“You go out to my people as God’s messengers. Our beloved Church regards her children as having bodies as well as souls to be cared for, and sanctions the consecration of these and of all that is beautiful in nature and in art to the service of God”
— Queen Emma
The Rev. Andrew McMullen came to St. Michael and All Angels in the fall of 2016. He is a graduate of the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. In his almost 20 years of ordained ministry, he has served at Trinity-by-the-Cove in Naples, Florida, Church of the Ascension in Pueblo, Colorado, St. Peter’s Church in Oahu and St. Matthias in Monument, Colorado. Prior to seminary, he was a trial lawyer in Kansas City, Missouri. He is married to his wife Renate, who is active in the parish choir and works as a school counselor on the island. Between them, they each have four children and four step-children.
Father Andrew’s call to ministry began with an interest in outreach, particularly housing and food support for the underprivileged and those in need. He embraces the sacramental life of the parish and the call to preach and teach the love of the Gospel. At the same time, Father Andrew believes that the call to follow and serve love in the world transcends the church; the parish is never the destination, it is rather the means to discipleship and the sharing of fellowship. It is therefore essential that any faith community be loving, open, inclusive and authentic, for such is the heart of God.
I grew up in New England and consider myself a Yankee. I was baptized in the Congregational Church at 12 years old. In my late 20s I moved to California where I studied accounting and ran my own bookkeeping service for many years.
I moved to Kauai in 2001 and started attending All Saints Episcopal Church. I fell in love with the Episcopal faith and was confirmed in 2003 by Bishop Chang. I have served as Lay Reader, Eucharistic Minister and Eucharistic Visitor, as well as serving on the Vestry and as Senior and Junior Warden. I trained in healing prayers and became a member of The Order of Saint Luke.
I felt the call to the deaconate many years before I answered God’s call. I went through four years of study in the local formation program and was ordained a Deacon in October 2023. I believe Deacons are beacons of hope and love in our messy world. We are signs of Christ’s compassion and loving care and call other Christians into those ministries of care and service. I truly believe the ministry of deacons is essential to the growth of the church as we move into the future.
Alan VanZee received his Bachelorʻs Degree in Music from Central College in Iowa and has spent much of his adult life working as a professional musician, including the past two decades serving at St. Michaelʻs. In his capacity as Music Director, Alan plans and arranges the music for weekly services as well as special occasions at the church. He is also the principal pianist and choir director for all services. Additionally, Alan plans and directs special events, such as the All Angels Music Festival and the King Kamehameha IV & Queen Emma annual concert. Alan considers it a great honor to share his musical gifts at St. Michael and All Angels Church.
St. Michael and All Angels Church is a magnificent gift, a place to be nurtured in Christ and to faithfully serve all who call this parish home as well as our greater island community. I have been blessed to serve for 25 years at St. Michael’s in many ministries: Lay Eucharistic Visiting, Vestry, Altar Guild, Hospitality and Office Volunteer. And now, I’m so grateful for the varied duties as Parish Administrator; the staff position adds a kaleidoscope of fun to my retirement years!
