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Welcome to the Diocese of Olympia

Welcome to the Episcopal Church in Western Washington! We are inclusive; we are growing and learning; we are stewards; we are evangelists; we are on mission; and we are the church in the world. We value relationships with many different groups and we embrace servant leadership, focusing on collaboration and consultation. In the Diocese of Olympia, we are people of God who proclaim boldly by word and action the reconciling Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Made up of 33,000 Episcopalians in 98 churches, our geographic area stretches south from Canada to Oregon and west from the foothills of the Cascade Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Our congregations cover a whole range of sizes and stages of development. Several affiliated institutions, numerous multicultural ministries and a number of outreach and social justice ministries are supported by the whole diocese. A companion relationship with the Diocese of Jerusalem is longstanding.

Our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel, embraces radical hospitality that welcomes all, no matter where they find themselves on their journey of faith. He envisions a church that is a safe and authentic community in which to explore God’s infinite goodness and grace as revealed in the life and continuing revelation of Jesus Christ. Our bishop suffragan, the Rt. Rev. Bavi Edna “Nedi” Rivera, is the first Hispanic woman bishop elected in the Episcopal Church. Her primary areas of responsibility are ethnic ministry, evangelism and faith formation. We hope you will join us in our exciting work!