It's hard to believe that students are already returning to school. Where did the summer go? Perhaps due to General Convention this summer has been particularly busy. Several plans are being laid for the upcoming months, and we are excited at St. Mark's about how many ministries are showing their fruits.

Whenever I return to Hawai‘i from an extended trip on the mainland, I always love that moment at the airport when the fresh air of the islands soothes your body. The very second I step outside, I always take a deep breath. I have just returned from being away three weeks - two weeks away in Austin, Texas, due to General Convention, and one additional week spent with family in Chicago, Illinois.

Greetings from Austin, Texas, and the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Tomorrow the convention ends, and I look forward to seeing all of you soon. This convention has had many highlights, and I will share them with you more adequately on Sunday, July 29, at 9:00 am at our General Convention Recap Forum.

If Lent is when we see the first signs of spring, Easter is when we witness the real growth and blossoming of nature. The months of April and May bring forth all sorts of flowers and vegetation, and this is true even in Hawai'i where we are blessed with warm weather all year round. The church seasons of Lent and Easter reflect this reality of the growth of spring throughout these months. During Lent we see the first sprouts of growth due to our Lenten practices and disciplines, but it is during Easter that the real results become evident.

Alleluia, Christ is risen! Many thanks are due to everyone who helped St. Mark's have such a glorious Holy Week. Whether it was the choir, the acolytes, the altar guild, the servers, or countless other volunteers, many people have remarked that Holy Week this year went above and beyond past years, For me there were two major highlights. This year's Good Friday service was especially moving, and I found the Easter Vigil to be particularly beautiful.

As I write this we are currently duplicating the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil programs. Lent has gone by quickly this year, and it is hard to believe that this Sunday is Palm Sunday. Preparations are being made by many different volunteers for our Holy Week liturgies. Easter flowers have been organized, candles for the Easter Vigil were delivered last week, and tomorrow the palms will arrive.