Holiday Closures for the Office of the Bishop
- December 18, 9:00am – 2:00pm (All Staff Meeting & Christmas Party)
- December 24-25 (Christmas Holiday)
- December 31 – January 1 (New Year’s Holiday)
NDI Online Submission
For Vestry, Treasures and Bookkeepers: New in 2019 is the on-line data submission of parish NDI (Net Disposable Income). It’s no longer necessary to email the NDI spreadsheet to the diocese. At the end of December, each parish will receive details about using the new on-line portal to submit your monthly data.
Chaplains on the Harbor Hoodies, T-Shirts, and More!
Support the ministry of Chaplains on the Harbor in Grays Harbor County by purchasing a “Baby Jesus was Homeless” hoodie, t-shirt, tank top, or coffee mug. Chaplains on the Harbor are a group of chaplains who seek to build a freedom church for the poor by pastoring, organizing, and empowering the leadership of poor people in Grays Harbor County, Washington. Your purchase supports Chaplains on the Harbor in their work of jail outreach, community organizing, and numerous forms of support.
Stop by the Christmas Boutique at Saint Mark’s
Saint Mark’s Cathedral
The annual Christmas Boutique is now open at the Cathedral Shop, located on the Saint Mark’s Cathedral campus. A matchless holiday experience! Shop for Advent calendars, wreaths, candles and more. Find unique handmade gifts and ornaments for Christmas, too.
Youth Leadership Connect Events
St. Andrew’s House, Hood Canal | December 28-30; 7:00pm arrival Friday, 8:00am start time Saturday, 11:00am departure time Sunday
Connect: with friends, with your own formation, with your faith.
Are you a youth leader, youth group volunteer or, a priest that carries leadership responsibility in youth ministry? Then this weekend is for you! We want to invite you to a retreat where you will be ministered to, equipped for the ministry you are in at home, and connected to others who do this work. This retreat is a gift to you for all you do on behalf of our youth. Treat yourself!
Everything in the program is voluntary – you can participate in the things you need. It will be good networking, lots of listening, some teaching, a variety of worship, leisurely meals, and breathing space in the program to network with youth leaders from all over the diocese. There are so many churches with so much good to offer. This weekend will consist of sharing and helping each other in living out a missional youth ministry in our churches and providing input on how the Office of the Bishop can assist you. If there is interest and need, we can also offer Safeguarding Trainings on Friday evening.
The facility offers great opportunities to withdraw and spend time with God. To maximize your ability to attend there is no cost, but spaces are limited. You can come for all or part of the retreat. Saturday has the bulk of the content, so if you can only come for one day, that’s the day. Register by December 15th below.
ST. ANDREW’S HOUSE: 12/28-12/30
Advent Quiet Morning
Saint Andrew, Seattle | December 15, 9:00am-12:30pm
This special quiet morning will help you to move deeply into the sacred season of Advent with morning prayer, centering prayer, walking meditation, and unstructured time for reflection held in shared silence. This is a wonderful time for inner reflection and regenerative stillness as Advent unfolds. This event is co-sponsored by Saint Mark’s Cathedral and The Center at Saint Andrew’s. Donations ($10-$15 suggested) gratefully accepted. Reservations are appreciated; please contact The Rev. Nancy Ross, nross@saintmarks.org.
The Pageant of the Nativity
Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle | December 18, 7:00pm
Saint Mark’s Junior and Senior Choristers, Cathedral Evensong Choir and young children of Saint Mark’s join forces in this dramatic telling of the nativity story. Costumes of cathedral finery, visual art displayed within cathedral architecture, and over 50 choristers accompanied by instrumentalists and the Flentrop organ will bring to life the story of the birth of Christ. Free will offering.
Planning for Financial Wellness: A Workshop for Lay Employees
The Office of the Bishop, Seattle | January 28, 10:00am–2:00pm | Free, lunch provided
Come join Church Pension Group staff for a day focused on you!
This workshop can help you increase your financial wellness by learning how to manage cash more effectively, understand your lay pension benefit, and use the interactive tools that are available to you as a lay employee in the Episcopal Church.
It does not matter how close or far away you are to retirement – now is always a good time to check if you are on track with your plans. There will also be plenty of time for conversation and questions.
Topics will include
- Managing Your Cash Flow and Debt
- Protecting Yourself from Fraud
- Understanding Your Pension Benefits
- Tools and Resources
Mileage Reimbursement
CPG can offer a reimbursement if you are traveling more than 50 miles each way to the conference, up to a maximum of $500. Mileage is reimbursed at the current IRS rate. You may ask for this reimbursement by completing a form at the conference. A check will be mailed to you.
Advocacy Day: Changing Hearts and Minds with Your Story
St. Dunstan, Shoreline | January 30, 6:00pm
Join Trez Buckland, National Alliance on Mental Illness Volunteer and Family Support Group Leader, to enhance your advocacy skills and shape a powerful and personal story that will move policy makers. Using examples from the area of mental health you will be provided step-by-step tools and the hands-on practice to feel clear, confident and ready to make a difference, no matter what your passion is!