Clergy Transitions  By Cn. Liz Beasley

 The Rev. Tom Buechele is concluding his time as an Interim at St. Jude's, Ocean View, at the end of February. Buechele has been serving at St. Jude's for the past year and has helped the congregation grow their outreach into the community and also decide the shape of their future ministry. Buechele, who is officially retired, is not simply going home to rest, however. Next he will be working with the Rev. David Stout, Priest-in-Charge of St. James, Kamuela, to build up St. Columba's, Pauuilo. St. Columba's was made a preaching station, under the oversight of St. James, several years ago. It is now seeing new growth. Buechele will be a Missioner at St. Columba's for the next six months, beginning March 1. Mahalo, Tom+!

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The battles have begun! Learn about our Saints!

Lent Madness has begun! February 14th marked the first official match up of Lent Madness with Jonathan Daniels vs. Macrina the Younger, and by 3:30 EST, the daily web traffic record from last year was smashed! Daniels won the first round, and the battles continue.  Be sure to take a moment to learn about all the different saints of the Episcopal calendar, and vote for your favorites daily!  It's a great way to bring some fun into a normally somber Lenten discipline.
 

Last year, our beloved Queen Emma made it all the way to the Championship round against Mary Magdalene.  It was a surprising climb that had the whole Lent Madness world buzzing!  Best of all, folks learned more about our Holy Sovereign, which is what Lent Madness is really all about--learning about our saints.

This year, Father Damien will be in the mix--- mark your calendars and be sure to vote for him on March 1, when he will be up against Frances Perkins.  To learn more, visit the Lent Madness website HERE.

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A Lenten Retreat of Healing and Renewal

Trinity By-the-Sea in Kihei, Maui, will be hosting a Lenten Retreat of Healing and Renewal, utilizing the teachings of Jesus and the Gifts of Creation-- Water, Fire, Earth, Air. The retreat will take place on Saturday, March 9, 2013, from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, and will be facilitated by Roxanne Whitelight, Cris South, Paula Baldwin and Austin Murray.  This retreat will explore the use of the elements of earth, air, fire and water as agents of our journey through the Lenten process of healing and renewal. For more information and to RSVP for this special Lenten event, visit the diocesan event website HERE.

ECW Annual Quiet Day Retreat

Many Paths... One Journey 

The Episcopal Church Women of Hawai'i will hold their annual "Quiet Day"  retreat on Saturday, March 16, 2013, beginning at 8:30 am, at the St. Anthony Retreat Center in Honolulu. The Rev. Martha Blanchett will be the Guest Spiritual Leader.  Cost is $20 per person, lunch included. To register, download the form HERE, or visit the diocesan event listing HERE for more information.

Emmanuel offers Silent Prayer during Lent

It is Lent!  Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Kailua is offering silent prayer time in their lovely Hanchett Memorial Chapel (named for Bishop Lani Hanchett and his wife Puanani). The Chapel  is open for silent prayer Monday through Friday, from 6:00 am - 7:00 am, during Lent.  Fresh brewed coffee is served and all are welcome!  Emmanuel Episcopal Church is located at 780 Keolu Drive in Kailua. For more information call the church office at 262-4548.

What's Happening in The Episcopal Church? 

Announcements from around The Episcopal Church...

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Presiding Bishop's Lent Message 2013:

"Learn more, give alms, share what you have."

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori presents a challenge in her Lent Message 2013 to pray, fast, study and give alms.

 I wish you a blessed Lent.

Lent is the ancient season of preparation.  Preparation for Baptism at the Easter Vigil and it's a season of solidarity with those who are being formed to be disciples of Jesus and missionaries in God's mission.

We form people in a sense that God dreams of a healed world, a world restored to peace with justice, and some of the ancient images of that healed world are those of the prophets.  One of the famous ones from Isaiah is an image of people having a picnic on a mountainside, enjoying rich food and well-aged wine.  That image of being well-fed is particularly poignant in a world like ours where so many go hungry.

READ MORE...

Episcopal Church offers Lenten Resources & Meditations

Resources, meditations and study guides for experiencing a reflective Lenten season are available from the Episcopal Church. Click on the following links to be taken to the resource site:

• Presiding Bishop's 2013 Lent Message - Video or Text
• Daily Lenten Offerings from young adults
• Episcopal Relieft & Development 2013 Meditations
• Society of St, John's daily Lenten videos (posted on the Episcopal church's homepage)
• Episcopal Church's Facebook page
• Episcopal News Service list of resources from around the church

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The Episcopal Church Canons and Constitution, updated following the 2012 General Convention, is available online as a PDF file from the General Convention office, and pre-order from Church Publishing Inc. (CPI). The Canons and Constitution reflect all changes that became effective January 1, 2013.

• Download the Canons and Constitution at no fee HERE.
• Download particular sections as PDFs at no fee through the Archives of the Epuiscopal Church HERE.
• Pre-order a copy of the Canons and Constitutions from Church Publishing HERE.

For more information e-mail Christopher Barajas, General Convention Staff Assistant for Publications.

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Presiding Bishop Opens Inaugural Meeting of Structure Task Force

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and President of the House of Deputies the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, opened the inaugural meeting of the Episcopal Church Task Force for Church Structural Reform on February 14, 2013, with overviews of the church and their task.  The following are the Presiding Bishop's opening remarks:

 As this body begins its work together, I want to offer a broad sketch of who and what this Church is today.  I am deeply aware that many Episcopalians have a good understanding of their local congregations, but often lack the broader awareness of who and what we are.  I'm also going to suggest a handful of broad areas of developmental work that I see us as a church beginning to engage.  Your task is to bring all of your creativity, strategizing, thought and prayer to the work of suggesting how we might better support and undergird and challenge the life and work of this Church and to do it with as one person says, sheer holy boldness.  Read more...

Episcopal Task Force for Church Structural

Reform Issues Statement

The Episcopal Church Task Force for Church Structural Reform has issued a statement following the group's inaugural meeting which took place February 14 - 16, 2013:

At the 77th General Convention, the Holy Spirit called The Episcopal Church to reimagine itself and how it can more deeply live into its identity in our rapidly changing world. The church responded to this call by unanimously adopting Resolution C095 in both houses, which created and commissioned this task force. On February 14, the appointed task force enthusiastically convened to begin our work.  In our three days of discussion, prayer, and worship together, we have been energized by the diversity of talents, cultures, and life experiences present at the table, and we have been inspired by our shared love for the church and our passion for the creative work before us.  (To read the statement in its entirety, click HERE.)

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

the latest issue of the E-Chronicle.  

FEBRUARY 2013 ISSUE

02/01/2013:

Micronesian Cultural Awareness Program (MCAP) Presentation 

Get ready for some Lent Madness

Continuing Education Opportunity Emotional Intelligence, February 25 - March 1, 2013

Clergy Transitions The Rev. Heather Mueller

Annual Chrism Mass Announced March 21, 2013

Presiding Bishop on Gun Violence

Updated Lesson Plans that Work

New Schedule of Webinars

01/16/2013:

Applications for Bishop's Scholarship Funds for 2013-2014 School Year now being accepted

ECF Winter Webinars

01/03/2013:

Clergy Transitions Rev. Loyola, Rev. Chun, Dcn. Wu 

United Thank Offering Applications Deadline is February 28, 2013 

Presiding Bishop Calls for Prayers for Elected Officials

2013 Epiphany Devotions Available

12/24/2012: 

Special Announcement on the Death of Rev. Cn. Darrow Aiona

Christmas 2012 Message  

12/17/2012: 

Bishop Fitzpatrick on the Connecticut Tragedy

Bishop's Office announces lay position openings

Butler Bass' newest book available at St. Clement's

Presiding Bishop on the Connecticut Tragedy

Church Publishing launches e-Book edition of 1979 BCP

12/03/2012:

Honorary Canons Inducted at Cathedral

11/16/2012:

Sesquicentennial & Convention Recap

Bishop's Reading List for 2013

Charitable Gift Annuities

Presiding Bishop on the appointment of the new Archbishop of Canterbury

Applications for Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps

Episcopal Church partners with FaithStreet

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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