Aloha kakou Marie...

The Office of the Bishop bids a very fond farewell to Marie Elesarke, the Secretary to the Bishop, who is retiring June 1, 2011.  Marie has been with the Office of the Bishop for 14 years.  She first came to the Diocese to work as an administrative assistant to Interim George Hunt, followed by various positions including assistant to the Canon to the Ordinary and finally secretary to Bishop Fitzpatrick. 

Marie has touched the hearts of virtually everyone she has met with her deep passion about both her her faith and her commitment to her professional work.  She is excited about this new chapter in her life and is looking forward to traveling with her husband, doing some volunteer work and taking some classes. 

We appreciate Marie and her contributions over these past years to the Kingdom of God, and we pray for her safe travels.  May 20th will be Marie's last day behind her desk-- we congratulate her on this new chapter and will miss her deeply!

E Komo mai Irina...

We are very pleased to welcome a new member to the staff of The Office of the Bishop, Irina Martikainen, who began work as the Secretary to the Bishop on April 26, 2011.

Irina comes to us from Washington, D.C., and is a woman with many gifts and talents.  Irina lives in Kailua with her husband, Craig, and their two cats.  She has an undergraduate degree in Religion, and undergraduate certificate in Meeting and Event Planning, and a graduate certificate in Business Management.  Irina is also a rescue diver and is training for certifications as a Divemaster and scuba instructor.

With over 15 years of varied experience in administrative support, we look forward to her being a member of staff.  As Marie commented, "With Irina here, I leave with the assurance that the Bishop will be well taken care of."  Please stop by to introduce yourself to Irina and say "aloha"!

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Sharing Our Strengths

St. George's, St, Mary's, St. Nicholas and St. Timothy's, have joined forces to present a day of fellowship, training and worship.  Our clergy cannot do it all:  prophesy, serve, teach, encourage, give, lead and show mercy.  We are ALL called, as Disciples of Christ, to proclaim the gospel, to love God with out whole hearts, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. 

Join us Saturday, June 11, at St. George's in Honolulu, as we come together to share our gifts and learn how best to use them.  We will have mini courses on how to lead youth and young adult programs, empowerment for ministries and mandatory Diocesan training.  The cost will be $15, meals included.  We will worship together, attend training workshops, and share experiences and practical information.

For more information, contact Rae Costa, or visit the Diocesan Website.  

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Dr. Patsy Izumo, Director of St. Clement's School, to retire

Dr. Patsy Izumo, Director of St. Clement's School, will retire at the end of the current academic year in June, following 15 years of dedicated service.  Under Dr. Izumo's guidance and leadership, St. Clement's School has remained at the forefront of preschools in our state, providing an outstanding overall education to its students.

A search process is currently taking place under the leadership of The Rev. Liz Zivanov, Rector, and James Kawashima, St. Clement's School Board Chair.

For more information, please contact The Rev. Elizabeth Zivanov, The Parish of St. Clement, 1515 Wilder Avenue, Honolulu, HI  96822, 808-955-7745, or email info@stclem.org.

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Hymnals Available

Twenty-four used 1982 Hymnals are available to any interested congregations or organizations.  The hymnals are in good shape internally, but could use some love and repair to the covers (spines).  Interested parties should contact Rev. Daniel Leatherman, Chaplain, Iolani School.  

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Episcopal Church Older Adult Ministries Task Force offers resources

Thanks to the Older Adults Ministries Task Force, issues and concerns of the aging population are being recognized and addressed, making online resources available.  Additionally, through the Task Force, the Episcopal Church is giving attention to the future and the possible impact and implications of an aging population on congregations.

"The reality of the first Baby Boomer turning 65 affects many aspects of our society, challenging policymakers, families, businesses, health care providers and church leaders at all levels, to recognize the needs and attributes of aging individuals," noted Task Force Co-convener, Jeri Sedlar, of the Diocese of New York.  "The effects of aging encompass the emotional, physical, social, financial and spiritual aspects of a person as they age."

Created by General Convention 2009 Resolution D004, the Task Force is also gathering data on older adult ministries currently in place in congregations and dioceses throughout the church. 

"The Task Force on Older Adult Mnistries was created by General Convention to determine what is already available, and to ascertain what is needed," commented Task Force Co-convener Missy Morain of the Diocese of Los Angeles.  "Older adults are an important part of our church, and we are focused on developing the voice of ministries with, by, and to, Older Adults and their families." 

Currently, the following web-based resources are available: (Listings are links.)

Episcopal Church Older Adult Ministries & Formation 

Books, articles, videos, etc.

Best practices, case studies and other topics.

To offer ideas as well as information about current programs for older adults, please contact Ruth-Ann Collins.

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Positions open in The Episcopal Church

Applications are being accepted for the following positions through The Episcopal Church:

Officer for Interreligious Relations

Based at the Episcopal Church Center offices in New York City, the Officer for Interreligious Relations will work closely with the Officer for Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations on implementing a comprehensive program of engagement in interreligious relations, and will design  "a stretegy for mapping and maintaining a database of interreligious projects undertaken by dioceses, parishes, and other interrelious agencies."   

Officer for Intercultural Ministries

Currently located in Seattle, considerations will be made for basing the office at the Episcopal Church Center offices in New York City, Washington, DC or Los Angeles, CA.  This person will lead the church in promoting interaction of various cultural groups through listening and responding to cultural voices.  The incumbent would support the Church's vision of an inclusive community that reflects the Baptismal vow of respect for the dignity of every human being.

For full job description, qualifications, requirements and instructions for applying for these two positions, go to https://www7.ultirecruit.com/EPI1003/JobBoard/ListJobs.aspx?__vt=ExtCan. Deadline for submitting applications is May 20. No telephone inquiries will be accepted.
 

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Vaughan Park 2012 Residential Scholarship Applications being accepted

The Governance Board of Vaughan Park Anglican Retreat Centre invites applications for the annual Vaughan Park Residential Scholarship in Auckland, New Zealand.  For full information, including Criteria for Application and Conditions of Grant, please go to www.vaughanpark.org.nz.

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IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Did you miss an edition of the E-News?  Listed below are the titles of some recently published announcements to be aware of. To see the complete article, go to the Diocesan Website and click on:

What's Happening>E-News Archive>Previous E-News Editions

4/15/2011:

Bishop's Easter Message

Pacific Health Ministry offers Moody/Matsukawa Lecture Series

3/31/2011:

DJ '11 Date Set!

The date for the 2011 Disciples Journey Convocation has been set for October 28, 2011.

Announcing God Camp 2011

Applications are now available for God Camp 2011, taking place on July 13 - 19.   

Notice for Applications of ECW Specials

Requests for financial assistance (ECW Specials) for 2011 - 2012, are due on or before July 15, 2011. 

Sewanee Church Music Conference

The 61st Sewanee Church Music Conference will be held on July 11 - 17, 2011, at the University of the South and the DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle, Tennessee.

Monastic Living as a Vocation

A program designed for single men aged 20 to 48, who are interested in exploring Benedictine monastic life as a possible vocational path; held July 19 - 22. 2011.

3/15/2011:

Bishop's Japan Appeal

ERD Japan Earthquake Response Fund

ERD is supporting the relief efforts in Nippon Sei Ko Kei (the Anglican Episcopal Church in Japan).

Do you feel a call to serve God, but aren't sure how or in what way?  Young adults of color can examine their gifts and explore opportunities at a weekend Episcopal Church retreat in Sewanee, Tennessee, on June 2 - 6, 2011. 

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