The Episcopal Church in Western Washington
A Message from Bishop Rickel July 15, 2022 Bishop Rickel reflects on his time as Bishop of Olympia and shares plans for the future. Transcript of Bishop Rickel’s Video Letter from Standing Committee Note: Questions/Comments regarding the Transition Process should be directed to the Standing Committee.
Our communal life as the Body of Christ has been forever changed by the ongoing pandemic, altering the ways we think about worship, formation, stewardship, and the very nature of community. In this time of unprecedented upheaval, how do we meaningfully do the work of congregational development in the midst of our current reality, all while preparing to move soberly and joyfully into the future God has called us to? The Office of the Bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of
You can find all of our updates on the ongoing Afghan refugee crisis and the work of our Refugee Resettlement Office in meeting the needs of refugees coming to our region below. To support the work of our Refugee Resettlement Office, please visit their website to find out ways you can donate and get involved. REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT OFFICE ALL POSTS
As we approach the anniversary of Mr. George Floyd’s murder, May 25, Bishop Rickel is asking that all congregations of the diocese incorporate “A Covenant to Root Out Racism” in their worship and in their Christian formation plans for Pentecost and/or the Season after Pentecost. The Commission for Liturgy & the Arts anticipates that using this litany may inspire congregations to desire deeper engagement with the commitments of the Covenant. In consultation with the Circles of Color, they are developing
Updated Friday, July 2, 2021 (Bishop Rickel’s Letter Announcing the Lifting of COVID Restrictions in the Diocese of Olympia; New Reopening Page from the Office of the Governor) LIFTING OF COVID RESTRICTIONS IN THE DIOCESE OF OLYMPIA (July 2, 2021) OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR’S COVID-19 REOPENING GUIDANCE (July 2, 2021) VIEW OR DOWNLOAD THE DOCUMENT (April 2020 – Where information in the Diocese of Olympia’s Phase-In Plan conflicts with the governor’s orders, please follow the most recent governor’s orders.) VIEW OR DOWNLOAD THE
Churches across the Diocese of Olympia transitioned to streaming their services online due to COVID-19. Even as some churches have begun to reopen and hold in-person worship, many are continuing to hold virtual worship as well. We have compiled an index of those services below, listed alphabetically by city. We will be adding new services regularly as they are added, so check back often. Please check individual church websites for their in-person worship offerings. Christ Church, Anacortes Live Service Schedule
It is a time of transition within our diocese, and we have new a clergy transition to announce. The Rev. Annie Calhoun has accepted a call as vicar of St. Anne’s, Washougal. Annie Calhoun was ordained in 2014 and served at Trinity Episcopal Church in Orange, CA as the associate rector. She worked in all areas of the church including pastoral care, developing stewardship programs, congregational education, and children and youth ministry. She also served as a member of the
It is a time of transition within our diocese, and we have new a clergy transition to announce. The Rev. Paul Price has accepted a call as rector of St. Stephen’s, Oak Harbor. From his introduction to St. Stephen’s: How do I introduce myself? Good question. I was born and baptized in Berlin and am a cradle Anglican. My parents relocated to the high desert, Antelope Valley in California, where I spent most of my formative years. My home parish
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. Of her time at dean, Grace says, “For the last four years I’ve had the honor of working with the Iona School of the Diocese of Olympia, first as a teacher and then as the Dean of the School. I’ve had the privilege and joy of walking
It is a time of transition within our diocese, and we have new a clergy transition to announce. The Rev. Liz Costello has accepted a call as rector of St. Thomas, Medina. Mother Liz grew up on the east coast, spending her formative years in North Carolina. She holds a B.A. in Documentary Studies from East Carolina University, a Master’s of Divinity (M.Div.) and Certificate in Documentary Studies from Duke University, and a Master’s of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) from Yale
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. Episcopal Service Corps (ESC) is a ministry of
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
It is a time of transition within our diocese, and we have new a clergy transition to announce. The Rev. Cristi Chapman has accepted a call as rector of St. David’s, Friday Harbor. Cristi graduated from the Seminary of the Southwest with a Master of Divinity in May 2017. She was ordained to the priesthood in June 2017 in the Diocese of Olympia. After ordination, Cristi served at Saint Mark’s Cathedral as curate and then as an Associate to the
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! The Program Coordinator will assist with implementation of ethnic ministries programs, working jointly with the Ethnic Ministries Circles of Color “EMCC” and with the Canon for Multicultural Ministry and Community Transformation “Canon.” Areas of responsibility include coordination of schedules of all EMCC sub-circles, development and curation of communications content, and administrative
The Office of the Bishop is pleased to welcome Gabriel Arrington [he/they] to the Diocese of Olympia as a Communications Intern. Gabriel arrived in Seattle from their hometown of Richmond, Virginia in August to participate in the Seattle Service Corps, a yearlong service and spiritual formation program for young adults in the Episcopal Church. He will work with Josh Hornbeck, Canon Missioner for Communications, on the diocesan website and social media platforms. Gabe joins us with a background in religious
It is a time of transition within our diocese, and we have new a clergy transition to announce. The Rev. Bill Fulton has accepted a call to work with the people of St. Germain’s, Hoodsport as their part-time vicar. Recently retired after 13 years as the vicar of St. Antony’s, Silverdale, his interests include preaching, liturgy, and pastoral care. Prior to St. Antony’s, he served concurrently for nine years as vicar of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Florence, Oregon, and