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The folks of the Episcopal Church on West Kaua'i (ECWK) have lots to be thankful for these days, and are especially grateful to those who made possible the confirmation of five ECWK youth—Kiara, Lele, Kiliohu, Kalai, and Haaheo—at The Cathedral of St. Andrew this past Sunday. Read the full story under Feature Stories further below. (Photo contributed by the Rev. Kerry Holder Joffrion)

Collect for Thanksgiving Day

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.. Amen.

FEATURE STORIES:

Celebrating 100 Years of God's Love at All Saints' Kaua'i

Giving Thanks from West Kaua'i

REGULAR FEATURED SECTIONS:

• Bishop's Corner - Link to the Bishop's Thanksgiving Message, Retired Clergy Luncheon & Visitation at Good Sam
• Bishop Search & Transition - Deadline to apply is December 1, plus important dates
• Growing in Grace - The Gift of the Sturdy, Flexible Container
• Kahuaola - Webinar: Climate Action Beyond COP30
• Island Happenings - Cathedral activities

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING:

• Retired Clergy Families: Remembering Roberta "Bert"/"Tutu" DuTeil
• Advent Resources
• AAHNPI - Save the Date! Leadership Retreat April 2026
• Youth Ministry: EYE26 Deadline extended
• Camp Mokulē'ia: Christmas StayCay, Seeking Sumer Camp Counselors
• AAHNPI - Save the Date! Leadership Retreat April 2026
• Coming Up - Check out some of the events and activities taking place at The Cathedral and churches around the Diocese.



The Bishop's Thanksgiving Message

In case you missed it, read the Bishop's 2025 Thanksgiving message HERE.

Retired Clergy Family Luncheon & Visit to Good Sam

Epiphany Episcopal Church hosted the Retired Clergy Families annual holiday luncheon with Bishop Bob and Bea on Tuesday, November 4. Pictured above, the Bishop shares some thoughts with the group and at far right, the Rev. Karen Swanson chats with Bea. The Retired Clergy Families gather monthly for a luncheon or other activity. If you would like more information about this ministry, visit their webpage HERE.

Below, the Bishop visited Good Samaritan in Palolo Valley, where he is pictured with the Rev. Keleawe Hee, Archdeacon Steve Costa, and acolyte, Bill Slocumb. At right are the wives, Rae Costa (the Diocese's Operations Manager), Bea Fitzpatrick and Faye Hee. (Contributed photos)

Nestled in the heart of Kapa'a town on Kaua'i, is All Saints' Episcopal Church, the oldest of the Episcopal churches on the island that has served the community for the past 100 years. On Saturday, November 1, 2025, they wrapped up a year-long centennial celebration with the theme "Sharing God's Love for 100 years." 

"What an amazing year!" said Senior Warden Faith Shiramizu, who not only shouldered the responsibility of making sure their church ran smoothly without a permanent rector, but also the large-scale community events that took place over the past year. "Thankfully, leaders for the different activities were able to organize and recruit volunteers to help create very successful events that included a kick-off luau, mini Bon Dance, dodgeball tournament, and the wrap-up luau," shared Faith. READ FULL STORY HERE

Readers may be familiar with the name Gia Pacheco, a member of the Episcopal Church on West Kaua'i (ECWK) Kumu Ola Children's Choir, who was injured and remains hospitalized far from home on 'Oahu. The Bishop sent out an appeal for donations as family members struggle to cope with such a devasating injury that will require months, if not years, of recovery. Although away from her beloved home on the Garden Island, Gia has been at the heart of almost all that ECWK does.

Pictured above, from a post on their Facebook page earlier in the month, ECWK shared, "We harvested in Gia’s name today and knew she was with us in our dance over God’s abundant AINA ALOHA." ECWK has been blessed with a community garden on their property that provides tons of wonderful produce each year. This year, they harvested "320 pounds of the reddest tomatoes on Kaua'i." 

Others from around the Diocese have also been reaching out. Pictured in the header of this issue and below left, the Very Rev. Heather Patton-Graham, Dean of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, invited the five youth shown to be confirmed during their visit to see Gia. They all had COVID when their other eight fellow choir members were confirmed. Bishop Bob happily confirmed them this past Sunday. They are pictured below left with their priest, the Rev. Kerry Holder Joffrion and her husband Peter Joffrion. Afterwards, they went to anoint Gia at Kapiʻolani Hospital. They placed Holy Myrrh on Gia’s forearms and forehead asking for the Holy Spirit to fill her with love, and sang ‘E lesu’ in rounds about her bed.

At center above is Gia in happier healthier days, and at right, Rev. Kerry holds a quilt made for Gia by Tiffany Watkins. It is now with Gia on her hospital bed!

The Rev. Canon Sandy Graham and Dean Heather will be making and delivering Thanksgiving dinner to the Pachecos on Thanksgiving Day, who will be together with Gia on O'ahu! Meanwhile, back on Kaua'i, St. John’s 'Ele'ele & St. Michael’s and All Angels will be delivering dinner to the aunties and uncles at the Pacheco home who could not travel to see Gia. If you would like to help the Pacheco famiily, visit the ECWK website HERE. (Contributed photos and from Facebook posts)

Reminder...The application deadline is this coming Monday, December 1, 2025. The Search Committee's discernment process is completely confidential but you can stay informed about related upcoming activities and events on the Bishop Transition webpage HERE. Important dates include:

• April 2026 - Ke Aloha Kākou candidate meet-and-greets where all are invited to meet the candidates and their spouses.
• April 23 - Kaua'i
• April 24 - Maui / Moloka'i
• April 25 - O'ahu / Guam
• April 26 - Hawai'i Island

• Saturday, May 16, 2026 - Special Meeting of the Convention of the Diocese of Hawaiʻi with the single purpose of electing the sixth Bishop of the Diocese.

Retired Clergy Families:

Remembering Roberta "Bert"/"Tutu" DuTeil

The latest installment in the Retired Clergy Families Talk Story Project is now posted on the Diocesan website HERE. In this posting, we share the remarks and sermon shared by the family of Roberta DuTeil at her funderal service held at the Cathedral of St. Andrew on September 6. The Talk Story Project is a (growing) collection of stories from Diocesan-related retired clergy, spouses, widows and their families.

Save the date!

Asian American-Native Hawaiian-Pacific Islander Leadership Retreat

Save the date and start making plans to attend the AANHPI Episcopal Leadership Retreat being held Appril 15-17, 2026, in Seattle, WA. More information will be shared as it is released.

Did you know? May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We take time to reflect and celebrate the important role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have played in our shared history.

Registration deadline has been extended to January 1!

EYE with Aloha: Talk Story Pilgrimage 2026

CLICK HERE FOR DELEGATION REGISTRATION:

(Deadline is Thursday, January 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m.)

CLICK HERE FOR RELEASE OF LIABILITY FORM (Can be submitted at a later date)

The Gift of the Sturdy, Flexible Container

By the Rev. Canon Andrew J. Arakawa, Canon for Ministry Formation

On my flight from Honolulu to Auckland, I saw a film I highly recommend – Tinā. The 2025 film, directed by Miki Magasiva, is the story of Mareta, a Samoan teacher devastated by the loss of her daughter in an earthquake, who takes on a substitute teaching role at an exclusive private school in Christchurch, New Zealand. The film was so moving that I was in tears for most of it.

Its storyline offered me another opportunity to reflect on the structures, systems, and spaces in our society, our institutions, and our worshipping communities. The students in the film are continually pushed toward destructive perfectionism. This drive takes a toll on their physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational health, all in the name of exceptional achievement. The rigidity of the school's systems, which prioritize rules and tradition over well-being, connection, and grace, leaves students feeling unsafe and vulnerable. In contrast, Mareta builds a sturdy yet flexible container in which they can live, move, and have their being, offering the safety of knowing where they are going alongside the freedom to be emergent. READ MORE

THIS MONDAY! WEBINAR: "CLIMATE ACTION BEYOND COP30" Join this webinar to hear about The Episcopal Church’s involvement in the recent United Nations Climate Change conference (COP30) in Brazil. Learn more about its commitment to local climate action with moderator Lynnaia Main, the church’s representative to the U.N., the webinar will feature a number of guest speakers. The webinar takes place on Monday, December 1, at 9:00 a.m. (HST). For more information and to register, click HERE.

ORDAINED POSITION OPENINGS:

(Visit the Diocesan website HERE for more information.)



• Part-time Vicar - Grace Episcopal Church, Ho'olehua, Moloka'i
• Full-time Priest-in-Charge/Rector - St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, Honolulu, O'ahu

LAY POSITION OPENINGS:

(Visit the Diocesan website HERE for more information.)

• Thrift Shop Coordinator - Christ Memorial Episcopal Church, Kilauea, Kaua'i

• Annual Clergy Retreat: January 26-28 - Camp Mokulē'ia
• Annual Chrism Mass & Spring Training: Saturday, February 28 - Cathedral of St. Andrew

AT THE CATHEDRAL...

All are welcome! Bring friends and neighbors for a morning of "Slow Down and Be Still."

On Saturday, November 8, we walked in love! The Cathedral Run Club and Friends were at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s event — oh what a beautiful morning it was! Then on Sunday, November 16, it was all Fun. Food. Fellowship. And FACTS! Trivia Night Potluck was a fact-astic evening!

The Cathedral of St. Andrew: 229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu, HI 96813

www.cathedralhawaii.org

COMING UP...

ADVENT HIGHLIGHT: A Light Upon My Path—an accompanied journey during the 4 weeks of Advent

Join the Rev. Christopher Golding, Diocesan EfM Coordinator and Chaplain of Seabury Hall, this Advent and Christmas, with A Light Upon My Path, a collection of daily reflections, prayers and scripture readings by contemporary spiritual leaders, including our very own the Rev. Jazzy Bostock! This online gathering will take place for four Mondays during Advent beginning on December 1, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. To learn more about this offering or to sign up today, click HERE.

TOMORROW, NOVEMBER 28

St. Clement's, 1515 Wilder Ave., Honolulu, O'ahu

THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29

ONLINE VIA ZOOM

PICK-UP ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6

St. Augustine's,  54-3801 Akoni Pule Hwy, Kapa'au, Hawai'i Island

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6

St. Clement's, 1515 Wilder Ave., Honolulu, O'ahu

ONGOING FIRST SUNDAYS

St. Clement's, 1515 Wilder Ave., Honolulu, O'ahu

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13

Hālau Waʻa (Across Kapolei Elementary), Kapolei, O'ahu

MORE HEADLINE LINKS FROM

THE EPISCOPAL NEWS SERVICE:

• Indigenous boarding school research groups merge as Truth, Justice and Healing Commission (11/26/25)
• South Carolina honors first Black priest in the diocese, celebrates diversity (11/24/25)
• Former Vice President Dick Cheney memorialized at Washington National Cathedral funeral (11/20/25)

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.

BISHOP (meeting with): Nani (ext. 302)

Annual Meeting: Rae (ext. 326)

Archives: Rae (ext. 326)

Budget/Finance: Jasmi (ext. 307)

Communications/News/Website: Sybil

Congregational Membership: Sandy (ext. 309)

TECH Portfolio/Investments: Jasmi (ext. 307)

Hiring/Human Resources: Rae (ext. 326)

Monthly Statement: Cammy (ext. 306)

Ordination/Licensed Ministries: Nani (ext. 302)

Payroll: Jasmi (ext. 307)

Property (Contracts, Insurance, Agreements): Rae (ext. 326)

Safe Church: Nani (ext. 302)

Stewardship: Sandy (ext. 309)

Supply/Visiting Clergy: Nani (ext. 302)

Worship/Sacraments: Sandy (ext. 309)