Holy Week at Home
Holy Week at Home. You’ll find all our instructions, videos, and links to online worship right here.
Being the Church in the Face of COVID-19: A F.A.Q. of Worship and Events at St. Christopher’s
Dear St. Christopher’s and Friends,
A number of you have asked similar question or very good questions, all of which deserve an answer. Here is what I’ve heard…
Q: Is St. Christopher’s closed or will it be closing?
A: No. Our building is closed to the public and Washingtonians have strict measures in place about gatherings, but many things are taking place online and off. The outdoor worship spaces remain open for you to use individually – the Labyrinth, the Stations of the Cross, and the Columbarium. The Open Hands foodbank garden is still slated to go on. And we are adding more and more online worship, fellowship, and learning opportunities.
Q: Will there be another Eucharist online? How does online Eucharist work?
A: Yes. We are pre-recording a Eucharist and posting it Saturday night/Sunday morning each week. We post it on Facebook at facebook.com/stchristopherolympia and we post links to the video on our website’s front page – www.StChristopherOlympia.org .
… read more …
Pastoral Letter for Trinity Sunday, May 31, 2026 from Bishop LaBelle
This letter was read by Fr. James during our 8am and 10:30am worship on Trinity Sunday, May 31, 2026 according to the instructions of our Episcopal Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Phil LaBelle. It is reprinted here for your convenience. It can also be found at the Diocesan website -https://ecww.org/letter-to-all-congregations-trinity-sunday/Greetings to you in the name of the holy and undivided Trinity, one God.On this day we gather to reflect on that which makes us distinctly Christian in our theology and practice: the belief that God exists in community. That God is in relationship within God’s self. Additionally, we believe that the […]
Across the Diocese: May 21, 2026
View as Webpage May 21, 2026Our delegation in Africa is traveling home today! They have spent two and a half weeks traveling in South Sudan and Kenya. Our partners there have been deeply grateful for the aide brought and relationships built. There will be more opportunities in the future to hear about their work and explore ways to get involved in this ongoing work. Thank you to the diocese for your prayers and generous giving towards the birth kits and medical kits and medicine delivered. Your gifts have made a significant impact for our partners in need. Please extend your […]
SW WA Synod eNews – May 20, 2026
May 20, 2026 Synod ResourcesAdministration, Compensation Guidelines, Constitutions, Financial, Personnel Policies, Pulpit Supply, Immigration, TransitionBoundary Training Opportunities for Rostered MinistersRound Ordination Anniversaries(source: ELCA Office of the Secretary Rostered Leader Anniversary Report)May 2026Rev. Pamela Hunter40 Years – Minister of Word and Sacrament – May 30, 1986Rev. Richard V. Sipe Jr50 Years – Minister of Word and Sacrament – May 9, 1976Thank you for your faithful service to the people of God!Administration This and That2026 IRS Mileage Rate is 72.5 cents Upcoming Eventslinks to event info embedded if applicableMay 30Synod Ed Gathering – Messiah, Vancouver – 10am-3pmJune 5-7SAM Retreat @ Dumas Bay, Federal WayJune […]
Synod Educational Gatherings and Critical Incident Response Training
Good afternoon -Deadlines for our Critical Incident Response Training and Synod Educational Gatherings are approaching fast. Register today! We’d love to see you there!Blessings,StefanieThis is an excellent opportunity for members of the Southwestern Washington Synod! Registration deadline is Tuesday, May 12th, so sign up for this great hands-on training event!Register for TACOMA hereRegister for LONGVIEW hereSpread the word and don’t miss out! This year’s Educational Gatherings are all about Stewardship! Great workshops are available at both locations and we would love to see you there! Register today!!! Register for VANCOUVER hereVancouver deadline: May 22Register for LAKEWOOD hereLakewood deadline:June 5Southwestern Washington Synod […]
The Beacon Newsletter 04/30/2026
The Beacon Newsletter 04/30/2026St. Christopher’s Community Church <office@stchristopherolympia.org>Thu, Apr 30, 2026 at 11:05 PMReply-To: “St. Christopher’s Community Church” <office@stchristopherolympia.org>To: James Thibodeaux <james.thibodeaux@gmail.com> THE BEACON WEEKLYView this newsletter in your browser. Articles this issue….. SW WA Synod eNews – April 29, 2026The Beacon Newsletter 04/24/2026 This Week at St. Christopher’s…Week of April 27thMonday (04/27/2026) Mitford Reading Group Series – 1:30 pm Tuesday (04/28/2026) Faithful Living – 6:00 am Centering Prayer (Online) – 8:00 pmWednesday (04/29/2026) – Catherine of Siena, Teacher; died 1380 Fellowship Breakfast – 9:00 am Worship Band – 11:00 am Widows/Widowers Support Group – 1:30 pm Thursday (04/30/2026) AA Meeting – 6:00 pm Friday (05/01/2026 – St. […]
SW WA Synod eNews – April 29, 2026
Southwestern WA Synod <stefanie.dezarn@swwasynod.org> Unsubscribe Wed, Apr 29, 4:30 PM (1 day ago) to me April 29, 2026 Synod ResourcesAdministration, Compensation Guidelines, Constitutions, Financial, Personnel Policies, Pulpit Supply, Immigration, TransitionBoundary Training Opportunities for Rostered MinistersOrdination Anniversaries(source: ELCA Office of the Secretary Rostered Leader Anniversary Report)April 2026Rev. Rachel Eskesen10 Years – Minister of Word and Sacrament – April 23, 2016Rev. Sheryl Biegert40 Years – Minister of Word and Sacrament – April 26, 1986Thank you for your faithful service to the people of God!Administration This and That2026 IRS Mileage Rate is 72.5 centsMarketplaceLooking for a good home:Acer X1261P digital projectorYamaha BT600 portable PA system with Bluetooth connectivity. […]
The Beacon Newsletter 04/24/2026
THE BEACON WEEKLYView this newsletter in your browser. Articles this issue….. SW WA Synod eNews – April 22, 2026 This Week at St. Christopher’s…Week of April 20thMonday (04/20/2026) Mitford Reading Group Series – 1:30 pm Brotherhood of St. Andrews Meeting – 6:30 pm Tuesday (04/21/2026) – Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher; died 1109 Faithful Living – 6:15 am Centering Prayer – 8:00 pm Wednesday (04/22/2026) Worship Band – 11:00 am Widows/Widowers Support Group – 1:30 pm Hot Meals Outreach – 4:00 pm Thursday (04/23/2026) – Toyohiko Kagawa, Renewer of Society; died 1960 AA Meeting – 6:00 pm […]
SW WA Synod eNews – April 22, 2026
April 22, 2026 Synod ResourcesAdministration, Compensation Guidelines, Constitutions, Financial, Personnel Policies, Pulpit Supply, Immigration, TransitionBoundary Training Opportunities for Rostered MinistersOrdination Anniversaries(source: ELCA Office of the Secretary Rostered Leader Anniversary Report)April 2026Rev. Rachel Eskesen10 Years – Minister of Word and Sacrament – April 23, 2016Rev. Sheryl Biegert40 Years – Minister of Word and Sacrament – April 26, 1986Thank you for your faithful service to the people of God!Administration This and That2026 IRS Mileage Rate is 72.5 cents Upcoming Eventslinks to event info embedded if applicableApril 24-25PSALM Retreat @ Sacred Waters, Union WAMay 3-6Bishop’s Convocation @ SeabeckMay 9Sacred Soil Garden Prayer – 10am @ […]
SW WA Synod eNews – April 8, 2026
April 8, 2026 Synod ResourcesAdministration, Compensation Guidelines, Constitutions, Financial, Personnel Policies, Pulpit Supply, Immigration, TransitionBoundary Training Opportunities for Rostered MinistersOrdination Anniversaries(source: ELCA Office of the Secretary Rostered Leader Anniversary Report)April 2026Rev. Rachel Eskesen10 Years – Minister of Word and Sacrament – April 23, 2016Rev. Sheryl Biegert40 Years – Minister of Word and Sacrament – April 26, 1986Thank you for your faithful service to the people of God!Administration This and That2026 IRS Mileage Rate is 72.5 centsMarket PlacePulpit to give away. For pictures and more info, please contact Geri Skreen at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Castle Rock; 360-274-6604, or glgskreen@gmail.comUpcoming Eventslinks […]
Across the Diocese: April 2, 2026
View as Webpage April 2, 2026Trinity NYC Features St. Luke’s Church, Seattle’s RedevelopmentOver the past several decades, Seattle’s transformation into a major tech hub has grown its workforce while driving up housing costs and displacing many long-term residents. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, longtime anchor in the Ballard neighborhood, witnessed this strain amidst the demands of ancient buildings and chose to redevelop completely.Learn more about the St. Luke’s Apartments and RSVP for their Grand Opening on April 9 at the link below!READ MORENew Clergy Calls in the Episcopal Diocese of OlympiaThe Rev. Kelly Moody has been called to serve as […]
Expanding Our Welcome – March 2026
March 2026 EditionThe Synod’s RIC Work Team seeks to cultivate a culture of hospitality toward LGBTQIA2+ people and remove barriers to full participation in the life and ministry of the Southwestern Washington Synod.A Newsletter from the Reconciling in Christ Work Team of the Southwestern Washington Synod Careful how you come to Scripture – is it for love, or for love of power?March finds some of us under feet of snow and others welcoming blankets of wildflowers. Spring also brings Women’s History Month and the complicated past and reality surrounding 50% of the world’s population. For the most part, women continue to […]
A pastoral word to The Episcopal Church from the March 2026 gathering of the House of Bishops
View this email in your browserForward this email to a friendNote: the following information is presented in English and SpanishAviso: La siguiente información se presenta en inglés y en español A pastoral word to The Episcopal Church from the March 2026 gathering of the House of BishopsJesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”John 11:44bDear people of God: Grace and peace to you in Jesus Christ our Lord. IntroductionThe bishops of The Episcopal Church gathered from March 17-24 at Camp Allen Conference Center in Navasota, Texas. Our gathering included 122 bishops and bishops-elect, representing 89 dioceses and special ministries across 17 […]
Synod eNews – March 18, 2026
March 18, 2026 Synod ResourcesAdministration, Compensation Guidelines, Constitutions, Financial, Personnel Policies, Pulpit Supply, Immigration, TransitionBoundary Training Opportunities for Rostered Ministers Ordination AnniversariesMarch 2026Rev. D. Randall Faro50 Years – Minister of Word and Sacrament – March, 14, 1976Thank you for your faithful service to the people of God! Administration This and That2026 IRS Mileage Rate is 72.5 centsUpcoming Eventslinks to event info embedded if applicableMarch 21Ordination & Installation of Hannah Staisrud @ St. Mark’s/Narrows, Tacoma – 10amApril 11Sacred Soil Garden Prayer – 10am @ Shepherd’s Field, SumnerApril 21Admin Support Zoom “With Each Other … For Each Other” – 1pmApril 24-25PSALM Retreat @ Sacred Waters, […]
Across the Diocese: March 19, 2026
View as Webpage March 19, 2026Bridging HurtsWritten by Linnea Wacker-Sprague, Youth at Church of the Ascension SeattleThe Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Seattle recently conducted a project to identify property deeds containing racially restrictive covenants, map the neighborhood areas where deeds contained these harmful prohibitions, and offer deed-holders an opportunity to amend their documents to nullify the covenants while acknowledging the historical wrongdoing of the practice. This project grew out of the parish’s mission to heal broken relationships that separate people and the land.Learn more about the ways that Ascension is working with their community to address wrongs […]
Online Palm Sunday Vigil w/ Episcopal Presiding Bishop
View this email in your browser Join ‘Lift Up Your Hearts: A Palm Sunday Vigil’ March 29, 2026 5 p.m. Pacific time (8pm EST) REGISTER Join Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe for an online vigil the evening of Palm Sunday to pray for the continued conversion of our hearts and for God’s blessing on our witness during Holy Week. The service will include a reflection from Bishop Rowe, special music, and readings by Episcopalians from all nine provinces of the church. “I believe that as we Episcopalians turn, as we fast and pray for the conversion of our hearts, we can […]
SW WA Synod eNews – March 11, 2026
March 11, 2026 Synod ResourcesAdministration, Compensation Guidelines, Constitutions, Financial, Personnel Policies, Pulpit Supply, Immigration, Transition Ordination AnniversariesMarch 2026Rev. D. Randall Faro50 Years – Minister of Word and Sacrament – March, 14, 1976Thank you for your faithful service to the people of God! Administration This and That2026 IRS Mileage Rate is 72.5 centsUpcoming Eventslinks to event info embedded if applicableMarch 14Sacred Soil Garden Prayer – 10am @ Shepherd’s Field, SumnerMarch 17Admin Support Zoom “With Each Other … For Each Other” – 1pmMarch 21Ordination & Installation of Hannah Staisrud @ St. Mark’s/Narrows, Tacoma – 10amApril 11Sacred Soil Garden Prayer – 10am @ Shepherd’s Field, SumnerApril […]
Across the Diocese: March 5, 2026
View as Webpage March 5, 2026St. Peter’s Church, Seattle, Adds Its Voice to Protests Against Mass Detention on Day of RemembranceAs befits a church whose doors closed for three years when its Japanese American congregation was forcibly incarcerated during WWII, members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Parish in Seattle last week helped raise awareness that injustice is again in our midst.Read more at the link below.READ MORENew Clergy Calls in the Episcopal Diocese of OlympiaThe Rev. Nat Johnson has been called to serve as pastor of Church of the Apostles (COTA), Seattle. Nat will begin that call on March 25, […]
Webinar: What is Full Communion?
View this email in your browserWebinar:‘What is Full Communion? Your ELCA and UMC Questions Answered’March 12, 3 p.m. ET REGISTERJoin this webinar to learn what full communion is, why it matters, how clergy exchange works between churches, and more. Hosted by The Episcopal Church’s Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations, the webinar will explore the church’s full communion relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, including the recent inclusion of deacons in clergy exchange guidelines, as well as the church’s full communion proposal with the United Methodist Church. Speakers include: The Rev. Kirsten Guidero, ecumenical and interreligious officer, The Episcopal Church The Rev. William O. Gafkjen, interim executive, ecumenical and interreligious […]