Come Serve in Hawai'i Short-term

The Diocese of Hawai‘i occasionally has positions for which we need a priest to serve for a short period of time. Although these are usually in congregations that are in transition — in other words, between regularly settled rectors or vicars — they are not “typical” interim positions. These days, we rarely use traditional interims and then only in special situations, such as following a long-term pastorate or when a congregation is in conflict. When we do use traditional interim ministry, we typically draw from among our own resident clergy.

The short-term positions that we do offer can last for several weeks to several months. Often the length of time is determined by the availability of the priest and the preference of the congregation. We have had clergy from other dioceses who are on sabbatical serve for six to eight weeks in a congregation that was in transition. We have also had retired clergy come and serve for several months, in some cases with the intention to return regularly. Some of our congregations, during a transition, simply use supply clergy from among our own resident clergy; others require or desire a more constant clergy presence, without needing a full interim ministry.

Currently four churches in the Diocese are offering the possibility of a short-term stay. Note that they are in remote, rural areas. Also, please note that they may be booked well into the future. 
  • St. Augustine's Episcopal Church: Located on the northeast tip of Hawai'i island, St. Augustine's is a warm and welcoming congregation. We invite you to combine your vacation with Sunday pulpit supply: celebrate Eucharist and preach at the 7 & 9 AM Sunday services. We will provide housing and rental car. Compensation will be the Diocesan rate for supply clergy.  You will be responsible for your round trip travel into/out of Kona (KOA).  We need a supply priest one Sunday every month.  Plan your vacation/supply trip around one of these Sundays:  July 16, August 6, September 10, October 8, November 5, December 3.  Housing is in the Vicar's ohana in Kohala Estates, about 20 minutes from the church.  For information, contact:  The Rev. Diana Akiyama at vicardiana@staugustineskohala.com
  • The Episcopal Church on West Kaua‘i (ECWK): The westernmost Episcopal church in the United States, consisting of two chapels, St. Paul’s (8 am service) in Kekaha and St. John’s (10 am service) in ‘Ele'ele. ECWK is serving as a "sabbatical site" in which a priest offers Sunday services and emergency pastoral care in exchange for living in a furnished vicarage, which was recently refurbished, and having a vehicle to drive. This ministry began in January 2012. ECWK prefers that priests stay for at least two months.  Currently ECWK is accepting applications for 2018 and 2019. 
  • St. Columba’s Church:  St. Columba’s Church, Pa’auilo, Big Island (Island of Hawai’i), is a mission replant congregation of St. James’ Parish, located along the beautiful Hamakua Coast. The parish office is at St. James’ Church, located 20 miles away in Waimea (also known as Kamuela by the USPS). We offer a newly refurbished 3 bedroom/2 bath vicarage decorated in a tropical bungalow style and use of a vehicle in exchange for Sunday services, coverage of pastoral emergences for the St. Columba’s congregation, and the taking of home communions to our shut-ins, most of all of whom are at the near by nursing/rehab facility. If our parish rector is off-island during your stay, you will be asked to take pastoral emergencies for the entire parish. Know that every effort will be made to let you know of this need before you come. You may also be asked to preach and/preside at one of our our weekly, Saturday 5:00pm Beach Masses. While a minimum of three Sundays is normally required, we prefer priests that are able to be in residence for at least 2 or more months. You may click HERE for an overview of this ministry opportunity.  After confirming dates with the church, you'd write to Bishop Fitzpatrick asking for permission to serve as St. James' Parish (St. Columba's, St. James', and Beach Mass at Kawaihae).  Should you come, you will be welcomed with aloha at the Hilo airport and find a warm, joyful congregation waiting to greet you.  *NOTE:  They are currently fully booked until July 1, 2018; however, cancellations do occur.  If you are interested in serving for an upcoming date, please send an e-mail to the Rev. David Stout at FrDavid@StJamesHawaii.org to check on status.
  • St. Jude's Episcopal Mission, Ocean View, Big Island (Island of Hawai'i): The southernmost Episcopal church in the United States. St. Jude's offers a new, furnished vicarage that can sleep 2 to 4 people in exchange for Sunday supply. The church also provides a car, and someone from the congregation will meet you at either the Kona airport (1.5 hours) or the Hilo airport (2.5 hours) and transport you to the church. This ministry opportunity began in February 2013. Currently St. Jude's is booked through May 2019.  Please click HERE to view St. Jude's short-term ministry brochure.

availability

Please contact the church directly for additional information about the short-term ministry opportunity or to inquire about availability and suitability.

Kauai: 
The Episcopal Church on West Kaua'i (ECWK) 808.335.5533.

Big Island: 
St. Augustine's (June 4 & 11, 2017 only)
​vicardiana@staugustineskohala.com

St. Columba's Church in St. James' Parish
frdavid@stjameshawaii.org
808-885-4923

St. Jude's Episcopal Mission
StJudeHawaii@bak.rr.com.

Please note: If you have agreed on suitable dates with the ministry site, please follow the below instructions for applying for short-term permission to serve at the church from Bishop Fitzpatrick.

Contact

Please send all documents to Irina Martikainen, Executive Assistant to Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick.

For more general information about transition in the Diocese of Hawai‘i, see the Transition Ministry page.

Applying for Short-Term Permission

For clergy other than those canonically resident or already licensed in the Diocese of Hawai‘i, you must first be approved by the Office of the Bishop. The Bishop grants temporary permission to serve in a particular congregation only, for a specified period of time.

In order to grant permission, we need the following documents sent to the contact information, above:
  • A completed Application Form (download and complete);
  • A completed background check (download the authorization form).  Submit to Irina Martikainen by e-mail or fax (808-538-7194);
  • A letter of good standing from the Bishop of the Diocese where you are canonically resident (addressed to Bishop Fitzpatrick);
  • Certification that you have completed both Safeguarding God's Children and Safeguarding God's People, or their equivalents.