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Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest:
The 114th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia
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October 25-26 | Tacoma Convention Center and Marriott Hotel Downtown Tacoma
Rest. Engage. Pray. Over the last two years, we have been busily engaged in the work of transition, listening, discerning, and preparing to begin a new season as the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia. As we cross the threshold into a new life together with a new bishop, it’s tempting to rush forward without first taking stock of where we are and where we’re heading. Instead, let us heed Christ’s invitation: “Come to me, and I will give you rest.”
In this 114th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, join us as we come together after a season of transition to rest in Christ, to engage deeply in the meaningful work of the Diocese, and to pray together as a community, heeding the call of our Savior and striking out in a new direction together. Learn from one another at workshops, celebrate milestones in the life of our Diocese, worship with Episcopalians across Western Washington, and hear from Bishop LaBelle as he begins his journey with us in the Diocese.
Rest. Engage. Pray.
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Full Day of Workshops Offered at Diocesan Convention
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Join Episcopalians from across Western Washington for a full day of education, inspiration, and community-building at Diocesan Convention’s first of two days. Workshops range in topics from creation care to prison ministry, world events to artificial intelligence, and crafting sermons to mapping neighborhoods. A mid-day plenary session with our newly consecrated Bishop Phil LaBelle will delve deeply into the Convention theme: Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest.
With 36 different workshop options throughout the day, there is truly something for everyone, and all are welcome. If you’re not already registering as a delegate, alternate, or representative, register as a participant at $10 per person. Workshops will be held Friday, October 25, at the Tacoma Convention Center from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. See the schedule for more details.
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Election Resources, Services, and Events
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In this divisive election season, we have compiled a list of election resources, services, and events from our congregations across the diocese, Follow the link below to find out more.
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College for Congregational Development Saturday Sessions
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Saturdays, October 19, November 16, January 18, February 15, & March 15, April 26; 8:30 am
Registration for The College for Congregational Development Saturday Sessions is still open! These meetings will primarily be held at Diocesan House on Capitol Hill in Seattle. You may register at the link below. Our first session is on Saturday, October 19.
At a time when many of us are burdened by uncertainty, fatigue, changing expectations and the after-effects of COVID, the College for Congregational Development is an incredible way to support leadership and give us all a greater sense of agency and direction. Through grant funding and lots of work, we’ve revamped and reinvigorated the program and are continuing to fine-tune this work. We’re now in 12 dioceses and growing!
For this session, we will be in “Year A,” which focuses primarily on internal congregational processes of engagement and thriving to include processes that create ownership and inform action. As part of the curriculum, we will be learning and practicing conflict management and trust development tools, change and listening processes, facilitation skills, leadership development, and intercultural communication among other things.
As always, you are welcome to reach out to Matt Koski at mkoski@ecww.org.
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Baptism and Necrology Reports at Diocesan Convention
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As we prepare for Diocesan Convention 2024, it is time to gather the names of those in our congregations who have been baptized – and those who have died – since October 1, 2023.
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Save the Date for Presiding Bishop-Elect Rowe’s Investiture Service
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November 2, 1:00 pm | Online
As announced at the close of the 81st General Convention, the investiture of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe will be a simpler, scaled-down event this fall with a view toward reducing carbon footprint and increasing virtual engagement and participation.
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Diocesan House Renovations
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Renovations at Diocesan House have begun! Due to the extensive interior and exterior work on Diocesan House, there will be limited access to the building until the Fall of 2024, and staff members will be arranging alternate meeting locations during the renovation. If you have any questions about the renovations, please contact our Diocesan Property Manager, The Rev. Dr. Dennis S. Tierney, at dtierney@ecww.org.
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Visit the Diocesan Altar Guild
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Diocesan Altar Guild (DAG) will be at Diocesan House as often as possible: please call ahead if you wish to come visit on Tuesday or Wednesday from 10:30 am – 5:00 pm at 206.826.7211 to reach the DAG room directly. For appointments on other days, if needed, call Sherry at 206.364.4707.
Parking will be across the street. It is not a long walk: a person can be let off at the front of Diocesan House before parking elsewhere. Only one space at Diocesan House is available for Disabled Parking.
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Building a Place Where Love Dwells:
St. Luke’s, Seattle Capital Campaign
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Bishop Skelton offers an invitation to join in the momentous work of St. Luke’s, Seattle’s redevelopment of their property to create affordable housing and a new worship space. You, too, can help to Build a Place Where Love Dwells!
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Responding to Hurricanes Milton and Helene
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Episcopal Relief & Development is in touch with partners in the southeastern US as they meet the needs of people impacted by Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in southwestern Florida on Wednesday, October 9.
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Updates from the Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness
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“All deserve our food, our shelter, our encouragement, our love, yet we need to play our parts to be honest about systemic failures.”
This week’s update from the Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness explores the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.
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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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Compline, Sung by The Compline Choir
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Sundays, 9:30 pm | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle
Sung prayers for the close of the day, offered every Sunday at 9:30 pm in person and via live-stream.
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United We Stand: An Interreligious Prayer Vigil on the Eve of Elections
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November 4, 7:00 pm | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle
Join local religious leaders and fellow citizens who will gather in Seattle’s Saint Mark’s Cathedral at this important juncture of our nation’s history for a brief non-partisan interfaith service of hope.
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Pan-African Ministry Summit
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November 9-10 | 415 Westlake, Seattle
Join us as we gather with our African congregations and friends from around the US and the African continent to celebrate and share our diverse cultures and ministry contexts.
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Walking the Emmaus Road: A Journey from Lament to Hop, Led by Debie Thomas
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November 9, 9:30 am | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle | $25 Registration
In this half-day workshop, we will explore lament as a healing, justice-oriented practice that will help us find our way to the fullness of resurrection hope.
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Homecoming Conference 2024: Celebrating Life, Planning for Death
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November 16, 9:00 am | St. Antony of Egypt, Silverdale
Join the Episcopal congregations in the Peninsula Region of the Diocese of Olympia for a half-day conference on end-of-life planning.
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November 23, 10:00 am | St. John the Baptist, Seattle
Join the Seattle Seafarers Center at St. John the Baptist, Seattle’s annual Ditty Bag Stuffing Party and gather to stuff care packages, share stories about seafarers ministry, and bless the bags to be given away.
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December 13-15 | Camp Huston | $255 Registration
Winter Camp for youth 8-16, a fun weekend of camp life at Camp Huston December 13-15.
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Contemplative Evening Eucharist
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Sundays, 5:00 pm | St. John’s, Gig Harbor
A contemplative liturgy with candlelight, quiet and Celtic-inspired music.
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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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Walking with the Indigenous Saints
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Sundays, 9:40 am | St. George, Maple Valley
Join St. George, Maple Valley for a six-week study series especially designed for middle and high school youth that seeks to study and integrate scripture and the lives of holy men and women of Indigenous heritage in the Episcopal Church.
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Fourth Sundays, 2:00 pm | St. George, Maple Valley
Join St. George, Maple Valley for guided meditative labyrinth walks with seasonal themes on the 4th Sunday of the month, 2:00-4:00 pm, rain or shine, as an indoor walk will be available in inclement weather.
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Sundays , 9:30 am | Redeemer, Kenmore
Elementary-aged children will use Seeking God Together for church school at Church of the Redeemer.
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Sundays , 9:30 am | Redeemer, Kenmore
When you think of God, what images come to mind?
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Beyond Land Acknowledgement
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Sundays , 5:00 pm | St. John the Baptist, Seattle
A speaker series exploring the history and future of the Duwamish Tribe in the Seattle Area.
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Christian Formation: Halloween Special
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Sundays, 3:00 pm | St. Mary’s Lakewood
Join St. Mary’s, Lakewood for a creepy foray into the dark side of the Bible and the Christian Faith going into Allhallowtide!
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Organ Plus in Thomsen Chapel
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October 18 & 20, 7:30 pm | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle | $20-25 Tickets
Soprano Laura Loge and Saint Mark’s Associate Organist John Stuntebeck will bring Scandinavian church music to Thomsen Chapel exploring ancient Norwegian stevtoner, Danish organ works, Swedish church arias, folk song and hymns, and settings of religious texts up to the present.
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The Elusive Quest: Reconciliation in a World of Conflict with David Porte
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October 19-20 | St. Thomas, Medina | $45 Registration (Scholarships Available)
Join St, Thomas, Medina for this unique retreat opportunity facilitated by internationally-recognized peace and reconciliation expert David Porter.
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October 19, November 16, December 7; 10:00 am | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle
Monthly Saturday morning work parties on the Greenbelt organized by Green Seattle Partnership.
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October 19, 7:00 pm | St. John’s | San Juan, Olympia
Don’t miss this spectacular evening of big band jazz. Beginning at 7:00 pm, the orchestra will energize you with big band, jazz and swing music, kicking off the church’s renowned concert series for 2024-25.
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October 20 & November 17 6:00 pm | St. Barnabas, Bainbridge Island
Join St. Barnabas, Bainbridge Island this fall for their contemplative Vespers services dedicated to female saints and sung by the Schola Nova treble choir.
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October 25, 7:30 pm | St. Dunstan’s, Shoreline
A Haunting Halloween Organ Concert and Spooky Storytelling Soirée.
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Requiem: Duruflé & Howells
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October 25, 7:30 pm | Epiphany, Seattle | $38 Tickets
The Epiphany Choir will join with Seattle Symphony organist Joseph Adam to present two contrasting requiem settings.
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Whiffenpoofs at Christ Church Tacoma
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October 26, 7:00 pm | Christ Church, Tacoma | $25 Tickets
Whiffenpoofs, America’s oldest A Cappella Group, is on tour and performing at Christ Church Tacoma.
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Family Pumpkin Night Potluck
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October 27, 6:00 pm | Redeemer, Kenmore
Enjoy an evening together at the Family Pumpkin Night Potluck at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Kenmore, Washington.
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Book or Treat (Libro or Trato)
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October 31, 5:00 pm | St. Timothy, Chehalis
Trick or Treat at St. Timothy, Chehalis for free books, treats, and a warm break!
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Keeping Hope When the World Seems Hopeless with The Rev. Scott Gunn
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November 2, 9:00 am | St. Thomas, Medina | $45 Registration (Scholarships Available)
Join St. Thomas, Medina, for this timely retreat opportunity facilitated by Forward Movement Director Scott Gunn and explore how we can keep hope when the world seems hopeless.
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November 2, 6:30 pm | St. John’s, Gig Harbor
Join St. John’s, Gig Harbor as they will name those who have died and light candles in their memory, while the choir ministers to souls with the singing of Mozart Requiem Mass.
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Shaker Harmonies: Celebrating 250 Years of the Shakers in America
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November 10, 3:00 pm | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle | $20-25 Tickets
The Tudor Choir, directed by Doug Fullington, and Saint Mark’s Women’s Compline Choir, directed by Rebekah Gilmore, will sing arrangements of Shaker hymns by Kevin Siegfried spanning the last 250 years in a celebration of their music, and their continuing peaceful, artistic, and all-welcoming movement.
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Living Breathe | Organ and Flute
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November 15, 7:30 pm | St. Luke’s Memorial, Tacoma | $20 Suggested Donation
As part of the 24-25 season of Music at St. Luke’s Memorial, Dr. Tracy Doyle (Director of the UPS School of Music) and Dr. Wyatt Smith will present a program of music for organ and flute by living composers.
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All Saints Gala and Silent Auction
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November 16, 6:00 pm | All Saints, Vancouver | $35 Tickets
All Saints Episcopal Church and Babies in Need invites you to enjoy their annual Gala and Silent Auction.
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Advent Vespers: Candlelit Contemplative Prayer
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Sundays Beginning December 4, 7:00 pm | Michael & All Angels, Issaquah
Advent candlelit contemplative evening prayer—a point of calm in a busy month.
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Comfort & Joy: An English Christmas
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December 7, 8:00 pm | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle | $5-30 Tickets
The Seattle Choral Company presents their annual Cathedral Christmas program featuring works by English composers Ralph Vaughan Williams, Cecilia McDowall, and Sir John Rutter, offering a rich celebration of music, embracing the joy and wonder of the season.
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December 11, 7:00 pm | St. Luke’s Memorial, Tacoma
The choirs of St. Luke’s Memorial will present Advent Lessons & Carols, including works by Mark Schweizer, Thomas Ravenscroft, Frderick Frahm, Robert Lehman, Charles Villiers Stanford, and Thomas Walmisley, along with familiar congregational Advent carols.
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December 15, 2:30 pm | St. Michael & All Angels, Issaquah
Come sing or listen to the Christmas portion of G. F. Handel’s Messiah under the direction of Dr. Jason Anderson!
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January 6, 7:00 pm | St. Luke’s Memorial, Tacoma
Join Music Director Dr. Wyatt Smith, and cantor Kyle Haugen for Organ Vespers for the Feast of the Epiphany at St. Luke’s Memorial Church.
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Pledge Campaign Materials Ready to Use TODAY!
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Download the whole package today and begin your campaign right away! (2024 password is Ephesians5:2)
The 2024 Campaign is Walk in Love. Campaign materials are available in English and Spanish as Word documents for your editing – or use them as they are. This year’s package includes:
- Letters from the Clergy, Wardens, and Committee Chair
- Pledge cards that focus on time, talent, and treasure
- Proportional Giving cards
- Prayers for weekly offerings and for Campaign Ingathering
- Prayers of the People during your campaign season
- Reflections to use during the Campaign and year-round
On the TENS website, you can access informative and inspiring webinars about how to use the materials and ways to think about and engage your congregation in walking in love with one another, with God, and with your community.
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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May 22, 2025 – June 1, 2025
Join Fr. Steve Danzey next year May 22-June 1 – only 4 spaces left!
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Celtic Pilgrimage to Brittany and Loire River Valley
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May 22, 2025 – June 3, 2025 | $4,400 Registration
From megalithic monuments to monastic caves, discover how Celtic Christianity took root in ancient France.
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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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One Parish One Prisoner Office Hours
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November 13, 5:00 pm | Online
Join for an open Zoom call to learn more about One Parish One Prisoner and the ministry of resurrection.
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The following job opportunities are now open at churches and organizations across Western Washington.
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