2010

“Hospitality Aloha Style”

April 13-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

Welcome to CODE

Over 45 years of service to God, the Church, and the Bishops and people of the Episcopal Church.

Dear CODE members,                                    April 21, 2010

As members of your CODE Board, we thank you for participating in our recent conference held in Honolulu, Hawaii. For us, it was a holy time of refreshment, learning, and re-connection with our colleagues on diocesan staffs around The Episcopal Church. The beauty of our surroundings was matched by the beauty of those who attended and the speakers who shared their knowledge and passion for ministry with us. 

Our conference theme was “Hospitality Aloha Style.”  This is certainly what we received from Bishop Bob Fitzpatrick and the Diocese of Hawai’i, and in spades from the Rev. Bill Miller, who served as our chaplain and is rector of St. Michael and All Angels, Kauai. Bill not only arranged all the worship -- including gifted vocalists, musicians (piano, slack-key guitar, harp), and a hula dancer -- but also led two workshops, one plenary session, and gave four meditations. We owe a debt of gratitude to him for his wisdom, sensitivity, and presence among us.

We extend our thanks also to those who have supported CODE over the years, in particular the Church Pension Group, Medical Trust, and Episcopal Church Foundation.  We are grateful too for the Presiding Bishop’s Canon Chuck Robertson’s time with us, a blessing. And to all our speakers, we so appreciate your investment of time and talent. Your generosity is part of the foundation that makes this conference so valuable.

To the Rev. Canon Brian Nordwick, who has led this organization the past two years as President, with such grace, positive energy, and serenity, we express our heartfelt gratitude. You have left some very big shoes to fill. Aloha and mahalo.

Finally, it is worth saying that one of our learnings was what it’s like to be part of The Episcopal Church, on the fringes. It was 25 years ago that we last held a conference in Hawai’i. When the economic downturn became a reality, there was a temptation to renege on our commitment to bring the conference to Hawai’i. We chose not to do that; we knew there might be a cost for that decision. We missed those of you who were unable to attend, for a variety of reasons, and hope to see you again next year; it will be a collaboration between CODE and transition ministries.

The CODE Board prays for blessings on your ministry. We will be in touch with you over the months ahead as we plan for our next conference, May 3-5, 2011, in Minneapolis.

                                                            With appreciation,

The Rev. Canon Heather Cook, President

Canon Karen Olson, Vice-President

Mr. Peter Pereira, Treasurer

The Rev. Stuart Wright, Communications

Bobbi Davis Yeo, Secretary

Canon Kirk Mason, Board Member

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