A Farewell Message from Bishop Rickel December 31, 2022 “As I end my tenure in this office, I wanted to simply share my profound love and gratitude for all of you, and to thank you for the tremendous privilege, honor and blessing it has been to carry the title of Bishop Diocesan of Olympia and to fill that office on your behalf.” Bishop Rickel offers thoughts, reflections, and gratitude for his time as Bishop Diocesan in the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia in this farewell message to the diocese. Contact Info The Rt. Rev. Greg Rickel Bishop of Olympia 1551 10th […]

Christmas: A Message from Bishop Rickel December 25, 2022 “It may well be especially poignant this year as we witness a world in such disarray and filled with anxieties on so many levels. My prayer for you, especially if these are true for you, is that this day and the season that follows be a time of assurance, love, and joy.” Bishop Rickel offers his reflections and his blessings on this Christmas morning. 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 of Olympia […]

Southwestern Washington Synod E-News Week of December 18, 2022 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Peace to you all this Christmas and in the new year! December 2022 Synod Newsletter, Moments for Mission Available online here Introducing Journi Looking for a place to lead but don’t know where to start? Featuring dozens of articles, podcasts, videos, contacts, events and resources, Journi is the ELCA’s free one-stop […]

News from the Diocese of Olympia View as Webpage December 16, 2022           Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Services Across the Diocese Looking for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany services? Join our churches and worshiping communities from across the Diocese of Olympia this holiday season! More services will be added throughout the coming weeks, so check back regularly for more updates! FIND A SERVICE Updates from the Bishop’s Taskforce on Homelessness “…a desire to have a large Thanksgiving meal led to Ascension and friends preparing a full meal the day of Thanksgiving and serving it on site to […]

Southwestern Washington Synod E-News Week of December 11, 2022 Watch video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjV2nS2c4LE Download English pdf: https://download.elca.org/ELCA Resource Repository/Christmas_Message_2022_ENG.pdf Download Spanish pdf: https://download.elca.org/ELCA Resource Repository/Christmas_Message_2022_SP.pdf Merry Christmas, dear church. The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response Free Resources ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response have always been intricately connected, but in recent months global events have reminded us again just how vital the work of God through these shared ministries is for communities around the world. As the world looks to incredibly complex challenges in the days […]

Southwestern Washington Synod E-News Week of November 13, 2022 Updated 2023 Synod Compensation Guidelines for Rostered Ministers (The Definition of Compensation Form has been updated to reflect the 12 weeks of Parental Leave as noted in guidelines and approved by 2019 Synod Assembly.) https://swwasynod.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2023-Compensation-Guidelines-final-Update.pdf Synod monthly Newsletter (November 2022)–https://swwasynod.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Moments-for-Mission_November-2022-final.pdf YAGM Applications are OPEN! The ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program is ready for new volunteers! This year, for the first time since early 2020, YAGM participants are walking alongside our international neighbors. Now, it’s time for the YAGM team to find the next volunteers ready to step out […]

Southwestern Washington Synod E-News Week of November 6, 2022 Register for this webinar on Ukraine Refugee Crisis Update here Christians against Christian Nationalism video from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton (November 2, 2022) Video link here Public response period: Social message on climate care A draft of the ELCA’s forthcoming social message on climate change and how we are called to respond has been posted, and the public comment period is open through Friday, Dec. 2. This project was authorized in light of the grim contemporary situation affecting our global home and the need for fresh action on the part of this church. The draft will be […]

AUTUMN IN THE DIOCESE OF OLYMPIA for YOUNG ADULTS… Starting Tuesday… Join young adults from across the Diocese for a rich, guided conversation about the complicated ways relationships and faith intersect. Video shorts, provocative questions, and small group reflection will round out our time together. Many thanks to our support team: Rose Hazard, the Rev. Hillary Kimsey, and Michael Klucas, with additional assistance and insight from: the Rev. Canon Carla Robinson, the Rev. Daren Chidester, and the Rev. Edmund Harris. Two consecutive Tuesday evenings: November 1 & 8 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. via Zoom Register below for free to get the […]

View as Webpage October 28, 2022           Encountering Jesus in the Garden: The 112th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia Water. Soil. Seeds. Growth. As the seasons change, as the fruit within our own hearts and communities begins to ripen and mature, Jesus calls on us to encounter him in the garden. As we look for ways to heal our planet, to heal our relationship to creation and become faithful stewards of this place we call home, Jesus calls on us to encounter him in the garden. And as we celebrate our rich and vibrant […]