The Episcopal Church Welcomes You

My childhood church is looking a bit different these days. The interior has been opened up to let in the bright Hawaiian sun. The walls have been re-paneled with koa, matching the pews. Except for the large piece over the altar, the stained glass has been replaced.

The church has a lady minister, a Lutheran pastor crackling with energy and full of ideas to expand its web presence.

I wonder what my grandparents, who helped to construct the sanctuary 100 years ago, would say about the changes to the church that they had faithfully attended. The liturgy is gender neutral, and half the traditional hymns have been thrown out. But the essence is recognizably Episcopal, and the church has become the home of some of their great-grandchildren. I like to think that they would be pleased. © 2014 Stephen Yuen