My dear Siblings in Christ Jesus,

Please see the video message from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry HERE. In it, the Presiding Bishop is setting a challenge for the Episcopal Church.

This continues his call to all Episcopalians to walk “My Way of Love” (the seven practices to grow into a Jesus-centered life: turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go, and rest). I also call your attention to the small group resources for congregations now available HERE.

It is very important for each leader – lay and ordained – to read the following (and the attached), to look at the material in the links (and watch the videos noted), to incorporate “My Way of Love” into our practice as individuals and as the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi, and to accept the Presiding Bishop’s invitation.

I think his call provides the theological and spiritual basis for our own Diocesan priorities and re-formation:

The priorities grow out of the Strategic Initiatives work of the Diocese undertaken four years ago and the commitments of the Episcopal Church for racial and environmental justice as established by General Convention.

More will be coming on this in the near future, but as the leaders of the Diocese, it must begin with you.

Yours faithfully,

+Bob

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick

 (Pronouns: he, him, his)

The 53rd Annual Meeting of the Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i takes place October 22-23, 2021, and will be held virtually. This year's theme is "Remembering those who have gone before." Both the Annual Meeting and Education Day (on Reconciliation) will be live-streamed. There is no fee to watch but online viewers must also register. For more information and to register, go to the Convention webpage:

The Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Hawai'i will be holding their annual meeting this Saturday, October 2, beginning at 9:00 AM. This will be an online meeting "Engaging & Connecting Women via Zoom!" Along with the business meeting, it will be a time to check in and see how all are doing, especially during these challenging times. Contact Louise Aloy via email HERE for Zoom information.

Camp Mokule'ia has several job openings for:

For more information, contact Darrell Whitaker HERE.

Responding to a hunger for deeper discipleship among Episcopal congregations, creators of the My Way of Love initiative announce an upcoming new spiritual journey guide, video and other materials designed for small groups.

“My Way of Love for Small Groups” expands on the individualized spiritual journey laid out in My Way of Love and offers step-by-step guidance, scriptures, prayers, and reflections for nine weekly group gatherings. The resources will be available in early October; a sample can be found at this link online. READ MORE

All are invited to attend the online Anglicans Ablaze Global Conference taking place October 6-9, 2021. The conference is hosted by Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, with the theme, A Jesus-Shaped Life: "Love God, Love the World, Make Disciples." Guest speakers include our own Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

The cost of the conference is only $5. The organizers have intentionally set the price as low as possible to give access to as

many who would like to attend. We ask those who can pay more to please donate toward meeting AA2021 expenses. For more information and to register, click on the event flyer.

"Retirement" can have connotations of slowing down and taking it easy, but for many of the retired clergy in the Diocese, retirement has been energizing. Although the pandemic has put a damper on travel and visits with loved ones, it has allowed them to channel that energy into more creative pursuits. Their newest project, called Talk Story, will be a compilation of stories shared by our retired clergy. Humorous, tender, sage, and thrilling, be on the lookout for the first in a series of stories to be shared in the next Chronicle.

Free ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi classes are starting Tuesday, October 5, 2021, on Zoom, under the tutelage of Kumu Kū Souza (ʻIolani School). We are continuing this endeavor to not only facilitate better knowledge and familiarity with the language, but also because, as the Bishop often mentions, “language bears culture.” Last year’s session was only open to clergy, and those interested can continue their studies with a “Session II”. This year’s “Session I” is open to all members of the Diocese of Hawaiʻi (clergy and lay).

Tuesdays, starting October 5, 2021, planned ending March 29, 2022

For more information, or to sign up, please contact Cn. Sandy Graham HERE. Space is limited (particularly for Session I).

Just a reminder that beginning on October 24, 2021, all local calls, including those on the same island, will require you to dial area code 808 + telephone number. The change comes as the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) adopts 988 as a new three-digit number to be used nationwide to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline starting July 6, 2022. In order for it to work, all service providers must implement mandatory 10-digit local dialing. Be sure to update all your contacts with their area codes.

The Church Pension Group's Planning for Tomorrow Conference, originally scheduled for November, has been postponed. They are looking at possible dates in 2022. Stay tuned!

The Cathedral of St. Andrew will be hosting an "Ask the Bishop" talk story on Sunday, October 17, 2021. The livestream will take place between their 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM services. Folks are asked to submit their questions ahead of time via email through the Cathedral office HERE. More information to come!

Join this special webinar on Sunday, October 3, 2021, from 10:00-11:00 AM (HST): "An Honest Look at the history of race leading to honest engagement with one another."

This workshop is an overview of Sacred Ground (a film and readings-based dialogue on race) including discussion of clips from the films. Experienced facilitators will offer guidance for how to form small groups to walk through key chapters in America's history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family stories, economic class, and political and regional identity. For more information and to register, click HERE.

Pastor Katlin (McAllister) and Uncle Lindy (Marzo) brought Chapel back to Joyland on September 15, 2021. After a very long hiatus due to the pandemic, 25 little children, along with their teachers, learned prayers and songs, and enjoyed a Bible video about Jesus and the little children. Preschool Chapel takes place once per month as a freely given ministry to share God's love with Joyland Preschool (owned and operated by Crossnet Ministries). (Photo and article from the Holy Apostles e-news)

St. Jude's annual Ocktoberfest goes "take out" style on Saturday, October 9, 2021. The menu includes brats, sauerkraut, potatoes, onions, carrots and a dessert. Donations are welcomed but if you can't spare anything at this time, that's fine too! We'll be serving from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM or whenever the food runs out, so don't be late or you might miss out! St. Jude's is located at 92-8606 Paradise Circle in Ocean View. For more information contact the church office at (808) 838-7000.

[Septemmber 22, 2021] Presiding Bishop Michael Curry joined 11 other faith leaders representing the ecumenical advocacy group Circle of Protection during a Sept. 22 visit to the White House to advocate for passage of legislation supporting families, workers and citizens. READ MORE

[September 29, 2021] Dioceses and Episcopal leaders are joining a growing movement to add Bishop Barbara Harris to The Episcopal Church’s calendar of Lesser Feasts and Fasts. They are lining up diocesan resolutions that will ask the 80th General Convention to advance her elevation to the status of a church saint at its meeting in July 2022, just two years after her death. READ MORE

[September 28, 2021] In the new documentary “My Name Is Pauli Murray,” filmmakers Betsy West and Julie Cohen paint a picture of an unsung trailblazer who remains relatively unknown despite her lasting influence on American society. Episcopalians know her as the first African American woman to be ordained a priest and as a pioneer in the struggles for racial and gender equality. READ MORE

[September 24, 2021] A group of Episcopal clergy and lay leaders who self-organize as the Deputies of Color will kick off their preparations for the 80th General Convention on Sept. 25 with an online conference focused on “Truth Telling,” during which Episcopalians share their various experiences with racism in the church and in society. READ MORE

Be sure to stay informed with all the latest COVID-19 updates in Hawai'i through the State's portal HERE. You'll find latest news updates, stats, media resources, information on Safe Travels, Vaccination sites, and much more. Quick links to separate County vaccine webpages are shown below:

County of Kaua'i City & County of Honolulu Maui County Hawai'i County