Aloha ke Akua:

The theme of this year’s Annual Meeting will be “Pili Pa‘a.” We will gather singing – by gracious permission of its Big Island composer, Mr. Joe Camacho – a wonderful contemporary hymn (with this refrain): “Pili pa‘a no ka kua me ke aloha a mau loa. We come together in love and hope, we come as one.”

Our one-day annual meeting of Convention will take place on Saturday, October 30, in the Tenney Theatre of the Cathedral of St. Andrew. The Convention Eucharist will take place the evening before (Friday, October 29) following a diocesan Leadership Training Day.

We will “come together” and be the “Diocese.” There is no more important gathering in our common life than the Convention. Episcopal congregations only exist as members of the Convention of the Diocese. The Convention elects the Bishop. The Diocesan Council acts on behalf of the Convention in recess. The Convention exists all year round and can be called into session when needed, but it must meet annually in October to adopt the diocesan budget, elect leaders for the Diocese and to embody the Diocese gathered.

As a diocesan ‘ohana, the Convention is our “family meeting.” It is about far more than business. This gathering sets our course and plots a way to the future.

I have now been Bishop just over three and a half years. With the economic realities of our community and world, these have been interesting times. I have been encouraged as God’s people have increased their giving to the Church and congregations have doubled efforts to care for the hungry and the homeless. We have established new ministries and reach out in new ways. I have been blessed to share in our common ministry and by your generosity. Mahalo.

I propose that this 42nd Annual Meeting of the Convention will also begin a time to redirect our mission as a Diocese. We must clarify the goals of the Diocese to focus our resources and provide for measurable outcomes for our ministries.

There are some key ministries I would like to strengthen in the next few months:

1. The Diversity Commission. This group has worked to develop the canonically required "Anti-Racism" training for our Diocese. We had a small cadre of trained leaders, but work demands have forced resignations. It would be most helpful to have six to eight folk on this Commission to act as facilitators for Hawai'i appropriate training. It is also vital the members of the Commission reflect the full cultural and ethnic diversity of the Diocese. I view the opportunity and openness to cultural/ethnic diversity as central to being welcoming and inclusive congregations. We each must look at our own "ice bergs" (as Eric Law might suggest) before we can truly welcome others into our corner of God's waters.

2. The Pacific Islander Ministry Commission. The Reverend Simone Lino has been working at St. Elizabeth's Church, Honolulu, on an outreach to immigrant Micronesians with the support of diocesan resources. His work has expanded to St. Peter’s Church and St. Mary’s Church. His success connecting with historically non-Anglican, economically disadvantaged newly arrived immigrants from Micronesian may be unique in The Episcopal Church. The ministry has moved beyond providing social services (food, youth programs, etc.) to incorporation of those served into the worship and fellowship of the congregation. I think it imperative for the Diocese to now seek to expand this ministry, and to learn ways to reach this population and other Pacific islanders new to these islands in other churches. This Commission is an expansion of the ministry to provide diocesan involvement and to expand the focus.

3. The Stewardship Commission. I think it important that we continue the work begun this year to renew our diocesan focus on Stewardship. This is not, of course, just about money, but of all that is entrusted into our care by God. This is not a Commission that needs members "learning" about stewardship, but I need folk who already are leaders in giving of their time, talent and money in their local congregations and communities. Folk who tithe themselves would be a plus.

4. The Congregational Health and Growth Commission. This is our evangelism and congregational growth commission. Though it is charged with oversight of the congregations receiving grants from the diocesan budget, I see it as the center of passion and energy to help our congregations grow numerically and in the Spirit. It must have members excited to share the Good News of God in Jesus Christ. It would be helpful to include folk with demographic analysis skills, backgrounds in marketing and keen understanding of population trends in local communities. We need lively, passionate evangelists.

5. The Emerging Generations Commission. I have asked this commission to focus on Campus ministry (at the MacCray Center and in support of other campuses) and local congregational ministries (especially high school and young adult). Members of the Diocese have repeatedly described this area of mission as “important”. This Commission will have to work with the Camps and Conferences Commission. It may need to take on some of the activities of that Commission or even to see the Camps and Conferences Commission completely merged into this Commission as a part of the Discipleship Department of Diocesan Council. Realistically, we must evaluate whether two commissions are practical in a Diocese our size. This Commission may need to form teams to focus in particular areas, but to still be able to pool resources and leadership. I need to appoint folk passionate about this ministry and willing to be engaged -- being organized and a self-starter is a real plus. I have limited background in this area (other than as a parish priest with youth groups and being baptized myself as a college student) and there has been no staff person in the Bishop’s office for this area in some years; I, therefore, need the help and involvement of a solid team of committed volunteers.