Circles of Color Weekly Newsletter

Ethnic Ministries Circles of Color

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Diocese of Olympia

Weekly Newsletter

December 10, 2022

Welcome Adrienne

Dear Friends,

I am very excited to announce that Adrienne Elliott is joining the Office of the Bishop's staff as the Program Coordinator for Multicultural Ministries.

Adrienne is thrilled to be returning to the diocese (mostly remotely from San Diego). After worshipping at St. Paul's, Seattle, for 6 years and organizing with the Circles of Color, Adrienne moved to San Diego in 2021 to be closer to family while pursuing a Master's in Climate Science and Policy at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Prior to grad school, she worked for Union Presbyterian Church in communications, intersectional justice, and community partnerships.

Adrienne is excited to support the Circles of Color, my office and the larger work of multicultural ministries and community transformation. Adrienne also brings an eagerness to see what intersections may develop in environmental justice, grassroots advocacy, the larger Episcopal Church, and wider community. She is also helping the diocese organize some of its Creation Care work this next year.

Please join me in welcoming Adrienne to the Office of the Bishop and her new role in the diocese!

in love and service,

Carla+

A Word from the Canon

Saturday December 3rd I was at St Mark’s Cathedral for the Celebration of the the Life of the Rev. Dr. Peter Strimer. And what an event it was. Peter was an amazing person and a remarkable priest.

The event was a true celebration of his life. Pete had a huge impact on me. He was on the Cathedral staff when I first started worshipping at St Mark’s. His ministry of justice and joy was a combination that I was not used to. It was an honor on Saturday to be with so many long time friends and partners in ministry touched by Pete’s life and work. Please keep Pete’s wife El and their families in your prayers.

On Monday our own Bishop Nedi Rivera gathered some of us for lunch and conversation. What a joy that was.

Tuesday was a day of remarkable one on ones. A great conversation with the Rev. Jackee Martinez, a deacon in the Diocese of Oregon, about the Union of Black Episcopalians. Lunch with the Rev. Eliacin Rosario Cruz to catch up with what he is doing. An unexpected one on one talk with the Rev. Jesus Reyes about community development.

On Wednesday I was a part of three wonderful gatherings. The first was the December Children & Families Gathering. I’m thankful to Valerie Reinke for the invitation to the event. It was great to see so many new friends and co-workers.

The Full Circle meeting took place in the afternoon. It was an honor to have our Bishop Provisional, the Very Rev. Melissa Skelton join us. It was a got to know each other gathering in which we share the joys and challenges of multicultural ministries.

In the evening I met with leaders from St John South Sudanese and St Matthew San Mateo congregations. We talked about the possibility of sharing space and had an open and very positive conversation about the possibilities and challenges of that undertaking.

Thursday I had coffee with the Rev. Terry Kyllo.

We talked about a wide range of the topics. One of the topics that grabbed me was the work that Terry has done and continues to do around allyship with communities of color. It is my intent to work with Rev. Kyllo for the development of our Allies Circle as we look for take the next step forward.

Later on Thursday I met with the Rev. Chris McNabb at my office. Chris is a priest who is new to our diocese and has a desire to work in a multicultural setting.

Toward the end of the day I met with our new Program Coordinator, Adrienne Elliott. We began our work of figuring out how we will work together. I am delighted to have her on staff.

Friday I was in Everett to meet with the Rev. Jerry Shigaki and the Rev. Rachel Taber Hamilton. I’ve asked them to help me think more strategically about my work as Canon. I’m thankful for their collaboration, guidance and insight.

In love and service,

Carla+

December 25 - St Matthew San Mateo, Auburn

January 8 - 1st Service of New Mission at Christ Church, Puyallup

January 15 - St Mark's Cathedral

(Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration)

January 22 - Christ Church, Puyallup

January 29 - Christ Church, Puyallup (yes, again)

February 5 - Christ Church, Blaine

February 12 - St Anthony's, Silverdale

February 19 - St James, Kent

February 26 - Holy Cross, Redmond

Events

Follow the Star: The Ballad of the Brown King

December 10 @ 8:00pm at St Mark's Cathedral, Seattle

This special annual holiday event will amplify messages of diversity and hope for this festive season. "The Ballad of the Brown King," a Christmas cantata composed by Margaret Bonds, in collaboration with the Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes, will be performed in Seattle for the first time.

Diocesan Youth Confirmation Program: 2023

February 5, 2023 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

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, covering topics such as: The Book of Common Prayer, The Lord’s Prayer, The Nicene Creed, The Sacraments, Heretics, World Religions, and more!

Info

Next Meeting of the Full Circle is

Wednesday January 7, 2022 at 3:00pm

Rev. Robinson will be away from Sunday December 11, 2022 through Thursday December 15, 2022. For any issues that require immediate attention please contact Adrienne Elliott at aelloitt@ecww.org.