The guest speaker was the Rev. Robert Heaney, Associate Professor of Christian Mission and Director of the Center for Anglican Communion Studies at Virginia Theological Seminary. The topic of the class was The Future of Anglican Mission: Critical and Constructive Conversations. As an Anglican priest-scholar ordained in the Church of Ireland, and having performed long and short-term ministry in Asia, Africa, Europe and the U.S., Heaney was well equipped to answer questions on the sometimes controversial and contested aspects of mission.

Then on Saturday, Heaney spent most of the day with the Native Hawaiian Ministry Co mmittee of the diocese and others in the ordination process discussing Postcolonial Theology. 

"The indigenizing of our 5 Marks of Mission is an intentional process for me," said the Rev. John Hau'oli Tomoso referring to The Episcopal Church's "checklist" for mission.  Tomoso continues, "Rev. Heaney's two-day discussion with clergy and Native Hawaiian Leaders of the diocese put all of this in proper perspective, in that the Diocese of Hawai'i, I believe, has been 'indigenizing' since 1862!  Let us continue to transform Hawai'i Nei as she daily journeys towards peace, justice and reconciliation!!"  

"It was a lively and engaging conversation," said Bishop Fitzpatrick, "the Diocese has been blessed by his presence the past few days."

Heaney holds a doctorate from an Irish Jesuit school (The Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy) and a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Oxford. Among a number of published articles and book contributions, he is also the author of  From Historical to Critical Post-Colonial Theology (Pickwick, 2015) and senior editor of  Faith Neighbors: Christian Muslim Vision and Practice (Church Publishing, forthcoming).

Pictured at top, Bishop Fitzpatrick blesses the oils of chrism; Rev. Heaney speaks at the Clergy Education Day.  Above, the Bishop, Rev. Heaney and Rev. JaR Pasalo take a moment during the class, and at right, the group at Saturday's gathering.   (Contributed photos by Charmaine Ito and Robert Heaney)

On Sunday, March 13, 2016, during their monthly weekend gathering at St. Anthony's Retreat Center, students and mentors of Waiolaihui'ia bid a fond aloha to the Rev. Austin Murray.  Murray has served as the Dean of Waiolaihui'ia for the past two years, and will be retiring and moving to the mainland. Pictured above from left, Ha'aheo Guanson presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Fr. Austin while Fane Lino and Preston Lentz applaud; Fr. Austin decked in beautiful lei; the new Dean of the program, the Rev. Diana Akiyama, shares her thoughts and gratitude; and Fr. David Kennedy poses with Fr. Austin. Below, a final group shot of Fr. Austin with students and mentors.  (Above photos from Fran Kramer, group photo from the Trinity March newsletter)

Pictured above is the planning committee at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Wahiawa, who met on March 6, 2016, to discuss plans for a June youth service project in Kalaupapa, Moloka'i.  Youth Co-chairs, Mina and Jesse are surrounded by their mothers, and a team of dedicated advisors to support this endeavor.   (Photo contributed by Kaleo Patterson)

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St. Michael and All Angels in Lihue, held their 10th annual Jazz Festival on February 5-7, 2016, offering up some of the finest jazz music to hundreds of fans on Kaua'i. The three-day event featured two concerts and two Sunday jazz masses that literally rocked the house! Pictured above top row, Festival Director Alan Van Zee displays the event's t-shirt; Phillip Hall and the Gospel Divas performed on Friday evening; bottom row, New Orleans pianist Matt Lemmler and jazz great Greta Matassa wowed the audience in Saturday's sell out concert; and St. Michael's Interim priest, the Rev. Mary Tudela, prepares the bread and wine to packed pews during Sunday services, against a backdrop of musicians.   (Photos from the St. Michael's Facebook page)

On Saturday, March 5, 2016, St. Michael and All Angels hosted a ReSource for Christian Spirituality event, The Spirit that Heals.   Now in its second year, the event's theme focused on forgiveness, and brought together people from around the island to participate in a variety of workshops. 

The plenary panel that opened the day's activities was as varied as the workshops being offered, and included a prison ministry volunteer, a Kaua'i Hospice Bereavement Coordinator, and a spiritual sojourner. Rev. Phyllis Meighen, Founder and Spiritual Director of ReSource, asked the panel to share some of their life experiences and the role forgiveness played in their lives and the lives of the people they touch.  

Attendees then headed off to morning and afternoon workshops that included topics such as Holy Listening, Yoga, Welcoming Prayer, Godly Play, and using the Enneagram to heal.  One of the wonderful aspects of this event is that it drew people from different faiths and denominations, which made for interesting discussions.  In one of the sessions I attended, every person was from a different church. I sat between a woman from the Bahai Faith, and another from UCC, sharing tears as we grew in our understanding of healing and forgiveness.  

Contemplative Outreach has a United in Prayer Day each year.   This year a group of 20 gathered at Holy Innocents in Lahaina for a morning of prayer, contemplation and silence. We gathered for Lectio Divina, and centering prayer.  Then in silence we enjoyed food, drink and the beautiful outdoors with its share of tourist noise, birds, and quiet.  We continued with centering prayer, walked the labyrinth, sat in the garden, gazed at the mountains and left in silence with this offering;  go in peace, listening with the ear of your heart.

The centering prayer group meets at Holy Innocents each Thursday at 4:00 PM for an hour. For more information, e-mail Julie Baker .  (Photos by Donna Tarsitano)

 

On Good Friday, Kahu Billy Mitchell (Mana Christian Ohana) invited all the congregations of Waimea and their pastors to join in sharing the love of God with all who passed by "church row". It was fantastic fun as people waved, honked and offered the shaka. The clergy all prayed together, giving powerful witness of unity in our Lord.   (Photo and caption from The Congregations of St. James' Parish online newsletter.)

[March 29, 2016]  Episcopal Church  Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has called for a season of prayer for regions of the Anglican Communion which are experiencing violence and civil strife.

* Burundi

* Central America

* Democratic Republic of the Congo

* Middle East

* Pakistan

* South Sudan

Twenty-three people representing six Anglican Communion provinces - Burundi, West Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania and the Episcopal Church - have come together for the conference which opened with participants setting goals and expectations, and a Bible study focused on Galatians 6:2. By midmorning March 31, following the Eucharist, and a group brainstorming session, participants broke up into five, small pre-established working groups organized around particular themes.

The 60th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) meeting took place in New York City,  March 14 through 24.   The provincial delegate and Church delegates were able to attend the UNCSW official meetings as observers on the floor of the United Nations and represented The Episcopal Church/Anglican Communion in their advocacy, including joint advocacy with the coalition of Ecumenical Women.

The 2016 UNCSW Priority Theme was "Women's empowerment and the link to sustainable development" and the Review Theme was "The elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls."

As a result from the gathering, the Anglican Communion delegation issued a statement to reaffirm 'unequivocal commitment' to stay in communion with each other. To read the statement in its entirety, click HERE.

To see photos (like the one above) and daily postings of the meeting, visit The Episcopal Church at UNCSW Facebook page HERE.