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 legacy while looking ahead to a new and ever changing future, the risen Christ calls on us to encounter him in the garden.

The 112th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia was held in-person at the Hilton Seattle Airport (for those able to attend physically) and online via our virtual event platform (for those with medical vulnerabilities, disabilities, or other limitations that prevent them from attending in-person). This was a time for us to gather for workshops and worship, and a time for us to do the work of the diocese - a time for us to encounter our risen Savior in the garden.

Convention may be over, but you can still browse all of the incredible resources from this year's Convention on our Convention website, watch the saved Convention live-streams, Bishop Rickel's Convention Address, clips from our annual Convention awards, and more!

Just added this week: Friday's Convention plenary session and the rest of the Convention workshops recordings!

Missioner for Climate Care and Climate Justice John Kydd at COP27

Our very own Missioner for Climate Care and Climate Justice, John Kydd, is part of The Episcopal Church’s delegation to the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (more commonly known as COP27) in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt this year. You can find John’s reflections, prayers, and updates at the links below.

New Occasional Paper on Property Management in the Diocese of Olympia

The Rev. Dr. Dennis S. Tierney has published the latest Occasional Paper on Property Management, entitled "Monetizing Church Properties: Some Guiding Principles." The paper contains ten important pieces of advice for monetizing church property, based on the lived experiences of the diocese's congregations and clergy.

Bishop's Task Force on Homelessness: Living into our Baptismal Covenant

Don Fornoff, a member of the Bishop's Task Force on Homelessness, has written a reflection on living into our baptismal vows as we interact with and seek to support our homeless neighbors across the diocese. Don offers suggestions for both individuals and communities to continue aiding this vulnerable population as the housing crisis persists.

Collaborative Stewardship

Learn more about how the Diocese of Olympia, Saint Mark's Cathedral, and the Cathedral Foundation of the Diocese of Olympia work together to inspire collaborative stewardship across the Diocese of Olympia.

St. John’s South Sudanese Fundraiser

St. John’s South Sudanese is raising funds to secure a home for that will enable worship and formation of a new generation of Dinka Episcopalians in our diocese. This appeal is being broadcast across the United States, both to members of the Dinka diaspora community in the US and Episcopal Dinka communities throughout the Episcopal Church.

St. Andrew's House Lodge Expansion Project

Learn more about the history of St. Andrew's House, find out about their plans for the future, and discover how you can help support this vital ministry in the Diocese of Olympia.

To help support the lodge expansion project, visit the link below.

Chaplains on the Harbor: Fall Appeal 2022

Bishop Rickel joins Chaplains on the Harbor for their Fall 2022 Appeal. Chaplains on the Harbor thanks you for your prayers and support. They need your help more than ever during this Fall campaign.

The Rev. Dr. Peter Strimer, A Celebration of Life

A Celebration of the Life of the Rev. Dr. Peter Strimer will be held Saturday, December 3, at 10:00am at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle. All are invited. Please continue to keep his wife El, and his family, and all who grieve in your prayers.

Chaplains on the Harbor Transition

"None of us get to complete the work we start; it is the job of any leader and any priest to hand on the work of building beloved community to the next leaders."

The Rev. Sarah (Cedar) Monroe shares reflections about their nine years of ministry with Chaplains on the Harbor and leaving this ministry in very capable hands.

The Office of the Bishop is looking for a fulltime Staff Accountant to join our four-person accounting team. The Staff Accountant reports to the Canon for Finance and is responsible for general ledger fund accounting, as well as payroll tracking and processing. They will assist the Senior Accountant with tasks related to maintaining the financial records in the general ledger system of the organization.

November 19, 9:30am | Saint Mark's Cathedral, Seattle

At this workshop, clergy members, attorneys, and financial planners will discuss the benefits of pre-planning. Attention will be given to the framework of wills, tools for planning your estate, and preparing for your last chapter of life. Our aim is to provide you with an orientation to wills and set you on a concrete path to prepare, draft, and complete your critical final documents.

Safety Inspections from Church Insurance Agency Corporation

Alan Johnson of Church Insurance Agency Corporation is available to perform safety inspections for any church in the diocese. If anyone is interested, the can contact Alan by email at [email protected] or by phone at 623.203.3073.

Help Your Fall Pledge Campaign

Having the sudden realization that the pledge campaign needs to be ready to go in mere weeks? No worries!!

Our diocese pays for an annual membership in TENS (The Episcopal Network for Stewardship / www.tens.org) so that any congregation in the diocese can access the wealth of easy-to-use materials TENS prepares each year. Check out the website for a library of useful articles, past webinars, and even full campaign packages with letters, bulletin inserts, and pledge cards ready to go. The 2022 Campaign theme is "More Than Enough" and you can access the easy to use members-only materials with the password Luke9:17 (case sensitive, no spaces). Most campaign materials are available in Spanish.

Questions?  Contact Sabeth Fitzgibbons, TENS board member ([email protected]).

Safe Church Online Update

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.

St. Margaret's, Bellevue Seeking Hymn Books

St. Margaret's, Bellevue is seeking copies of the "Lift Every Voice and Sing" hymn book. Does your church have some of these that are no longer being used? St. Margaret's would love to take them off your hands. Please contact [email protected]. 

Online Formation Classes and Events

November 19, December 3 | St. Paul's, Bellingham

You are invited to engage (or re-engage) with Godly Play, the life-giving spiritual practice and model for nurturing the faith of children, multiple generations together, and even elders. This "Commuter Core" training is a comprehensive sweep of theory and practice.

Trainer Joy Studer will be leading the training series at St. Paul's, Bellingham on Saturdays, October 29, November 5th and 19th from 9:00 - 5:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided. If you are interested but travel is an obstacle, please reach out to the Diocese of Olympia -- [email protected] -- regarding compensation for travel and overnight.

This is a 3-part series and you can attend one, two or all three in any order or location. Participation in all 3 modules constitutes Core Training Certification. $30/per module.

Register with Benjamin Schieber, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries, at St. Paul's: [email protected]. St. Paul's is located at 2117 Walnut Street, Bellingham, WA 98225.If you or someone in your congregation is looking for an opportunity to receive training in the Godly Play method and philosophy, consider this fall offering at St. Paul's, Bellingham. 

Ditty Bag Stuffing Day 2022

November 19, 10:00am | St. John the Baptist, Seattle

Join with others from around Puget Sound to make Christmas care packages for international seafarers who will be in Puget Sound during the holidays.

Refugee Resettlement Office Benefit Concert

November 20, 2:00pm | Auburn Community & Event Center

Join the Refugee Resettlement Office for our first benefit concert! The program includes music by Ukrainian bandura player Valentyn Lysenko, Two Eyes Jazz Band, and a presentation from micro-enterprise owner Iris Peñafiel. While listening to world music, participate in the silent auction, create an art project with PATH with Art, enjoy Ukrainian dessert and peruse the small business market.

December 6; 5:30pm | Online via Zoom

One-hour monthly Zoom conversations about things people can do in their everyday lives relating to energy usage to reduce their carbon footprint and reverse climate change.

December 16-18 | Camp Huston, Gold Bar

Kick off your winter break out at Camp Huston with Winter Camp! Winter Camp will be more low-key than summer camp, but you can still count on all of your favorite fun activities like arts n crafts, initiatives, games, and more. If you loved summer camp and want more, come to Winter Camp! Open to kids age 8-15.

Tuesdays, 4:00pm | Online via Zoom

Slow Religion/Matthew is a slow, careful reading and sharing of the Gospel and its commentaries.

December 3, 10:00am | St. Germain, Hoodsport

Start your Christmas shopping with us! Local vendors, handmade crafts, decorations, and stocking stuffers. Refreshments of hot spiced apple cider, cookies, and other goodies.

December 10, 8:00pm | Saint Mark's Cathedral, Seattle

For their 13th annual Cathedral Christmas family concert, the Seattle Choral Company presents the first Seattle performance of Margaret Bonds' unjustly neglected holiday masterpiece, The Ballad of the Brown King, written in collaboration with poet Langston Hughes.

June 3-15, 2023 | Scotland & England | $4,500 Registration (Double occupancy ,$650 single suppl.)

Follow in the footsteps of the northern saints of Britain as we journey to Iona, Whithorn, Durham, and Lindisfarne (Holy Island).

September 20, 2023-April 30, 2025 | The Priory Spiritual Retreat Center | $4,300 Registration

The Priory Spirituality Center's offers a two-year formation program, Listening with the Spirit, on zoom for clergy or lay people who feel called by the Spirit to be Spiritual Directors.

The following job opportunities are now open at churches and organizations across Western Washington.

• The Office of the Bishop is seeking a Full Time Staff Accountant.
• St. Paul's, Seattle is seeking a Part Time Video Operator.
• St. Barnabas, Bainbridge Island is seeking a Part Time Office Administrator.
• St. Luke's, Seattle is seeking a Part Time Office/Facilities Manager.