LIHU‘E — Events this weekend at St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church will celebrate its 50th year, and in preparation for the 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Hawai‘i. The events are free and open to the public. “We
LIHU‘E — Events this weekend at St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church will celebrate its 50th year, and in preparation for the 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Hawai‘i. The events are free and open to the public.
“We will gather in Kapa’a with our fellow Episcopalians from throughout the island of Kaua‘i to celebrate our 150th anniversary,” said Father Bill Miller, pastor of St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church. “There will be food, drinks, a band and exhibits.
“Join us at the All Saints Gym in Kapa’a for this special celebration,” he added.
On Saturday at 7 p.m. the 40-minute documentary film, “Grace and Beauty,” will have its first screening at All Saints Church, which is located at 4-1065 Kuhio Hwy. in Kapa‘a. The documentary was produced for the 150th anniversary and the sesquicentennial screening kicks off a tour of Kaua‘i the Big Island, Maui and O‘ahu churches.
“Grace and Beauty” tells the story of how the church was founded by King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma with Anglican Bishop Thomas Staley in 1862. The bishops and laity that followed built the diocese into what it is today.
A reprint of King Kamehameha IV’s translation of the Book of Common Prayer will be on display.
“Bishop Staley from England came here at the request of Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV back in the 1860’s,” said Miller, adding it was founded by Father Charles Crane in the 1960’s.
The documentary tells of the turbulent events that led up to this Anglican church becoming part of the American Episcopal Church after the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and demise of its monarchy.
The film was created and produced by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Stephanie J. Castillo. She is a Kaua‘i resident and member of St. Michael’s.
“The story of Hawai‘i’s Episcopal church celebrates the vision King Kamehameha V and Queen Emma to establish a church for the people that honored Jesus Christ and a spiritual community that respected their Hawaiian culture,” Castillo said.
Robert Fitzpatrick, the fifth elected Episcopal Bishop of Hawai‘i, serves as the film’s storyteller. The history unfolds with the input of former Bishop Richard Chang, the Rev. Malcolm Naea Chun and the Rev. David Kennedy.
The film is narrated by Kaua‘i kumu hula Sabra Kauka. The soundtrack features Hawaiian tunes as well a choral music from pianist Henry Adam Curtis of St. Michael’s Church and the choirs at St. Andrew’s Cathedral.
The Saturday screening is followed by the Boogie with the Bishop dance event following in All Saints Gym.
The weekend events will conclude with the JoyFul Noise drummers performance on Sunday at 9:45 a.m.
“They are terrific,” Miller said. “A ministry of our church under the direction of Aki Conquest.”
An animal blessing will be held Oct. 7 at 4 p.m.
“We usually get about 100 critters and their humans,” he said. “And we have a big ‘hot dog’ reception afterwards with live music by The Quake.
Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori will preach at the closing Eucharist of the main events on O‘ahu during the Annual Meeting of Convention on Nov. 9-11.
A celebration of the King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma “Saint’s Day will be held Nov. 16-18 at St. Michael’s Church.
For more information email fatherbill@
stmichaels-kauai.org.
