The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia Updates from the Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness From Don Fornoff, Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness: Last week, I wrote about an ecumenical organization in Fairfax County, Virginia, of which I was personally familiar. I reached out to the founder to find out its origins and confirmed that FACETS’s base is the faith community. The County government knows that and counts on the base’s strength. It turns out that FACETS isn’t the only organization in the county system. Allow me to summarize the organization of the county’s community Updates from the Bishop ..read more

The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia Bishop LaBelle’s Seating Sermon: Sunday, September 15, 2024 Bishop LaBelle’s Seating Sermon Catherine of Genoa — John 15:5-17 Back in the era when I took the General Ordination Exams—or “GOEs,” for those in the know—the last part of the four day written exam was often called “Coffee Hour Questions.” This closed book section was used to see if the ordinand had the chops to answer difficult questions from parishioners wanting to stump the chump all while sipping a cup of joe. My seminary classmates and I scoured previous Bishop LaBelle’s Seating Sermon: Sunday, S ..read more

The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia Daily Psalm and Prayer – September 20, 2024 Image Credit: Obi with Stylized Waves, Japan | early 20th century Psalm 69:1-23; 31-381 Save me, O God, *for the waters have risen up to my neck. 2 I am sinking in deep mire, *and there is no firm ground for my feet. 3 I have come into deep waters, *and the torrent washes over me. 4 I have grown weary with my crying;my throat is inflamed; *my eyes have failed from looking for my God. 5 Those who hate me without a causeare more Daily Psalm and Prayer – September 20, 2024 Josh Hornbeck ..read more

The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia The Rt. Rev. Dr. Philip N. LaBelle Ordained and Consecrated Ninth Bishop of Olympia The Rt. Rev. Dr. Philip N. LaBelle was ordained and consecrated as the ninth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia on Saturday, September 14, at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Washington. LaBelle leads nearly 26,000 Episcopalians in more than 100 worshiping communities across Western Washington. The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop for the Episcopal Church, served as the chief consecrator. Co-consecrators were Bishop-Provisional in the Diocese of Olympia, The ..read more

The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia The Rt. Rev. Phil LaBelle The Rt. Rev. Phil LaBelle Bishop Diocesan Bishop LaBelle previously served as rector of St. Mark’s Church in Southborough, Massachusetts. During this time, Bishop LaBelle co-founded Southborough Neighbors for Peace with Dr. Safdar Medina. This organization has hosted peace vigils, began a community-wide Iftar dinner during Ramadan, established an interfaith Thanksgiving service, and sponsored other bridge-building events. Bishop LaBelle was elected the 9th Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia in 2024 and consecrated on September 14, 2024 ..read more

The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia A Conversation with the Newly Elected Episcopal Bishop of Olympia and the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, The Most Rev. Michael Curry, and the Bishop-Elect of the Diocese of Olympia, The Rev. Dr. Philip N. LaBelle, led a conversation today with a small group of community leaders in Bellevue, Washington, that focused on issues facing communities in Western Washington, and the grassroots work that is underway led by the Episcopal church, particularly around homelessness and housing affordability. The gatherin ..read more

The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia Daily Psalm and Prayer – September 19, 2024 Image Credit: The Castle of Unuma | Keisai Eisen, Japanese | 19th century Psalm 711 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; *let me never be ashamed. 2 In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free; *incline your ear to me and save me. 3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe; *you are my crag and my stronghold. 4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, *from the clutches of the evildoer and the oppressor. Daily Psalm and Prayer – September 19, 2024 Josh Hornbeck ..read more

The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia Daily Psalm and Prayer – September 18, 2024 Image Credit: Setting Moon on Waves | Kubo Shunman, Japanese | 19th century Psalm 721 Give the King your justice, O God, *and your righteousness to the King’s Son; 2 That he may rule your people righteously *and the poor with justice; 3 That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *and the little hills bring righteousness 4 He shall defend the needy among the people; *he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor 5 He shall live as long as the sun Daily Psalm and Prayer – Septembe ..read more

The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia Daily Psalm and Prayer – September 16, 2024 Image Credit: Bottle | New Kingdom, Ramesside | ca. 1295–1070 B.C. Psalm 561 Have mercy on me, O God,for my enemies are hounding me; *all day long they assault and oppress me. 2 They hound me all the day long; *truly there are many who fight against me, O Most High. 3 Whenever I am afraid, *I will put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise,in God I trust and will not be afraid, *for what can flesh do to Daily Psalm and Prayer – September 16, 2024 Josh Hornbeck ..read more

The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia Daily Psalm and Prayer – September 14, 2024 Image Credit: The Crossing of the Red Sea | Orazio Farinati, Italian | After Paolo Farinati, Italian | Publisher – Gaspare dall’Oglio, Italian | 1583 Psalm 661 Be joyful in God, all you lands; *sing the glory of his Name;sing the glory of his praise. 2 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! *because of your great strengthyour enemies cringe before you. 3 All the Earth bows down before you, *sings to you, sings out your Name.” 4 Come now and see the Daily Psalm and Prayer – September 14, 2024 Josh ..read more