After the past couple years, the name of “Jesus” has become more important to me. During the COVID lockdown, I took to seriously praying with an Eastern Orthodox prayer rope (known in Greek as a κομποσκίνι [komboskini]). A prayer rope is a loop made up of complex woven knots formed with a cross of knots at the end and usually made out of wool or silk. At each knot, I typically say the “Jesus Prayer”: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.” I have a prayer rope next to my computer, in my travel bag, and hanging on the headboard of my bed. 

Though my personal prayer life continues to include study of Scripture and daily prayer (especially Morning Prayer and the Examen prayer), I have found that the use of the prayer rope and the “Jesus Prayer” gets me through long Zoom meetings and sitting in airports. More importantly during difficult times in a world of division and war, a nation filled with voices of anger and hate, and, recently, the struggles following the Maui fire, the Jesus Prayer expresses all that I cannot. This simple prayer allows the Spirit of God to speak for me: “In the same way, the Spirit comes to help our weakness. We don’t know what we should pray, but the Spirit himself pleads our case with unexpressed groans.” (Romans 8:26).

As we look to 2024, I call God’s people in the Diocese of Hawaiʻi to prayer. The late Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold (1937-2023) wrote: “Just as ‘the Spirit of the Son,’ making common cause with our own spirits, works in us Christ’s Abba relationship with the Father, so too that same Spirit gathers and reorders the disparate dimensions of our paradoxical and contradictory selves. We find ourselves, in the words of Saint Paul, ‘transformed by the renewing of [our] minds so that [we] may discern what is the will of God’ (Romans 12:2).”[i]

Prayer is our path to make sense of a sometimes harsh world and our too often cruel humanity. It is in prayer that we can still be allowed to let the Spirit pray for us and for us to know the way of love.  

Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.[ii]

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.

Working Together for Lasting Change

By Cindy Schumacher, Regional Reporter

On Saturday, December 16, 2023, the Rev. Canon Sandy Graham from the Diocese of Hawai'i's Support Center, and two staff members from Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD), the Rev. Patty Baker and Ms. Tamara Plummer, met with Episcopalians from the four Maui churches at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Wailuku. Their purpose was to reflect and discuss the response work being done for the people of Lahaina since the August 8 Maui wildfires. That disaster took over 100 lives along with thousands of homes, businesses, and livelihoods, including the historic Holy Innocents Episcopal Church.

ERD works in areas across the United States that have been affected by disasters. They offer resources and training to help communities who are facing the aftermath of the disasters. “We provide emergency support, financially, spiritually and emotionally,” Rev. Baker explained. “In addition, ERD assists those volunteering their time and skills to help vulnerable groups of people make a full and sustainable recovery.” READ FULL ARTICLE

Changes to the Diocesan Prayer Calendar in 2024

Our Diocesan Prayer Calendar will look different starting 2024.

For practical reasons, we have replaced individuals' names with roles or titles "and their families." Transitions happen often and we sometimes forget to update our lists. Also, readers of our "Prayers of the People" sometimes have difficulty pronouncing names.

More importantly, we are one ‘ohana. “We have many parts in one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function. In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other.” Romans 12:4-5 CEB

Our 2017 Strategic Plan came up with 3 goals:

(1) The Diocese is committed to developing and sustaining spiritual growth, vitality, curiosity, and well-being within our churches.

(2) The Diocese seeks to strengthen our identity as one ‘ohana and the relationships within our ‘ohana among clergy, lay leaders and congregations.

(3) The Diocese is focused on improving the capacity for communication within our congregations, across the Diocese, and into our communities as we engage in evangelism.

This revised Prayer Calendar attempts to broaden our prayer to include more than just the clergy leaders of our church and their spouses. We want to include Diocesan ministries and all family members within and without our church; we want to recognize both clergy and lay; we want to communicate that all are made in God’s image, and all are important. These changes will be reflected beginning in January 2024.

Reminder: Register for Annual Clergy Retreat 2024

All clergy in the Diocese are invited to attend the annual Clergy Retreat, taking place January 29-31, 2024, at Camp Mokulē'ia. Bishop Bob leads this year's clergy retreat in "Examining the Examen" – the Ignatian process of reviewing our actions in the presence of God. Because lodging is limited, be sure to register early to ensure a spot. (Deadline to register is January 19, or when space at the Lodge fills up.) Airfare for neighbor island clergy will be covered. For more information, visit the event webpage HERE, or contact Canon Sandy.

Holy Innocents Notecards still available!

O'AHU: St. Timothy's Welcomes The Rev. Peter Wallace

KAUA'I: Coming Up! New Year's Eve Benefit Concert at St. John's

The Episcopal Church on West Kaua'i (ECWK) invite all to attend a benefit concert "the Woodon Forest" on New Year's Eve, at St. John's Episcopal Church in 'Ele'ele. The concert features original composition by Joe Moore (not to be confused with the newscaster) in a "Journey Before Time." The concert will begin at 7:00 PM. St. John's is located at 322-A Mehana Rd. in 'Ele'ele. For more information, contact the church office at (808) 335-5533.

** A second concert has been added on December 30, at 7:00 PM.

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

In their continuing mini-concert series, all are invited to attend the Flutes & Piano Concert at St. Augustine's, on Sunday, January 7, 2024, from 5:30 PM-6:00 PM, followed by a potluck in Walker Hall. Music will be performed by Wendy Hindley (flute), Jennifer Masada (flute), and Kirk Corey (piano). St. Augustine's is located at 54-3801 Akoni Pule Highway in Kapa'au. For more information, contact the office at (808) 889-5390.

Sandra Day O’Connor honored at Washington National Cathedral funeral

[12/19/23] President Joe Biden and Chief Justice John Roberts were among those who paid tribute to Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court, during a livestreamed funeral held Dec. 19 at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. READ MORE

WCM NEW CLASSES COMING UP! - On January 13, 2024, new opportunities for both lay and ordained ministry will begin. Plan to join the WCM team on Zoom, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, for: 1. Licensed Lay Ministry - Orientation session to introduce the 10-month program (meets once a month*) and answer your questions. To enter the program, you will need the support of your clergy and/or wardens. 2. Ordained Ministry - Join the Insight Space Program to start the journey for ordination as a deacon or priest. This is a 4-month required program of the Diocese for those discerning and preparing for theological education. Whether you are certain of your path or just curious, take your first steps by visiting the WCM webpage HERE, or by talking to your priest or other clergy. Then contact WCM and register to be a part of the next classes beginning on January 13, 2024.

STORYMAKERS RENEWAL AND CONTINUING PARTNERSHIP - Earlier this year, the Diocese partnered up with Storymakers NYC to provide Sunday school materials to our congregations, and covering the full cost for a year. The Diocese will continue to support the program by covering 50% of the cost. For those already using Storymakers, you should have received the special discount code, or contact Canon Sandy Graham for it. For those new to the program, visit their website for more information, then contact Canon Sandy for the code and begin using Storymaker's at half the cost!

2024 CONVENTION 56 CHANGE OF DATE - Because of various scheduling issues, the Bishop has rescheduled the 2024 Annual Meeting of Diocesan Convention to Saturday, October 12 (with Education Day on Friday, October 11). As you look to elections of lay delegates at congregational annual meetings in January, and as you plan your congregational (and personal) calendars, please reserve those dates.