News

Prayers for President and Mrs. Trump October 2, 2020 Dear Ones, I join our Presiding Bishop in calling for prayers for our President and First Lady and all those affected by this virus. I continue to be amazed at the number of people who feel this is nothing to be concerned about and who ignore calls for caring for one another through doing the minimal things that are asked of us, but I have been inspired by how the vast majority of you take this call quite seriously. Continue to do that, stay well, and pray for all those who […]

September 24, 2020      For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. ¯ Ephesians 2:14     In response to the grand jury decision in Louisville, Ky., we offer a word of prayer and healing following the decision not to charge police officers for Breonna Taylor’s death. As a nation, we are struggling with and divided by the decision. It has affected so many of us in so many ways. We grieve the brokenness of the criminal justice system. We are tired and weary of the violence. Has not God created all of us to have inherent dignity, value and worth?  […]

Please Don’t Feed the Fears: A Message from Bishop Rickel September 25, 2020 “We all have gotten too comfortable with our own feelings about things, our own perspectives, without taking the time and energy it takes to search out the facts – even more importantly, attempting to engage those who may think differently from you.” Bishop Rickel offers this reflection about the divisions in our country and the reminder to “Please Don’t Feed the Fears.” Contact Info The Rt. Rev. Greg Rickel Bishop of Olympia 1551 10th Ave E Seattle, Washington 98102 206-325-4200 206-325-4631 FAX grickel@ecww.org Bishop Rickel’s Blog Diocese […]

The August Synod newsletter, Moments for Mission, is attached and can also be found online at https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.44/vzp.864.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/Moments-for-Mission_August-2020.pdf Praying for your good health and happiness, Allison Moments-for-Mission_August-2020.pdf

The Bishop’s Council approved construction of two new retaining walls at the East end of the church to replace aging and rotting pressure treated timbers that probably had been there since the church was built.  Lisa and Steve Andrew hired the landscaping company and supervised the project which was completed last week. One of the walls adjoins the Open Hands Garden and will provide more area for next year’s planting of flowers and vegetables. It’s a real improvement to the overall look of our garden’s landscape.    ‘s

Vacation: A Message from Bishop Rickel July 27, 2020 “None of our current trials have been able to squelch the Easter reality of our God, the glory and joy of knowing ourselves as loved by our God who is love itself.” Bishop Rickel offers this short reflection on his own upcoming vacation and encourages us all to “unplug” and take time away from our day-to-day work – even in the midst of these difficult times. For assistance while Bishop Rickel is on vacation, email info@ecww.org. Contact Info The Rt. Rev. Greg Rickel Bishop of Olympia 1551 10th Ave E Seattle, […]

      ELCA Joins Faith Communities in Calling for Day of Mourning for Hagia Sophia   CHICAGO (July 21, 2020) — The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), calls on the church to join with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and faith communities around the world for a day of mourning on Friday, July 24.   The observance was called for in the July 19 encyclical from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and the bishops of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. It is in response to the decision by President […]

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