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, and watch the recorded workshops in the weeks to come!

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.

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.

Clergy Transitions in the Diocese of Olympia

It is a time of transition within our diocese, and we have new a clergy transition to announce. The Rev. Charissa Bradstreet has accepted a call as interim rector of Good Samaritan, Sammamish.

Please join us in welcoming Rev. Bradstreet to her new role in the diocese, and keep all congregations experiencing transition in your prayers.

Seeking Program Coordinator for Multicultural Ministries

The Canon for Multicultural Ministry and Community Transformation and Ethnic Ministries Circles of Color (EMCC) are now seeking a Full Time Program Coordinator for Multicultural Ministries and Community Transformation!

Find out more by following the link below!

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 aljohnson@cpg.org 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 (sabeth@trinityseattle.org).

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.

World Council of Churches Eco-School on Water, Food, and Climate Justice Accepting Applications

Youth and young adults under 30 are encouraged to apply for the World Council of Churches Eco-School 2022, to be held in New York City December 5-11. 

Participants will explore the ways in which the North America region has the ability and resilience to tackle climate change. They will also discuss how the political will to do so fluctuates under various administrations.

Applications close November 10, 2022.

Free Tree!

Resurrection, Bellevue needs to remove a tree from their property. Would anyone be interested in it? It is approximately 50 ft. Please contact Kirsten, parish admin, at info@cotrbellevue.org. 

Online Formation Classes and Events

November 1 & 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.

November 1 & 8, 7:00pm | Online via Zoom

Join young adults from across the Diocese for a rich guided conversation about how interpersonal relationships and faith intersect. 

November 5 & 9, 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 -- children@ecww.org -- 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: childrenandyouth@stpaulsbellingham.org. 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. 

November 6, 4:30pm | Saint Mark's Cathedral, Seattle

A special service of Choral Evensong observing the Feast of All Saints will include a celebration of the ministry of Bishop Greg and Marti Rickel in the Diocese of Olympia, with a reception to follow.

November 7, 7:00pm | Saint Mark's Cathedral, Seattle

Join local religious leaders and fellow citizens who will gather in Seattle’s Saint Mark’s Cathedral at this unprecedented time. All are invited to join in this brief non-partisan service of hope, either in-person or via livestream. 

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.

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 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 and Wednesdays, 7:00pm | Online via Zoom

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

October 31, 5:00pm | St. Timothy, Chehalis



Read more booooks! Stop by St. Timothy in Chehalis for a free book on Halloween while books last. You are also invited to visit our Neighbor-to-Neighbor Little Free Library just about any time for a free book. We’re at the corner of 18th and Snively in Chehalis.

November 3, 6:00pm | St. Matthew, Browns Point/Tacoma

Join St. Matthew, Browns Point/Tacoma in welcoming Fr. Hilary Njoroge as an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Olympia. 

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).

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

• Ethnic Ministries Circles of Color and the Office of the Bishop are seeking a Full Time Program Coordinator: Multicultural Ministries.
• 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.
• St. Luke's Memorial, Tacoma is seeking a Part Time Director of St. Luke's Pre-School.
• St. Michael & All Angels, Dallas is seeking a Full Time Director of Youth Ministry.