To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven.  Ecclesiastes 3:1

In your wisdom, O Lord our God, you have made all things, and have allotted to each of us the days of our life: Grant that we may live in your presence, be guided by your Holy Spirit, and offer all our works to your honor and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

From the Book of Occasional Services, Service for New Year's Eve

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Commemorating Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr.

 Aloha kakou,

While many will commemorate the ministry and life of the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., on or near his birthday on January 15, he is remembered in the calendar of the Episcopal Church on April 4 (with an optional observance on January 15).  Why on April 4?  That is the date of his martyrdom.  He is remembered like martyred saints throughout the ages on the day he was killed for his faith.

Dr. King was first and foremost a Disciple of Jesus Christ and a preacher.  In a sermon focusing on Matthew 10:16 ("Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."), he taught:  

"There is little hope for us until we become tough minded enough to break loose from the shackles of prejudice, half-truths, and downright ignorance.  The shape of the world today does not permit us the luxury of softmindedness.  A nation or civilization that continues to produce softminded men purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan.... But we must not stop with the cultivation of a tough mind.  The gospel also demands a tender heart.  Toughmindedness without tenderheartedness is cold and detached, leaving one's life in a perpetual winter devoid of the warmth of spring and the gentle heat of summer.... The hardhearted person never truly loves."  [See A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings of Martin Luther King, Jr., edited by James Melvin Washington (Harper & Row, 1986), page 494]

Our time demands such a combination of "toughmindedness" and "tenderheartedness."  The financial hardships faced by many in our community and the increasing economic disparity between the richest in our nation and everyone else requires us to think realistically, to act expeditiously and to love generously.  Like Dr. King, we must ask again "Where is Jesus Christ in this community?" There we will find those in need whom we must serve.

More than a federal holiday on the third Monday in January, the commemoration of Dr. King's ministry is a call to action in our own day.  Perhaps it would have more meaning if we observed his martyrdom day.  Whenever we pause to take account of his life, we must ask ourselves, "What must we now do in our own time and in our community 'to break loose the shackles of prejudice, half-truths, and downright ignorance'"?

Aloha ma o Iesu Kristo, ko mākou Haku,

Robert L. Fitzpatrick, Bishop

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: 

Community Worship Service

By Rev. David Blanchett

Saint Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, in partnership with other Christian denominational churches, is hosting an ecumenical service that honors the life and works of civil rights leader, Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., on Monday, January 16, 2012.

The services will be held at the Saint Elizabeth's Church at 720 North King Street in Honolulu, and will begin with Gospel praise at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Community Communion Worship Service at 6:30 p.m.  Refreshments will follow.

The Very Reverend Walter Brownridge, who is Dean of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, will deliver the evening sermon.  The Reverends David Gierlach of Saint Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, Kerry Grogan of Christ Church Uniting Church, Richard Kamanu of Kaumakapili United Church of Christ and Samuel Domingo Keolumana of United Methodist Church, will be the Celebrants leading the partaking of Holy Communion. 

Individuals from multi-denominations will be participating throughout the time of worship.  Pre-worship music, beginning at 6:00 p.m., will be provided by Faith and Praise Group from Trinity Missionary Baptist Church.  The feature soloist during the worship service will be Ms. Normia Carter, also of Trinity Missionary Baptist Church.  Communion Music will be by Calvary Praise & Worship of Calvary Kaneohe Mission.

The Episcopal Church honors Dr. King as a Saint along with other Black Saints: Absolom Jones, Augustine of Hippo, Cyprian of Carthage, Blessed Monnica, Simon of Cyrene, Phillip the Evangelist and Salamu Maria.

Everyone is invited to attend this worship service and clergy are invited to process with communion robes that are traditional for their denomination.  For further information e-mail the coordinator, Reverend David H. Blanchett, or call him at 907-232-2821.    

St. Michael's on Kaua'i is host to two major events on Kaua'i in February (Reprinted from the October 2011 issue)

It's a widely known fact on Kaua'i that Fr. Bill Miller, Rector of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihue, has given the island (and perhaps the state) it's very best Jazz event!  Attracting artists and music lovers from around the world, and nearly 1,000 Episcopalians in the mix, people wait with anticipation for the yearly event. The 6th Annual All Angels' Jazz Festival will be held February 3 - 5, 2012, and consists of two concerts and two Jazz Masses, featuring artists such as Saxophonist Horace Alexander Young, the Gospel Divas, Hawaiian vocalist and bassist Bruce Hamada, and the Hot Club of Hulaville, to name a few.  

But the 2012 Jazz Festival is just the beginning of a week-long celebration of creative liturgy and congregational development.  Following the Jazz Festival, St. Michael's will host a workshop with Fr. Bill on February 7 - 9, entitled "Net: How Real Churches Really Grow", based on his forthcoming book by the same name. 

The three-day conference is designed for all lay people, church and diocesan leaders or staff, and clergy.  Participants will learn vital church growth lessons based on the metaphor of the ancient Hawaiian method of Hukilau fishing.  The conference consists of six sessions, two each morning, with afternoons free to explore the beautiful island of Kaua'i.  There will be opportunities to apply the principles to particular congregations represented. 

"As a bishop of the church, I wish I could clone Bill Miller!  Bill has an amazing gift of intuition, of assessing the context and ethos of a congregation, and then bringing out the best of that in order to share the Good News of Christ with the world." - The Rt. Rev. Greg Rickel, Bishop of Olympia

For more information, visit St. Michael's website, or e-mail Fr. Bill Miller.  You may also read more about both events on the diocesan website here:  Jazz Festival  or Congregational Development Conference.   

FREE Pastoral Care Training for Clergy, O'ahu

The Veteran Administration and Tripler Army Medical Center are holding a free Clergy Outreach training on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, at the Tripler Army Hospital, 1 Jarrett White Road in Honolulu, in the Chapel, 3rd Floor, D-Wing (Oceanside). 

Mission:  To provide training and resources to local pastors and Ministry teams on how to care for Wounded Warriors, Veterans and their Family Members.

Vision:  Local Churches and Unit Ministry Teams working together to enhance the well-being of men and women who have served our country.

Lunch will be provided on the Chapel Lanai following the training.

RSVP before January 24, 2012.  For more information and to register for this training, please email Laura Viela, or call 808-433-5727.  

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Godly Play Core Training on O'ahu

There will be a 3-day Godly Play Core Training for church school teachers in our congregations, taking place in Honolulu on the following dates and times:

Friday, March 2, 2012:  4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 3, 2012:  9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 4, 2012:  9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Godly Play approach teaches children the art of using Christian language - parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action - helping them become more fully aware of the mystery of God's presence in their lives. 

The Godly Play Foundation Trainer will be Sally Mancini, with host Jenny Wallace, and will take place at The Church of the Epiphany, 1041 Tenth Avenue, in Honolulu.  Scholarships are available. 

For more information and to download the registration and scholarship application forms, go to the diocesan website HERE, or contact Jenny Wallace at 808-393-1419.    

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Got Photos? New Diocesan website wants to feature your photos!

The Ineternet Evangelism Task Force (IETF) is in its final stages for the creation of the new diocesan website, and would like to feature pictures from the different congregations around the diocese.  What are we looking for? 

• Beautiful scenics with your church or other parish buildings 
• Worship services
• Ministry and outreach at work
• Celebrations
• Youth and Families

You don't need to be a professional, but we would like quality photos with high resolution so that it can be edited to fit the needs of the website.  If you have photos to share, please submit a digital file to news@episcopalhawaii.org, with the subject "Website Photo".  Submissions should be received by January 23, 2012. 

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2012 Budget Revised for New Diocesan Structure

By Jane Tonokawa

On December 17, 2011, the Diocesan Council approved the revised budget format for 2012 and the 2013-2014 forecast.  Only the format has changed; the total budget is unchanged.  The expense budget is restructured into five commissions:

• Commission on Vibrant Christian Communities
• Commission on Ministry
• Commission on Shared Ministry
• Commission on Mission Beyond the Church
• Commission on Finance & Administration

The restructured budget is available for downloading off of the diocesan website HERE.    

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Vestry Handbook Third Revised Edition

Recommended by Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick as "...an important resource for all Vestries and Bishop's Committees."

This essential and comprehensive guide, specifically written for Episcopal clergy, wardens, and vestry members, explores the following topics and more:

• Up-to-date information on pension plans for clergy and lay employees
• General information about the Church Pension Group denominational health care plan
• Leadership roles and organizational structure
• Managing parish finances
• Buildings and grounds
• Liabilities and insurance
• Relationships with clergy, parish staff, the diocese, and the national Church
• IRS considerations
• Meetings and elections
• The care and feeding of rectors
• The spiritual life of vestry members 

First revised in 2000, this newly revised third edition also includes updated information on the Canons of the Church, available resources, and standard financial considerations, as well as new sections on safe-church training and dealing with conflict. Included in the appendices are helpful examples of contracts, purpose statements, inventory lists, a glossary of church terms, and an organizational chart.

The new book can be ordered through any Episcopal, religious, or secular bookstore; through any online bookseller, or direct from Cokesbury Christian stores, www.Cokesbury.com. 

The Vestry Handbook Third Revised Edition, Christopher L. Webber,

ISBN: 978-0-8192-2439-2, $16.00, Morehouse Publishing   

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What's Happening in The Episcopal Church? 

Announcements from around The Episcopal Church...

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In case you missed it, click on these links for the latest issue of the E-Chronicle and Special Edition on DJ'11 & Convention:

                December 2011         Special Edition Convention

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, click on the linked issues below, or visit Previous E-News Editions on the diocesan website, and click on the desired issue.