This issue's header photo was taken this past Sunday at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in Palolo, where they celebrated the Feast of St. Francis with the blessing of animals. Churches around the Diocese have been blessing their furry, finned and feathered pets these past two weeks. Pictured above from left: Dave and Val Pursel, Les Hata, the Rev. Keleawe Hee, Gail Lee, Gavin Nishihira, new visitor Robert, and Kamu Magno. (Photo: Faye Hee) | |
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Proper 23
Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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In case you missed it, the following special message from the Bishop was released on October 9:
The Violence in Israel/Palestine
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My dear Siblings in Christ,
News from Israel/Palestine has been devastating.
The murder and kidnapping of innocent Israeli civilians by Hamas (an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya -- “Islamic Resistance Movement”), is horrendous. The images are shocking. Hamas is a group that evolved as the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in the late 1980s. A militant Islamist group, Hamas took over the Gaza Strip after defeating its rival political party, Fatah, in elections in 2006. READ MORE
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The Episcopal Church and Anglican leaders continue to share prayers and statements calling for an end to the violence impacting Israelis and Palestinians. Below is a partial list of statements and resources.
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Ms. Teena Urban, the widow of the Rev. Canon Darrow Kanakanui Aiona, died on October 2, 2023. A retired educator, Teena was dedicated to mediation and conflict resolution. Until her death, she was an active member of St. Mark’s Church, Kapahulu, and of the Diocese's Retired Clergy, Spouses, and Widows Group.
A Requiem Eucharist will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 24, 12 noon, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 539 Kapahulu Avenue, Honolulu.
O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of your servant Teena, and grant her an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick
(Pronouns: he, him, his)
Bishop Diocesan
The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i
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Hope in Sorrow: "For People" Podcast Features Bishop Bob
Bishop Bob was a recent guest on a podcast with Bishop Rob Wright from the Diocese of Atlanta. "For People" is a conversation with Bishop Rob Wright, who "meets listeners at the crossroads of faith and life to explore the challenges of an ever-changing world." In this episode, the two Bishops discuss the impact of the devastating August fires on Maui. To listen to this half-hour discussion, click HERE.
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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.
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Celebrating the Season of Creation
Each year Christians around the world celebrate the Season of Creation that runs from September 1 through October 4. It is a time for "renewing, repairing, and restoring our relationship to God, one another, and all of creation," and people are invited to consider our ecological, economic, and political ways of living.
Churches around the Diocese of Hawai'i took this year's observance of the Season of Creation to heart in multiple ways: liturgically in worship, with intentional congregational planning for reducing energy use, and by taking action in our community.
READ MORE
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Gone but Not Forgotten: The Artwork of Holy Innocents
The emotions are still raw, and the grieving for the lives and all that was lost from the Maui wildfires in August, will linger for years to come; for those directly affected, perhaps a lifetime.
As officials painstakingly pore over the damaged areas section by section, much of Lahaina town is still inaccessible, including Holy Innocents Church. From photos, we know that the church building is gone, along with everything within it, but thankfully we have photographs of some of the precious artwork that graced the worship space. READ MORE
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WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DIOCESE | |
Visit the Diocese's Calendar page HERE for Diocesan events & activities. | |
LATEST CONVENTION 55 NEWS: | |
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ONLINE REGISTRATION ENDS THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13!
All are invited to attend Education Day events & activities on Friday, October 20.
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Online registration for all activities related to Convention 55 ends this Friday, October 13! You may still register in person on the day of the event. Important reminders and restrictions apply:
FOR EDUCATION DAY ACTIVITIES (Friday, October 20):
- For those who miss online registration, you may still participate in any of the activities on Friday, but you must register and pay by 9:30 AM.
FOR ANNUAL MEETING (Saturday, October 21):
- All registered clergy and delegates must check in no later than 8:30 AM. Those arriving after this time will lose voice and voting privileges.
- Clergy and delegates who have not registered online may still register in person on this day no later than 8:00 AM. Those registering after this time will lose voice and voting privileges.
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NEW UPDATE: The Response to the Bishop's Address Committee is asking that attendees bring a travel-size bottle (3-oz.) filled with water from their home, school or church. There will be a koa bowl prepared for everyone to pour their water into as they enter Seto Hall on Saturday. Be sure to hang on to the bottle afterwards...do not throw it away.
For more information and to register, click on the buttons below. There is also a call for anyone interested in participating in the open choir during the Convention Eucharist that can be found on the Education Day webpage. Choir participants need to register.
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In the News...
Click HERE to read an article on the status of Holy Innocents Church by StarAdvertiser reporter Pat Gee.
REMINDER: RELIEF FUNDS AVAILABLE
Help us… help you… help those affected by the Maui Wildfires!
Due to the generosity from people around the Diocese, country, and globe, we want to make sure we can help wherever help is needed. Assistance isn’t limited to just people currently on Maui (there are many who have taken people in on other islands), nor is it ever limited to Episcopalians. To send a request for financial assistance, click on the button above.
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Camp Mokulē'ia's Annual Fund Drive & Halloween Stay-Cay!
Camp Mokulē'ia has just kicked off their annual fund drive. Please consider making a donation that will be used to provide scholarships to campers attending the Summer Camp program.
REMINDER: It's not too late to sign up for the Halloween 'Ohana Stay-Cay Weekend, October 27-29, full of fun and activities including pumpkin carving, silhouette painting, monster collages, outdoor movie, zip-lining, kayaking, paddle boarding, yard games and s'mores at the campfire. We'll finish the campfire with a teen only spooky story time! Family friendly costumes are encouraged! REGISTER HERE
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CARBON REDUCTION ASSISTANCE GRANTS AWARDED - For the 2023 fiscal year, the Diocese's Environmental Justice and Creation Care Task Force delivered $2,500 in grant funding to congregations who needed financial support to reduce their carbon footprint. (The funding may also be used for schools.) This year we awarded monies to all our grant applicants:
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$1,130.00 went to St. Johnʻs, Kula (Maui) to fund an Energy Star freezer for their Community Dinner and Food Pantry outreach.
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$350.00 was awarded to St. Matthews (Oʻahu) for the purchase of LED lightbulbs
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$1,020.00 went to Christ Church, Kealakekua (Hawaiʻi Island) to help with the installation of LED lighting.
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to these churches!! Check out our webpage HERE and this newsletter for any updates to this funding program next year!
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CONVENTION 55 & EDUCATION DAY - October 20-21, 2023, 'Iolani School, O'ahu
2024 FORMA - January 22-25, 2024, Virtual watch parties TBA
2024 Clergy Retreat - January 29-31, 2024, Camp Mokulēʻia, O'ahu
2024 Vestry Orientation (New or not!) - February 10, 2024 (Virtual)
2024 Spring Training - March 23, 2024, The Cathedral of St. Andrew, O'ahu
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Visit the Diocese's Community Calendar page HERE for ongoing activities in your neighborhood.
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O'AHU: Coming Up at The Cathedral... | |
This Sunday is Ali'i Sunday Commemorating Princess Ka'iulani,
Plus Faith & Blue
This Sunday, October 15, The Cathedral of St. Andrew will be honoring Princess Ka'iulani. After the 10:00 AM service, there will be a special gathering with the O'ahu Sheriff's Department celebrating the National Faith & Blue movement. Local officers will bring refreshments and provide an opportunity for open conversation. For those interested, the meet and greet will end with a walk over to the Officer's Memorial near the Capitol, where prayer will be offered.
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William Byrd: Music for a Secret Chapel
The Choir of The Cathedral of St. Andrew and O'ahu Choral Society Chamber Choir, join forces to present a concert of mystically beautiful choral and organ music by William Byrd, one of the most celebrated composers of the English Renaissance, who died in 1623. This special concert takes place on Sunday, October 22, 2023, 5:00 PM, at the Cathedral, 229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu. Admission is free, donations welcome. For more information, contact the Cathedral at (808) 524-2822.
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O'AHU: Coming Up at Emmanuel - 2nd Annual Plant Sale
Green Thumbs and volunteers are needed as we prepare for the 2nd Annual Plant Sale at Emmanuel on Saturday, November 11, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. At the plant sale we will also be taking orders for kadomatsu! Please contact Paul Nachtigall (808) 291-6432 and Carolyn Remedios (808) 384-3207 if you would like to help! mmanuel Episcopal Church is located at 780 Keolu Drive in Kailua.
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O'AHU: Fellowship in the Garden | On Sunday, September 24, the folks at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Honolulu held a lovely gathering in the church garden with the Vestry and new worshipers. (Photo: St. Peter's Newsletter) | |
KAUA'I: Coming Up at St. Michael and All Angels - 60th Anniversary Celebration
All are invited to a very special service and celebration at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, as they honor our Holy Sovereigns and celebrate the church's 60th anniversary. The event takes place on Sunday, November 5, 2023, beginning at 10:00 AM. There will be live music, hula, and a luau lunch to follow. Aloha attire suggested. For more information, contact the church at (808) 245-3796. St. Michael's is located at 4364 Hardy Street in Lihue.
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KAUA'I: Blessing a New Vicarage at Christ Memorial | The Bishop was on Kaua'i this past Sunday for Visitation at Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in Kilauea, and blessed their new vicarage. Their new Vicar, the Rev. Catherine Amy Kropp, will be arriving soon to a new home in more ways than one! Pictured with the Bishop at far right is Junior Warden Maggie Lea. (Contributed photos) | |
MAUI: Reasons to Celebrate | |
Good Shepherd Hosts Bishop and Holy Innocents at Fr. Bruce DeGooyer's Retirement
Our hearts were full (and so was the church) as we gathered with Bishop Fitzpatrick and Bea to honor and celebrate the retirement of Fr. Bruce DeGooyer, who joined us [Sunday, October 1] with his wife Sylvia. The Bishop was able to bless a set of Hawaiian stoles and a beautiful Hawaiian alb to replace the vestments that Fr. Bruce lost in the Lahaina wildfire. We were also joined by many people from Holy Innocents’ in Lahaina, and that made for an especially blessed morning. (From the Good Shepherd Facebook page)
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Fr. George Wong Celebrates 1 year
St. John's Episcopal Church in Kula celebrated Fr. George Wong's first anniversary with their church. Lots of good food, cake and fellowship were shared! (Contributed photos)
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HAWAI'I ISLAND: St. Augustine's Bazaar Raises $12K! | |
What a wonderful day at St. Augustine's Annual Bazaar held on Saturday, September 23, 2023. We had a steady flow of happy shoppers, lots of ono grindz to enjoy, and amazing music to keep us moving and grooving! Thanks to everyone's hard work and patronage we raised over $12K! Our gratitude to all our church and community members for working on and attending the event. (Contributed photos and story)
ST. AUGUSTINE'S THRIFT SHOP IN THE NEWS - Mahalo to Kohala Mountain News for the wonderful article in this month's paper. Thank you to St. Augustine's member Eileen Hartwings who connected us with writer Diann Wilson to bring this piece to life! Check out the full article on page 11 HERE.
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LAY POSITION OPENINGS
(Visit the Diocesan website HERE for more information.)
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OʻAHU: The Cathedral of St. Andrew - Seeking Volunteer Docents
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OʻAHU: St. Stephen's Church, Wahiawa - Organist (Part-time)
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MAUI: (Diocesan Support Staff) - Recovery Efforts Missioner (Full-time)
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HAWAI'I ISLAND: Holy Apostles - Minister of Music (Part-time)
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The Episcopal Church & Beyond | |
Christian leaders call for end to violence after Hamas’ attack ignites new war with Israel
[10/10/23] Episcopal and Anglican leaders are amplifying global prayers for peace after the militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel over the weekend, taking an estimated 150 hostages and igniting a new war that so far has killed hundreds of Israelis and Palestinians. READ MORE
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MORE HEADLINE LINKS FROM
THE EPISCOPAL NEWS SERVICE:
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Reminders (Previously Announced) | |
Episcopal Church Young Adult and Campus Ministry Grants Now Available - Episcopalians are invited to consider how their community might serve young adults—on and off college campuses—and apply for an Episcopal Church Young Adult and Campus Ministry grant for the 2024-25 academic year. The deadline to apply is November 13, 2023, with decisions announced in early 2024. Applicants are encouraged to use a discernment and planning guide prior to submission. Find application forms, selection criteria, sample applications, a timeline, budget guidelines, and more at this link. | |
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The United Thank Offering Board is pleased to announce the availability of its 2024 UTO Annual Grants, with a focus on projects that welcome and include “the stranger.” Application deadlines are December 1, 2023, for Anglican Communion partners and January 19, 2024, for dioceses of The Episcopal Church. More information—including criteria for applicants, sample budgets and timelines, and helpful hints—as well as application and other forms are available online in English and Spanish HERE. READ MORE
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Do you have a question? Contact us at (808) 536-7776 | |
The Diocesan Support Center (DSC) staff is ready to help answer your questions. Some of the most common topics are listed along with the person to contact. Click on the linked name to send an email.
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BISHOP (meeting with): Nani (ext. 302)
Annual Meeting: Rae (ext. 326)
Budget/Finance: Sam (ext. 306)
Communications/News/Website: Sybil
Congregational Membership: Sandy (ext. 309)
Diocesan Portfolio/Investments: Sam (ext. 306)
Hiring/Human Resources: Rae (ext. 326)
Monthly Statement: Fatima (ext. 307)
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Ordination/Licensed Ministries: Nani (ext. 302)
Property (Contracts, Insurance, Agreements): Rae (ext. 326)
Safe Church: Nani (ext. 302)
Stewardship: Sandy (ext. 309)
Supply/Visiting Clergy: Nani (ext. 302)
Worship/Sacraments: Sandy (ext. 309)
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Don't forget to visit our FORMS & DOCUMENTS page on the Diocesan website HERE.
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Catch up on articles you may have missed below! | |
Contact Information
The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i
229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 536-7776
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