Bishop Bob will be out of the office from Friday, July 1, and returning on Tuesday, August 30, 2022. 

The Bishop will be at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Baltimore, MD, from July 8 to the 11, and then at the Lambeth Conference in England from July 26 to August 8.

On other days, he and Bea will be traveling and visiting family (especially the grandchildren who are newly living in Italy).

Please keep Bea and Bob in your prayers.

Our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites Episcopalians everywhere to mark the season after Pentecost with 30 days of prayer leading up to and encompassing the 80th General Convention in Baltimore, Maryland (Click HERE to go to the website):

The Archbishop of Canterbury has provided the Church a “Prayer Guide for the Lambeth Conference" (Lambeth website HERE)

Prayer for Travelers: O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve those who travel in particular Bishop Bob and Bea; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey's end; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

You can find contact information for some of the Diocesan Support Center staff below. Please feel free to contact them if you have any questions or need help with anything. Mahalo.

I just received word from Steve McPeek that his husband, Vincent “Vinny” McTighe, has died while in hospice care in Germany in these days after they returned from the Islands for the funeral of Steve’s daughter. Please continue to keep Steve and the family in your prayers.

God our creator and redeemer, by your power Christ conquered death and entered into glory. Confident of his victory and claiming his promises, we now leave your servant, Vinny, in your gracious and merciful keeping; in the name of Jesus our Lord, who died and is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Yours faithfully,

Bob

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick

Bishop, The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i

Summer has officially begun, and Camp Mokulē'ia's 2022 summer camp program kicked off on Trinity Sunday, June 12. Since 2015, the Diocese of Hawai'i has designated Trinity Sunday for special collections to support Camp Mokulē'ia and its ministries. This year, with COVID restrictions relaxed, Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick led a Trinity Sunday service (pictured) held oceanside at the Camp. He was joined by Canon Heather Patton-Graham and Father Mark Haworth. Haworth brought the Hālau Wa'a Episcopal musicians and over 30 of their members for a lively Sunday worship service.  READ MORE

Beginning with this issue, look for this special green section called the Creation Care Corner that will feature news and/or tips from our Environmental Justice and Creation Care Task Force! In this issue:

The latest installment in the Retired Clergy Families Talk Story Project is now posted on the Diocesan website HERE. This month, the Rev. David Baar is featured. The Talk Story Project is a (growing) collection of stories from Diocesan-related retired clergy, spouses, and widows. Stay tuned for more updates!

Forward Movement has announced it is the new official home of Episcopal Church street signs, having acquired the business from Faith Goods, part of Day1, in late 2021.

For more than a half century, the “Episcopal Church Welcomes You” street sign has been used as a highly visible community invitation for churches. Visitors and inquirers may search the internet for directions to local churches, but they also recognize a familiar sign when they see it. Local signage is a valuable strategy for churches to maintain visibility and a distinct brand identity for continued growth and development. READ MORE

The Bishop helped celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee on Thursday, June 2, at 'Iolani Palace. To view the StarAdvertiser's photo gallery covering the event, click HERE, and to watch the Hawaii News Now coverage, click HERE (with a glimpse of the Bishop and Archdeacon Steve Costa at 1:33).

St. Paul's Episcopal & Philippine Independent Church will be celebrating their 63rd Anniversary with Bishop's Award and Recognition, on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at the Hawai'i Okinawa Center. Special guest speaker will be the Rev. Canon Alexander Graham, and doing the invocation is the Rev. Canon Heather Patton-Graham. The menu will include Roast Pork with fresh mushrooms and gravy, boneless BBQ Teriyaki chicken, and sauteed fish. Donation for adults is $50 pre-sale, $65 at the door; Children are $30 pre-sale, $35 at the door. For more information or tickets, please contact Phyllis Miller at (808) 497-5848 or email her.

Dear ECWK Leaders,

Blessings in Christ Jesus. It is with very deep grief that I share the news of three beloved elders’ deaths at St. Stephen’s Birmingham, after a lone shooter opened fire on a fellowship event Thursday evening.

Peter and I are profoundly moved by this shooting as close family in the Diocese of Alabama. Our godson, Andrew Cotton, attends St. Stephen’s, I have preached there and led youth events including ‘Happening,’ and done many Cursillos there. Our friend Doug Carpenter was the founding priest of this blessed body. St. Stephen’s has been a beacon for stewardship of creation, civil rights and race relations, among many other ministries.

The beauty in the heart of green, green hills and tall pines is St. Stephen’s. But most of all, her people are a jewel of compassion in Christ in a war-torn land that is often Birmingham.

Please join me in praying for Father John and Mother Katherine and the people of this church.  They are sweet in the Spirit of Love.

O Holy Lifegiving God,

Bless the families of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia. Receive into the arms of your Mercy our brothers and sisters slain in your house [last night]. We bless them on their solemn way even as we require justice in this land and claim a cessation of violence, an exorcism of weaponry and malice; and a return to You. Make space for reconciliation O Spirit and bring your peace where there is none.  Amen.

Your Vicar and Friend,

Kahu Kerry+

*Alabama church shooting victims’ act of hospitality became an act of sacrifice, rector says (Episcopal News Service, 6/21/22)

Trinity By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Kihei is currently receiving names for a part-time Vicar. For more information and to download the congregational profile, visit the Diocesan website HERE.

Church of the Holy Apostles in Hilo will be hosting a Mokulē'ia Day Camp Program, July 25-29, 2022. This Day Camp is for children finishing grades 1-6, and is led by highly trained Camp Mokulē'ia staff. The camp will feature games, arts and crafts, spiritual formation, and much more! Cost is $200. Scholarships are available. To register, go to the Camp Mokulē'ia website HERE.

With the 15th Lambeth Conference scheduled this summer, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is seeking to unite the Anglican Communion under common expressions of faith and social engagement, rather than focusing on debates over human sexuality that have divided bishops at past conferences. READ MORE