Across the Diocese: September 17, 2026

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Online Anti-Racism Training

September 26, 10AM – 3PM

Join Cn. Carla Robinson for our online offering of anti-racism training. All lay church leaders are highly encouraged to complete this program. This one-day training experience is based on “Seeing the Face of God in Each Other: The Antiracism Training Manual of the Episcopal Church.” You can register for thezoom session here.

Save the Date – October Ordinations

October 3, 10:30AM, Saint Mark’s Cathedral

Please join us in October for ordinations at Saint Mark’s Cathedral. All are invited to worship with us and celebrate the ordinations of new clergy. The Rt. Rev. Philip N. LaBelle will ordain Nathan Michael Clark, Tamara Grace Lamb, Susan Maureen Mings to the Sacred Order of Deacons; and will ordain Eric Edward Stroo to the Sacred Priesthood. The festival color is red.

AI Task Force Initial Meeting & Video Conversation

October 15, 10:30AM, 10am-4pm, Epiphany Parish

You are invited to join the Diocese of Olympia AI Task Force for our initial meeting on Thursday October 15 from 10am-4pm (lunch provided) at Epiphany Parish Seattle. If you are interested in the intersection of faith and AI, the conversation on how the church is engaging with the ever-increasing prevalence of this technology, if you use it regularly or choose to abstain, you are invited to join us in our initial meeting and conversation about AI and The Church. At this meeting we will share resources, share in conversation, raise up areas for further study, and begin to formulate ways of discussing AI that we can share with our parishes and the diocese at large.

This invitation is for any in the diocese who are interested in participating, clergy or lay.

As part of this work, The Rev. Doyt Conn and The Rev. Nic Mather, Co-chairs of the AI Task Force, joined together in conversation to begin addressing these topics and offer that conversation to the diocese here.

If you would like to join us on the 15th, please RSVP to The Rev. Nic Mather.

Coming Soon – Lunch and Learns

We are exciting to announce a new offering from the Office of the Bishop: Lunch and Learns! These will be once or twice a month zoom sessions on a variety of topics for lay and ordained leaders. Coming this year will be sessions on planning a great annual meeting, using special liturgies during Holy Week, understanding the parochial report, and more! Save the date for our first session on November 17th at noon with Cn. Ivar Hillesland on planning engaging annual meetings.

Global Missions Grants Committee Members Needed

Each year the Diocese of Olympia sets aside a portion of its operating budget to fund Global Missions Grants. These small grants are aimed at helping congregations in the diocese fund projects with global partners which align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).

The Bishop’s Office is seeking individuals to serve on the committee that will gather the applications, evaluate them and decide which applicants will be awarded grants for 2027. The bulk of the committee’s work will take place between early November 2026 and March 2027. If you would like to serve on the Global Missions Grants committee or want more information, please contact Canon Carla Robinson via email.

Convention News

More information and submission links can be found on the Convention website here.

Early Bird Registration – Due Sept. 18

Registration is live for clergy, delegates and convention guests! Fill out  this form to register  for convention. Early bird pricing is $125. The price will increase to $150 on September 18th. The registration deadline is October 8, 2026.

Volunteers Needed!

It takes a village to raise a Convention. We will need volunteers at the registration desk as well as on the convention floor. Anyone over the age of 16 can volunteer. People who volunteer 6 hours or more during Convention will receive complimentary Convention registration. Please register as a volunteer here. Questions? Contact our People Care team leader Matt Koski.

Hotel Reservations

The deadline to book using the Diocese room block is September 22nd. To book your hotel room at the DoubleTree please use this link or call the toll-free reservation number at (800) 222 TREE, or (800) 222-8733 and reference the group name: Diocese of Olympia

Baptism and Necrology Reports

Baptism and necrology reports are due October 1st – fill out this form. Please share the names of congregants who have been baptized or have passed away in the last year. 

Narrative Budget

The Diocesan Council is pleased to present the recommended operating budget for 2027.

See the full Narrative Budget document here. 

Nominations – Sept 21 last chance to be included in published convention materials

Diocesan Council – Be Attitudes, Sno-Isle, Peninsula, and 1 Clergy and 1 Lay for At-Large members

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.

Questions? Contact Fr. Wesley Evans.

Bishop’s Cross Awards

The Bishop’s Cross Awards have been given each year to those whose very lives embody the spirit of Christ. Nominations must be submitted by September 20 using this form. Any issues with the form, please contact Michael Seewer.

Pre-Convention Meetings

Tuesday, October 6 at 6:30PM – Narrative Budget Zoom Session

Wednesday, October 14 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

September 20: Bishop’s Cross Nomination Deadline

September 21: Deadline for submission of nominations bios and convention reports and for submission of nominations interest in order to be included in convention booklet

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

October 21: Deadline for 48 hour resolutions

Save the Date – Congregational Leadership Conference

Save the date for January 30th for our next Congregational Leadership Conference. This is an opportunity for lay leaders, especially treasurers, wardens, and vestry members, to learn more about their respective roles, ask questions, and gather with peers across the diocese. Location and time TBD.

Asiamerica Ministries Chinese Convocation Meeting in Los Angeles

October 1-3, 2026

 The 2026 Chinese Convocation, offered by The Episcopal Church’s Asiamerica Ministries, will gather in Los Angeles, Calif. This event brings together Chinese American Episcopalians to connect with one another, learn together, and discern ongoing ministries. Attendees will explore more deeply the gifts of their identity as Chinese Americans in The Episcopal Church and build relationships across the church. Register online.

Register for Nuevo Amanecer

Nov. 9-12 | Camp Allen, Navasota, Texas

This biennial Episcopal Church conference offers instructional workshops, resource-sharing, and fellowship for Latino Episcopalians, those involved in Latino ministries, and those interested in learning about or starting a Latino ministry. The conference will be conducted in Spanish, with English interpretation. Keynote speakers are House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris and Los Angeles Bishop Antonio Gallardo. Learn more and register by Oct. 15.

Important Dates & Upcoming Events

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

November 17 – Lunch and Learn: Planning Engaging Annual Meetings with Cn. Ivar Hillesland

December 2 – Lunch and Learn: Holy Week Liturgies with Rev. Samuel Torvend

December 15 – Lunch and Learn: Parochial Reports with Cn Cristi Chapman

January 5 – Lunch and Learn: Observing Black History Month with Cn. Carla Robinson

January 20 – Lunch and Learn: Creation Care with Cn. Adrienne Elliott

January 30 – Congregational Leadership Conference

February 18 – Lunch and Learn: Discernment Process Rev. Jennifer Daugherty

March 3 – Lunch and Learn: Social Media & Digital Evangelism Rev. Elizabeth Riley

March 16 – Lunch and Learn: Health Change in Congregations Cn. Ivar Hillesland

May 1 – Cathedral Day

June 20-25 – CCD Summer Session

August 15-20 – CCD Summer Session

For more upcoming diocesan events, visit our Diocesan Events Page at the link below.

The Joy of Creating – Quilt Submissions Open Now

Saint Mark’s Visual Arts Ministry and Quilt Ministry invite quilters from across the Episcopal Church in Western Washington to submit their original works reflecting our theme: “The Joy of Creating.” Quilts will be hung in the cathedral nave, January 3 -31, 2027. Registration closes October 23, 2026. More information and the entry form is here.

September 20 – “A Palestinian Christian’s Message of Hope” – an Evening with The Reverend Dr. Alex Awad

St. Andrew’s Seattle’s Holy Land Justice Committee invites you to attend a presentation by author, activist, and academic, The Rev. Dr. Alex Awad. For 26 years, Rev. Awad with his wife Brenda served as missionaries with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church in Israel/Palestine. He was the pastor of an international church in East Jerusalem and taught courses at Bethlehem Bible College, where he served as a faculty member, dean of students, and board member.

September 26 – Rooted, Responsive, and Resilient Faith

9:00 am – 1:00 pm at St. Michael & All Angels, Issaquah. Join Brothers Jamie Nelson and Lain Wilson, of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, to learn and discuss rules of life, discernment, and prayer, and how these are relevant for Christian life today. $10 charge.

September 26 – Godly Play Training

Through a collaboration between the Diocese of Olympia and Saint Mark’s Cathedral, we are pleased to offer a workshop day for all: those who are new to this methodology and those who have been practicing for a long time. Join us for a day of learning, community building, and sharing best practices.

September 27 – 100 Years at Christ Church, Puyallup

Come help Christ Church celebrate on September 26 with a festive eucharist done in a manner similar to that which would have been in use in 1926, and special displays celebrating this momentous anniversary. A reception will follow.

October 2 – Sacred Earth, Sacred Duty

All faith communities in the San Juan Islands are invited to an interfaith one day retreat titled “Sacred Earth, Sacred Duty: Uniting Faiths to Steward and Sustain.” The event will focus on environmental stewardship and resilience, followed by a shared meal and labyrinth walk. The event and meal are free. Hosted by Grace Episcopal Church and Madrona Institute.

October 2 – Saint Mark’s Music Series: All Bach on the Flentrop Organ

The season opens with Bach and a special appearance by organist Paul Jacobs, one of our time’s leading organ virtuosos. He will perform J. S. Bach’s monumental Art of Fugue — a deep exploration of contrapuntal possibilities.

On the program: Art of Fugue by J. S. Bach

October 3 – Worship Amid Social Turmoil

In an unprecedented time of economic, political, and social turmoil, how might worship around Book, Font, and Table lead us to live out our baptismal promises to serve Christ in others, respect the dignity of every human being, seek justice and peace, and care for God’s creation? Join worship committee members, musicians, and clergy as we explore practical ways in which our common prayer informs our common vocation as public witnesses of hope. Hosted by the Bishop’s Commission on Liturgy and the Arts, Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission, and the Wild Hope Center for Vocation Pacific Lutheran University.

Want to share your congregational event? Submit your information here.

Have a general announcement for Across the Diocese? Submit it here.

View the complete list of congregational events here.

UPCOMING BISHOP VISITATIONS

• September 20, John the Baptist, West Seattle
• October 4, Trinity, Seattle
• October 11, Holy Spirit, Vashon

To see a full schedule of Bishop Phil’s visitations, click here.

In this week’s Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for:

• St. Mark’s, Montesano
• Chaplains on the Harbor, Montesano

Important Links

The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) password: Matthew22:4

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