A message from the Bishop
 

Recent months have been filled wlth news stories regarding the Occupy Movement and the Tea Party Movement (though the latter has much better corporate funding).  These are each of course, secular movements born from discontent, but Christians must consider any social, political and economic movement, policy and ideology through the eyes of Jesus Christ.  I recognize that those of us who claim the faith of Christ Jesus may not always agree, but we must engage in respectful discussion from the point of view of our faith - even in our differences - and act according to our faith.  As an Anglican, I admit I have been shaped by a social ethic with its grounding in the work of such writers as Archbishop William Temple, Vida Scudder, Frederic Hastings Smyth, Kenneth Leech, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Archbishop Rowan Williams.  Others will engage from different perspectives.  I do hope that in this Diocese we will consider the current ongoing economic environment in light of our faith.  We cannot leave this conversation to the secular corporate media alone.  As an Episcopalian, what should I do?

The Fall 2010 (Volume 92, Number 4) edition of The Anglican Theological Review was entitled "Building an Ethical Economy" and was devoted to theological reflection on the economy.  It includes an article by our own Liz Zivanov.  In it, Gary Dorrien, an Episcopal Priest and Professor at Union Theological Seminary, notes that "[f]rom the late 1940s to 1975, productivity and wages soared together in the United States, creating a middle-class society; meanwhile there was no bank crises, as New Deal Reforms kept commercial banks out of the investment business.  But wages flattened in the mid-1970s and have stayed that way ever since, while productivity kept soaring and commercial banks got keenly into the investment business.  The rich got fantastically richer in the 1980s and the 1990s while everyone else fell behind, taking on debt to keep from drowning" (See "Capitalism, Crisis, and Economy Democracy" on page 651). Are we now living with the results of the unbridled greed, individualism, and consumerism of the past thirty years?  What is the Christian response? 

If you can obtain a copy of the Fall 2010 The Anglican Theological Review, I encourage you to read the articles.

In addition, I suggest looking at Dorrien's recent lecture from Trinity Church, Wall Street, available online (see below), and at A Social Creed for the 21st Century approved by the General Assembly of the National Council of Churches USA and Church World Service on November 7, 2007 (reprinted below with additional links for more information).

Aloha ma o Isa Kristo, ko mākou Haku, 

+Bob
The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick
+ Keali'ikoaokeakua

1.  Wall Street Dialogues: What is a just distribution of wealth and power?

In an online lecture from Trinity Church, Wall Street, the Reverend Gary Dorrien of Union Theological Seminary asks the question: "What is a just distribution of wealth and power?" as he discusses "Economic Crisis, Social Ethics, and Economic Democracy."

Click HERE to view his lecture in its entirety.

2. A Social Creed for the 21st Century 

Approved by the General Assembly of the National Council of Churches USA and Church World Service on November 7, 2007.

WE CHURCHES OF THE UNITED STATES have a message of hope for a fearful time.  Just as the churches responded to the harshness of early 20th Century industrialization with a prophetic "Social Creed" in 1908, so in our era of globalization we offer a vision of a society that shares more and consumes less, seeks compassion over suspicion and equality over domination, and finds security in joined hands rather than massed arms.

Inspired by Isaiah's vision of a "peaceable kingdom," we honor the dignity of every person and the intrinsic value of every creature, and pray and work for the day when none "labor in vain or bear children for calamity" (Isaiah 65:23). We do so as disciples of the One who came "that all may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10), and stand in solidarity with Christians and with all who strive for justice around the globe.

In faith, responding to our Creator, we celebrate the full humanity of each woman, man, and child, all created in the divine image as individuals of infinite worth, by working for: 

• Full civil, political and economic rights for women and men of all races.
• Abolition of forced labor, human trafficking, and the exploitation of children.
• Employment for all, at a family-sustaining living wage, with equal pay for comparable work.
• The rights of workers to organize, and to share in workplace decisions and productivity growth.
• Protection from dangerous working conditions, with time and benefits to enable full family life.
• A system of criminal rehabilitation, based on restorative justice and an end to the death penalty. 

In the love incarnate in Jesus, despite the world's sufferings and evils, we honor the deep connections within our human family and seek to awaken a new spirit of community, by working for:

• Abatement of hunger and poverty, and enactment of policies benefiting the most vulnerable. 
• High quality public education for all and universal, affordable and accessible healthcare.
• An effective program of social security during sickness, disability and old age. 
• Tax and budget policies that reduce disparities between rich and poor, strengthen democracy, and provide greater opportunity for everyone within the common good. 
• Just immigration policies that protect family unity, safeguard workers' rights, require employer accountability, and foster international cooperation. 
• Sustainable communities marked by affordable housing, access to good jobs, and public safety.
• Public service as a high vocation, with real limits on the power of private interests in politics. 

We - individual Christians and churches - commit ourselves to a culture of peace and freedom that embraces non-violence, nurtures character, treasures the environment, and builds community, rooted in a spirituality of inner growth with outward action.  We make this commitment together - as members of Christ's body, led by the one Spirit - trusting in the God who makes all things new.

A pdf version of the Social Creed for the 21st Century can be found HERE. More information can be found HERE.

_________________________________ 

Bishop Fitzpatrick has suggested the following article for all clergy, wardens and treasurers. 

Of money and re-membering 

[January 17, 2012]  The Ven. Dr. Michael Thompson, General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Canada, shared a comprehensive vision of stewardship within the context of the Baptismal Covenant at a recent synod of the Diocese of British Columbia.  The text of his address can be read HERE.

Episcopal Relief & Development's 2012 Lenten Meditation booklets are now available to order.  Co-authored by a group of Episcopal Church leaders from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, this year's devotional booklet focuses on how Christians can work to promote health and fight disease while preparing their own lives for healing during the Lenten season.  Downloadable versions in English and Spanish are also available HERE.

• # of booklets requested
• Church name
• Person ordering
• Phone#
• E-mail address
• Shipping address (if you are not picking it up)

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Sesquicentennial [ses-kwi-sen-ten-ee-uh l]

A Journey of Faith, A Promise of Hope

By The Rev. Carol Arney

It's a hard word to say and to type, but "sesquicentennial" has a very simple meaning.  Merriam-Webster defines sesquicentennial as "a 150th anniversary or its celebration." 

In 2012, we, The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai`i, celebrate our Sesquicentennial!  Our motto for the year-long event is "A Journey of Faith, a Promise of Hope."  Our intention is to not only remember and honor our history, but to also focus on our present ministries and our hope for the future.  We are still in the process of designing our logo and looking for a special song to be our "theme song."

Beginning in September, there will be a full slate of activities.  Check these out:

1. We have already begun work on a video documentary of our diocese's history. It will be shown at the main Sesquicentennial event in November and each church will receive a copy. 
2. A reprint of King Kamehameha IV's translation of the Book of Common Prayer will be released.  We'll begin accepting orders shortly.
3. We hope the churches on each island will pull together to host a celebration of our anniversary.  These events will focus on the history and special ministry of that particular island.  Several islands are already actively planning theirs.
4. The "main event" will coincide with the Annual Meeting of Convention on November 9-11, 2012.  It will be centered on the Cathedral Close and will include speakers, a Ministry Fair, the Meeting of the Convention, a banquet and a celebration Eucharist on Sunday Morning at The Cathedral of St. Andrew.  We hope the closing Eucharist will be "live streamed" to all churches on all islands.  Included in this weekend will be a visit by the Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, who will also preach at the closing Eucharist.  Also invited to this event will be our diocese's former Bishops as well as dignitaries from our state, the country and the world.
5. The concluding Sesquicentennial event will be a celebration of the Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma "Saint's Day" on or around November 25, at every church.

This month (January), we are expanding our team from a small planning task force to planning teams on all islands.  How can you help? Here are two ways you can assist in the celebrations.

1. Help provide content for the video.  We are looking for information, pictures and videos from all congregations that focus on activities, especially outreach ministries.  Every church has folk(s) who are the keepers of the church's history.  Look at your congregation.  Who can tell you what special historical events have happened in your congregation?  And, what are you doing right now to make a difference in your community?
2. Volunteer!  The main event in November will need many dozens of volunteers.  We ask those congregations who have special musical gifts (a singer, an instrumentalist, a band, a hand bell group, etc.) to make yourselves known.  Your Ho`okupu (gift) to the celebration could be entertainment at a regional event or at the main event in Honolulu that coincides with the Annual Meeting of Convention.  We will also need people to craft, to decorate, to serve, to clean up and much, much more.  We hope you will want to join and be part of these special occasions.

Who do you contact?  Please direct your ideas and inquiries regarding all things Sesquicentennial to: The Rev. Carol Arney, Event Support, Office of the Bishop, 229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu, HI  96813, or call 808-536-7776 x310 or E-MAIL.

CONVENTION MANUAL PROJECT

As the Event Support staff person in the Bishop's Office, I would like to share my thoughts and experiences with you after assisting in the planning of the 2011 Meeting of the Convention of the Diocese of Hawai`i. 

For the past 12 years, as a Rector or Priest in Charge, I have assisted congregations in planning for the Meeting of Convention.  Through trial and error, I learned how to fill out the proper forms, how to change a delegate, and many other things.  Then in 2011, I came to work in the Office of the Bishop and for the first time, I was on the receiving end. 

As churches go through transitions with new clergy, new wardens and new administrators, I observed others going through the same "trial and error" method of learning, and had the idea to create a short manual on planning for the Diocesan Annual Meeting of Convention.  Each month leading up to  Convention would have its own chapter, containing information on what should be taking place at that time. 

Since we are streamlining and changing our operations in the Bishop's office, the complete booklet will not be finished  in time for your January congregational annual meetings.  Therefore, I'd like to share with you the January Chapter which can be downloaded HERE.

 
I hope you will take a few minutes to look through it and share it with others who are planning your annual meeting.  If it helps, great!  If it doesn't, my feelings won't be hurt.  If you have ideas about how to complete the rest of the manual, I welcome that also.

All my best to you as you get ready for your Annual Meetings. 

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What's Happening in The Episcopal Church? 

Announcements from around The Episcopal Church...

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Marking the second anniversary of the Haiti earthquake - A message from the Presiding Bishop

[January 11, 2012] As the second anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti is marked on January 12, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori reflected, "We are all diminished by the reality of the situation in Haiti."

The January 12, 2010 earthquake devastated the Caribbean island country. Leveled were churches and diocesan facilities, including Holy Trinity Cathedral in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti is the largest in the Episcopal Church.

Since that time, the Episcopal Church has undertaken a focused effort on rebuilding the cathedral complex.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori issued a statement, and Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin of the Diocese of Haiti narrates a powerful video depicting the damage still evident in Port-Au-Prince as well as images of rebuilding.

To read Presiding Bishop Schori's address in its entirety, click HERE.

To view the video narrated by Bishop Jean Zache Duracin of the Diocese of Haiti, click HERE.

For more information on the effort to rebuild Haiti, click HERE.

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.