LISTENING TOUR: THE STANDING COMMITTEE VISITS MAUI
By Cindy Schumacher, Maui Regional Reporter
& Spotlight by Chuck Spence, Member of the Standing Committee 

​Standing Committee members from left to right: Mr. Chuck Spence, Trinity-by-the Sea, Kihei; the Rev. John A. Hau’oli Tomoso, Trinity-by-the-Sea, Kihei; the Rev. Keleawe Hee, Committee Secretary, Good Samaritan, O’ahu; the Rev. Elizabeth “Libby” Berman, Committee President, Holy Nativity, O’ahu; Mr. William “Bill” Bonnet, St. John’s, Kula; Ms. Frances Kramer, St. Luke’s, O’ahu; Doug Adams, Holy Apostle’s, Big Island. Not shown: the Rev. Andrew McMullen, St. Michael’s, Kaua’i. (Photo Cindy Schumacher)

​​On Saturday, August 17, 2024, the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Hawai'i met at Trinity-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Kihei, for a "listening tour" with all of the Episcopal churches on Maui. Volunteers from A Cup of Cold Water (ACCW), the diocese's Care-Van ministry, were also invited to attend. The committee heard community concerns and ideas about what can be done as a diocese to continue to help those affected by the Maui wildfires, and report back to the Bishop. Concern for Holy Innocents dominated the discussion.

For those unfamiliar with the Standing Committee’s role, it is a body of representatives elected by the delegates at our annual Diocesan Convention. The Standing Committee acts as the council of advice to the Bishop, who is in charge of our diocese. This visit to Maui was a special meeting that was needed because of the ongoing challenges taking place in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires. The fires devasting effects continue to take its toll on many individuals and entities, including Holy Innocents in Lahaina.

Standing Committee member William “Bill” Bonnet (St. Joh's Kula), explained, “The Standing Committee meets monthly by Zoom. Our President, the Rev. Elizabeth “Libby” Berman, has suggested for some time that we look for an opportunity to come together in person. Many of us have never met face to face. The desire of Holy Innocents members to continue to worship as a group presented the opportunity to come together on Maui and learn directly from them, their hopes and concerns.

“The Rev. John Tomoso (Trinity-by-the-Sea, Kihei) was able to obtain a pass from the Maui County mayor’s office which allowed us to enter the secured area on Friday afternoon and spend an hour or so in contemplation at the Holy Innocents site. We shared prayers at the altar foundation.

“Our group then spent the afternoon with ten members of Holy Innocents at the United Methodist Church in Napili, their present place of worship. Rebuilding at the former site depends on decisions to be made by Maui County government, and, although I heard a desire to rebuild, it was my impression that the immediate interest of members is in determining an appropriate organizational structure under which to continue.

“They are currently a mission but could also become a preaching station. Chuck Spence (Trinity-by-the Sea, Kihei) did a memorable job of identifying the benefits and obligation under each arrangement. Of course, no decisions were made, but a solid personal foundation was laid for discussion among people who now know each other.”

Bonnet added, “Again, this listening session was not intended to make decisions but to share knowledge and views. As with our Holy Innocents session, the opportunity for the Standing Committee members to interact with interested members of Maui’s Episcopal churches was tremendously beneficial to all. We are now real people to each other."

(Photo: Cindy Schumacher)

Spotlight: A Ray of Hope
By Chuck Spence, Standing Committee

The Standing Committee (SC) conducted its first known meeting(s) on an island other than O'ahu on August 16 and 17, 2024. This month's meeting was the Standing Committee's first in-person meeting of the year, which normally conducts its monthly meetings via Zoom. 

On the following day, after the monthly meeting, the SC held a “Listening Tour” with the congregants of the four Episcopal Churches on Maui. 

In addition to its regular meeting, the SC visited the Holy Innocents' site for prayer and reflection, then met with the congregation of Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in Lahaina.   ​

After a very solemn and prayerful visit to the Holy Innocents' site, the Standing Committee stopped at the Lahaina Banyan Tree to see the glory of God in the revitalization of this beloved landmark that was not expected to survive.  It was flourishing! 

So moved by the new growth, the Standing Committee posed in front of the tree for a selfie.  Upon viewing the photo, the Standing Committee members were all moved to see the appearance of "rays of light" in the photo. We share this special photo with the Diocese that is untouched and unfiltered.

(L-R: Chuck Spence, Bill Bonnet, the Rev. Keleawe Hee, the Rev. Hau'oli Tomoso, the Rev. Libby Berman, Fran Kramer, the Rev. Andrew McMullen, Doug Jones)

The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. Isaiah 9:2

While conversations were private and personal, meant primarily for the Bishop’s consideration, the discussions included dialogue about how to further assist the Holy Innocents congregation. However, they were open to any topic brought up. Below are just a few ideas of what the Standing Committee discussed:
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1.  What more can the Diocesan Support Center, Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, or the Bishop do to help the Maui churches since the wildfires? What has changed within your congregations and your churches since the wildfires that we should be aware of?
2. Do you have any ideas about how the Diocese can help member churches grow their congregations?
3. Standing Committee will be integral in the process of the selection and ordination of a new Bishop within the coming years. What traits and skills would you like to see in the Bishop candidates? Other thoughts and ideas about the process?
4. Are there any issues or problems unique to you or your church that the Standing Committee can help with?
5. What objectives do you feel the Episcopal Church in Hawaii should be striving for in the future?
6. Do you have any thoughts to share about our Diocesan Conventions and Education Days?
7. What can we do to increase mutual appreciation between a parish or mission and the Diocese?
8. How can Maui parishes work together more: governance, administrative, leadership, liturgically, fellowship?

St. John’s Kula former Rector, the Rev. Heather Mueller, was unable to attend the meeting in person, but submitted her thoughts in writing. The Rev. Bruce DeGooyer, former Vicar of Holy Innocents, read her suggestions, which both clergy and lay attendees favored.

“I strongly believe that all the Maui churches should get together and schedule times for people from their churches to worship and get together with the Holy Innocents congregation,” said Mueller in her submission. “The people from Holy Innocents are still very much depleted in energy and spirit. We need to just show up. We need to worship together with them and share a meal, some sandwiches, etc. Just show up! Worshiping God and providing fellowship is the support that those most affected need right now. I would be happy to help organize a schedule with the Maui churches to be present with our brothers and sisters who are still experiencing the heartbreak of their losses.”

Both Standing Committee members and attendees agreed that this was a wonderful idea and an opportunity to be of service to those most affected by the wildfires. In addition, the conversation continued about the possible status of Holy Innocents in the future. The group discussed the differences between a parish, a mission church, and a preaching station.

A parish is organized as a corporation, while a mission is under the Bishop and Diocesan Council. A parish has more independence in how it operates, such as selecting and hiring its own rector. A parish can financially support its own operation, while a mission may be supported by the Diocese or by a parish that provides financial support, staff, and programs.

A mission can eventually become a parish if it grows enough to support its own priest and facility. To become a parish, the founding group must convince the Bishop that there is a need for a parish in the area and that the congregation will not need financial support from the Diocese.

There was also conversation about what a preaching station is. In The Episcopal Church, a preaching station is a location where worship services are held regularly or irregularly, and the meeting place may or may not be permanently set aside for church services. Preaching stations are often located in areas of mission development and may be served by one or more clergy members who are responsible for a region of mission development.

Summing up, Kalani Holokai, the Diocese's Community Relations Administrative Assistant said, “The meeting was filled with lots of love for the Holy Innocents congregation, and also love for our Episcopal liturgy and faith. It wasn’t a surprise to hear how so many want to help Holy Innocents thrive and we all will, together. It was especially affirming to have the Standing Committee hear our concerns.”

The two-hour meeting ended with a note of deep appreciation by clergy and lay for the opportunity for this conversation with the Standing Committee and sincere gratitude to the Bishop for sending them.

A website with information on all four of Maui’s Episcopal churches can be viewed HERE, and contains links to the individual church websites.  After the fire, Holy Innocents downscaled their website, but it still contains current information on their services and news updates HERE. There are plans to expand it soon with historical information and photos returning to the site. Holy Innocents services are held every Sunday at 8:00 AM, in their temporary "home" at Honolua United Methodist Church, located at  at 5110 Kohi St., across from the Napili Plaza. 

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Sybil Nishioka, Editor & Communications Specialist