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The Joint Board for Bishop Transition Announces Preliminary Slate of Bishop Nominees
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The Joint Board for Bishop Transition in the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia is pleased to announce that, after receiving the recommendations of the Bishop Search Committee, we have approved a preliminary slate of nominees for the Ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia.
- The Reverend Phil LaBelle
- The Reverend Doctor Hillary D. Raining
- The Venerable Jordan Haynie Ware
- The Reverend Kate E. Wesch
More information can be found on our Bishop Transition website at the link below.
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Congregation Leadership Conference
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March 9, 10:00 am | St. Margaret’s Bellevue
April 6, 10:00 am | Online
Join other clergy and congregational leaders for the Congregation Leadership Conference – a combination of plenary sessions and breakout workshops.
Registration is now open! Find out more information and get registration links below!
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Cathedral Day 2024: Pilgrimage to Your Cathedral
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April 27, 9:00 am | St. Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle
Cathedral Day is a “family reunion” for Episcopalians from across western Washington. It’s a time for connecting across congregations and experiencing all your cathedral has to offer. This year’s Cathedral Day celebrates the idea of pilgrimage, with Saint Mark’s serving as your sacred destination.
Our Christian tradition holds dear the spiritual practice of making pilgrimages that profoundly shape our understanding of what it means to follow Christ. One need not travel across the globe to do so; one need only be open to the holy experience of discovering God anew on the way. For centuries, cathedrals have served as Christian pilgrimage sites, drawing people of faith into the orbit of wonder and awe.
This year, for Cathedral Day in the Diocese of Olympia, all are encouraged to consider the day’s journey as a pilgrimage to your cathedral. As Jesus said to the first ones to follow him as people of The Way: Come and see…so are we invited to join on this journey together this Eastertide. Come and see…
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St. Luke’s, Seattle: Building a Place Where Love Dwells
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Since 2017, St. Luke’s, Seattle has been developing a vision for the large piece of land and many older buildings that the church inhabits. In April of 2024, they will be breaking ground on the first of two 8-story buildings that will contain 126 affordable housing units, market-rate apartments, underground parking, new worship and program space for the church, and a 99-year income stream from a ground lease. This exciting project is made possible in partnership between St. Luke’s and the Diocese. Their “Building a Place Where Love Dwells” capital campaign has already raised $970,000 from our small congregation, $650K of which is already in hand. They are looking forward to inviting members of the Diocese and community to participate in supporting this campaign. You may find more information at the link below.
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2024 Civil Rights Pilgrimage:
An Invitation from The Rev. Canon Carla Robinson
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“There will be time, time to reflect, time to enjoy the uniqueness of the places we visit. Time to share, for sharing our stories and our insights is critical
to what will make this pilgrimage transformative. And there will be time for prayer.”
The Rev. Canon Carla Robinson extends an invitation to join the 10-day Civil Rights Pilgrimage from Atlanta to Memphis as we strengthen our own commitment to “strive for justice and peace among all people and to respect the dignity of every human being.”
More information can be found at the link below.
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Updates from the Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness
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“No matter how you view this issue about rent stabilization, it is not hard to understand that creation of new levels of poverty is not only costly and in no one’s interest, but I believe immoral in the deepest sense of the teachings of Jesus”
This week’s update from the Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness explores some of the root causes of homelessness in our region.
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The Bishop’s Commission for Liturgy & Arts has prepared a brief post noting the great array of liturgical resources available for the parishes of the Diocese. May they enrich and enliven our worship: what is for many our most public face to the world.
Find out more at the link below.
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Visit of Pádraig Ó Tuama Postponed
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Irish poet and theologian Pádraig Ó Tuama planned to visit Seattle in late May for a public lecture and reading as well as a preaching workshop for clergy under the auspices of The Wisdom School at Saint Mark’s. Due to a family health matter in Ireland, Pádraig has asked to postpone his visit to Seattle. We will share details when we have a new date for him to visit, likely in 2025.
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Cedar Monroe’s Trash: A Poor White Journey
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Trash: A Poor White Journey will be released on March 5. In this new book, Cedar Monroe writes about their work at Chaplains on the Harbor over the past decade, telling the story of a poor community struggling with high rates of homelessness, over-incarceration, and the legacy of white supremacy. With trenchant insight borne of liberation theology, radical politics, and even more radical hope, Monroe introduces us to people hammering out survival strategies and hope in the abandoned zones of the empire. The book can be purchased on Amazon or from the publisher. There will be an event introducing the book at Plymouth UCC in Seattle on March 16, at 2:00-4:00 pm, and then at Powell’s in Portland on March 17, at 7:00 pm.
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Grant Applications Open for 2024 Episcopal
Creation Care Projects
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The Episcopal Church’s Task Force on the Care of Creation and Environmental Racism is offering an additional round of grant funding for up to eight projects that seek to bolster creation care and environmental justice work. The deadline to apply online is March 22.
Find out more by following the link below.
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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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Lenten Book Discussion for Young Adults
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Tuesdays, 7:00 pm | Online
Young adults will gather via Zoom for community time and discussion based on the book, “For All Who Hunger: Searching for Communion in a Shattered World,” with the series culminating in a Dinner Church in Seattle.
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Questioning Together + Compline
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March 10, 7:30 pm | St. Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle
Join in for an exploration of Anglo-Catholicism with The Rev. Canon Linzi Stahlecker to explore theological themes with a focus on the sacraments, the importance of beauty, and a legacy of social justice.
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Service of Lament & Healing: In Honor of Nex Benedict
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March 12, 6:30 pm | St. Peter’s, Seattle
Join the Circles of Color and St. Peter’s, Seattle for a service of lament and healing in honor of Nex Benedict, a transgender teen who died after being assaulted at his school earlier in February.
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Children & Youth Ministry Leadership Meeting
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March 13, 12:00 pm | Online
It’s time for the quarterly gathering of leaders in Children, Youth & their Families Ministries from around the Diocese!
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March 16, 9:30 am | St. John’s/San Juan, Olympia
Register today for clergy and congregation trainings in public policy, civil discourse, and election engagement with the Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations.
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Mideast Focus Film Series
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March 18, 7:00 pm | Online
Join The Episcopal Bishop’s Committee for Justice and Peace in the Holy Land for their 2024 film series focused on critical issues regarding Palestine and its people.
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Celebration of New and Mutual Ministry
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March 20, 6:30 pm | Christ Church, Tacoma
You are invited to a Celebration of New and Mutual Ministry, with the welcoming of The Reverend Maria Gwyn McDowell, PhD, as the 19th Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, Tacoma.
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Questioning Together + Compline
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April 14, 7:30 pm | St. Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle
Join for a conversation to explore what it means to practice Evangelism as Episcopalians with Bishop Melissa Skelton and other young adults.
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Courage on the Threshold Retreat
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May 31-June 2 | Saint Andrew’s House, Union | $550 Registration
Embracing Life’s Changes with Integrity & Grace
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June 24-July 3 | Camp Huston, Gold Bar | $630 Registration
Counselor Training is a fantastic opportunity for any 16 years or older who want to be a camp counselor or simply would like to have more leadership development!
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July 7-August 10 | Camp Huston, Gold Bar | $498 Registration (Scholarships Available)
Camp Huston’s summer 2024 registration is open! Discovery Camps, Mini Camp, and International Discovery Camp all have space available! Bring a friend and join the fun at Camp Huston.
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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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Contemplative Worship in the Spirit of Taizé
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First Sunday of the Month, 5:00 pm | St. Andrew’s, Seattle
Join St. Andrew’s, Seattle for contemplative worship in the spirit of Taizé.
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Sacred Ground: A Film and Article Based Series on Race and Racism
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Tuesdays, 3:00 pm | St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods, Freeland
Join St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods, Freeland for Sacred Ground, a film and article based series on race and racism.
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Becoming Beloved Community: Truth-telling, Proclamation, Practice, and Repair
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Wednesdays, 7:00 pm | Online
During Lent, join Good Shepherd, Federal Way as they explore the Covenant to Root Out Racism, and this Zoom class is open to the entire Diocese.
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Lenten Book Study – Reconciliation: Preparing for Confession in The Episcopal Church
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Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, Thursdays at 2:00 pm | Online
The people of St. Hilda St. Patrick, Edmonds, are discussing the full depths of reconciliation during Lent by reading through Martin L. Smith’s Reconciliation: Preparing for Confession in The Episcopal Church, with a particular eye toward racial reconciliation and justice.
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The Art of Death: Preparing the Way for Those We Leave Behind
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Saturdays, 10:00 am | St. Dunstan’s, Shoreline | $25 for Materials
Join St. Dunstan’s, Shoreline, for a series of five sessions that will focus on various aspects of planning for death, including the stuff, the numbers, the law, the body, and the service. Each session will be a combination of practical information, an opportunity to ask your questions, and time to begin to write down your plans and start your own death binder.
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Philadelphia Eleven Film Screening
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March 9, 5:00 pm | St. Antony of Egypt, Silverdale
Join St. Antony’s for a potluck dinner as we host a screening of the Philadelphia Eleven documentary, which tells the story of the first women ordained to the Episcopal priesthood.
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Wyatt Smith Organ Concert
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March 10, 3:00 pm | St. John’s/San Juan, Olympia | $20 Suggested Donation
On St. John’s 3,800-pipe Schlicker Organ, Wyatt Smith will be performing works by living composers that celebrate Mother Earth and the environment.
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March 15, 5:00 pm | St. Augustine’s In-the-Woods, Freeland
Join St. Augustine’s In-the-Woods, Freeland for a liturgy of music and poetry at the Spring Equinox.
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March 16, 8:00 pm | Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle | $5-30 Tickets
The Seattle Choral Company’s mid-season concert features Morten Lauridsen’s luminous Lux Aeterna (Eternal Light) and sacred works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Schubert that both exhibit youthful energy and early genius.
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March 17, 5:00 pm | St. Luke’s, Renton
Join St. Luke’s, Renton for a liturgy of music and poetry at the Spring Equinox.
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Taizé Prayer at Saint Mark’s Cathedral
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March 19, 7:00 pm | Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle
Join Saint Mark’s Cathedral, online or in person, for Candlelit Prayer with music from Taizé on the Feast of St. Joseph.
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March 22, 7:00 pm | Trinity, Everett
Prepare for Holy Week with the Stations of the Cross at Trinity, Everett.
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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)
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 Ephesians5:2)
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. 2024 password is Ephesians5:2 (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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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
Only nine spots left on the 10-day Civil Rights Pilgrimage from Atlanta to Memphis… Register now!
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Passing the Baton: A Workshop for Congregational Leader Transitions
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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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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.
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St Paul’s Episcopal Church Port Townsend is offering their former altar and matching baptismal font. They are hopeful that they can continue to be useful in another setting. The measurements are 45″x18″x37″ for the altar and the font is 12 1/2 ” square at the base and 40″ high. If interested, contact Tracy Garrett at 703.989.2619 or morkabu@olympus.net.
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“Re-Pitching the Tent” Study Series
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St Paul’s Episcopal Church Port Townsend is offering a study group set of 6 copies of Re-Pitching the Tent by Richard Giles, a handbook that aims to revitalize the way we regard church buildings, enabling us to see them afresh as a vital component of our worship and mission. The books were instrumental in leading the church through the discernment process that led to a major renovation of their nave and sanctuary spaces. If interested, contact Tracy Garrett at 703.989.2619 or morkabu@olympus.net.
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