First, the school was founded by the first bishop in Hawaiʻi (the Rt. Rev. Thomas Staley)  at the request of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma. In fact, the school was first called the Bishop's School and then called St. Alban's College. The relationship between  the Episcopal Church and 'Iolani School is very tight. For many years, the school was on  the campus of the Cathedral of St. Andrew. Two bishops of the diocese graduated from 'Iolani (the Rt. Rev. Edwin Lani Hanchet '37 and the Rt. Rev. Richard S.O. Chang '59). My own sons graduated from 'Iolani (Edward 'OS and James '07). We are one 'ohana.

Second, we will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of the consecration of St. Alban's Chapel as an Episcopal Church. The name of the chapel harkens back to one of the early names of the school itself. We will gather to celebrate the anniversary and honor our ongoing connection.

For some years before being elected bishop, I was Bishop Chang's assistant and the priest at St. Luke's Church on Judd Street. Father Thomas Yoshida '54 would help me out when I had to be away on diocesan business. The site of St. Luke's was originally the site of Father Kenneth Bray's house. Many of my parishioners had known Father Bray as a coach at 'Iolani (football, baseball and basketball) or as the chaplain at St. Andrew 's Priory School for Girls. He arrived at the diocese in 1932 and served until his death in 1953. He was not only a coach and chaplain but also the parish priest in charge of the Hawaiian Congregation at the Cathedral and St. Mark's Church, Kapahulu (often all at the same time).

Through the years, I heard many stories about Father Bray. One day, a parishioner shared a tattered piece of paper with me. It was the chaplain's charge to the Priory graduating Class of 1940. Rose Choi (Priory '40) had kept it all these years and told me that the principles have helped guide her life.

Father Bray writes, "It (the school) has educated you well only if it has made you an active force for Fellowship, Righteousness, and Love.... While others must lie helpless in war, you who are in peace must take up the burden of the Gospel of lncarnate Love in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost."

I pray that Father Bray's call to us to be "an active force for Fellowship, Righteousness, and Love" lives on at 'Iolani School with St. Alban's Chapel as the center of the community. As we celebrate the anniversary of the consecration of the chapel, I also hope we will pause to give thanks for the connection between the Episcopal Church and 'Iolani School as expressed through school worship; religious studies and formation; service and service-learning; equity and justice; and school life and culture. We are "One Team."

As the embodiment of the faith received from the Episcopal Church, 'Iolani School is called to be a community that honors, celebrates and worships God as the center of life with the chapel as the heart of the campus. 'Iolani School is called to be a community that models God's love, grace and inclusivity. The school was established to serve God in Christ in all persons, regardless of origin, background, ability, or religion. Its vocation is to form citizens of the world who "strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being" (from the "Baptismal Covenant." Book of Common Prayer).

'Iolani School has a very special place in the life of the Episcopal Church in Hawaiʻi. I am honored to be a part of the 'Iolani 'ohana.

  

I am pleased to announce that I have received the needed consents from Standing Committee and I, God and the people willing, plan on ordaining Phyllis Mahilani Yin Tai Beimes, Malcolm Keleawe Hee, Paul Nahoa Lucas and John Anson Hauʻoli Tomoso to the transitional diaconate at the Convention Eucharist on Friday, October 23, (4:00 PM), in St. Alban's Chapel, ʻIolani School, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.

Your prayers and presence are welcome even if you do not plan on attending the Education Day (on Friday) or the Business Meeting of Convention (on Saturday).