Bishop Skelton’s Statements

Dear People of the Diocese of Olympia, Yesterday, we had our usual clergy call, and during that time, I asked the clergy, “What are you hearing in your congregations about the Israel-Hamas war?” Some of what I heard mirrored much of what I’ve been feeling myself: hesitancy and trepidation, horror and helplessness, deep grief, and an inability to see a positive and workable way forward. In addition to these many feelings, what I also heard (and have felt) is alarm

Greetings, People of the Diocese of Olympia, It’s with humility that I offer you words and a prayer related to the horrific situation in Israel, Gaza, and the entire Middle East. The violent, shocking October 7 attack on Israel, including the taking of hostages, was an unspeakable act. The oppression, terrorizing, and targeting of innocent civilians – Israelis or Palestinians – recently or in the past – is wrong. At the same time (and I will speak just for myself

Greetings, People of the Diocese of Olympia, I was very sad to learn over the weekend about the death of former Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, also the former Bishop of the Diocese of Chicago. Frank was one of those quiet, competent, learned, articulate people whose well-tended spiritual life was obvious, even palpable, when you met him. At one point during my vocational path, Frank invited me into the ordination process in Chicago, something I did not end up pursuing. He

Greetings, people of the Diocese of Olympia, Today is the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In these last 12 months unspeakable atrocities have been inflicted on the Ukrainian people, leading to a humanitarian crisis that will be with them, with the Russian people, and with all of us for years to come. Poet William Stafford, Poet Laureate of Oregon from 1975-1990, is my favorite poet, mostly for the blunt yet humble utterances he has left us that speak

Greetings, everyone, Please see below the Presiding Bishop’s statement on the murder of Tyre Nichols. The statement was released after the body camera footage was made available. I deeply appreciate Bishop Curry’s words to us all acknowledging the senselessness of this latest killing of a young Black person, and, at the same time, challenging us all with the Scriptural image of the Good Samaritan. Please continue to keep the Nichols family and all working toward the racial justice in your