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The E-Newspaper of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i

Reporting on the events & activities in our Diocese and beyond... 

 February 2012
In This Issue
Bishop's Message
First Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Ecumenical Service
An Attitude of Gratitude
The Newly Revitalized 'Iolani Guild
Journey to the Holy Land
O'AHU PARISH NEWS
KAUA'I PARISH NEWS
MAUI PARISH NEWS
BIG ISLAND PARISH NEWS
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH & BEYOND
CONTACT INFORMATION

Bishop's Calendar

 

***** FEBRUARY *****

 

Visitations:

February 5

St. John's By-the-Sea, Kaneohe, O'ahu

February 12

Christ Memorial, Kilauea, Kaua'i

February 19

West Kaua'i, Eleele, Kaua'i

 

Other:

February 15

Presbyters' Day

February 18

Standing Committee & Diocesan Council Meeting

February 23 - 29

Visitation to Guam

 

***** MARCH *****

 

Visitations:

March 4

St. Jude's, Oceanview, Big Island

March 11

Good Samaritan, Honolulu, O'ahu

March 25

St. Nicholas, Kapolei, O'ahu

 

Other:

March 5

Preach at 'Iolani School

March 6

Preach at St. Andrew's Priory

March 9

Preach at 'Iolani School

March 10

Gathering: Order of the Daughters of the King

March 10

Discernment Day at St. Peter's

March 13

Preach at 'Iolani School

March 14 - 21

House of Bishops, Camp Allen, Texas

March 29

Chrism Mass & Acculturation Day

  

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Bishop's Message

 
Bishop Fitzpatrick

Aloha ke Akua:

I write this article on Friday, January 20, the day after a debate among Republican candidates for the South Carolina Presidential primary.  During the debate, questions were put to Mr. Gingrich about statements made by one of his former wives.  I was reminded of a time in the late 1990's when I wrote to President Bill Clinton asking him to resign as the President for lying under oath in court, for having a sexual relationship with a subordinate over whom he exercised "power," and for repeatedly committing adultery.  At the time, I explained to the President that I understood adultery was not a crime, but that it did show a lack of morality needed in a leader and that I, as an Episcopal Priest, found his serial behavior immoral and unacceptable in a leader; that having a sexual relationship with an intern or an employee was an abuse of power and would not even be tolerated in the corporate world; and that the failure to tell the truth in court was inexcusable in a leader called to uphold the Constitution.   Frankly, I also stated plainly that I had voted for him twice and that I would not likely be described as a conservative (politically or theologically).  I did not receive a reply from the White House.
 
I am not going to write to Mr. Gingrich.  I pray that his conversion to Roman Catholicism has allowed repentance, forgiveness, and amendment of life.  I was again, however, reminded that personal morality does make a difference in a leader, and that past actions do have consequences and show the moral basis of the person.  I know that people change and that there can be true transformation by God's grace.  Those called into leadership (in the nation and, especially, in the Church) do have a higher responsibility, and the actions of the individual do have an impact on the person's judgment.  As citizens and as Christians, we struggle to judge a person's morality and whether they are called to be a "leader."
 
I have been re-reading Reinhold Niebuhr of late.  As some have discerned in my preaching, my faith deep down is influenced by Paul and Augustine, and Niebuhr is one teacher in that tradition.  Listening to President Clinton some years ago and then Mr. Gingrich last night, I was reminded of the struggle within the individual of sin and self-justification.  In his Moral Man and Immoral Society (1937), Niebuhr argues that the individual person is extremely self-interested and this self-interest is the source of human sinfulness.   He suggests that the individual "Moral Man" can check natural selfishness through conscience, self-discipline, and love for another.  Social groups (tribes, movements, nations) look out for their own (those "in" the group - whether it be based on nationality, race, class, religion, etc.) and therefore look to dominate other groups.  Everyone's motives are mixed - individually and collectively - but the group can act in destructive ways to fulfill a vain dream, thus allowing the individual to justify evil acts.   All actions are based on the "curious compounds of good and evil in which the actions of the best men and nations abound."  Niebuhr also said, "Nations, as individuals, who are completely innocent in their own esteem are insufferable in their human contacts."  The self-righteous "delusion of innocence" makes us insufferable at best and likely destructive to ourselves and those around us, and encourages us into an unrealistic and untruthful division of the world into "us" (good) versus "them" (bad).
 
The failure of a person and especially a leader to act as the individual "Moral Man" - checking natural selfishness through conscience, self-discipline and love for another - raises the concern for me about that person's ability to see into the complexity and ambiguity of life without demonizing others and, therefore, forgiving "immoral" acts for the self-deluded "good" of society.  The leader without a personal moral grounding can allow or commit any act - no matter how evil - for the "good of society."
 
I certainly recognize the individual failures of all human beings.  We are all sinners. Repentance, forgiveness and redemption are at the core of our faith in Jesus Christ.  The deeper concerns for me in individual leaders are repeated acts of immorality (whether it be around sex, money or power), personal grandiosity, a sense of being hounded, narcissism and anger.   Can an immoral individual lead a society into truth?  We are left to struggle with our own finitude and self-justification.  Can a society survive on its own sense of grandiosity and righteousness?  
 
In this election year, we must pray for our leaders and those called to serve on our behalf.  We must also be reminded that for us, as the followers of Jesus Christ, there is no perfect candidate or nation.  I suggest that there are "moral" progressives and conservatives.  We must live as best we can with the "curious compounds of good and evil" seeking God's Kingdom of justice, love, and peace in a broken, finite world.  We must also remember that our individual actions and statements in ordinary life help define our society and us.
 
I will conclude with the words of one my favorite hymns (Hymnal 665):

All my hope on God is founded;
He doth still my trust renew,
Me through change and chance He Guideth,
Only good and only true.
God unknown,
He alone calls my heart to be His own.

Mortal pride and earthly glory,
Sword and crown betray our trust;
Though with care and toil we build them,
Tower and temple fall to dust.
But God's power, Hour by hour,
Is my temple and my tower.

Daily doth the almighty Giver
Bounteous gifts on us bestow;
His desire our soul delighteth,
Pleasure leads us where we go.
Love doth stand, At His hand;
Joy doth wait on His command.

Still from earth to God eternal
Sacrifice of praise be done,
High above all praises praising
For the gift of Christ, His Son.
Christ doth call, One and all:
Ye who follow shall not fall.
 
"Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labour is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58
 
Aloha ma o Iesu Kristo, ko mākou Haku,

+Bob

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick
+ Keali'ikoaokeakua 
DIOCESAN  NEWS

First Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Ecumenical Service

St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church was the site of the first annual Martin Luther King, Jr. ecumenical service, on Monday, January 16, 2012.  St. Elizabeth's, working in partnership with several Christian denominational churches, hosted the service that honored the life and works of civil rights leader Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. 

2012 MLK music strp
The Faith & Praise Gospel Group from Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, and the Calvary Praise & Worship Group from Calvary Kaneohe Mission, sang to a packed house.  Featured soloist was Normia Carter, also from Trinity Missionary Baptist Church. 
2012 MLK strip
Readings were spoken in Pidgin, Hawaiian and English, by the Reverends Franklin Chun, Malcolm Chun and Peter Wu.  Jonathan Kahala Lau, Jr. read a letter from the Bishop, and Mia Kianni Williams read a bio on Rev. King.  The Very Reverend Walter Brownridge, Dean of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, gave a wonderful sermon.  Also participating in the service were the Reverend David Gierlach of St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, the Reverend Kerry Grogan from Christ Church Uniting, the Rev. Richard Kamanu from Kaumakapili Church and the Reverend Samuel L. Domingo from Keolumana United Methodist Church, along with other numerous clergy. 

2012 MLK Priests 

Lots of great refreshments and fellowship followed the service and many are already looking forward to next year's gathering.  (Photos taken by the Rev. David Blanchett.)

An Attitude of Gratitude

By Peter Carson

Carson_Lee&Peter
Peter Carson with his wife Lee

It's easy to be thankful in November because we set aside one day and call it Thanksgiving. But adopting an attitude of gratitude that will guide us throughout the year can be elusive. I have often asked myself why is it easy to be grateful at certain times of my life while at other times I just don't think about it. It's not that I am ungrateful for what I have in my life; it is just that sometimes I think everything I have is because I worked hard for it so I forget to be grateful. In hindsight I believe that the biggest stumbling block for me to have an attitude of gratitude is my sense of independence.

 

As a young man starting out I remember being very confident of my abilities to accomplish anything without any help. I put myself through college, found love and marriage with Lee and began a career. As my journey progressed with joys, disappointments and sadness, I began to sense that my life was on a path to effectively use my time, talent, and treasure. When the Richardson Law School opened I applied and was not accepted. I knew that with my abilities I would make an excellent lawyer but I was blocked because the University of Hawaii had created the law school to give opportunities to those in our community that were underserved. I was understandably upset and even angry at the time, but now I realize how different my life would have been if I had been given the opportunity to take that path.

 

Looking back I now realize that as one path was blocked I chose another path that was open for me. I believe now, in hindsight, that God provided me with opportunities that would productively use his gifts of time, talent, and treasure. This realization became my first step to experience authentic gratitude.  Authentic gratitude is very humbling. It brings me down to earth. It is an acknowledgment of dependence. I have received something from another which I could not, by my own power, achieve. As I think about it, this just about covers life itself, from birth to death and all that lies in between. It's all pure gift. I didn't do anything to deserve it. I just arrived, through no effort of my own, upon this spinning planet and it was all there for my adventure and enjoyment. This is not easy to accept or to know what to do with, so I throw up all kinds of defenses against a deep gratitude.

 

I am still working on my issues of dependence. I know conceptually that self-sufficiency recognizes no higher power to whom I am grateful but it is hard to think otherwise. Even today I struggle with what I am going to do today and forget that God has given me this day to not just enjoy but to do his work.

 

So the question is: How do you express your attitude of gratitude for what God has given you today?

 

I leave you with a poem I found whose author is anonymous.

 

The Gift 

If I see the gift as mine alone to give,

I might give hesitantly,

even grudgingly, considering my options,

than giving from a sense of ought.

If I see the gift as God's

who allows me to use it for a time,

then the gift can flow more freely,

as I join with others

to be a channel

for God's love and mercy.

 

(Peter is the Stewardship Chair at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Kailua, O'ahu.)

The Newly Revitalized 'Iolani Guild

by Ann Hansen & Roth Puahala

After five months of intensive organizing, the 'Iolani Guild emerged in its newly revitalized state for its general membership meeting held in December.

 

IG Darrow-roth
Fr. Darrow and Roth Puahala

Leading off the meeting, Father Darrow Aiona presented reflections on Hawaiian composer and hymn writer, Moses W. Kaaneikawahaale Keale, more commonly known as Keale Ta Kaula (Keale, the prophet).  He was one of Ni`ihau's most famous and powerful Christian leaders.  Born in Kalalau, Kaua`i, around 1828, he was an excellent hunter, but not brought up in the new Christian religion.  One day, as he was hunting, he followed a white goat up a cliff and became stranded on a ledge.  A falling rock hit him, causing him to lose his balance and tumble into the river called Makani Kahoa. As he plummeted down the cliff, he called out, "If there really is a God, he will save me and I shall spend the rest of my life serving him". His fall was broken by a pandanus tree and he was pulled from the river by his dog.  The hymn titled, "Ua Mau - Hosana" speaks about, Praised be God, in the high heavens, his laying down, for our lives.  Singing together with Roth Puahala, they also sang a second song, "I'o", a song which originated from Aotearoa, translated in our native tongue, Hawaiian.  It speaks about the One True God.  

 
The Guild's Constitution and By-laws were reviewed with each article explained.  There was considerable discussion about whether the Guild's president had to be of Hawaiian ancestry, but after members shared their views, it was voted not to limit it.  The rest of the Constitution and By-laws were agreed upon easily. 

 

One article in the By-laws would double the dues for an annual membership and lifetime membership, to bring it into line with current prices.  Since the newly ratified By-laws would not go into effect until January, many took advantage of the older, modest membership rates with twelve people becoming lifetime members. 

 

'Iolani Guild's new officers are Leimalama Lee Loy, President; Bea Fitzpatrick, Vice President; Starr Johnson, Secretary; and Gladys Rodenhurst, Treasurer.
 
With business out of the way, Guild members enjoyed a delicious spread of Hawaiian food from Haili's, luncheon games and gift exchange. At this December meeting, 'Iolani Guild showed signs of rejuvenation with Leimalama' s organization, lively discussion, new members, fellowship and good food. (Photos courtesy of Ann Hansen.)
IG Meeting 2011-12
'Iolani Guild members greet each other at their general membership meeting in December.  Seated from left are Pat Trask, Thelma Chun, Gladys Rodenhurst and Goldie Brangman.  Roth Puahala leans over to greet Gladys, and Fr. Darrow talks with Leimalama Lee Loy in the background.

Journey to the Holy Land

(From Fr. David Jackson's Journal Notes)

The Reverend David Jackson, Rector of The Church of the Epiphany on O'ahu, took part in a pilgrimage tour in Israel at the end of December 2011.  The following are excerpts from Rev. Jackson's journal notes that appeared in the February issue of The Church of Epiphany's newsletter. 

 

December 28, 2011:  The pilgrimage is going very well.  We have been here two days so far.  The group is getting together great!  Fr. Paul Lillie, our guide Canon lyad Qumri and I form a great leadership team.  Also, this has already been transformative for our 14 year old son Calen, and a deeply spiritual experience for Ariane, Caleb and me to share as a family.

 

jackson pilgrimage wailing wallWe have stayed local in the Old City of Jerusalem so far, seeing ruins from the time of Christ onwards and visiting the Church of the Resurrection (the site which contains both the crucifixion spot on Mt. Calvary and Christ's resurrection tomb), as well as visiting our Anglican brothers and sisters at St. George's Cathedral and College. Today we walk to the Wailing Wall (last remnants of the Temple complex and holiest site in Judaism) and the nearby Dome of the Rock (a mosque built about 1200 years ago on top of the Temple site and is the third-holiest place in the world for Muslims). It is built over the top of Mount Moriah, the spot where Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, as well as where the ancient Jewish Temple at the time Jesus used to be. We will take a coach to the Mount of Olives for a panorama view of the Old City. Tomorrow we visit Bethlehem and see the Shepherds' Fields and the Church of the Nativity. I'll send another update in a couple of days. Mahalo for your prayers and interest! My prayers are back at you as well. 

 

December 31, 2011: Salaam/Shalom from the Holy Land! As the days go on, we see and do more in ever-expanding circles. Thursday we went to the Western Wall (the holiest site in Judaism) and the Temple Mount nearby. We also heard a professor of Islam explain its tenets and significance for today. Happy New Year 12 hours earlier!

 

January 2, 2012: On Friday we went to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, a Crusader church built over the grotto in which our Lord was born. On the way there, we walked along the 27-foot tall Security Wall completely surrounding Bethlehem (as a Palestinian town) and dividing up much of the Holy Land between Israel proper and the ever-dwindling Palestinian lands (Israeli settlements keep popping up in the traditionally Palestinian West Bank, especially over sources ofwater). We saw one house in Bethlehem surrounded on three sides by the wall! We also visited the Shepherd's Fields nearby.

 

Jackson pilgrimage St Matt IsraelSaturday we went further afield to Ramallah (capital of the Palestinian authority) to the Arab Evangelical Anglican School, a great project ofthe Anglican Church of Jerusalem. We then went to Taybeh, a village of 1200 where it is the only 100% Christian town (this was the biblical town of Ephraim). There is a microbrewery there that is a great economic boon for Palestinians.  Sunday we then went deep into the West Bank (Palestine) to Zababdeh for church at St. Matthew's Anglican Church. Loads of children at the service -- a really joyful and hope-filled time. Afterwards we went to Nablus, former Shechem and capital of the Samaria, to go to the church built over Jacob's Well, site of John 4:7 where Jesus met with the woman at the well. 

 

Finally, on Monday we walked down the serpentine route of the Mount of Olives, then on to St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Jesus was flogged and kept overnight before seeing Pontius Pilate and carrying his cross to Calvary. Today we travel up to the desert and Jericho, then onwards to the north to Nazareth in Galilee.


jackson pilgrimage judean dessertJanuary 6, 2012: Greetings once again from Jerusalem on Epiphany Day (actually it is now January 7 in Jerusalem, but it is still Epiphany Day in Hawai'i). I hope your new year is blessed. The last time I wrote, I think we were about to travel from Jerusalem to go north to Galilee. En route, we stopped in the desert (not a stitch of vegetation!) along the ancient road that winds from Jerusalem to Jericho -- most likely at or near the road Jesus describes in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. We then continued into Jericho -- the oldest city in the world at 10,000 years, and the lowest city on earth at -1,200 feet below sea level. We took a cable car up to the Mount of Temptation, where there are several retreat cells hewn in the cliffs overlooking Jericho. After lunch we continued up to Nazareth along the Jordan River valley road. We saw where Mary would have gone for water at the main well in town, then walked to the Church of the Annunciation, a beautiful Roman Catholic church built over the grotto that housed Mary where she grew up with her family. Our lodging was at the Sisters of Nazareth Guest House, only a few hundred meters' walk and practically next door to Christ Church, an Anglican church. 

 

jackson pilgrimage calebAll of Wednesday we explored around the Sea of Galilee. We had a couple of especially very moving experiences: (1) The renewal of baptismal vows at the Jordan River where it empties into the northern part of the Sea of Galilee; (2) A eucharist on the Mount of Beatitudes with a stunning view of the Sea below; (3) A ride on the "Jesus boat," a replica of the ones that Jesus and the disciples would have used in their time. We also went to Tabgha (along the shore and a church is there to commemorate the Feeding of the 5,000), Capernaum (Peter's hometown with his home still there among the archaeological ruins), and the Church of Peter's Primacy (again along the lakeshore and commemorating Christ's reinstating of Peter and thus his leadership of the church). We then had a special treat -- that night back at our lodging, we were shown very extensive remains of the village of Nazareth from the 1st century that are directly under where we stayed. No doubt, Jesus as a boy would have been playing there with his friends -- what a thought! 

 

Thursday we made our way back down to Jerusalem via Mt. Tabor (site of the Transfiguration), the Jordan River valley, then to Qumran near the Dead Sea (site of the Dead Sea Scrolls). We then had a float on the Dead Sea with the obligatory mud treatment (felt good!). Then we had dinner at the home of our wonderful guide, Iyad Qumri -- a godly and knowledgeable man! His family are aces, too! 

 

Friday -- Epiphany Day -- was also Greek Orthodox Christmas. Appropriately, we spent that in Bethlehem in Manger Square -- there was a parade of bands of scouts (rather like Boy andGirl Scouts, but we were told they were more like ROTC in that several of them will go on to serve in the Palestinian forces and police). Today, Saturday 7 January, we have our final eucharist at one of the probable sites of Emmaus at Abu Ghosh, seven miles west of Jerusalem. Later tonight, we fly back for a day and a half to Hawai'i. 

 

O'AHU PARISH NEWS

 

Ernie Harris receives NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award

In January, St. Christopher Church member, Ernest J. Harris, was recognized for his valuable contributions through his research on the eradication of fruit flies. Each year, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Honolulu chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) awards a member of Hawai'i's African-American community a lifetime achievement award, and for the first time, awarded it to a scientist. 

With most of the awards around the nation given for education, justice or politics, Chapter President, Alphonso Braggs, stated that "we are extremely proud that we have an individual of this caliber that we are able to recognize in the field of science."


Harris, who at 83 is retired, still serves as a biological science collaborator for the U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Honolulu.  Harris received the NAACP Distinguished Sesrvice Award for Lifetime Achievement at a gala event in Waikiki.

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St. Elizabeth's Bizarre Bazaar Raises over $7K

(The following appeared in the January newsletter of St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church.)

StE 2011 Bazaar

Thanks to the hard work of St. Elizabeth church member, Nora Kurosu and her crew, the annual Bizarre Bazaar was a rousing success.  The bazaar, which was held on Saturday, December 10, featured chili and dogs, spam musubi, shave ice, plants, and gently used and new items for sale.  They raised over $7,000 to benefit their Scholarship and Youth Funds.  (Photos by the Rev. David Blanchett.)

KAUA'I  PARISH  NEWS
  
Ordination of the Reverend Robin Taylor
On Sunday, December 18, 2011, the Reverend Robin Taylor was ordained at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihue.  Reverend Taylor, who had been serving as transitional Deacon at Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in Kilauea, became Vicar upon her ordination.  A Celebration of New Ministry also took place as she officially assumed the Vicar position.  A musical prelude preceded the service, and a wonderful a reception followed.
 
Reverend Taylor graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary last spring. Prior to her entrance into the ordained ministry, she served as a Physician Assistant in Framily Practice and Internal Medicine for more than 30 years. She and her husband David have three children and one grandchild.
Robin Taylor ord 2011
Pictured above: The Rev. Robin Taylor dressed in her ordination chasuble and stole; after the service with friends - The Rev. Paula Clark, Diocese of Washington, D.C.; The Rev. Catherine Lemons, Diocese of Minnesota, The Rev. Giovan King (St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, Kailua); lively Hawaiian music was enjoyed by all.
MAUI  PARISH  NEWS
  
Good Shepherd members sing & dance through the holidays 
GS caroling 2012
Members at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church on Maui were busy during December, bringing cheer to folks in the community with their singing and dancing. On December 15 and 19, members strolled through the Kahului neighborhoods, singing Christmas Carols.  A third attempt was "rained out", but that didn't stop them from gathering together to enjoy some homemade soup!  Guitars, ukuleles, tambourines and even bongo drums filled out their sound.  Donations collected went towards their youth program.
 
GS dancersOn December 18, the Good Shepherd Filipino Folk Dancers performed at the annual Rice Festival which honors the sakadas, the early Filipino plantation workers that came to Hawai'i in 1906.  The folk dancers are comprised of Good Shepherd youth girls, with the youngest member only 4 years old!  The dancers practice hard and take part in several cultural events on Maui throughout the year.  Aggie Cabebe, their dance instructor, is well-known on Maui to be the expert on folk dancing, and has been teaching the Good Shepherd girls since 1972.  She is pictured above in the group photo, 5th from the right, along with church member Bessy Idica, who organizes and runs the group. 
 
But it wasn't all singing and dancing.  Their Episcopal Church Women's (ECW) group adopted two families for the holidays, providing food, gifts and cash to help make their Christmas brighter.  The ECW raises funds for outreach through their fall and spring rummage sales.  (Photos courtesy of Good Shepherd from their Facebook page.)
BIG ISLAND PARISH NEWS

 

Rev. Hino Shares Aloha In Connecticut 

Hino SIMIn October, the Rev. Moki Hino traveled to Connecticut for a meeting of the Standing Commission on Lifelong Christian Education and Formation.  While in Connecticut, he also attended a reception of The Society for the Increase of the Ministry (SIM) where he received an autumn leaf lei from SIM members and presented SIM with a check for $2000 from Church of the Holy Apostles to honor the diocese's mandate to contribute annually to theological education.  SIM provides scholarship assistance to seminarians in need and Father Hino was a recipient of SIM's Cunningham Scholarship during his time at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois.  Pictured is Rev. Hino with his autumn leaf lei and the check from Holy Apostle's being presented to SIM Treasurer, the Very Rev. David Lowry of the Diocese of Long Island.  Standing alongside Hino is Tom Moore, SIM's Executive Director. (Photo provided by Rev. Moki Hino.)

___________________________________________________

 

Holy Apostles Members receive the Congressional Gold Medal

Two parishioners of the Church of the Holy Apostles in Hilo recently received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor given to civilians.  They received this medal for their service as Americans of Japanese Ancestry in the European Front during World War II.  Pictured in the left photo below is Morris Kihara, 91, who was a member of the 100th Battalion. Standing with him from left is Carole Ishimaru, whose father was in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Rev. Hino, and Kihara's daughter, Pat Simonson.  Pictured in the right photo is Wataru Kohashi, 89, with his wife, Kikuye.  He was also a member of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team. (Photo provided by Rev. Moki Hino)

Holy Apostles Kohashi-Kihara

 

 

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH & BEYOND
 
Thousands visit new Episcopal Church website
[January 24, 2012]  Since its December 28 redesign launch, more than 55,000 people have visited the Episcopal Church website 84,000 times, viewing 294,000 pages!
 
"In less than a month, the Episcopal Church website has experienced a lot of traffic and participation," noted Anne Rudig, Episcopal Church Director of Communication. "The response has been overwhelming and we are gratified that we are engaging newcomers and members alike.  People are lingering, clicking, and viewing videos."
 
The top 10 pages visited were: Find A Church ; Bulletin Inserts; live/on demand worship ; sermons; the Bible; Baptismal Covenant; I am Episcopalian; calendar; history; and the Book of Common Prayer. On a daily basis, dozens of readers have submitted prayer requests, knowing that a community is praying for and with them in the section Prayers of the people.
 
In addition, more than 300 local congregations have updated their own information in the Find a Church section, which provides rapid access to Episcopal churches in the United States and 15 other countries. "Keeping church information updated on the website is an important evangelism tool," Rudig continued.  "Dozens of churches have taken advantage of this key element and we invite all churches to check their listing."
 
Key to the new website is the many opportunities for dioceses, congregations, provinces and Episcopalians to post videos and photos of local mission in action.  Among the key features on the home page: What we believe; What We Do; Who We Are; Ministries; Multimedia; Calendar.  New features include: Prayer for the day; Worship; Prayers of the People; Find a Church; and Social Media.
 
To visit the new website, go to www.episcopalchurch.org.
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Jubilee Ministry Grants Awarded
[January 31, 2012]  The Social and Economic Justice Office of the Episcopal Church Center has awarded 108 Jubilee Ministry grants in 50 dioceses for 2011 and 2012 in four categories for more than $165,000 to support mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church.

 

The 2011 categories are: health and nutrition; diocesan development; local development poverty alleviation initiatives; and miscellaneous.  The 2012 categories are summer camps and Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) training workshops.

 

Jubilee Ministries are congregations or agencies with connections to the Episcopal Church whose mission efforts affect the lives of those in need, addressing basic human needs and justice issues. Grants to Jubilee Ministries are awarded annually.

 

Good Shepherd Episcopal Church on Maui was a recipient of two grants, one for health and nutrition, in the amount of $750, and one for a summer grant camp for $1,000.  The Diocese of Hawai'i has received a $5,000 grant to host two-day Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) Training workshops.

 

To learn more about the Jubilee Ministries, visit The Episcopal Church website HERE.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Sybil Nishioka, Editor & Communications Contractor

 

The electronic Hawaiian Church Chronicle is the official news publication of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i.  All policy, editorial and administrative decisions are under the direction of the editor in consultation with the Bishop's Office.  The Chronicle welcomes suggestions, story ideas, comments and opinions from its readers.  Send articles, letters, news and photographs (electronic files preferred) to:
News, Office of the Bishop, 229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu, HI  96813
(808) 536-7776; Neighbor Islands: (800) 522-8418

 

The Chronicle does not assume responsibility for the return of photographs or manuscripts.

 

The deadline for the April/May issue is March 20, 2012