Dear Beloved People of Olympia,
The images and stories coming out of Los Angeles this week have been overwhelming. I’m sure many of you like me have family or friends in the area and have been both horrified and offering prayers. Earlier this week it was reported that an Episcopal Church in Altadena was destroyed, and Bishop John Harvey Taylor has updated us of the devastation being experienced and of the deep hope in God’s grace and goodness.
First, I invite all of us to continued prayer for the people of Los Angeles, the Episcopal Diocese there, and for the impact this will have especially of those on the margins. When we are unsure how to respond, spending time in the loving care of the God who created us is paramount. God cares for each person and every creature impacted by these fires, and in prayer we join with God in that concern.
Second, we can clearly see that this is a result of climate change. It might be obvious—and especially as news reports are also out this week that 2024 was the hottest year on record—but this cannot become just another thing we hear and then continue on with our lives. We cannot continue to just allow these events to happen without also pausing to see what we might need to do in our own lives to work for climate justice. This work is inextricably connected to racial justice with the impact of climate change being felt most forcefully by those who are BIPOC and those who are financially disadvantaged.
As our Governing Bodies in our Diocese meet tomorrow for our annual retreat, we will continue to discuss how Climate and Racial Justice can be more fully established in our community as disciples of Jesus. We are called to seek Christ in all persons and to work for to protect and restore the integrity of the created world.
I commend Episcopal Relief and Development to you if you would like to offer financial support. (episcopalrelief.org). We also have resources for emergency preparedness on our Diocesan website for those who might find that useful. As we learn more in the coming weeks about how we might be able to assist in other ways, I will provide that information to you.
Again, I hope that you will join me in prayer that the God who created all things and seeks the goodness of all people would sustain the first responders, lift up the hearts of those who’ve experienced trauma, and bring an end to these wildfires.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Phil LaBelle
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Olympia
