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Ethnic Ministries
Circles of Color
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Diocese of Olympia
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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
April 1, 2023
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Holy Week calls us to reflect on the central story of our faith. The Passion story is recorded at length in each of the canonical gospels. The story brings us nose to nose with many painful realities: the suffering of a good person, the powerful combination of hate cloaked in religion and political expediency, how cruel humans can be to other humans, the failure of courage, the allure of money, and the silence of God.
And yet we are called to proclaim that in all of this God is not silent. We proclaim that in the midst of all of this pain God is present and is suffering also. But the story is not just that God is present, but that God is working toward our salvation. Darkness is not all powerful. Death is not the end. Hatred is not the enduring path for humankind. Easter has the last word, not Good Friday.
| I pray God’s blessing on your Holy Week experience. The suffering one endures. The Crucified One is the Risen One. | |
In love and service,
Carla+
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Celebrating Carla+'s 1st Year as Canon
Our community is so grateful for the incredible love and service that Carla+ has led us with this last year. Over the past year, Carla has ensured she and Circles have been "in the room where it happens" on many important fronts.
She's led and ministered in a variety of ways and places...some of which include:
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pastoral care (especially around the mass murders in Buffalo and Uvalde)
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UBE PNW chapter conference and reorganization as Interim President
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the historic number of POC ordinations and introductions of BIPOC priests
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Convention resolutions - implementing recently passed and proposing new
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LGBTQ+ reflections and partnerships within the diocese, region, and larger church
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Welcome Liturgy at Saint Matthew San Mateo
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driven God-knows how many miles to visit, preach, commune with, and share the work of the Circles and racial reconciliation with many churches in the diocese
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& so much more to forge relationships across the Circles and with the larger Diocesan family
If you go back and scan our newsletters and consider all of Carla+'s meetings, emails, visits, and prayers from the last year, this short list is just scratching the surface! Thank you, Carla+ for all you do and who you are. We are grateful for you and excited to witness and be apart of this vital work in our diocese and community.
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Edie Weller and family
Our community continues to lift prayer for the Rev. Edie Weller and her family as they settle into this next chapter following John's memorial. Edie shares her gratitude and love for Circles' support. We are grateful that it was a time of fullness and love, and pray for their community's continued embrace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Fred and Kris Jessett
Our community continues to lift prayer for the Jessetts, their daughter Victoria who passed in December, and her children. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
If you'd like to send a card of sympathy, the Jessetts' address is 5309 South Myrtle Ln. Spokane, WA 99223.
Vinh Do and family
Our community lifts prayer for Vinh's mother who is recovering from pneumonia. We pray for Vinh's mother and the rest of the family as they navigate insurance and future care needs during this difficult time. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
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Timi Vann and family
Thank you for your continued prayers for Timi and her family. Timi shares: "I continue to mend well and, although I still tire very easily, I am feeling stronger every day. The Vann Family is grateful for the love and support of our brothers and sisters in this faith family. I'm now free of all of the wound drains (yay!) and have started physical therapy. I am scheduled to begin a gradual return to work later this month. I will continue to put out an occasional update via the Meal Train site as I continue to mend and my "next steps" for full recovery are revealed."
If you'd like to send a card, the Vanns' address is 5056 36th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105. You can find more updates and ways to support the Vanns via their Meal Train.
Carlos and Julianna Caguiat
Our community lifts prayer for Carlos and Julianna as they continue to deal with various health concerns. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
If you have additional prayer requests, please send them to Adrienne.
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Check this space as we highlight Clergy of Color, Circles members, and other offerings from the community!
If you would like to spotlight yourself or others, or would like to highlight resources, books, events, liturgies, or anything else, please send them to Adrienne.
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Celebrating Doreen Tudor's 101st Birthday
Doreen is a longtime Saint Mark's parishioner and church "mother" to many in Seattle, particularly in the BIPOC community. Doreen is living history and her stories about Black Episcopalians in Seattle and her experiences within that community and the larger church demonstrate such deep faith and resilience.
Stay tuned for ways to celebrate her!
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What We're Listening To
This week, we commend a few podcasts to your listening. Share with us what you think and what you're listening to!
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The On Being Project feat. adrienne maree brown
"We are in a time of new suns"
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adrienne maree brown is the author of wildly influential books including Emergent Strategy, We Will Not Cancel Us: And Other Dreams of Transformative Justice and Pleasure Activism, as well as a workbook for facilitation and mediation, Holding Change. She is the co-editor of Octavia’s Brood and co-hosts several podcasts, including Octavia’s Parables and How to Survive the End of the World.
For readers of Octavia Butler, this podcast is for you! It's generative, expansive, and transformative. It's inspiration and nourishment for this journey we are on together. brown says, "really, to be a human, once you wake up and recognize, oh, I can shape everything. I don’t have to be a victim of someone else’s vision for my subjugation, I actually get to be a powerhouse in the story of my own life and my people’s lives — oh! That’s a different invitation. I would much rather live in that scenario."
You may also enjoy this Race & Healing "care package" which is an assortment of podcasts, art, and other conversations with a variety of folks on this topic.
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Prophetic Voices feat. Rev. Valerie Mayo, Sister Tammy Scholastica, and Tamara Plummer
Easter Vigil: Preaching Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18, 9:8-13, Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21, Ezekiel 36:24-28, 37:1-14, Canticle 8, and Matthew 28:1-10
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Rev. Isaiah “Shaneequa” Brokenleg, The Episcopal Church’s staff officer for Racial Reconciliation hosts conversation with Episcopalians committed to the Beloved Community about the texts for Maundy Thursday.
This episode features The Rev. Valerie Mayo, a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and director of Beloved Community Initiatives at the Seminary of the Southwest; the prayerful Sister Tammy-Scholastica, a vowed member of the Order of Benedictine Canons in South Dakota; and the renowned Tamara Plummer, who is a program officer in the U.S. Disaster Program at Episcopal Relief & Development, where she leads the Episcopal Asset Map project.
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Prophetic Voices feat. Rev. Shug Goodlow, Alan Murray, and Rev. Peggy Lo
Easter Sunday: Preaching Jeremiah 31:1-6, John 20:1-18, and Matthew 28:1-10
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This episdoe features The Rev. Shug Goodlow, who is the assistant rector at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Ellisville, MI and serves as the missioner for racial reconciliation and justice for the diocese; Alan Murray, a member of Trinity Cathedral in Portland, Godly Play teacher, co-chair of the Asian/Pacific Islander caucus for the Deputies of Color and an ambassador for the Episcopal Public Policy Network; and The Rev. Peggy Lo, rector of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas...she has also been an organizer, translator, and nonprofit administrator.
Check out the podcast for additional Holy Week episodes with lectionary reflections.
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Called with Complexity: The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton | |
Thank you Becky Clark for sharing, and Rachel+ for continuing to offer your extraordinary gifts across our church! Read more and find the lecture at the link below.
The Rev. Taber-Hamilton's lecture, "The Barbie & Pocahontas Dialogues: Healing the Cultural Divide Between Indigenous Episcopalians and the Church" provided the Sewanee community an opportunity to reflect on the intersection of Indigenous cosmologies, gender identity, and cultural expression.
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NNIRR's Statement on the Tragedy at the INM Detention Center in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico | |
For Immediate Release: March 28, 2023 El Paso, Texas - English y Español
The National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights expresses its deepest condolences for the families of the 39 migrants who lost their lives, and for the 29 migrants who were injured in a fire at a migrant detention center in Ciudad Juárez on Monday night.
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KING 5's 'Cultivating Culture' series to highlight Black culture in western Washington | |
Deborah Moore has been watching this series. We just might see our local Canon on here soon!
KING5 has launched a new series called "Cultivating Culture," which will air monthly. The series will shine a light on the rich Black culture throughout western Washington. The latest census showed the Black population in Washington only stands at 4.5%. For many, it's hard to find Black culture.
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Local Sacred Ground Action | |
St. John the Baptist, West Seattle was featured in the most recent churchwide Racial Justice & Healing newsletter! You can read more about their work, and especially the relationships they're building with their Indigenous neighbors at the Duwamish Longhouse, here. To learn more about St. John's work, contact The Rev.
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Now Hiring: Interim Edible Hope Kitchen Program Director | Read more for the Job Description! St. Luke's Episcopal Church Edible Hope Kitchen (EHK) serves a free morning meal every weekday from the basement of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. EHK's mission is to build community through a shared meal, love, and service. | | | |
Cross-Cultural Ministry in El Salvador
Stay tuned for additional updates as well as invitations to learn and support ongoing partnerships with the Episcopal Diocese of El Salvador and Cristosal!
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Diocesan Bishop Search Committee
Thank you to all who prayerfully considered and applied to be on the Bishop Search Committee. We are aware of at least 5 Circles members' applications.
And keep in mind, the Transition Committee will begin work in the fall. This is another important committee for Circles members to be a part of. You can visit the transition website here.
Churchwide Presiding Bishop Search Committee
Additionally, if you're interested in how the next Presiding Bishop will be elected in 2024, you can read more below.
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Rev. Carla is taking a Lenten break from her preaching schedule and will be back on the road for Easter season. | |
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Want to share events from your parish or community?
Email details to Adrienne by Friday.
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Diocesan Youth Confirmation Program: 2023
Sundays, February 5 - April 16 @ 6:30 - 8:00 pm | Online
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The Diocesan Youth Confirmation Program is back for a second year!
All youth, ages 13 to 18 (seniors in high school), are invited to come along on this Confirmation journey as we explore, learn, grapple, and discover what we believe and why. This is a 10-week series.
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Bilingual Stations of the Cross
Palm Sunday, April 2 @ 12:30 - 2:00 pm | Saint Mark's Cathedral nave
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All are invited to participate in the ancient practice of collectively walking and praying the Stations of the Cross with the cathedral community, in a bilingual Spanish/English format led by Canon Rosario-Cruz and community members. The service will begin following the conclusion of the Palm Sunday liturgy. The service leaflet for this liturgy may be seen here.
Following the service, there will be a 20s/30s potluck lunch in Leffler, with time for a bilingual reflection and conversation led by member Ross Pearson.
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Maundy Thursday
April 6 @ 4:00 - 5:00 pm | Resurrection, Bellevue
| Father Carlos Caguiat will be presiding and preaching. Please contact the office at 425.746.0322 or info@cotrbellevue.org for Zoom information. | | | |
Good Friday
April 7 @ 4:00 - 5:00 pm | Resurrection, Bellevue
| Father Alwyn Hall will be presiding and preaching. Please contact the office at 425.746.0322 or info@cotrbellevue.org for Zoom information. | | | |
Cathedral Day 2023: Living Water
April 22 @ 10:30 am (liturgy), 12:00 - 2:00 pm (lunch and activities) | Saint Mark's Cathedral
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Cathedral Day is a celebration of the community of the Diocese of Olympia--a "family reunion" for Episcopalians from across western Washington, when confirmations, receptions, and reaffirmations are celebrated, followed by a festive food truck lunch and afternoon activities for all ages.
This year, Cathedral Day is also Earth Day. Share you what kind of Creation Care activities or food trucks you would like to see this year in this short survey.
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Western Region UBE/Province VIII Black African Ministries Conference
Envisioning a Spiritual Mosaic: The African Diaspora Ablaze in our Beloved Community
April 20 - April 22 | Church of the Epiphany, Tempe, AZ
| Please join the AZ Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) and Province VIII Black African Ministries for the Western Regional Conference, April 20-22, 2023, in Tempe, AZ. There will be special guests and featured speakers, and the opportunity to connect and fellowship. More information is below, register ASAP! | | | |
AAPI Leaders Retreat
April 26-29 | Austin, TX
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The retreat has reached its capacity and registration is now closed.
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Why Serve 2023
June 22-25 | The School of Theology at the University of the South: Sewanee, TN, $75
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Young Adults (ages 18-30) from the African Descent, Asian, Indigenous and Latino communities of The Episcopal Church, are invited to attend three days of fellowship, training, discernment, self-care, fun, and laughter as they explore this question: Why Serve?
Whether you feel called to leadership as an ordained person, a vestry member, a nurse or a parent; whether you're in school, working, or just in-between, we hope you'll join us for this transformative experience. Share widely!
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It's All About Love: A Festival for the Jesus Movement - The Episcopal Church
July 9 - 12 |Baltimore Convention Center, register by May 8 for Early Bird rate of $185
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Across the church and around the world, we are hungry for revival and renewal. Join in Baltimore for "It's All About Love," a churchwide festival of worship, learning, community, and action for the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement.
"It’s All About Love” features three Jesus Movement festival “tents” – Evangelism, Creation Care, and Racial Reconciliation. Each tent will offer an evening revival worship service and major plenary speaker, plus dozens of day-time workshops, panels, practice opportunities and other ways to engage.
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Next Full Circle Meeting
with Commission on Ministry (COM) Co-chairs
Diana Bender and Roberta Newell
Wednesday,
April 5, 2023
3:00 pm
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Alzheimer's Support Group
If Alzheimer's has touched your life in some way, you're not alone. A group of Circles members meets Saturday mornings to share in community together.
Contact Jerry Shigaki for more info.
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New Spanish, French prayer book translations now available | |
New, certified Spanish and French translations of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer are available online. Created using dynamic equivalence, with an eye toward inclusive language throughout, the translations support the liturgical and pastoral needs of Spanish- and French-speaking Episcopalians.
There are three editions: a pew edition for church use and a personal edition, that are currently available. A bilingual edition featuring selections from the Book of Common Prayer in English and Spanish, will be available in May.
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Episcopal Diocese of New York apologizes for the church's role in slavery | |
The Episcopal Diocese of New York issued a formal apology last Saturday for the "participation and complicity of the diocese" in the transatlantic slave trade and its "continuing aftermath and consequences."
You can watch the recorded service here. Read on to learn more about the process and reparations task force behind this work.
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Episcopal Migration Ministries shares 'Rainbow Initiative' survey results, seeks participant congregations | |
After receiving widespread survey response about a new project to support LGBTQ+ forced migrants, Episcopal Migration Ministries is seeking 10 to 20 "Rainbow Initiative" congregations to discern ways to help migrants during Pride activities and World Refugee Day in June.
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Bishop Griselda retires as Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Cuba | |
A celebration message from the Friends of the Episcopal Church in Cuba.
March 23rd marked an important date in the history of the Episcopal Church in Cuba - with the retirement of Bishop Griselda after 12 transformative years as the Bishop of Cuba...She was the first woman to serve in the role of Diocesan Bishop both in Cuba and in Latin America.
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Episcopal delegates to UN women's commission discuss their experiences advocating for gender justice | |
Episcopal News Service
Nine Episcopal women who served as delegates to the 67 th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women gathered in a March 23 webinar to discuss the important topics they tackled and the experiences they had during the meeting, which took place March 6-17.
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Faith leaders and religious groups voice opposition to Biden's plan to restrict asylum | |
(RNS) - Taking advantage of a required public comment period, a broad array of faith leaders and religious groups, including faith-based refugee aid organizations, are speaking out against a proposed federal rule that would generally deny asylum to migrants who arrive at the U.S.
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Volunteer Search Committee for Episcopal Church LGBTQI+ and Women's Ministries Staff Officer
The Episcopal Church, the Department of Reconciliation, Justice, and Creation Care
| The Episcopal Church Office of Reconciliation, Justice, and Creation Care invites volunteers for the search committee for a new staff officer for LGBTQI+ and Women's Ministries, as mandated by the 80th General Convention. If interested, learn more about the process and how to apply below. | | | |
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For the competitive Circle members amongst us (let's leave baseball out of this!), check out this fun Lenten practice! It is included as a resource offered by The Episcopal Church for Lent through Forward Movement.
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New podcast offers resources for Episcopal public advocacy | Episcopalians and others interested in demonstrating their faith through civic engagement and advocacy are invited to subscribe to a new podcast-dubbed "Episco-pols"-from The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations. Designed to inform and inspire, "Episco-pols" will launch in mid-March and can be subscribed to via any podcast platform. | | | | | | |
