Diocese

History of the Diocese in Western WA
The Episcopal Church in Western Washington was established out of missionary districts of Oregon and Washington in 1889. Named the Diocese of Olympia, for the state of Washington’s capital, by its first Bishop, The Rt. Rev. John Adams Paddock, it comprises that portion of the state of Washington west of the summit of the Cascade Mountains. It is a vast territory of 24,531 square miles. The landscape interspersed by the waters of the Columbia River, Puget Sound, Hood Canal, the Pacific Ocean and numerous lakes and other rivers make travel interesting and connections important.

There are 102 congregations ranging from large and complex to small missions in nearly every area of the diocese.  There are several affiliated institutions and outreach ministries.

The vision of the Diocese of Olympia is to be one people of God who proclaim boldly by word and action the reconciling Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The values are the values of servant leadership.  The style of leadership is one of consultation and collaboration moving the work as close to the local congregation as possible.

The diocese has a companion relationship with the Diocese of Jerusalem.  There are also numerous outreach and social justice ministries, as well as a number of multi-cultural ministries, supported by the whole diocese through the diocesan assessment.

There are 400 clergy, canonically resident, licensed and retired, living within the geographical area of Western Washington.  Clergy Days, a clergy conference, clergy association and varieties of affinity group gatherings offer support and encouragement to those who attend.

There is a strong value of working ecumenically and on an interfaith basis.  The weekly gathering of the ecumenical Bishops and heads of judicatories happens at our diocesan bishop’s office.  Called to Common Mission with the ELCA, the church offers the potential for Lutheran/ Episcopal ministries.

The Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel

Ten regional ministry areas and six program commissions are represented in decision making about vision and direction.  The Diocesan Council is composed of an elected representative from each of the ten regions, a selected representative from the program commissions and three members at large elected by the convention.

The Diocese elected the first Hispanic woman to be Bishop Suffragan (Assisting Bishop) and The Rt. Rev. Bavi Nedi Rivera was consecrated in January 2005.  She retired in 2010.

The Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel was elected bishop on May 12, 2007 and became the eighth Bishop of Olympia in September 2007. He embraces radical hospitality that welcomes all, no matter where they find themselves on their journey of faith. He envisions a church that is a safe and authentic community in which to explore God’s infinite goodness and grace as revealed in the life and continuing revelation of Jesus Christ.

The Episcopal Church On-line
You may find out more about the Episcopal Church and St. Luke’s Diocese at the following locations on the Internet:

At St. Luke’s we use the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL): http://www.io.com/~kellywp/