July25, 2024

This issue's header photo was taken at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church in Honolulu during the Bishop's recent Visitation. He baptized three people including one-year old Jayni Ann Markus pictured above. (From the St. Elizabeth's weekly online news)

Proper 12

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE BISHOP'S CORNER

The Presiding Bishop-Elect Sean Rowe

I urge all clergy and leaders of the Diocese to read the following for insights into the Presiding Bishop-Elect:

I particularly think the short interview "I See Signficant Changes" is important for our common life.

Save the Date for Presiding Bishop-Elect Rowe's Installation Service

As announced at the close of the 81st General Convention, the installation of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe will be a simpler, scaled-down event this fall with a view toward reducing carbon footprint and increasing virtual engagement and participation. The installation service will take place on November 2, 2024, at the Chapel of Christ the Lord in The Episcopal Church Center in New York City, with a prelude beginning at 10:00 AM ET, and the service starting at 11:00 AM ET. There will be an extensive livestream production to support churchwide access and participation. All are welcome and encouraged to attend virtually—and dioceses should begin thinking about organizing watch parties. READ MORE

Be sure to stay informed with the Bishop's latest messages by clicking on the button shown. All video messages also appear on the Dioceseʻs YouTube Channel and Facebook page.

FEATURE STORIES: FOCUS ON MAUI

A Year After: Restoring homes, hearts, and Holy Innocents Episcopal Church & Episocal Relief & Disaster Revisits Maui

By Cindy Schumacher, Maui Regional Reporter

As we move towards a year since the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires, disaster response efforts are still trying to address the urgent needs of survivors. The island has a long road ahead before it fully recovers, with significant housing, infrastructure and economic challenges. The August 8, 2023 wildfires continue to impact recovery with sluggish economic growth in the 2024 forecast, according to new information compiled by the state Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism. READ MORE

Diocese Receives Federal Grant for Holy Innocents Church Records

By Stuart Ching, Diocesan Historiographer

The National Endowment of the Humanities (NEH) has awarded The Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi a Chairʻs Disaster Recovery Grant for Humanities Collections totalling $29,945. This is in support of conservation treatment on historical documents from Holy Innocents Church in Lāhainā, Maui. READ MORE

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DIOCESE

Visit the Diocese's Calendar page HERE for Diocesan events & activities.

CONVENTION REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

REMINDER: Nominations for governance positions and resolutions are being accepted now!

Diocese Receives Grant to Kick Off the Huli Project

The Episcopal Church awarded a Creation Care grant of $15,000 to the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi for a project named "Huli." During 2025, the grant will help us to center environmental justice and love for Godʻs creation in all Diocesan gatherings, including the Chrism Mass, the Church Biz conference, the clergy conference, and the Education Day prior to Diocesan Annual Meeting.

The project name "Huli" derives from the Hawaiian word meaning “to turn, reverse, to change, as an opinion of a manner of living.” It also means “to look for, search, explore, seek, study.” An additional powerful meaning is the part of a taro plant that is replanted to continue its growth. Taro or kalo is the plant deeply connected to Hawaiian culture, the plant that is the staple food. So, too, we hope that the events throughout the year will be a way for all of us to change our relationship with the earth, to learn new things, and ultimately to be planted, to grow into good food for this place.

This project is a collaborative effort between the Creation Care & Environmental Justice Task Force, the Racial Reconciliation Task Force, and the Native Hawaiian Ministries Committee. Stay tuned for more information!

Community Relations Coordinator: Updated Job Description

The Maui Community Relations Coordinator position has been updated. The full-time position, which reports directly to the Bishop, is to help ensure that the interests of Episcopal entities on Maui are heard and represented with various government agencies and other outreach organizations, and to coordinate communications with the Diocese and The Episcopal Church. For the full job description, click HERE, or visit the Diocese's website HERE.

Reminder The 50th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women Priests

July 29, 2024, marks the 50th anniversary of the first ordination of women as priests in The Episcopal Church that took place in 1974. This historic time is being celebrated throughout the Church, and the Washington National Cathedral is offering both in-person and online events that includes a Festival Holy Eucharist on July 28, which will be live-streamed. For more information, visit their website HERE that includes a great timeline of the hard-fought journey of the faithful, fearless, and passionate women of The Episcopal Church.

SEASON OF CREATION WORSHIP RESOURCE AND CURRICULUM - In preparation for the Season of Creation 2024 (September 1 - October 4), we would like to share a worship resource that gathers prayers and readings from all over the Anglican world and makes it easy for us to pray with and for Creation. The resource can be downloaded HERE. A NEW Creation Care curriculum has been developed by The Episcopal Church. If you are looking for some way to engage your congregation this fall in adult formation, this curriculum would be a wonderful way to help people start to understand the theology of caring for Godʻs Creation. The free curriculum is designed for small groups and runs for nine weeks. It can be led by a lay volunteer or clergy person, and includes videos, readings, and discussion questions. Fore more information, click HERE.

2024 Annual Clergy Conference - August 19-21, Hampton Inn, Kapolei, O'ahu

2024 FREE TENS Webinars - Final webinar of the year: August 31 (9:00-10:30 AM HST)

2024 Convention 56 - October 11 & 12, The Cathedral of St. Andrew, O'ahu

2024 EAM Young Adult Retreat - October 25-27, Camp Sloggett, Koke'e, Kaua'i

ISLAND HAPPENINGS

Visit the Diocese's Community Calendar page HERE for ongoing activities in your neighborhood.

Coming Up at The Cathedral: Maui Vespers & Prayers in Remembrance

As we near the one year mark of the Maui Wildfires, The Cathedral of St. Andrew invites all to observe this time by attending a special Maui Vespers on Sunday, August 11, at 5:30 PM. Join with clergy and friends from around the Diocese to remember this tragic day, and to pray for all those still suffering.The Cathedral is located on the corner of Beretania and Queen Emma Streets. Parking is free.

Coming Up on Maui: All Maui Church Members invited to attend Standing Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Hawai'i will be gathering at Trinity By-the Sea on Maui, on Saturday, August 17, for a listening session from 1:00-3:00 PM. Folks are invited to attend and share their experiences and continuing challenges from last year's wildires, and what help and support they may need from the Diocese. The Standing Committee acts as the council of advice to the Bishop. Trinity is located at 100 Kulanihakoi Street in Kihei.

MORE SUMMER PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE DIOCESE!

As summer vacation winds down for many students, summer activities continue around the Diocese. Pictured above, Church of the Holy Apostles in Hilo on the Big Island, is in the middle of their summer day camp led by staff from Camp Mokulē'ia; below left and center, children and adults at Emmanuel are enjoying their summer Enchanted Eats event where food, fun and face painting are in abundance; below right, they start 'em young at Good Shepherd! Talented musician Karissa Cajigal breaks in their youngest on keyboards.

Below, folks at Christ Church on the Big Island were treated to a concert by the Maryland State BoyChoir; meanwhile in Kapa'au, St. Augustine's just installed a majestic new kāhili in their Sanctuary which was a project years in the making. (Photos from church online news, websites and social media)

LAY POSITION OPENINGS

(Visit the Diocesan website HERE for more information.)

UPDATED! MAUI: Community Relations Coordinator (Full-time, Exempt)
NEW! O'AHU: St. Christopher's, Kailua - Part-time Music Director
O'AHU: St. Clement's, Honolulu - Choir Director (Part-time)
O'AHU: St. Mary's - Parish Administrator (Part-time)
OʻAHU: The Cathedral of St. Andrew - Seeking Volunteer Docents
OʻAHU: St. Stephen's Church, Wahiawa - Organist (Part-time)
HAWAI'I ISLAND: Holy Apostles - Minister of Music (Part-time)

The Episcopal Church & Beyond...

Presiding bishop calls for immediate ceasefire, prolonged commitment to Gaza in letter to President Joe Biden

(7/24/24) Presiding Bishop Michael Curry sent a letter to President Joe Biden on July 23 calling on the U.S. government to push for an immediate and sustained ceasefire. He also called for a prolonged commitment to support Gazans as they rebuild; and to hold Israel accountable for human rights abuses, violence and illegal land seizures. READ MORE

Reminders (Previously Announced)

ALL CLERGY! Don't forget to register HERE for the Annual Clergy Conference coming up August 19-21, 2024, in Kapolei, O'ahu. The deadline to book our special group room rate at the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton in Kapolei has passed but you can still attend. Our guest speaker is Dr. Kwok Pui-lan, who is the Dean’s Professor of Systematic Theology at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. For more information and to register, visit the event webpage HERE or click on the image header.

FINAL TENS WEBINAR - The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) has been offering FREE monthly online webinars for the Diocese of Hawai'i. Webinars are held at 9:00-10:30 AM (HST). The final webinar for the year will be held on Saturday, August 31, entitled Creating a Culture of Generosity. For more information and to register, visit the Diocese's Stewardship webpage HERE. Also posted are the recorded webinars that have already taken place, along with their resources.

EPISCOPAL ASIAMERICA MINISTRY (EAM) YOUNG ADULT RETREAT - The EAM Young Adult Convocation is holding a retreat for Episcopal young adults in their 20s from across the United States. This retreat will be held at Camp Sloggett on the island of Kaua‘i, October 25-27, 2024. For more information and to register, visit the Diocesan website HERE, or scan the QR code shown. If you have any questions, contact Carolyn Morinishi by email HERE.

Required Safe Church Training - This is a reminder that Safe Church training is mandatory for all clergy, employees, vestry members, and most volunteers. Please read The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i Safeguarding Policy and the Diocesan Safe Church Training Webpage. This training needs to be renewed every three years. Contact your church's Safe Church Administator or priest for more information, or if you have questions, email Nani Carroll.

Do you have a question? Contact us at (800) 536-7776

The Diocesan Support Center (DSC) staff is ready to help answer your questions. Some of the most common topics are listed along with the person to contact. Click on the linked name to send an email.

BISHOP (meeting with): Nani (ext. 302)

Annual Meeting: Rae (ext. 326)

Archives: Rae (ext. 326)

Budget/Finance: Sam (ext. 306)

Communications/News/Website: Sybil

Congregational Membership: Sandy (ext. 309)

Diocesan Portfolio/Investments: Sam (ext. 306)

Hiring/Human Resources: Rae (ext. 326)

Monthly Statement: Sam (ext. 306)