Aloha my dear Siblings in Christ Jesus,

In my years as Bishop, I have had to write way too many times about another mass murder and gun violence in the United States. Well, it has happened again in Louisville and in Nashville.

Like so many, I am weary of our collective failure as a nation to address gun violence. As I have stated before, the addiction of the United States to guns and violence has no place in the lives of the followers of Jesus Christ. Except perhaps for that of the farmer, rancher and/or hunter (especially for food), as Christians, there is no place for guns in our homes or at work. There is certainly no place for guns in our churches, schools and camp. It is a matter of faith.

Soon after the murder of children and staff at the Covenant School in Nashville, a member of Congress, Rep. Tim Burchett (Tenn.), said: “If you want to legislate evil, it’s just not going to happen. We need a real revival in this country. Let’s call on our Christian ministers and our people of faith…. If you think Washington is going to fix this problem, you’re wrong. They’re not going to fix this problem. They are the problem.” See "Tennessee Rep. Burchett says of school shootings: ‘We’re not gonna fix it’")

We bid a fond aloha to the Diocese's Executive Assistant Denise Esposito last week, and wish her joyful blessings as she spends more time with her family. Nani Carroll has officially assumed Denise's responsibilities as well as the phone extension. Nani's phone is now (808) 536-7776, extension 302. Her email address remains the same and can be reached through this Jotform link HERE. Be sure to update your records.

The conventon logo contains a poi pounder with taro leaf against a cross of water, which the Bishop says "is to remind us that to 'hunger and thirst after righteousness' includes both the call of justice to struggle for the physical needs of all people and to live personally in righteousness by living the promises of the Baptismal Covenant. We do all that by following Christ: 'taking up the cross and following Christ.' It reminds me that in Greek the word translated sometimes as 'justice' and sometimes as 'righteousness' is the same word (δικαιοσύνη). To 'hunger and thirst after righteousness' is about a change in the individual and the struggle for a just world."

The Bishop shares the following lessons and collect in consideration of the theme:

Collect of the Day: Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Updates and more information will be posted on the Convention 55 webpage HERE.

An updated ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i translation of the Eucharistic prayers and supporting material are now available on the Diocesan website's Forms & Documents page HERE under Sacraments > Liturgy. Please read the letter that the Bishop has included to gain some insight and background on this project. It is an update to the partial translations done in 1992, which now include all of the prayers. Feel free to share this with your congregations as you see fit, and may be used for public worship.

The Diocese will be hosting "Agreed Upon Procedures Review" Zoom meetings designed for parishes who would like to conduct an internal review of their financial processes. The meetings are scheduled to take place on the following dates:

During this meeting, we will go over the agreed-upon procedures review and guidelines that are recommended to conduct an internal review of your parish's financial processes, and will be an excellent opportunity for your parish to review your financial processes, identify areas of improvement, and ensure that your financial practices are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

This meeting is intended for those who will be conducting the review as well as church leadership. The reviewer needs to be someone who is not involved in any of the financial aspects of the church they will be reviewing, such as counter, a person who makes the deposits, bookkeeper, accountant, treasurer, etc. The reviewer can be someone from a sister church as long as they are not involved in the church they are reviewing’s financial roles.

We highly encourage clergy and lay leaders to attend this meeting (and share this with potential reviewers) and take advantage of this opportunity to ensure the financial health and stability of your parish. Please mark your calendar for the date and time, and we will send you more information and a link to join the Zoom meeting in the coming weeks.

If you have any questions, please contact Rae Costa at (808) 536-7776, ext. 326, or email her HERE.

Churches and members around the Diocese are invited to share photos and video clips of this year's Holy Week & Easter services. They will be compiled into a special video and shared with the Diocese. Please submit your photo/video files to Sybil Nishioka HERE. Please be sure that appropriate media permission/waivers (sample can be found HERE) for those appearing in your photos/videos, are on file with your church. You can upload up to 100MB per email submission. If you encounter any problems, please contact Sybil. Deadline for submission is April 20, 2023.

Episcopalians everywhere are invited to register to join a churchwide festival of worship, learning, community, and action July 9-12, 2023, at the Baltimore (Maryland) Convention Center.

“It’s All About Love: A Festival for the Jesus Movement” will open at 7:00 PM Sunday, July 9, with a revival worship service featuring Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. It closes at noon on Wednesday, July 12, following a festival Eucharist preached by House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris.

“It’s All About Love” will feature three “tents”—evangelism, creation care, and racial justice—that will host evening revival worship services, as well as daytime workshops, panels, practice opportunities, and other ways to engage. Workshop proposals are being accepted through April 15 HERE.

Registration is open online HERE. Through May 8, the cost is $185; after May 8, the cost is $225. Registration for students and seminarians is half-off. Follow festival updates online and on Facebook.

The youth delegation heading to the Episcopal Youth Event in Maryland this summer held their first Diocesan-wide t-shirt fundraiser in March. Thanks to the many generous supporters throughout the Diocese and beyond, this was the best t-shirt fundraiser to date with over $3,700 raised in shirt sales and cash donations! Mahalo nui loa! There's still a long way to go to fund this trip, so if you or your church would like to make a donation, please do so on the EYE23 webpage HERE.

MISPRINT: CORRECTED SHIRTS ARE ON THEIR WAY! Unfortunately, the t-shirts arrived containing a small misprint that some of you caught right away. The printer apologized deeply and is busy reprinting the shirts. They should be arriving shortly! For those who selected the bulk shipping option for pick up at the Diocesan Support Center, you will receive an email with directions for picking them up as soon as the corrected shirts arrive. AGAIN, MAHALO FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Head to Camp Mokulē'ia this Sunday, April 16, 2023, for their Summer Camp Open House event. There will be tours running from 2:00-4:00 PM, where you will have an opportunity to meet some of the staff, view their facilities, enjoy some refreshments, and learn about all of the various summer camp programs. Camp Mokulē'ia is located at 68-729 Farrington Hwy in Waialua. For more information, visit the website HERE.

The Diocese's Annual Youth Prayer Hike was held on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Originally, the event was to be held concurrently on three islands, but inclement weather forced a cancellation on Kaua'i. Pictured above is the Hawai'i Island group of seven who explored the Volcano National Park. They paused for a picture before heading into Pu'u Huluhulu (Shaggy Hill), the wooded hill cindercone behind them. Below, the O'ahu group tackled the Aiea Loop Trail with its staggering views! (Photos submitted by Lindy Marzo and Darrell Whitaker)

The Rev. Jennifer "Jenn" Latham, has been serving her curacy at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church in Aina Haina since her ordination in July 2020. In a recent announcement from Holy Nativity, they share:

"The Rector and Vestry of Holy Nativity are very pleased to announce the continuing appointment of the Rev. Jennifer Latham to ministry across our campus. Beginning on July 1, 2023, 'Rev. Jenn' will begin her new, three-year appointment as Associate Rector of Holy Nativity Church and Chaplain to Holy Nativity School. 

Holy Nativity Rector, the Rev. Libby Berman, said, “We are thrilled that Rev. Jenn has chosen to continue her ministry here at Holy Nativity. So many of us already know and love her; we know that we are blessed!”

The Parish of St. Clement in Makiki is now receiving names for a full-time Priest-in-Charge (with the option of becoming Rector), through April 30, 2023. For more information and to view the church profile, visit the Diocesan website HERE.

'Iolani School in Honolulu is seeking a full-time Chaplain Curate for a two-year period. Housing is provided. The full job description can be viewed HERE. Apply directly with the school through their online portal HERE.

The Rev. David Jackson, who has been serving as the Priest-in-Charge at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Kapa'a for the past three years, will be installed as their Rector, on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 10:00 AM. Clergy are invited to vest - red stoles. Pupus and refreshments to follow. For more information, please contact the church office at (808) 822-4267 or email.

On Saturday, March 25, 2023, the lights were turned off at St. John's Episcopal Church in Kula, to mark Earth Hour 2023. However, it is more than just an hour in the dark. It is also a time for reflection on our ever-lasting impact on the planet and how we can make a difference, together.

"By the end of this decade, greenhouse gas emissions could be halved, nature and wildlife could be recovering all around us, and habitats could be beginning to thrive again. So, the simple act of turning off the lights can influence positive changes through collective, global action whilst giving hope for the future."

We had a wonderful sustainable pot luck, with environmental games, and finished with a candlelit labyrinth walk. (Photos and story by Julia Golding)

St. James' will be hosting Godly Play Core Training on April 21, 22, & 23, in the Spencer Building. There will be folks from several different churches participating. Seating is limited so be sure and sign up ASAP. For more information, contact the church office at (808) 885-4923, or email HERE.

[April 12, 2023] Episcopal leaders in the neighboring dioceses of Tennessee and Kentucky are expressing grief, anger and calls to action after two deadly mass shootings occurred two weeks apart, at a school in Nashville on March 27 and a bank in Louisville on April 10. READ MORE

REGISTER FOR THE 2023 CLERGY CONFERENCE - Registration is now open for the Diocese's 2023 Clergy Conference taking place on the Garden Island of Kaua'i, August 14-16, 2023. The theme is "A Splintered Vine Bears No Fruit: The fracturing of American Society and how the church can heal the breach" with guest speaker Jay Wittmeyer from the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center. Group rates have been secured at the Sheraton Kaua'i Coconut Beach Resort in Kapa'a. For more information and to register, click HERE.

GODLY PLAY CORE TRAINING - O'AHU - Jenny Wallace leads a 3-part Core Training for Godly Play on O'ahu. This full training with three modules will take place on Saturdays beginning May 27, and ending on June 10. Each session will begin at 8:30 AM and end at 5:00 PM, at different churches around O'ahu. The Diocese will be subsidizing $200 of the cost for each participant so that your cost is only $100 for all three modules. For more information and to register, click HERE. Class size is limited to 12, so register early. Deadline is May 20 or when 12 registrants are reached.

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.