The annual Pride Celebration in Honolulu is on Saturday, October 21, and on this same Saturday we also have our Diocesan Convention at ‘Iolani School. Last year we were able to organize a contingent of clergy and laity for the Pride Parade, and we made a great witness of God's love for all of God's children. Due to Diocesan Convention happening on the same weekend this year, we are not able to organize such a group for the Pride Parade. Instead we are having a festive aloha hour and forum on Sunday, October 22, after High Mass. Father Brian Grieves and I will facilitate a discussion on the advocacy work the Episcopal Church has done for the LGBTQ community these past decades, as well as the work that is ahead of the church. St. Mark's has a long and distinguished history of welcome for LGBTQ persons and their friends.

St. Mark's and Friends gather for the honolulu Pride Parade

The choir will host the Aloha Hour at this Sunday's post-high mass forum. You may have noticed that the choir continues to grow. I told our choirmaster, Mike Dupre, that if the current choir gets any bigger, we will need to form a second choir! Most importantly, they sound fantastic, and their ministry of music continues to enrich our worship more and more every Sunday. As the choir is hosting the aloha hour, all of us will have the chance to donate money for the choir robe fund. If you cannot come to the Aloha Hour and Pride Celebration Forum, please consider making a donation for the choir robe fund. Checks may be made payable to St. Mark's, notating "choir robes" on the memo line.

St. Mark's has always valued the gifts of music and diversity. Both of these gifts run deep in the life blood of St. Mark's. Both are gifts in which we express the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Jesus welcomed all of God's children to be with him, we try to do the same, and many times it is through our beloved music program that we proclaim God's welcome most eloquently.

Father Paul Lillie+

St. Mark's Episcopal Church

St. Mark's Episcopal Church

Rector's Journal

St. Mark's Episcopal Church

The Rector's Journal

From the Rector: The Gifts of Diversity and Music

Rector's Journal

As I write this column, showers from on high are soaking the dry earth of Kapahulu. It is a quiet day except for the gentle sound of the rainfall. I am grateful that the church has replaced every roof on the property in recent memory.

We have much to celebrate over the next few days and weeks. Tomorrow is the fortieth day of Easter, and according to the Acts of the Apostles, it is the Day of the Ascension. One of the great feasts of the church, we will celebrate with a Solemn Mass at 7:00 pm.

Last Saturday morning I met with a cross section of lay leaders who devote many volunteer hours to our worship ministries. Our task was to evaluate what went well with Lent, Holy Week, and Easter, as well as what we might improve for the future. We also looked at the upcoming feasts.