The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, The Most Rev. Michael Curry, and the Bishop-Elect of the Diocese of Olympia, The Rev. Dr. Philip N. LaBelle, led a conversation today with a small group of community leaders in Bellevue, Washington, that focused on issues facing communities in Western Washington, and the grassroots work that is underway led by the Episcopal church, particularly around homelessness and housing affordability. The gathering was on the eve of the ordination and consecration of LaBelle, who will become the ninth Bishop of Olympia.
The meeting focused on the vitality of the church and its future, including the redevelopment of church property in Ballard for affordable housing and childcare and homeless ministries in Western Washington, including at Saint Mark’s Cathedral.
LaBelle noted how people of color are disproportionately impacted by homelessness and mentioned the relevance of the Episcopal Church’s ministries today. He expressed an interest in building community relationships across the diocese that will address housing, homelessness, and other social issues, such as working in partnership with Indigenous peoples to move from conservation to restoration.
“All across Western Washington, Episcopalians are tackling the tough issues of homelessness, climate change, and racial disparity by partnering with other organizations and through grassroots efforts. I see tremendous momentum in this Diocese with people living out Jesus’ example of loving our neighbors and am humbled at the opportunity to join them.”
Bishop-Elect Philip N. LaBelle will be ordained and consecrated on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 11 am PDT at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Washington.
Some of the other leaders present include:
- Melanie Audette, Bishop Transition Committee, Communications Sub-Committee (Facilitator)
- Jeffrey Boyce, Deacon, Missioner for Homeless Ministries
- Adrienne Elliott, Coordinator for Multicultural Ministries
- Gen Grewell, Deacon, Co-Chair, Bishop Transition Committee
- Sherry Maple, Bishop Transition Committee, Communications Sub-Committee
- The Rt. Rev. Ernie Martin Moral, The Episcopal Church in the Philippines
- Mac Murray, Bishop Transition Committee (and Mission to Seafarers)
- Britt Olson, Rev Canon, St. Luke’s (Property Redevelopment: Building a House Where Love Dwells)
- Carla Robinson, The Rev Canon, Multicultural Ministries & Community Transformation
- Steve Thomason, Dean, St. Mark’s Cathedral (homelessness and property use initiatives)
- Maria Weber, Bishop Transition Committee, PR pro, and member of the Circles of Color AAPI group
- Barbara Weza, Executive Director, Chaplains on the Harbor
RESOURCES
LaBelle noted how people of color are disproportionately impacted by homelessness:
- 19% of people experiencing homelessness in King County identify as Black/African American, but according to the 2020 U.S. Census, only 6% of King County’s population identifies as Black/African American.
- 7% of people experiencing homelessness identify as American Indian, Alaskan Native, or Indigenous, but that group makes up only 1% of King County’s population.
- Information about the St. Luke’s Redevelopment project is available at https://stlukesseattle.org/st-lukes-property-redevelopment/
- Information about the Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness is available at https://ecww.org/diocesan-ministries/committees-and-commissions/bishops-homeless-taskforce/
- Information about St. Mark’s Cathedral Housing Ministries is available at https://saintmarks.org/justice/housing-ministries/
- Information about the election of Bishop-Elect LaBelle is available at https://orcasepiscopal.org/2024/05/19/the-rev-phil-labelle-elected-as-the-diocese-of-olympias-ninth-bishop/
- Information about Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry, including official photos, is available at https://www.episcopalchurch.org/presiding-bishop-michael-curry/
- The ordination and consecration of Bishop-Elect LaBelle will be live-streamed on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. PST at https://ecww.org/the-ordination-and-consecration-of-the-rev-dr-philip-n-labelle/
Additional information about the Episcopal Church is available at
All photos by Greg Hester, The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia.
