December 26, 2025

Merry Christmas!

This issue is a day late following a very special holiday. Our header photo was taken at The Cathedral of St. Andrew during their annual Lessons & Carols Christmas Pageant on Christmas Eve, that brings folks together from the churches "on the Square" (St. Andrew's, St. Paul's and St. Peter's). See more photos under the Bishop's Corner and Feature Story section that includes all three services held on Christmas Eve. (Photo: The Cathedral's Facebook page)

First Sunday After Christmas Day

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editor's Note: This is a slightly abbreviated issue.

FEATURE STORY

Christmas at The Cathedral

REGULAR FEATURED SECTIONS:

Bishop's Corner - 'Tis the Season!
Island Happenings - At the Cathedral

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING:

Clergy Transition - Emmanuel's new Vicar
Important Reminder Regarding Church Annual Meetings
EYE with Aloha, Deadline to register is January 1
Ordinations of Erin Richardson Severin and Hannah Lee Sung, corrected time
UTO Grant Application Deadline

THE BISHOP'S CORNER

FEATURE STORY

Christmas at The Cathedral

Christmas Eve at the Cathedral is always special with the sights and sounds of worship at its finest! It began with a 5:00 p.m. Christmas Lessons & Carols service with a pop-up pageant (header photo at top) bringing together the children and folks from St. Andrew's, St. Paul's and St. Peter's. The Bishop was front and center reading the story of the birth of Jesus, as the villagers, angels, shepherds, wisemen, and even a pup, joined him as the story unfolded. Along with the familiar carols being sung, Leilani Kahoano performed a hula to "Silent Night."

Pictured above, the priests from all three churches, the Very Rev. Heather Patton Graham, Dean of the Cathedral, portrayed an innkeeper; the Rev. Ruth Peterson from St. Peter's was the angel Gabriel, who escorted Mary and baby Jesus; the Rev. Canon Randy Albano from St. Paul's was one of the magi who led the group of young wisemen/kings to round out the final scene; and Archdeacon Steve Costa rallied the shepherds. Seated below the podium, the entire story was shared in American Sign Language.

That service was followed by an 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Festival Eucharist with the choir in glorious form, voices echoing throughout the Cathedral! The 8:00 p.m. service was in ‘Ōlelo Hawai'i and English, and at the 11:00 p.m. service, the Sanctus happened at midnight! Pictured above from left, a selfie opportunity before the 8:00 a.m. service; ethereal lighting sets the tone for a magical service and Communion. Below, a jubilant photo with the choir, Bishop and Dean during the Midnight Mass.

The Christmas Day service was held at 10:00 a.m. that included an invitation to gather at the altar during the Great Thanksgiving. Dean Heather shared that nearly 1,000 people attended the Christmas services.

"I am so grateful for the volunteers," shared Patton-Graham. "IMPOSSIBLE without all the many many volunteers willing to serve and share in hospitality and worship. We work so hard together!"

(Contrbuted photos and from the Cathedral Facebook page)

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DIOCESE

Visit the Diocese's Calendar page HERE for Diocesan events & activities.

Stay informed about the status and related events on the Bishop Transition webpage HERE.

Clergy Transitions...

New Vicar at Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Following the resignation of the Reverend Annalise Castro as Vicar of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Kailua, and St. Matthew’s Church, Waimanalo, effective this month, the Bishop appointed the Reverend David Gierlach as the part-time Vicar of Emmanuel Church. Fr. Gierlach, who retired as Rector of St. Elizabeth's in November 2023 and currently leads the Social Justice committee of the Diocese, will take up this ministry at the first of the new year.

Important Reminder Regarding Church Annual Meetings & Special Delegate Roles in 2026

As churches prepare for their annual meetings coming up in January, we remind all about the special circumstances affecting your delegates this coming year. Be sure to read the Special Announcement that went out on Wednesday, December 10, with important information regarding your upcoming Annual Meetings. (Click HERE to read.) Elected delegates to convention 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).

Deadline to register is Thursday, January 1

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.

Coming Up! (Note corrected start time)

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 ten o'clock in the morning

The Cathedral of St. Andrew

229 Queen Emma Square

Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813

Clergy will vest in St. Paul's ~

Red or Palaka Stoles

Reminder - Deadline to apply is January 9, 2006!

United Thank Offering Annual Grant Applicants

The United Thank Offering Board is delighted to announce the opening of applications for its 2026 annual grants, seeking projects that focus on justice through bridging divides. The deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m. (ET). January 9 2026. for Anglican Communion partners and 5:00 p.m. (ET) January 30, 2026, for Episcopal Church applicants. For more information and details on how to apply, visit their website HERE.

Merry Christmas! (Taking a holiday break ~ Visit our webpage HERE)

Merry Christmas! (Taking a holiday break ~ Visit our webpage HERE.)

OPPORTUNITIES

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

ISLAND HAPPENINGS

Visit the Diocese's Community Calendar page HERE for ongoing activities in your neighborhood.

AT THE CATHEDRAL...

Sunday, December 28

Ali'i Sunday Commemorating Queen Kapi'olani

Sunday, January 4

Ali'i Sunday Commemorating Queen Emma

The Cathedral of St. Andrew

ANNUAL MEETING

Sunday, January 18, 2026

9:15 a.m.

Our Beloved Haaheo Guanson

When you come into the Cathedral, please do take a moment, as you can, and offer a message or memory to Kahu Haaheo’s book located in the Queen Liliʻuokalani Peace Chapel. As we remember and celebrate the time we were blessed to share with her and her incredible life dedicated to peace work throughout the world, writing down the moments that remain vibrant and noting them is something we can capture for them — and for us, too. Flip through the pages as you add your own note. And speak your “Alleluia” out loud for God’s presence with us and God’s promise of rest and peace at the last.

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

www.cathedralhawaii.org

The Episcopal Church & Beyond...

Reminders (Previously Announced)

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 April 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.