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Greetings,
While I was in Baltimore for the “It’s All About Love” Festival, I was blown away by the music. The music ranged effortlessly from rock to jazz to hip-hip to gospel to bluegrass to blues. One morning Adrienne and I were in a conversation in the hotel lobby with two men about the music. They turned out to be from “The Concert for the Human Family,” the project at the heart of the music for the festival. As we talked it became clear to us that The Concert for the Human Family needed to visit the Diocese of Olympia. That was the start of what will be their second visit to our diocese.
They will be in our diocese for a concert at 7pm on Saturday, February 3rd, at Saint Mark’s Cathedral. Before that concert the office of Multicultural Ministries will host a Sacred Ground dinner in Bloedel Hall at 5 pm. We might also be joined by a special guest from the presiding bishop's staff. Regrettably, we could not pull off a concert in Tacoma on Friday.
Both of the events are free, though we ask you to register via the links above. We also invite your time and talents in ushering and cleaning up after the concert.
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The point here is not to do a Christian concert. The Concert for the Human Family’s work underscores the profound potential of music and storytelling to cultivate Beloved Community. They understand the mission of the Church to “serve as a voice for the voiceless, mightily proclaiming the message of love, peace, welcome, sanctuary, and hope.”
They say it best in their own words,
“Working alongside The Episcopal Church’s Becoming Beloved Community program, which focuses on the work of racial reconciliation within and beyond the Church, we began to shape a musical journey intended to stir listeners, share sacred stories of human experience from many perspectives, and start powerful conversations around the reconciliation work that’s so needed within the communities our churches and cathedrals call home.”
I hope you and anyone else you know who longs for an eclectic musical experience that speaks of the Spirit and to the spirit will join us for a Concert for the Human Family. For a little bit of a sense of their work, check out this video and please let us know if you have any questions or would like to volunteer.
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In love and service,
Adrienne & Carla+
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Circles Retreat: Register Today!!
February 23 - 25 | Rainbow Lodge in North Bend, WA
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We're looking forward to gathering with folks from our Full Circle for a weekend of connection, visioning, and time together. Youth and families are welcome and lush trails abound!
To promote an environment of rest and safety for our members of color, the number of spaces open for Allies’ participation is limited and by invitation only. More info below!
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Ethnic Ministries 2024 Gatherings
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Indigenous Ministries' Winter Talk: January 12-16, 2024 in Port Aransas, TX. In-person attendance by invitation, virtual attendance 1/13-15. Register.
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International Black Clergy Conference: April 8-11 in Baltimore, MD. Hosted by the Episcopal Church's African Descent Ministries. More info here.
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AAPI Leadership Conference: April 16-20 in Portland, OR! Registration will be available in January. We hope to get many of our folks down there. More details to come!
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Latino Ministries' Nuevo Amanecer: June 3-6 in Hendersonville, North Carolina. More info to come, Facebook group here.
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Western Region Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) and Province VIII Black African Ministries (BAM) Annual Conference: in Los Angeles, CA. Dates TBA, stay tuned!
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Bishop Sandy Hampton
Please keep +Sandy and his family in your prayers as he was in the hospital in San Diego for the first half of December. We will keep you posted as we find out more.
Julianna & Carlos Caguiat
The Caguiats bid your prayers for Julianna's health and medical team as she awaits some tests and possible treatment options.
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We also lift our prayers for:
- Jerry Shigaki & family
- Ruth Anne Garcia and husband Jeremy
- Emily Palmer & family
- Fred & Kris Jessett
- Agnes Kuria & The Rev. Adult Care LLC
- Vinh Do & family
- Edie Weller & family
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If you have additional prayer requests, please send them to Adrienne. | |
If you would like to highlight resources, books, events, liturgies, or anything else, please send them to Adrienne. |
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Concert for the Human Family
Who are you inviting to Concert to the Human Family in a few weeks? Share these rave audience reviews and we'll see you at Saint Mark's Cathedral Saturday, February 3rd! Get your ticket today!
**Friday Tacoma concert canceled**
More info and opportunities to volunteer (and attend a Sacred Ground dinner!) below.
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St. Peter's Potluck & Polly's Retirement
January 28 after the 10:30 am service | St. Peter's, Seattle
St. Peter's will hold a potluck on January 28, to celebrate Deacon Polly's ministry on her last Sunday with them before her retirement. Folks are invited to join that day (and bring a dish if you can). Contact Katrina Hamilton if you're able to help with set up or clean up ([email protected])
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Civil Rights Pilgrimage: Sign up Now! | |
Spots are filling up fast! We would love more Circles members to join The Rev. Canon Carla Robinson, The Rev. Canon Britt Olson, and The Rev. Bryon Hansen in October 2024 for a transformative 10-day civil rights pilgrimage from Atlanta to Memphis!
Please let us know if you are even a little interested. Scholarships are available. Learn more at our Zoom info sessions (next one 2/22).
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Regional Beloved Community Interest Form
Multicultural Ministries & Community Transformation hopes to connect and resource folks in their parishes and wider regions in a variety of ways.
Please share your interests around Sacred Ground, the Racial Justice Audit, advocacy, regional Allies Circles, and Circles of Color as we continue building Beloved Community at the local level.
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Becoming Beloved Community Grants - The Episcopal Church | |
Beloved Community grants are available for new or pre-existing racial justice ministries or projects. Apply by March 1st.
Our office plans to apply for a couple. Let us know if you'd like assistance or would like to collaborate. A letter from the bishop is required, other criteria can be found at the link.
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Godly Play Curriculum Available
Resurrection, Bellevue is looking for a new home for their complete Godly Play curriculum.
Please inquire at their church office by calling 425.746.0322.
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Celebrating the Life of The Rev. Canon Jerry Shigaki | Find the diocesan recap and photos from Fr. Jerry's celebration of life below. | | | |
Circles Media
Do you have any books, podcasts, shows, or movies that you want to share? Let us know!
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Opinion | Our true feelings about race and identity are revealed in six words | Washington Post article shared by Maria Weber - The Race Card Project provides a window into America's beating heart. | | |
New Release: Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley | |
A collection of prayer, poetry, and spiritual practice centering the Black interior world, from the New York Times bestselling author of This Here Flesh and creator of Black Liturgies.
“A true spiritual balm for our troubled times.”—Michael Eric Dyson, author of What Truth Sounds Like.
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Go and Do Likewise - Paths to Understanding | |
Pastor Terry Kyllo’s latest book, Go and Do Likewise: Following Jesus into our Common Humanity, has just been published. This book is intended for Christian congregations and leaders. Terry explores Christian motivations for working with and respecting people of diverse cultures and traditions.
Author event February 1st, 6:30-8:00 pm at Burlington Lutheran.
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'The Book of Clarence' Is a Gangster Epic of Biblical Proportions | Sojourners - Director Jeymes Samuel’s newest movie, The Book of Clarence, is not just a biblical epic but a Black biblical epic. As a proud Black person and Bible fanatic, I knew I’d need to see it... | | |
2023 UTO Challenge Grant to Support the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem in partnership with the Good Friday Offering | |
The preliminary giving amount stands at $52,277.84 as of December 31st, however, they are still totaling checks sent by 12/31.
The United Thank Offering—in partnership with the Good Friday Offering—made a challenge to match up to $100,000 of donations given through Dec. 31 to help sustain outreach ministries in the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which operates across several countries or territories and includes churches, schools, medical facilities, and other ministries.
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AL-AHLI ARAB HOSPITAL PERSEVERES IN GAZA | American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem | January 10, 2024 - Despite extraordinary setbacks and extreme circumstances, Ahli Hospital and its resilient, heroic staff remain a beacon of hope in war-torn Gaza. | | |
Holy Land Resources
You can find calls to action, statements from faith leaders, partner resources, Episcopal Church news and press releases, prayers, and other updates about the crisis in Gaza on the Office of Government Relations website. General Convention resolutions around the Middle East can be found here.
We also encourage you to check out these resources and articles:
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Presiding Bishop Curry and Archbishop Hosam Share a Conversation | American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem | Watch the conversation between The Most Reverend Hosam Elias Naoum, Archbishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and Primate of Jerusalem and the Middle East, and the Most Reverend Michael B. Curry from November 21. | | | | | |
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1/21 @ 8:00 am & 10:00 am
St. Thomas, Medina
1/21 @ 4:00 pm
St. John South Sudanese, Tukwila
1/28 @ 10 am
St. Paul's, Port Townsend
2/4 @ 10 am
St. John San Juan, Olympia
2/11 @ 9:30 am
Faith, Poulsbo
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Want to share events from your parish or community?
Email details to Adrienne by Friday.
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One Parish One Prisoner (OPOP) Mini-Conference
January 20 @ 10:00 am | First United Methodist Church, Olympia
| One Parish One Prisoner's mini-conference in Olympia is open to any who might be interested in homelessness, prison/criminal justice reform, and programs to help our siblings returning to their communities upon release from prison. | | | |
Talk2Talk: Bridging Martin Luther King, Jr., and Absalom Jones
January 21 @ 1:00 - 2:00 pm | Zoom registration required
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The Revs. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Absalom Jones were preachers, pastors, fighters, and humanitarians. Two great lives well lived. How do they speak to us today? In the midst of fear and evil, they persevered. How did they maintain their sense of self, wholeness, and well-being? This program endeavors to bridge the celebrations of Martin and Absalom and explore the meaning therein for us today.
Join the Union of Black Episcopalians' panel with The Rev. Jemonde Taylor and The Very Rev. Canon Dr. Sandye A. Wilson.
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Forma: Faith Formation Conference
January 22, 2024 - January 25, 2024 | $120 (let us know if you'd like to attend!)
| Experience the annual Forma conference, a chance for all who work in faith formation - staff, volunteers & clergy - to experience the latest in methods, perspectives and practices. | | | |
Communion Forest Gathering
February 23 @ 4:00 pm | Zoom
| On Jan. 23, the Good News Gardens community will be joined by Mary Sebold and Abbott McCartney from the Episcopal Diocese of Washington to share about the Anglican Communion Forest and the Saplings for Sacraments program. | | | |
Taizé Prayer on the Eve of the Feast of Florence Li Tim-Oi
January 23 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Saint Mark's Cathedral and livestreamed
| Taizé Prayer celebrating the life of Florence Li Tim-Oi, first woman ordained in the Anglican Communion, on the eve of her feast day. | | | |
Sacred Ground A Film and Article Based Series on Race and Racism
Tuesdays, 3:00 pm | St. Augustine's in-the-Woods, Freeland
| Join St. Augustine's in-the-Woods, Freeland for Sacred Ground, a film and article based series on race and racism. | | | |
Get Clear on Your Career | Rediscover Your Vocation
January 25 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm | Zoom
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In 2024, resolve to make your career into something that resonates with your values and desire to make the world a better place.
Co-sponsored by the Diocese of Olympia 20s & 30s. All ages welcome! Workshop is free and we’ll send you Parker Palmer’s book: Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation, with your registration.
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Sacred Ground Dinner
February 3 @ 5:00 pm | Saint Mark's Cathedral, Seattle
| Calling all Sacred Ground alumni and participants: grab some dinner, connect, and help us with Concert for the Human Family! Please register below! | | | |
Concert for the Human Family
February 3 @ 7:00 pm | Saint Mark's Cathedral, Seattle
| Our office is delighted to invite you to the Concert for the Human Family: an inspiring collaboration between award-winning musicians and church leaders who believe in the power of music and storytelling to foster Beloved Community. | | | |
Diocesan Youth Confirmation Program
February 4 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm | Zoom
| Welcome to our youth confirmation series, which will bring together teens from across the Diocese to explore the Episcopal faith and will culminate with a confirmation service at Cathedral Day, April 27, 2024. | | | |
Holy Quiet: Contemplative Retreat for 20s & 30s
February 9-11 | Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center at Dash Point, Federal Way | $125 Registration (Scholarships Available)
| Experience a weekend of peace, prayer and self-care with young adults from across the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia. | | | |
Becoming Beloved Community: Truth-telling, Proclamation, Practice, and Repair
Wednesdays Beginning February 21 @ 7:00 pm | Online
| During Lent, join Good Shepherd, Federal Way as they explore the Covenant to Root Out Racism, and this Zoom class is open to the entire Diocese. | | | |
Next Full Circle Meeting
Wednesday, 2/7, 2024
3:00 pm
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Alzheimer's Support Group
Are you caring for, or have lost a loved one to Alzheimer's? It can be a lonely, challenging path to travel. In 2021, Fr. Jerry Shigaki formed a small group - all supporting someone with Alzheimer's / dementia. That group continues to meet weekly on Mondays at 4pm to share stories, support one another, and pray. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Maria Weber @Maria Weber.
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Health update: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry released from hospital - The Episcopal Church | Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has been released from the hospital following surgery Jan. 6 for a reoccurrence of a subdural hematoma. He will continue his recovery at home under the supervision of his doctors. Further updates will be provided as they become available. Please continue to hold Bishop Curry, his family, and medical team in your prayers. | | | |
Episcopal Church Lent resources | The Office of Public Affairs shares formation resources, our favorite Lent Madness, the Prophetic Voices Podcast hosted by The Rev. Shaneequa Brokenleg, Sermons That Work, a 40-day gratitude texting challenge, and other bulletin / publicity materials. | | | |
Indigenous Episcopalians gather in Texas for annual Winter Talk conference | [Episcopal News Service - Port Aransas, Texas] Episcopalians representing multiple Indigenous tribes throughout the United States and worldwide gathered in person and virtually Jan. 13-15...for the annual Winter Talk conference. | | | |
The Bitter Irony of MLK Day | [Sojourners, Rev. Adam Russell Taylor] - Each year I'm frustrated by those who quote King to argue we no longer need what he fought for. | | |
Immigration justice panel explores barriers to reform | [Diocese of Los Angeles] - Migrants will be the biggest losers if the Biden Administration compromises current immigration policies in exchange for funding packages for Ukraine and other U.S. allies, a Jan. 6 panel of immigration activists told a gathering at the historic Church of the Epiphany in Los Angeles, California. | | | |
Toward General Convention 81 (GC81) Newsletter | Welcome to “Toward GC81,” a roundup of updates, news, and events related to the 81st General Convention, scheduled for June 23-28, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky. | | | |
Episcopalians bid farewell to Catherine Meeks as she retires as Absalom Jones Center's executive director | [Episcopal News Service] - Nearly 200 Episcopalians gathered Jan. 4 in person at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and online to honor Catherine Meeks, founder and executive director o... | | | |
Documentary inspired by presiding bishop's teachings on love due for nationwide theatrical premiere Jan. 23 | [Episcopal News Service] - A nonprofit movie company led by Episcopalians is about to unveil its biggest project yet. Its feature-length documentary inspired by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's message of unselfish love is headed for a nationwide theatrical release on Jan. 23. | | | |
"Love God, Love God's World" curriculum - The Episcopal Church | |
"Love God, Love God's World" is a nine-session, film-based curriculum, ideal for Episcopalians anywhere on the journey with creation care and environmental ministry-from newcomers looking to take their first step to seasoned leaders seeking a transformative small-group experience.
Rev. Rachel Taber Hamilton and Adrienne Elliott are both session authors. Please email Adrienne if your church would like to pilot a few sessions!
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