The Diocesan chaplains are appointed by the Bishop to serve in pastoral ministry to retired clergy, spouses/partners, and surviving spouses. The goals of this ministry, facilitated by the Church Pension Group Benefits Relationship staff, are:
- To help foster a sense of connection among members of the retired clergy group through pastoral outreach (visits, telephone contact, and correspondence).
- To offer periodic gatherings (in-person and virtual) as times for learning, connection with the Bishop, social networking, and worship together.
- To share information and resources among the Bishop and staff, Church Pension Group, and retired clergy households across the diocese, and assist in maintaining current contact information.
- To network with other chaplains in Province VIII and across the Episcopal Church to share best practices and new developments.
Ongoing activities of chaplains to retired clergy and spouse/partners in this Diocese:
- Serving as a principal source of connection between the Bishop, diocesan staff, CPG staff, and the retired clergy community of this Diocese.
- Fostering relationships among retired clergy and spouses/partners across the Diocese through periodic gatherings (in-person or virtual). These provide opportunities for engagement with the Bishop, education and information sharing, mutual support and prayer, and input for the chaplaincy team. These are also times to introduce newly retired colleagues and partners and other retired clergy who have relocated to this Diocese.
- Collaborating in exploring ways to share the wisdom, experience, and spiritual gifts of retired clergy and spouses/partners with the rest of the Diocese.
- Serving as a point of contact for retired clergy and spouses with CPG regarding retirement benefits.
- Developing awareness and relationships with congregational clergy regarding the chaplains’ function and focus in serving retired clergy households.
- Participating in continuing education and networking activities with other chaplains from Province VIII and across the Episcopal Church.
- Inviting and orienting additional chaplains (lay or clergy) to serve in this ministry.
All inquires should be directed to the Rev. Edie Weller at ebweller53@Q.com.
Chaplaincy Team
- The Rev. Kate Kinney; Grace, Bainbridge Island | Chaplain for Clallam, Jefferson & Mason Counties
- The Rev. Dick Loop; St. Peter’s, Seaview | Chaplain for Thurston, Lewis, Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania, Pacific, Wahkiakum & Grays Harbor Counties
- The Rt. Rev. Phil LaBelle: Bishop and Representative
- The Rev. Edie Weller; Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle | Coordinator of Chaplains Team and Chaplain for Snohomish, King, Pierce and Kitsap Counties, and currently for Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan Counties