The Diocese of Olympia is delighted to welcome Bishop Ernie Moral, his wife Mrs. Shirmen Moral, and Mr. Gideon Bustamante, the Regional Development Officer at Episcopal CARE Foundation Inc. Bishop Moral, the Bishop of the Diocese of the Southern Philippines (EDSP), and his party will visit us for two weeks in late September and early October, primarily focusing on Creation Care learning exchange and potentially expanding our partnership. Bishop Moral will also assist with worship and present and attend workshops
Updates from the Bishop Search Committee

What’s Up Next for the Bishop Search Committee over the Next Two Months? Month of September The committee is continuing to review the feedback information coming in this past week from the Holy Conversation online form submissions. The data will be collated and given to the Profile Sub-committee who will take the key feedback and incorporate it into the profile. The diocesan profile will be completed and approved by the Joint Board. October 15 – November 15 The profile will
Clergy Transitions in the Diocese of Olympia

It is a time of transition within our Diocese, and we have a new clergy transition to announce. The Rev. Hillary B. Kimsey is excited to accept a call to serve as vicar of St. Antony of Egypt Episcopal Church in Silverdale, WA. Her first Sunday will be October 8. Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, Hillary was raised in the Southern Baptist tradition. She earned a BA in English and a BS in Secondary Education from the College of Charleston
Updates from the Bishop Search Committee

Holy Conversations Have Been Completed! Over the past month of August, 24 in-person and Zoom Holy Conversations hosted by various churches are now finished. A huge “thank you” to our hosts and to everyone who participated in one of those events and shared your hopes and desires for our next bishop. You still have one day left (the deadline is September 2) to complete the online Holy Conversation form for those of you who were not able to attend one
Update on Support of South Sudanese Orphans

Thank you to all who contributed to The Rev. Mary Bol’s early 2023 request to support South Sudanese orphans displaced by climate change-exacerbated floods. The Rev. Mary Bol serves alongside the Rev. James Ayuen at St. John’s South Sudanese congregation in Tukwila, which maintains many close connections with friends and family in South Sudan. We are full of gratitude to report that the Diocese was able to contribute roughly $2,500 towards this effort! As Rev. Mary’s travel plans to South
Clergy Transitions in the Diocese of Olympia

It is a time of transition within our Diocese, and we have a new clergy transition to announce. The Rev. Edmund Harris is delighted to begin a new ministry as Associate Rector for Family Ministries and Evangelism at St. Thomas, Medina. He started on August 1. Prior to St. Thomas, Edmund served for eight years as Rector at St. Peter’s Episcopal Parish, Seattle, helped to start Church Beyond the Walls, a street church community in Providence, Rhode Island, and served
Holy Cow Survey and Holy Conversations

Holy Cow Survey – One Week Left! The Holy Cow Survey is open now through August 31 We need your input as we build the Profile for our Bishop Search. With one week to go, we are nearly at 50% of our survey response goal. Please take a few minutes to complete it, now! SURVEY: ENGLISH SURVEY: KOREAN SURVEY: SPANISH SURVEY: DINKA Holy Conversations at St. Matthew’s, Auburn. Only One More Holy Conversation Remains… RSVP, Now! Please come
Holy Cow Survey and Holy Conversations

Holy Cow Survey Is Still Open – Take It Today! (Survey Open Now Through August 31) The Holy Cow Survey is live for two more weeks! We are inviting all clergy and lay members in the Diocese to provide us with your input. Take the survey today! Help us reach our goal of hearing from all of you! SURVEY: ENGLISH SURVEY: SPANISH SURVEY: KOREAN SURVEY: DINKA Holy Conversations – Five Sessions Are Left! Holy Conversations at St. Andrew’s,
Holy Cow Survey and Holy Conversation Updates

Holy Cow Survey Survey open now through August 31! “3 weeks” left to respond to the Holy Cow Survey! We are inviting all clergy and lay members in the diocese to provide us with your input. Take the survey, today! Help us reach our goal of hearing from all of you! SURVEY: ENGLISH SURVEY: SPANISH SURVEY: KOREAN SURVEY: DINKA Holy Conversations Many thanks to the following churches that have already hosted a Holy Conversation session: St. Paul’s, Bremerton; Trinity, Seattle;
Staff Transitions

We have a transition to announce here at the Office of the Bishop. Deacon Brian Wright will be resigning as Missioner for Veterans’ Ministry in the Diocese of Olympia, effective immediately. We are all incredibly grateful to Deacon Wright for his years of service and ministry to veterans and to the Diocese. Brian served as the Missioner for Veterans’ Ministry for the past six and a half years, receiving requests for financial assistance from a few veterans each year who