Over twenty years ago, when stationed at Pearl Harbor as a Navy chaplain, Sundays usually saw me serving as a non-stipendiary priest associate at Holy Nativity. I have many fond recollections of the congregation then and look forward to an opportunity to once again serve in Aina Haina at Holy Nativity.

 

My wife, Susan, and I moved back to Hawaii last year after having lived in Raleigh, NC, for ten years following my retirement from the Navy at the end of 2005. Among my nine assignments in the Navy were two tours at Pearl Harbor, duty in London on exchange with the Royal Navy, service with the Marine Corps, school chaplaincies at the Naval Academy and the Naval Postgraduate School, and on the staff of the Navy Chief of Chaplains. During over forty years of ministry, I've led a dozen different congregations, some military and others civilian, arriving at nine of them following a period of conflict. In retirement, I've published articles about ethics, leadership, and spirituality; held a part-time appointment for several years as a visiting professor of ethics and public policy at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey; spent eighteen months as priest-in-charge of a congregation and supplied elsewhere; and worked as a consultant for clergy, bishops, and civilian corporations. Susan and I also traveled three to four months per year, once going around the world and annually spending six to eight weeks in Europe. We love Honolulu's beauty, people, multicultural urban ethos, and great climate and hope to spend the remainder of our lives here.

 

Jesus taught by telling stories. Telling our story to one another is both biblical and a Hawaiian tradition. Additionally, talking story builds community and forms the narrative that shapes our communal identity. In the midst of difficulties, especially if those feel overwhelming, the story can unintentionally become disproportionately negative. Yet much about Holy Nativity is positive.

 

What factors, aspects, or persons lead you to continue being part of the Holy Nativity community?

 

My personal answer to that question includes:

I hope that you will take a few moments to share your individual stories and answers with me.

 

God bless,

Fr George

Father George Clifford 

as  Designated  Supply Priest

Last Sunday, May 1, Holy Nativity  worship services were presided over by The Rev. Dr. George Clifford, who will serve as our Designated Supply Priest for the months of May and June. 

Long-time parishioners with good memories may remember Father George  as having served at Holy  Nativity for about a year in the early 1990's when he was  a Navy Chaplain assigned in Hawaii, during Father John Millen's tenure at Holy Nativity. Father George, along with his lovely wife Susan,  has since retired from the Navy and has relocated to Honolulu. We are fortunate to have been able to lure him out of his well-deserved leisure to guide Holy Nativity through this time of transition.

We are so appreciative of Father George's assistance during these challenging times at Holy Nativity and anticipate that his talents and expertise will be most helpful as we rebuild community within our parish family and shape the future of Holy Nativity.

Father George has indicated he is most interested in getting to know us. Please introduce yourself to Father George and Susan and welcome them to Holy Nativity once more.