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Born of Water, Born of Spirit: Supporting the Ministry of the

Baptized in Small Congregations 

On Friday, October 28, 2011, the third annual Disciple's Journey 2011 (DJ'11), took place at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew on O'ahu. Nearly 140 members in the Diocese of Hawai'i took part in this year's event which took the theme, Born of Water, Born of Spirit, from the book by the same name.  

Co-organizer, Keane Akao, welcomed everyone to the day-long event which started at 8:30 a.m.  He then turned the microphone over to Bishop Bob Fitzpatrick, who gave a stirring talk about our changing world, adapting, and a vision brought about by the Strategic Planning Task Force, to "grow more vital and vibrant communities."      

It's about all of us...Who God says we are

Fredrica Harris Thompsett, co-author of the book Born of Water, Born of Spirit, and Professor Emerita of Historical Theology at the Episcopal Divinty School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was the keynote speaker, who delighted the audience with her humor and candor. She shared how, at 8 years of age, she was "baptized in the back of the church in a bird bath," and kept everyone laughing with quips that Episcopalians could really appreciate... "I am an Episcopalian, but I can quote Scripture." 

Surrounded by beautiful posters of water (oceans, rivers, streams and lakes), Thompsett focused on the meaning of baptism in our lives.  A slide show of baptisms taking place around the world brought about a more serious tone.  A particular slide that showed a soldier in Afghanistan being baptized in a makeshift pool in the middle of the desert, moved many, as his comrades surrounded him in support.

It was fascinating to learn that the cross featured on the cover of her book and the DJ'11 material, is actually a baptismal font that is 50 feet deep.  The stone wall surrounding it was built by Muslims to protect it.  The stairs leading down to the center of the font from two sides, is part of the symbolic act of baptism, where a person enters from one side, passes through the waters in the center, and emerges out the other side leading into the church, reborn.

Participants broke out into five groups, and met with discussion facilitators with  key questions, How does God care about us? and, Who does God say we are?  Facilitators included Ruth Ann-Collins, Adult Formation and Lifelong Learning Officer from the Episcopal Church Center in New York; Vickey Garvey, Associate for Lifelong Christan Formation from the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago; Emily Given, Director of Children and Family Ministry, St. Michael and All Angels in Dallas, Texas; Bradly Hauff, Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Palm Coast, Florida; and Katherine Tate, Associate for Family Ministries at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes, Delaware.

Group Facilitator, Vicki Garvey, with her group sharing the work and wishes in their congregations.

Claiming our gifts 

After lunch, Thompsett spoke about "giving life throughout our life" and about changing lives. More group discussion took place about the Strategic Planning Task Force Report that Bishop Fitzpatrick had talked about in his opening speech, as well as Our Baptismal response to the future of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i.  DJ'11 ended with a closing keynote address from Thompsett about Courage amid challenging realities.

"DJ'11 was a wonderful opportunity to learn from the author of Born of Water, Born of Spirit, which explores the possibilities for congregations when they support the ministry of all the baptized.  There are many smaller congregations that are thriving by taking a different approach to ministry and empowering their members to use their talents and gifts to help others."  Janet Wilson, All Saints' Episcopal Church

Disciple's Journey 2011 concluded at 5:00 p.m., and many of the participants were staying for the reception and Opening Eucharist for the 43rd Annual Meeting of Convention, that was scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.  

Four Ordinations of Deacons would be taking place during the Opening Eucharist, and many family members, friends, and supporters of the candidates arrived dressed in red, the color for Ordinations that represent the Holy Spirit.  Meanwhile, guests were enjoying the delicious fare that featured different food stations, including a mini sushi bar where folks could order a variety of hand-rolled delicacies.

Delicious pupus were served up at the reception; dressed in red, members of Epiphany showed up in full force for their candidate; sushi was a popular food station; Jar Pasalo chatted with Bishop and Mrs. Chang.

The Opening Eucharist began with a traditional Pu, or blowing of the conch shell by Nicholas Walters.  This marked the start of the procession and Oli that was led by Malcolm Naea Chun, who was also a candidate for ordination. The other three ordinands were Amy Beth Crowe, Corey Todd Thornton and Peter Wu. 

Celebrant and Preacher, The Rt. Rev. Robert Fitzpatrick, was joined by Master of Ceremonies, The Rev. Canon Liz Beasley.  The Rev. Bill Miller, Rector of St. Michael's and sponsoring congregation for Amy Beth Crowe, was the Litanist.  The first reading was read in Mandarin by Marisa Wu, daughter of ordinand Peter Wu.  Reading the Psalm in Hawaiian was Paulette Moore, a member of the Cathedral and the sponsoring congregation for Malcolm Naea Chun.  The second reading was done in English by Dot Shigemura, member of St. Nicholas and the sposoring congregation for Corey Todd Thornton. The Gospel was read in three lanuages:  English by The Venerable Patricia Reynolds, Hawaiian by Paul Nahoa Lucas, a friend of Malcolm Naea Chun, and Cantonese by Mimi Wu, the wife of Peter Wu. 

Pictured above, the newly ordained Deacons join Bishop Fitzpatrick at the altar.

Immediately following the service, family and friends showered the new Deacons with congratulations and beautiful leis.  Pictured below, Dcn. Corey Todd Thornton getting a big congratulatory hug, Dcn. Malcolm Naea Chun with Dcn. Peter Wu piled high with leis, and Dcn. Amy Beth Crowe receiving a warm hug and lei.

The 43rd Annual Meeting of Convention of the Diocese of Hawai'i commenced at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 29, 2011, with an opening prayer by Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick.  The Convention was called to order, followed by the Bishop's Address (appearing at the beginning of this issue). 

In his opening address, the Bishop spoke about the all too familiar hardships and conflicts taking place in the world, of the challenges in our Diocese, and of the struggles of The Episcopal Church.   But he also shared his deep gratitude to God for the many blessings in his life and in the Diocese.  He expressed his excitement about the renewed energy and important changes that we, as Christians in the Diocese of Hawai'i, must make to survive in such tenuous times.  He called upon each of us to do Jesus' work beginning with the simplest of deeds, and to really live into our Baptismal Covenant.  It was a speech of hope, of change, and of commitment.  That commitment was shared through A Simple Prayer of Commitment that was printed on cards for each delegate.  The prayer, in its simplicity, asks God to help us live as the Christians we are and are meant to be. 

Fr. Ben Nelson, of All Saints' Episcopal Church on Kaua'i, gave the Response to the Bishop's Address, with a slide show presentation that elicited laughter and smiles.  Using humor and cartoons, he expanded on some of the serious issues that the Bishop had talked about.  He supported the Bishop's call for members to be open to change and to take on the responsibiities needed for creating a more vibrant church. (Pictured below, Bishop Fitzparick addresses the delegation; Fr. Ben delivers his response; and the crowd, including the Bishop, share laughs from Fr. Ben's slide show.)

Announcement of Appointments to Committees followed, with Martha Im as Chancellor and Parliamentarian, The Rev. Robert "Moki" Hino, Secretary to Convention, and The Rev. David Jackson as Chair of Dispatch of Business. Special guests, new clergy to the Diocese of Hawai'i and the staff from the Office of the Bishop were introduced, followed by the annual business of the Convention. (Pictured below, the meeting proceeds; dressed as a #2 pencil, one of the Convention organizer's, Sharon Billingsley, gave instructions on filling out ballots; delegates vote on a resolution.)

 
The morning session wrapped up with a touching presentation to two of the Bishop's staff who retired this year.  Marie Elesarke, who had worked in the Bishop's Office for over 14 years, and more recently as his Secretary, and Nancy Minuth, who served as the Bookkeeper for the Diocese for more than 40 years, were presented with a gift and and thankful embrace.  (Pictured below, Marie Elesarke received a gift and hug; Nancy Minuth is seated between Canon Liz Beasley and Rev. Carol Arney before receiving her gift from the Bishop.)

During the break, delegates were treated to a bento lunch, and had the option to enjoy a concert in the Cathedral by the children of the Pacific Islander Ministry (PIM), or check out the displays in the Von Holt Room, where information was available about various groups and work being done in the Diocese, including the 'Iolani Guild, Altar Guild and Camp Mokule'ia.  (Pictured below, bentos and fruit were plentiful; Members of the 'Iolani Guild, Leimalama Lee Loy and Bea Fitzpatrick shared information about the organization; Diocesan Altar Guild members, Rosella Newell & Hazel Lee stand in front of their beautiful hand-made stoles; a colorful display of Camp Mokule'ia.)

In the afternoon, the last of fifteen resolutions were addressed and the session wrapped up with Courtesy Resolutions and announcements including next year's Sesquicentennial Convention Meeting.  The meeting closed with the singing of Hawai'i Aloha.

For a report on the Meeting of the Convention and the outcome of the fifteen resolutions submitted, you may go to the Diocesan website HERE, or click on the links below:

CONVENTION XLIII   

2011 RESOLUTIONS

BEHIND THE SCENES

CONTACT INFORMATION