FORMS & DOCUMENTS

Forms and documents have now been categorized and listed in alphabetical order by sections. To go directly to a section, click on a button below. Not sure of the category?  Feel free to scroll through, or to do a search on this page, press Control + F (for PCs) or Command + F (for Macs) and enter the name of the document or subject you are looking for.

Administration

(Includes Membership, Operations & Policies)

​Governance

(Congregational & Diocesan)

Property

(Includes Contracts, Insurance, Leases)

Education

(Continuing & Waiolaihui'ia)

Human Resources

(Employee, Insurance, Pensions)

Sacraments

(Includes Worship)

Finance

(Includes Accounting, Budget, Investments)

Licensed Ministries

(Link to Licensed Ministries web page)

Stewardship

(Includes Planned Giving)

 

Administration
(Includes Membership, Operations, Policies)

Alcohol Policy

• Policy: Alcohol Policy -  Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick reminds all congregations of the expectation to follow the alcohol policy.
• Church Insurance Recommendations - From the Church Insurance Agency Corporation regarding Liquor Liability.

Attorney Work/Charges:  Policy for Charges to Congregations and Related Entities for Attorney Work - Adopted August 17, 2019

Church Leaders Form (formerly known as Certificate of Election and Church Officials List:​  Church Leaders form.  

COVID19:
(Summary of) COVID-19 Vaccination Policies as of 2021-09-23
COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for Non-Clergy Employees & New Hires

• The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Vaccination Policy and FAQ's
• The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation Form
• The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Vaccination Exception Request Form ​

​COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for Clergy, Volunteers & Worshipers

Directories

• Church Directory - Downloadable by Clergy, Church Administrators, and Vestries/Bishop's Committees.   Please note: a password is required to open this document. Please contact Denise for your password.
• Clergy Directory - Downloadable by clergy only.  Please note: a password is required to open this document.  Please contact Denise for your password.

Letter of Transfer​:  Please see Membership, Transfer of below for a sample template.  

Media Release Form:  Click HERE for the Diocese's online Church Media Release form.  Individual churches should obtain and keep on file a similar media release form for its members, especially for youth under the age of 18.

Membership, Congregational​:  Click HERE for the Bishop's Pastoral Memo on Congregational Membership.

Membership, Transfer of​:  Please click HERE for instructions and a sample template.  

Parochial Reports

• Please visit the General Convention Parochial Report website HERE for current blank form and instructions.
• The annual form that must be completed online by each congregation.  Due date: March 1.​

Prayer Calendar:  Please visit the "Prayer Calendar" page for the list.

Social Media Policy​:  The Social Media Policy contains suggested practices for social media use in the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi- Adopted 5/11/2019

Supply Clergy: ​ Please visit the Supply Clergy page.

Thrift Shop:  This Thrift Shop Memo explains laws limiting what church thrift shops may sell/re-sell regarding children's products.  There is no exception for charities, including church thrift stores.

Travel

• For travel-related reimbursements, please see the "Reimbursements" section, above.
• Inter-island Air Only Travel Procedures - procedures for making Diocesan Support Center approved inter-island air travel reservations through the Diocesan Air Travel Coordinator.

Travel - Youth

• Youth AIR Travel Approval Form – To be used by Coordinators of youth events in the Diocese that require INTER-ISLAND travel.
• Youth Transportation Request for Funds – To be used by Coordinators of youth events in the Diocese that require LAND transportation.
• Youth Travel Scholarship Application – To be completed by youth applying for a scholarship to help pay for the cost of inter-island airfare to events within the Diocese.

Videoconference:  This Video- and Tele- Conference Etiquette guide provides tipson how to improve your video- and tele-conference meetings.

Visitations

• Form to Complete - This online form must be submitted at least 60 days in advance of the scheduled Visitation. 
• Guidelines - Guidelines to help you plan for the Bishop's Visitation.
• Visitation Checklist - A checklist of the documents the Bishop reviews during the Visitation.
• Diocesan Customary - A memo from the Bishop regarding the Rites and Liturgies, Holy Baptism and Holy Communion, the authorized Lectionary, and meetings that could be scheduled during the Visitation.

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Education

Continuing Education​:  Please visit the "Continuing Education" page.

Waiolaihui'ia

• Application - Waiolaihui‘ia (“Gathering of the Waters”) is our Diocese’s local formation program for those seeking ordination as a Vocational Deacon or Priest.  Learn more about this program on the Waiolaihui'ia webpage.

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Finance
(Includes Accounting, Budget, Investments)

Accounting

• Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs - From The Episcopal Church, provides information and advice on sound, practical internal controls, accounting guidelines, and business practices. Scroll down to Handbooks section for a link to view the manual.

• Records Management - Records Retention and Management policies from The Episcopal Church.
• Cash Flow Worksheet - Use this worksheet to help you determine if you will have enough income to cover expenses.

Alms Fund

• Alms Fund: Description and Audit Guidelines - Understand what an Alms Fund is and isn't, as well as how to conduct an audit of an Alms Fund.      
• Worksheet for Audit of Alms Fund - Track your Audit results (should be audited annually).  Keep the completed report in the Church's files.

Assessment, Diocesan

• Click here for an explanation of how Diocesan assessment is calculated

Audits
For information regarding Auditing an Alms Fund, please see "Alms Fund", above.​

• 2020 Financial Statements for The Episcopal Church in Hawai'i (audited) - Available here for review.
• Audits of Churches (Requirements) - Read this statement to learn what the Canons require.
• 2018 Agreed Upon Procedures - This is the Engagement Agreement with Auditors.
• 2021 Pre-review Questionnaire: PDF or Word 
• Click HERE for the Schedule of Funds excel template
• Click HERE to upload confidential documents

Budgets

• 2022 Approved Budget Narrative and
• 2022 Approved Budget Numbers - Includes the 2023-2024 Forecast
• 2021 Approved Budget Narrative and
• 2021 Approved Budget Numbers -  Includes the 2022-2023 Forecast

Clergy Compensation

• 2022 Minimum Clergy Compensation Benefit Policy - As approved at the 53rd Annual Meeting of Convention on October 23, 2021.
• 2022 Supply Clergy Compensation - A breakdown of the pertinent section of the 2022 Minimum Clergy Compensation Benefit Policy approved at the 53rd Annual Meeting of Convention on October 23, 2021.
• Supply and Visiting Clergy Policy - Defines each, along with expectations and congregational allowances for length of service.
• Sample Housing Allowance resolutions for adoption by Vestry/Bishop's Committee.
• Additional information is also available on the Diocese's "Church Pension Fund" page.

Compensation Review:  Compensation Review Committee Report Form - Report from Compensation Review Committee to fulfill Diocesan Canon 38.2.

Fundraising:  The Fundraising Policy for churches, schools, and any ancillary groups of the Diocese adopted August 17, 2019

Grants

• Grant Funding Guidelines (valid 2020) - Includes Diocesan grant funding information, eligibility criteria, and submission process.  For a grant budget template, please click HERE for an Excel spreadsheet.  Submit online here.
• ​2020 Grant Submission Deadlines: Fri, Feb 21;  Fri, Mar 27;  Fri, Apr 24;  Fri, May 22;  Fri, June 26;  Fri, July 24;  Fri, Aug 21;  Fri, Sept 25;  Fri, Oct 23;  Fri, Nov 20;  Fri, Dec 18

Handbook: Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs - Provides information and advice on sound, practical internal controls, accounting guidelines, and business practices. 

Investments

• The Management of Investments for the Pooled Endowment Fund of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i (2020) - The fund, its objectives and how it functions.
• Description of the Investment Portfolio of the Diocese - Diocesan Investment Funds: its description, use, and restrictions.
• Statement of Investment Objectives and Policy Guidelines (March 2019) - Regarding the pooled endowment fund of The Episcopal Church in Hawai‘i.
• Endowment Funds Deposit Request Form - CURRENT - to deposit funds into a fund that already exists
• Endowment Funds Deposit Request Form - NEW - to create a new fund
• Endowment Funds Withdrawal Request Form

Reimbursement Requests

• Check Request Form - Excel Spreadsheet for submitting receipts or invoices, requesting payment or reimbursement (ex: purchase of supplies).
• Travel Expense Report - Excel spreadsheet used after multi-day travel to submit receipts for hotel, car rental, meals, fuel, etc.

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Governance
(Includes Canons, Bylaws, Convention)

Annual Meeting

• For information regarding the Diocesan Annual Meeting, please visit the "Convention" page.
• For the forms required from each church's Annual Meeting, please scroll down on this page to "Church Leaders Form".

Bylaws

• For links to the Bylaws for the Episcopal Church in Hawai'i, please see "Legal", below.  
• Model Bylaws for Mission churches, please contact The Rev. Cn. Sandy Graham.  
• Model Bylaws for Parishes, please contact The Rev. Cn. Sandy Graham.

Conflict of Interest: ​Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i Conflict of Interest Policy - Adopted 5/11/2019

Canons:​  For links to the Canons for the Episcopal Church in Hawai‘i, please see "Legal", below.  

Constitution​:  For a link to the Constitution for the Episcopal Church in Hawai‘i, please see "Legal", below.

Convention​:  Please visit the "Convention" page for all forms and documents related to the Diocesan Annual Meeting of Convention.

Handbook:  Vestry Resource Guide - Available from the Episcopal Church Foundation and recommended for every vestry and Bishop's Committee member.  Topics covered include leading a community of faith, origins of conflict, stewardship, and navigating transitions in clergy leadership. 

Journals - For Journals for past Annual Meetings of the Diocesan Convention, please visit the "Past Meetings of Convention" page.

Legal - Legal documents for the Episcopal Church in Hawai'i (TECH), which is the legal, corporate name of the Diocese.

• Table of Contents
• Charter of Incorporation
• Constitution
• Canons
• Rules of Order
• Bylaws
• Glossary
• Index

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Human Resources

Background Checks:  Background checks will be conducted on all clergy.  Churches are strongly encouraged to conduct background checks of their employees and volunteers in order to verify the absence of any current or past Sexual Misconduct allegations, criminal record, professional misconduct or paraphiliac behavior.

• Churches are responsible for running their own background checks on non-clergy employees, volunteers, etc.  We recommend Oxford Documents or Praesidium.  It’s a background check that’s includes criminal (national, state AND local), sexual predator, SSN trace, and a reference check.  If the job requires driving for anything (ex: errands), a driving check is required.  If the job requires dealing with or handling money, a credit check is required.  Please work with either Oxford Documents or Praesidium to set up your account for conducting background checks.  Please contact Denise Esposito with any questions regarding background checks.

Employment

• If you'd like to see the diocesan Employee Handbook, please see "Handbooks", below.
• For information on background checks, which are required for all employees, please see "Background Checks", above.
• You may also want to see "Insurance" or "Clergy Compensation" for other employment-related information
• Form I-9 and Instructions - Employment Eligibility Verification Form (required)
• Form W-4 - Government Tax Withholding Form (required)
• Form HW-4 - Hawaii State Tax Withholding Form (required)
• New Hire Reporting - Instructions for reporting new hires (required)
• New Employee Checklist - A helpful template of a checklist to be used when hiring new employees.
• IRS Pub 1779 - Independent Contract or Employee
• IRS Pub 15-A - Employer's Supplemental Tax Guide - Independent Contractor or Employee?

Handbook:  Employee Handbook for the Diocesan Support Center - Churches may adapt it for their own use, but the final version should be checked with an employment attorney.

Insurance, Medical - Medical insurance coverage is required of all employees working 20 or more hours per week.

• ​Health Insurance - Access downloadable HMSA and ACA documents for eligible employees.

Pensions

• Employee Guide - contains the various investment options and the beneficiary form. This guide is mailed to an employee’s home once they are enrolled into the plan by Fidelity Investments.
• Employer Guide (for the Defined Contribution Plan) - Contains the Employee Application form and the Adoption Agreement.
• Clergy Employees - Please visit the "Church Pension Fund" page.

Safe Church​:  Please visit our Safe Church Trainings page.

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Licensed Ministries

Catechists​:  Please visit the "Licensed Ministries" page. 

Eucharistic Ministers and Visitors​:  Please visit the "Licensed Ministries" page. 

Licensed Ministries​:  Please visit the "Licensed Ministries" page. 

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Property
(Includes Contracts, Leases, Property Insurance)

Contracts (Construction and Repair)

• Checklist for Contracts - A checklist to help remind you of the necessary documentation prior to submitting to the Diocese for approval.
• Diocesan Policy for Construction and Repair Contracts - Read this to make sure you're meeting the Diocese's requirements.
• Dealing with Outside Contractors - Helpful suggestions and recommendations to help reduce construction and maintenance risks.  Issued by the Church Insurance Agency.
• Construction Addendum - This addendum is to be used if you receive a bid/proposal/quote, but no actual contract from the contractor, and attached to bid/proposal/quote.
• Construction Agreement (over $50,000) - A template to use for jobs $50,000 or more.
• Loans Checklist & Loan Request Form - A checklist and request form for you to use if you need to take out a loan for your project.

Disaster Preparedness:  Please visit Episcopal Relief & Development's (ERD) website for great disaster preparedness information.

Handbook:  Disaster Preparedness Handbook - The Diocese's  Disaster Preparedness Handbook.  Forms and leaflets at the back of the Handbook can be used for implementing the plan.

Insurance, Property

• Church Insurance - Learn more about insurance coverages, ask an expert, or make a claim. Contact The Church Insurance Company claim center: (800) 223- 5705
• Also check the "Contracts for Construction and Repair" (above) and "Leases" (below) sections for insurance information as it relates to them.
• Risk Management and Insurance Basics - Do you need Directors' & Officers' Liability Insurance? What is excess or umbrella liability insurance? Learn about risk management and insurance basics from this document published by Church Insurance Agency.
• Stained Glass Care and Prevention - How should you preserve your stained glass? Read this document to learn how.
• Fine Arts Appraisal - A tool to help churches understand how to catalog and value their fine arts inventory.
• Parish Inventory - A risk management tool to help congregations list and track assets, from furnishings and vestments to brass and silver.
• Emergency Evacuation Plan and Insurance - A guide with an Emergency Management Action Plan and Fire Safety Plan, including what actions to take after a fire.
• Recommendations for Automobiles Used for Church Sponsored Activities - A one-page document with recommendations when renting or using personal autos for church-sponsored activities.

Leases and Licenses - If you'll be licensing or leasing space to activities or programs that involve children, please contact Rae Costa, Business Manager, for additional information and paperwork.

• Checklist for Licenses or Leases - A checklist to help remind you of the required documentation prior to submitting for approval.
• Diocesan Policy for Leases and Licenses - Read this to make sure you're meeting the Diocese's requirements.
• Use of Church Property by Outside Groups - Recommendations and checklist regarding the use of church property by outside groups.
• Lease Review Instructions - Instructions regarding conducting a lease review.
• Application for Use of Church Facilities - The form to be completed by outside groups to apply for single use of church facilities or property.
• License Agreement Template - The legal agreement to be used when allowing use of church property on a non-exclusive, regular, on-going basis. Click here for instructions
• Template for Lease - Please contact Rae Costa or call 536-7776, ext. 326 for this template.

Property

• You may also want to review "Contracts", "Disaster Preparedness", "Insurance" and "Leases" on this page.
• Diocesan Policy Regarding Sale of Real Property - How the sale of property held by the Diocese is to function; includes Alienation of Property Policy.

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Sacraments
(Includes Worship)

Baptism:  

• Confirmation/ Reception/ Baptism/ Reaffirmation - This is the form to be completed for services conducted by the Bishop.
• Baptismal Certificate - This is a form fillable PDF that you can print on card stock.

Communion:  Click here for the Diocesan Guidelines for Receiving Holy Communion

Confirmation

• Confirmation/ Reception/ Baptism/ Reaffirmation - This is the form to be completed for services conducted by the Bishop.

• Confirmation - Minimum Requirements for Young Persons for confirming youth in the Diocese.
• Template youth letter to Bishop - A template for youth to write the letter to Bishop Fitzpatrick before being confirmed.
• Certificate of Confirmation - This is a form fillable PDF that you can print on card stock.

Customary:  

• This is The Diocesan Customary for the Diocese of Hawai'i.
• Visit the TECH Covid-19 page HERE to view The Diocesan Customary In the Time of Pandemic

Marriage

• If you aren’t already a Religious Marriage Performer licensed by the State of Hawai'i, register here: ​https://emrs.ehawaii.gov/emrs/public/registration.html.
• Declaration of Intention for Marriage - In the Diocese of Hawai'i, all couples are expected to complete and sign the Declaration of Intention form.  When either or both of those entering into marriage have gone through a divorce, the clergyperson submits a copy of this form to Bishop Fitzpatrick, along with the Request to Officiate at and Bless a Marriage (below) and other documenting paperwork.  
• Request to Officiate at and Bless a Marriage - If one or both of those being married have been divorced, this form is to be completed by the clergyperson who will perform the ceremony.  Submit it with a copy of the signed Declaration of Intention for Marriage (above) and other documenting paperwork.
• "The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage", page 423 from the Book of Common Prayer - rite may be used at officiating clergyperson's discretion
• "The Witnessing and Blessing of a Marriage" from authorized liturgies in "I Will Bless You, and You Will Be a Blessing" - rite may be used at officiating clergyperson's discretion
• "The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage 2" from authorized liturgies in "I Will Bless You, and You Will Be a Blessing" - rite may be used at officiating clergyperson's discretion

Ordination:​  Please visit the "Ordination Process" page.

Reaffirmation and Reception

• Confirmation/ Reception/ Baptism/ Reaffirmation - This is the form to be completed for services conducted by the Bishop.
• Certificate of Reception - This is a form fillable PDF that you can print on card stock.

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Stewardship
(Includes Planned Giving)

Gifts, Planned​:  Please visit the "Stewardship & Planned Giving" page.

Legacy Society:  Ho`ike Ulu Legacy Society (brochure) - Have you remembered an Episcopal ministry (church, program, etc) in your estate plan? If so, you are a member of the Diocese's Ho'ike Ulu Legacy Society. Learn more about Planning Giving.

Planned Giving​:  ​Please visit the "Stewardship & Planned Giving" page.

Stewardship​:  Please visit the Stewardship & Planned Giving page.

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