The convention of the Diocese of Olympia met to elect the 9th Bishop Diocesan on May 18, 2024. On the fourth ballot the Convention has elected the Rev. Philip N. LaBelle of Massachusetts. He has agreed to the election.
Assuming the necessary consents (approvals) are received from around the Episcopal Church, the consecration of the 9th Bishop of Olympia is scheduled for September 14, 2024. More details will follow as the become available.
The Reverend Phil LaBelle
The Rev. Philip N. LaBelle (he/him) serves as rector of St. Mark’s Church in Southborough, Massachusetts, arriving there in January 2011.
In the Diocese of Massachusetts, Phil has done the following:
- Co-led the Mission Strategy Committee
- Served on Executive Committee and Diocesan Council
- Directed the Fresh Start program
He co-founded Southborough Neighbors for Peace with Dr. Safdar Medina in their small town. The organization has hosted these activites:
- Hosted peace vigils
- Began a community-wide Iftar dinner during Ramadan
- Established an interfaith Thanksgiving service
- Sponsored other bridge-building events
Additionally, Phil served on the core team of Central Mass. Connections in Faith, an organization centered on fostering relationships and learning about other religious faiths through quarterly gatherings.
Education
In June, Phil will receive his Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Seminary focused on Christian Spirituality. His thesis work explores the theology and practice of zimzum and how to make space in our overly busy lives for God, others, and the natural world.
Phil received his MDiv from Yale University in 2004, along with a diploma in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. He holds a Master’s degree in composition and rhetoric from Northeastern University and a Bachelor’s degree in English with an additional concentration in theological studies from Gordon College. In addition, Phil has also received certificates in congregational development and religious fundraising.
Previous activities
Phil has served in the Diocese of Colorado—where he was on the Commission on Ministry—and in the Diocese of Connecticut. Over his nearly 20 years of ordained ministry, he has co-led more than a dozen mission trips for youth and adults. Before seminary, he worked in marketing communications and web development at multiple internet startups.
With St. Mark’s, Phil received a Clergy Renewal Grant from the Lily Endowment in 2017. He explored wilderness spirituality, the beauty of the natural world, and the need for climate justice. Additionally, he and his family walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and he and Noah have summited Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Church of the Redeemer
Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world around us. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. The campus is a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
The Episcopal Church welcomes you.