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

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

October 2013
In This Issue
Message from the Bishop
Our Schools...'Iolani & St. Andrew's Priory in Full Swing
2013 Annual Clergy Retreat
On the Road to Priesthood...
Camp Mokule'ia Blessing
Pacific Island Ministry Committee Brings MCAP to the Big Island
On Stewardship... Living Intentionally
First Monthly Youth Gathering with the ELCA
Canadian Truth & Reconciliation Hearing
O'AHU PARISH NEWS
KAUA'I PARISH NEWS
MAUI PARISH NEWS
BIG ISLAND OF HAWAI'I NEWS
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH & BEYOND
Contact Information
Bishop's Calendar

***** OCTOBER ***** 

Sunday Visitations:
October 6
Emmanuel, Kailua

Other:
October 4
St. Elizabeth's, Honolulu
(Non-Sunday Visitation)
October 5
Installation of the Rev. Debra Vanover, Holy Nativity, Honolulu
October 8
Chapel, St. Andrew's Priory
October 11
Dedication of 'Iolani's Sullivan Center
October 12
Standing Committee Meeting
October 19
Standing Committee Meeting 
October 25 & 26
Education Day, Annual Meeting of Convention
October 29
Chapel, St. Andrew's Priory
 
 
***** NOVEMBER *****

Sunday Visitations:
November 3
St. John's, Kula
November 10
Good Shepherd, Wailuku

Other:
November 2 - 10
Work from Maui
November 2
Blessing of A Cup of Cold Water, Holy Innocents, Lahaina
November 5
Lunch with Maui Retired Clergy
November 6
Trinity By-the-Sea, Kihei
(Non-Sunday Visitation)
November 8
Holy Innocents, Lahaina
(Non-Sunday Visitation)
November 9
Maui Legacy Society Dinner
November 16
Governance Meetings
November 17
Cursillo Ultraya, St. Timothy's, Aiea
November 19
Half-day Staff Retreat
November 22
Big Island Legacy Society Dinner
November 24
Feast of the Holy Sovereigns, The Cathedral of St. Andrew
November 26
Chapel, St. Andrew's Priory
November 27
Chapel, Holy Nativity School

 Bishop's Messages

To read Bishop Fitzpatrick's latest messages to the Diocese, click on the Bishop's Messages link above.

Beasley's Blog

Canon Liz Beasley shares her thoughts and wisdom.  Click  on the Beasley's Blog link above to read her latest entry.

Stay Informed!

Connect directly to the Diocesan website:
 
A Message from Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick:
Bishop Fitzpatrick
 
My Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Please forgive a short Chronicle article this month. I have just returned from the House of Bishops meeting in Nashville, TN. We spent much time discussing the new shape of mission, and monumental transitions in church culture and life. I am still praying and ruminating on the presentations as I look to our own diocesan Convention at the end of October. The Standing Committee is pulling together information from the Diocesan Mutual Ministry Review (their report is to be in my hands by October 11th). I am also studying Report 1-A from the Property Task Group. All in all, I have much about which to think and, especially, to pray.

In my own prayer, I have been trying to take the admonition in the great hymn of the early Church found in Philippians 2:5-11 to heart:

Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus:
Though he was in the form of God,
he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit.
But he emptied himself
by taking the form of a slave
and by becoming like human beings.
When he found himself in the form of a human,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore, God highly honored him
and gave him a name above all names,
so that at the name of Jesus everyone
in heaven, on earth, and under the earth
might bow and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I am holding close the core values called forth from this passage in all of us as the followers of Jesus Christ: Haʻahaʻa (humility), Pono (rightness and balance), Hoʻomau (perseverance) and ʻOluʻolu (graciousness).

So, I ask for your continued prayers for me and especially for the Annual Meeting of Convention on October 26th, in Tenney Theatre of the Cathedral of St. Andrew.

Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel in the 45th Annual Meeting of the Convention of the Diocese of Hawaiʻi for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Aloha ma o Iesu Kristo, ko mākou Haku,

+Bob

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick
+ Keali'ikoaokeakua
 
Our Schools
St. Andrew's Priory & 'Iolani 
Schools In Full Swing
The following photos appeared on the school Facebook pages:


On August 20, two days before the first day of the 2013-2014 school year, St. Andrew's Priory held it's first all-school Ohana Barbeque. Students in grades K-12 invited their families and enjoyed fresh off-the-grill hamburgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers prepared by the Priory dads. The Priory moms assisted with the overwhelming amount of potluck items brought by Priory families. Returning and new students, their families, faculty and staff, all enjoyed a fun evening of food and fellowship as they gathered in anticipation of the new school year. 


Priory Kindergartners are all smiles after receiving the traditional Froot Loop lei from Seniors during Froot Loop Chapel, the first Chapel of the school year. During the service, the Seniors are commissioned as the student leaders in the school, and present leis of yummy fruit loops to the youngest students.


On September 23, the Senior Class at 'Iolani School won the "Once Upon a Time" trivia contest, which was the first lunchtime event of Homecoming Week. The dress theme for the day was "Nonsensical-Seussical Fashion No-No Day" which is reflected in their clothing.
 
DIOCESAN  NEWS
2013 Annual Clergy Retreat
By Cn. Liz Beasley

About 30 of the clergy of the Diocese gathered on Sunday, September 8, through Tuesday, September 10, at Camp Mokule'ia for the annual Clergy Retreat. Sometimes the clergy retreat has an "in-house" program, with no outside speakers. This year, we were fortunate to have among us the Very Rev. Ian Markham, Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS), and the Rev. Barney Hawkins, who has worn a number of "hats" at VTS and currently is Vice President for Institutional Advancement. 

Markham and Hawkins led a program called "Living Authentically as Episcopal Clergy." Markham focused on the liturgy of the Episcopal Church and how it can help people live healthy and authentic lives. He stressed to us clergy that many people would appreciate Episcopal liturgy but do not know or understand it; the task of priests is to teach what is happening in the liturgy so that people can more fully enjoy and be sustained by it. 
 
Markham's presentation grew out of his book Liturgical Life Principles: How Episcopal Worship Can Lead to Healthy and Authentic Living. The book is written for a general audience; one does not need to have theological training in order to understand it. 

Guest presenters Hawkins (left) preaching and Markham (right) celebrating the Eucharist. 
(Photos by Ryan Newman)
Hawkins focused on the "craft of priesthood": what it means to be a priest and how it affects our life and faith. Hawkins drew on a rich knowledge of fiction and poetry to illustrate his points; he even read a story to us by the author John L'Heureux. The second part of Hawkins presentation addressed specific situations we might encounter in ministry: those difficult, thorny, or even humorous situations where we might initially be at a loss as to how to handle them, but where God is always present in some way. Hawkins presentation drew from his book Episcopal Etiquette and Ethics: Living the Craft of Priesthood in the Episcopal Church.
 
The retreat also provided a good amount of free time in which the clergy could, for example, talk together, pray, sleep, or swim in the ocean at Mokule'ia. 

This retreat is the first in a series of planned engagements with the faculty of VTS over the next three years. The Diocese already has two seminarians at Virginia-Jar Pasalo and Annalise Castro. This new relationship allows for us to benefit even more, and here in Hawai'i, from the educational resources that VTS can offer.

Pictured in the top photo above: Seated L-R, Teresa Bowden, Linda Decker, David Kennedy, Giovan King, Peter Besenbruch, Carol Arney, Barney Hawkins (presenter); Standing L-R, Diane Martinson, Debra Vanover, Bill Miller, Susan Sowers, Rick Tiff, Robin Taylor, Paul Klitzke (in back), Alex Geston, Leo Loyola, Randy Albano, David Gierlach, Walter Brownridge, Helen Harper, Ryan Newman, Bishop Bob Fitzpatrick, Paul Lillie, Dallas Decker, Matthew Lukens, Ian Markham (presenter), Liz Beasley, Brian Grieves. (Photo provided by Peter Besenbruch.)

 

On the Road to Priesthood...


Ernesto "Jar" Pasalo, Jr. and Annalise Castro, two of the Diocese's young adults, are currently attending Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS), adding to the growing connections with the Diocese. At the recent Clergy Retreat (see story above), the Very Rev. Ian Markham and the Rev. Barney Hawkins were guest presenters, and are both faculty at VTS. 
 
Jar has started his second year at VTS, after spending a busy and insightful summer interning on the Big Island with St. James and St. Columba's. In a reflection that appeared in the St. James e-newsletter a month after he arrived, you could sense his enthusiasm and excitement. 
 
"The sense of community is amazing here, and I am blessed that I get to share the many joys and lows that a community can go through," wrote Jar. "I am looking forward to what is going to happen tomorrow, since everyday has been an adventure with its own joys and challenges." Before heading back to Virginia, Jar was able to spend some time at home on Maui and even helped lead a church camp! (See article under Maui Parish News.)
 
Jar is pictured above left preaching at St. Columba's. Annalise is pictured at right, and the pair are pictured in the center photo standing in front of the ruins of a VTS chapel that burned down in 2010. The picture was taken after a groundbreaking ceremony for the new chapel that will eventually be built there.
 
"So far, it has been wonderful and challenging," says Annalise, who is in her first year at VTS. She is working on campus as the multicultural ministries coordinator for the school, and her favorite class is Biblical Greek. "I feel blessed to be in such an amazing community while being formed to be a priest. But I will say both Jar and I do miss the islands and the Diocese is never far from our hearts!"
 
Please keep our young seminarians in your prayers as they continue their journey to priesthood. (Photos are from their Facebook pages.)
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Hee and Diocese featured in Episcopal News Service Article: The following excerpts are from an article that appeared through the online Episcopal News Service on August 30, 2013:

'Doing Mission and creating disciples'
Dioceses empower local leaders in cultural contexts
By Pat McCaughhan

[Episcopal News Service] Without a local formation program like Waiolaihui'ia in the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i, potential priests like Malcolm Kealanu Hee could likely never see ordination.

 

Malcolm HeeHee, 50, juggles two teaching positions with busy family and other responsibilities. But every other month, he spends an intense 72-hour weekend at a local retreat center, learning the academics and practicalities of ordained church leadership.

 

"Local formation is important for Hawai'i because we need to raise up our own priests," Hee wrote in an e-mail to ENS. "Currently, there is only one priest of Hawaiian descent. All the other priests have been transplants; many return to their homes, eventually leaving Hawai'i. Raising up our own priests will increase the likelihood of them staying here."

 

Hawaii: a case of local formation

One such alternative is local formation, according to the Rev. Canon Liz Beasley, who is Canon to the Ordinary in Hawai'i. The Diocese launched Waiolaihui'ia in January with three students and another person auditing part of the coursework, she said.

 

Waiolaihui'ia means "the gathering of waters," according to Hee, who teaches preschoolers with disabilities and also instructs university students preparing for teaching careers. "We chose this because we come from all over the state and together we are intermingling and learning. Water or "wai" is important in our culture as it sustains the taro that we grow. Water is also important in our church as an important part of the baptismal covenant. That's how we came up with our name."

 

The curriculum comes from the Iona Initiative, which is based on the Iona School for bivocational priests and deacons in the Diocese of Texas. The three-year local training program for priests and deacons is currently in use in eight rural and remote dioceses, including: Wyoming, Oklahoma, Arkansas, West Texas, Northwest Texas, Northeast Texas and Mississippi, in conjunction with the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest.

 

Liz Beasley "People in the program already have significant jobs and families they've raised and they don't have the capability to go to seminary for three years," Beasley said during a telephone interview. "It also doesn't makesense for someone to spend the money to go to seminary and come back and have maybe a part-time job. That doesn't seem financially responsible," she added. 

 

Although the current students are all native Hawaiian and their "experience and cultures do come into the discussion and the learning" the curriculum is adaptable to any group, she said. Diocesan clergy are trained to serve as teachers and mentors; students live in community during the intensive weekend sessions. Some coursework is available on videotaped and power-point presentations and students complete substantial amounts of homework in-between sessions, she added.

 

The cost is about $2,000 per year for students with the diocese absorbing other costs for the three-year program. It aims to prepare second-career priests for local ordination but is not a replacement for the traditional path to seminary; the diocese still sends recent college graduates to residential seminaries, she said.

 

"We're really excited about this," Beasley said. "We want priests who know what it means to live in Hawai'i and are committed to being here. This is a long-range view, we figure if we're raising up people who already call this their home, they're more likely to stay."  (To read this article in its entirety, click HERE.)

 

Camp Mokule'ia Blessing


On Monday afternoon, August 12, 2013, Camp Mokule'ia Director David Turner had arranged for a very special blessing of the camp. "The time has come for us to take time to acknowledge our many good gifts and commit ourselves to being part of that which restores balance and harmony to this place and to our guests," said Turner in an invitation to a few people who were integral to the work and mission there.

Rev. Moki Hino from Holy Apostles Episcopal Church on the Big Island, led the blessing that included a Eucharist service, and involved the entire staff as part of the blessing. Salt that came from the salt ponds of Hanapepe on Kaua'i, was blessed and spread in different areas by staff members and invited guests. The different sites held special significance for each of them and included the farm, canoes, labyrinth, tent field, lodging and the office. Rev. Hino then blessed each area with ti leaf and Holy water, and everyone took part in a blessing at the sacred site where the Kupuna are buried. The blessing also included a symbolic dip in the ocean. Dinner and fellowship rounded out this very special event.  (Photos by Sarah Klitzke.)

 
Pacific Island Ministry Committee Brings 
MCAP to the Big Island
By Ann Hansen, Chair, Pacific Islander Ministry
 

Up until August of this year, the Pacific Islander Ministry had sponsored three Micronesian Cultural Awareness Program (MCAP) presentations for the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i and the general public, but all of them were held in Honolulu.  On Saturday, August 31, 2013, the Pacific Islander Ministry extended its reach to the Big Island of Hawai'i, where the "face" of that island is changing. Micronesian cultural interpreter, Josie Howard, and I flew to Hilo to give an MCAP presentation. 

According to the 2010 Census, Marshallese is the fifth most populous racial group on the Big Island following Caucasion, Japanese, Filipino and Native Hawaiian ethnicities, By now there are four Episcopal churches on the Big Island with Marshallese partner congregations: St. Jude's (Ocean View), St. James (Kamuela), Christ Church (Kealakekua) and Holy Apostles (Hilo.)  

Rev. Moki Hino and the members of Holy Apostles hosted the MCAP presentation inviting not only their own parishioners but also Hilo churches of all denominations, the Department of Education schools and District Office. On a hot, humid Hilo day, fifty-five people showed up to learn about Micronesian culture. A number of people from different organizations including the YWCA, Hilo Clinic, Pahala Elementary School and the Big Island Amateur Ham Radio Club were also in attendance. Four ladies of Pacific Islander ancestry from Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Fiji, helped explain language differences from island to island. 
 
Even though Josie has presented more than 50 MCAP presentations, she refuses to accept the description "cultural expert". She explains that she can speak from her own experience and through her lens, she hopes to help other people understand the Micronesian experience. Since Micronesian women are supposed to be the "Silent Keepers" (of the culture), she delivers her Power Point presentation from a seated position. Josie started off her presentation asking the participants to break up into small groups to describe their impressions of Micronesia or Micronesians. Animated discussion followed, and when the small groups reported back to the whole group it was obvious that these participants already had considerable background knowledge, some having spent time on various islands.

During a break of "heavy pupus Hilo style" which amounted to a substantial lunch, people got a chance to mix and talk with other participants. There was also a small exhibit of Micronesian artifacts for people to peruse. People eagerly asked questions, and although the presentation was originally scheduled for two hours, most participants stayed for an extra hour lining up to talk with Josie after her presentation. Micronesian culture is a complex topic that is of timely interest on the Big Island and throughout Hawai'i. The MCAP presentation at Holy Apostles in Hilo helped deepen the understanding of community members about Micronesian culture.

The Pacific Islander Ministry is committed to educating and serving all the communities in Hawai'i. For more information, visit their page on the diocesan website here. (Photos by Ann Hansen.)
 
On Stewardship
Living Intentionally
By Bill Skelton, St. Michael and All Angels
 
This article first appeared in the St. Michael's newsletter, The Herald, published in November 2012.

This is the time of year that the attention of church leadership turns to financial matters. The fall is also the time that individuals are given a chance to make a commitment to the mission and ministry of their congregation.

At St Michaels, our adult Sunday School class recently studied the book Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity by Adam Hamilton. In one of the classes, we discussed Affluenza and Credititus. If you haven't heard these terms in the popular press, Affluenza is the desire to have more and Credititus is the pain and loss of freedom caused by too much Affluenza.

Though I didn't say anything during that class, I was struck by the discussion of Credititus.

Many years ago, my wife Maria and I had small children, a big mortgage, and a young engineer's modest salary. One year, we maxed out our credit cards with Christmas spending and totally depleted our bank account. Our situation was so awful that I didn't have money for a Valentine's Day card for Maria.

After almost 40 years, I still have a vivid memory of that time. It was that painful! The important point is that poor choices and the resulting pain caused us to change the way Maria and I managed our money. Without the pain, we might never have changed our attitude and behavior.

We became more intentional about how we spent money. We became more intentional about the stewardship of our treasure, and how we shared it with our church and community. We consciously made - and still make - an effort to live below our means. We recognized why it is important to discern the difference between wants and needs. I still struggle with wants, and sometimes lose the battle. But I now understand that the person who has enough will never need more, and that the person who wants more will never have enough.
 
First Monthly Youth Gathering with the ELCA


In a continuing partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Diocese of Hawai'i has begun monthly youth gatherings on O'ahu, that take place on the first Sundays of each month. The first event, "Games, Grindz & God", took place on September 1, at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu. Over 40 youth and adults gathered together for an evening of fun, games and food! The next event will take place on Sunday, October 6, at Kapolei Community Park, from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. For more information, contact Sarah Klitzke, Diocesan Youth Director, at 536-7776, ext. 309, or e-mail her. (Photo from the Episcopal Youth of Hawaii Facebook page.)

Canadian Truth & Reconciliation Hearing
By The Rev. Malcolm Naea Chun
 

During the weekend of September 18 - 21, 2013, I attended the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission's hearing in Vancouver, B.C. This was the last hearing for the testimony of first nation (native/indigenous) survivors of the nation's Indian residential schools. The schools were run by many of the nation's churches including the Anglican Church of Canada. Archbishop Michael Peers apologized for the church's involvement in the abusive scandal of operating the schools that tore native families apart in an effort to "westernize" and strip them of their language, cultural identity and traditions. Students were physically, emotionally, and even sexually abused and tortured as students. 

On Sunday, September 22, at Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Vancouver, Archbishop John Privett presided over a reconciliation service, and National Indigenous Bishop Mark MacDonald preached. We all joined in the Truth & Reconciliation Walk that took place in the eastern side of downtown Vancouver on a cold and rainy day, and some newspapers estimated the actual march to be over 10,000 people. I am pictured above with Bishop MacDonald and also with an honorary witness, Mr. David Wong, a Vancouver architect who plead for more Asian participation and understanding of the history and relationship Canadians have with first nation peoples. 
 
O'AHU PARISH NEWS

The following photos appeared in the July Hikari newsletter of Good Samaritan:
Good Samaritan Members Attend EAM@40

The Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry (EAM) gathered to celebrate their 40th Anniversary in San Francisco on June 20 - 24, 2013. In attendance was a group of youth from Good Samaritan chaperoned by Dr. Malcolm Hee. 

Over 250 people attended the conference that took place at the Hyatt Regency Airport Hotel, and offered a number of diverse topics, well-known speakers, and dignitaries from around the Episcopal Church. The event included a colorful and energized service at Grace Cathedral where various Asian cultures were expressed. Japanese Taiko drummers, Korean drummers, Igorot gongs, Filipino-Ifugao and candle dancers, led Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori and a procession of Bishops into the nave. Hymns, readings and Prayers of the People were offered in multiple languages. The group from Good Samaritan performed Kirisuto No Heiwa, May the Peace of Christ be with You.

40 years ago, EAM was originally formed as a two-pronged ministry: ministry to immigrants from Asia and to American citizens of Asian Ancestry. "As EAM has evolved in history, it has now become a three-fold ministry," said the Rev. Fred Vergara, the Episcopal Church's Missioner for Asiamerica Ministries, adding that it is also "a ministry of building bridges to Asia. It is a cultural ministry, a cross-cultural ministry, a transcultural ministry. It is an ethnic ministry, a generational ministry, and ecumenical ministry. It is an immigrant ministry, a domestic ministry and a global ministry."

Pictured above L-R, are Dr. Malcolm Hee with Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori; the youth from Good Samaritan: Pono, Trenton, KK and Taylor; Trenton with ukulele in hand outside of the Cathedral after their performance; visiting Japan Town in San Francisco. To read more about this event and to view video clips, visit the Episcopal News Service coverage HERE.
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Mahalo Nui Loa to Fr. Brian Nurding!

Pictured above are members of St. Stephen's Altar Guild and the Bishop's Committee gathered in the St. Francis Garden, to thank Fr. Brian Nurding (with pink lei) for his engaging sermons and faithful service over the past two years. Fr. Brian has been driving all the way from Hawai'i Kai to Wahiawa on the fourth Sunday of every month. Our Diocese is blessed to have retired clergy like Fr. Brian who are willing to step up and help out!  (Photo by Gregory Johnson.)
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The Breakfast Club!

When it comes to breakfast, the folks at St. Elizabeth's and St. Peter's know how to whip up some ono fried rice and eggs. During the summer, St. Elizabeth's started up a Wednesday Morning Breakfast project serving up a hot meal to the children in the Palama neighborhood. A group of parishioners took the 6-week task on, prepping, cooking and serving up fried rice and eggs each Wednesday morning. Word spread quickly... and plans for 2014 are in the works. 

In the meantime, St. Peter's Breakfast Ministry has taken off, serving up fried rice, eggs and prayers to Central Middle School students before school starts. Members from both congregations help each other out in these ministries and find joy in seeing plates "licked clean"!  Vililami Lino (pictured above with the guitar and son of the late Rev. Saimone Lino), has picked up right where his dad left off, gathering the troops through music and leadership. 

In the top middle photo, the men cook up some ono fried rice. At left is Willis Yap, Senior Warden at St. Peter's, and stirring up the wok is James Fitzpatrick, a youth leader at St. Elizabeth's. Volunteers are needed to keep the program running smoothly, and donations of SPAM, rice, eggs, paper towels, ketchup, oyster sauce and shoyu or cash to buy supplies, are always welcome! Contact the church offices of St. Elizabeth's (845-2112) or St. Peter's (533-1943). (Photos courtesy of David Gierlach.)
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Baptism Moment

On Sunday, July 21, 2013, the Rev. Helen Harper, Vicar of St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Waianae, baptized Jacqueline Frances Wayte at the JW Marriott Hotel. Proud mom Remy looks on with Godparents in the background. (Photo by Barry Johnson.)
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Epiphany's Annual Family Camp

Members at Epiphany Episcopal Church enjoyed their annual Family Camp & Picnic on Sunday, August 18, at Camp Mokule'ia. The day was celebrated with a beach side Eucharist service led by Fr. Brian Grieves.  Lots of fun, food and games for all ages filled the day...and what's a picnic without a watermelon eating contest! Pictured at top left is Fr. Grieves with Peggy Chun, who brings everything to camp for the Eucharist!  (Photos by Portia Okamoto.)
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The following photos appeared in the St. Clement's July Newsletter:
St. Clements Bids Aloha To Rev. Michael Barham
After 5 years serving as Associate Rector at St. Clement's, the congregation bid the Rev. Michael Barham a fond aloha this past June. During announcements, the choir and congregation donned his face--- yes, a photo mask with his favorite hat! At the end, the entire congregation laid hands on Rev. Michael as Rev. Liz Zivanov gave a blessing for his continuing life journey.
 
KAUA'I PARISH NEWS

The following are excerpts from an article that appeared in The Garden Island on August 4, 2013. To read the article in its entirety, click on the READ MORE link.

Blessings from Helen
Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in Kilauea recently hosted a dinner to thank volunteers of the Thrift Shop ministry, and in particular Helen Mitsui, who has worked at the church outreach project for more than 30 years, most of the time as its director.

The dinner, attended by about 170 people, took place in the church parish hall on Kolo Road. While enjoying a meal provided by the members of Christ Memorial, the church community and many people from the North Shore honored Mitsui with testimonials, leis, and music and hula. The evening's musicians were David Sproat, Jen Waipa, and Kilipaki Vaughn, and the dancers were from Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai.
 
The Rev. Robin Taylor, Vicar of Christ Memorial, announced that the Bishop's Committee of Christ Memorial voted to honor Mitsui's many years of service by renaming the ministry, "Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings." As an outreach program of Christ Memorial, the Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Ministry puts profits back into the community by supporting local civic activities, food banks, and feeding programs, as well as organizations that support national and international charitable efforts, according to a press release. Many attribute the ministry's success to Helen's heart to help.
 
"Christ Memorial is blessed to have Helen Mitsui as a member," said one member. "She has faithfully attended for years and has served in countless ways, helping to keep the doors of the church open, even when it looked like it was impossible. She has managed the Shared Blessings Ministry with honesty and generosity and integrity."  READ MORE.
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Dodgeball & Movie Nights Bring Families Together
The folks at All Saints' in Kapa'a know that their location is a bonus when it comes to community events. Located on the main highway of the island, All Saints' sits smack dab in the heart of Kapa'a town, making it a visible and prime spot for activities. So for the past several years, All Saints' has secured grants to host a number of free community events geared towards families and youth.

This past July 26 & 27, Kauai's most popular summer sporting event took place--- DODGEBALL! Now in its 8th year, the Fun In Fellowship (FiF) Dodgeball Tournament has a waiting list each year, with 40 teams and over 300 participants, age 4 - 64! They come from every corner of the island, neighbor islands, and the mainland--- some families have even planned their vacations around dodgeball! The free program involves practices that run throughout the month of July in the All Saints' Gym, and culminates with a 2-day tournament on the last Friday/Saturday of the month. Over the years it has morphed into a super friendly, highly anticipated and joyous coming together of the community, living up to its name, Fun In Fellowship! Be sure to visit the FiF Dodgeball page on Facebook to view photos from past tournaments--- and consider bringing a team from your church to Kaua'i next year!!!
 
Another popular event has been Movies on the Lawn, that takes place on the big open lawn fronting the Church during the months of September or October. For the past 4 years, the community has been invited to watch a series of free double-feature movies under the stars on a giant 30' screen with an excellent sound system! The first show is geared to children and young-at-heart, and the second feature to older youth and adults. The final movie event for 2013 just wrapped up with record numbers and over 400 in attendance. The food booth (manned by the Ke Akua Youth Group) sold out of everything before the second show started! Families from around the island arrived in droves to watch movies like Epic, Despicable Me, Iron Man 3, Star Trek Into Darkness and other popular new releases, while feasting on super affordable dollar hot dogs, 50 cent popcorn, chili, Portuguese bean soup, SPAM musubi, loaded hot chocolate and other "healthy" stuff! Although the first show doesn't start until sunset, folks arrive up to an hour early to get choice spots and have dinner. No doubt, families will be looking forward to next year's events with lawn chair and gozas in hand!   (Photos by Marge Akana, Bill Caldwell, Sybil Nishioka.)

 

MAUI PARISH NEWS

The following are excerpts from a press release for A Cup of Cold Water Ministry issued September 3, 2013. Click on the READ MORE link to view the release in its entirety: 
 
A Cup of Cold Water, A Community Care Van 
The four Episcopal churches on Maui have banded together with community friends to establish a new outreach ministry to the homeless on Maui. The ministry, called A Cup of Cold Water, will deliver basic needs of water, nutrition, clothing, hygiene items, and comfort to the homeless in different parts of the islands via a "community care van".

A group of Episcopalians from the four Maui congregations -- Good Shepherd Church in Wailuku, Trinity by-the-Sea Church in Kihei, St. John's Church in Kula, and Holy Innocents Church in Lahaina -- gathered just over a year ago and laid the foundation for an active outreach ministry to the homeless on Maui. Their efforts were strongly supported by the Rt. Rev. R. L. Fitzpatrick, Bishop of Hawai'i, and by the Diocesan Council, which granted $5,000 for Mission Beyond the Church. 

The project also received a $15,000 United Thank Offering (UTO) grant from the national Episcopal Church Women (ECW) toward the cost of a van. A new 2012 Nissan NV 3500 High Ceiling Cargo Van was purchased for $28,000 from the Tony Nissan Group of Honolulu, which generously outfitted the van with commercial shelving as well as paying vehicle registration fees and shipping costs to Maui. An anonymous local gift matching the UTO grant helped secure the purchase. The van arrived on Maui in August, and will be blessed by Bishop Fitzpatrick on Nov. 2.

Kekuhaupio "Keku" Akana, President of the Board of Directors, says, "This is a community effort and we eagerly look forward to other churches and community partners on the island joining the Cup of Cold Water team." Other Board members include The Rev. Linda Decker, John Decker, Mary Lou Mellinger, K. Peter Lee, Mark Sitts, Paula Baldwin, Jay Jackson and Jean Fiddes. Bishop Fitzpatrick is ex-officio Chairman of the Board. 

The first van run is scheduled for Sunday, October 13, in the Kihei/South Maui area. Initially, the van will run three days a week (Sundays -Kihei/South Maui; Wednesdays - Central Maui including Wailuku, Waihee, Waiehu, Paukukalo, Kahului and Kanaha area; and Saturdays - Lahaina/West Maui). Fifteen volunteers have signed on to participate as run leaders or team members and all have completed the extensive training for the work. READ MORE.
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Safeguarding God's Children

A Maui Regional Course for Safeguarding God's Children was held at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Wailuku, on August 31. The next Regional Course on Maui will be held on Saturday, Marh 1, 2014, at St. John's in Kula. Seated L-R are Bessy Idica, Marella Idica, Terri Browning; Standing L-R are John Tomoso (Diocesan Trainer), Alfredo Evangelista, Cora Brown, Marilyn Cleghorn, Julienne Mounts. (Photo courtesy of John Tomoso.)
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The following photos are from the Good Shepherd Facebook Page:
Good Shepherd Summer Camp
 
Adults and youth from Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Wailuku, headed to Camp Olowalu over the weekend of August 16 - 18, for a fun summer camp. The theme of the weekend was "Come to the Water" and was led by four young adults, under the direction of Gloria and Ferdinand Cajical. Pictured above are the happy campers who enjoyed the beach, crafts, games, and lots of food and fellowship. In the bottom center photo are the young adult leaders of the camp, Kevin Viernes, Lester Traje, Ernesto "Jar" Pasalo, and Eric Pasalo. Jar is one of the Diocese's Seminarians who was home on Maui for a couple of weeks before heading back to Virginia Theological Seminary. 
 
BIG ISLAND OF HAWAI'I NEWS

The following photo and articles appeared in the Christ Church newsletter and Holy Apostle's Facebook page:
Bishop of Cuba Visits the Big Island

On Friday, August 23, Christ Church Episcopal Church in Kealakekua had a very special visitor, the Rt. Rev. Griselda Delgado del Carpio, the Episcopal Bishop of Cuba. The Bishop was touring the Big Island with her husband and interpreter. She also visited with members at Holy Apostles in Hilo.

Bishop Delgado was born in Bolivia, and moved to Cuba when the political climate in her home country became unbearable. She served as a parish priest in the village of Itabo for 22 years before her election as Bishop Coadjutor, then as Diocesan Bishop.
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St. James' Floors Gets a Facelift

St. James Episcopal Church in Kamuela was recently cleared out so that their wood floors could be refinished. In the meantime, the congregation worshiped at the nearby Chapel at Hawaii Preparatory Academy. Pictured above are the before and after pictures of the floors; Fr. David Stout, and the St. James Choir celebrating at HPA.  (Photo from the St. James' Facebook page.)
 
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH & BEYOND

Episcopal Relief & Development 2012 Annual Summary
ERD logo The 2012 Annual Summary for the Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) is now available to download HERE. Learn how your support enables ERD to touch the lives of more than 3 million people every year. Read stories from Zambia, Myanmar/Burma, Ghana and Haiti - just four of the nearly 40 countries where our Church and ecumenical partners are strengthening their communities for a brighter future. To learn more about ERD, visit their website HERE.
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From Cairo to London, Interfaith Art Brings Message of Peace
By Matthew Davies, Episcopal News Service

The arts may be one of the most effective mediums for building bridges, says the Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler, the Episcopal priest responsible for the journey of 25 life-size painted fiberglass donkeys from Cairo to St. Paul's Cathedral in London, where they will be on display in the south nave aisle until September 23.

 

Now in its fifth year, the Caravan arts exhibition brings together Western and Egyptian artists, both Christian and Muslim, to promote a message of peace.

 

Chandler, an Episcopal Church mission partner who has served as a priest in Cairo for the past 10 years, sees the exhibition as an opportunity to deepen understanding across cultures and religions. "We're passionate about interfaith friendships and we've found that the arts, in many ways, is a catalyst for that," Chandler told ENS on August 30, during an interview at the launch of the exhibition, which is titled In Peace and With Compassion.

 

The donkey was chosen for the exhibition because in both Christian and Muslim faith traditions it represents peace, Chandler explained. "In a sense, these artists are saying that the way forward for us is in peace. The other thing the donkey represents is compassion. It's a beast of burden and the poorest of the poor in Egypt use the donkey."

 

This year's exhibition comes at a time when Egypt faces ongoing political turmoil and a rise in sectarian violence.

 

"Contrary often to what we see in the news about what is coming out of Egypt at this time, which is somewhat tragic, these artists are saying no, there is another alternative - the way forward as far as we see it is in peace and with compassion," Chandler said. (To read the article in its entirety and to view the video, click 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
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The deadline for the December issue is November 22, 2013