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Ethnic Ministries
Circles of Color
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Diocese of Olympia
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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
June 10, 2023
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We will pause our word for this week as Carla+ is just returning from a very full trip to the Episcopal Church Chancellors' Conference in FL this past week. We are gearing up for our Juneteenth service next Saturday--ways to support below and please RSVP! Thank you also to those who attended our Full Circle with our ELCA siblings. We'll be gathering a smaller group to plan future collaborations. Please email us if you'd like to be involved! | |
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In love and service,
Adrienne and Carla+
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Fred and Kris Jessett
Our community lifts prayers for Fred and his family as he recently fell. We heard last week from Kris who shares: "Fred has now moved into an adult family home for some period of time where he will receive more therapy in preparation for coming home. His reading is improving but mainly on material he is familiar with such as Evening Prayer and much of Holy Communion service and prayers he has memorized. Walking more on walker but feels safer in wheelchair. Appetite is great. Quite bored as only one other resident -- maybe two -- carry on conversations. Please continue with your prayers!"
Let us continue to pray for Fred, Kris, the rest of their family, and all who care for him. We pray for comfort, healing, and wisdom for the Jessetts and Fred's medical team, as well as smooth navigation of insurance and all other logistics. 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.
Vinh Do and family
Our community lifts prayer for Vinh's mother and the rest of their family. Vinh shares, "Mom is doing better, thank God. We are each day slowing building up to what 'normal' looks like now. I'm so grateful for God and all the support and thoughts from all."
We pray for Vinh's mother's health and the rest of the family as they all continue easing back into everyday activities. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
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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.
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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Celebrating Pride Month
Happy Pride to all of our LGBTQIA+ siblings! We would not be who we are without you and the immense gifts, intersectional witness, and love you embody!
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Time for Pride: LGBTQIA+ Episcopalians, Friends, Family Members & Allies, Let's Share the Welcome!
June 24-25 | all over!
Join the Diocese of Olympia for 2023 Pride events scheduled around western Washington including marching in the Seattle Pride Parade behind the Episcopal banner or making connections at the Episcopal booth at two days of PrideFest.
Visit this link for other Episcopal involvement in Pride events during June and July around the diocese, including: Kitsap Pride; Lewis County Pride; Snohomish Pride; Taking Pride in Capitol Hill; and a Pride Interfaith Service.
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Support Needed!
The Black/African-American Circle has been planning a wonderful Juneteenth liturgy + potluck BBQ celebration. We will need volunteers from all our Circles to make it happen!
Worship: Beverly+, Malcolm+, and Carla+ have been planning the liturgy. All are welcome to help as a lector, usher, or as a musician. If interested, please contact Carla.
Potluck: Guests will be asked to bring salads, side dishes, or desserts to go along with a protein entree that will be provided. We will also need drinks. If you'd like to help day-of, please contact Roberta. *RSVP here to tell us what you're bringing!*
Set up / clean up: We'll need two crews to help before and after the event. Please contact Adrienne if you'd like to help.
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Icon
We were blown away by the beautiful icon that Hisako and Jo shared on Facebook this week.
Hisako says: "Beautiful icon written for me by my dear mentor and teacher The Rev. Josefina Beecher. My heart is dancing with Joy and gratitude..."
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She also says, "The Japanese letter on top left side of mother Mary’s halo says “God” the other side is “Mother”. The writing by Jesus’ halo reads top down “Jesus + Christ“ I am particularly fascinated by Mother Mary’s beautiful layered KIMONO. I can’t wait to show it to you all in person...You HAVE to see this!!" | |
Celebrating Doreen's 101st Birthday
Thanks to all who celebrated Doreen's 101st birthday! Here are a few photos that Timi shared from the celebration at Saint Mark's.
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Picture from Kevin Johnson. | |
The card will remain open to sign until we can find a good email address to send it to! | |
Typhoon Mawar Update
The Rev. Irene Tanabe shared that she and All Souls Church, Okinawa were ok after Typhoon Mawar hit earlier last week.
She says, "We were lucky, even though it passed right over us, it was just at tropical storm strength and nothing more serious. We lost lots of tree branches, and found one of the screen doors in the parking lot. Lots of debris. The concerning thing is that it arrived so early, ahead of the official typhoon season."
We are so grateful to hear this update. Let us keep praying for safety and smooth clean up for those impacted.
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AAPI Retreat Reflection by Vinh Do | |
The April 26-29 retreat was well over a month ago, yet the revelations continue. The first revelation was the company of good, impassioned, and energetic people from our own Seattle contingent: Adrienne, Katya, Maria, and Tina...
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BAM/UBE Western Regional Conference Summary | |
Tempe, AZ | April 2023 | by Sherina James
"Envisioning a Spiritual Mosaic," Western Regional conference was held at the Church of the Epiphany in Tempe, AZ from April 20-22, 2023. A gathering of approximately 45 individuals came together to explore the theme of the African Diaspora in our beloved community...
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Welcome Sign Honoring Coast Salish People | |
There's a new sign at Christ Church, Anacortes. The church received a grant from the Multicultural Ministries & Community Transformation Office to work with a Swinomish artist to visibly provide welcome and show their respect for Coast Salish people, past and present.
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Summer Camp Chaplain Needed
Camp Huston is looking for a chaplain for the week of July 30-August 5. Contact Katie Sue Eichner, the Program Director and Conference Coordinator.
Some glowing reviews:
"What a refreshing way to experience church! Sign up today! Huston is a magical and special place." - Malcolm+
"Your presence will be a gift to the kids, to the church and to yourself." - Jo+
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The Bishop Search Committee Has Begun Its Work! | The Bishop Search Committee has begun its work! We met for the first time during our retreat on May 12-13. The time together was spent in getting to know one another and to further clarify and define our role(s) in the search process. | | | |
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!
Jo+ also uplifts the work of the SHARE Foundation which strengthens solidarity with and among the Salvadoran people in El Salvador and the United States in the grassroots struggle for economic sustainability, justice, and human and civil rights. Here is a recent SHARE update:
Dear friends of human rights in El Salvador,
We share with you a report recently published by the Episcopal supported CRISTOSAL about the recurring violation of human rights in El Salvador due to the so-called "State of Exception", which has been going on for more than a year. The State of Exception has detained over 68,000 people, depriving citizens of their constitutional liberties and creating pain and mourning for the poorest families in El Salvador. The report documents the use of torture and the death of 153 people.
We thank you for your solidarity.
Jose Artiga
Executive Director
|  | EFE/Editado for Ramón Jara A., Emol | |
Report: At least 153 people arrested under special powers have died in Salvadoran prisons
by By Associated Press
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — At least 153 people jailed since El Salvador instituted emergency powers in March 2022 to confront the country’s powerful street gangs have died in state custody, according to a report released Monday by the human rights group Cristosal.
None of those who died had been convicted of a crime they were accused of at the time of their arrest. There were four women among the victims and the rest were men.
The deaths were the result of torture, and systematic and serious injuries, the report said. Nearly half of the victims suffered violent deaths. Some of the deaths showed signs they resulted from deliberate denial of medical assistance, medicine and food, including some deaths resulting from malnutrition.
The deaths revealed punitive policies carried out by guards and prison officials. The report stated that such actions would have required authorization and backing by the highest level security officials.
The government has not provided an official count of deaths among the incarcerated.
The special powers approved by El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly in March 2022 following a surge in gang violence suspend some fundamental rights, such informing someone of their rights at the time of arrest and the reason for their, as well as having access to a lawyer.
Cristosal said it compiled the information through field work, including at common graves, and collecting documents from medical examiners. Investigators also interviewed victims’ families and neighbors, as well as others who were jailed and later released.
The organization called on the administration of President Nayib Bukele to answer about the conditions people are held under, respect due process, free the innocent, answer for those who have died, provide all available information to victims’ families and end the measures implemented under the special powers.
Officially, the government has arrested more than 68,000 people under the special powers since March 2022. More than 5,000 people have been freed because they could not convince a judge they were tied to criminal structures, according to authorities.
Other human rights groups and foreign governments have condemned the government’s actions and called for a lifting of what were supposed to be temporary measures.
More information:
HR video
Executive Summary Report
If you need a complete report please let me know at graciela@share-elsalvador.org. You can support SHARE's work here.
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6/18
All Saints, Pasadena
7/2
Saint Mark's Cathedral, Seattle
Taize Liturgy honoring Pauli Murray
7/16
St. Bede's, Port Orchard
7/30
Holy Apostles, Bellevue
Bishop's Visit
8/6
Christ Church, Anacortes
8/27
St. Paul's, Port Townsend
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Want to share events from your parish or community?
Email details to Adrienne by Friday.
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Towards A Fuller Gospel: Scripture Through the Lens of Asian American Theologians
May 25 - June 15 @ 6:00 pm | Zoom
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This year, EDSD is excited to offer Towards A Fuller Gospel: Scripture Through the Lens of Asian American Theologians, a four-week series of virtual gatherings centered around the study of writings by Asian American theologians.
The Circles, and especially our Asian American Circle, have been invited to participate with the Diocese of San Diego. Registration is closed, however, email Adrienne if you are interested.
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Northwest Chamber Chorus & Dr. Stephen Newby
June 10 @ 3:00 pm | Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church & livestreamed | pay what you can tickets
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At our June concerts, we are honored to welcome our Composer in Residence Dr. Stephen Newby to the podium. Dr. Newby will present premieres of new works that have been commissioned by the NWCC, which will tell the story of African lives lost while crossing the Middle Passage en-route to a life of enslavement in America.
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Archdeacon Gen's Farewell Gathering
June 10 @ 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm | D-House
| Join us as we say Bon Voyage and Thank You to The Ven. Gen Grewell for her nearly 14 years as Archdeacon of the Diocese of Olympia! The Office of the Bishop is pleased to host this gathering along with the Community of Deacons. We hope you will join us in celebrating Gen and Gary. | | | |
Juneteenth Liturgy & Potluck BBQ
June 17 @ 12:00 pm | Saint Mark's Cathedral
| Please RSVP to share what you'll bring! This will also help us get a head count for buying protein. | | | |
STG Presents - Juneteenth 'Songs of Black Folk 2023' Music of Resistance & Hope
June 18 @ 7:00 pm | Paramount Theater, Seattle | $30
| Renowned performers and presenters will share a music tradition that began on the African continent, was transported to the Americas via slave ships, and took root in the daily sufferings of an enslaved Black people who chose to survive and fought to be free. | | | |
55TH UBE ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING & CONFERENCE (ABMC)
June 24-26 | Montgomery, AL
| UBE is headed to Montgomery, Alabama! Our theme is So Flows Our River: NIA – Purpose, IMANI – Faith and UMOJA – Unity. We will visit the National Lynching Museum and the Legacy Museum, as well as offer an optional trip to Selma for crossing the Edmund Pettis Bridge. | | | |
It's All About Love: A Festival for the Jesus Movement - The Episcopal Church
July 9 - 12 |Baltimore Convention Center, register by May 15 for Early Bird rate of $185
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"It’s All About Love” is a churchwide festival featuring three Jesus Movement festival “tents” – Evangelism, Creation Care, and Racial Reconciliation.
Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton and Rev. Carla will both be presenting workshops on Healing Relationships with Indigenous People and Co-Powering People of Color in Diocesan Life, respectively.
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2023 Summer Teaching Faculty - Holden Village
June 11-September 1| Holden Village
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Located in the North Cascade Mountains, Holden Village welcomes all people to form and renew their relationships with God, the earth, and each other. Join them this summer to learn the basics of watercolor, practice creative writing, and engage body, mind, and spirit through discussing many of the most salient issues of our time.
The Week 9 (August 6-11) focus hosts Latine teachers covering immigration, liberation theology, climate justice, and other intersectional topics. Take a look, there are some really great speakers and topics featured every week!
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Convene 2023 - Save the Date!
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!
Circles will be presenting some workshops! Let us know what you'd like to see, offer, or support!
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Next Full Circle Meeting
{bishop search, Rev. Rachel's wider church work}
Wednesday, 7/5, 2023
3:00 pm
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Special Full Circle Meeting
{bishop characteristics we'd like to see}
TBD…stay tuned!
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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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St. Barnabas Episcopal Church to celebrate centennial | |
Pasadena's oldest historically Black episcopal church, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, celebrates its centennial, reflecting on 100 years of history and looking forward to a new era of growth and inclusion. From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, June 11, the parish will celebrate its 100th anniversary with parishioners, dignitaries and community members.
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Tale of Resolve: Remembering Cherokee Sand Town at St. John's, Cartoogechaye | |
[Diocese of Western North Carolina] On the first Saturday in June, some 150 people gathered at St. John's Episcopal Church in the Cartoogechaye community of Franklin for the unveiling of a sign that tells the story of Sand Town (Nvyohi), one of many post-removal Native American towns in North Carolina.
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Nominating committee presents profile for 28th presiding bishop, calls for names | |
The Episcopal Church Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop on May 15 issued the following letter to the church announcing the availability of the "Profile for the Election of the 28th Presiding Bishop" and inviting Episcopalians to submit the names of bishops for the committee to consider as nominees.
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"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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Honor LGBTQ+ forced migrants in June through Episcopal Migration Ministries' Rainbow Initiative | |
Episcopal congregations seeking ways to observe Pride Month and World Refugee Day in June have a special opportunity to focus on LGBTQ+ and refugee communities through Episcopal Migration Ministries’ new Rainbow Initiative.
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