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Greetings,
The Joint Board and its various committees have been at work, and I’d like to take this opportunity to commend them for the work done so far. With input from this office as well as from all over the diocese, the Joint Board assembled a diverse, insightful, and energetic Search Committee.
I was pleased to see the commitment to making sure all the voices in our diocese are heard. In particular, the Search Committee did not just invite communities of color in our diocese into the process, they went to these communities. I want to commend the committee for holding conversations especially for and with our communities and congregations of color. I was happy to have so many of the Search Committee members at a Holy Conversation that was held for the Circles of Color.
This is the kind of action that makes our words about building trust and forming genuine partnerships real. This is critical to our work of racial justice and healing.
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Our search for a new Bishop Diocesan now enters a new phase. The Holy Conversations which the Search Committee has been conducting around the diocese have been completed and the Holy Cow Survey is closed. The focus moves now to the work of creating and releasing a profile of our diocese using the data gathered through the conversations and the surveys. The diocesan profile will be completed and approved by the Joint Board.
I am again pleased to have the Profile Committee reaching out to our office. I and other leaders of the Circles of Color have been invited to write a significant piece for the profile on multicultural ministries in our diocese. This will be submitted to the Profile Committee in the next few days. This collaborative piece will also be used in the future creation of a comprehensive and multimedia history of ethnic ministries in our diocese.
Once the profile is approved it will be posted online October 15, applications from interested candidates being received by November 15. If there is a priest anywhere in the Church whom you’d like to encourage applying, please talk with them. You are encouraged to share the profile when it becomes available. If you have questions or comments do feel free to contact the Joint Board at jointboard@ecww.org.
As always, please keep the people and this process in your prayers.
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In love and service,
Carla+
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Announcements
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Convene Workshops: This is what we plan to support/offer Sat., 9/30:
- African Ministries in the Diocese
- The Doctrine of Discovery
- Reconciliation with Creation & Indigenous Peoples
- 2024 Civil Rights Pilgrimage
- Sacred Ground & Allyship
- Churchwide Creation Care Curriculum
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UBE St. Philip's Feast: Sat.,10/14, 11:00 am at St. John | San Juan! More info below.
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Circles Retreat: Save the date for February 24-25, 2024 in North Bend, WA! Get in touch if you'd like to help plan the retreat.
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Fred and Kris Jessett
Our community lifts prayers for Fred and his family following a severe fall. Let us continue to pray for Fred, Kris, the rest of their family, and all who care for him. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. If you'd like to send a card, the Jessetts' address is 5309 South Myrtle Ln. Spokane, WA 99223.
Agnes+ Kuria and The Rev. Adult Care LLC
Our community lifts prayers and thanksgiving as the facility just finished its licensing and Agnes+ has admitted a resident to care for them holistically with her experience in the nursing field and as a priest. We thank God for providing along this long road, and for continued strength for Agnes+, her family, and all future care providers and residents.
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Vinh Do and family
Our community lifts prayer for Vinh's mother and the rest of their family. We pray for grace and provision as they continue easing back into everyday activities. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
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. We continue to pray for provision and their community's embrace alongside grief. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
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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If you would like to highlight resources, books, events, liturgies, or anything else, please send them to Adrienne. |
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A Visit by The Rt. Rev. Ernie Moral, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Southern Philippines | |
Bishop Ernie Moral, his wife Mrs. Shirmen Moral, and Mr. Gideon Bustamante will visit the diocese 9/22-10/6. Here are two events happening at the Cathedral:
GUEST SERMON: SUNDAY. SEPTEMBER 24, at the 9 and 11 a.m. services
SPECIAL FORUM: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 7–8 P.M., Bloedel Hall and online via Zoom. Forum will be on diversity and indigenous spirituality in the southern Philippines.
In addition to assisting with worship, he will also present on Creation Care and the carbon offset partnership at Convene on 9/30. There will be separate ministry and parish visits, excursions, and other opportunities to engage around Creation Care and indigenous spirituality! Public events list will be shared early next week!
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Updates from the Bishop Search Committee | The Holy Conversations have concluded, and the Holy Cow Survey is now closed. Learn about the next steps in the search process at the link below! If there is a priest anywhere in the Church whom you'd like to encourage applying, please talk with them even before the profile is published next month. | | | |
Update on Support of South Sudanese Orphans | Thank you to all who contributed to The Rev. Mary Bol’s early 2023 request to support South Sudanese orphans displaced by climate change-exacerbated floods. The Rev. Mary Bol serves alongside the Rev. James Ayuen at St. John’s South Sudanese congregation in Tukwila, which maintains many close connections with friends and family in South Sudan. We are full of gratitude to report that the Diocese was able to contribute roughly $2,500 towards this effort! | | | |
Preparing for a Season of Creation
Diocesan Convention 2022 approved a Season of Creation, extending from September 1, the ecumenical Day of Prayer for the Creation, through October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. To assist preachers, intercessors, musicians, and teachers who will use the Season of Creation framework as their guide for homiletical, liturgical, musical, and catechetical preparation, the Commission on Liturgy and the Arts is providing a number of resources.
You can also find a list of events and other Creation Care resources at the link below.
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Sixteen Bishops Authorize Use of Liturgical Resource for Creation Season | Creation Season 2023: Celebration Guide for Episcopal Parishes is now available for those who integrate Creation Season into Sunday worship (Sept. 1- Oct. 4). Bishop Melissa has authorized its use. | | | |
New UBE Mental Health Resource Available | |
UBE’s Mental Health Task Force recently released a resource covering anxiety, depression, suicide prevention, anger, grief and loss, and trauma. The Resource also names services and resources specific to Black/African Americans and people of color.
Contributors to the publication include Helen Bhagwandin, Ed.D., MSN, RN-BC, FCN; Kimme Carlos, Certified Health and Wellness Coach; The Rev. Carole Douglas, RN, MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling, LCPC, ACS; Faye Oliver Henderson, School Psychologist, Director of Exceptional Student Services, (ret.); John F. Robertson, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist (FL & N.Y.); and The Very Rev. Sandye A. Wilson, D.Min., MSWSIFI.
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Deborah at the Everett Farmers Market
Sundays through the beginning of October @ 10:30 am - 3:00 pm | Downtown Everett
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Support our resident Circles baker at the Everett Farmers Market now through the first week of October! Check out her site at Forever Moore Sweets or her Facebook page to see a sample of her offerings. Stop by, say hi, and enjoy some sweets! | |
Circles Media
Do you have any books, podcasts, shows, or movies that you want to share? Let us know!
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Prophetic Voices: Preaching Proper 19, feat. Adrienne and others! | In this episode of Prophetic Voices, we'll be discussing the lectionary for Sunday, September 17th, Proper 19. The texts covered in this episode are Exodus 14:19-31, 15:1b-11, 20-21, and Matthew 18:21-35. Guests include Adrienne Elliott, Logan Crews, and the Rev. Jazzy Bostock. | | |
Prophetic Voices: Preaching Proper 20 | In this episode of Prophetic Voices, we'll be discussing the lectionary for Sunday, September 24th, Proper 20. The texts covered in this episode are Jonah 3:10-4:11 and Matthew 20:1-16. Our amazing guests this week are: The Rev. Dr. Christina O’Hara, The Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining, and The Rev. Phil Hooper. | | |
Fresh Banana Leaves - An Indigenous Approach To Science : NPR Short Wave | |
PNW-based Dr. Jessica Hernandez's new book examines the role of displacement - Indigenous peoples like her father, who was displaced by the civil war in El Salvador, and plants like the banana tree, brought from Asia to Central America - in science.
Katya recommends this book, especially with the upcoming visit of Bishop Ernie Moral from the Diocese of the Southern Philippines. He will be sharing about their work with the indigenous Mindanao peoples as well as efforts to care for Creation.
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A Call for Candidates from the Diocesan Nominations Committee | To prepare for elections at Diocesan Convention (October 28, 2023), the Nominations Committee is now calling for candidates to represent our Diocese in two areas: Diocesan Council and the Standing Committee. We encourage Circles members to discern if you might be called! | | | |
9/24
St. Peter's, Seattle
10/1
Trinity, Everett
11/5
St. John the Baptist, West Seattle
11/12
St. Andrew's, Greenlake
11/19
St. Luke's, Renton
11/26
Holy Apostles, Bellevue
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Want to share events from your parish or community?
Email details to Adrienne by Friday.
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Collaborating for a Dementia-Friendly Washington: Moving Forward Together
September 19 - September 20 | Online, sliding scale
| A virtual conference promoting the growth of dementia-friendly communities in Washington state. | | | |
Go and Do Likewise
Wednesdays, Beginning September 20 | Online | $40 Registration (Scholarships Available)
| Paths to Understanding invites us to Go and Do Likewise, which takes Christians to the roots of our tradition find our motivations for respecting and working with people of all traditions. | | | |
Gospel Fest
September 23 workshop @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, concert @ 7:00 pm | St. Margaret’s, Bellevue
| Come and learn from the masters: Barbara Johnson Tucker, Hedreich Nichols, Phillip Hall, and Charles Hamilton. The day will be spent learning, practicing, and preparing for a 7:00 pm free concert. Invite your friends and neighbors to either participate in the workshop or attend the concert of fantastic Gospel Music! | | | |
Eastside Collaborative Youth Group Kick-Off
September 24 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm | St. Margaret's, Bellevue
| Eastside middle school and high school students are invited to our Kick-Off Night to hear more about our joint youth group idea!! | | | |
Convene 2023 - Register Now!
September 30 | Everett Community College
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Reconnect with Episcopalians from across the Diocese, and join us for this exciting new event open to everyone! Gain new resources and support, and spend time learning from and networking with churches from every corner of Western Washington! Convene 2023 will feature multiple workshop sessions throughout this day-long opportunity for learning and connection, preparing us all for the future of our communities, helping us discover (and rediscover!) new ideas, and giving us the time and space to share information about programs and ministry opportunities. You can find hotel information at the link below.
Circles will be presenting some workshops! Let us know what you'd like to see, offer, or support!
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2023 Walk to End Alzheimer's - Pacific Northwest
September 30 @ 9:30 am | Seattle Center
| Join or donate to our Circles team for the 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer's - Pacific Northwest and help raise awareness and funds for vital Alzheimer's care, support and research! | | | |
Vancouver School of Theology Explorer's Weekend 2023
October 5-7 | Vancouver, BC
| Join Vancouver School of Theology to have the opportunity to attend class and worship, interact with VST students, staff and faculty, and have some personal-communal discernment time on beautiful UBC campus. | | | |
Edible Hope Kitchen Annual Fundraiser
October 10 @ 6:00 pm | Bickersons Brewhouse in Ballard | $40
| You’re invited to join us for Edible Hope Kitchen’s Annual Fundraiser! There will be raffle prizes, a raise the paddle event, and as always...delicious food provided by local businesses! | | | |
Feast of St. Philip the Deacon & St. Simon
October 14 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm | St. John's ~ San Juan, Olympia
| Join the PNW Chapter of UBE for a liturgy and potluck celebrating St. Philip the Deacon and St. Simon the Ethiopian Eunuch. | | | |
Registration open for fall Genesis Gathering
October 16-19 | Los Angeles, $100 registration fee
| The Office of Church Planting and Redevelopment is thrilled to bring back its annual Genesis Gathering, a gathering of missional leaders, church planters and congregational revitalizers across the Episcopal Church. We’ll share four days of story-telling, workshops, mentoring, fellowship and support. Plus, we’ll explore the history and current adventures of Korea Town, Los Angeles! | | | |
Holding Onto What Is Good: The 113th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia
October 28 @ 9:30 am - 7:00 pm | online
| Join us online on October 28, beginning at 9:30 am, for the 113th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia - a day to do the good work of the Diocese as we elect new leaders and vote on important resolutions for the life of our Diocese. | | | |
Sister Joan Chittister Visits Seattle
November 5 @ 3:00 - 6:00 pm | Seattle, $10-$30 registration
| Sister Joan Chittister, OSB, one of the most influential religious and social leaders of our time and a passionate advocate for peace, human rights, women's issues, and church renewal, will speak at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Seattle on her newest book, "The Time is Now: A Call to Uncommon Courage." | | | |
Advocacy Training Day
November 18 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | Saint Mark's Cathedral & Zoom
| Get some church friends together for an exciting hybrid event designed to educate and equip congregations in public policy and civic engagement! | | | |
Next Full Circle Meeting
{Rev. Canon Alissa Netwon & congregational development updates}
Wednesday, 10/4, 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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Standing commission agrees to consider 'needed changes in Title IV' over cases involving bishops | [Episcopal News Service] An Episcopal commission tasked with reviewing and suggesting changes to The Episcopal Church's canons met online Sept. 12 and responded to recent calls by the church’s two presiding officers for a new examination of Title IV disciplinary canons amid growing scrutiny of several cases involving bishops. | | | |
Committee completes initial review of possible presiding bishop nominees, renews call for prayers by all Episcopalians | The Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop has reviewed applications from the bishops who have entered the discernment process for the 2024 election of the 28th presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church. | | | |
Episcopal churches observe National Suicide Prevention Month to promote education, destigmatization | [Episcopal News Service] Episcopal churches nationwide are observing National Suicide Prevention Week, an annual campaign to raise suicide awareness and help prevent it. St. Michael's Episcopal Church... | | | |
Six North American congregations selected for new climate-related worship and mission partnership (including Christ Church, Tacoma!)
| [Episcopal News Service] The Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission has embarked on a yearlong partnership with six congregations in The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada to help them develop new resources and practices for worship and mission in response to climate change. | | | |
In the first episode of Season 2, The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America present a panel about the status of Afghan resettlement, the situation of those who were left behind, updates on the Afghan Adjustment Act, and how people of faith can continue to support and advocate for Afghans. The episode is facilitated by Lindsey Warburton of The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations. | | | |
Applications open for General Convention Official Youth Presence 2024 | Episcopal teens ages 16 to 19 are invited to apply to become part of the 81st General Convention's Official Youth Presence, a group whose members have seat and voice in the House of Deputies and can testify at hearings before and during the summer 2024 convention. The deadline to apply is Nov. 17. | | | |
"Love God, Love God's World" curriculum - The Episcopal Church | |
"Love God, Love God's World" is a nine-session, film-based curriculum, ideal for Episcopalians anywhere on the journey with creation care and environmental ministry-from newcomers looking to take their first step to seasoned leaders seeking a transformative small-group experience.
Rev. Rachel Taber Hamilton and Adrienne Elliott are both session authors. Please email Adrienne if your church would like to pilot a few sessions!
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