Youth Pilgrimage NewsOn July 28, 13 youth from across the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia will travel to Hawai’i for the Province VIII Talk Story Youth Pilgrimage. They will join youth from other Province VIII dioceses, including; Hawai’i, Taiwan, Utah, Navajoland, Arizona, Oregon, California, and Nevada. There will be 125 youth and 33 adults who will be part of this pilgrimage together. This pilgrimage was born out of the desire to provide youth with an alternative to the Episcopal Youth Event (EYE–a gathering that happens every three years but was canceled for 2026). Diocesan youth leaders from Province VIII came together last September to brainstorm ideas and landed on the theme of “Talk Story”, which is a Hawiian tradition of sharing stories, listening and building connections and community through lived experiences. Part of the pilgrimage is to learn and explore Hawai’i’s culture and traditions, as well as hear about their immigration history. They will also be learning about how these communities were shaped by its people, obstacles they’ve overcome, and the land they cared for. As the youth listen to these stories, they will also have the opportunity to share their own stories and the immigration history of our Diocese. We will be visiting cultural and civic sites along our pilgrimage, and talking with community leaders about how they have preserved their cultural identity through the generations of change and challenges. As we prepare to embark on this pilgrimage, we ask for your prayers for the 13 young people who are participating in this journey, along with their leaders Naomi Cavaliere (Diocesan Youth Special Events Coordinator) and Megan McInnis (Director of Formation at St. Andrew’s, Seattle). We look forward to sharing our experiences upon our return! |
This Weekend – Wild Churchin RoslynSunday July 26 at 9AM We’re going on a Wild Church field trip to Roslyn, WA! Join members from our diocese as we engage with our friend Brian Sellers-Petersen and his Terra Divina group connected to the Episcopal Church of Roslyn, a church in the Diocese of Spokane. All are welcome to join at the Episcopal Church of Roslyn for service at 9:00 AM where Kim+ McNamara will be presiding and Adrienne Elliott will be preaching. We’ll also do the farmers market in the afternoon before heading to Roslyn Pioneer Park for a conversation about the service at 4 pm and Terra Divina at 5 pm. More details and schedule on the website. Email Adrienne if you’d like to come, need a carpool, or would like to offer a ride. |
Webinar: Welcoming a Feast of the Creation in Christ and Keeping a New Season of CreationMonday August 3, 1PM Join us on Monday, August 3, at 1 PM (Pacific) for this webinar co-sponsored by the Bishop’s Commission on Liturgy and the Arts and Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission. Amy McCreath, Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral Boston, and Samuel Torvend, Priest Associate for Adult Formation at St Paul’s Seattle, will lead this discussion. To register, send an email with FEAST in the subject line – no later than Wednesday, July 29. |
Preparing for a Season of CreationAs you think about fall liturgies and formation, here are a few resources to prepare for SoC (9/1-10/4): - Season of Creation website: the 2026 theme is Living Water (Ezekiel 47:9, 12).
- Season of Creation Celebration Guide for Episcopal Parishes: liturgical resource with prayers, readings, and liturgies created from the global Anglican Communion and beyond. In 2025, a Perennial Edition was released with lectionary for years A, B, and C. This has been authorized by Bishop Phil for use in the diocese.
- Let Creation Preach resource & collaborative Padlet (with more great resources!) by diocesan eco-theologian Kristen Daley-Mozier.
- Watershed Discipleship: WA Ecology tool; watershed discipleship resources.
|
|
Congratulations to our Newly Ordained Priests Last Saturday we celebrated the ordinations to the priesthood of Vincent Booth, Tina Francis, Elizabeth Holland, Alison Leary, and Gabriel Oakes! Thank you to everyone who joined us for a beautiful service. You can see the full album of photos here. |
A Holy Waste of Time: Retreat for 20s & 30s August 14-16 | Sacred Waters Center for Restoration and Retreat | $60-150 Registration Adults in their 20s & 30s from around the Diocese of Olympia are invited to our annual weekend of fun, friendship, faith, and blessed time-wasting at the Sacred Waters Center for Restoration Retreat, formerly St. Andrew’s House – a comfortable, rustic lodge situated on the Hood Canal with the Olympic Mountains just beyond. More information and registration here. |
Circles of Color Retreat August 14-16 | Sacred Waters Center for Restoration and Retreat Join the Circles of Color for a rejuvenating weekend at the Sacred Waters Center for Retreat & Restoration! This retreat will focus on connecting, relaxing, and worshiping together. There will also be an opportunity for conversation about our Multicultural Ministries 2030 strategic plan, activities for youth, plus options to get your hands dirty in the garden or around the grounds (if you want!). Don’t wait…Reserve your spot for the Circles of Color Retreat today! |
Exploring Discernment Retreat September 12, St. Mary’s, Lakewood Do you have a big question in life that you are thinking about and wondering what God would have you do? A question like: Should I retire? Should I go back to school? Should I try this ministry? Should I start my own business? Where should I volunteer my time? These questions and more are invitations to explore your relationship with God, yourself, and others more deeply and this one-day retreat will give you resources to do just that. Learn more and register here. Questions? Contact Michael Seewer. |
Lay Preaching Course with Backstory Preaching Preaching Among Friends is a seven-week online course offered by Backstory Preaching for lay preachers. The course meets Sunday evenings from September 20 through November 5 and offers practical instruction in sermon preparation, biblical interpretation, and the spirituality of sermon writing – all within a supportive community of peer feedback. To learn more, contact the Rev. Dr. Lisa Cressman or the Rev. Courtney Jones. |
Continuing Education for Lay and Clergy Leaders The Iona Collaborative has announced its Fall 2026 Continuing Education offerings. Because the Diocese of Olympia is a member of the Iona Collaborative, clergy and lay leaders in our diocese are eligible to participate at the reduced member rate of $25 per course! Registration for all courses opens August 4, 2026. For full course descriptions, schedules, and registration information, visit the Iona Collaborative website here. For any questions about the Iona Collaborative or our Iona School in the Diocese of Olympia, please contact our local Dean, The Rev. Courtney Jones. |
Province VIII Creation Care Conference September 25-27, 2026 Come to a transformative three-day event centered on faith, climate action, and Indigenous wisdom! Join Episcopalians from the nine western states of Province VIII as we gather to renew, repair, and restore our relationship to God’s creation. The goals of the conference are to: Equip for climate action, empower congregations, and work toward the Episcopal Church goal of climate neutrality by 2030. Join us in Salt Lake City! Learn more and register here. |
Convention News Workshops & Exhibitors – LAST CALL If you or your ministry are interested in exhibiting or presenting a workshop at the upcoming 2026 Diocesan Convention, please mark your interest for workshops here and for exhibitors here by July 24th. For more information, please reach out to Caleb Gomes for exhibits and Ivar Hillesland for workshops. Nominations Convention 2026 is coming up and we’re looking to fill the following roles: Diocesan Council – Be Attitudes, Sno-Isle, Peninsula, At Large (1 Clergy and 1 Lay) Standing Committee – 1 Clergy & 1 Lay Commission on Ministry – 1 Deacon & 1 Lay Nomination form for diocesan roles available here. General Convention – 2 Lay Alternate Nomination form for general convention delegates available here. Pray about how God might use your gifts and passions at the larger Diocesan level. If you feel called to serve, please complete a nomination form. Questions? Contact Fr. Wesley Evans. Pre-Convention Meetings Tuesday, October 6th at 6:30PM – Narrative Budget Zoom Session Wednesday, October 14th at 7:00PM – Resolution Information Zoom Session The sessions will be recorded and shared publicly at the conclusion of each session. Important Deadlines and Dates July 24: Deadline for exhibitor and workshop interest forms September 8: Deadline for submission of resolutions, Constitution and Canons changes, and budget amendments. September 22: Deadline for requests for Admission of New Parishes and Missions October 8: Deadline for written notice of Regional Ministry young adult delegate October 8: Deadline for certification of delegates and alternates September 21: Deadline for nominations and convention reports October 21: Deadline for 48 hour resolutions Notice of upcoming convention to canonically resident clergy, congregations, and missions, per the canons: The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia will be holding its annual meeting, the 116th Convention, on October 23-24, 2026 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, 18740 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188. |
|
Important Dates & Upcoming Events July 26 – Wild Church in Roslyn learn more here July 26 – St. Anne’s 75th Anniversary Celebration learn more here August 3 – Webinar: Welcoming a Feast of Creation August 16 – Compline Choir’s 70th Anniversary September 5 – African Transformative Conference September 12 – Exploring Discernment Retreat September 19 – College for Congregational Development Saturday Sessions Begin September 26 – Antiracism Training (online) October 3rd – Ordinations at St. Mark’s Cathedral October 6th – Pre-Convention: Narrative Budget Zoom Session at 6:30PM October 14th – Pre-Convention: Resolution Information Zoom Session at 7:00PM October 23 – 24 – Diocese of Olympia Convention |
|
For more upcoming diocesan events, visit our Diocesan Events Page at the link below. |
|
August 8th – Even Here, God Abides with Rev. Debie Thomas at St. Barnabas, Bainbridge Island Join the St. Barnabas community in Tierney Parish Hall on Saturday, August 8 as we welcome special guest, The Reverend Debie Thomas, who will lead us in a workshop titled Even Here, God Abides: Finding Hope in the Midst of Uncertainty. The workshop begins with fellowship at 8:30 a.m. with programming from 9 a.m. to noon. $10 |
|
August 13, 14, 15 – Faith in Trying Times: Remorse, Compassion and Rage Explore how Christians engage in acts of remorse, compassion and rage in an age of uncertainty and fear. St. Paul’s (Bremerton) welcomes folks from around the diocese to join in conversations with local priest authors Stephen Crippen, Hillary Kimsey and Elizabeth Riley. |
|
August 16 – The Compline Choir’s 70th Anniversary The Compline Choir at Saint Mark’s Cathedral is celebrating 70 years this summer. Enjoy a full day of music beginning with morning worship services, with the Compline Choir women singing at the 9 a.m. service and the Compline Choir men singing at the 11 a.m. service. At 9:30 p.m., both the men and women of the Compline Choir will sing the office in a rare combining of the men’s and women’s voices. |
Fall 2026 – St. Andrew’s Church Seattle EFM Class St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Seattle is looking for students interested in a course we are once again offering this fall. The school of theology at the University of the South has created a four year course called Education for Ministry (EFM) designed to help create a more educated laity. You can learn more and register here. |
|
UPCOMING BISHOP VISITATIONS - July 26 – St. Anne’s, Washougal
- August 2 – St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods, Freeland
|
In this week’s Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for: - All Saints’ Goshen, Tacoma (July 26)
- Holy Spirit, Vashon Island (July 26)
|
|
|
|
|
