TOGETHER AGAIN:
ANNUAL CHRISM MASS & SPRING TRAINING 2022

[Chronicle, April 14, 2022]  After enduring two years of pandemic restrictions, the Diocese of Hawai'i held its first major in-person event on Saturday, April 2, 2022.  Over 80 people gathered together for the annual Chrism Mass and Spring Training event at The Cathedral of St. Andrew, to take part in a full day of worship, learning, sharing, and fellowship. 

From the moment folks checked in, the buzz and joyful energy of seeing each other "in person" was evident, especially for clergy who had not seen each other for the past two years. 

"It felt like a homecoming," expressed Lindy Marzo of Holy Apostles in Hilo. 

​For a handful of priests who came to the Diocese during the pandemic, it was a time to finally meet their peers, the Diocesan Support Center (DSC) team, and to experience a Diocesan event.

After two years of meeting online through Zoom, most of the DSC team was present to reconnect in person. It was also the first event for the Diocese's  newest staff member, Madison "Madi" Franks, who joins the team as the Diocese's Event and Communications Coordinator in a newly created position.  Along with help from long-time volunteers and guidance from veteran event organizer and the Diocese's Operations Manager, Rae Costa, Madi's first event went smoothly.      

Over three dozen clergy were present with most vesting for the Chrism Mass.  They gathered and chatted in the breezeway of Davies Hall, before making their way to The Cathedral.  

(Shown above is a slideshow of folks "gathering" together at check-in and during breaks, and below is a 2-1/2 minute video montage of the day's event.) 

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​After over two years of not being able to gather as a diocese, the "Chrism Mass and Spring Training" event was a delight! It was wonderful to be able to see each other in person, hug and kiss each other to the extent we were comfortable, and celebrate the fellowship the Holy Sprirt continues to re-create among us here in the Diocese of Hawaii.
​- The Rev. Alison Dingley

Chrism Mass: The Cathedral Choir is back!

During the past two years, pandemic protocols either limited in-person worship or caused it to cease altogether, and singing in churches was sorely missed. With in-person worship recently restarted at The Cathedral, the choir was able to perform at the Chrism Mass, filling the cavernous space with the sacred sounds of psalms and familiar hymns; chicken-skin time! This was also a time for Nicholas Keone Lee, The Cathedral's new Director of Music, to shine.  Lee, who came on board during the pandemic, is a conductor, singer, and organist who trained and studied at the University of Cambridge in the UK and at Harvard University.  

Nearly three dozen clergy vested for Chrism Mass, creating an impressive processional led by Cathedral Verger, Roth Puahala. Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick delivered the sermon that referenced Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem "To Rev. F. D. Maurice."  Frederick Denison Maurice, who was the godfather to Tennyson's son, was known for his then controversial theology that got him into trouble, but also served as the seed to the Episcopal Church's inclusivity. 

​The service included a Renewal of Baptismal Vows, Reaffirmation of Ordination Vows, Holy Communion, and Blessing of Oils. Following the service, the oils were distributed to clergy to take back to their congregations.

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The entire service was livestreamed and recorded on The Cathedral's Facebook page, and is available for viewing above.  Also shown is a slideshow of the Chrism Mass. 

The Chrism Mass and Training Sessions are like ‘holy oil’ that healed the longings of our relationships with one another in serving God. For almost three years, we have not come together due to the abnormalities created by pandemic. Both Chrism Mass and training sessions gave us strength, courage, wisdom and assurance as we hear God’s Word through the compassionate and challenging message of Bishop Fitzpatrick, as we renewed our ordination vows in our commitment to serve Him, to know Him, and to love Him all the days of our life.  
​​- The Rev. Cn. Randolph Albano, Vicar, St. Paul's

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​As someone from a Neighbor Island church, and a relative newcomer to the Diocese of Hawai'i, it was gratifying to spend time getting to know, and worship with, clergy and parishioners from throughout the islands.  - Jeanne Cooper, St. James' Episcopal Church

SPRING TRAINING: ​"Pili Pa’a - We stand as one"

The theme for this year's Spring Training was from the Diocesan “Anthem” commissioned from Joe Camacho many years ago.

"Pili Pa’a - We stand as one"

​(Chorus:) 
Pili paʻa, no kaua
    Me kealoha a mau loa
We come together in love and hope
We stand as one

Plenary Session

Following Chrism Mass, Spring Training took over with a plenary session that was hosted by the Diocese's Racial Reconciliation Task Force. The Task Force is led by the Revs. Jazzy Bostock and Andrew Arakawa. 

After brief opening remarks by the Rev. Cn. Sandy Graham, the session officially opened with "E Hō Mai" an oli by Edith Kanakaole, that set the tone for rest of the day:    

E Hō Mai ka ‘ike mai luna mai ē 
O nā mea huna no'eau O nā mele ē
E hō mai
E hō mai
E hō mai ē

Give forth knowledge from above
Every little bit of wisdom contained in song
Give forth
Give forth
Oh give forth

Readings, prayers and videos were shared, addressing the complex issue of race and racism from different points of view, and offering up new schools of thought. 

​Two of the videos shown (The Myth of Race Debunked in 3 Minutes and Moving the Race Conversation Forward) can be viewed below.  Following each of the videos, participants broke into groups to discuss questions prepared by the Task Force.  

Like the opening, the session closed with with a heartfelt oli, "Oli Mahalo."

View or download the handout from the session that contains the words to the olis, readings, prayers, and the questions for discussion:

spring_training_2022_plenary_slides.pdf
File Size:	288 kb
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Download File

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I was in a great breakout group for the Racial Reconciliation session and look forward to more indepth work as the group leads us.
​- The Rev. Alison Dingley

As a member of the Racial Reconciliation Task Force, I appreciated the thoughtful discussions that our readings and videos prompted, bracketed by the blessing of Hawaiian chants and song.  I hope that these conversations are planting seeds that will later bear fruit in ways we haven't even imagined yet. ​- Jeanne Cooper, St. James' Episcopal Church

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Afternoon Workshops

After lunch, participants were able to attend a variety of different workshops.

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​Protocol: Ali‘i Feast Days, Kahili, Ali‘i portraits, Ho‘okupu, Royal Societies and more
Roth Puahala, The Cathedral of St. Andrew's Verger, led this informative session that delved into the history of the Episcopal Church in Hawai'i and the Hawaiian traditions that have created our unique church culture in the islands​.

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Issues of Environmental Justice in Hawai’i with the Creation Care Task Force 
This workshop featured three speakers:  Healani Sonoda-Pale, a member of St. Stephen’s Wahiawa and an O'ahu Water Protector; Wayne Tanaka, Director of the Sierra Club in Hawai`i who is also an attorney, engineer, and lifelong environmental advocate; Nate Yuen, Board Member of the Sierra Club, Former Commissioner at Natural Area Reserves System Hawaii, Naturalist, Hiker, Photographer

​We heard that water is one of our most precious resources, one we all take for granted. Everyone needs to be aware of all actions that affect this resource. Especially concerning is the Red Hill controversy that can affect the entire island for years to come.  - Jane Tonokawa, Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Attending the creation care workshop brought home the reality of the threat to O'ahu's water system more forcefully than any of the news sources I've followed, and the realization that as a faith community we are called to support our indigenous stewards and defend and advocate for the right use of resources. - Jeanne Cooper, St. James' Episcopal Church

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Walking in Love and Pathway of Hope: The Labyrinth as Journey to Self and God’s Presence 
The Rev. Heather Patton-Graham led conversation and learning about the history and practice of the labyrinth and other 'walking pilgrimages.'  Participants were able to "walk the labyrinth" on a full-scale replica that was printed on heavy material and laid out in Davies Hall.  Free socks were also provided!

"Well before making his Asian pilgrimage, Thomas Merton wrote that we ought to accept appearances; they have an 'ineffable value.'  'They can be transparent media in which we apprehend the presence of God in the world...The mask that each man wears may well be a disguise not only for that man's inner self but for God, wandering as a pilgrim in his own creation (R. R. Niebuhr, Pilgrims and Pioneers).'"

Walking the labyrinth in the window-opened heat of the bright afternoon, the weight of preparation, production and digital enmeshment slid away -- it became possible to receive the ineffable value of appearances.  The white path winding through a blue field farther and closer to the center.  Leaning right or left so that others could pass.  Inside rings focused on the breath and outside ones receiving car noise and flat midday light from Alakea Street nearby.  All of these imprinted themselves on the negative and negative space within, taking form in subsequent days as guideposts to someplace in this world but also not. - The Rev. Tim Morehouse, Chaplain, 'Iolani School

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Talking Story: Preserving the Narratives of the Land, the People, and Our Communities
Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick led this intriguing workshop that addressed the importance and complexities of preserving our stories not only in our congregations, but in our communities and beyond.

The Bishop's workshop on the stories we tell about ourselves as parish communities, and to question their history and context to see where we are being led now as God's people, also got me thinking about listening closely to narratives first before trying to change them. - Jeanne Cooper, St. James' Episcopal Church

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​​​‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi Service Music (and more)
Folks got a wonderful peek into the Rev. Canon Sandy Graham's musical talents in this workshop that addressed the music offered in our services.

The Hawaiian music workshop was very enjoyable.  I'm looking forward to future opportunities to get together across the Diocese, including the upcoming meeting of Diocesan Convention. ​- The Rev. Alison Dingley

​My deepest, heartfelt thanks for the “Chrism Mass / Spring Training” event.  For me, it was well planned, well laid out, and well provided for!  Mahalo "plennys" to everyone from the Diocesan Support Center, everyone who wore their running shoes . . . busy, busy, busy!  Thumbs-up for worship, the programs, and YES(!), the lunch and snacks.  And grateful thanks for the filled goodie-bag!

The best, of course, was connecting with acquaintances as well as meeting newer folks who came into the Diocese within the past two years when we had no events in order to face-to-face, greet & meet, when we couldn’t touch/hone/hug/shake hands.  I only wish that I had more time to connect and talk-story.
- The Rev. Cn. Frank Chun

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Sybil Nishioka, Editor
Event Photos & Video Clips: Sybil Nishioka