January 8, 2026

This issue's header photo was taken at The Cathedral of St. Andrew during the ordinations of the Rev. Erin Richardson Severin and the Rev. Hannah Lee Sung, on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Clergy turned out in force to celebrate this most auspicious occasion! See more photos in the Bishop's Corner and special Feature Story section further below. (Photo from the Bishop's Facebook page)

First Sunday After the Epiphany

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

IN THIS ISSUE:

FEATURE STORY

Two New Priests Ordained: Erin Richardson Severin and Hannah Lee Sung

REGULAR FEATURED SECTIONS:

Bishop's Corner - Holiday Visitations & Ordinations
Bishop Search & Transition - Update: Interviews being conducted
Growing in Grace - Invitation to Join the Next Session of Insight Space - Sign up now!
Island Happenings - At the Cathedral

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING:

Diocesan Support Center Welcomes Kaori Matsumoto
Diocese of Hawai'i Annual Clergy Retreat - Registration is open!
Important Reminders Regarding Church Annual Meetings
Coming Up: Maui - Renewal of Ministry, the Rev. Amy Crowe

THE BISHOP'S CORNER

Holiday Visitations & Ordinations!

Pictured above, on December 28, the First Sunday after Christmas, I was at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Waimānalo, with God’s people from that Mission and from Emmanuel, Kailua. I was blessed to officiate at the Baptism of Kamea Toi. Kamea teaches ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi at Waipahu High School (my son, James, teaches there as well). Below, It was my joy and honor to ordain Hannah and Erin to the priesthood this morning in the Cathedral. Lord, grant these priests the wisdom to serve with humility, courage, and truth. May their words reflect Your guidance and their actions reveal Your love. Amen. (Photos and captioning from the Bishop's Facebook page)

On Sunday, January 4, 2026, the Bishop visited Christ Church on Hawai'i Island, where two were baptized, one confirmed, and four reaffirmed. Pictured below from left, the Bishop lays hands on the Rev. Dwight Miller during his reaffirmation, Julia Lester is baptized, and with Bea at the post-service reception. (Photos: Christ Church newsletter)

Be sure to stay informed with the Bishop's latest messages by clicking on the button shown. All video messages also appear on the Dioceseʻs YouTube Channel and Facebook page.

FEATURE STORY

Two New Priests Ordained: Erin Richardson Severin & Hannah Lee Sung

The Diocese of Hawai'i is off to a great start for the new year with the ordination of two priests! On Saturday, January 3, 2026, Erin Keakealani Richardson Severin and Gloria "Hannah" Ji-Eun Lee were ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests at The Cathedral of St. Andrew in Honolulu.

Back in March of 2025, as part of their journey to the priesthood, Erin and Hannah were ordained to the Transitional Diaconate (Chronicle, March 27, 2025) at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Honolulu. Together again, they shared in this most joyful celebration with family and friends in attendance, and over two dozen clergy who vested in support of their newest colleagues.

READ FULL ARTICLE

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DIOCESE

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

The Bishop Search Committee thanks everyone for their prayers for our initial discernment of applicants during the month of December. During January and the first week of February we will be conducting interviews. Please continue to hold us in prayer as our journey continues.Stay informed about the status and related events on the Bishop Transition webpage HERE.

Diocesan Support Center Welcomes Kaori Matsumoto

We are pleased to officially welcome Kaori Matsumoto, the Diocese's Operations Assistant. Kaori arrived in early October, just in time to help with Convention 57, and we are so happy that she wasn't scared off! Kaori is originally from Japan but grew up on the East Coast and in Hong Kong. She graduated from a university in Japan. Her work experience is mainly in the financial services industry, which brought her to Hawai'i 20 years ago. Working for a non-profit religious organization is a first for Kaori.

"There will be a lot of learning to do, but I am excited to be joining this team," shared Kaori. She can be reached at (808) 536-7776, extension 305.

Registration is now open!

Diocese of Hawai'i's Annual Clergy Retreat

All clergy in the Diocese are invited to attend the annual Clergy Retreat at Camp Mokulē'ia, beginning on Monday, January 26 through lunch on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Participants will be led on a journey of body, mind, and spirit, with sessions involving Centering Prayer, Tai Chi, meditation practices, and the Enneagram Navigation Process. Other acitivites will include walking the labyrinth, one-on-one sessions with the Enneagram leader, and free time to enjoy all that the Camp has to offer. For more information on the sessions and retreat schedule, visit the event webpage HERE, or to reserve your spot at the retreat, click on the button below to register now! Deadline to register is Monday, January 19.

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).

Invitation to Join the Next Session of Insight Space

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

I am pleased to share that we will be offering another session of Insight Space, a four-month program designed to support individuals discerning a call to ordained ministry as well as those seeking to serve as licensed lay ministers.

Insight Space is an initial step for individuals seeking lay or ordained ministry in our diocese and the wider Church. It provides a dedicated time for individuals to explore the meaning of lay and ordained ministry. Insight Space is open to anyone in our congregations. The experience is tailored to the specific paths of ordination and licensed lay ministry to ensure meaningful formation.

Our first session will begin on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 9:00 am to noon via Zoom. Here are the dates for our gatherings:

Saturday, February 14, 2026 – 9:00 am to noon
Saturday, March 14, 2026 – 9:00 am to noon
Saturday, April 11, 2026 – 9:00 am to noon
Saturday, May 9, 2026 – 9:00 am to noon

Click HERE to register. The deadline to register is Saturday, January 31, 2026.

If you feel called to participate in our cohort starting this February, please make sure to reach out to your rector, vicar, priest-in-charge, or senior warden/bishop’s warden – if there is no sitting clergyperson at your congregation – to get his/her/their endorsement and assurance of support as you go through Insight Space.

We look forward to another season of deep listening, exploration, and formation in ministry.

Happy New Year! (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

Annual Clergy Retreat: January 26-28 - Camp Mokulē'ia
Annual Chrism Mass & Spring Training: Saturday, February 28 - Cathedral of St. Andrew
Ke Aloha Kākou Candidate Meet-and-Greets: April 23-26, all islands! More info HERE.
SPECIAL MEETING OF CONVENTION: Saturday, May 16 - Election of new bishop, 'Iolani School

ISLAND HAPPENINGS

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

AT THE CATHEDRAL...

Pictured above are photos captured at the Ali'i Sunday service on Sunday, January 4, 2026, commemorating Queen Emma. At left, Verger Roth Puahala reads the Queen's biography as Dean Heather looks on, and at right, Leilani Kahoano portrays Queen Emma in a stunning holoku gown! (Contributed photos)

Coming Up!

The Cathedral of St. Andrew

ANNUAL MEETING

Sunday, January 18, 2026

9:15 a.m.

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

www.cathedralhawaii.org

Coming Up!

MAUI - Renewal of Ministry, the Rev. Amy Crowe

Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick will be celebrating The Renewal of Ministry and Welcoming of a New Vicar for Trinity By-the-Sea's new Vicar, the Rev. Amy Crowe. The service will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. A catered lunch will follow. Please RSVP by January 15th to joan@trinitybts.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.