About the
Diocese of Olympia
The Episcopal Church in Western Washington traces its history to the establishment of the Missionary Jurisdiction of the Oregon and Washington Territories in 1853. Admitted by General Convention in 1910, the Diocese of Olympia is made up of 33,000 Episcopalians in 98 congregations in Western Washington. Our geographic area stretches south from Canada to Oregon and west from the foothills of the Cascade Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.
In the Diocese of Olympia, we are people of God who proclaim boldly by word and action the reconciling Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are inclusive; we are growing and learning; we are stewards; we are evangelists; we are on mission; and we are the church in the world. The servant leadership style is one of consultation and collaboration, with ministry of congregations our primary focus.
Our congregations cover a whole range of sizes and stages of development. Several affiliated institutions and numerous outreach and social justice ministries as well as a number of multicultural ministries are supported by the whole diocese. A companion relationship with the Diocese of Jerusalem is longstanding.
The Diocesan Council is composed of an elected representative from each of 10 regional ministry areas, a selected representative from each of six program commissions, three members-at-large elected by convention and a liaison member of St. Mark's Cathedral, Seattle.
Nearly 400 clergy reside in our diocese. Clergy days, a clergy conference, clergy association and affinity group gatherings offer support and encouragement.
This diocese values ecumenical work. Bishops and heads of judicatories meet weekly, and Called to Common Mission, with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, fosters Lutheran-Episcopal ministries.
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 Rt. Rev. Bavi Edna "Nedi" Rivera was elected bishop suffragan in May 2004 and consecrated Jan. 25, 2005. The first Hispanic woman bishop and one of 12 women bishops elected in the Episcopal Church, her primary responsibilities are ethnic ministries, evangelism and faith formation.
The Diocese of Olympia is one of 100 dioceses in the 2.4 million-member Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA). ECUSA (www.episcopalchurch.org) is one of 38 provinces in the 77 million-member Anglican Communion (www.anglicancommunion.org), which spans 164 countries worldwide.
