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Announcing the Members of the Transition Committee
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The Joint Board for Bishop Transition would like to thank all those who submitted their names to serve the Diocese during our Bishop Search in the work of the Transition Committee. We had more applications from very qualified people than space on the committee, which speaks to the strength of our Diocese and our desire to be active and engaged in the life and work of our church. We want to thank everyone who submitted their name for consideration for this committee, and we want to continue to encourage those in the Diocese to be ready to serve in this ongoing process and the many parts it entails.
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Updates from the Bishop Search Committee: Zoom Interviews
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The Bishop Search Committee members are now preparing for the next phase of the search process… the Zoom interviews. Applicants being moved forward following the first round of screening will each participate in a Zoom interview. We anticipate the interviews to begin soon and continue over the next month.
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Holiday Services Across the Diocese of Olympia
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Join our churches and worshiping communities from across the Diocese of Olympia this holiday season! More services will be added throughout the season, so check back for more updates!
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Episcopal Diocese of the Southern Philippines Visit Recap
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In late September and early October, our diocese was honored to host Bishop Ernie Moral, his wife Shirmen Moral, and Gideon Bustamante, Regional Development Officer at Episcopal CARE Foundation Inc., as visitors and friends from the Episcopal Diocese of the Southern Philippines (EDSP). The purpose of their visit was to share updates and dialogue about how we might grow our dioceses’ Carbon Offset partnership which began in 2012.
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The Purpose of the Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness
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The Task Force has been working as a group since November 2018 to ensure that the churches of the Diocese of Olympia have been active in providing their efforts and supporting community efforts to combat homelessness. The Task Force gathered monthly (and still does) to discuss best practices, what actions work and what doesn’t, and how to get the word out to the entire Diocese. The Task Force survived the disruptions of the pandemic and continues with 28 members from around the Diocese.
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The Episcopal Church at COP28
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Follow the important climate justice work The Episcopal Church is doing at COP28 – where they are encouraging us not just to “think globally and act locally” but to Think and Act: Globally and Locally.
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Holiday Toy Drive for Refugee Children
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The Diocese of Olympia’s Refugee Resettlement Office is holding a Holiday Toy Drive for refugee children!
Find out more at the link below!
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Episcopal Relief & Development Announces Opportunity for Donors to Double Their Impact During Year-End Hope Match Campaign
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Supporters of Episcopal Relief & Development can double the impact of their donations during the organization’s year-end Hope Match Campaign. From November 8 until December 31, qualifying contributions will be matched up to $750,000.
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Forma: Faith Formation Conference
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January 22-25, 2024 | Online | $120 Registration
Experience the annual Forma conference, a chance for all who work in faith formation – staff, volunteers & clergy – to experience the latest in methods, perspectives and practices.
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Bring Christmas to a Seafarer!
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Every year, the Seattle Seafarers Center (Mission to Seafarers) provides over 1,000 “ditty bag” gifts stuffed with basic personal necessities to merchant seafarers. These bags are one way we give thanks for these essential and often hidden workers, and help seafarers celebrate the holidays while they are far from home. Help make a seafarer’s Christmas by providing them with a ditty bag to say thank you!
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Live-Streaming Services
Across the Diocese
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As more of our churches have moved to live-streaming their services, we’ve created a directory of our churches with services times and links to where you can join for Sunday morning and weekday prayer.
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The World is About to Turn: Exploring Advent with Young Adults
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December 9, 9:00 am | Diocesan House
Explore the beauty of Advent with dynamic speakers from around the Diocese, and enjoy fun, food & friendship with other young adults.
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Ordinations to the Transitional Diaconate
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December 9, 10:30 am | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle
By the grace of God and the people consenting, The Most Rev. Melissa Skelton, Bishop Provisional of Olympia, will ordain six new transitional deacons.
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Friends Talking: Life in Palestine in This Time of War—Dean Thomason and Palestinian Priest Fr. Fadi Diab in Conversation
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December 10, 10:10 am | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle
At this special Sunday forum Fr. Fadi Diab, Rector of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Ramallah in the West Bank, will join Dean Steve from Ramallah over Zoom to discuss the current situation on the ground in Palestine, how the war is impacting our Christian siblings in the Holy Land, and how the prospect of peace can still be held in the face of such challenges.
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Civil Rights Pilgrimage Info Session
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December 12, 7:00 pm | Online
Bring all your questions and curiosities about the October 2024 diocesan Civil Rights Pilgrimage to this Zoom info session!
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December 14, 6:30 pm | Online
All are welcome to join Climate Conversations, on the second Thursday of every month, hosted by Saint Mark’s Creation Care Ministry, held on environmentally-friendly Zoom.
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December 15-17 | Camp Huston, Gold Bar
Kick off your winter break at Camp Huston’s youth event for ages 8 to 16!
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Concert for the Human Family
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February 3, 2024; 7:00 pm | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle
You’re invited to the Concert for the Human Family: an inspiring collaboration between award-winning musicians and church leaders who believe in the power of music and storytelling to foster Beloved Community.
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Practicing the Presence of God Retreat
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March 4-7 | Saint Andrew’s House, Union | $375 Registration
Join St. Andrew’s House for Practicing the Presence of God with Paul Rietmann.
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Sundays, 5:30 pm | Epiphany, Seattle
Join Epiphany, Seattle every Sunday at 5:30 pm for Choral Evensong, followed by a reception.
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Tidings of Joy: A Festive Carol Celebration with Choir and Organ
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December 9, 5:00 pm | St. Dunstan’s, Shoreline | Suggested Donations – $5 Students, $20 Adults
Seattle Girls Choir’s Cantamus ensemble and organist Carol Banach will share music of the season, knitting together an eclectic assortment of choral anthems, organ solos by Ms. Banach and favorite Christmas carols sung by all.
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December 9, 8:00 pm | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle | $5-27 Tickets
The Seattle Choral Company presents its annual Cathedral Christmas concert event at Saint Mark’s Cathedral this year with choral masterworks from the Italian Baroque era.
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December 10, 6:00 pm | Good Samaritan, Samammish
Join Good Samaritan, Sammamish for a contemplative service of Advent readings and songs.
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December 15, 7:00 pm | St. Dunstan’s, Shoreline
St. Dunstan’s hosts the touring company of Taproot Theater in their production of A Christmas Carol.
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Community Christmas Caroling Party
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December 16, 4:00 pm | St. Barnabas, Bainbridge Island
Join St. Barnabas, Bainbridge Island for a Community Christmas Caroling Party with BI Fire Truck.
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December 17, 2:00 pm | St. Michael & All Angels, Issaquah
Come sing or listen to the Christmas portion of G. F. Handel’s Messiah with St. Michael & All Angels, Issaquah, and help raise funds for Issaquah Community Services.
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The Philadelphia Eleven: Documentary Screening
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January 13, 2024, 5:00 pm | Good Shepherd, Federal Way
Join Good Shepherd, Federal Way to learn the story of the first women ordained to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church, and participate in a panel discussion afterward.
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Sister Joan Chittister Visits Seattle
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May 5, 2024, 3:00 pm | St. Stephen’s, Seattle | $10-30 Registration (book and photo included)
New Date: On May 5, 2024, Sister Joan Chittister, OSB, one of the most influential religious and social leaders of our time and a passionate advocate for peace, human rights, women’s issues, and church renewal, will speak at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Seattle on her newest book, “The Time is Now: A Call to Uncommon Courage.”
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Pledge Campaign Materials Ready to Use TODAY!
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Download the whole package today to begin planting the seeds for your campaign! (password is Jeremiah17:8)
The 2023 – 2024 Annual Pledge Campaign materials are ready for use. This year’s package includes:
- Sample letters from the Clergy, Wardens, and Committee Chair
- Prayers for the Pledge Cards and Prayers at Ingathering
- Prayers of the People during your campaign season and a Post-Communion Prayer you may use during the weeks of your pledge drive
- Pledge cards that focus on time, talent, and treasure
- Proportional Giving cards
- Weekly Reflections for now and other seasons
- A Hymn to accompany the theme. You may download the score and listen to a recording of how it sounds on our website.
The Diocese of Olympia’s annual membership in TENS (The Episcopal Network for Stewardship) means every congregation in the Diocese has full and FREE access to these resources. 2023 password is Jeremiah17:8 (no spaces, case sensitive).
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Thinking about Upping Your Online Giving Game?
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TENS (The Episcopal Network for Stewardship) brings you this opportunity to partner with Vanco, a company with exceptional customer service and simple church management software integrations to help generosity soar for the benefit of your church.
Sign up with Vanco before the end of November and you’ll experience:
- Compelling storytelling and visual giving pages that bring your missions to life for anyone from first-time donors to established members.
- Free one-on-one implementation support where we’ll help you launch your online giving program with best practices used by the over 25,000 churches we work with.
- No processing fees on gifts, up to $50,000 in total, received in January.
Let Vanco help you transition from fall into a strong holiday season and an even stronger start to 2024. Request a demo today to learn more!
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Celtic Pilgrimage to Wales and Ireland’s Ancient East
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May 18-30, 2024 | $4,550 Registration
Explore the lands of saints and poets, tracing the roots of Celtic Christianity.
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May 22-June 1, 2024 | $3,183 Registration
The Portuguese Camino pilgrimage scheduled for next May is filling up fast, with only a few spaces left! Don’t miss out on this unique pilgrimage experience walking the Way of St. James through northern Portugal then crossing the Spanish border into Galicia and, finally, to Santiago.
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Compline Choir Pilgrimage to England’s Historic Cathedrals
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August 1-19, 2024 | $4,950 Registration
Join the Compline Choir as a companion pilgrim to three of England’s most storied and historic cathedrals part of the Season of Pilgrimage through the Wisdom School at Saint Mark’s Cathedral.
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September 30-October 9, 2024
All are welcome to join The Rev. Canon Carla Robinson, The Rev. Canon Britt Olson, and The Rev. Bryon Hansen in October 2024 for a transformative 10-day civil rights pilgrimage from Atlanta to Memphis!
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Passing the Baton: A Workshop for Congregational Leader Transitions
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January 13 & March 16, 2024; 9:00 am | Online | $200 Registration
A Zoom workshop providing practical transitional and spiritual support for faith community lay leaders as they conclude their term on a Vestry, Council, or Board.
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February 2-5, 2024 | Holden Village, Lake Chelan | $306 Registration
Visit Holden Village for a winter weekend of relationship, learning, and rejuvenation.
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February 10, 2024; 8:00 am | Brightwater Center, Woodinville | $50-60 Tickets
Doxacon Seattle is a fan convention exploring the intersection of the Christian faith with speculative fiction, gaming, and pop culture.
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Safe Church Online Update
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In accordance with The Episcopal Church’s Safe Church, Safe Communities program, Universal Training is now offered for certification for Children/Youth and Vulnerable Adults. Universal Safe Church training fosters a culture of safety and inclusion for all people and covers a broad overview of issues of vulnerability, power, and healthy boundaries. Universal Safe Church training is designed to equip all people to live out their Baptismal Covenant.
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The following job opportunities are now open at churches and organizations across Western Washington.
- St. Barnabas, Bainbridge Island is seeking a Part-Time Parish Administrator.
- St. Andrew’s, Tacoma is seeking a Part-Time Parish Administrator/Communicator.
- St. Dunstan’s Shoreline is seeking a Part-Time Parish Communications Manager.
- St. Luke’s, Seattle is seeking a Part-Time Musician.
- St. Margaret’s, Bellevue is seeking a Part-Time Thrift Shop Production Specialist.
- Christ Church Christiana Hundred, Wilmington, DE is seeking a Full-Time Minister for Children & Youth.
- Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, Basking Ridge, NJ is seeking a Full-Time Director of Ministries to Youth, Young Adults, and their Families.
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