News

      Holly Hughes Stoner, LMFT Scott Stoner, LMFT May 10, 2024 Learning to Listen, Listening to Learn We are traveling to Dharamsala, India, next week for a two-week conference on Eastern (Tibetan Buddhist) and Western perspectives on resilience, trauma, and mental health. We are honored to have been invited to present our work, the Wellness Compass Initiative, yet we are most looking forward to listening to our hosts and learning about their unique cultural and religious wisdom and perspectives on enhancing resilience. As we prepare to go to Dharamsala, we know that we will benefit much more from […]

Week of June 9, 2024 The May edition of Moments for Mission – a monthly newsletter is here! Download it HERE A Newsletter from the Reconciling in Christ Work Team of the Southwestern Washington Synod View May Edition HERE Upcoming Events links to event info embedded if applicable June 10 Synod Listening Post @ St. Mark, Lacey June 13 FAN Farm Bill Conversation August 20 Synod Listening Post @ Trinity, Parkland September 27 – 28 PSALM Retreat @ Seabeck September 30 – October 3 FCTE January 14 – 15, 2025 Bishop’s Convocation June 13 – 14, 2025 Synod Assembly @ […]

THE BEACON WEEKLY Articles this issue… The Beacon Newsletter 05/29/2024 This Week at St. Christopher’s… Week of June 3rd Monday (06/03/2024) – The Martyrs of Uganda; died 1886 Mitford Series Reading Group – 1:30 pm Tuesday (06/04/2024) – John XXIII, Bishop of Rome, Renewer of the Church; died 1963 Faithful Living – 6:15 am Centering Prayer – 9:30 pm Wednesday (06/05/2024) – Boniface, Archbishop of Mainz, Missionary to Germany, Martyr; died 754 Widows/Widowers Support Group – 1:30 pm Thursday (06/06/2024) – William Alfred Passavant, Renewer of Society; died  1894 Worship Band – 3:15 pm AA Meeting – 6:00 pm Friday (06/07/2024) – Sealth (Seattle), Chief of the Duwamish Confederacy; died 1866 Clergy Sabbath Saturday […]

  Week of May 26, 2024     The May edition of Moments for Mission – a monthly newsletter is here! Download it HERE A Newsletter from the Reconciling in Christ Work Team of the Southwestern Washington Synod View May Edition HERE Download May SWATCH Edition HERE Upcoming Events links to event info embedded if applicable May 30 Synod Listening Post @ Messiah, Vancouver June 5 Synod Listening Post @ Saron/First, Hoquiam June 10 Synod Listening Post @ St. Mark, Lacey June 13 FAN Farm Bill Conversation August 20 Synod Listening Post @ Trinity, Parkland September 27 – 28 PSALM […]

The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia Elects The Rev. Phil LaBelle as Its Ninth Bishop The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia has elected the Rev. Phil N. LaBelle as its next bishop. Bishop-Elect LaBelle currently serves as rector of St. Mark’s Church in Southborough, Massachusetts. While in the Diocese of Massachusetts, he co-led the Mission Strategy Committee, served on the Executive Committee and Diocesan Council, and directed the Fresh Start program. Bishop-Elect LaBelle will be consecrated and installed as the ninth bishop of Olympia on September 14, succeeding Bishop Greg Rickel, who resigned on December 31, 2022, and Bishop Provisional Melissa Skelton, […]

The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia Elects The Rev. Phil LaBelle as Its Ninth Bishop The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia has elected the Rev. Phil N. LaBelle as its next bishop. Bishop-Elect LaBelle currently serves as rector of St. Mark’s Church in Southborough, Massachusetts. While in the Diocese of Massachusetts, he co-led the Mission Strategy Committee, served on the Executive Committee and Diocesan Council, and directed the Fresh Start program. Bishop-Elect LaBelle will be consecrated and installed as the ninth bishop of Olympia on September 14, succeeding Bishop Greg Rickel, who resigned on December 31, 2022, and Bishop Provisional Melissa Skelton, […]

News from the Diocese of Olympia View as Webpage May 10, 2024           Electing Convention Live-Stream Information The Bishop Transition Committee is pleased to share live-stream information for the upcoming special Electing Convention for the Ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia. Proceedings are expected to begin at approximately 9:30 am on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the links below. The proceedings will also be recorded and available on the Bishop Transition website with English captions and Spanish subtitles by Wednesday, May 22, 2024. It is in gratitude that we continue to pray and ask for your […]

  Week of May 12, 2024     Prayer of the Day Gracious and glorious God, you have chosen us as your own, and by the powerful name of Christ you protect us from evil. By your Spirit transform us and your beloved world, that we may find our joy in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. A Newsletter from the Reconciling in Christ Work Team of the Southwestern Washington Synod View April Edition HERE Upcoming Events links to event info embedded […]

      Holly Hughes Stoner, LMFT Scott Stoner, LMFT May 3, 2024 Lessons Learned From a Garage Sale We recently stopped by a garage sale in our neighborhood. When talking with the owners, they told us that they have been having a spring garage sale every couple of years ever since they moved into their home some twenty years ago. They said it was the perfect combination of spring cleaning and the need to remember to regularly let go of things they don’t need anymore. We were so inspired that we are now seriously thinking of having a similar sale ourselves.  […]

  Week of May 5, 2024     Moments for Mission April 2024 Download HERE  Prayer of the Day O God, you have prepared for those who love you joys beyond understanding. Pour into our hearts such love for you that, loving you above all things, we may obtain your promises, which exceed all we can desire; through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Expanding Our Welcome April 2024Download HERE Upcoming Events links to event info embedded if applicable May 17 – 19 […]

News from the Diocese of Olympia View as Webpage May 3, 2024           Meet & Greet Sessions with Bishop Nominees We’ve had a wonderful week of Meet & Greets with the bishop nominees across the Diocese! If you missed any of the sessions, you can view recordings of the Meet & Greets at the link below! READ MORE 2024 Congregational Development Grants To assist the development of our congregations into healthier, more faithful, and more effective communities of faith, we are offering small grants of up to $8,000 that will be dispersed as soon as they […]

      Holly Hughes Stoner, LMFT Scott Stoner, LMFT April 5, 2024 Practicing Self-Compassion  We are excited to begin a multi-part series on “Practices for Enhancing Our Wellbeing,” in which we will explore the practices that we have found to be foundational for wellness, both in our own lives and in the lives of the people we are honored to help.   We start with the practice of self-compassion. This is a good one to begin with because, unfortunately, just bringing up the topic of wellness creates a self-critical reaction for many people. This reaction is often accompanied by a […]

  Week of April 21, 2024     Moments for Mission April 2024 Download HERE  Upcoming Events links to event info embedded if applicable April 20 Synod Ed Gathering @ Mountain View, Edgewood April 27 Synod Ed Gathering @ First, Poulsbo May 4 Synod Ed Gathering @ Zion, Camas May 17 – 19 Holden Village May Youth Weekend FROM OUR CONGREGATIONS Click here to download the Registration Form FROM OUR FRIENDS AND PARTNERS   From Words to Action! May 5 is the National Day Commemorating MMIW. Use the Truth and Healing resources the ELCA has provided. Your worship service can […]

View as Webpage April 19, 2024           Video Introductions from the Bishop Nominees Hear from the Bishop Nominees! Video introductions from each of our four bishop nominees are now available to view on the bishop transition website at the link below! READ MORE Meet & Greet Information and Who Votes at the Electing Convention The latest update from the Bishop Transition Committee has information about logistics for the upcoming Meet & Greets, April 29-May 3, as well as important information about who will be voting at our Electing Convention on May 18, beginning at 9:30 am. […]