Episcopal Church of the Redeemer

Worshiping God, living in community, reaching out to the world.

Category: Bishop Transition

  • Diocese of Olympia notified of successful canonical consent process for next bishop

    Diocese of Olympia notified of successful canonical consent process for next bishop

    (The Episcopal Church) The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia has received notification from the Presiding Bishop’s Office that Bishop-elect Philip N. LaBelle has received the required majority of consents in the canonical consent process detailed in Canon III.11.3. The consents received have been certified by the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, registrar of the General Convention.

    In giving consent to his ordination and consecration, standing committees and bishops exercising jurisdiction in The Episcopal Church attest to knowing of “no impediment on account of which” Bishop-elect LaBelle ought not to be ordained as bishop, and that his election was conducted in accordance with the canons.

    LaBelle was elected bishop diocesan on May 18, 2024. His consecration and ordination service is scheduled for September 14, 2024.

    Philip N. LaBelle elected ninth bishop of Olympia

    The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia elected the Rev. Philip N. LaBelle as its next bishop during a May 18 special electing convention at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, Washington.

    LaBelle currently serves as rector of St. Mark’s Church in Southborough, Massachusetts. While in the Diocese of Massachusetts, he has co-led the Mission Strategy Committee, served on the Executive Committee and Diocesan Council, and directed the Fresh Start program.

    “The very first thing that struck me about the Diocese of Olympia was hearing about your deep love for Jesus,” LaBelle said upon learning of his election. “Further, the desire to share that love in a predominately secular culture became all the more apparent throughout the search process, especially with the connection made between the gospel message and the intention to become the Beloved Community and to protect and heal our natural world. I am deeply honored to be called to be your bishop, to be a faithful pastor among you, and to help care for and equip the people of the Episcopal Church in Western Washington in your mission to share Jesus’ love.”

    LaBelle will be consecrated and installed as the ninth bishop of Olympia on September 14.  He will succeed Bishop Greg Rickel, who resigned on December 31, 2022. The Most Rev. Melissa Skelton, bishop provisional, serves the diocese in the interim.

    Skelton presided over the electing convention. “I’m deeply gratified that the lay and clergy delegates of the diocese have spoken,” she said.

    LaBelle was elected on the fourth ballot with 91 clergy votes and 119 lay votes; 76 clergy votes and 113 lay votes were needed. Clergy and lay delegates representing the nearly 100 worshiping communities across the Diocese of Olympia, which stretches south from Canada to Oregon and west from the foothills of the Cascade Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.

    The bishop-elect was chosen from a slate of four nominees. The other nominees were the following:

    • The Rev. Hillary D. Raining, rector of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Gladwyne, Pennsylvania
    • The Ven. Jordan Haynie Ware, archdeacon for justice, Anglican Diocese of Edmonton, Canada, and rector of Good Shepherd Anglican Church, Edmonton
    • The Rev. Kate E. Wesch, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Essex, Connecticut.
    The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, reaching out to the world.

    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.

  • Habemos episcopam, the Rev. Philip N. LaBelle of Massachusetts

    Habemos episcopam, the Rev. Philip N. LaBelle of Massachusetts

    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 Reverend Phil LaBelle

    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.

    The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, reaching out to the world.

    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.

  • Transition Committee being formed in the Diocese of Olympia

    Transition Committee being formed in the Diocese of Olympia

    This information on the bishop transition is from the Diocese of Olympia.

    The Joint Board for Bishop Transition is forming a Transition Committee of both clergy and lay people. They need to be the following:

    • Team players
    • Well-organized
    • Able to make a significant time commitment

    There will be monthly Zoom team meetings and Zoom subcommittee meetings, as needed.

    The Transition Committee will do the following as we walk through this process together:

    • Plan the meet-and-greets with bishop nominee candidates
    • Plan the electing convention
    • Assist in planning the consecration weekend, including the following:
      • Liturgy
      • Receptions
      • Other activities
    • Support the candidates and eventual bishop-elect

    Following the election, the Transition Committee will assist the bishop-elect and their family as they transition from their current ministry to the Diocese of Olympia.

    Particular skills essential to the committee include these:

    • Leadership
    • Oral and written communications
    • Proficiency with technology used in virtual meetings and document sharing
    • Hospitality and spiritual care
    • Liturgy planning
    • Event planning

    The Joint Board will be accepting nominations beginning October 20. Watch for the announcement on the diocesan website.

    If you have any questions, please reach out to the Joint Board at jointboard@ecww.org.

    The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, reaching out to the world.

    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.

  • Bishop Transition Website Live and Search Committee Applications Open

    Bishop Transition Website Live and Search Committee Applications Open

    The Joint Board for Bishop Transition of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia is very pleased to announce the launch of our official transition website and the opening of applications for our Bishop Search Committee. You can find the following on the website:

    • Information and a timeline about the transition process
    • The Charge to the Bishop Search Committee
    • Application forms for joining the search committee

    The deadline to apply for the search committee is March 24.

    Bishop Search Website (complete website)

    Information on joining the Bishop Search Committee

    News and updates

    Bishop

    One of the three orders of ordained ministers in the church, bishops are charged with the apostolic work of leading, supervising, and uniting the church. Bishops represent Christ and his church, and they are called to provide Christian vision and leadership for their dioceses. The Book of Common Prayer (p. 855) notes that the bishop is “to act in Christ’s name for the reconciliation of the world and the building up of the church; and to ordain others to continue Christ’s ministry.”

    Bishops stand in the apostolic succession, maintaining continuity in the present with the ministry of the Apostles. Bishops serve as chief pastors of the church, exercising a ministry of oversight and supervision. Diocesan bishops hold jurisdiction in their dioceses, with particular responsibility for the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the church. Bishops serve as the focus for diocesan unity and for the unity of their dioceses with the wider church. Since the bishop’s ministry is a ministry of oversight, the term “episcopal” (derived from the Greek episcopos, “overseer”) is applied to matters pertaining to bishops. An “episcopal” church is a church governed by bishops, and “episcopal” services are led by bishops.

    Episcopal services in the Book of Common Prayer include these services:

    • The Ordination and Consecration of Bishops
    • Ordination of Priests
    • Ordination of Deacons
    • Celebration of a New Ministry
    • Consecration of a Church or Chapel

    Bishops also preside at services of Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation of people in the Episcopal Church. Bishops bless altars and fonts, and the blessing of chalices and patens and church bells are traditionally reserved for the bishop.

    In the Episcopal Church, diocesan and suffragan bishops are elected by Diocesan Convention. Bishops-elect are ordained and consecrated after consents have been received from a majority of the following:

    • Diocesan standing committees (Fr. Jed Fox is on the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Olympia)
    • The bishops exercising jurisdiction in the Episcopal Church

    Three bishops are required to participate in the ordination and consecration of a bishop.

    • A bishop diocesan may be succeeded to head a diocese by a bishop-coadjutor upon resignation of diocesan jurisdiction.
    • Bishop diocesan may be assisted by suffragan and assistant bishops, who have no right of succession upon the resignation of the diocesan bishop.

    See Apostolic Succession.

    (Taken with modification from Bishop on the website of the Episcopal Church.)

    A message from Lent from the Most Reverend Melissa Skelton, Bishop Provisional of the Diocese of Olympia to the people of the diocese.

    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.

  • Bishop transition in the Diocese of Olympia

    Bishop transition in the Diocese of Olympia

    This information on the bishop transition is from the Diocese of Olympia.

    The bishop resigned! What happens next?

    There are three options that are compatible with both the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church and Diocese of Olympia.

    1. Bishop Rickel remains in place and calls for the election of a bishop who will take over when he leaves. If there is overlap, the newly elected bishop is called the “Bishop Coadjutor” and on the departure of the “Bishop Diocesan” assumes that title. If there is no overlap (as was the case with the retirement of Bishop Vincent Warner and election of Bishop Rickel), the ecclesiastical authority is transferred to the new Bishop Diocesan on the day of former bishop’s retirement.
    2. Bishop Rickel resigns or retires, and the Standing Committee assumes “ecclesiastical authority,” running the diocese by committee. This would require the elected volunteers who serve on the Standing Committee to approve ordinations, clergy licensing and discipline, and other core canonical duties.
    3. Bishop Rickel resigns or retires, and the Standing Committee selects a “Bishop Provisional” to carry out the ecclesial duties of the bishop while the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council oversee the search process for a new Bishop Diocesan. In this arrangement the Diocesan Convention votes to place the diocese under the authority of a Bishop Provisional, who would be nominated as a single candidate in advance of the Convention.

    Why did the Standing Committee choose the Bishop Provisional path?

    In July, Bishop Rickel announced his resignation from the office of Bishop effective the end of this calendar year. Therefore, the Standing Committee considered options 2 and 3 for transition.

    First, we considered the capacity of the Standing Committee:

    • We didn’t think we would be the best shepherd for the diocese over a two-year period because we are a committee made up of volunteers.
    • We also believe the overall capacity of the staff and Governing Bodies is high.
    • We felt like this arrangement would help us maintain canonically and legally required obligations with the least amount of disruption.

    What will a Bishop Provisional do?

    A Bishop Provisional will work with our Assisting Bishops to maintain the liturgies only a bishop can do:

    • Visitations
    • Confirmations
    • Receptions
    • New and mutual ministry celebrations

    They will also work with the following:

    • Our COM [Commission on Ministry] and Standing Committee to keep ordination processes moving forward
    • Other governing bodies and staff to maintain our financial and legal commitments to The Episcopal Church, congregations, and partner organizations

    What will the Diocese of Olympia need to do to call a Bishop Provisional?

    When Bishop Rickel announced his decision to the Standing Committee, he arranged for Bishop Todd Ousley to orient the group to its next steps. Based on the options he laid out (see “The bishop resigned! What happens next?”), we chose the “Bishop Provisional” path. We also interviewed and selected a candidate provided by the Presiding Bishop’s Office for Pastoral Development.

    Members of the diocese can learn more about the Bishop Provisional candidate at a webinar on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at 7:00 pm. The link to this webinar will be made available October 6.

    You can submit questions for the Bishop Provisional candidate by submitting a form that will be made available October 6 as well. The deadline for that is October 10.

    At our upcoming convention, the Standing Committee will move to place the Diocese of Olympia under the provisional charge of a Bishop Provisional (to be named October 6, 2022), effective January 1, 2023. The Bishop Provisional will have charge of the diocese until a new Bishop Diocesan is elected and ordained, or until this act is revoked by the Convention of the Diocese of Olympia. This is allowed under Title 3, Canon 13, Section 1 of The Episcopal Church canons.

    Once we have secured the ecclesiastical authority of the Bishop Provisional, the Standing Committee and Council of the Diocese of Olympia will select one clergyperson and one lay person each from the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council to form a Joint Board.

    Per Article XIX of the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of Olympia, the Joint Board will do the following:

    • Report regularly to both the Standing Committee and Council as well as monitor the budget, expenses, and general process of the episcopal (bishop) search process.
    • Appoint and oversee the work of the Search Committee, comprised of one member from each regional ministry of the Diocese of Olympia.
    • Develop a procedure for introducing episcopal nominees to the diocese prior to the election.

    When will we know who the Standing Committee has nominated for Bishop Provisional? What happens next?

    • Announcement of Bishop Provisional name by Standing Committee – October 6
    • Deadline to submit questions for the Bishop Provisional candidate to answer in a webinar – October 10
    • Webinar Q&A with Bishop Provisional candidate – October 19, 7:00pm

    Any questions? Contact standingcommittee@ecww.org

    Standing Committee

    The Standing Committee serves as a council of advice for the bishop and becomes the diocesan ecclesiastical authority in the bishop’s absence. It makes decisions about the sale, encumbrance or disposal of real property belonging to Parishes of the Diocese. It interviews and makes recommendations to the bishop on candidates for Holy Orders, and the consent of the Standing Committee is required for ordination. The Standing Committee also gives or withholds consent to the election of bishops throughout the church and has Judicial responsibilities in the case of clergy misconduct where the clergy or the complainant does not accept the adjudication of the bishop. By canon, no two members of the Standing Committee may be from the same congregation.

    The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, reaching out to the world.

    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.

Maundy Thursday, April 2, 2026. Services at 12:00 noon and 7:00 pm. Gethsemane Watch Vigil from about 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Good Friday, April 3, 2026: Services at 12:00 noon and 7:00 pm.

Holy Saturday worship at 9:30 am.

The Great Vigil of Easter, Saturday, April 4, 2025. Service at 8:00 pm. This is the night....

The 2nd Sunday of Easter (Year A), April 12, 2026. Services at 8:00 am (no music) and 10:30 (music). Education classes resume next week.

Episcopal Church of the Redeemer
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