A message from the Bishop

Congregational Assessment in the proposed 2013 diocesan budget

Aloha Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

As we plan for the future in our congregations, I write to inform you that the Diocesan Council, at its regular June 21 meeting, decided to maintain the congregational assessment at 20% on operating income (as reported in 2011) for the proposed 2013 diocesan budget.  After an extensive and in-depth conversation, the Diocesan Council's elected members present (eleven of twelve -- Tom Kelly was on North America) all agreed that the 20% assessment best met the needs and missional goals of the Diocese.  I also sensed from the conversation there is no intent to lower the assessment in the near future (over the next three years).   There was a consensus that there is much to be done and that we need to do it together.  There was also discussion about the unique nature of ministry in Hawaiʻi. The proposed 2013 budget will be soon be published and posted on the diocesan website.  I hope this helps in planning congregation's budgets and program for the next three years.

I share the following if you wish to speak to a member of Diocesan Council (I have parenthetically noted the member's term and county of residence) about the conversation and the direction of the Diocese:

Membership of Diocesan Council:

The Rt. Rev. Robert L. Fitzpatrick, President

Mr. Peter Pereira, Treasurer

Mr. Keane Akao, Vice President (Lay, Honolulu, 2014, Honolulu)

The Rev. Michael Barham (Clergy, At-Large, 2013, Honolulu)

The Rev. Tom Buechele (Clergy, At-Large, 2012, Hawai'i)

Ms. Penny Chu (Lay, Hawai'i, 2014, Hawai'i)

The Rev. Dallas Decker (Clergy, At-Large, 2012, Hawai'i)

Dr. John Decker, Assistant Treasurer (Lay, At-Large, 2013, Maui)

Ms. Lisa DeLong (Lay, At-Large, 2014, Honolulu)

Mr. Tom Kelly (Lay, Maui, 2013, Maui)

The Rev. Paul Klitzke, Assistant Secretary (Clergy, At-Large, 2013, Honolulu)

Ms. Amy Null, Secretary (Lay, At-Large, 2012, Kauai)

Ms. Mary Schulz (Lay, At-Large, Kauai)

The Rev. Robin Taylor (Clergy, At-Large, 2014, Kauai)

Your Servant in Christ Jesus,

+Bob

The Right Reverent Robert L. Fitzpatrick 

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ANNOUNCING LIVE STREAMING VIDEO COVERAGE

Safeguarding God's Children Training on Maui
Register now for the August 25 Workshop

The next Safeguarding God's Children Training on Maui will be taking place on Saturday, August 25, 2012, at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Wailuku, from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.  To register for this training online, click HERE. Deadline to register is August 17, and enrollment is limited to 20 per session.

Safeguarding God's Children is required of all clergy, Vestry and Bishop's Committee members, and anyone (paid or volunteer) who works with children.  This includes Sunday school teachers, youth group leaders, and preschool and school teachers.  All members are encouraged to attend the workshop to increase the awareness of how to watch for warning signs of child abuse.

For more information or if you have any questions, e-mail Lani Kaaihue, Events Coordinator, or call her toll-free at 800-522-8418, ext. 309. 

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Sexual Misconduct Prevention Trainings coming up this fall

As part of the Safe Church Policy, Sexual Misconduct Prevention Trainings are required of clergy, staff, Vestry and Bishop's Committee members, anyone in a supervisory position, and Eucharistic Visitors.  This is not to be confused with Safeguarding God's Children Trainings.  The dates, times and locations are as follows:

Oahu - September 15, 8:30 am - 1:00 pm

Cathedral of St. Andrew, Von Holt Room

Kauai - October 20, 8:30 am - 1:00 pm

St. Michael and All Angels, Lihue

Maui - November 17, 8:30 am - 1:00 pm

Trinity by-the-Sea, Kihei

Big Island - December 1, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

St. James, Kamuela (Waimea)

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1% Support for Theological Education

A message from the Bishop

None of the Episcopal Church seminaries receive monies from the General Convention budget and thereby must rely on the good will of the church members and other resources to provide the financial underpinning necessary to accomplish their mission. Over the last 20 years the General Convention has encouraged the church to give generously to this important work through 1% giving (1% of net disposable budgeted income) to the seminaries of the Church.

I hope your congregation has made provision to fulfill the 1% asking and that individual members are encouraged to give to a seminary of the Episcopal Church.  Churches can send their support directly to the seminaries (there is no reason to send the money through the Bishop's office).

Because of long term capacity and financial stability, depth of faculty and generous financial aid, I urge those called and affirmed to ordination (as postulants in this Diocese for ordination to the priesthood) and who will be educated/formed in a residential three-year Master of Divinity (M. Div.) program to visit three seminaries:  

Virginia Theological Seminary

3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304
703-370-6600
www.vts.edu

The School of Theology, The University of the South
735 University Ave, Sewanee, TN 37383-0001
www.theology.sewanee.edu

Seminary of the Southwest
501 E.32nd Street, Austin, TX 78705
www.ssw.edu

Our newest diocesan ordinand, the Reverend Leo Loyola, graduated from Virginia, and he is now serving on the Windward side of Oahu, and our own Ernesto "JaR" Pasalo will be heading to Virginia in August to begin studies on an M. Div.  With these two being our most recent seminarians, Virginia has emerged for now, as the primary seminary of the Diocese. 

 
The seminary of our Province (VIII) is:

We have historic and Provincial ties to CDSP. 

I send my personal support to the seminaries from which I have degrees [General Theological Seminary (M. Div.) and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary (D. Min. in Preaching)], CDSP and Virginia (since that is where we have had and now have seminarians). 

I am also collecting money to support a seminary of the Philippine Independent Church (Iglesia Filipina Independiente or IFI), Aglipay Central Theological Seminary in Uradanta City.  The Episcopal Church is full communion partners with the IFI and many in our Diocese have historic ties to the IFI.  I consider this an extension of support for theological education.  If you would like to support the work of Aglipay Central Theological Seminary, please do send the money to me here at the office (checks can be made payable to "The Episcopal Church in Hawaiʻi" with a notation for the "IFI Seminary"). 

Also, remember that Theological Education Sunday (TES) is officially recognized on the first Sunday in February. It is a day parishioners set aside to pray and give for all laity and clergy whose ministry is Christian education, wherever that ministry happens - in the home, preschool programs, parishes, colleges, universities, and seminaries. Established in 1999 by the Episcopal Church, this Sunday on the church calendar is an occasion for all parishioners to focus on education as a key aspect of mission. I am sure any of the seminaries would welcome the opportunity to somehow be a part of your congregation's Theological Education Sunday program.  Be sure to contact them early. 

Theological education is important for the Church and there is still a place for strong residential programs.  The support of the churches and individual Episcopalians is essential.

+Bob

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick

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What's Happening in The Episcopal Church? 

Announcements from around The Episcopal Church...

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A note from the Bishop:

General Convention taught me that concern about the future of Palestine/Israel is important to the Diocese of Hawaiʻi.  We had more members of this Diocese testify at hearings regarding the crisis in the Holy Land than any other Diocese.  We have diverse opinions, but there is a consensus that it important to support the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.  I hope congregations will include the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem in your outreach ministries and that individuals be urged to donate.  I also urge everyone to sign-up on the AFEDJ electronic mailing list.  See the news below from AFEDJ. 

Blessings,
Bob+

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick 

The following are excerpts from an article in the July Newsletter of the AFEDJ.

General Convention supports the work of the Diocese of Jerusalem

 AFEDJ and the work of the Diocese of Jerusalem had a strong presence at the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Indianapolis.

With the Presiding Bishop, Katherine Jefferts Schori, and the Diocese of Los Angeles, AFEDJ co-hosted a reception of about 100 persons for Bishop Suheil Dawani, who attended the Convention for about three days. Following Bishop Dawani's gracious remarks recognizing the vital partnership of the American Episcopal Church with Jerusalem and the important support of AFEDJ, Bishop Glasspool, speaking on behalf of the Bishop Bruno, LA, told of the resolution their Diocese brought forward which commended support for Ahli Hospital in Gaza.  The resolution passed both Houses unanimously.

Our convention has called the whole church to deepen our commitment to a just peace in the Holy Land. This is a priority in mission. As American Friends we must be engaged in the history and contemporary issues of its people and invite others into that study. Further, we need to encourage everyone to make a pilgrimage and to be generous in support of the mission of the Diocese of Jerusalem. 

To read this article in its entirety, go to the AFEDJ website HERE and click on the latest newsletter link in the right-hand column.

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Nominees considered for special task force on church structural reform

Episcopalians wishing to be considered to serve on a General Convention-mandated task force focusing on church restructure may access an online nomination form HERE. People may nominate themselves or others.  Nominations will be accepted until Thursday, August 23.

Approved at the recently-concluded General Convention 2012, Resolution C095 calls for development of a 24-member task force charged with presenting a plan to the next General Convention in 2015 "for reforming the Church's structures, governance, and administration."

The task force members will be appointed by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and President of the House of Deputies,  the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, by September 30.  According to the resolution, "The membership of the Task Force shall reflect the diversity of the Church, and shall include some persons with critical distance from the Church's institutional leadership."

 In case you missed it, click on the link to read

the latest issue of the E-Chronicle.  

JUNE 2012 ISSUE

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Did you miss an edition of the E-News?  Listed below are the titles of some recently published announcements. To see the complete article, click on the linked issues below, or visit Archived E-News Editions on the diocesan website, and click on the desired issue.

07/17/2012:

Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Hawai'i - Updates

Ho'ike Ulu Legacy Society Luncheon dates set

Convention XLIV: 44th Annual Meeting of the Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i

Sing in England for a week The Hawai'i Sacred Choir

General Convention Wrap-up: Re-envisioning church for the 21st century

07/07/2012:

Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Hawai'i August 3 - 5, 2012

2012 Annual Clergy Retreat August 12 - 14, 2012

How long will your endowment last?

Liturgical Arts Conference at Kanuga August 19 - 24, 2012

Blessed to be a blessing: Tools for stewardship campaigns

06/03/2012: 

Announcing the new Diocesan Website

Videos available of Presiding Bishop and Archbishop Desmond Tutu

05/16/2012: 

SESQUICENTENNIAL: The Episcopal Church celebrates 150 years in Hawai'i

Stay in touch through Facebook!

Updated Manual of Business Methods for congregations now available

05/01/2012:

Rev. Tom Buechele serves as Interim at St. Jude's

Continuing Education Policies and Grant Forms

Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation
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