September 21, 2023

From the Rector: Calendar Conundrum

September 21, 2023/ St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Honolulu

From the Rector: Calendar Conundrum

This year Christmas Day is a Monday. Even though Christmas is months away, I mention Christmas due to postings on social media. Because Christmas Day is on a Monday and Christmas Eve is a Sunday night, the Fourth Sunday of Advent will be on Christmas Eve morning. Cue abundant lamenting from altar guilds, choirs, clergy, and lay leaders.

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From the Rector: Savoring Christmas

From the Rector: Savoring Christmas

Beginning last Wednesday and continuing up to Christmas, we have been hearing the many different Gospel stories that lead us to the birth of Jesus. We began with the genealogy of Jesus from Matthew and Joseph's dream to honor Mary as his wife. We heard the episode of the Angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary and her subsequent visit to Elizabeth, and we have heard the stories concerning Zechariah in the temple and the nativity of John the Baptist. All of these stories culminate with Christmas when we celebrate the Savior’s birth.

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From the Rector: Advent Light Arising on the Horizon

From the Rector: Advent Light Arising on the Horizon

On Monday, December 8, the church celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. You will not find this feast listed currently in the 1979 American Prayer Book, but it is celebrated in various churches throughout the Anglican Communion. For the Church in Hawai’i, it is important to note that this feast is included in the calendar of the Prayer Book of King Kamehameha IV published in 1862.

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From the Rector: Stay Awake for Advent

From the Rector: Stay Awake for Advent

These past two Sundays we have enjoyed amazing worship. I want to thank the acolytes, musicians, ushers, and hospitality ministers for all of their hard work. Our celebrations of the Feasts of Dedication and Christ the King were spectacular, complete with rousing hymns, beautiful anthems, attentive servers, welcoming ushers, and delicious refreshments.

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From the Rector: Looking Ahead to a New Church Year

From the Rector: Looking Ahead to a New Church Year

Last Thursday the Vestry had our final meeting of 2025, and at the meeting we adopted the budget for 2026. The Vestry will share the budget and other reports at the 2026 Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 18. After High Mass, lunch will be served, and the meeting will be called to order at 12:45 noon. Please mark your calendar, because in addition to electing Vestry members, we will also be electing diocesan delegates. In 2026 there will be two diocesan conventions.

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From the Rector: Holy Souls, Diocesan Profile, Love of the Poor, and Marian Titles

November is the month of Holy Souls when we ponder Christian mysteries such as heaven and hell, the resurrection of the dead, and the advent of Jesus Christ. All Hallows-tide begins the month with All Saints and All Souls, and in some churches that enjoy the daily mass, free days in the liturgical calendar of November are celebrated with requiem masses. The last Sunday of the liturgical year is November 23, when we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King in conjunction with the Feast of the Holy Sovereigns, and by November 30 the First Sunday of Advent will be upon us.

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From the Rector: Beatitudes for a World in Pain

From the Rector: Beatitudes for a World in Pain

Some of you have asked me about the recent events within the Anglican Communion, specifically regarding GAFCON and their proclamation of severing ties with the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is too soon to know what depth of action such proclamations signal.

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ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
539 Kapahulu Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
stmarkshonolulu.org

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