Staff Transitions at the Diocese of Olympia

We have a transition to announce here at the Office of the Bishop. Grace La Torra, Dean of the Iona School, will be leaving the bishop’s staff at the end of the month.

While we are sad to see Grace leave our staff, we are very excited to announce that Dr. Thea Mirabella Maeve Wyatt will be joining staff in the Office of the Bishop as the new Dean of the Iona School. She will also serve as our Diocesan Transition Case Manager.

Please join us in wishing all the best to Grace as she heads out on new adventures. And please join us in welcoming Mirabella Maeve into her new role in the diocese.

Introducing the 2022-23 Seattle Service Corps

On a sunny afternoon at the end of August, the newest cohort of the Seattle Service Corps arrived on the campus of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Seattle! We are Kate, Krista, Emily, Ga’Vintay, Gabriel, Anthony, and Austin, seven young adults from around the United States and Canada. We are thrilled to be be spending the next ten months in an intentional community where we will serve, grow, pray, and explore Seattle together. Read more about Seattle Service Corps below.

2022 Preaching Award Submissions Now Open

October 1 Deadline

It’s again time for preachers or for those who have heard an outstanding sermon to nominate a preacher and a sermon for the 2022 Bishop’s Preaching Award!

Clergy Transitions in the Diocese of Olympia

It is a time of transition within our diocese, and we have new clergy transitions to announce. The Rev. Cristi Chapman has accepted a call as rector of St. David’s, Friday Harbor, and The Rev. Liz Costello has accepted a call as rector of St. Thomas, Medina.

Please join us in welcoming Rev. Chapman to her new call and Rev. Costello to the diocese.

2023 COLA and Congregational Grades Update

The Commission on Personnel has two important pieces of information to share so that clergy and congregational leaders can begin working with vestries, Bishop's committees, and diocesan convention delegates. The Commission is sharing this information now so that congregational leaders can budget and plan for 2023 accordingly.

1 - The proposed COLA for 2023 is 10.1%. The Commission on Personnel bases the COLA proposal on the year-over-year (June 2021-June 2022) increase in the Consumer Price Index for the Seattle metro area. The Resolution will come out with the diocesan convention materials, and there will be a hearing about it in advance of convention.

2 - Congregational grades will not change in 2023. Recognizing that 2021 Parochial Report data still reflects pandemic conditions, the Commission on Personnel recommended that Diocesan Council freeze congregational grades at 2022 levels through the end of 2023. Diocesan Council approved this recommendation in March 2022.

Questions? Contact Sabeth Fitzgibbons, Personnel Commission chair ([email protected]).

Gathering Baptism & Necrology Names for Diocesan Convention

As we prepare for Diocesan Convention 2022, it is time once again to gather the names of those in our congregations who have been baptized – and those who have died – since October 1, 2021.

Find out more by following the link below.

Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness: A Continuing Introduction

Three years ago, Bishop Rickel asked for volunteers invested in helping the unhoused to come together to find ways to involve all diocesan parishes in tackling this universal and vexatious issue. The Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness was the result. The Task Force has gathered information locally and nationally, analyzed best practices, talked to countless people who want to get things done, have advised representatives in Olympia, and presented to Convention. All this comes from a commitment to our Baptismal Covenant. And the investment is reassured by the belief that faith communities can and should do much to help others.

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!

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]).

College for Congregational Development Weekend Sessions

September 30 - October 1 | Dumas Bay Centre, Federal Way | $850 Registration

The College of Congregational Development is a comprehensive training program. It seeks to nurture and develop congregational development practitioners from within existing parish lay and clergy leadership.

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.

A Message from Bishop Rickel

Bishop's Leadership Conference 2022 - Resources Available!

Slide decks and resources from the presentations at the Bishop's Leadership Conference are now available on our website, along with links to recordings of select workshops and plenaries. See more about planned renegotiation, hybrid community, messy church, and stewardship at the link below!

Free Portable Sandbox and Rolling Book Cart

Resurrection, Bellevue is giving away a small portable plastic sandbox on wheels with wood trim and a two-handled lid. Dimensions are approximately 24.5"x24"x6".

They are also giving away a 3-shelf rolling book cart. Beige with brown trim on outer sides. Dimensions are approximately 36"x36.5"x12.5". If interested, please contact Resurrection, Bellevue’s parish administrator, Kirsten, at 425.746.0322 or at [email protected].

Online Formation Classes and Events

Tuesdays beginning September 20, 4:00pm | Online via Zoom

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

October 4, 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.

September 28, 12:00pm

It's time for the quarterly gathering of leaders in Children & Families Ministry from around the diocese! Grab your lunch and let's meet via Zoom to share best practices as we launch into the new program year.

AAPI Circle Celebration Liturgy

September 24, 12:00pm | Holy Cross, Redmond

All are welcome to join the Asian American and Pacific Islander Circle for a service of celebration and joy!

September 24, 1:00pm

The Mideast Focus Ministry of Saint Mark's Cathedral, the Bishop’s Committee for Justice & Peace in the Holy Land, and Kairos Puget Sound Coalition present this symposium—in person and online via Zoom—which brings together prominent voices from different religious backgrounds to ask where the struggle to achieve justice and peace in the Israel-Palestine goes from here.

September 25, 5:00pm | St. Luke's, Renton

Join us as we celebrate the turning of seasons and the rich harvest of Autumnal spirit. Ann Strickland of Bainbridge Island will lead our music-making. An afterparty will assemble in the church courtyard and St. Timothy’s Chapel. All are welcome.

September 29, 10:00am | Diocesan House

The creative minds behind "Tell Me the Truth About Racism" will be in Seattle and you’re invited to watch them demo their new curriculum and hear from them about their anti-racism work with children and families.

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.

October 13, 5:30pm | Lagunitas Brewery

Edible Hope Kitchen's annual fundraiser at Lagunitas Brewery is back with food, beverages, entertainment, and exciting raffle items!

September 24, 7:30pm | Christ Church, Tacoma

Jazz at Christ Church Tacoma, Saturday, September 24 at 7:30pm, featuring Cassio Vianna and Jeff Chang.

September 25, 12:00pm | Christ Church, Tacoma

Join us on Sunday, September 25, at noon, for our “Sounds Wonderful” Community Drum Circle, led by Sherina James. No experience necessary; drums will be provided.

October 2, 4:00pm | Christ Church, Tacoma

Blessing of the Animals, on Sunday, October 2, at Christ Church Tacoma, starting at 4:00pm. You are welcome to bring your pet to the courtyard. Treats for humans and pets provided.

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

Bishop Rickel's Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Join Bishop Rickel as he leads his 10th (and last as Diocesan Bishop of Olympia) pilgrimage in January of 2023 to the Holy Land with an additional excursion to Jordan. The first 11 days will be the “Holy Land 101” standard pilgrimage through Israel/Palestine, and part two is a Jordan extension to include Petra, and Jerash, and other sites in the country of Jordan. Part one runs from January 16-January 27th , and the Jordan extension continues through January 31st. The brochure for this pilgrimage can be found here.

October 29-November 13 | Holy Land | $3,850 Registration

See the Land of Milk and Honey that includes many of the sacred and historically significant locations related to both the Old and New Testaments with the added bonus of meeting with women from different religions along the way to learn about their lives and beliefs.

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.
• Saint Mark's Cathedral, Seattle is seeking a Part Time Music Librarian.
• Saint Mark's Cathedral, Seattle is seeking a Part Time Music Series Manager.
• Saint Mark's Cathedral, Seattle is seeking a Part Time Sound Engineer.
• St. Luke's Memorial, Tacoma is seeking a Part Time Coordinator of Children & Family MInistries.
• Epiphany, Seattle is seeking a Part Time Nursery Childcare Provider.
• St. Barnabas, Bainbridge Island is seeking a Part Time Bookkeeper.