​At the Annual Meeting (Sunday, January 31, 2016), we will elect four delegates (and alternates) to attend the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii's Annual Convention October 21 - 22, 2016. Candidates and/or a person nominating a candidate are required to complete and submit a Nomination Form. 

​Nomination forms must be submitted no later than Tuesday, January 26 at 8:00PM. The Epistle will publish the Nomination Packet in January 28th issue and the nomination packet will be made available on the day of the Annual Parish Meeting.

The Diocesan Convention is the primary representative governing body of the diocese. It convenes annually in October to conduct diocesan business, including election of various leadership bodies; approval of a budget for the upcoming year; setting mission strategy; and establishing diocesan policy and procedure by considering and voting on resolutions and approving changes to the diocesan constitution and canons. It is also an occasion for communication and teaching from the Bishop. The Convention allows delegates to connect with other Church leaders, share ministry ideas, and to gather for a celebration of the Holy Eucharist together as a diocesan community.

What does it mean to serve on the Vestry of All Saints'?

VESTRY OVERVIEW
 
The Vestry is the “Board of Directors” for the parish corporation. The Vestry is the authoritative body of All Saints’ Episcopal Church and Preschool and is subject only to the Diocesan and National Church Canons. The Vestry works in partnership with the Rector to lead the congregation in the ministries of the church.
 
The Vestry is responsible for determining the policies and goals of All Saints’ and is to communicate with the congregation about the goals, concerns, and functioning of the Church in the modern world.
 
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL VESTRY MEMBERS 
 
All vestry members should strive to the best of their abilities to:

• Have a love of God and model the Christian life of discipleship by proclaiming the Good News in thought, word, and deed.
• Be active in and knowledgeable about All Saints’, its programs and governance
• Support the Rector in providing vision and leadership for the parish
• Work with clergy, staff, and members of the Parish to form an environment of trust and loyalty.
• Be fair and transparent with people and seek to earn the respect of the members of All Saints’
• Purposefully strive to be a humble servant of the people
• “Be bold, be bold, but not too bold”
• Have enthusiasm and vitality for this ministry
• Raise up new leaders by identifying those with leadership abilities and helping them to find their places in ministry.
• Exercise confidentiality and practice healthy, honest, open communication habits both within our Church ‘Ohana and the community
• Exercise leadership by example and participation both in the temporal affairs (business life) and the spiritual life of All Saints’
• Listen to and prayerfully address the views of parishioners, especially their questions, suggestions, complaints and compliments. Where appropriate, share these views with the Rector, staff and Vestry
• Consciously consider and review all deliberations and actions of the Vestry in the light of All Saints’ Mission Statement

 
All vestry members should be able to make the following time commitments:

• Vestry meetings, committee work
• Vestry retreat(s)
• Weekly worship services (rotating occasionally to a different service time)
• Parish events: Aloha hours, work days, education programs, outreach, preschool events etc.
• Diocesan meetings, as necessary
• Annual meeting

 
All vestry members are responsible for:

• Offering talents to support All Saints’ ministry
• Praying daily for the rector, leaders and members of our ‘Ohana
• Pledging support early in the annual financial stewardship campaign
• Provide sound stewardship and oversight of All Saints’ finances and facilities
• Being active ministers of the Gospel in daily life and work
• Bringing one’s whole self to the table; being present – mind, body, and spirit
• Identify and recruit individuals to serve in leadership roles and committees as needed
• Risking openness with one’s ideas, beliefs and desires

Doing the right thing is often not easy. Standing up and affirming the right thing is even harder and often comes with "consequences."
 
Last week, because of the Episcopal Church's commitment to support the rights of all couples to be married in the Church, the Anglican Communion responded by levying "consequences" upon the Episcopal Church. In summary, for the next three years, the Episcopal Church will have a limited role in the Anglican Communion and cannot represent the Communion in ecumenical and interfaith bodies.
 
Tension and strife is not new to the Christian Church and the people of God. In reality, as humans, we live in a constant state of "push and pull." If tension and strife did not exist in the Early Church, Paul would have been quickly out of business as an "epistle" writer and evangelist. Remember, the Church was created by God, but is run by human hearts and minds.
 
As Christians, we are called to see tension and strife as an opportunity--an opportunity for greater understanding, an opportunity for greater mutual respect, an opportunity for reconciliation, an opportunity to emulate Christ, and an opportunity to share God's love.
 
Archbishop Philip Richardson, Primate of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Polynesia, offered the most profound reflection upon the recent decision by the Anglican Communion when he said: "In reality, though, we were all losers - because we are still fractured, broken, still inclined to mistrust. But we are committed to staying with each other. We are committed to walking together, to trying to see through each other's eyes, to stepping into each other's worlds, and to keeping on keeping on until mutual understanding grows."
 
Both our faith and life teaches us: When we stop understanding, we all lose. When we stop cultivating mutual respect, we all lose. When we stop working toward reconciliation, we all lose. When we stop emulating Christ, we all lose. When we stop sharing God's love, we all lose.
 
"Above all, maintain constant love for one another." (1 Peter 4:8a)
 
Respectfully in the love of Christ,
​
The Reverend Ryan D. Newman
Rector and Head of School

Small Churches Thriving
 
This year, the theme "Thrive" is front-and-center within our All Saints' culture. What are the characteristics of a thriving Church? Can small Churches thrive in America's changing religious landscape? 

Cathy Lynn Grossman, a senior national correspondent for the Religious News Service, wrote a great article earlier this month entitled: "Tiny churches, big hopes: Why some thrive despite the odds." The article was picked up nationally by many major print media publications. The article looks at the challenges and opportunities confronting America's smaller Churches. 

We commend this article to our 'Ohana, especially as we prepare for our Annual Meeting and continue to cultivate All Saints' as a community of faith that lives to thrive! 

To view the article, click here.