SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS BEGIN!

The first of several Sesquicentennial island events takes place this Saturday, September 8, on Maui.  Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Wailuku, will be host to this event celebrating the Episcopal Church in Hawai'i's 150 year anniversary.  Bishop Fitzpatrick will be on hand to lead the Festival Eucharist at 3:00 pm, followed by a grand lu'au and entertainment on the lawn. 

Following Maui, the island of Kaua'i will celebrate with a "Boogie with the Bishop" dance in the All Saints' Gym in Kapa'a, on Saturday, September 22, beginning at 7:00 pm.  The evening event will feature a live band, refreshments and activities for the children. 

On Friday, October 12, the Big Island will host an evening of Hawaiian theater and song honoring the founding of the Anglican Church in Hawai'i, followed with a reception and Hawaiian entertainment.  The event will take place at the Church of the Holy Apostles in Hilo. 

The Sesquicentennial celebration will culminate with a weekend of activity coinciding with the Annual Meeting of Convention.  There will be historical presentations, music, and worship fit for a King & Queen, as we honor our beloved Hawaiian Sovereigns.  Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will be in attendance with the Opening Remarks as the 44th Annual Meeting of Convention convenes.  She will also be the Celebrant and Preacher at the Festive Convention Eucharist at the Cathedral of St. Andrew on Sunday, November 11, 2012.

For the latest on the Sesquicentennial, visit the diocesan website HERE, or e-mail Carol Arney, Event Support Specialist and coordinator of the event.

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Safeguarding God's Children Training:  Are you current?

Safeguarding God's Children Trainings have been ongoing throughout the year on the different islands, and 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, nursery attendants, and preschool and school teachers. Anyone in a church is encouraged to attend the workshop, to increase the awareness of how to watch for warning signs of child abuse.

Remember that training must be renewed each year.  For those that have already taken a class in person in 2010 or later, renewal can be done online thereafter.  If an e-mail was supplied at the time of the class, you should receive a notice for your annual online renewal.  If you do not receive notification, please have your Parish Administrator contact Cn. Liz Beasley in the Bishop's Office for instructions. 

Kaua'i is scheduled for a class on Saturday, September 29, from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. To register, click HERE.

The Diocese uses the curriculum put together by the Church Pension Fund that describes the program as follows: "Safeguarding God's Children provides participants with the information they need to protect the children they know and care for in their personal lives and the ministries in which they serve. The program is based on the philosophy that if every adult can protect just one child, they will forever change one life. If we can all change one life, together we will make a difference in this generation of children."  For more information on Safeguarding God's Children, visit the diocesan website HERE.

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The Parish Paper: Current issues posted

For those who are unfamiliar with The Parish Paper, it is a monthly publication for congregations giving "Ideas and Insights for Active Congregations," to which the Diocese subscribes.  Congregations may download and distribute them as suits your purposes.  Topics vary and cover anything from "Selecting Quality Staff" and "Preventing Church Fraud" to "Do We Sing All Five Worship-Hymn Preferences?" and everything in-between! The Parish Paper can be found on the Resources Tab on the Diocesan website, under Congregations.  Click HERE to go to the webpage now.

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Bible Study: In a Bowling Alley? By Bob Windisch, St. Nicholas Episcopal Church

Recently, St. Nicholas was asked by several ladies from Onemalu* if we would conduct a Bible study.  When God's people ask you for help to explore the word of God you don't say, "No, I don't have a building; I don't have the people; I don't have... (fill in the blanks)."  You think about all the examples of God's love and generosity and you make it happen.  The only question you ask is, "What day and time is best for you?"  The other consideration was a place that was as close to Onemalu as a person with small children could walk. That is how St. Nicholas and the residents of Onemalu started a Bible Study at the Barber's Point Bowling Alley on Tuesdays between 9:00 -10:00 am.
 
While the bowling alley might seem to be a strange venue it has everything we need.  It's close to Onemalu. A sidewalk links the bowling alley and the residents via a parking lot and it's close to the neighborhoods of Kapolei.  The meeting room is surprisingly quiet even during the busy $2 Tuesday discount bowling.  The manager of the bowling alley has been very supportive of our group.
 
The study is open to everyone and includes an interesting mix.  While Fr. Paul leads the study it's not strictly an Episcopalian group but rather a Christian group of people interested in learning more about the Bible. Some of the questions from the group have been, "Were Adam and Eve set up?"; "What would life be like now if Adam had told Eve no?" While this may not be your usual Bible conversation, we pray, read and explore different topics with respect and love for each other.
 
The study is based on the Essential 100 Challenge (The E100). It is a  Bible reading program built around 100 carefully selected short Bible passages - 50 from the Old Testament and 50 from the New Testament. It enables people to get the big picture of God's Word and how all the major Bible themes fit together. Consider joining us for an hour, a month, or a series.

For more information, click HERE, or e-mail St. Nicholas Episcopal Church.
 

*Onemalu is a transitional shelter that accepts families with children, couples without children, and single adults that are homeless or at risk of being homeless, and teaches the skills necessary to become independent, self sufficient, and productive members of society. The population is in constant flux because of the nature of the shelter. A family's maximum stay at Onemalu is 24 months. 

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PRAY the Bible offered at Trinity By-the-Sea

 All are welcome to attend a Bible workshop being held on Saturday, September 29, 2012, at Trinity By-the-Sea in Kihei, Maui, from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.  Learn a way of praying the Holy Bible as it was done in the earliest years of Christianity.  The class will be led by Bro. Jim Vorndran, who has been a teacher of various forms of contemplative prayer for forty years throughout the United States and Canada.  This quiet approach allows the Living Word to enter and gently transform our hearts.  The event is free and light refreshments will be provided.  For more information, e-mail the organizer. 

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What's Happening in The Episcopal Church? 

Announcements from around The Episcopal Church...

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Episcopal Church General Convention Executive Officer position opening

There is still time to apply for the position of Executive Officer of General Convention of the Episcopal Church.  Following a review by a search committee, the new Executive Officer will be appointed jointly by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and President of the House of Deputies the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, with the advice of Executive Council.

The position is open to an active Episcopalian, either clergy or lay.  The position calls for a thorough understanding of the polity of the Episcopal Church, supervisory responsibilities and a working knowledge of parliamentary procedures. There is extensive travel throughout the Episcopal Church associated with the position.

Detailed requirements and application are located here.  Deadline for applications is Friday, September 21.  Employment begins no later than January 1, 2013, following the retirement of the current Executive Officer, the Rev. Canon Dr. Gregory Straub.

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

the latest issue of the E-Chronicle.  

AUGUST 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.

08/22/2012:

Ernesto "Jar" Pasalo to attend Virginia Theological Seminary

'Iolani Guild Luncheon Meeting coming up September 8, 2012

Fall Ingathering of the United Thank Offering September 9, 2012

Pacific Island Ministry offers presentation on the Micronesian culture September 15, 2012

St. Augustine Annual Bazaar September 15, 2012

Episcopal Church Woman Annual Meeting September 22, 2012

St. John's 30th Annual Kula Festival September 22, 2012

General Convention 2012 Summary of Actions available

08/01/2012:

Congregational Assessment in the proposed 2013 diocesan budget Message from the Bishop

Sexual Misconduct Prevention Trainings coming up this fall

1% Support for Theological Education Message from the Bishop

07/17/2012:

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:

How long will your endowment last?

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

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Contact Information
News
Office of the Bishop
229 Queen Emma Square
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 536-7776, ext. 326; Neighbor Islands: 1-800-522-8418