By Dcn. Malcolm Keleawe Hee, Good Samaritan Episcopal Church

  

The Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, was there and participated for all three days. Panel discussions were many and included; White privilege and internal oppression, ethnic missioners on what's happening, reimagining the Episcopal Church, intersectionality of race and poverty, young adult ministry in the ethnic community, and environmental racism.  Some of the workshops presented were; multi-ethnic church planting, Doctrine of Discovery, race and racism, structured inequality, formation of identity, and young leaders of color. For more information about New Community in The Episcopal Church, visit the webpage HERE.

  

Pictured at top is the delegation from the Diocese of Hawai'i (L-R): Raymond Wong, Fane Lino, Keane Akau, Annalise Castro, Bishop Bob Fitzpatrick, Irene Tanabe, Irina Maliaman, Peter and Mimi Wu, Malcolm Keleawe Hee and Kalani Holokai. Pictured in the article is Malcolm Hee with the representatives of the Japanese Convocation, Irene Tanabe and Jim Kodera. Malcolm is a co-convener of the Japanese Convocation, part of the Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry (EAM).  Irene is the current EAM secretary, and Jim has been a past EAM president. Photos contributed by Malcolm Hee.   

After the service, an education day was offered featuring guest speaker the Rev. Kevin Martin, a retired Dean of the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Dallas, TX, and the current Congregational Development Officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma. Martin is considered one of the foremost experts on congregational development and has authored two books, The Myth of the 200 Barrier and 5 Keys for Church Leaders. In his presentation, Martin focused on the topic of building strong, vibrant and growing congregations.

 

By Fane Lino, Diocesan Missioner and Ann Hansen, Chair, Pacific Islander Ministry

A Renewal Weekend event was held April 4-6, 2014, at Camp Mokule'ia. It was sponsored by the Pacific Islander Ministry, funded in part by the Commission on Vibrant Ministries, and hosted by Fane Lino, the Diocesan Missioner to the Pacific Islander Community. There were 35 participants of Chuukese ancestry, of whom 15 were adults and 20 were youth.  Four of the participants attend The Cathedral of Saint Andrew and the rest attend Saint Elizabeth's Episcopal Church.   

 

During the course of the weekend, participants were involved in a number of activities that included storytelling, where the children learned about the struggles their ancestors faced and overcame. There were opportunities for learning and playing, but mostly it was a time for families to be close and for everyone to relax, have fun, and enjoy each other and the beautiful camp grounds. 

 

Just before dawn on Sunday morning, the last day of the Renewal Weekend, a Eucharist service was held on the grassy plateau above the beach.  It was a magical time that began with an oli in Hawaiian of the 23rd Psalm, followed by the Epistle also presented in Hawaiian.  Father David Gierlach and a participant read the Gospel, alternating verses in English and Chuukese. All in attendance, which included camp staff, experienced a beautiful service rich in diversity and culture.

 

There have been requests and enthusiasm for another such weekend.  Several participants indicated that they are planning "to bring their entire families" to the next event.  A common refrain among the participants was that "no other church has done anything like this for us or for the Chuukese community."   (Photos by Ann Hansen. To view a slideshow of this event, visit the Pacific Islander Ministry webpage HERE.)

 

During the past year, Diocesan Youth Director, Sarah Klitzke, in conjunction with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, had organized monthly youth gatherings on the island of O'ahu. All youth were welcomed to take part in a variety of group activities for some fun, fellowship, prayer and good eats! Each gathering had a fun theme from the very first event held on September 1, 2013 (Games, Grindz & God) through the last activity of the school year held on May 17, 2014 (Movie night). 

The Cathedral's Stewardship Pledge Drive

By Susan Hays, Stewardship Co-Chair, The Cathedral of St. Andrew

John and Susan Hays (Photo submitted by Lindsay Kamm)

Aloha to my brothers and sisters in Christ,

 

It is with gladness of heart that I report to you on our experience with the Cathedral's 2013-2014 Stewardship pledge drive. I was fortunate to attend the Diocesan Stewardship Retreat at Camp Mokule'ia in the fall of 2013. The testimonies, prayer, and worship times, along with the practical experiences shared and materials made available, proved "right on" for our needs. My husband John and I would like to share what was implemented at The Cathedral of St. Andrew and our reflections on the overall campaign.

 

Gala Event - On Saturday, October 5, 2013, the Cathedral held a Gala Event with a short program and a sit down dinner followed by live music and dancing.  The theme was "My Cup Runneth Over".  Guests were given a card stock "chalice" and asked to write something amazing that had happened to them in the last year. In addition, each guest was given a pledge card. Later in the evening, guests came forward with their pledge cards and chalices and these were blessed.

 

Davies Hall was decorated with over 2000 "falling leaves" hung from ceiling, and all the tables were decorated with autumn colored coverings, tea lights and leaves. Thanks to the Honolulu Theatre for Youth art department, special lighting was positioned to cast shadows on the walls from all the hanging leaves. We also had about 100 battery-operated candles around the room. The total effect was magical.

            

The Cathedral is blessed with great cooks, and they planned and implemented a sit-down dinner that included Opah en Papillote, Furikake Rice with Nori and a Pear and Greens Salad. Individual apple pies were served as dessert. Beverages included wine, coffee, hot tea and a virgin Mojito. Dean Walter Brownridge and Mother Susan Sowers each shared their thoughts and reflections. Live music was provided by the Brazilian group, Viva Domingo.  It was truly a festive evening!  READ MORE

 

Flowers, greenery, vases, snacks and a dozen volunteers all arrived at the Von Holt Room on Saturday, May 24, for a Memorial Day flower sale at The Cathedral of St. Andrew. Coordinator, Susan Hays, had alerted Guild members about the flower sale months in advance, which gave everyone a chance to look under their kitchen sink and round up all their used vases.  There were dozens of assorted vases-- from little novelty ones to large elegant ones.  The variety of vases and assortment of anthuriums, baby's breath, laua'e, tī leaves and succulents brought out the creativity in the floral arrangers.  Some people were skilled in ikebana and some were aspiring beginners, but the profusion of materials inspired all. 

 

Holy Week and Easter, the most holy time for all Christians, was observed throughout the Diocese in myriad ways... from a Palm Sunday trolley ride and Stations of the Cross hike, to glorious Easter Vigils and Easter Sunday celebrations.  Below is a collage of photos capturing this year's Holy Week worship and Easter celebrations from around the Diocese, gleaned from church websites, Facebook pages and newsletters. Alleluia! Alleluia!!

 

By Lee Carson, Speaker Series Coordinator

St. Elizabeth's and St. Peter's Episcopal Church team up regularly to serve the community, and for the past year, they have been serving up a hearty breakfast every Wednesday for the students at Central Middle School in downtown Honolulu. The breakfasts, which have become hugely popular, offers an opportunity for the youth to get a hot meal before heading off to school, and sometimes even learn a new life skill.  On May 14, not only were they fed, but they were treated to a lesson in fashion and formal wear. Some even learned how to tie a tie! Pictured above is Fr. David Gierlach serving up breakfast to a fashionable youth, and volunteers teaching the fine art of formal dressing.  (Photos from the St. Peter's Facebook page.)

      

Saturday, April 26, 2014, Christ Memorial Episcopal Church, Kilauea

On Saturday, April 26, 2014, members from the Episcopal churches on Kaua'i (All Saints', Christ Memorial, St. Michael and All Angels, and West Kaua'i) gathered together at Christ Memorial in Kilauea, for the annual Regional Confirmation Ceremony with Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick. The cozy stone church was filled to capacity with overflow in an outdoor tent. Although the Episcopal Church on West Kaua'i had no confirmands, they were well represented, providing special hula performances and a superb choir. A trio of guitarists from Christ Memorial provided the music throughout the service. Folks were treated to refreshments in the Parish Hall following the ceremony.  

The newly confirmed are: from All Saints', Daileen Barton, Eryn Yamashiro, Reis Nakamura, Mason Tabura, Braden Tabura, and Cassie Wilson; from Christ Memorial, Margaret Elizabeth Furze, Gordon LeRoy Furze, and Dean Charles Wilson; from St. Michael's, Royce "Don" Baker, Monica Chung, Tristan Nicholas Fensterman, Jr., and Julia Ann Fensterman. Three people were received into the Episcopal Church.  They are Joseph Adorno and Kent Frank from All Saints', and Dorothy D. T. Kim from St. Michael's. Congratulations!  

Fr. Bill, who also owns Padres, a bar in the tiny town of Marfa, TX (where he probably got some content for the book), is currently on a book tour in Texas.  His first book, The Gospel According to Sam, is a collection of "animal stories for the soul", and both books are available on Amazon.com.  Don't forget to get your copy signed the next time you see him!

Sunday, May 4, 2014, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View

St. Columba's in Pa'auilo on Mother's Day.  (Photo by Michael Jackson)

St. James' Episcopal Church in Kamuela went "down the hill" to baptize and welcome their newest member, baby Abel Waggener, during the Easter Vigil Beach Mass. Pictured above is the Waggener family, Zachary, holding Abel, Kimberly and sister Annabelle.  (From the St. James Weekly E-Newsletter)