The Bishop's Reflection on a Volcano and a Flood

Na ke aloha o ke Akua ma loko o Iesu Kristo, e aloha iā ʻoukou ā pau!

Years ago, when my family and I moved to Hawaiʻi, a very wise person told me: "In the Islands, you are close to heaven with newly formed mountains above, near to hell with the volcano beneath your feet, and set in the womb of creation (the ocean and the winds) teeming all around you, so you have to trust in God."

These past few weeks have been about trusting in God. How do you explain the shattering of a national rainfall record in one corner of the island of Kauaʻi? In the broad area of the Big Island, the fissures opened in a relatively isolated subdivision destroying homes and changing lives forever. Why there?

In Hawai'i, we respect nature. Living in the middle of the Ocean, we always know that human life is fragile and set in a much larger reality -- physical and spiritual. I am reminded of the words of a great teacher, Archbishop Winston Halapua of Polynesia, in his book Waves of God's Embrace: Sacred Perspectives from the Ocean (Canterbury Press, 2008, p.46): 

So, now, in a time when answers do not come easily, we to turn to God and we care for others. We are all voyagers on the holy vaka of life. We need one another. In the future, some will rebuild and others will have move to new homes. For now, we help as we can.

On the Big Island, the people and priest (the Rev. Katlin McCallister) of Holy Apostles Church, Hilo, have stepped right up. They are caring for parishioners with homes in the impacted area and for others. They are deeply involved in the community. I encourage congregations and individuals to send donations to:

The Church of the Holy Apostles

Attn: Kīlauea Relief Fund

1407 Kapi'olani Street

Hilo, Hawai'i 96720

As I wrote earlier, I encourage congregations to take collections and for individuals to make donations for those impacted by the Kauaʻi flooding sending the funds directly to Christ Memorial Episcopal Church at:

Christ Memorial Episcopal Church

Attn: Flood Response Fund

P O Box 293 Kilauea, HI 96754

We are called to help. We are also called to pray.

Compassionate God, Draw near to us in times of sorrow and anguish, strengthen those who are weary, encourage those in despair, lead us all to fullness of life, and make us into your community of love; through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

Aloha ma o Iesu Kristo, ko mākou Haku,

+Bob

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick

Bishop Diocesan 

The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i

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October 2, 1984- May 9, 2018

The daughter of Steve McPeek, Melody Kahealani McPeek, age 33, died today from the complications of a severe infection (MRSA). Steve is just finishing his second year at the Seminary of the Southwest (his sponsoring congregation in the ordination process is St. James Church, Waimea). He had traveled to St. Petersburg, Florida, and was with Melody at her death. Melody has two surviving daughters.

Final arrangements are pending. Those wishing to help with final expenses may make gifts directly to the family using the following link: https://paypal.me/pools/c/84gvfD5W7o.

ALMIGHTY AND ETERNAL GOD, to whom there is never any prayer made without hope of mercy, be merciful to the soul of your faithful servant, Melody, being departed from this world in the confession of your Holy Name that she and all the departed may be welcomed into the company of your saints, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rest eternal grant her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick

Bishop Diocesan

The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i

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RIP: The Rev. Teresa Nelle Thomas Bowden

The Reverend Teresa Nelle Thomas Bowden (age 81) died yesterday (Thursday, May 3, 2018).  Teresa was ordained a Priest by Bishop Richard Chang on April 14, 2002.  She served in this Diocese as a supply priest and a non-stipendiary associate in several congregations.  Her husband, Bill, died in 2016.  Teresa was living in Colorado at the time her death.  She survived by two daughters,  Dale and Donna. 

 

Service information is pending.  

 

ALMIGHTY AND ETERNAL GOD, to whom there is never any prayer made without hope of mercy, be merciful to the soul of your faithful servant, Teresa, being departed from this world in the confession of your Holy Name that she and all the departed may be welcomed into the company of your saints, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Rest eternal grant her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

 

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick

Bishop Diocesan 

The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i

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The second gathering of the three Design Teams for the Diocese's Strategic Plan 2017, will be taking place on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at The Cathedral of St. Andrew, from 9:00 AM-3:30 PM.  

To view a copy of the Strategic Plan 2017, click HERE.

'Iolani School Spring Concert at the Cathedral

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Cathedral Choral Evensong to Honor St. Dunstan

The Cathedral of St. Andrew will hold their next Choral Evensong on Sunday, May 20, 2018, at 5:30 PM, and will honor Saint Dunstan (d. May 19, 988) who served as the Archbishop of Canterbury during a lengthy career. His work restored monastic life in England and reformed the English church.  He was canonised in 1029, and was the most popular saint in England for nearly two centuries. 

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St. Christopher Hosts Organ Concert Series

St. Christopher Episcopal Church in Kailua will be kicking off its 2018 organ concert series on Sunday, May 27, 2018, at 5:00 PM.  The first concert will feature Todd Beckham, Director of Music and Organist at The Cathedral of St. Andrew.  The concerts are free and open to the public. St. Christopher's is located at 93 North Kainalu Drive, Kailua. For more information, contact the church office at (808) 262-8176.

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Mark your calendars!

Annual Clergy Retreat On Maui

The annual clergy retreat will be held from Monday, August 27, through Wednesday, August 29, at the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel in Lahaina, Maui. Participants are invited to arrive beginning at 10:00 AM on Monday, and begins with lunch at 11:00 AM. The retreat ends after lunch on Wednesday. 

The guest speaker for the retreat, is Rosa Say, who is a workplace culture coach determined to reinvent our workplaces value by value, making them healthier and more rewarding for us all. As founder of Say Leadership Coaching, Rosa is hired as an expert coach on values-based management, and as a change agent leading business in organizational culture design. She is widely known for her work leading the Managing with Aloha movement within Hawai'i and internationally, work which draws from her 30-year career in the resort hospitality industry and residential resort development.

 For more information and to register, click HERE.  

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House of Bishops' Pastoral Response to #MeToo Invites Reflections, Offers Listening and Steps to Healing

The House of Bishops' Pastoral Response to #MeToo will focus on listening, liturgy, and steps for healing.

In an open letter to the Episcopal Church, an invitation is extended to share reflections on sexual harassment, abuse, and exploitation. A selection of the reflections will be read at a special listening session during General Convention 2018. The House of Bishop's Pastoral Response will be a sacred space for listening and further reconciliation on Wednesday, July 4, 5:15pm to 7:00pm Central.Those at General Convention 2018 in Austin, TX, are welcome to attend; those not in Austin will be able to participate remotely via a live webcast.

"Over past months, the #MeToo movement has brought the prevalence and depth of pain caused by sexual harassment, abuse, and exploitation out of the darkness, creating a platform of courage and support for women to share their personal stories," states the letter, signed by Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry and Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves of El Camino Real, Vice-President of the House of Bishops.

The deadline for submitting reflections is Friday, May 25.  To read the letter in its entirety, click HERE.

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Episcopal Asset Map Unveils Redesigned Site, Invited Full Participation Across Church

[May 9, 2018]  The  Episcopal Asset Map , an online platform showing the location and ministries of Episcopal churches, schools and other communities, has been revamped and refreshed with more-detailed information, easier access and ease of navigation.

 

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, in a video available  here , called the Asset Map "truly a tool, a resource" and points out that it has been "revised, expanded, updated, user-friendly and now includes virtually the entire Episcopal Church from the largest cathedral to the smallest house church." 

 

The Episcopal Asset Map is a joint project of the  Episcopal Church  and  Episcopal Relief & Development . This innovative partnership tracks local ministries and shows the location and the array of ministries and programs offered by Episcopal congregations, schools and institutions throughout the church. Nearly every diocese of the Episcopal Church is represented on the map as well as over 20 networks, such as Jubilee Ministries, the United Thank Offering, Ethnic Ministries, and Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers. READ MORE

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Bishop's Easter Message 2018

In case you missed it, click on the picture above to view Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick's Easter Message video on YouTube.  To view the e-mail that contains Easter messages from both Bishop Bob and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, as well as the Reclaiming Jesus article, click HERE.

DOK Spring Assembly Coming Up May 19

Episcopal Women of the Diocese of Hawai'i are invited to attend the Spring Assembly of the Order of the Daughters of the King, on  Saturday, May 19, 2018, at the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens workshop, from 10:00 AM. to 2:00 PM.  The Gardens are located at 45-680 Luluku Road, Kaneohe, Oahu.

Light breakfast refreshments will be served before the business meeting gets underway. Demonstrations of plant and floral decorations will be conducted before and during lunch.   Members and guests are requested to bring their own lunch (brown bag meal), however chips, beverages, water and assorted desserts will be provided by Assembly chapters.

Prayer, Service, Evangelism... its more than a motto and definitely a pledge of honor, spirit and duty of every DOK member in Hawai'i.  Current Executive Officers are, S. Kala Holden, President, Angie Hamasaki, Vice President, Adele Thomas, Secretary and Luella Windisch, Treasurer.  Assembly Chaplain is the Rev. Ernesto Pasalo.

For more information, please call Kala Holden at (808) 672-4692 or e-mail her at [email protected].  You can also visit the DOK webpage  HERE.

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Alzheimer's Forum Series at Epiphany

There are two more Alzheimer's forums remaining of the 3-part Alzheimer's Forum Series at Epiphany Episcopal Church.  The forums are led by Marilyn Moku, Director of Programs and Advocacy at the Alzheimer's Association.  The Sunday forums are being held between services at 8:30 AM-9:15 AM, and is open to all.  The dates and topics of the remaining two sessions are as follows:

Epiphany is located at 1041 10th Avenue in Kaimuki.  For more information, contact Roxane at (808) 734-5706.

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Prison Ministry: Volincor Volunteer Training 

With the Diocese of Hawai'i deeply committed to the growing Prison Ministry, the Rev. Kaleo Patterson invites all interested persons to attend an upcoming Volincor Volunteer training program. Participants will qualify to become certified volunteers into the Public Safety System of Prisons, specifically at the O'ahu, Waiawa and Halawa Community Correction Centers, where culture-based Makahiki and Baibala programs are being conducted.

The next training is taking place Tuesday and Thursday, May 15 and 17, 2018, from 5:30-9:00 PM, at the OCCC facility.  The training will give you an introductory understanding and overview of the prisons safety, laws, dos and don'ts, and how best to volunteer. Some volunteers may be assisting with classes or ceremony events, ministry counseling, and re-entry services, while others may be guest instructors, musicians, priests-clergy, lay or cultural practitioners.

"Prison ministries is an important part of who we are as servants of God," says Patterson. "I encourage you to begin learning about Hawai'i's prisons and criminal justice system, and the Disparate Treatment of Native Hawaiians."

For more information and details on the training including required documents, dress code and guidelines, e-mail the Rev. Kaleo Patterson or call him at (808) 330-3769.

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CHANGE IN DATE & VENUE!

Fashion Show to Benefit St. Paul's

The date and venue for the St. Paul Fundraiser has been changed. In a previous announcement the event was to take place on Friday, May 4, at the Pomaikai Ballrooms at Dole Cannery.  The date and venue has been changed to Saturday, May 26, 2018, at The Pagoda Hotel, International Ballroom, located at 1525 Rycroft Street in Honolulu. Erlinda Tauyan of Isabella's Boutique is putting on this fashion show fundraiser with proceeds to benefit St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Honolulu. There will be lots of door prizes too. The event runs from 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM. Several of St. Paul's members will be modeling Erlin's fashions like the one shown above left. Tickets are $65, or $60 pre-sale. For more information and pre-sale tickets, contact the following people:  Helen Sampiano (808) 681-3278, Erlinda Tauyan (808) 375-6225 or Fay De Jesus (808) 636-5061.  

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Message from the Bishop

Ordinations to the Transitional Diaconate

Aloha,

 

Having received the consent of the Standing Committee, I hereby inform the Diocese of Hawaiʻi that on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at 10:00 AM, it is my intention, God and the People willing, to ordain:

 

Jasmine Bostock

Christopher Bridges

Alison Donohue

Ha'aheo Guanson

Mark Haworth

Preston Lentz

 

to the transitional diaconate in the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu (O'ahu).  

 

Clergy are invited to vest.  White stoles.

 

If you are available, please join us.  Please remember to keep them in your prayers.  

 

Yo ur s faithfully,

+Bob

 

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick

Bishop Diocesan 

The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i

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Eucharistic Minister and Visitor Training - O'ahu

Training for Eucharistic Ministers and Eucharistic Visitors at the Cathedral of St. Andrew's Von Holt Room, will be taking place on Saturday, June 23, 2018.  The session will be led by the Rev. Giovan King, Rector of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, and will begin at 9:00 AM for approximately 2-1/2 hours.  Those intending to be Eucharistic Ministers only may then leave.  Those intending to be Eucharistic Visitors must stay for an afternoon session that will last until 3:30 PM.  For more information and to register, click  HERE .   To view the requirements for licensing, visit the diocesan website HERE .

Register NOW!

HUI PU Diocesan Summer Youth Camp 2018

June 24-29, 2018

Camp is a great ministry for winning young hearts to God! We hope campers DISCONNECT from WiFi and CONNECT to something GREATER! 

This year's Hui Pu camp will be held June 24-29, 2018, and the theme is "Arise" to remind our youth that they are well equipped to take on this life. Youth will gather in a safe environment for fun faith-filled fellowship. With friends old and new, we hope they will be reminded that they are never alone.

All three camps will be taking place simultaneously at Camp Mokule'ia on O'ahu. Cost and details are as follows:

• 'OHA (Ages 9-12) - June 24-27 (3 nights)
  'Oha is the young shoot that grows from a kalo (taro) plant. The word 'ohana means many shoots from the same root.  'Oha campers will learn social skills through fun games, exploring their sense of wonder while playing in a natural setting, and expressing their creativity.

• LOKAHI (Ages 13-14) - June 24-28 (4 nights)
  Lokahi means unity or to come to an agreement.  Lokahi campers will experience independence in a controlled setting; learn the value of being in Christian community through shared spiritual experience and team building activities, that include jumping down a zip line.

• 'OPIO (Ages 15-18) - June 24-29 (5 nights)
  'Opio means youth. 'Opio campers will have an opportunity to hike and swim at Ka'ena Point and participate in the high ropes challenge course. The responsibilities and challenges will encourage personal growth and enhance self-confidence, in a setting of fellowship and spiritual awareness.

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SUMMER OF SERVICE: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Camp Mokule'ia hosts Hui Pu, an annual summer camp for a week, catering to campers between the age of 9 and 18. We look forward to the camp as a time of growth not just for the campers but counselors as well.  We are looking for volunteers for the following positions:

• COUNSELORS - Must be 20 years or older; love working with kids; enjoy working outdoors and have some experience catering to children between the ages of 9-18.

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Save the date!

Emmanuel's 16th Annual Chocolate Extravaganza

Mark your calendars for Emmanuel Episcopal Church's 16th Annual Chocolate Extravaganza!  This year's event will take place on Saturday, October 13, 2018, featuring its decadent displays of chocolate treats and sweets to indulge in, and a silent auction with something for everyone!  For more information, visit their website HERE.

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Your donations are vitally important now more than ever.  Episcopal Relief & Development is responding to the horrific suffering caused by the natural disasters around the world. 

www.episcopalrelief.org/

May 4, 2018: Special Announcement: Volcanic Eruption on the Big Island

April 30, 2018:

Historic Flooding

Ordinations to the Transitional Diaconate

50th Annual Meeting of Convention

Volincor Volunteer Training

DOK Spring Assembly

Thy Kingdom Come

April 12, 2018:   Special Announcement: Reclaiming Jesus Affirmed by Clergy and Lay Leaders of the Diocese of Hawai'i

April 6, 2018:

Update: Strategic Plan 2017

Cainguitan in Texas

Free Concert at Calvary Episcopal

Godly Play Door Person Training

General Convention Update

March 31, 2018:

Bishop's Easter Message 2018

Presiding Bishop's Easter Message

Reclaiming Jesus: A Confession of Faith in a Time of Crisis

March 23, 2018:

Bishop's Message: A Reflection on Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation

Strategic Plan 2017 Design Teams Forming

Cainguitan Selected to Attend General Convention

Eucharistic Minister/Visitor Training

Presiding Bishop, Others Begin to Campaign to 'Reclaim Jesus'

March 8, 2018:

Update from the Rev. Cn. Alexander Graham

Presiding Bishop on Parkland Shooting