Dear Ones, Yesterday, I was just about to blog some reflections on the Camino after being off the trail and home, and that will come… but it seemed so trivial when I received the word of yet another mass shooting in our country. I completely understand why the Mayor of El Paso felt the need to say the words to his fellow citizens, “Don’t worry, we are all safe.” But I had to wonder, how can any of us make
Dear Ones, The situation involving children, and truly all those seeking asylum on our border, continues to evolve but our office has continued to investigate and inquire and we now have more information to share. Before I do that, I want to say that I have had so many ask what can be done, and what they can do specifically. I continue to put Cristosal on any list when this is asked. I serve on its Board, and have for
Dear Ones, Like many of you, I was horrified by the report detailing the conditions undocumented children are forced to endure after crossing the border and being taken into federal custody. No matter our political differences, I believe we all can agree as Christians that no child should be subjected to these squalid living conditions. Many of you have asked for ways to provide aid and assistance to the children in federal detention, and while my office seeks to find
Dear Ones, I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic bombings in Sri Lanka targeting churches and hotels that occurred today. That it happened during services on Easter Sunday, one of the most important days in our faith tradition, is horrific. More than 200 have died in the attacks and more than 450 are injured. Once more information is available on how we might be able to help, we will share it across our communications channels. Please join me
Printable PDF Dear Ones, As part of the Episcopal Church’s commitment to caring for this earth we call home and being good stewards of the environment, Presiding Bishop Curry has issued an invitation to reflect and commit to grow a loving, liberating, and life-giving relationship with God’s creation. There are many activities you can participate in to help you honor this pledge. I’d like to take a moment to share with you an exciting new tool that is being developed
Dear Ones, I was deeply saddened by news that two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand were subjected to horrific violence when shooters entered these houses of worship during Friday prayers. Several individuals are in custody and police in Christchurch are still investigating the motivations behind the attack. We don’t have much more information at this point. While we wait for more information, I would like to reaffirm our support for our Muslim brothers and sisters, and I urge all people
English Printable PDF A todas las personas buenas de la Diócesis de Olimpia, El verano pasado, en nuestra Convención General en Austin, Texas, la Iglesia Episcopal dio algunos pasos históricos y muy necesarios para abordar los abusos pasados por parte del clero hacia laicos y hacia otros clérigos en la iglesia. Durante demasiado tiempo ha habido silencio, y con frecuencia desvío de la atención, cuando las personas en nuestra iglesia fueron lo suficientemente valientes como para presentar tales alegaciones. Estoy
Español Printable PDF To all the good people of the Diocese of Olympia, This past summer, at our General Convention in Austin, Texas, the Episcopal Church took some historic and much needed steps in addressing past abuses by clergy toward lay persons and toward other clergy in the church. For far too long there has been too much silence, and often misdirection, when persons in our church were brave enough to bring such allegations forward. I am writing this letter,
To the Good People of the Diocese of Olympia and the Diocese of Spokane. Your bishops write you with news of a friendly wager we are making in regard to the upcoming Apple Cup game this Friday between the Washington State Cougars and the University of Washington Huskies in what is sure to be a great game. The two of us have made a friendly bet on the team that resides in our diocese. Our bet is this, whoever loses
Dear Ones, As we gathered for the second day of the 108th Convention of the Diocese of Olympia in SeaTac, the news began to come that yet again, gun violence had taken the lives of innocent people, and yet again, inside a house of worship. We now know that the massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh is the deadliest attack on Jews in the history of the United States. We know that the killer had as his
