Episcopal Resources
The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia
The Episcopal Church in western Washington became a full-fledged diocese in 1910, the year it adopted a seal depicting a ship and the Bishop’s mitre. The ship on the seal represents many Christian themes, including salvation and community.
Our Bishop
The Rt. Rev. Philip N. LaBelle is the Ninth Bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia. The Diocese elected Bishop LaBelle on May 18, 2024, and he was Consecrated and Ordained on September 14, 2024.
Diocese of Olympia
Click the map to learn more about the ministries of the Diocese of Olympia
The National Episcopal Church
For centuries, monastic communities have shaped their lives around rhythms and disciplines for following Jesus together. The Way of Love: Practices for Jesus-Centered Life outlines a Rule for the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement.”
Presiding Bishop
Episcopalians around the world and in various time zones gathered to welcome the Most Rev. Sean Rowe as the church’s 28th presiding bishop. Rowe, formerly bishop of the Episcopal Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York, was elected and confirmed as the next presiding bishop at the 81st General Convention on June 26.
Statements from the Diocese of Olympia and Episcopal Church
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Letter from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe on Military Strike on Iran
“As news reports tell us of fear and panic in Iran, I ask you to pray especially for the people of the Diocese of Iran and for all of the Iranian people. In recent weeks, we have mourned as the regime in Iran has killed peaceful protesters, and watched with alarm at both its increasing repression of the Iranian people and the escalating response of the U.S. government. As Christians who follow a Prince of Peace, we mourn that today’s attacks will surely mean further hardship for the most vulnerable Iranians and, as retaliation inevitably follows, suffering that will spread across the entire region.”
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Letter from the Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
Dear people of God in The Episcopal Church:
This past Friday, I received this generous letter from Archbishop Shane Parker of the Anglican Church of Canada. I am grateful for his prayers for us all in this time of unrest, and I wanted you to know that our ministry and witness has not gone unnoticed by our siblings in Christ in Canada.Yours in Christ,
The Most Rev. Sean Rowe
Presiding Bishop
The Episcopal Church -
154 Episcopal bishops issue message calling for immigration policies respecting the dignity of all
[Episcopal News Service] “More than half of all living bishops in The Episcopal Church added their names to a “message to our fellow Americans” expressing “grief, righteous anger and steadfast hope” in response to the aggressive federal immigration enforcement operations that have left two U.S. citizens in Minnesota dead.”
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From Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe: Death and despair do not have the last word
Presiding Bishop Rowe writes:
“Like Jesus, we live in frightening times. His earthly ministry began, as we heard in today’s Gospel reading, when John the Baptist was imprisoned by authorities who wanted to silence his preaching and prophesying.”
Read Bishop Rowe’s full letter to the church at the link below.
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Letter from Bishop LaBelle about the recent ICE actions.
“Make no mistake, the way of Jesus is the way of non-violence. His is the way of love.”
Read the full letter by clicking the button below.
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Minnesota bishop invokes story of Herod in statement lamenting ICE killing of woman
Minnesota Bishop Craig Loya issued a statement on Facebook invoking the biblical story of Herod and calling on Christians to respond “not in outrage or with reciprocal violence” but with love in opposition to “the lust for a false and hollow power.”
Read Bishop Loya’s statement by clicking the button below.
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Presiding bishop: ‘Once the church of presidents, The Episcopal Church must now be an engine of resistance’
[Episcopal News Service] “In an opinion piece originally published July 3 in Religion News Service, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe reflected on The Episcopal Church’s history as it has emerged as an institutional leader in “resisting” the Trump administration’s “overreach and recklessness” since President Donald Trump took office in January.”
Read the Presiding Bishop’s OpEd by clicking the button below.
The Worldwide Anglican Communion
The Anglican Communion is a family of 42 autonomous and independent-yet-interdependent national, pan-national and regional churches in communion with the see of Canterbury.
The Archbishop of Canterbury
Sarah Mullally confirmed as 106th Archbishop of Canterbury
Sarah Mullally was confirmed archbishop of Canterbury Jan. 28 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England. She became the first woman to hold the office in its 1,400-year history.
“It is an extraordinary and humbling privilege to have been called to be the 106th archbishop of Canterbury. In this country and around the world, Anglican churches bring healing and hope to their communities,” Mullally said ahead of her confirmation. “With God’s help, I will seek to guide Christ’s flock with calmness, consistency and compassion.”
Embracing Our Diversity
Ministries of the Episcopal Church
The mission priorities and ministries of The Episcopal Church rise from the decisions of the General Convention, our governing body.
The work of the church is carried out by our core ministries of evangelism, racial reconciliation, and creation care, along with many program ministries
Diocesan Ministries
It seeks to nurture and develop congregational development practitioners from within existing parish lay and clergy leadership
LGBTQ+ Caucus of the House of Deputies
LGBTQ+ Caucus of the House of Deputies of the Episcopal General Convention
Enhancing Your Personal Worship Experience
Forward Movement
Our aim is to support ordinary Christians in their everyday journeys as followers of Jesus.
The Book of Common Prayer
Administration of the Sacraments, Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church
Church Publishing
Church Publishing Incorporated (CPI) was founded in 1918 as the Church Hymnal Corporation, a nonprofit affiliate of the Church Pension Group. Today, CPI’s 14 staff professionals produce about 50 new books and resources each year, and manage a portfolio of more than 2600 active products, many sold worldwide.
