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38th Annual Meeting of the Convention
Response to the Bishop’s Address
A priest (actually he was a canon and we won’t mention his name, but we’ll call him…hmmmm… “Bob”) was crossing Queen Emma Square one day, when a frog called out to him and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a Chinese Bishop and serve the people for 2 more years."
Bob bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket. The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me, I’ll train you to be the next Bishop and teach you some Bishop magic."
Bob took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to his pocket.
The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me, you'll live in Hawaii forever, and more importantly, you’ll get the best parking space at the office.”
Again Bob took the frog out, smiled at it, rocked from side to side as he really thought hard. He eventually put it back into his pocket.
Finally, exasperated the frog asked, "Buddy, what is the matter with you? I've told you that I’ll turn into a Chinese Bishop and serve for 2 more years, that I’ll train you to be the next Bishop and teach you Bishop magic, and that you’ll live in Hawaii with a choice parking spot at the office. Why won't you kiss me?"
Bob, with a slight frown on his face, as he contemplated his answer, said, “Look, a Bishop, magic, parking…all that is just all right. But a talking frog, now that's really cool!"
Bishop, I’m not sure why it took you 40 years to create a title for your address…it took our committee only 2 minutes!!
(slide: bishop’s photo “40 years!” vs. committee graphic “2 minutes!”)
“An Earthquake in the Midst of Advent”
(slide: title of response)
Everyone in this room was most likely affected by the earthquake last Sunday morning. How were you affected? Shaken up? Frightened? Worried about others and making sure of their safety? Calming anxiety in your children? Was anything damaged? Did you lose anything valuable?
The transition that the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii is experiencing can be likened to this earthquake we experienced. We felt anxiety, uncertainty, and fear on Sunday. We may also have lost some things that we have perceived to be of value. But what is strong has survived. Similarly, our Diocese will survive this transition in the midst of transformation because of the strong foundation of our mission and calling, which the Bishop has reminded us is to reconcile all people to God and to one another.
Hawaii’s earthquake was a major news story on the mainland and beyond. Just think if you were hearing the news unfold about a statewide power outage, the Governor’s emergency declaration, the request to the White House for emergency funding, the damage to roads and buildings, the establishment of an Episcopal Relief and Development fund…
Does this sound like Katrina relived? Wouldn’t you think the worst of the situation? From the outside looking in, it sometimes appears worse than for those in the midst of the trauma. We’re OK and we’re in the middle of the shake up. We are personally involved and affected, and it’s really not that bad. Sometimes, we as individuals find issues to be overwhelming in its entirety, but when we make a decision to get closer to the details of the issue and break it down, we find that we can make a difference, we can support each other, and the situation is no longer such a negative roadblock to progress.
Bishop, you have called us to take up a personal spiritual transformation. We stand ready to get personally involved and transform ourselves individually in order to carry out our baptismal covenant. All the Bishop candidates spoke favorably of our strategic plan. The burning questions were “Are we ready?” and “Do we mean it?” The answer to these questions is a resounding “YES”!! It is a challenge that will strengthen us. Such a transformation may appear to be an overwhelming and monumental endeavor and change of lifestyles, but we are strong and we will face the challenge head on. We are taking steps to make a difference and support each other.
The task force report on Resolution 15 includes examples of congregations meeting this challenge head on. We are making progress in being transformed. There is surely more that is happening and much more that needs to happen. As Bishop Chang said: There are clergy who do not teach, laity who do not take responsibility, and lay leaders who are not role models when it comes to personal transformation. BUT, folks, there is always enough blame to go around. We will stop making excuses and we will commit ourselves to continue this journey of individual transformation. We will go forward, without looking back. The journey is begun…there is no turning back…
The result of our labors will be a “new church,” one with a spirit of reconciliation, as we embrace the concepts of sustainability and interdependence. These two key concepts supporting our goal for this coming year as stated in the task force report focuses on relationships. Relationships will be made right – relationships with God and with each other. Only then can we experience the full wonder of God and his creation. We need to all feel a humility that comes with changing ourselves from the inside out – personal transformation. We need to depend on each other and be responsible to one another. Let us show Bishop Chang and Bishop-Elect Fitzpatrick that humility - our humble spirit.
(slide: Romans 2:2) As Paul said in his letter to the Romans: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Paul goes on to tell the Romans not to think more highly than they ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Here we are, back to that “humble spirit.”
As a Diocese, let’s all vow to strive to possess humility, to not be so set in our ways, to listen, to discern. Earthquakes can shake us up physically from the outside and wake us up, but we need to also have the humility to be shaken and transformed from the inside.
Let us pray that each one of us seriously considers a step toward personal spiritual transformation, starting this Advent season. And may this transformation be contagious. Share it with the person in the next pew; tell your story to others within your congregation. Spread it to other congregations; learn from each other. Get personally involved. As the Bishop stated, only then will the transformation of the Diocese be a reality.
Dick and Dee, you were sent to us at an appropriate time in the life of this Diocese, when we needed your leadership during the “shake up” of the late ‘90s. You were an unwavering presence amidst uncertain and unstable ecclesiastical realities. You were the right person at the right time in our history. We all survived that earthquake too. In fact, we not only survived, but are starting to thrive as a Diocese – congregations and individuals are being transformed.
No words can really express our gratitude to you for the ten years of nurturing… except that old-time adage: (slide)
“Time sure is fun when you’re having flies!!” (slide) Ribbit…!