November 10, 2021
This issue's header is of the folks of St. Nicholas decked out to wish all a Happy All Hallow's Eve during their service in the community park in Kapolei on Sunday, October 31. (Note: Masks were removed for photo. Contributed photo)
Proper 28
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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.
FEATURED STORIES:
Retired Clergy Families: Talk Story Project
Did you know there is a ministry in the Diocese dedicated to our retired clergy, their spouses and widows? The ministry now has its own page on the Diocesan website that can be found HERE.

On top of keeping their community informed, socializing (online during pandemic times), and offering pastoral care and support, they have embarked on a new Talk Story Project. The project, spearheaded by the Rev. Canon Frank Chun and the Rev. Heather Mueller, is a (growing) collection of stories from retired clergy, spouses, and widows, in either audio or written formats. 

Inspired at the 2019 Triennial National Chaplains’ Conference by the Rev. Laura Queen who had encouraged, “Tell Me Your Story” and Story Corps, an audio venue with over 400,00 life stories housed at the American Center, Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., the Rev. Canon Frank Chun thought it would be a great idea to tap into the Diocese's retired clergy, who undoubtedly have many interesting stories to share. But the idea was not a new one. Some time ago, the Rev. Brian Grieves had proposed it, and more recently, the Rev. Alison Dingley encouraged it. Freshly motivated, Chun and the Rev. Heather Mueller made a concerted effort to put the wheels in motion. Together with others, they have been busy gathering stories and making them available for all to enjoy! To read the first two installments, visit the Talk Story webpage HERE.
2021 ECW Annual Meeting
The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) held their annual meeting for the second time via Zoom, due to the pandemic. There were ten ladies who gathered virtually on Saturday, October 2, 2021.

It was wonderful to see those who were able to attend, but we all surely missed seeing each other in person. (God willing, my Sisters, we may all be together in 2022). READ MORE
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DIOCESE
Visit the Diocese's Calendar page HERE for Diocesan events & activities.
Coming Up: Sunday, November 21
60th Anniversary Full Communion Concordat
A Liturgy to Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Full Communion Concordat between The Episcopal Church and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI or Philippine Independent Church) will be broadcast online, Sunday, November 21, 2021, at 1:00 PM HST, 6:00 PM EST, 7:00 AM (Monday) Manila. The Diocese of Hawai'i will be hosting the virtual event that will be available for viewing on the Diocesan website HERE and/or the Diocese's YouTube channel HERE.
Update: From the Creation Care and Environmental Justice Team
Mahalo to all who have completed our survey! We will be continuing to gather responses, so if you haven’t had a chance to participate, please take a moment to help us understand the ways that we are caring for God’s creation in our churches. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZZ3YZ8S
As you may have heard at our Diocesan Convention, we passed a resolution asking congregations to form a Green Team or identify at least one person who will help communicate with us and meet our goals of trying to reduce energy usage across the Diocese, and find other ways that we can be wise and good stewards of the resources God has given us. As we move into Advent Season, please pray about how God is inviting you to participate in this work either personally or with others in your congregation. Here are a couple offerings to consider:

  • Garden Work Day - The Cathedral of St. Andrew will be holding a Garden Work Day on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at 9:00 AM. Suggested items to bring with you: sun protection, water, garden gloves, hand pruners, hand trowel or spade. Please contact Priscilla Millen HERE for more information.

  • Adult Formation Program - Are you interested in learning more about the climate crisis and what effects it is having here in Hawai’i? Do you want to reflect on how you, as a Christian, are being invited by God to respond? Holy Nativity Church is offering an adult formation program starting in Advent and finishing in Epiphany. We will be reading the book Saving Us by Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist and a Christian, who helps us to understand more about the science and how to talk with one another across differences. There will also be guest speakers who can share a little about their work and how it relates to the effects of climate instability here in Hawai’i. Join us November 28, December 5, 12, and 19, and January 9 and 16 at 11:00 AM on Zoom. Details will be available soon on Holy Nativity website HERE.
We will be featuring regular updates about our General Convention Deputation Team by Kim Arakawa:
Deputies Gather to Discuss Blue Book
Members of the Hawaiʻi deputation team met on October 27, 2021, to continue community building and preparation for the General Convention this coming summer. Much of the discussion focused on reviewing reports to the 80th General Convention, a three-volume, 1160-page publication known as “The Blue Book.” Deputy Ryan Kusumoto generously explained how best to approach and use the information provided. Deputies will spend the next few months familiarizing themselves with the reports and resolutions, discussing their findings, and sharing insights during regular team gatherings.

Members of the Deputation Team are: (Alpha Order) – Kim Arakawa (Lay); Jazzy Bostock (Clergy); Mary Carpenter (Lay); Steve Costa (Clergy); John Decker (Lay); David Gierlach (Clergy); Faye Hee (Lay); Keleawe Hee (Clergy); Ryan Kusumoto (Lay); Paul Lillie (Clergy); Willis Moore (Lay); Annalise Castro Pasalo (Clergy); Cami Pascua (Lay); Hauʻoli Tomoso (Clergy)
Episcopal Service Corps Seeks Applicants for 2022-23 Service Year
The Episcopal Church invites young leaders ages 21 to 32 interested in a transformative outreach and discernment experience, to consider applying to the Episcopal Service Corps for its 2022-23 service year.

Applications open online November 15, 2021. A virtual open house (click to register HERE) to answer questions and explain more about the process will be at 3:00 PM ET (10:00 AM HST) Saturday, November 13, with others to follow. It will include a chance to hear from current and former Corps members. Potential applicants can also take an online discernment quiz HERE.

Every year, 80-100 young leaders serve more than 120,000 hours in local and community-based nonprofits and churches through the Episcopal Service Corps, helping in rural ministries, homelessness support, healthcare, immigration and refugee resettlement, housing justice, education for at-risk youth, and much more. Participants live together in community, creating and living by a household “Rule of Life,” and committing to regular spiritual direction and prayer in addition to service.
UN Anti-violence Campaign Inspires Churches Beyond Borders 2021 Devotional
Coinciding with Advent, this year’s devotions by the four Churches Beyond Borders are also timed with and inspired by the United Nations’ annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

For the first time, the annual compilation from The Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Anglican Church of Canada, and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada will include devotions written by laity and clergy, in addition to Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and the other heads of communion.

The new writers have been deeply involved in work related to the campaign’s theme, and they address issues of missing and murdered Indigenous women, trafficking, women at the borders, and domestic violence in the devotions, designed to be read from November 25 to December 10, 2021. READ FULL ARTICLE or DOWNLOAD DEVOTIONS
Oʻahu Happenings
Visit the Diocese's Community Calendar page HERE for ongoing activities in your neighborhood.
Becoming Beloved Community
St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church in Kalihi recently released a video on YouTube about their long-time Saturday morning feeding ministry that has served up thousands of meals by dedicated volunteers. To view the video, click on the image above or HERE.
BacPacs Blessed
The Diocese's Prison Ministry and BacPac project continues to support those released from prison. St. Stephen's in Wahiawa blessed ten Bacpacs during their October 31 service. (Photo from the St. Stephen's Facebook page)
From St. Luke's...
Long-time St. Luke's parishioner Michael Kim (husband of beloved Joyce Kim who served as the ECW-UTO coordinator) prepared special Halloween treats for all after church on October 31. (Contributed photo)
Fr. Ray Woo used best firneds Charlie Brown and Snoopy to encourage folks to get the vaccine booster as an expression of loving your neighbors as yourselves, taken from the October 31 Gospel reading. (Contributed photo)
Coming Up: This Saturday!
Holy Nativity Fall Festival & Christmas Sale
Holy Nativity's Thrift Shop will be holding their annual Fall Festival and Christmas Sale on Saturday, November 13, 2021, from 9:00 AM-2:00 PM, in the Holy Nativity Gym. Free parking! Lots of holiday items, bargains and rare collectibles! All proceeds will be given to organizations serving their community. For more information, call the church office at (808) 373-2131. Holy Nativity is located at 5286 Kalahianaole Highway.
Coming Up: Emmanuel's Drive-by Food Drive
Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Kailua will be having a Drive-by Food Drive on Saturday, November 20, 2021, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Non-perishable food and monetary donations will be collected for the Hawai'i Foodbank. Donations will also be accepted at the church office on Friday, November 19, and Sunday, November 21, at the 10:00 AM service. Let's bless the Hawai'i 'Ohana this Thanksgiving! Please make checks payable to Hawaii Foodbank or Emmanuel Church (with Food Drive in the memo). If you would like to volunteer to help with the drive, please contact Carolyn by email HERE. Emmanuel is located at 780 Keolu Drive.
Kauaʻi Happenings
Visit the Diocese's Community Calendar page HERE for ongoing activities in your neighborhood.
Coming Up: Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon (Pick-Up)
Despite pandemic restrictions, All Saints' will once again be participating in the Kapa'a Interfaith Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thanksgiving Day, November 25. All Saints' will be serving as the pick-up site for a delicious turkey meal with all the trimmings. Home deliveries will be made from a neighboring faith partner. For more information, or to donate, volunteer, or sign-up for a home delivered meal, email Sarah HERE. All Saints' is lcoated at 4-1065 Kuhio Highway.
Maui Happenings
Visit the Diocese's Community Calendar page HERE for ongoing activities in your neighborhood.
Coming Up: Virtual Workshops on BCP
Trinity By-the-Sea in Kihei has scheduled two online workshops to learn more about the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer (BCP). The workshops (same material) will be led by Fr. John Hau'oli Tomoso via Zoom:

  • Saturday, November 13, 9:00 AM-10:00 AM
  • Monday, November 15, 5:00 PM-6:00 PM

For more information, visit the Maui Episcopal Churches website HERE.
Coming Up: Eucharistic Minister/Visitor Training
A training for Eucharistic Ministers and Eucharistic Visitors will be taking place at Good Shepherd in Wailuku, on Saturday, December 4, 2021. These are licensed ministries in the Diocese of Hawai'i. This licensed lay position must be renewed every there years. Fr. Moki Hino will be leading the training. To comply with Diocesan pandemic policy, all participants must be vaccinated. For more information or to reigster, please call the parish office at (808) 244-4656.
Hawaiʻi Island
Visit the Diocese's Community Calendar page HERE for ongoing activities in your neighborhood.
Save the Date! Christmas Shoppe & Cheer at St. James'
Please mark your calendars for Saturday, December 4, 2021, for St. James' Christmas Shoppe & Cheer. Buy Christmas decor and baked goods in a festive setting on and around the Thrift Store Lanai from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Can't make it in person? We'll also have an online silent auction for select items and experiences, opening November 27 and closing the night of December 4.

All the proceeds will benefit community feeding programs, Kohala Animal Relocation and Education and the Hawaii Island Humane Society. Help us feed people and feed animals — and bring some needed Christmas cheer to our community — by contributing items to the bake sale or online auction, volunteering to staff the event, and wearing your favorite holiday apparel while there. Please contact co-organizer Jeanne Cooper via the parish office HERE to sign up or get more information.
The Episcopal Church & Beyond
Photo: Washington National Cathedral service
Presiding bishop officiates Colin Powell’s funeral at National Cathedral
[November 5, 2021] Presiding Bishop Michael Curry officiated at the funeral of Colin Powell, former U.S. secretary of state and general, at Washington National Cathedral on Nov. 5, in a ceremony attended by three presidents and a host of dignitaries. Powell, a lifelong Episcopalian, died on Oct. 18 of complications from COVID-19 at age 84. READ MORE
Photo: Reuters
‘Colin loved the church’: Powell recalled as Episcopalian at National Cathedral funeral
[November 8, 2021 [Religion News Service] Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Colin Powell, known as a four-star general and as a onetime secretary of defense, was remembered at his funeral at the Washington National Cathedral Friday (Nov. 5) as a man of the Episcopal faith. READ MORE
Photo: Dominika Zarzycka/Sipa via AP Images
‘Liturgy for Planetary Crisis’ Episcopal COP26 worship service highlights Native land stewardship
[November 8, 2021] Episcopalians gathered virtually on Nov. 6 for a “Liturgy for Planetary Crisis” worship service as Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s delegation continues its work at the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference. The liturgy, featuring leaders from across The Episcopal Church, highlighted the past, present and future role of Indigenous peoples in caring for the Earth... READ MORE
Photo: ENS/Reuters
Episcopal leaders warn concealed guns ruling could threaten safety of churches, other ‘sensitive places’
[November 1, 2021] The U.S. Supreme Court on Nov. 3 will hear arguments in a gun control case that could limit how far cities and states may go to regulate whether and when Americans can bring guns into public places, potentially increasing the risk of violence at houses of worship. READ MORE
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Contact Information
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The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i
229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 536-7776
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