​Vision to Fruition: St. John the Baptist's Successful Collaboration

[March 13, 2025, Māʻili] Last month, St. John the Baptist Episcopal in Māʻili, blessed the opening of their new Thrift Shop during the Bishop's Visitation. The Thrift Shop was a vision in the works for a while, but it wasn't until a special collaboration between two priests brought it to fruition. ​

​During last year's Clergy Retreat at Camp Mokulē'ia, St. John's Vicar, the Rev. Jazzy Bostock, found herself in conversation the Rev. Karen Swanson. "I was bemoaning that there were so many tasks for me to do, and I often wish that there was some help!" said Jazzy.  

Karen, who had recently wrapped up her time as St. Timothy's Interim Priest, was open to different opportunities in the Diocese, and they discussed some possibile scenarios. Karen recalled visiting St. John the Baptist back in 2022, when she returned to the islands in preparation for her interim work at St. Timothy's.

"I was particularly taken by the involvement of the children in worship at St. John the Baptist, and by Rev. Jazzy's practical preaching," shared Karen.  At the clergy retreat, they talked about what might be possible at St. John's if they were to join forces. "I love to dream about possibilities, but sometimes falter on the follow through. Thanks to Canon Sandy's guidance and enouragment, an evolving version of the project became a reality."  

"So much falls on our Vicars’ shoulders," said Canon Sandy. "The timing came together so that the vision of St. John’s to start up their thrift shop was a project that she could take on."  

"I think the biggest input was before we began working together, trying to find what the sweet spot of collaboration would be," said Jazzy. "We talked about areas of youth ministry, church administration, preaching, and of course the Thrift Shop. As we talked, we found a rhythm between what the church needed, what I hoped for, and what brought Karen the most joy and fulfillment. We settled on an agreement that included preaching and help with the Thrift Shop." 

While St. John's had a dedicated shop space and some clothes already sorted and set up, there was so much more to do, and they were struggling to figure out where the volunteer force would come from. They worked out a six-month arrangement for Karen to be that "extra set of hands" but because Jazzy was preparing to go on sabbatical, they decided to wait until her return before diving in.

(Pictured above from left, Karen in the shop, youth helping sort out donations, volunteer Barbara Rezentes, and t-shirts galore!)

"When Karen came in she began working through the donations and figuring out how to make best use of the space - where we could fit more racks, display home goods, toys, and shoes." explained Jazzy. "She worked dilligently on labelling our racks, so that it was easy to see what sort of clothing we carried. We needed a dedicated person to have vision, and carry it out, and Karen did that for us! She put in many afternoons of work getting the space set up." 

All was going well, but two months into the project, Karen blacked out and collapsed while on vacation. In the hospital, doctors discovered a heart issue, and the procedure designed to cure it failed in her case. This meant that she could no longer safely drive and the medication left her feeling tired.

"I was disappointed by this turn of events," said Karen, "and especially how it limited what it was possible for me to do at St. John the Baptist. However, I learned how to ride the bus and more importantly, became more willing and better able to make room for others to lead and assist in the ministry."

"Then, as they say - build it, and they will come!" said Jazzy. Two volunteers from the congregation, May Holokai and Alana Akiona, stepped up to help.  After putting an ad in the local paper, they got another volunteer from the community. Ikaika Akiona started coming with his mom, and now the store is up to five regular volunteers. 

​They are now able to be open on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Today, even after the arrangement has ended, Karen still volunteers at the Thrift Shop.

​My time with St. John the Baptist was one of meaningful learning and growth, and I hope others will consider lending a hand as short term ministers with and to the smaller congregations among us, and their vicars. One of the important learnings for me was the importance of determining and clearly communicating with the congregation and its lay leaders the nature and limitations of the partnership from the beginning. 

I would like to add a special thank you to the Rev. Preston and Mary Ann Lentz from St. Christopher's (Kailua) who brought their youth to sort through Thrift Shop items not once, but twice, and also showed up as individuals to volunteer yet another time. What fine partners they are, among our many excellent partners!  Mahalo also to St. John's Junior Warden Kanoa. Although initially skeptical about the Thrift Shop project, in the end he donated not only considerable time to preparing the building, but also expensive commercial folding shelves for our storage container. Most of all, mahalo nui loa to Rev. Jazzy and her parents, who did the initial set-up of the shop and organized the education and entertainment of many when St. John's congregants visited the thrift shop at St. James, Kamuela, to watch and learn from this Diocesan partner. The Bostock family got us all off to a great start! ​~ The Rev. Karen Swanson

​While getting the Thrift Shop up and running was a major portion of the collaboration, for Jazzy, the occasional relief of preaching was of tremendous help too. Karen preached about once every six weeks or so, and she graciously did so not just at St John's, but also at Maluhia Lutheran where Jazzy also serves.

"Those weeks allowed me a little breathing room and allowed my people to hear some different exegetical and homiletical work," said Jazzy.  "[It's] a win-win for all of us! So many small churches hear from the same preacher every single week, so if any other retired folks would like to come and preach to some very friendly small churches, I welcome you with open arms!"

We have been the recipients of many generous donations - clothing racks, shelving, hangers, hooks, storage bins, and more. People from our congregation donated time and talent, cleaning the space and putting together the shelving and racks. When we went on our parish retreat to the Big Island and spent time with Rona Scull from St. James' thrift shop, she told us that, "God trusts you with a little, so be faithful with the little - and then God trusts you with more and more, and that's how you grow." We are certainly finding that to be true! We are making do with what we have, and, by God's good providence, more and more is provided for us. Recently we hosted youth from St. Christopher's, Good Samaritan, and Holy Nativity, who all came to volunteer their time with us in a thrift shop workday, sorting through the container of donated items and organizing them into categories. We have been blessed with so many helpers! ~ The Rev. Jazzy Bostock​

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Reporting: Sybil Nishioka, Communications Specialist & Editor
Photos: Contributed by St. John the Baptist and Karen Swanson