Come Serve in Hawaii Short Term

COME SERVE IN HAWAIʻI SHORT-TERM

The Diocese of Hawai‘i regularly has positions for which there is a need for a priest to serve for a short period of time. These are not “typical” interim positions.

The short-term positions that are available can last for several weeks to several months, with the length of time 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 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.

Clergy serving 3 months or more will become an employee of that congregation. Please click HERE to see the Supply and Visiting Clergy Policy under the Clergy Compensation section.

Currently two congregations 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. 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. Please click HERE to view St. Jude's short-term ministry brochure.
Christ Memorial Episcopal Church, a Mission at the entrance to Kilauea town on the Island of Kauaʻi, we are the Northern most Episcopal church in Hawaiʻi. Christ Memorial offers a new, furnished vicarage that can sleep 2 to 4 people in exchange for Sunday worship at our Rite II 8 and 9:30 services starting October 2023. The church also provides a car and someone from the congregation meeting you at the Lihue airport (30 mins) and transporting you to the church and vicarage. This ministry opportunity began in November 2020 and requires a 3 month commitment to preach and offer a six week class on Zoom for one hour Thursday mornings. Airfare and stipend offered. Please click HERE to view our Christ Memorial Clergy In Residence Program brochure.

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

Questions?

Please contact Nani Carroll, Executive Assistant to Bishop Fitzpatrick and Canon Sandy Graham.

Instructions

First, please contact the church directly for additional information about the short-term ministry opportunity, availability, and suitability.

Big Island:
St. Jude's Episcopal Mission
Ms. Cordelia Burt

Kauaʻi:
Christ Memorial Episcopal Church
Ms. Maggie Lea or Ms. Phyllis Somers

Please note: Once you have agreed with the church on suitable dates, please follow the below instructions for applying for short-term permission in Hawai'i.

Applying for Short-Term Permission

Once you've made initial arrangements with the congregation to be available on a short-term basis, you must request permission from Bishop Fitzpatrick to serve in the Diocese of Hawai'i.

To do so, please send the following documents to Nani Carroll:

A completed Application Form (download and complete);
A completed background check (download the authorization form.
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 your Diocese's Safe Church requirements, or their equivalents.