi at church@allsaintskauai.org to set up a delivery.

ALL SAINTS' VIRTUAL SWAP MEET
If any ministry has an unmet need, reach out to put it in the All Saints' Virtual Swap Meet and it will be published in the Epistle. Contact Bill Caldwell at news@allsaintskauai.org.

PASTORAL CARE CONTACT INFORMATION
Whenever you have a need for support, please call (650) 691-8104 and leave a voice mail. The system will immediately forward the information to the Pastoral Care Committee who will respond to each request. If you prefer, you may send an electronic pastoral care request via email to pastoralcare@allsaintskauai.org.

PRAYER CHAIN MINISTRY
Individuals who want to participate in the Prayer Chain Ministry must re-enroll to continue receiving the email communications. To re-enroll, please visit the newly established Pastoral Care web page or contact the Church Office at (808) 822-4267.

SUBMITTING A PRAYER REQUEST
Prayer requests will now be submitted online or by contacting the Church Office at (808) 822-4267.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Names can be added to the Prayers of the People petitions by using the Prayer Chain Request form or by contacting the Church Office at (808) 822-4267. Names will remain in the Prayers of the People for a maximum of four Sundays before a name must be resubmitted.
basicImage