'Iolani:  Raising Awareness Through Empty Bowls

'Iolani School partnered with Aloha Harvest to host the school's first Empty Bowls event on Friday, May 13, 2016. Aloha Harvest is a nonprofit organization that  rescues quality  donated food and delivers it free of charge to social service agencies feeding the hungry. Students in the Upper School ceramics class made 150 bowls for the event that included student-led lessons and presentations about food systems and hunger in Hawai'i. Guests chose a bowl as a reminder that many in our community and across the globe go hungry every day.  Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to help end hunger through the Empty Bowls Project. Aloha Harvest i s this year's beneficiary of Empty Bowls Hawai'i . (Photos from the 'Iolani School Facebook page.) 

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Priory: Ascension Cross & Queen Emma Ball

The St. Andrew's Schools had a lot to celebrate during the month of May.  On May 5, the Junior Class unveiled the traditional coral cross decorated in flowers for the 149th Ascension Day (Founder's Day) celebration.  Then on Wednesday, May 11, the annual Queen Emma Ball was held at the Sheraton Waikiki, setting attendance and fundraising records.  Over 600 attended the sold-out event, raising $525,000 that will go towards student scholarships and financial aid.  Pictured above. Bishop Fitzpatrick and wife Bea are joined by (seated) the Rev. JaR Pasalo, and the Rev. Malcolm Chun.  Standing are Bishop's staff with their spouses. (Photos from the St. Andrew's School's website.)

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Congratulations Class of 2016!

On April 19 - 22, 2016, Frank and Norma Chun attended a gathering in Vancouver, WA,  for over 200 chaplains.  Just before the meeting, they took the opportunity to visit with Bishop and Mrs. Ed Browning.

A day prior to attending the Chaplains' Conference (for diocesan chaplains to retired clergy), Norma and I visited Bishop Ed Browning ( 2nd Bishop of Hawaiʻi, 1976-1985, and 24th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, 1986-1997)  and Patti, who live in the Hood River area .   Although they are physically resident within the Diocese of Eastern Oregon, the Brownings are still "canonically resident" in the Diocese of Hawaiʻi, and under our care as the Hawaiʻi Chaplains to Retired Clergy.  

Note:  Six years ago, Bishop Fitzpatrick appointed the Rev. Canon Franklin Chun and his wife Norma Chun to be the Chaplains to Retired Clergy and their Spouses and Partners, and the Clergy Widows in our Diocese.  Their roles are primarily a pastoral care ministry that keep the Bishop, as well as the retired community, apprised of the well-being of each other.  Contact is made via e-mail, phone calls, visits, gatherings, an occasional newsletter, and birthday notes.  The Diocese of Hawai'i numbers 67 retired clergy and 85 spouses/partners and widows, about half of whom live in the Islands, and the others throughout the U.S. and abroad.  In addition, the list also includes retired clergy, who have come from other dioceses, and have made the Islands their home.

The women of the Pacific Islander Ministry (PIM) gathered together at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Honolulu for a special Mother's Day meeting.  The Guest of Honor was Bea Fitzpatrick, the Bishop's wife, who lovingly presented each attendee with a flower lei.  The event overflowed with food, dance and hugs.  Bea is pictured above with the Bishop, adorned in exquisite Pacific Islander leis that were presented to them; some of the women of PIM, and Fane Lino, Diocesan Missioner.   (Photos from the Pacific Island Ministries Facebook Page)

 

On Wednesday, June 1, Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick presented the processional cross from the former St. George's Church in Pearl Harbor, to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Chapel at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The cross, shown here, was made from a deck plate of the USS Arizona by the late Captain Charles Swanson.  It will be mounted and made a permanent memorial in the Chapel.  

The Bishop shared that another cross made from metal off of the USS Arizona (and formerly part of the altar at St. George which closed in 2014) will be used to create a memorial in the Cathedral of St. Andrew. 

 "The memory of those who died on December 7, 1941, and of those who worshiped at St. George's Church will be preserved in these two memorials in living places of worship," said the Bishop.   (Photo of the Bishop during the service by Laurie Dexter, PO2; cross photos by Robert Fitzpatrick)

O'ahu Regional Confirmations

The Honolulu Regional Confirmation Ceremony took place on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at The Cathedral of St. Andrew.  The service was combined with other O'ahu regions and included several churches from around the island.  (Above photos from the St. Peter's Facebook page.)

From The Cathedral of St. Andrew, two were confirmed:   Wehialohakalehuaopuna Liloa Ho'ohua McKee and  Bernard Alan Kupukupulauokalani Henderson-Kaiama.

From St. Paul's Episcopal Church, twelve were confirmed: Jared Cabanit, Joey Cananit, Camryn Arianna Casido, Nicole Daguimol, Jerrick Dureg, Brandon Llacuna, Sharlene Llacuna, Jarvis Natividad, Judy Ann Pagala, Eugene Tunac, Jesabel Tunac, Roland Calumpit; and three were reaffirmed:  Maryjane Casido, Roland Casido, Elisha Aleli Marquez


From St. Peter's Episcopal Church, four were baptized: Jaime Moana Nishimoto Yamane, Bruce Yukio Yamamoto, Edmund Tin Tuck Choy (pictured above center), Sophie Sachie Jia-Na Cho; and six were confirmed: Jaime Moana Nishimoto Yamane, Bruce Yukio Yamamoto, Edmund Tin Tuck Choy, Paula Reiko Choy, Takahiko Kimura, Karin Adele Char Kimura  (Above photos from the St. Peter's Facebook page)

From Epiphany Episcopal Church, two were confirmed:  James Smotherman and  Deylen Koa Sueoka, who are pictured above in yellow leis with Bishop Fitzpatrick, Epiphany Rector, the Rev. Irene Tanabe, and the Rev. JaR Pasalo. (Photo from the Epiphany Facebook page)

From St. Luke's Episcopal Church, one was confirmed:  Young Jin Kim 

From St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, one was confirmed: Charles Washington Philips III; and one received: Devon Dru Zotorich Phillips

From St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, three were confirmed: Wendall Kekailoa Perry, Gail Honda, Linda Taepan

From St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, seven were confirmed: Jordan Makaalanalani Patterson, Naomi Patterson, Kaya Patterson, Josiah Kekoanui Patterson, Kelsey Patterson, Joanna Kealananiokalokomaikaiikauhanekuokoa Patterson, Remi Wayte, 

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The Rev. Ray Woo Installed at St. Luke's

On Saturday, April 9, 2016, the Rev. Raymond Woo was installed as the Vicar of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Honolulu.  Pictured above is Rev. Woo with the Bishop and some of the clergy who turned out to support him. 

Above are photos taken during the service. At right, Martha Im, who served as the Diocese's Chancellor for many years, presents a gift to Rev. Woo.  Below from left, Bishop Chang and wife Dee congratulate Woo; from St. Mary's Fr. Gregory Johnson and the Blanchett's; and Woo with his celebration cake.   (Photos by Jan Motoshige)

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Vergers Commissioned at The Cathedral

In April, The Cathedral of St. Andrew commissioned Roth Puahala as Head Verger and Ann Hansen as Assistant Verger. Puahala (far left) and Hansen (second from right) are joined by Duke DuTeil, who was the former Head Verger of the Washington Cathedral and is the representative of the Verger's Guild of the Episcopal Church, and the Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Rev. Walter Brownridge. Both Puahala and Hansen have undergone rigorous study and training to become Vergers.  You may read an article by Ann Hansen about their journey that appeared in the June 2015 issue of the E-Chronicle HERE.  (Photo from Walter Brownridge's Facebook page.)

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Notes From around O'ahu

The Regional Confirmation for West O'ahu took place at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Aiea, on Sunday, April 10.  There was one confirmation and two dozen reaffirmations including one member from the Cathedral.  They are:

From St. Timothy's, Reaffirmations: Laurie Luczak, Grace Iwami, David Millard, Vicki Millard, Rebecca Kang, Sue Ann Wargo, Gail Layco, Sachiko Sandy Chun, Amy Hironaka,  Jane Murakami, Roxanne Birch, Janet Birch, Mansueto Parcon, Evangeline Barney, Louisa Quintero, Angie Hamasaki, Elizabeth Smith, Eugene Smith and David Morales

Community Involvement

Memorial Day Special Remembrances - Memorial Day was observed by many around America, and several churches held special services to honor our fallen soldiers. Pictured above at left, Kahu Kaleo Patterson and members of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Wahiawa, present a wreath at the National Cemetery of the Pacific during Memorial Day services on Sunday, May 29, 2016.  During a special Sunday Memorial Service at St. Stephen's, the beautiful wreath pictured at right, was prepared in remembrance of Wahiawa WWII soldiers and the 12 marines who died in a training exercise in January of this year.  Attendees took part in creating the wreath that Sandra Shawhan designed and facilitated the production of.

Volunteer of the Year Award - In the center photo,  Portia Fenton of St. John the Baptist was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award by the St. Francis Health Care System.  The annual dinner took place on April 15, 2016, at the Hale Koa Hotel.  Portia assists in the cooking and serving of lunch meals for the Boat Harbor and U.S.Vets Center in Waianae, a weekly outreach of Lady of Keaau, which is supported by St. John the Baptist members. 

Boat Harbor Luncheon Program - In the photo at far right, the volunteer crew of the Boat Harbor Luncheon program served up kalua pig and cabbage to the houseless living under the bridges in Wahiawa, at a location referred to as Camouflage Park.  The program is based at St. John the Baptist and St. Stephen's, and serves different areas of West O'ahu.  In this photo are Dave from St. John the Baptist, Sinni from O'ahu Berea Evangelical Church, Cherrilynn from Independent Phillipine Church, and Ha'aheo from The Cathedral of St. Andrew.  (All photos contributed by Kaleo Patterson)

 

St. John's Celebrates 75 Years!

On Sunday, May 1, 2016, St. John's Episcopal Church in Ele'ele celebrated its 75th anniversary. Members from both St. John's and St. Paul's in Kekaha, who make up the Episcopal Church on West Kaua'i, joined in the celebration on a picture-perfect day. Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick and wife Bea were on hand to share in the festivities where there were lots of food, music, hula and fellowship.  

Pictured above are photos from the service and luncheon that followed. In the bottom left corner were special guests that flew in just for the event. From left, John Baker, the son of the first Vicar of St. John's, was born on Kaua'i the year after his parents arrived. He shared wonderful stories of his childhood. Two of St. John's earliest members are the Yoshikawa sisters: Sue (Nishikawa) now lives in Indiana, and her sister Yukiko (Akiyoshi), who is 94 years old, flew in from Honolulu.  Next to that picture, member Joyce Sato looks over the historic timeline posted in their parish hall.  At bottom far right are the hard-working organizers, Julie Rentrop and Lyn Farman (Bishop's Warden).  More photos can be viewed on the Diocese's Facebook page HERE.   (Photos by Sybil Nishioka)

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Children & Family Ministries Flourishing at Christ Memorial

By Nancy Norelli

All keiki are encouraged to attend Christ Memorial's Na Kamalei (Beloved Children of God) Sunday school program that is held in the classroom across the street from the lava rock church building. Then o n the last Sunday of each month, our Na Kamalei Program keiki are active participants in the adult church service, serving as readers, ushers, greeters and more!  Although the Na Kamalei Program is currently on summer break, it will restart in August as schools open. We have committed to using the Godly Play Program for our curriculum, and recently completed a Godly Play Core Training. The Godly Play curriculum will be implemented beginning in September. 

Jenny Wallace leads Godly Play Training:  Christ Memorial was host to a Godly Play Core Training for teachers interested in fostering the spiritual growth of children in Sunday School. The Godly Play Program is a widely used, Montessori approach to Christian education that enables children to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language, and to enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play. National Godly Play trainer, Jenny Wallace (pictured above left), took volunteers from island churches on a fascinating journey during the three-day weekend training. Trainees came from Christ Memorial and St. Michael and All Angels. For more information on the program, visit the Godly Play Foundation website HERE. 

First Friday Fun: On the first Friday night of each month, church 'ohana and friends from the community gather in the Parish Hall to get to know each other better and have a little fun. Keiki and kupuna come together to talk story, play board games, card games, and listen to live music over dessert and coffee. All are invited to come and join in the fun from 6:30 - 8:30 PM. (Photos contributed by Jenny Wallace and Nancy Norelli.)

Maui Regional Confirmation

The Maui Regional Confirmation Ceremony took place on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Wailuku.  Pictured above with Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick and clergy from the different Maui churches, are the newly confirmed and  received.  Below are moments from the ceremony.   Those confirmed were  Ethan Gabriel Evangelista, Jacob Kai Akana, Joseph Rey Evangelista Lampitoc, Adam Keaulanakumualoha Kim-Luning; and received into the Episcopal Church  were  Alexander Sawieh Davis and Lucille Francis Feliciano Davis.  All are from Good Shepherd.  (Photos from the Good Shepherd Facebook page.)

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St. John's, Kula Celebrates Founder's Day

St. John's Episcopal Church in Kula celebrated Founder's Day, honoring The Rev. Shim Yin Chin and his wife Kui Kyau and those who came before them. Back in the 19th Century when laborers were imported to work in the sugar plantations, Chinese settlers on Maui went with the local religion which was Christianity. They called a Lutheran trained minister from Canton, China, the Rev. Shim Yin Chin, who was also tasked to teach children Chinese culture and language after they attended regular classes at Keokea School.  To read more about the history of St. John's, visit the Kula Community Association website HERE.   Pictured above are St. John's Rector, the Rev. Kerith Harding, and members and guests enjoying the celebration. (Photos from St. John's Facebook page.)

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Change for the Soul: Holy Hippos!

Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in Lahaina has a long standing tradition called the Hippo offering. Twenty cute little hippos like the one pictured here are distributed on a month-to-month basis to members who fill them with loose coins throughout the month.  It's an opportunity to give thanks for the many blessings in their lives.  After a month, the hippos are turned in and the money collected goes to their outreach program to help the homeless in the Lahaina area.  The hippos are then redistributed to other members, and so it goes. Change for the Soul is a wonderful way to be directly involved in giving some much needed love and support to where it is most needed.  (Photo from the Holy Innocents E-News.)

Flurry of Activities at Good Shepherd

Members of Good Shepherd are an active bunch both at church and in the community. Pictured above top from left: Youth and young adults partner with the Maui Food Bank to fundraise and collect food. The Maui Food Bank is crucial to the running of their Ka Ohana Kitchen outreach program. Moms were showered with love on Mother's Day as youth and young adults prepared breakfast and passed out roses. Second row:  Maui's annual Barrio Fiesta brings the entire congregation out to celebrate with their folk dance troop performing on stage; Fr. Vance with member and outgoing 2016 Miss Barrio Sheena Garo; the Good Shepherd food booth whipped up mountains of delicious chow fun and chicken adobo.   (Pictures from the Good Shepherd Facebook page.)

 

Big Island Regional Confirmation

The Big Island of Hawai'i Regional Confirmation Ceremony took place on Saturday, May 14, at Christ Church Episcopal Church in Kealakekua.  Three from Christ Church were confirmed:   Janver Fudolig, Abbey Fudolig and Carolyn Nordeen. From St. Augustine's, Melanie Sahagun was confirmed (pictured above left next to Bishop Fitzpatrick),  and received into the Episcopal Church was Robin Rose Rasch, standing at far right next to the Rev. Diana Akiyama. (Photo contributed by St. Augustine's)  

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Over $46,000 Raised for Hospice of Hilo

On Saturday, May 7, 2016, members of Holy Apostles Episcopal Church in Hilo took part in the 12th Annual Celebration of Life event for the Hospice of Hilo, at Wailoa State Park. Fr. Moki Hino and the Holy Apostle's crew came in second for raising the most money, and picked up trash as they walked.  The event raised over $46,000.   (Photos from the Holy Apostles Facebook page) 

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Fr. Damien Relic Comes to St. James'

St. James' Episcopal Church in Kamuela has had a blessed relationship with neighboring congregation, Annunciation Roman Catholic Church, in both worship and ministry.  On Sunday, May 15, St. James' welcomed three Roman Catholic nuns who shared stories of Fr. Damien's ministry and brought with them a relic of Fr. Damien.   Pictured at left, Sister Vandana Narayan brings the relic up close for members to view. She shared how the ministry of Fr. Damien impacted the lives of people in India.   (Photo and story from the St. James' E-News)

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St. James: Giddyup!!!

Members of St. James' recently enjoyed a day of horseback riding and afternoon prayers.  It certainly doesn't hurt to have a magnificent view and awesome weather!   (Photo from the St. James E-Newsletter.)

 

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry:  Prayers for Orlando

"Pray for the repose of the souls who have died," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry said in his video message, Prayers for Orlando, concerning the June 12 shooting in Orlando, FL in which 50 people died and 53 were injured. To the Presiding Bishop's video, click on the image at left and then select proper video from the playlist.

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Missionaries Share Lessons from the Field

Long-term missionaries and Young Adult Service Corps missionaries posed with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry following a meeting held during the 21st annual Global Episcopal Mission Network Conference May 18-20 in Ponce, Puerto Rico.  Pictured in the second row, second from left, is our own James Fitzpatrick who is serving in Panama.   (Photo: Lynette Wilson/Episcopal News Service)

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[Episcopal News Service] "If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."

Lilla Watson, an aboriginal elder, activist and educator, from Australia is credited with these words, spoken by her and others in the early 1970s at a time when white Australians were becoming aware of the effects of racism and colonialism on the country's indigenous people. These words were not only meant to challenge people working toward social justice, but reflected the frustration felt by the Aborigine toward the efforts of whites who in their offers of assistance, further perpetuated colonial perceptions and attitudes.

The words, used to provoke discussion in a small group session during last week's 21st annual Global Episcopal Mission Network  conference in Puerto Rico, resonated with Rachel McDaniel, a Young Adult Service Corps missionary serving her second year in Brazil.

Being a missionary, she said, is about "experiencing the love of God in Christ together."

READ MORE

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United Thank Offering Grants: More than $1 Million 

for Mission and Ministry