Editor's Note: March is Women's History Month that was officially recognized in 1987. It is a time to acknowledge the historical contributions of women in the United States. Learn more here: https://womenshistorymonth.gov/index.html
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH: CELEBRATING THE REV. HEATHER MUELLER By Cindy Schumacher, Regional Reporter
[March 28, 2024] As we observe Woman’s History Month in March, we celebrate the Rev. Heather Mueller, retired pastor from St. John’s Episcopal Church in Kula, Maui. From the get-go, Heather fought for and still is, an advocate for women’s rights. She is one of the first women ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church, and the second woman ordained in the Diocese of Hawai'i. Heather’s installation was held on December 3, 1981, by the Rt. Rev. Edmond L. Browning, Bishop of Hawai'i. She retired on October 1, 2010.
“The process of ordaining a woman in those years, a long time ago, were fraught with a lot of resistance, and my process went on for a very long time,” Heather noted. “My ordination was a long-awaited miracle in itself!”
She had done much for the development of St. John’s church during her 29-years as Rector. Her infectious enthusiasm is perhaps best expressed by church member Paul Janes-Brown, “Heather is the Holy Spirit personified! The hard work and dedication she has put into the evolution of St. John’s has been, and is, greatly admired and appreciated.”
Current Priest-in-Charge at St. John’s, the Rev. George Wong, said, “Heather is almost certainly one of the hardest working people I have met, either in the secular or religious worlds. She works tirelessly to gather, organize, encourage and motivate people in facing a variety of tasks and projects for the benefit of the church and community. That, along with the fact that Heather authentically loves the people of the church and really all people, makes her an important thread in the fabric of the St. John’s ‘ohana and the wider community.”
Heather was also a chaplain and religion teacher at Seabury Hall from 1978-1981. She then went on to serve Maui as pastor of Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in Lahaina for a short time before coming to St. John’s. Heather shared, “When I was upcountry one day visiting St. John’s, I looked up to the sky and I saw a couple of clouds that looked like two hands coming together. I felt it was a sign to be at St. John’s. It was!”
As the longest-serving priest St. John’s has ever had, Heather oversaw big changes in the 1980s for the church and the congregation. Heather’s passion and eagerness helped facilitate the extensive renovations that were made to the church building and parish hall in 1985-1987. The renovations included the enlargement of both buildings, adding two offices, a conference room, several Sunday School rooms, and the choir space in the church.
“Originally the altar had been made of a tea crate, which was attached to the wall,” Heather said. “When it was removed from the wall it simply fell apart and the job of rebuilding it was no small task.”
Also, the purchase of St. John’s tracker pipe organ from Germany was a tremendous undertaking. This wonderful organ was installed in May 1987. The classically voiced organ has 460 pipes. “In order to obtain the contract from the Oberlinger Orgelbau in Germany, St. John’s Church had to satisfy the builders that it deserved to have the instrument,” Heather recalled. “Parishioner Siri Swenson was the artist who did the wood carving above the organ pipes. This entire project was paid for in three years due to the generosity of numerous members and friends.”
In 1988, Heather went on a six month sabbatical. She returned from her journey across three continents with a world of valuable knowledge pertaining to her duties at St. John’s. She had responsibilities at the General Convention in Detroit, then was off to England to meet with about 100 women from Africa, Brazil, Haiti, the Philippines, Canada, Australia, and other parts of the world. During the three weeks she spent at the Lambeth Conference, she helped create a community among the women gathered there. Next, she traveled to Europe and was able to visit the town where the organ came from, Windesheim, West Germany. She shared all her invaluable experiences with the St. John’s ‘ohana.
In 2001 an opportunity presented itself for St. John’s to acquire the land below and to the north of the church. “With a lot of great support and good planning, we were able to buy 4.4 acres,” Heather said. “In doing this we could accommodate some additional programs or projects in the future. This purchase also protected the space around the church from further development.”
In October of 1982, Heather helped start the first St. John’s Kula Festival along with Florence Anthony and Blanche Hew. “Even then, a great many people gave of their time and goods to raise money for various charities,” Heather recalled. “It was a great event from the beginning. I specifically remember the beautiful quilts that were auctioned that year, some with flower designs and others with embroidered scripture verses.”
The first St. John’s Founder’s Day celebration occurred in June 1982. “When I realized that the church's Chinese history was not being acknowledged, I wanted a special event to share and celebrate it,” said Heather. “It’s so important to know the history of St. John’s. This tradition has continued every year with great success.”
“I love St. John’s!” she exclaimed. “It has grown and become very much a part of the Maui community. I love the whole Anglican Church! It’s like the roots of a tree. The roots go down to a deep, deep tradition, the magnificent prayers, music, liturgy, and majesty of what has been given to us. Yet, the branches reach outwards, growing leaves and flowers that spread out into the world, meeting the vital issues of the day.”
Currently, Heather actively participates in A Cup of Cold Water (ACCW), the Diocese's Care-van ministry which brings people together to serve some of the needs of the unhoused people on Maui. “The four Episcopal Churches on Maui, Seabury Hall, a number of other congregations, Buddhists, and a lot of caring people come together to offer their time, talent and treasure,” she reflected. “These caring folks supply basic needs like food, tarps, towels, slippers, shoes, t-shirts, shorts, hygiene items, and dog and cat food to the people living in tents, on the beaches and in the streets. Most of the unsheltered people are also in need of direct spiritual nourishment as well and say, ‘yes’ when it is offered.”
A long-time Rotary member and president numerous times (including currently), Heather belongs to the Rotary Club of Maui that had been founded in 1937. She loves the Rotary because it stands for the things she believes in: literacy, care of women and children, the environment, justice, water, and much more.
“Internationally, Rotarians all work together and help each other,” she explained. “Clubs from around the world have sent money to help those affected by the August 7th Maui wildfires. Rotary is wonderful!”
In her spare time (is there any?), Heather likes to work out at the gym and go on long walks. She belongs to three different book clubs. I asked her how she reads three books at the same time. “It’s about the whole experience of being in the clubs,” she shared. “Sometimes, I just read the reviews.” (Oops, don’t tell!)
St. John’s parishioner Keith McCrary summed it up, “Has Heather made an impact on Maui and beyond? Do you have an hour to count the ways? Here's a short list of examples: she was an effective chaplain at Seabury Hall and a powerful influence in Rotary projects, besides carrying on a cutting-edge ministry at St. John's for 29 years. Heather reflects what the Christian gospel is all about, offering unconditional love and acceptance to everyone. Even now as a member and part-time associate, she keeps on rolling. One example of that is the opening of her ohana house to a family that was affected by the Lahaina fire.
“Did she ever retire? No! She got her wheels retreaded and did marvelous things in Jerusalem and in a struggling church in Taft, California where she is loved as much as here. Not long ago she was preaching in Okinawa and Guam, as if they were around the corner. Many Sundays, she was supply clergy at the Makawao Union Church in its years of searching for a new minister. Some Sundays she is preaching at the Methodist Church on the West Side where parishioners from Holy Innocents are currently meeting since the fire destroyed their church building in Lahaina. She has been and still is ‘Something Else’. She has indeed made a huge difference in many people's lives! Thanks be to God for Heather Mueller!”
Heather concluded, “Space simply does not permit the names of every person who has, through the preceding years, given of their time and talents to St. John’s, but they are known to God, and, as an old Chinese proverb states, ‘One generation opens the road upon which another generation travels’. This church, which is part of the Body of Christ, was built on the sturdy foundation of faith in Jesus Christ. We are blessed with a beautiful location, blessed with Rev. Wong, a strong leader, and with dedicated lay parishioners.”
