December 12, 2024

This issue's header photo was taken during the Bishop's recent visit to The Episcopal Church of St. John the Divine in Guam, that became an official part of the Diocese of Hawai'i during Convention 56 in October. He is pictured with the Vicar, the Rev. Canon Irene Igmalis Maliaman (far right) and at center, the Rev. Deacon Lisa Pang, along with church acolytes. Nine were confirmed during the service. More photos can be found below in the Bishop's Corner. Be on the lookout for a special feature article about this dynamic addition to the Diocese! (Contributed photo)

The Third Sunday of Advent

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

THE BISHOP'S CORNER

Our Brothers and Sisters in Guam & Saipan

From December 1 - 9, Bishop Bob spent time with the people of Guam. Although he has been serving as the Bishop-in-Charge of the Episcopal Church in Micronesia (that included Guam and Saipan), and made regular visits, this particular visitation was very special. Now, officially a part of the Diocese of Hawai'i, there was much to celebrate. Along with confirming nine people (pictured above), he also visited with the students and faculty of St. John's Episcopal School. In Saipan, St. Paul's Episcopal Church is part of St. John the Divine's mission. Look for more photos and videos about these blessed places in an upcoming Chronicle issue. (Contributed photos)

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.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DIOCESE

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

St. Peter's Welcomes New Priest-in-Charge

During St. Peter's Episcopal Church's Thanksgiving service which was livestreamed, Senior Warden, Velma Lee, made the official announcement that the Rev. Ruth Peterson would be serving as their new Priest-in-Charge. Junior Warden, Terry Dang then presented her with the keys to the office. Pastor Ruth, who is Lutheran, graciously accepted the applause and welcome from the congregation. She has been living and serving in Hawai'i for the past 25 years, that included chaplaincy work at Pohai Nani Good Samaritan Society in Kane`ohe, Kuakini and (most recently) hospice chaplain for Navian Hawai`i. Welcome Pastor Ruth!

Education for Ministry (EfM): New Coordinator for Diocese

Education for Ministry (EfM), a four-year program for lay persons to help them "more fully engage their baptismal journey in daily life" is alive in the Diocese. The Rev. Christopher Golding has been named as the Diocese's Coordinator for EfM. Golding, who has been the Chaplain at Seabury Hall for the past four years, and a member of EfM since 2018, is getting ready to relaunch EfM on Maui. Although the pandemic affected some of the active programs in the Diocese, St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View (Hawai'i Island) recently graduated two persons.

We are currently updating the EfM webpage on the Diocesan website, and would like all churches with active programs, to send their info and mentor contact information to Golding HERE and also to the Diocesan Communications Specialist HERE.

Camp Mokulē'ia Annual Fund Drive

As we approach the end of the year, we invite you to be a part of something truly special by contributing to our 2024 Annual Fund for camp. This is a season of giving, and your support can make a significant difference in the lives of our campers. Time is running out to make a donation that will help us enhance our programs, improve facilities, and create unforgettable experiences for all. Every gift, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission and brings us one step closer to a brighter future for our camp community. Thank you for considering a donation that can change lives! To learn more and make a donation, click HERE.

Did you know? Canva for Nonprofits

Churches can take advantage of Canva's non-profit program that allows qualified organizations (like churches) access to premium images, videos, music, and other graphics at no charge! Although some churches have already signed up to use their great graphics capabilities, more churches have declined due to the expense. No longer! For more information, visit the Canva website HERE. Now all our churches can have great posters, fliers, and promotional material for services, events and activities! Get started now!

Save the Date! FREE TENS Webinar: Finding Your Stewardship Love Language

The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) will be offering a webinar on Saturday, February 15, 2025, beginning at 7:00 AM (HST). As a member of TENS, the Diocese can offer these webinars free to its churches. Understanding our love languages provides insights into how we think about sharing our gifts and receiving information about giving opportunities. Learn how to inspire your members with new tools and strategies for annual pledge campaigns. Click HERE to register.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH'S CORPORATE BODY FULLY DIVESTS FROM FOSSIL FUEL INVESTMENTS - (Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs, December 11, 2024) Fulfilling a directive from The Episcopal Church’s General Convention, the church’s corporate organization has fully divested from fossil fuel investments.

Proposed by the Executive Council Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility (CCSR) and approved by the 81st General Convention in June, Resolution A029 calls for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society (DFMS) “to divest fully and finally from all companies in fossil fuel industries by December 31, 2024,” and to reinvest those assets. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE - Click HERE to view the CCSR Video Story.

DID YOU KNOW? HECO TIME OF USE PROGRAM - Did you know that you could save on your energy bills by signing up for Hawaiian Electric Company's (HECO) Time of Use program?Residential and small to medium commercial customers may opt into this program which will allow you to save money if you are able to use the electricity during the times of day when it is most plentiful (i.e. when the sun is making energy via photovoltaic panels). For more info visit their website HERE.

2025 - CLERGY PILGRIMAGE: February 11-13 - St. Anthony's Retreat Center

2025 - FREE TENS WEBINAR: February 15 - Finding Your Stewardship Love Language - Register HERE

2025 - SPRING TRAINING: April 5 - Save the date! More info to come

2025 - CLERGY CONFERENCE: August 25-27 (Tentative)

2025 - CONVENTION 57 (Education Day & Annual Meeting): October 24-25 - Save the date!

ISLAND HAPPENINGS

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

AT THE CATHEDRAL...

COMING UP AROUND THE DIOCESE:

This Saturday, December 14

PARISH OF ST. CLEMENT

1515 Wilder Ave, Honolulu

This Weekend, December 14 & 15

ST. AUGUSTINE'S

54-3801 Akoni Pule Hwy, Kapa'au, Big Island

The Season of Advent:

Advent Wreath at Good Shepherd

Wailuku, Maui

Saturday, December 14

EMMANUEL

780 Keolu Dr., Kailua, O'ahu

BUSY BEES!

Holy Nativity School Food Drive a Huge Success!

Mahalo to all who donated to the Holy Nativity Thanksgiving Food Drive. As you can see from the photo, many donations were given across our campus: school, church, and thrift shop. Thank you to the student leadership council and to all who donated. The food bank came to pick up many boxes and bags on the day before Thanksgiving. We are so grateful to have such a generous Holy Nativity ʻohana! (From the Holy Nativity e-news)

Rescuing Kukui Keiki at Holy Apostles

When a senior housing development next to the Holy Apostles parking lot in Hilo broke ground in 2022, they razed the beautiful kukui grove that flourished just beyond the parking lot property line. Senior Warden Evette Tampos & wife Catherine McPherson-Tampos gathered 15 kukui keiki from the carnage of toppled kukui trees to take home and foster until such time that they could return to Holy Apostles. On Sunday, November 17, the plants were brought back, blessed, and replanted fronting the church property! (From the Holy Apostles e-news)

LAY WOMEN'S MINISTRIES

ECW Gathering

The Episcopal Church Women are back on track after COVID interrupted regular gatherings for a few years. In November, they held their annual meeting at St. Luke's, and pictured above, the women met at Good Samaritan in Honolulu on Saturday, December 7, for their monthly meeting. The day began with Morning Prayer led by Fr. Keleawe Hee, followed by their monthly meeting, check-in with members, a Christmas craft, and lunch. If you would like more information about ECW, visit the Diocesan website HERE, or contact Louise Aloy.

New DOK Chapter at Holy Apostles in Hilo

All women are welcome to explore a new Chapter of The Order of the Daughters of the King® (DOK) being started at The Church of the Holy Apostles in Hilo. DOK is an order for women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church, Anglican, Lutheran (ELCA),or Roman Catholic. The Order focuses on prayer, service, and evangelism by reaffirming the promises made at Baptism and Confirmation. For more information, contact Peg Berger. You can also view a DOK video by clicking on the image above, or visiting the Diocesan website HERE.

IN THE NEWS

St. Judes: The Patron Saint of Wi-Fi.. and more!

In the latest issue of Hana Hou, Hawaiian Airlines' inflight magazine, our own St. Jude's in Ocean View (Hawai'i Island), was featured for their outreach to the community, wi-fi being just one of them. Hana Hou reporter, Connor Gorry shares his experience during a Saturday visit to St. Jude's, experiencing their Shower and Soups ministry, and chatting with volunteers and patrons. Click HERE to view the online version of the article. (Photo: Ronit Faul)

Nakamura: First Woman Speaker of the House

Following a contentious election season, the Hawai'i State Legislature elected its first women Speaker of the House, Nadine Nakamura. Representing District 15 on Kaua'i, home to All Saints' Episcopal Church in Kapa'a, where Rep. Nakamura is a long-time member, the announcement was a welcome one where folks are hopeful that she will help heal the divide and focus on the needs of our State and communities.

ORDAINED POSITION OPENINGS

(Visit the Diocesan website HERE for more information.)

LAY POSITION OPENINGS

(Visit the Diocesan website HERE for more information.)

O'AHU: St. Clement's, Honolulu - Choir Director (Part-time)

The Episcopal Church & Beyond...

Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe leads first House of Bishops meeting, talks of supporting dioceses

(December 5, 2024) Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe on Dec. 4 chaired his first meeting of the House of Bishops since taking over as the denomination leader a month ago. Afterward, Rowe said the one-day meeting in suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota, marked a significant step in his continuing efforts to realign churchwide staff and governance to better support dioceses and congregations. READ MORE

Reminders (Previously Announced)

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)

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Hiring/Human Resources: Rae (ext. 326)

Monthly Statement: Jasmi (ext. 307)