The Cathedral of St. Andrew

February 2023

Note from Canon Heather+

Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give unto us, who are called by your Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Grace and Peace, St. Andrew’s.

Blessings abundant as we begin February and continue in our season of revelation and manifestation. This stretch after the Epiphany brings us the opportunity to experience a deeper awareness of God at work in our world as we hear the Gospel stories of Jesus’ witness to God’s abundant presence again and again.

Here in your February Cathedral Life you will find:

a recap the Annual Meeting, including the address from Bishop Fitzpatrick
calendar highlights for the upcoming weeks, including Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22), a special upcoming guest choir concert, and ongoing formation opportunities
outreach reminder -- Food Vault at the University of Hawaiʻi and a glimpse of what’s coming: our slipper drive for Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani Middle School will kick in once Lent begins on Feb. 22

Much and many mahalos for your faithfulness – this year will be an important time for us to lean into our epiphanies of God’s presence in our lives and the life of this Cathedral.

We are called, just like Andrew – and together, we follow!

Aloha ke Akua,

Canon Heather+

2023 Annual Meeting Recap

The Cathedral held its Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 22, 2023. At the meeting, both Bishop Fitzpatrick and Canon Heather offered addresses, and the gathered heard a financial report from Cathedral Treasurer, Paul Jackson. New members to Cathedral Chapter were also elected, as well as delegates to represent the Cathedral being approved through ballot, with a debt of gratitude offered for all those willing to stand for election.

Bishop Fitzpatrick's Address to the

Congregation of the Cathedral of St. Andrew

Aloha my dear Sibling in Christ Jesus,

As your Bishop and the President of the Cathedral’s Chapter, I deeply appreciate that you are with us this morning. As we are all learning to live in a complicated world with the COVID virus as a normal part of life, I am most pleased that folk can return to in person worship and fellowship. I am also grateful that your giving has continued, and, in fact, pledges are up for 2023. Thank you.

We can together be grateful for the staff. Your Cathedral staff is working as one team in ways that I have never before experienced. Heather has offered wise and competent leadership as your Provost. She is prudent, perseverant, and pastoral. Those are the three essential “P’s” to lead this Cathedral at this time. She has a keen eye for liturgy and a deep faith. All of that while being part-time as she has continued to serve as the Chaplain for St. Andrew’s Schools. With the assistance of very part-time clergy (some of whom have been non-stipendiary) – now Haaheo and Frank – we cared for pastorally and liturgically. Under Nick’s leadership and with Mark at the organ, the sounds of Anglican choral music have returned to the Cathedral. Julia and Lauren are the office staff holding us all together. They make a bishop proud.

We have been blessed. There are, however, significant challenges. The loss of income from the Japanese wedding has had a significant financial impact. Further, as Heather will highlight, the volunteer cadre of the Cathedral has been reduced by illnesses, deaths and moves during the Pandemic. This is not the same congregation as it was three years ago. Much has changed.

I have come through this time with three significant learnings or, maybe, reminders, as they are not new:

We need one another. We need to support one another. In practical terms, the Episcopal community on Queen Emma Square must work more closely together. The Cathedral congregation, St. Paul’s Church, St. Peter’s Church, St. Andrew’s Schools, and the Diocesan Support Center must work and coordinate more closely. Increasing this may mean sharing operations and staff. This might include sharing clergy care and administrative support.
The Church is the people and not the building. This building is the Cathedral, but you are the Church – God’s people. There is no staff to take up your ministry. This St. Andrew’s congregation will only be as strong as we are the people of God – caring for others, being transformed by prayer and study of Scripture, and engaging in beautiful worship. That means you – each one of you – must take on a ministry in your congregation.
We must be more inviting. Too often Episcopalians hide their light from others. We know that most people come into a faith community through the invitation of lay people. In practical terms that means you – each of you -- must be the primary evangelists for your congregation.

I will be forming a small task force to address the governance of the Cathedral. I want us to discern what changes are needed to the canons and bylaws to allow the oversight of the Cathedral as the seat of the Bishop and an historic space to be separate from organization and management of congregations – right now St. Andrew’s and St. Paul’s – and their internal ministries. I hope we can offer amendments to the Diocesan canons that govern the Cathedral at the Convention in October. Strategically, the congregations need to focus on mission and ministry. I think a change in organization might help with that.

St. Andrew’s congregation – perhaps in conjunction with St. Paul’s congregation – must look ahead to the shape of mission and ministry for God’s people in the years ahead. This strategic work is about far more than buildings. Who are you called to be as God’s people on Queen Emma Square, Honolulu?

I, therefore, encourage you to elect members of Chapter carefully. Read the biographies. This Chapter will need to engage to present realities as we look to the future.

In conclusion, I want to give thanks to God that I am your Bishop right now. I genuinely think we are on the cusp of a creative time. The Pandemic, war in Europe, inflation and national conflict have stripped away illusions. We are called to be God’s people in a new world. I am reminded of Paul’s word in 2 Corinthians 5:16-19:

So then, from this point on we won’t recognize people by human standards. Even though we used to know Christ by human standards, that isn’t how we know him now. So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived! All of these new things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ, by not counting people’s sins against them. He has trusted us with this message of reconciliation.

We are learning anew to be ministers of reconciliation in a fragmented and fearful world. The world needs to know the love of God in Jesus Christ. Honolulu needs you – God’s people of St. Andrew’s Cathedral – to show them that love. Now is the time.

Let us pray.

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Highlights of Canon Heather's Address to the Congregation

Our cathedral life in 2023:

A Year of Discerning and Living into our Discipleship

“...Our 2023 will lead us into strategic and exciting mission clarity – Who are we as St. Andrew’s? We must remember this means: Who we are as Cathedral, as a church and congregation, as a historic site, as a school chapel, as the seat of the Diocese (and a home for all congregations, schools, ministries, and missions related to the Diocese), and who are we as the Bishop’s church – as the vision and hope of the Holy Sovereigns. We must consider, in this very moment, how we welcome, how we invite, how we connect, and especially, how we love.

...What then are we called to do with our resources – our gifts – how we are to be a blessing that is true and in alignment with our unique calling as this unique and beautiful place? Mahalo to our Cathedral Chapter for being on the front lines of our financial and facilities flows and ebbs, and to our Treasurer for helping us navigate, and to all of you who give so generously of your time, talent, and treasure.

Some very specific things are on our horizon and need thoughtful, prayerful attention and response.

Property related

The electrical system of the Cathedral itself – engineers have been consulted and things are in process
Our ongoing organ restoration project
The fountain in front of the Cathedral - A committee has been formed to study all aspects of the fountain, to look at the financials and the data around the massive security and safety issues surrounding the fountain. There will be a “town hall” meeting with all Square entities invited in the coming months, before Easter, and we will need to move to a solution.

Worship and Ministries related

In the coming year we are being called to consider our current liturgical life and the holy work that happens to make it happen each week. Without the combined and collaborative ministries of the altar guild, the ushers, lectors, oli, acolytes, the coordinators who do the schedule, the vergers, the volunteer choir members with our Orvis Scholars, the offering counters, our hospitality team, and the online digital crew ---- things would just not work. Deep and abiding mahalos to all of you for your dedication and commitment. Our worship is rich and robust because of all of the hearts and hands at work together -- to those of you who serve in those ministries, thank you for answering the call, for following and learning, and for doing, each and every week...

...Here, though, is also our challenge – Leaders of these ministries have expressed their deep concern for the future as the need for volunteers in the ministry areas persists. With four, sometimes five or more, worship services a week, we do not have enough volunteers to healthfully and vibrantly sustain this rhythm. We are being called to look at our long-view, our long-term health and vitality so that we are still here, still following Christ for many years and generations to come, as the Holy Sovereigns intended. Along these lines, a group has come together to pray and consider our liturgical life. This committee work will not be done in haste, but it needs to be done with a purposeful and prayerful alacrity.”

“...Goodness and light are abounding here at the Cathedral. Our attendance numbers are stronger than they were pre-pandemic, our online reach is consistent and rich —and we are being called to it – like Andrew, in his boat, minding his own fisherbusiness --we are called to something extraordinary – us. Just as we are. Priest and academic Sarah Coakley puts it like this:

Jesus is saying: whatever it is that is in your hands, whatever your gift, your profession, your skill, or even your sense of lack of skill … this it is that has uniquely prepared you for mission; it is out of this, that Jesus now stretches us ecstatically into his new world...

Isn't that good news!?

Each and every one of us is called now to be transformed together, and then we are to transform the world together now...You are needed, you are called. We are needed, we are called. Us! Now! And indeed, friends, we will follow.”

Mahalo ke Akua,

Canon Heather+

Welcome New Chapter Members!

Have you ever wondered what “Cathedral Chapter” is and what it does? Unlike other churches and their vestry system, the Cathedral has a Chapter made up of folks representing the Cathedral congregation, as well as members from other congregations across the Diocese, both clergy, and lay people. Together, the Chapter’s main work is focused on Stewardship: Facilities and Finances.

The Cathedral Chapter does have a Senior and Junior Warden who offer pulse of the congregation to Chapter, and particularly to the Cathedral clergy. They are to keep the Provost informed of the “sense” of God’s people. Each year at the Annual Meeting of the Cathedral, the members of the meeting elect congregation members willing to serve a term on Cathedral Chapter and share in the Stewardship ministry of St. Andrew’s.

The Diocesan Chapter members are on Chapter to keep the concerns of the whole Diocese at the forefront of the mission of the Cathedral. They do not represent their congregations, but the Diocese as a whole. This includes care of the historic buildings as the seat of the Bishop and the Mother Church of the Diocese, and oversight of the financial well-being of the Cathedral to maintain these buildings and to provide a staff to maintain the buildings, to support the Diocesan Support Center and to host the programs of the Diocese. It is a particular voice on Chapter to remind the Chapter and the Diocese of a mutual fiduciary responsibility for the Cathedral.

Along these lines, Chapter adopts the budget and offers the necessary revisions therein, addresses a capital expenditures budget when it comes up, provides policy direction (if needed) regarding the programs of the Cathedral, and is the body that acts on applications for candidates for holy orders. Each month Chapter members receive written reports from Treasurer, Business Manager, Program Manager, and clergy, along with verbal reports from the Wardens and the Bishop.

Chapter members do not manage the staff of the Cathedral or have a role in the day-to-day workings of the Cathedral office or Cathedral ministries. They do not manage the worship or liturgical life we share but rather are relied upon for their wise and thoughtful considerations around the stewardship of our property and our “purse” ensuring that our robust ministries and liturgical life will be ever-vibrant and ever-sustained for years to come.

Cathedral Chapter Members

President

The. Rt. Rev. Robert L. Fitzpatrick

Vice President

The Rev. Cn. Heather Patton-Graham

Senior Warden

Matt Brown

Junior Warden

Roth Puahala

Treasurer

Paul Jackson

From Diocese

Class of ‘23

The Rev. Keleawe Hee (Clergy, Good Samaritan)

Phyllis Miller (Lay, St. Paul’s)

Class of ‘24

The Rev. Christopher Golding (Clergy, Seabury Hall)

Mary Carpenter (Lay, St. Clement’s)

From Congregation

Class of ‘24

Jill Coryell, Mary Fiedler (Chapter Clerk), Cheryl Chang

Class of ‘25

Robert Bley-Vroman, Gayle Chang, Andrew Sakaguchi

Class of ‘26

Anna Young, Elizabeth Conklin, Leianne Lee Loy

Calendar of Events

Upcoming Ali'i Sunday

February 5 - Commemorating King Kamehameha IV

PBS-St. Andrew’s (Provost’s Book Study) Continues!

Wednesdays, 6:30pm in Von Holt

Join Canon Heather in some good book study and reflection, Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm.

For our Epiphany undertaking, we will be diving into Scripture and considering the Letter of James. Tucked in the New Testament between Hebrews and the First Letter of Peter, the Letter of James is a book with mysterious authorship and debated relevance. In the letter, the author addresses the spiritual and ethical life of a “congregation” in living out their Christian identity – A perfect way for us to start a new calendar year and embrace our Cathedral's annual meeting reflections and initiatives. (Additionally, your participation in Epiphany will also support Canon Heather’s doctoral work! Thanks in advance!)

So join in! There will be light refreshments and lots of discussion – and we will end our time together each week with the saying of Compline.

PBS-St.Andrew’s (Provost’s Book Study)

Wednesdays, 6:30pm-7:45pm

Von Holt Room

Ash Wednesday is on February 22

Palm Cross Collection February 1 - 15

As we prepare for Ash Wednesday, the Cathedral will

start collecting Palm crosses starting this

Wednesday, February 1st! A Collection bin will be set-up in the Cathedral for Wednesday Noon Mass and

Sunday morning services until February 15.

Ash Wednesday Schedule

7am - 7:45am Ashes-to-Go

Join Canon Heather+ under the Aloha tent for

the imposition of ashes.

12pm Ash Wednesday Liturgy with Eucharist

Join Bishop Fitzpatrick in the Cathedral for noon Eucharist

with the imposition of ashes.

Save-the-Date: Wednesday Evenings in Lent

Join Canon Heather+ for her Lenten evening series, starting on March 1st.

More details to come!

University Singers Concert in the Cathedral

Monday, February 20 at 7:30pm

Outreach

The Cathedral, alongside St. Peter's Episcopal Church, resumes their collection of non-perishable food / toiletry donations for Food Vault Hawai'i. Suggested items include:

Canned meats (spam, tuna, chicken, salmon, corned beef, vienna sausage)
Canned vegetables/fruits
Canned meals (stew, spaghetti, chili. chowder)
Canned soups (chicken noodle soup, vegetable broth, chicken broth, bone broth)
Packaged pasta (spinach, wheat, etc)
Tomato sauce, meat sauces
2-5 pound bags of rice
Cup noodles/instant noodles/saimin
Mac n Cheese (ready to make)
Peanut Butter
Jelly, Jam, Honey
Beans, Lentils
Mini boxes of cereal
Granola, Oatmeal
Nuts (almonds, peanuts, etc)
Toiletries (individually wrapped toilet paper, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, deodorant, pads, tampons)

Collection baskets for the Cathedral will be located on the Diamond Head side of the Cathedral, near the Platform.

For more information on Food Vault Hawai'i, please visit their website.

*If you would like to make a monetary donation, please make checks payable to The Cathedral of St. Andrew, with "Food Vault Hawai'i" in the memo line.

Walking the Way of Love Slipper Drive starts in the Season of Lent

Our annual Slipper Drive for Ruth Ke‘elikōlani Middle School will begin at the start of Lent! More details to come!

Diocesan Connections

Winter Talk: Episcopalians Share Stories of Pain, Healing, Faith

As taken from the Hawaiian Church Chronicle

The Episcopal Church's Office of Indigenous Ministries held their annual Winter Talk Conference in Green Bay Wisconsin, January 21-23, 2023. Winter Talk is an "annual multi-day conference that honors and highlights Indigenous and Native American traditions and contributions within the church."

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris were in attendance "to listen." From the Diocese of Hawai'i, Roth Puahala, the Junior Warden and Verger of The Cathedral of St. Andrew, was also there and shares his experience and take-away.

[This] was the first Winter Talk I attended, and know other members in our Diocese who have attended in the past. It was a very emotional weekend for me hearing actual stories about the Boarding schools and even how Episcopal churches on the continent may have been involved. The question was asked how do you deal with families of victims? What do you say to them?

We had a long discussion on the dismantling of the doctrine of discovery and how we address this among our indigenous people. Remember it was 130 years ago that Lili'uokalani, by the grace of God, Queen of the Hawaiian Islands, was overthrown, and this started the loss of our identity as Hawaiians. Those who mālama the land carry everything, our lineage, our culture, and our language with them. My grandparents were no longer allowed to speak Hawaiian in their homes and in public. All things Hawaiian were forbidden, a Hawaiian school did not teach its culture, heritage, language, and its arts for a long period of time. It was not until the early 70s that the Hawaiian community experienced a cultural renaissance. The growing interest in the Hawaiian language, music, traditional navigation and voyaging, and the hula sparked new pride amongst Hawaiians. Cultural awareness spawned political activism seeking greater autonomy and sovereignty, protection of traditional native gathering rights, and ending the bombing of Kaho'olawe island for military training purposes.

We must continue to mālama our ʻāina, with actions from our religious brothers/sisters in our communities - like the Red Hill Fuel tanks, address the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve, the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and its $600 million appropriation, the renewal of 23,000 acres of military leases on Hawai'i Island and the actions or non-actions of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

We need to get involved, write resolutions for action, create bills for action, and most importantly, tell our story. If you have the time, please tell your story.