2020 Diocesan Elections – Updates and Additional Information

Here is additional information about recruitment of candidates for this year’s diocesan elections. The Nominations Committee is working now to identify a diverse group of qualified candidates for the following positions: For Diocesan Council for 3-year terms (by region): Lay representatives from Evergreen, Be Attitudes, and Columbia Clergy representatives from Eastside, Peninsula, and Sno-Isle Clergy representative from Rainier for 2-year unexpired term (NEW announcment) Incumbents from Rainier (lay) and Willapa (clergy) are standing for reelection. For the Standing Committee (at-large

Create Your Own Pilgrimage!

Even though this summer’s Youth Creation Care Pilgrimage was cancelled due to the pandemic, the Youth Pilgrimage planning team still wants to encourage everyone to embark on their own personal pilgrimage – no matter their age! Take your very own “DIY Pilgrimage” this year by visiting our pilgrimage website! You’ll find suggestions for local treks to do alone or in small groups, and we’ve included thought-provoking discussion questions and ideas for music, poetry, prayers, and readings to help make it

Anti-Racism Plans and Priorities in the Diocese of Olympia

Dear People of the Diocese of Olympia, As our nation continues to grapple with deeply embedded and systemic racism – particularly evident in the continued murder and acts of violence directed against Black lives – we are all, as representatives of the Body of Christ, rightly looking for ways that we can address this racism in our church, our nation, our communities, and our lives. In addition to the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) to prepare us for working across cultures

Global Mission Grants Open

Do you have a parish-based partnership in a developing country somewhere around the world? Funds are available to assist you in that ministry through our Diocesan Mission Grants program. At the 2015 Diocesan Convention we reaffirmed our commitment to support the UN’s development goals (now known as Sustainable Development Goals – SDGs) as criteria for global mission grants. This is consistent with the mission goals of The Episcopal Church, and with our baptismal covenant “to seek and serve Christ in

2021 Congregational Development Grant Applications Now Open

As of July, our Congregational Development (CD) Grants process in the Diocese of Olympia is now open. CD Grants is a granting program designed to help congregations make steps or leaps forward in their development by funding specific projects related to congregational health, faithfulness, and effectiveness. All congregations in good standing in the Diocese of Olympia are eligible to apply for these grants. This year as a direct response to COVID-19 and the dramatically shifting landscape of congregational life during

Chaplains on the Harbor Update: Aberdeen City Council Stands Against Racism

In the wake of Chaplains on the Harbor’s recent confrontation with armed and hostile counter-protestors, the Aberdeen City Council–for the first time ever–issued a public statement condemning systemic racism and racial injustice. Included in the statement is an explicit recognition that, while legal, armed open-carry counter protesting has a chilling effect on people’s constitutionally protected right to freedom of assembly. The statement passed despite significant division within the council on these issues. You can read full coverage of the council’s

St. Timothy, Chehalis Paints with Ben Galagan

From the Rev. Kay Flores of St. Timothy, Chehalis: St. Timothy Episcopal Church in Chehalis, Washington had such fun painting with residents of Chehalis West Assisted Living Facility during May! Ben Galagan, who lives in Cody, Wyoming, is an artist and a camp counselor friend of the church’s rector, Kay Flores. Kay, who is NOT an artist, enjoyed painting with Ben in an online class a while ago. Kay convinced Ben to teach the class via Zoom. With the help

Announcing the Call for Nominations for 2020 Diocesan Election

While decisions for this year’s diocesan convention are being finalized, the Nominations Committee is beginning its process to identify candidates for election to Diocesan Council and the Standing Committee at convention. The Nominations Committee is working now to identify a diverse group of qualified candidates for the following positions: For Diocesan Council (by region) for 3-year terms: Lay representatives from Evergreen, Be Attitudes, and Columbia regions Clergy representatives from Eastside, Peninsula, and Sno-Isle regions Clergy representative from Rainier for 2-year

Webinars from the Diocese of Olympia

During this time of remote gathering, the Diocese of Olympia has been holding a series of webinars on a wide range of topics, including stewardship, faith formation, and specific topics related to regathering once our buildings open once again. Here you can find an archive of our past webinars, grouped by topic, if you would like to revisit the material, or if you missed the webinar the first time around. ReGathering Webinars ReGathering Considered: Legalities and Practicalities Soon it will

Godly Play in a New Way: A Better Together Webinar

While Sunday school as we once knew it is on hold, Godly Play storytelling can continue thanks to Zoom and a little ingenuity. The Reverend Kay Flores, St. Timothy, Chehalis, a long-time Godly Play trainer, demonstrates how you can improve your Godly Play outreach with a document camera, a technique which better showcases the sacred stories. Kay draws from her own experience, and that of other trainers from around the country, in offering tips and making recommendations on how best

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