Blog - The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia

Bishop’s Leadership Conference 2022: What’s Now? What’s Next? Church in Pandemic and Beyond

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

Updates from the Diocese of Olympia’s Refugee Resettlement Office

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

Using A Covenant to Root Out Racism in Liturgy

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

A Guide to Gathering in Person: The Diocese of Olympia’s Phased-In Plan for Resuming In-Person Worship and Activities

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

Live-Streaming Services in the Diocese of Olympia

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

COVID-19: Requirements, Recommendations, and Resources

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) The following page contains requirements, recommendations, and resources for churches in the Diocese of Olympia put together by the Office of the Bishop as a response to the COVID-19 outbreak. We take these actions for the common good, to care for the most vulnerable members of our community. As of July 2, 2021:

Bishop Rickel’s Statement regarding Credible Threats Against Clergy and Houses of Worship

Bishop Rickel’s Statement regarding Credible Threats Against Clergy and Houses of Worship June 24, 2022 Dear Ones, With the overturning of Roe V Wade today we have just received this from the Presiding Bishop’s office. I know there are a host of feelings about all of this. I am, personally, deeply saddened by it but I pass this along and as I receive any other information I do promise to let you know. I am traveling in Jordan on pilgrimage

Bishop Rickel’s Statement on the Shooting at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama

Dear Ones, As the Bishop of Alabama says in her first words sent to the Church, what we all thought was impossible, or hoped was, came true today. And, of course, why is it that it has to come to our doorstep to get the full import and reality of this current state in our society? But now it has. Many of you know I am currently leading a twice cancelled pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We are currently on

Juneteenth, 2022

Bishop Rickel offers his reflections on Juneteenth, sometimes referred to as America’s Second Independence Day. “Let this be a day when we celebrate progress, but also a day we don’t let ourselves off the hook for all that remains.”

To Look as Fresh as Paint – Protect and Beautify: Occasional Paper on Property Management in the Diocese of Olympia Series

Humans have painted things from the time when they first created things. Humans have painted themselves before they created things. To paint is to adorn and beautify but also to protect and preserve. It is deeply embedded in our human consciousness. Cave paintings date back thousands of years. The earliest known sculptures were painted. The interiors of ancient temples and churches were painted. The exteriors of stone buildings were painted. Paint has the properties of protection and beautification. A thin

A Call for Candidates for 2022 Diocesan Convention

To prepare for elections at diocesan convention (October 21-22, 2022), the Nominations Committee is now calling for candidates to represent our diocese in four areas: Diocesan Council, Standing Committee, the Commission on Ministry, and at General Convention 2024. This year we’re seeking qualified candidates for the following positions: For Diocesan Council: In fulfillment of Resolution 4 passed at the 2020 Diocesan Convention, the Council will begin a 3-year transition to a new structure including both elected and appointed positions. The

What is Ordinary Time?

According to Ecclesiastes 3:1 and the song by The Byrds, “To everything there is a season.” In much of the Church, we observe the seasons of the two great cycles of the Church Year: Advent and Christmas, Lent and Easter. But there are “in between” times which are sometimes counted as “ordinary.” In the Roman Catholic Church, the Sundays after the Feast of the Epiphany and after the Feast of the Pentecost are considered “ordinary time.” Episcopalians are more likely

The Holy Spirit Comes Down

The Day of Pentecost “Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.” -Acts 2:3 (NRSV) Among the stories people tell about the human relationship with God, most remind people that God’s vision for how we will care for Creation is far more expansive than we expect or imagine. Pentecost is a story like this. Chapter 2 of the Book of Acts tells a surprising tale involving a particular group of people, a

Clergy Transitions – June 2, 2022

It is a time of transition within our diocese, and we have new a clergy transition to announce. The Rev. Laura Murray has accepted a call as rector of St. Andrew’s, Port Angeles – St. Swithin’s, Forks. Laura received her MDiv from Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas and was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Olympia in July of 2014. Prior to ordination, Laura worked as a consultant on infrastructure projects in multiple states for municipalities,

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