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Electing Convention Live-Stream Information
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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 prayers for the four nominees and their families, the electors, and all who are engaged in the process of seeking the next Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia.
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Meet & Greet Sessions with Bishop Nominees
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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!
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Join us in thanking Bishop Skelton for compassionately and faithfully shepherding our Diocese during this time of transition. We have been blessed by her inspirational leadership and guidance.
Help us thank Bishop Skelton at the link below!
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Episcopal Churchwide Trends: Membership, Clergy, and Transitions
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May 29, 12:00 pm | Online
Are you wondering about declining church attendance, changes in pledging, or the challenges with finding clergy to fill the open calls in your communities? To plan for and adapt to this current and exciting moment in the church’s life, we must have a complete picture of the trends driving the changes we see across the church. Join Episcopal clergy and lay leaders from across Province VIII to dig into the 2022 Parochial Report data about trends across the Episcopal Church, including membership and giving numbers and the state of the clergy. We will engage the emerging nature of ministry models, clergy trends, and search and call contexts. We’ll also explore possible opportunities as we move forward into a future that looks very different from what many of us have known.
The Rev. Dr. Molly F. James from the General Convention Office, Dr. Matthew J. Price from the Research Department of the Church Pension Group, and The Rev. Meghan F. Froehlich from The Episcopal Church’s Office for Transition Ministry will offer current information and guide us in this discussion.
Get more information and register at the link below!
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2024 Congregational Development Grants
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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 are approved each quarter. The due date for the first round of applications is Friday, May 24, the second is Friday, August 9, and the third is Friday, November 22.
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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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Affordable Housing Groundbreaking
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May 17, 10:00 am | St. Luke’s, Seattle
Join City Officials, non-profit groups, development partners, and the leadership of the Diocese of Olympia in the official ground-breaking for 84 units of family affordable housing at St. Luke’s in Ballard.
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St. Luke’s, Seattle was also recently profiled by King5 News! You can watch the news story about the church’s affordable housing project by following the link below.
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Updates from the Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness
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“…we who are supporters of the about-to-be and the unhoused must continue to look inside ourselves for solvable answers, not arrests and fines. As Episcopalians, our Baptismal Covenant reminds us with question and answer: Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? I will, with God’s help.”
This week’s update from the Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness explores local coverage on the issues of homelessness and some of the progress made in our state.
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2024 Civil Rights Pilgrimage:
An Invitation from The Rev. Canon Carla Robinson
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“There will be time, time to reflect, time to enjoy the uniqueness of the places we visit. Time to share, for sharing our stories and our insights is critical
to what will make this pilgrimage transformative. And there will be time for prayer.”
The Rev. Canon Carla Robinson extends an invitation to join the 10-day Civil Rights Pilgrimage from Atlanta to Memphis as we strengthen our own commitment to “strive for justice and peace among all people and to respect the dignity of every human being.”
More information can be found at the link below.
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Private Retreats at St. Andrew’s House
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Book a private retreat space at St. Andrew’s House.
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Terra Divina: Seeing the Earth with Monastic Eyes
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May 11, 10:00 am | Online
Join Fr. Samuel Torvend for a Zoom journey to Italy where we will explore the Christian monastic origins of care for the earth: terra divina – exploring monastic love for the wilderness, fields, water sources, and forests. In this illustrated presentation, participants will explore the ways in which monastic love for God’s earth shapes liturgy and thoughtful stewardship of our island home, the earth. Join us we journey to the wilderness of Subiaco, explore early monastic care for the land, and discover practices that assist us as we strive to cherish the wondrous works of God and protect and restore the beauty and integrity of all creation.
You can sign up for this and other workshops sponsored by St Gertrude’s Monastery, Cottonwood, Idaho, at the link below.
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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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Covenant of the Salmon People: Film Screening & Community Conversation
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Screening: May 8-14 | Panel Discussion: May 14, 6:30 pm | Online
Meaningful Movies returns in 2024 with the screening of Covenant of the Salmon People, plus a panel and community discussion to follow!
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Israel – Palestine Today and Tomorrow
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May 15, 6:00 pm | St. Andrew’s, Tacoma
On the ground in Palestine: What the news isn’t reporting about the Israeli/Gaza War.
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Seattle Mideast Focus Film Series: Roots of Chaos and Catastrophe
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May 16, 7:00 pm | Online
Our fifth and final film in this year’s series is titled Israelism.
Israelism is a 2023 American documentary about the portrayal of the Israel/Palestine conflict in American Jewish institutions. It is critical of both Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and of the American Jewish community’s education about the occupation of Palestine. This film interviews academics and political activists as it follows two American Jews as they discover what is going on in the conflict and come to revise their views. This film was shot before October 7, 2023, and sheds light on the significant leadership of Jewish Voice for Peace in our present demonstrations on campuses and in cities today.
The film will be available for viewing at 7:00 pm on May 16. The discussion with Dr. Liora Halperin, Distinguished Chair of Jewish Studies at the University of Washington, will follow the film. Watch for the notice with the link in case we are granted extended viewing times.
If you wish to join us for the film and discussion, and are not already receiving our messages, please request a link at: seattlemideastfocus@gmail.com
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A Cathedral’s Complicity in Redlining and Restrictive Covenants
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May 22, 6:45 pm | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle
Learn more about Seattle’s unique civil rights history and racial segregation and consider how church communities have responsibility to honestly face the historical practices of redlining and restrictive covenants and respond in just ways in our time.
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Updates on Affordable Housing at Saint Mark’s
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June 5, 7:00 pm | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle
Join Saint Mark’s Vestry leadership and Affordable Housing Committee to learn more about the project plans to redevelop the St. Nicholas School site on the Cathedral Campus.
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June 24-July 3 | Camp Huston, Gold Bar | $630 Registration
Counselor Training is a fantastic opportunity for any 16 years or older who want to be a camp counselor or simply would like to have more leadership development!
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July 7-August 10 | Camp Huston, Gold Bar | $498 Registration (Scholarships Available)
Camp Huston’s summer 2024 registration is open! Discovery Camps, Mini Camp, and International Discovery Camp all have space available! Bring a friend and join the fun at Camp Huston.
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Summer Cathedral Choir Camp (K-8th graders)
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July 15-19, 21 | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle | $175-325 Registration
The Saint Mark’s Cathedral Choir Camp welcomes all children, regardless of church affiliation, who are interested in singing beautiful music in the striking cathedral setting, and making friends while growing as musicians and children of God.
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August 14-18 | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle | $325 Registration
The Saint Mark’s Cathedral High School Choir Camp welcomes all youth, regardless of church affiliation, who are interested in singing beautiful music with their peers in the striking cathedral setting while growing as musicians and people of God.
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September 3-5 | Saint Andrew’s House, Union | $150 Registration
Join St. Andrew’s House for Ora et Labora: Work & Pray Retreat.
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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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Sundays, 6:00 pm | St. John’s, Gig Harbor
Come join St. John’s, Gig Harbor for their NEW Evening Eucharist.
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St. Dunstan’s Music Masterclass
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May 18, 10:00 am | St. Dunstan’s, Shoreline
Join as audience members for a Masterclass where four local organ students will be coached by Dr. Stephen Price.
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Organic Expressions: Exploring the Relationship Between Musical Works and Improvisation
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May 19, 3:00 pm | St. Dunstan’s, Shoreline | Tickets: $5-20
Organist Stephen Price, known for his diverse programs that are superbly and adeptly interpreted, will present a recital featuring music that spans the centuries, promising to leave a lasting impression for all music lovers.
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Living Buddha, Living Christ, Living Spirit
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May 21, 7:00 pm | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle
Join us for an interfaith prayer service in the style of Taizé with the people of Saint Mark’s Cathedral and Clear Mountain Monastery Buddhist Community on Tuesday, May 21 at 7pm, in person or on livestream.
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Urban Birding Day at the Cathedral
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May 25, 8:00 am | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle
Join for a morning of exploring nature and learning about birds on the campus of Saint Mark’s.
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Urban Birding Day at the Cathedral
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May 29, 7:00 pm | Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle
Join in a conversation on how to get government funding for your faith community’s solar and electrification initiatives.
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June 1, 5:30 pm | St. Paul’s, Seattle
On the Eve of The Second Sunday after Pentecost (which on the Roman Calendar is the Feast of Corpus Christi, or Body of Christ), St. Paul’s, Seattle will be offering Evensong and Benediction.
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Philadelphia 11 Film Screening
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June 7, 6:30 pm | St. Thomas, Medina
In honor of 50 years of women’s ordination in The Episcopal Church, join St. Thomas, Medina for a free screening of “The Philadelphia 11.”
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Passport to Peace Summer Camp
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June 24-28 | St. Thomas, Medina | Registration: $150-200
Join St. Thomas, Medina for Passport to Peace, a one-week summer camp experience designed to help children make peace a way of life.
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Compassion Camp: Vacation Bible School
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August 12-16 | St. Andrew’s, Seattle | Whole Day – $100 for first child, and $75 per additional sibling; Half Day – $75 for first child, and $50 per additional sibling; Scholarships Available
Saint Andrew’s, Seattle, presents “Compassion Camp: What Every Living Thing Needs” which will walk through what it means to have compassion for God’s living earth!
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Pledge Campaign Materials Ready to Use TODAY!
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Download the whole package today to begin planting the seeds for your campaign! (password is Ephesians5:2)
The 2023 – 2024 Annual Pledge Campaign materials are ready for use. This year’s package includes:
- Sample letters from the Clergy, Wardens, and Committee Chair
- Prayers for the Pledge Cards and Prayers at Ingathering
- Prayers of the People during your campaign season and a Post-Communion Prayer you may use during the weeks of your pledge drive
- Pledge cards that focus on time, talent, and treasure
- Proportional Giving cards
- Weekly Reflections for now and other seasons
- A Hymn to accompany the theme. You may download the score and listen to a recording of how it sounds on our website.
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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Thinking about Upping Your Online Giving Game?
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TENS (The Episcopal Network for Stewardship) brings you this opportunity to partner with Vanco, a company with exceptional customer service and simple church management software integrations to help generosity soar for the benefit of your church.
Sign up with Vanco before the end of November and you’ll experience:
- Compelling storytelling and visual giving pages that bring your missions to life for anyone from first-time donors to established members.
- Free one-on-one implementation support where we’ll help you launch your online giving program with best practices used by the over 25,000 churches we work with.
- No processing fees on gifts, up to $50,000 in total, received in January.
Let Vanco help you transition from fall into a strong holiday season and an even stronger start to 2024. Request a demo today to learn more!
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Celtic Pilgrimage to Wales and Ireland’s Ancient East
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May 18-30, 2024 | $4,550 Registration
Explore the lands of saints and poets, tracing the roots of Celtic Christianity.
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Compline Choir Pilgrimage to England’s Historic Cathedrals
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August 1-19, 2024 | $4,950 Registration
Join the Compline Choir as a companion pilgrim to three of England’s most storied and historic cathedrals part of the Season of Pilgrimage through the Wisdom School at Saint Mark’s Cathedral.
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September 30-October 9, 2024
Only nine spots left on the 10-day Civil Rights Pilgrimage from Atlanta to Memphis… Register now!
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2024 Annual Alfred S. Palmer Lectureship
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May 21-22 | First Free Methodist Church, Seattle
2024 Annual Alfred S. Palmer Lectureship presents Rev. Dr. Sam Wells and St Martin’s Voices Emerging Artists for a two day event at Seattle’s First Free Methodist Church on Tuesday May 21 and Wednesday May 22.
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June 8, 8:00 pm | Seattle, First Baptist Church | $5-27 Tickets
The Seattle Choral Company concludes their 42nd season with American Psalmfest – a captivating selection of four distinct American compositions inspired by the Book of Psalms: Adolphus Hailstork’s cantata I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes, Leonard Bernstein’s iconic Chichester Psalms, Abbie Betinis’ Psalm 126: A Song of Ascents, and Dr. Nathan Carter’s Psalm 131.
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“Read to Enlighten” Annual Conference of the Pacific Northwest Association of Church Libraries
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June 21-22 | St. Paul’s, Bellingham | $100-110 Registration
The annual conference of the Pacific Northwest Association of Church Libraries offers lovers of books and church libraries the opportunity to gain new insight and materials to enrich their own spiritual lives and the lives of their congregations through reading.
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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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The following job opportunities are now open at churches and organizations across Western Washington.
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Wells Cargo Trailer – Lightly Used
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When the Israelites wandered in the desert, they would have loved this trailer to haul their stuff. Purchased in 2001 to support diocesan programs, this trailer is now available to congregations or individuals looking for a 9ft-by-5ft-by-5 ft single-axle covered trailer. The price is $2,000 or the best offer. Please contact the Diocesan Property Manager, the Rev. Dr. Dennis S. Tierney, at dtierney@ecwww.org for more information or to make a bid. It could be your Ark of Ministry.
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Since Cursillo/Come and See has disbanded, there are a number of items that are available to churches for their program use:
- 6 5’ round plastic molded folding tables. Lives were changed around these tables. Hopefully, you can use them to do that, too.
- 100glass votive candle holders
- 45 white ceramic coffee mugs
- 48 glass custard cups
- 72 miscellaneous wine glasses
- 1 roll 36” X 1000 of butcher paper
- 12 plastic water pitchers
Please contact Laura Brustad at laurabrustad1024@gmail.com or 253.561.5512.
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