A Message for Lent 2024

Na ke aloha ‘o Ke Akua ma loko ‘o Iesu Kristo, e aloha iā ʻoukou a pau!

 As I live into Lent 2024, a time for self-reflection and amendment of life, I have been praying a poem (entitled “Love III”) by the Anglican poet and priest George Herbert (3 April 1593 – 1 March 1633) each day:

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.

Black History Month Highlight: The Steele Collection at HoMA

The Rev. Deacon Robert “Bob” Steele and his wife Jean, who attend Holy Nativity Church in ʻĀina Haina, have recently donated African American prints to HoMA. In celebration of Black History month, the Retired Clergy Families paid a visit to view those prints in combination with their monthly luncheon gathering on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. The special outing was hosted by Bishop Bob Fitzpatrick.​ READ MORE

Vocational Deacons: A Vital Link

“At all times, your life and teaching are to show Christ's people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself.” (Ordination of a Deacon, Book of Common Prayer, page 543)

Vocational Deacons are the link between the Church and the world in the Episcopal Church. It is our role to bring the world's needs, hopes, and concerns to the Church and empower those in the church to go out and help meet those needs. READ MORE

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ANNUAL CHRISM MASS & CHURCHBIZ CONFERENCE

All are invited to attend the Diocese's annual Chrism Mass and ChurchBiz Conference (formerly Spring Training) that will be taking place on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Cathedral of St. Andrew. The theme is "Lessons Learned" as we take a look at the impact recent catastrophies have had on our churches in the Diocese. Both COVID and the Maui wildfires have presented many challenges that we continue to learn from.

The day will begin at 9:00 AM with the Chrism Mass and Eucharist that will include the Renewal of Clergy Vows and Renewal of Baptismal Vows. ChurchBiz will commence immediately following the Chrism Mass. There will be three sessions beginning with guest speaker Jack Rutledge from the Church Pension Group via Zoom, a presentation that the Episcopal Relief and Development did on Maui about the life-cycle of a disaster, and an open panel with the Diocesan Support Center.

Cost is only $20 and includes lunch. Free child care and scholarships are available. The Diocese will cover the cost of airfare for two persons from each neighbor island congregation. For more information and to register, visit the event webpage HERE.

With church annual meetings wrapping up, this is a reminder that the following reports are due by March 1, 2024. If you have any questions, contact Rae Costa at (808) 536-7776, ext. 326, or email her HERE.

• Church Officials List and Certificate of Election Report - Click HERE to complete and submit an online form.
• Parochial Report - Visit the General Convention Parochial Report webpage HERE for links to the form, instructions, and training video.

(Pictured: The folks at St. Augustine's shared this photo after their annual meeting. "We welcomed our new Bishop's Committee member, celebrated 2023 highlights, and enjoyed fellowship together with 'ono food. It was a wonderful and joyful way to anchor our collective visions to serve the Kohala community in 2024!")

Retired Clergy Families:

The Talk Story Project - The Geston's

Upcoming Activities at Camp Mokulē'ia: Register Now!

It's a busy year at Camp Mokulē'ia with a ton of events and activities lined up! Don't miss out on the following Spring and Summer offerings. For summer camp, register early and save:

Easter Stay-Cay: March 29-31

Spring into the Easter celebration at Camp Mokulēʻia! Join us for an outdoor movie showing of Peter Rabbit, an all age Easter egg hunt, art projects like watercolor flowers and Easter sun catchers, Easter keiki story time, zip-lining, paddle boarding, and a campfire. We will celebrate Easter Sunday with a sunrise service followed by an Easter-themed brunch. Click HERE to register.

Easter Sunrise Service: March 31

(Open to the public-No registration required)

Camp Mokulēʻia is offering a beachfront Easter sunrise service that is open to the public, no registration needed! Service starts at 7:00 AM on Sunday, March 31. Come to camp and surround yourself with love this Easter!

On Monday, March 25, 2024, Hālau Wa‘a Episcopal Honouliuli’s prayer shawl ministry will be flying over to Maui for a yarn storming installation of "PROJECT: Lokelani Roses For Maui." (Pink Lokelani is the island's flower.)

Fr. Moki Hino of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Wailuku, has supported our efforts by allowing us to install our roses on the wrought iron fence of the memorial garden and trees on their lawn.  We hope that through our “YARN STORMING*” or “KNIFFITI,” prayers of aloha and support are shared with the people of Maui as they reclaim and rebuild after the fires.

As word has spread, handcrafters from churches around the Diocese (St. Mary’s, St. Clement’s, Epiphany, and St. Peter’s) have joined Hālau Wa‘a, and even a church in California! Pictured above, the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Mill Valley, created an exquisite lei of yarn roses that is shown on their altar. The Wesley United Methodist church in Kahala, has been in contemplative prayer while making Lokelani roses in support of the people of Maui. Roses, leaves, and vines have been part of healing services with contributions donated back to Maui. 

Should anyone else wish to participate in making pink Lokelani yarn roses, we can provide knitting and crochet patterns. We just ask that the yarns that are used are natural fibers – wool and cotton. Please contact jill@halauwaaepiscopal.org for pick-up/drop-off information. Deadline for receipt is Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Contributed photos)

O'AHU: St. Clement's Welcomes The Rev. Brian G. Rallison

The Parish of St. Clement in Honolulu has called the Rev. Brian G. Rallison as their Priest-in-Charge beginning on March 1, 2024. He is currently an Episcopal priest serving two inner city parishes in Philadelphia, PA. He holds a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family, and two master's degrees in Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary ad Church Divinity School of the Pacific.

Rallison’s gifts include pastoral care, healing, outreach, incorporating the community, and sharing God’s love in the world. During his seminary studies, he gained experience working with homeless people in San Francisco.  As a priest in Philadelphia, he was involved in children’s outreach ministry, and an afterschool program, starting up a food pantry and clothing drives, hosting community dinners, and connecting with legal aid and community service organizations. 

When news broke about the release of the full-feature documentary The Philadelphia Eleven, the Rev. Canon Heather Patton-Graham, Provost of The Cathedral of St. Andrew, was thrilled! Turns out the Revs. Libby Berman and Jenn Latham from Holy Nativity were equally excited, and that energy mobilized a screening here in Hawai'i. On Sunday, February 18, nearly 80 people converged in the Cathedral's Davies Hall to experience the moving and powerful story of The Episcopal Church's first women priests.

July 29, 2024, will mark 50 years since the ordinations of eleven Episcopal women priests in Philadelphia, PA, now known as "The Philadelphia Eleven." This is their story, and the tremendous battle they faced to transform "an age-old institution" and boldly pave the way for women to become priests.

HAWAI'I ISLAND: A Special Visitation at Holy Apostles

Here are more photos from the Bishop's Visitation to the Church of the Holy Apostles in Hilo. It was a joyous celebration as they baptised their Rector's daughter, Tessa Rosalei Leimomi McCallister! (Contributed photos)

KAUA'I: In the news! Branch Lotspeich Honored

Christ Memorial member Branch Lotspeich was recently honored by the State House of Representatives for his lifesaving efforts to reduce drowning deaths in Hawai'i. 14 years ago, under Branch's leadership as a founding member, and with the support of the Rotary Club of Hanalei, the first rescue tubes were installed on Kaua'i. Since then, the Rescue Tube Foundation has expanded to include more than 700 stations across Hawai'i beaches as well as beaches on the Mainland and Canada. (Photo and story from Christ Memorial's E-news)

HAWAI'I ISLAND: Coming Up this Sunday! Mini-Concert at St. Augustine's

St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Kapa'au, invites all to attend a light-hearted mini-concert of music two flutes and piano, this Sunday, February 25, at 5:30 PM. Enjoy 30 minutes of music in a variety of styles! St. Augustine's is located at 54-3801 Akoni Pule Highway, Kapa'au. For more information, download the event flyer HERE.

Presiding bishop announces Title IV transparency webpage detailing cases against bishops

[2/22/24] The Episcopal Church, on Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s direction, updated its website to launch a series of informational resources Feb. 22 intended to increase the transparency of pending disciplinary cases involving bishops while also making it easier for the public to file complaints and navigate the church’s inquiry process. READ MORE

APPLY FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR - It's that time of year when applications for two Diocesan student scholarship opportunities are made available for the 2024-2025 school year. They are:

• The Bishop's Scholarship Fund
• The Chang Clergy Children's Scholarship Fund

Deadline for submission is Friday, April 4, 2024, at 4:00 PM. For more information and to download the application packet, visit the Diocesan website HERE. Should you have any questions, please contact Nani Carroll, Executive Assistant to the Bishop, by email HERE or call her at (808) 536-7776, x 302.

2024 LENT RESOURCES - Visit: The Episcopal Church website for resources to help guide you through this season of solemnity. Click on hyperlinked titles to go to that resourc.