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.
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.
(Taken with modification from Bishop on the website of the Episcopal Church.)
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.
I’ve long been a fan of the author, Belden Lane, and he is the author of an important book in my life entitled, “The Solace of Fierce Landscapes,” which by the way is the best title of a book ever. In that book, Lane talks about the connection between desert or wilderness spirituality and what he himself experiences during his many walks and hikes in the wilderness. About this, Lane quotes late 19th century naturalist, John Muir, who said this, he said, “I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out I found was really going in.”
This is the way I think about Lent, that the season of Lent is an invitation to walk in the wilderness, to go out till the sundown of Holy Week, and to discover that in going out, we have actually gone in, gone within ourselves and within our communities to discover who we really are in God and to bring what we’ve discovered into the light of Easter. As the children of Israel discovered, a trek in the wilderness, with its silence and its break from well known and well worn activities, teaches us who we actually are, and has the potential to remake us in our relationship with God and with one another. I would suggest that this be our focus on during Lent.
How do we do this? Here’s what I plan to do for myself, and of course, you might take inspiration from it. During my brisk early morning walks with my husband, Eric, that I do each day, I’m going to observe silence, and he’ll be glad of that, so I can go within myself and listen more attentively to my inner life, to God’s word that may come to me in my silence. After those early morning walks each day, I’m going to pray the intercessions that come to me, that come to me from what I hear from the silence I’ve just experienced for that 40 or 45 minutes. And finally, I’m going to set aside time each day in this office to go within, to sit in silence just for a little while, and to notice how this affects what I do here, the meetings I have, the work I do by myself and with others, and the pace, importantly, the pace I keep during the day.
What might you do to go within yourself as an individual and to listen to God during Lent? What might your community, your church community do to go within itself to listen to God during this season? I wish each of you a taste of wilderness during this season for God is in the silence of our wilderness, God is in the turning away for a moment from all the noise and activity of our lives, and yes, God is inviting us into the wilderness as we prepare for the coming of Easter.
You can find Lenten book resources from our Diocesan Resource Center at the link below.
The Most Reverend Melissa Skelton is the Bishop Provisional in the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia. The diocese voted to place itself under the authority of Bishop Skelton at the Diocese of Olympia’s 2022 Diocesan Convention.
Bishop Skelton has deep ties to the Diocese of Olympia, previously serving as the rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Seattle and as the Canon for Congregational Development and Leadership for the Diocese of Olympia. During this time, she developed and launched the College for Congregational Development, which continues to this day and is currently hosted by eight dioceses across the Episcopal Church. In 2013, Bishop Skelton was elected 9th Bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster, The Anglican Church of Canada, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. In 2018, she was elected Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia and Yukon, making her the first woman in the Anglican Church of Canada to hold the position of Archbishop.
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 Rev. Mary Bol of St. John’s South Sudanese Church requests the support of the Circles of Color and the Diocese of Olympia as she travels to South Sudan from late January to mid-February, 2023. Planting The Seeds For Tomorrow Child Rescue Orphanage in Wangulei, Twic, was destroyed earlier this year, following the fourth year in a row of severe climate change-induced flooding. The children have been displaced to different camps within South Sudan, with the majority now located in the capital city of Juba where Rev. Mary will visit. During the day, the children come to church for food and school, then return to sleep at relatives’ or friends’ houses.
Rev. Mary has been thinking about these children for some time and will be purchasing food and mosquito nets for them. Her goal is to raise $3,000-4,000 in support from friends and the diocesan community. Rev. Mary is very grateful to be able to serve in this outreach mission and says that donations will help save children’s lives. Let us contribute to Rev. Mary’s vital ministry supporting international child welfare on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
Donation Instructions
To support our sister’s service to these dear young people and climate refugees, select Donate Today.
The diocesan contributions page opens. Complete the following:
On the diocesan contributions page, designate an amount.
Under Giving Options, select Other Donations and type in South Sudan Orphans when prompted.
Fill out your information.
Select Submit.
More information about South Sudan
To learn more about climate justice and severe flooding in South Sudan, watch this video.
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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.
St. John’s South Sudanese is raising funds to secure a home that will enable worship and formation of a new generation of Dinka Episcopalians in our diocese. This appeal is being broadcast across the United States, both to members of the Dinka diaspora community in the US and Episcopal Dinka communities throughout the Episcopal Church.
You can be a part of the unfolding present of the Diocese of Olympia by making a contribution of any size to effort. All funds will be used to move the congregation to a new home.
In 2010 St. John’s S. Sudanese Mission Station was admitted to the Diocese of Olympia at our Convention. The congregation was found by “Lost Boys,” refugees from the civil war that led to the creation of the world’s youngest country, South Sudan in 2011.
The men who founded St. John continued the pattern of prayer and Anglican worship they followed when living in camps like Kakuma in Kenya. Leadership at St. John’s was clear that being a part of the Anglican Communion, and its local expression the Episcopal Church, was vitally important to their community. St. John’s also maintains strong relationships with the Episcopal Church of Sudan, often hosing visiting Bishops and evangelists.
St John’s has been worshipping at a non-denominational congregation in Tukwila that has graciously hosted them for 20 years. As the boys have become men and put down roots, many women and children have become a part of the community. In June, the Rev. Mary Achol Bol and the Rev. James Jok Ayuen were ordained to the priesthood and have begun serving the congregation as priests.
To donate by check, you can make your check payable to the Diocese of Olympia and write St. John’s South Sudanese Fundraiser in the memo line. Send your check to:
Episcopal Diocese of Olympia 1551 10th Ave. E Seattle, WA 98102
You can also donate by following the link below. Under type of donation, select Give to Church and in the dropdown box, select St. John’s Sudanese, Tukwila.
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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.
There are three options that are compatible with both the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church and Diocese of Olympia.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
In accordance with The Episcopal Church’s Safe Church, Safe Communities program, Universal Training is now offered for certification for work with Children/Youth and with Vulnerable Adults. Universal Safe Church training fosters a culture of safety and inclusion for all people. It covers a broad overview of issues of vulnerability, power, and healthy boundaries. Universal Safe Church training equips all people to live out their Baptismal Covenant.
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Required courses
The following list are the required nine courses for universal Safe Church training. Expect all nine trainings to take 2-1/2 to 3 hours total to complete. These courses were selected in consultation with The Episcopal Church Task Force to Develop Model Sexual Harassment Policies and Safe Church Training, of which Judy Andrews, Diocese of Olympia’s Chancellor, has served as Chair.
Universal Training: Introduction and Theological Background
Specialty Training: Power & Relationships
Specialty Training: Pastoral Relationships
Specialty Training: Bullying
Specialty Training: Abuse and Neglect
Duty to Report: Mandated Reporter
Instructions for signing up to take the courses and submitting your completion form for certification is at Safe Church Online. Certifications are valid for three years.
Other information about Safe Church certification and courses
There are no longer separate certifications for Safeguarding God’s Children and Safeguarding God’s People for the online program. Instead, the universal Safe Church certification is for ministries with all people.
Additional courses are available through the Praesidium Academy, such as “Social Media Safety,” “Know Your Policies,” and “Keeping Your Day Camp Safe.” Though not required, you make take these at any time. We encourage you to take a look through the offerings.
If you are already certified in Children, People, or both, your certification remains valid until it’s expiration. You do not need to take the new modules until expiration. However, you may wish to take the new courses now, and that is more than welcome.
If you have questions about the online update, Model Policies, and so forth, reach out to April Caballero at acaballero@ecww.org. If you have technical questions about the online platform, Praesidium, or your certification status, reach out to Tonja May at tmay@ecww.org.
Church of the Redeemer
Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. 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.
Bishop Greg Rickel has announced his resignation as Bishop of Olympia, effective at the end of 2022.
Resignation Statement from Bishop Greg Rickel
Greetings Diocese of Olympia and all who may be watching.
I come to you today to share some of my personal plans for the future, but they are plans that will definitely affect all of you. Of course, I’d like to be sitting right with every one of you when I tell you this, but alas we know that’s not possible.
Most of you will remember the Walk Agains we did a few years ago as I discerned, and then we together discerned if it was time for me to go. That year was absolutely life changing to me and enlightening. I was humbled and called by the answer I received from that process and I’m so glad we did it. Back then little did we know that we would face a global pandemic, a long overdue racial reckoning, a refugee crisis like never before, and of course, all of that has changed us as a people and as a church. Changed me too. I said to you, after my decision to stay, that I wouldn’t do that to you again. We would take it one day at a time and one year at a time. But since that time, I’ve been in constant discernment as to what is right.
In the past few months, I’ve been in serious self-discernment again. Both friend and foe alike have helped in this giving me signs knowingly and unknowingly that the time has come for me to go. And I feel that as well. So today I come to you this way to a people and a place I love very much to announce my resignation from the office of Bishop effective the end of this calendar year. The plan now is that the fourth Sunday of Advent will be my last liturgical act. If the Standing Committee and other leadership agree, I’ll also see the January Holy Land Pilgrimage through as the real ending, as that still stands as unfinished business from the pandemic.
Until that time I plan to keep serving as your Bishop, something I’ve always taken very seriously and tried to do well. I’ve failed at much of it and will continue to, but always, always I’ve been so honored to fill the office for you and even though I didn’t always make the mark, I can assure you for you I was always trying my best. I’ve come to a decision that my best is no longer enough and that it changes exactly what you and quite frankly I need.
Now, I’m quite sure some of you have many questions. I’m not going to try to answer all of those now and some I may never be able to answer but I do want to address a few here. First, you may be wondering what I will be doing. Well, I’m heading to some different things, not totally firmed up and not totally disclosable at this time. However, when they are, I will be as transparent as possible. I can tell you, I will be physically leaving the diocese which I’ve always promised. You may remember in the Walk Abouts when asked about leaving at 12 years and me being so young which I’m not totally feeling right now and someone would ask, what will you do? I would often reply. There’s always bartending in Key West. Not going to quite get there, but I’m going to get close.
Another question would be why not stay until the new Bishop is here? And yes, that was a big decision. Several points on that, first, I’m going to something else, and I have to get to that. But also, and I really think this is primary, I’m not sure I believe in the long goodbye and the lame duck weight that that portends. I think there’s a lot of health in you. And when that’s true, having the interim and a transitional time, totally without me present I believe will be a very good thing. I know not all agree with that, but it’s one of the final decisions I’ve made. 15 years has been a good run and it is 15-year mark that is about the time many episcopacies start heading South or start getting stale and uncreative. A few have suggested that’s already happened. So instead of waiting for that I’m going to literally head South. It’s also a time where the danger of coasting which I’ve always told you, I do not want to do nor do I want that for you, can start. I also said I would leave if I ever stopped having fun. And I want you to hear this and I want to state it as clearly as I can. I have not stopped having fun but I’m having a bit less energy for some of the tasks than I once did. When I felt that coming on, I really thought it was better for you to have someone that doesn’t lack that. In short, I’ve always wanted to leave long before we were all waiting for it to happen. I think that time has come.
I’ve already informed your Standing Committee as it now becomes their task to oversee on your behalf this transition. At that meeting, which occurred last week when I announced this to them, we had Bishop Todd Ousley present with us. Bishop Ousley is the Presiding Bishop for Pastoral Development and the one in charge of transitions such as this. And he has already been working with me and with them on the work ahead for transition. Additionally, Bishop Ousley is already at work on an interim Bishop and coverage for the future. In short, you are in very good hands and in a very good place.
I told my executive staff on June 30th and then the rest of the staff, the clergy, and the governing bodies yesterday. And now I tell all of you. I just want to say here that this is the greatest staff I’ve ever had the honor to work with. And I include all of those I’ve worked with since the very beginning. Every one of them, talented, faithful, committed. And the clergy we have here, which I have truly grown to love, admire and be in awe of will be indeed hard to leave. We have some of the best leadership in this entire church. They all taught me much. I’ll miss them all very much and I will miss all of you. We didn’t always get it right, no one does. But I do believe we did some good work in ministry in this last 15 years. And those memories, those learnings, those accomplishments will always be some of the most cherish years in my life. This transition will be hardest, I think on the staff and clergy, so I ask that you take care of them now and always.
So, thank you, Diocese of Olympia bless you. And I urge you to start your prayers for a smooth transition and for your next Bishop who’s out there somewhere, even now. I’m convinced they are praying about, and for you I hope you will do the same for them. If you have space in there, pray for us too as we will for you. This is a new adventure for Marti and me. We are sad and nervous and excited. You and I will share those feelings together in the months to come. I look forward to it. Thank you all and bless each and every one of you.
A Letter from the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Olympia
Dear friends,
Rest assured that the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Olympia was informed of Bishop Rickel’s decision in advance of this announcement and already are proactively responding. The Standing Committee met with Bishop Todd Ousley of the Presiding Bishop’s Office of Pastoral Development to discuss best practices for transition in the Office of the Bishop. Our immediate goal is to reassure you that the parishes and missions in the diocese will continue to be cared for, individuals in our diocese will receive the pastoral care they need, and the work we as a diocese are doing to move forward will continue.
Your Standing Committee will prayerfully take the following steps with guidance from Bishop Ousley and the Office of Pastoral Development.
We will engage in discussions with possible candidates for a Bishop Provisional who will serve the diocese during the time between Bishop Rickel’s resignation and the ordination of the new bishop.
We will organize with the diocese the creation of a profile, the formation of both a search committee and a transition committee.
As a diocese we will ordain and celebrate the new ministry of the new bishop.
We are starting this work immediately and we anticipate this process to take 18-24 months. Our intent is to be transparent and open as we work through the process and to follow canonical guidance as we communicate information to you. We know this process will bring up a host of feelings and we will approach our part in it with great care and prayer.
Please know that your Standing Committee is working closely with the diocesan staff to plan a diocesan-wide “goodbye” for Bishop Rickel, with our gratitude and appreciation for his ministry to and with the Diocese of Olympia for the past fifteen years.
Faithfully,
The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia
Ms. Vikki Day, President The Rev. Canon Jennifer King Daugherty, Secretary The Rev. Stephen Crippen The Rev. Canon Elise B. Johnstone Ms. Carole Loudenback Ms. Tsuneko Nakatani Mr. Lawrence Sylvester
Bishop Greg Rickel
The Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel was elected bishop on May 12, 2007, and became the eighth Bishop of Olympia in September 2007. He embraces radical hospitality that welcomes all, no matter where they find themselves on their journey of faith. He envisions a church that is a safe and authentic community in which to explore God’s infinite goodness and grace as revealed in the life and continuing revelation of Jesus Christ.
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.
As the Bishop of Alabama says in her first words sent to the Church, what we all thought was impossible, or hoped was, came true today. And, of course, why is it that it has to come to our doorstep to get the full import and reality of this current state in our society? But now it has.
Many of you know I am currently leading a twice-cancelled pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We are currently on the Shores of the Sea of Galilee and it is here that I first got the word of this horrible tragedy.
I immediately sent a text to Bishop Brian Prior who, as many of you know, is assisting in Alabama right now. It turns out Bishop Prior stays in that very neighborhood when there, and he was at the church about five minutes after the shooting and then spent the hours after gathering people in prayer. I assured him and Bishop Glenda Curry of our prayers from the Holy Land and from around the Church.
You may remember that I was just recently in Birmingham for the Church Pension Fund Board meeting. We met there to walk together a Civil Rights pilgrimage and to work on our own racial reckoning. We met some incredible Christian Episcopalians while there and those very people grieve deeply now.
We now know that 3 people were killed by a person who attended a potluck and for reasons still not fully known, began to shoot at the people present. The reason hardly matters. The means is a crisis.
Being in the Holy Land, the great irony of our sometimes blind exceptionalism is all too apparent. As I told our pilgrims here, many of you asked about the “violence” in this country (Israel/Palestine) and yet being here, what do you think they must think of the senseless, and rampant violence in ours. Surely we should pray, but we simply must do more about this, we have to act. We have a big problem, and it is not confined to one denomination or to anyone thing. It is a problem for us all that affects us all.
As our Presiding Bishop said in his statement today,
We join together in prayer with Bishop Glenda Curry, Bishop Brian Prior, the clergy and people of St. Stephen’s, and the whole Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. I want to encourage us as a church to offer special prayers this Sunday for those affected by the shooting at St. Stephen’s—and for all victims of gun violence.
Blessings to all of you, and peace, +Greg
The Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia
Bishop’s United Against Gun Violence, whose website contains advocacy and prevention resources, as well as liturgical resources: https://bishopsagainstgunviolence.org/ (Bishop Rickel is a part of this organization.)
Bishop Greg Rickel
The Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel was elected bishop on May 12, 2007, and became the eighth Bishop of Olympia in September 2007. He embraces radical hospitality that welcomes all, no matter where they find themselves on their journey of faith. He envisions a church that is a safe and authentic community in which to explore God’s infinite goodness and grace as revealed in the life and continuing revelation of Jesus Christ.
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.
What does this season look like for you? Maybe you’ve spent time celebrating graduations, weddings, or holidays. These milestones allow us to reflect on the people and communities that matter most to us.
Having an estate plan in place is a powerful way to protect the people you love, steward the resources God has entrusted to you, and create a legacy that extends your faith for generations to come.
The Diocese of Olympia partners with FreeWill to ensure members of our community feel supported in completing this important task for the future. FreeWill is a trusted online platform that can help you write your legal will in 20 minutes or less at zero personal cost. While you create your will, you’ll have the opportunity to plan for your assets, dictate funeral wishes, and even make a bequest to ministries and other causes you care about.
If you would prefer to finalize your plans with an attorney or need to address more complex estate needs, you can still save time with your lawyer by using this resource to document your wishes first.
I hope you find this resource useful as you reflect on the people, communities, and ministries that make your life special.
Blessings, +Greg
—The Rt. Rev. Gregory Rickel, Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia
Bishop Greg Rickel
The Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel was elected bishop on May 12, 2007, and became the eighth Bishop of Olympia in September 2007. He embraces radical hospitality that welcomes all, no matter where they find themselves on their journey of faith. He envisions a church that is a safe and authentic community in which to explore God’s infinite goodness and grace as revealed in the life and continuing revelation of Jesus Christ.
Church of the Redeemer
Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. 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. We are 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.
We guide our campers as they grow into leaders, discover their place in nature, build self-esteem, and have fun at Camp Huston. Visit Summer Camp on the Camp Huston website for more information and to register.
Contact Camp Huston about how much it is to attend camp. Scholarships are available.
What can campers expect at Camp Huston?
We spend a lot of time in Discovery Groups, which consist of two cabins of similarly aged campers, their counselors, and a Discovery Group Leader. Every group is unique and has an identity all its own. There will be games, songs, hikes, team-building activities, camp outs, archery, swimming, crafts, and a time for reflection at the end of each day.
Outside of our Discovery Groups, the whole community joins for meals in Curtis Lodge, as well a campfire, a variety show, and a dance during the week. An Episcopal priest from the Diocese of Olympia joins us every session to provide counsel and participate in program activities. They also help Discovery Groups plan chapel for each night.
We hope that you’ll make friends, experience nature and have fun!
Rules for acceptance and participation at Camp Huston are the same for everyone regardless of race, color, religion (creed), sex, gender expression (identity), national origin (ancestry), or sexual orientation.
Schedule for 2022
Counselor Training: June 23 – July 2, 2022. Counselors must have completed 10th grade and be 16 years old by June 1, 2021.
Discovery Camp 1: July 4 – 10, 2022. This is for campers in Grades 3 through 10.
Mini Camp: July 12 – 15, 2022. This is for campers in Grades 1 through 5.
Discovery Camp 2: July 25 – 31, 2022. This is for campers in Grades 3 through 10.
Family Camp: August 2 – 5, 2022. This is for all ages.
Discovery Camp 3: August 7 -13, 2022. This is for campers in Grades 3 through 10.
Church of the Redeemer
Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. 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. We are 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.
