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 Pastoral Care Department, 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, Clergy 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.
In 2021, our chaplains team:
- Added two new members and continued to organize and develop goals as a newly-formed team.
- Corresponded periodically with all retired clergy and spouses/partners on record across the diocese.
- Provided direct pastoral response and follow-up as indicated.
- Created and facilitated three virtual programs for retired clergy and spouses/partners to meet new retired colleagues, hear updates from Bishop Rickel, learn new information, engage in mutual support and prayer.
- Participated in continuing education and networking activities with other chaplains from Province VIII and across the Episcopal Church.
- Helped facilitate orientation and transition to new the Group Medicare Advantage Plan with CPG staff.
- Updated retirees’ contact information for Diocesan and CPG records.
For 2022 and beyond:
- Continue building relationships with and among retired clergy and spouses/partners across the Diocese, with particular attention to support for surviving spouses and those transitioning into retirement.
- Provide opportunities to gather virtually — and when possible, to gather in-person regionally — for education and information sharing, mutual support, prayer, and input to the chaplains team.
- Continue to be a conduit between the Bishop, diocesan staff, CPG staff and the retired clergy community of this Diocese.
- Invite 1-3 additional chaplains (lay or clergy) to join this team.
- Explore ways to share the wisdom, experience, and spiritual gifts of retired clergy and spouses/partners with the rest of the Diocese.
- Develop awareness and relationships with congregational clergy regarding the chaplains’ function and goals in serving retired clergy households.
All inquires should be directed to the Rev. Edie Weller at ebweller53@Q.com.
Chaplain Team:
- The Rev Robert Dunn; St. Aidan’s, Camano Island | Chaplain for Whatcom, Skagit, Island & San Juan Counties
- 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
- Ms. Marilyn Loop; St. Peter’s, Seaview | Chaplain for Thurston, Lewis, Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania, Wahkiakum, Pacific & Grays Harbor Counties
- The Most Rev Melissa Skelton: 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
