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This issue's header photo was taken at the Episcopal Church of St. John the Divine in Guam, where Bishop Bob Fitzpatrick celebrated a special Advent Lessons and Carols service during his Visitation on December 6, 2025. Read more about his trip in the Bishop's Corner further below. (Photo from the St. John's Facebook page)

Third Sunday of Advent

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever.  Amen.

FEATURE STORIES:

A Warm Welcome for the Diocese's Newest Deacon

Giving Thanks to Our Community Partners

REGULAR FEATURED SECTIONS:

• Bishop's Corner - International travels
• Bishop Search & Transition - Status: Applications have closed
• Growing in Grace - Slowing to the Speed of Love: Finding Kairos in a Chronos World
• Kahuaola - Christ Church Blesses Solar and Creation Care Projects
• Island Happenings - Celebrating Our Holy Sovereigns; Kauai - All Saints' Calls the Rev. Stephen Whaley

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING:

• Ordinations of Erin Richardson Severin and Hannah Lee Sung
• Important Information Regarding Church Annual Meetings
• Camp Mokulē'ia Annual Fund Drive
• Advent Highlight: HUI BAIBALA KA HIKINA, "Sea of Kahinalii - Ke Kai O Kahinalii" 
• Coming Up - Check out some of the events and activities taking place at The Cathedral and churches around the Diocese.



The past couple of weeks has been an international escapade for the Bishop. He spent Thanksgiving in Tonga with a contingent of school representatives from the Diocese to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the founding of St. Andrew School in Nuku'alofa. (You may recall that his Thanksgiving message was written during a flight to Tonga.) The days-long celebration was immersed in cultural song and dance, wonderful food, a groundbreaking ceremony, and deepening friendships.

In a Facebook post, the Bishop shared: At the final event of the anniversary celebration of the founding of St. Andrew’s High School, Nuku’alofa, Tonga, the Most Reverend Sione Ulu’ilakepa, Bishop of the Diocese of Polynesia and Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, presented me with this amazing carved fishhook (pictured above far right) with a whale’s tail. The introduction to the presentation noted that it is in honor of my retirement at the end of 2026 and my ministry as a “fisher of men.” I am grateful to his Grace for the gift and, all the more, for the invitation to be here this week. I hope that I have helped renew a long dormant relationship between the Dioceses of Hawai’i and Polynesia with new bonds between schools.

From Tonga, the Bishop headed to Guam for his final "official" Visitation as Bishop Diocesan with St. John the Divine Episcopal Church (pictured above) and St. John's School in Tamuning. His Facebook page is filled with photos and video clips of his time at the Church and school. On the St. John Divine Facebook page, they shared a heartfelt message to the Bishop:

Yesterday, we presented small tokens of our appreciation to Bishop Bob and his wife Bea. Bishop Bob has been our Bishop since 2009. During those past 16 years, he has shepherded us and helped combine the three small congregations in Guam to become one vibrant and diverse Episcopal Church congregation in Guam called St. John the Divine; he helped us become better stewards of church properties to support and perpetuate the ministry of St. John’s Church; he bridged a mutually beneficial understanding and relationship with St. John’s School; and incorporated us into the 'ohana of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i. Besides all these, we are grateful for his leadership, mentorship, wisdom and guidance. The people of St. John and St. Paul (Saipan) extend you our heartfelt thanks and continued prayers for your endeavors. Mabuhay and sijuos maase.

(Photos from the Bishop's and St. John the Divine's Facebook pages)

A Warm Welcome for the Diocese's Newest Deacon

During Convention 58's Opening Eucharist held on Friday, October 24, in St. Alban's Chapel at 'Iolani School, the Diocese welcomed its newest vocational deacon, the Rev. Deacon Kalani Holokai. It was a joyous event with many family and friends flying in for the event. Pictured below are photos from her ordination. (Photos by S. Nishioka)

Deacon Kalani, who is also the Diocese's Community Relations Coordinator on Maui, is still trying to get used to being called a deacon. While she is used to serving the community in her current role and also having worked for the Maui Department of Health for 20 years, her journey to becoming a deacon has been nearly as long. She originally started her formation with the Diocese's Na Imiloa program that was replaced in 2013 with the current Waiolaihui'ia Center for Ministry formation program. During that transition, she decided to put those final steps on hold.

Over a decade later and soon after the 2023 Maui fires, Kalani retired from the County, and would later accept her current Community Relations Coordinator position. With much encouragement to revisit becoming a deacon, Kalani finally completed the journey in October. She has been assigned to serve at Trinity By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Kihei, which also includes Holy Innocents whose building was destroyed in the Lahaina fire of 2023. For canonical reasons, Holy Innocents was reclassified as a preaching station under the umbrella of Trinity By-the-Sea, but members are able to continue to hold Sunday services at a temporary worship site in Napili.

Pictured above left, Deacon Kalani was welcomed by the Trinity By-the-Sea congregation on November 9, where she assisted their Vicar, the Rev. Amy Crowe. They presented her with a framed collage of photos from her ordination followed by a special luncheon after the service. At center, they are pictured at Honolua United Methodist Church where the Holy Innocents 'ohana has been worshiping after the loss of their church building. At right, Bob and Katy Shroder presented Kalani with a beautifully framed print of the historic painting that hung above the Holy Innocents altar. The following is an excerpt from the Trinity newsletter along with these photos of the Holy Innocents 'ohana:

The festivities continued on November 16 with the Holy Innocents congregation, where a great crowd gathered on the side lanai to celebrate and enjoy a generous coffee hour following the service. In a touching gesture, Holy Innocents gifted Deacon Kalani a print of the historical 1940 painting of the 'Hawaiian Madonna and Child' by New York artist Delos Blackmar, which once stood above the church altar. Her kōkua to Holy Innocents has been immeasurable throughout the recovery process, and all are deeply grateful for her presence and ministry. We are delighted to welcome Deacon Kalani as she joins and enriches our shared spiritual journey.

While our churches give graciously to their communities throughout the year, we give special thanks to our community partners who support the Diocese. Pictured above left is Archdeacon Steve Costa with Max Tanaka, owner of Ani's Bakery, who presented a check to Bill Slocumb, St. Elizabeth's Church Administrator, and Kū Ka'ahanui, Manager of Wallyhouse. (Contributed photo)

Shared Costa: "Five years ago, Ani’s Bakery started a Thanksgiving Food drive to benefit St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church in Kalihi-Palama. This is in addition to the weekly donations of various sweetbreads and products to continually feed the hungry and houesless. They have been a great community partner for many years."

At right, Darrell Whitaker, Camp Mokulē'ia's Executive Director, accepts a check for $10,000 from the folks of the First Hawaiian Bank Foundation. The Camp was awarded a grant to support their "Families Can Survive" program. It is an annual 3-day camp for families who have been impacted by childhood cancer. (Photo from the Camp Mokulē'ia e-news)

Status: .The application window has closed and the Search Committee is reviewing the applications. Due to the strict requirements of confidentiality, committee members cannot reveal any information at all, including the number of applications received. Please continue to pray for the discernment process. The slate of three candidates will be announced on March 16, and the nomination by petition period will be open from March 16 to March 23.  Stay informed about related upcoming activities and events on the Bishop Transition webpage HERE.

A Special Announcement went out on Wednesday, December 10, with important information regarding your upcoming Annual Meetings. Coming up in 2026, delegates to convention that are elected during church annual meetings in January, will have added responsibilities and commitments to attend specific events, especially during the first half of the year. These added events are related to the search and election for the next bishop of the Diocese. Delegate attendance, voice, and votes are crucial, so please take note of the following when electing your delegates (and alternates). READ MORE

Coming Up! The Ordinations of

Erin Richardson Severin and Hannah Lee Sung

January 3, 2026

By the Grace of God

And with the People's Consent

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick

Bishop of the Diocese of Hawai'i

shall ordain

Erin Richardson Severin and Hannah Lee Sung

to the Sacred Order of Priests

In Christ's One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church

Saturday, the third of January

Two thousand and twenty-six

At nine o'clock in the morning

The Cathedral of St. Andrew

229 Queen Emma Square

Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813

Taking place now ~ Please make a donation!

The Gospel lessons of the four Ka Hikina - Advent Sundays of Year A of the Revised Common Lectionary are significant to study. Each Gospel lesson provides a stepping stone for the church to lean forward into the arrival of Christ in Christmas. This is a time with great expectation (mana'olana) being developed. Advent is also the beginning (ho'omaka ana) of the new church year. In the Episcopal churches of Hawai'i, the English word “Advent” is often translated into the Hawaiian word Ka Hikina.

Ka Hikina means “the coming” or “the arrival” and is reserved for the special context of the coming of Jesus Christ. READ MORE

Slowing to the Speed of Love: Finding Kairos in a Chronos World

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

I often reference Japanese theologian Kosuke Koyama’s book Three Mile an Hour God. Koyama tells us that love has a speed, reminding us that Jesus, the mortal incarnation of God’s love, walked everywhere he went, strolling at the average human speed of three miles per hour.

Koyama’s work invites us to question our own rhythm of life. In all of our modern busyness, are we taking the time to slow down to this three-mile-an-hour, relational pace? How do we truly move through the world, and are we present in those moments where we can be God’s love in action?

These questions were at the front of my mind during a recent trip to Tonga. Each evening, at the drop-offs back at our hotel, we would make tentative plans for the next day's pick-up. The exchanges often went like this: “Okay, tomorrow morning, pick-up will be between half eight and a quarter to nine.” “Great,” we’d respond, “See you in the morning.” READ MORE

Christ Church Blesses Solar and Creation Care Projects

By the Rev. Brianna Lloyd

The Rev. Canon Dwight Brown provided a prayer of blessing upon completion of solar and Creation Care projects on Sunday, December 7, 2025. Father Dwight noted a 158-year history of financial and environmental stewardship, through the efforts of many volunteers and contributions from the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i (including Kahuaola's Carbon Reduction Assistance Grant), the Atherton Foundation, and dozens of Christ Church donors.

Over the past several years energy efficient lighting and appliances have been installed. The 2025 emphasis was to install solar panels and a battery backup, which is now operational. With the electricity generated by solar panels plus pending solar incentives, financial resources previously devoted to electricity are freed up for the mission and ministry of the congregation. Special thank you to Jeanne West, Karl Sears, and their Bishop’s Committee.

For more information about the Creation Care effort in Hawai'i, visit the Diocese's Kahuaola webpage HERE. (Contributed photo)

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 time of "Slow Down and Be Still."

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

www.cathedralhawaii.org

Celebrating Our Holy Sovereigns...

During November, churches (and schools) around the Diocese celebrated The Feast of Our Holy Sovereigns, King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma. Members of Hawai'i's Royal Societies and Civic organizations turned out for a number of these services. Can you identify the churches in this collage of photos taken from your newsletters and social media?

KAUA'I - All Saints' Calls the Rev. Stephen F. Whaley

Aloha & Welcome to the Diocese of Hawai'i!

COMING UP...

REMINDER: SPECIAL EDITION CHRISTMAS SERVICES ISSUE - All churches should have received an email about submitting your info and graphics for our annual Special Edition Christmas Services Chronicle going out on December 19. Don't be left out! Submission deadline is Wednesday, December 17. If you need help with graphics, send your service info to news@episcopalhawaii.org no later than Monday, December 15.

THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13

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

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18

St. Peter's, 1317 Queen Emma St., Honolulu, O'ahu

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19

Epiphany, 1041 10th Ave., Honolulu, O'ahu

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20

Holy Apostles, 1407 Kapiolani St, Hilo, Hawai'i Island

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20

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

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21

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

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21

St. Timothy's, 98-939 Moanalua Rd., Aiea, O'ahu

MORE HEADLINE LINKS FROM

THE EPISCOPAL NEWS SERVICE:

• Virginia church rallies behind Iranian-born sisters seized by immigration agents for deportation (12/9/25)
• New York diocese leads the church in spreading awareness about violence against women, girls (12/9/25)
• Anglicans, Lutherans issue statement reaffirming commitment to support refugees worldwide (12/9/25)

EYE WITH ALOHA: TALK STORY PILGRIMAGE 2026 - The deadline to register for the planned EYE26 Province VIII event being held here in the Diocese, has been extended to Thursday, January 1, 2026. We are excited to host this event for youth of incoming grades 9-12 from the 19 dioceses within Province VIII (essentially the Western USA plus Alaska, Hawaiʻi, Guam, Saipan, and Taiwan). The theme is "EYE with Aloha: Talk Story Pilgrimage 2026" that will take place in and around the Cathedral of St. Andrew, July 28-31, 2026. The cost is only $120 for three days which covers food, lodging, transportation, and fees. Click HERE to register. 

ASIAN AMERICAN-NATIVE HAWAIIAN-PACIFIC ISLANDER (AANHPI) 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.

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)