A video message from Bishop Bob |
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Aloha my dear Siblings in Christ Jesus,
In my years as Bishop and before that as Canon to the Ordinary, I have been called upon to address the St. Andrew’s congregation in times of transition and of difficulty. I have had to deliver news of clergy departure, staff conflict and budget problems. We together have had to weather economic downturns and the Pandemic. Through it all, I have come to love this our Cathedral and you – God’s people in the St. Andrew’s congregation.
I write today with a renewed feeling of hopefulness. Spiritually, liturgically, and musically, this is a very good season at the Cathedral of St. Andrew. Sunday attendance has improved as the pandemic abates. More people gather in person on Sundays than they did before the pandemic. In addition, many more follow online. The staff members work well together though their number are greatly diminished. Our Provost (Heather), Assisting Priest (Haaheo), Director of Music (Nick), Organist (Mark) and Audio/Visual Technician (Jaki) are all part-time employees – at least in terms of compensation, if not hours worked, with other jobs and ministries beyond the Cathedral. Only the Program Manager (Lauren) and Business Manager (Julia) are full-time at the Cathedral, and they have had to take duties usually reserved for the Sexton (custodian). Yet, this is a solid team working together on our behalf without conflict while making us proud.
This team is helping us expand program and reach out to the community. The liturgies and music are well planned and executed, and most fitting for the Mother Church of the Diocese. Frankly, when I show up on Sundays or for special liturgies, I don’t worry because I know that all will be well and beautifully presented. The building again is being open to the community. There is a practical and affordable plan for the restoration of our Skinner pipe organ. The music program is again in top form. Heather is the most effective and non-anxious priest-in-charge (by whatever title) of the Cathedral whom I have known in over twenty years. We are spiritually and liturgically in a very good place.
As your Bishop and the President of Chapter, I must share that this is not an easy time. Your Cathedral staff is working long hours. Every one of them is working overtime for you – and for God. Financially, the giving of the congregation has held very steady through the Pandemic – even improved. We have, however, several concerning issues to address together:
- The “Japanese Weddings” have not returned in numbers to have a meaningful impact on the Cathedral’s budget. In practical terms, that is a missing $800,000 in the annual budget compared to pre-Pandemic numbers. Though with the lifting of travel restrictions in Japan, some of that money will likely return, but it will take some time – perhaps years -- to return to former levels.
- The current disruption in the Stock Market is reducing the income from the Cathedral’s relatively small endowment. As of June 30, 2022 (before the recent drastic downturn in the Market), the balance of the Cathedral’s endowment was $2,362,077. Of this amount, $1,033,154 is restricted and $1,328,923 is unrestricted. In addition, there is a separately incorporated non-profit corporation named “St. Andrew’s Cathedral Foundation” (despite the name, it is not legally a “foundation”) that was established largely from Cathedral funds transferred to the new entity by Chapter in the 1990’s. The Chapter members constitute the “Board of Directors” of the Foundation. Likewise, as of June 30, the Foundation endowment balance was $2,883,779. Of this balance, $1,883,975 is the Principal and cannot be touched, otherwise we violate the requirements of the original donors’ gifts and bequests. The remaining $399,864 is restricted and $599,940 is unrestricted. Remember, these numbers are from before the downturn.
- The Cathedral must have custodial/maintenance support of some type (by new staff or outsourced).
- The Provost and Director of Music either need to be fulltime or have the fullest support possible for their essential ministries.
- Our historic buildings have ongoing maintenance and capital needs that cannot go unaddressed (The most recent examples being the need to improve the electrical system and to update the sound system).
This is where you can help. I ask that you increase your giving to the Cathedral in 2023. Please make the Cathedral a priority in 2023. Help your Chapter with planning for next year by making a pledge. Further, if you can make a major gift (beyond you pledge or current giving) here in the last quarter of 2022, it will help ensure that the great strides of the past two years can continue.
Please continue to join the Cathedral for worship – ideally in person as often as possible. Our Cathedral also needs your volunteer time. Please step-up now more than ever. Most importantly, please invite your friends and family members to join you in this wonderful and inclusive community of Christ Jesus, and to join us in worshipping in the grace and beauty of our Cathedral of St. Andrew.
Finally, pray for your clergy and staff, the Chapter, and the entire Cathedral ʻOhana.
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Aloha ma o Iesu Kristo, ko makou Haku,
+Bob
The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick, Bishop
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Love must act as light must shine and fire must burn.
-James Otis Sargent Huntington
You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand, and it shines on all who are in the house … let your light shine (Matthew 5:14-16)
Grace and Peace be with you, Cathedral ʻOhana,
After the past few years of uncertainty, fear, and grief, it seems only “meet and right” that our stewardship campaign focuses us on light: the shining, sharing, and sustaining of our light in the world. Us sharing our God-given light is what we are intended for and compelled to do and our consideration of how we shine our light and how we will unceasingly continue to shine our light, is a crucial conversation for us to engage in together. We are reminded that God’s beautiful and shining purpose for us in our lives is to be light-bearers. We cannot escape that! Love compels us to act. Light compels us to shine.
This past year, I have seen that light demonstrated abundantly in our Cathedral: in our worship, learning, and prayer programs and gatherings, and in our service to the wider community and Diocese. As we actively emerge from the COVID-darkness, we are doing so with grace and intention, looking to connect with one another and our community in meaningful ways, creating lasting relationships and partnerships, looking to be the Cathedral intended by the Holy Sovereigns, sharing our light with all. We want to do so much more: deepen relationships, open new opportunities for worship and study, join in fellowship in the name of Christ, enrich connections within our Diocese and neighborhood. All of this takes your commitment and support; we cannot do this without you. Let’s Shine Our Light Together!
After all, when we bring our light out into the world, we express our gratitude, confidence, and willingness to take risks as light-bearers of Christ. In making our light visible, we make God’s love visible and available to all. Our willingness to accept the challenge to stretch and grow into the light-bearing mission of our Cathedral holds us to: Love must act as light must shine and fire must burn.
Prayerfully, I ask all of you to reflect on the gifts you have received and to consider how God is compelling you to bring your light to bear for the world with your time, talents, and treasure. Your Cathedral is most vibrant and alive when all of our light shines as one. As we plan for 2023, join us with your commitment to our mission--
Your generosity makes it possible; your pledge makes it sustainable.
Thank you for helping us Shine Our Light!
Most Faithfully,
Canon Heather+
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On Sunday, November 13, we will have a special ingathering and blessing of the pledges received thus far as a way to start our new Church Year. Having your pledge included in the ingathering this coming Sunday will allow the Church to plan how we will carry out God's work for us into the New Year, so thank you for all who have pledged thus far. Do not fret if you have not pledged yet - there is still time! In fact, Stewardship is a way of life for us, ongoing and perpetual care and keeping of our earth, our lives, and each other.
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If you are interested in pledging online, follow this link for more information about the Cathedral’s Stewardship opportunities.
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The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i Convention 54
Recap by Junior Warden, Roth Puahala
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Cathedral Delegates and Clergy
Photo Credit: Roth Puahala
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The True Love of Peace
The convention theme for this year’s annual meeting was, “The True Love of Peace.” Held at Seto Hall on the campus of ‘Iolani School. Held over two days with “Education Day,” on Friday, October 21 with the Racial Reconciliation Task Force sharing their goals and curriculum to engage participants to be curious by providing the curriculum written so far and provide dates for future training and implementation. To be present to begin the conversation if how all involved can be focused and practice active listening, through samples of the upcoming curriculum. And finally, to reimagine, to recreate, a new day and live in a beloved community within our parish. We are looking forward to these up-coming workshops, to create process and what steps for our churches to begin the journey to live out Christ’s amazing love to all. The afternoon workshops spoke about climate change and how we can commit to being a zero carbon church and with being involved with our Green Team at the Cathedral looking forward to connect with faith and values to demand climate change and the greenhouse effect imposing in all of us. The second workshop spoke about Palestinians-Israeli conflict from a Christian Palestine’s perspective in racial reconciliation. The day ended with a Eucharist Service with a message of reconciliation and reimagining and sharing a meal of Hawaiian food with one another.
Our 54th Annual Meeting of the Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i was held on Saturday, October 22, 2022 and attended by Cathedral Delegates – Matt Brown, Cheryl Chang, Elizabeth Conklin, Roth Puahala, Andrew Sakaguchi, Arch Deacon Steve Costa, Rev. Dr. Ha‘aheo Guanson.
The highlight of the convention for me was the message from our Bishop, The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick. His message spoke about “Reconciliation” and “Relationships” as primary values in the stage of our life together as God’s people for God’s world in the Diocese of Hawaiʻi and to look at suggestions and insights on how best to encourages our parishes. We need to learn to speak the language of “WE.” We are God’s people, we are kākou, everyone here at the Cathedral and throughout this Diocese is kākou. Kākou is the value of inclusiveness. All of “US,” we are in this together. If we plan to move as one in reconciliation and in relationships, we must do it as a kākou of effective yet enjoyable communication among us all. Kākou delivers a sense of belonging to everyone in a relationship, it is inclusive, invitational style engaging God’s people to seek to adopt as they seek a greater achievement to serve others and manage others with Aloha.
In his human form, Jesus showed how he desired a close relationship, reflecting our need for a close relationship. Created in God’s image, this is one of the basics desires of life. Then it became evident relationships are a key factor in God’s plan of salvation. Without relationship God’s plan is lost. As said in Mark 12:29-31 from the Bishop’s message this is reconciliation and relationship, there is no commandment greater than these.
To highlight the rest of the convention, the 2023 Budget passed unanimously. There were two resolutions submitted, Resolution #1 – 2023 Minimum Clergy Compensation and Benefits Policy of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai’i was adopted unanimously; Resolution #2 – Urges the leaders of all congregations of this Diocese to initiate programs of voter education for parishioners to cultivate a better understanding of civic engagement as an expression of Christian faith and affirms that as citizens, each individual Episcopalian has a responsibility to bear witness in the public square by exercising the right to vote and engaging in civic affairs for the common good. After much debate and with some opposition, resolution #2 passed. Diocesan Elections were held. For more information please click on link: Convention 54.
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Convention 54 Eucharist
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Conklin
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Mahalo for your Foodland Give Aloha Donations! |
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The Cathedral is so grateful for your participation in the Foodland Give Aloha Program. The customer donations collected this year totaled $3, 856! In addition, Foodland has given a matching gift of $1, 000.37.
Thank you, thank you!
Reminder: If you have not turned in your Foodland Give Aloha receipts, please send them into the Cathedral Office.
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Join in our All Saints' celebration on November 6 as we offer our thanks and praise for the saints who have paved the way for us. We invite you to participate in our celebration by placing any of the following items on our Table of Remembrance:
- Photo of your loved one
- Lei (we will have stands available to hang the lei)
- Lit tealight (the Cathedral will provide tealights).
- Your loved ones name written on paper (we will have paper/pens).
St. Andrew's Schools students have also prepared a Lei of Love and Remembrance to honor all on the Diocesan Necrology.
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Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion
and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord:
Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living,
that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared
for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,
one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
*If you are joining our service on Facebook, you are welcome to share a photo in the comments during the service.
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November 13th
Sunday Morning Services
Diocesan Feast Day - Queen Lili'uokalani
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Sunday Evening
Choral Evensong honoring King Kalākaua at 5:30pm
"An Hour with Queen Lili'uokalani" Two-Woman Play at 6:30pm
Click here for information on the two actors!
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November 20
Diocesan Feast Day - Holy Sovereigns,
King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma
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Bishop Fitzpatrick will be joining us at both the 8am and 10am services,
as we honor the founding patrons of our Diocese. We will also have a special Blessing ceremony of the Lili'uokalani Peace Chapel.
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Thanksgiving Eucharist on November 24 at 9am |
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Planning has begun for a Thanksgiving Eucharist service with Bishop Bob in the Cathedral, 9am (Hawaiian and English). Please stay tuned for more details! |
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Join us on the first Sunday of the new church year and bring your Bible with you for this special moment of prayer and blessing during the morning liturgies. It could be the Bible you use for your own devotions, a family Bible, a pocket Bible you carry with you ‘just in case,’ or a Bible you plan to give as a gift – As we enter into the holy season of Advent, may we rededicate ourselves to the path of light and love found in Scripture. |
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Advent candles will be available for sale in $3 to $5 sets starting on November 6th. How to purchase candles:
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Visit Melvia Kawashima and Glenda Quarnstrom under the Aloha Tent in-between the 8am and 10am services on the following Sunday mornings: November 6, 13, and 20).
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Email office@cathedralhawaii.org to arrange pick-up Tuesday through Friday, starting November 8, from the Cathedral Office.
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Christmas flowers, as part of the Greening of the Cathedral, is a tradition at St. Andrew's which expresses our memorials to loved ones and our celebrations of thanksgiving. The Altar Guild is grateful for your help in fulfilling its mission to make the Cathedral a holy place for Jesus' birth.
There will be "Christmas Flowers" envelopes available in the pews, starting on Sunday, November 13. You can also mail in or drop off your donations, with the name or names of those you would like listed, under the categories "In Loving Memory" and/or "In Thanksgiving".
To be listed in the Christmas bulletins, we must receive your dedications by noon Friday, December 16.
Please make your donation check payable to: The Cathedral of St. Andrew.
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Please take note!
The Cathedral Office is closed on Mondays &
open by appointment: Tuesday - Friday, 8am to 4pm
To contact the Office:
Call 808-524-2822
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The Cathedral of St. Andrew
229 Queen Emma Square
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 524-2822
cathedralhawaii.org
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