‘ELE‘ELE — “Why you got your shirt inside-out?”
The volunteer at St. John’s Church in ‘Ele‘ele questioned a young boy entering the church Sunday for the renewal of ministry with the welcoming of a new vicar.
“Oh, I get it,” the volunteer realized, silently and humbly apologizing to the boy. “You need to have white because this is formal.”
An overflow audience, including representatives of the Native Hawaiian community, the Filipino community and the Pacific Islander community, celebrated the installation of the Rev. Kerry Elizabeth Holder Joffrion as the new vicar of The Episcopal Church on West Kaua‘i that includes St. Paul’s Church in Kekaha and St. John’s Church in ‘Ele‘ele.
“She is our first permanent vicar in more than 10 years,” said Greg Williams of St. John’s Church.
The Bishop Right Rev. Robert Fitzpatrick presided over the service that included Joffrion’s installation as vicar.
“People of St. John’s and St. Paul’s, we have reflected together on your ministry, and we have discerned one called to be your new vicar,” Fitzpatrick said during the installation. “I commend your choice and confirm my appointment of Kerry Elizabeth. Are you, the people of St. John’s and St. Paul’s, ready to continue in your ministry with Kerry Elizabeth as your priest?”
The resounding “We are” signaled the protocol that included ho‘okupu, including a ho‘okupu hula performed by a student from Kula Aupuni Ni‘ihau A Kahelelani Aloha Charter School in Kekaha from the Native Hawaiian community, the presentation of A Book of Common Prayer, the Ilocano community presentation of a flask of oil and an Ilocano bible, and the leading of “The Queen’s Prayer” by The Rev. Nafe Teaupu and Mele Teaupu.
“This is what I like about this church,” said Laurel Coleman, who served as the mistress of ceremony for the day’s service that included assigned seating inside the small church and an abundance of seating in a specially accommodated outdoor tented area. “We’re all family. ‘Aloha’ is not just a word. We live it.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
