The Commission for Church in the World announces 2010 Spring requests for Millenium Development Goals grants applications

Grants will be available to programs with Episcopal connections in developing countries and communities outside of the U.S. Proposals must evidence work in one of the MDG areas and serve a critical human need and or empower developing communities.

Grant amounts can be up to $3000.00. Applicants must hjave a connection with an Episcopal ministry within the Diocese of Olympia which can act as a liason and can provide accountability for the use of funds.

Contact Dianne Aid for the application and guidelines.

Deadline for reciving applications is April 15th, 2010 and grants will be awarded in May of 2010

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Episcopal Charities Appeal Lenten Campaign 2010

Established by diocesan convention in 1987, ECA is our diocesan-wide "United Way" appeal that supports a wide variety of ministries with Episcopal Connections in Western Washington. Read Bishop Rickel's letter and the 2010 ECA brochure that gives a sketch of all 26 ministries. One gift supports all. Fundraising costs are 5%, funds will be distributed in June, 2010. You can also give online here. ECA appeal letters will arrive in Episcopal households in March.

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Bishop Rickel's Recommended Lenten Reading

Last year Bishop Greg Rickel began a diocesan practice of members reading the same book for Lent (Phyllis Tickle’s The Great Emergence) and discussing it via his blog (www.bishoprickel.com). He continues this year with Reggie McNeal’s Missional Renaissance: Changing the Scorecard for the Church. A review is available at Amazon.com.

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Lenten Offerings information from Bishop Rickel

At General Convention, the canons of the Episcopal Church were modified to say “Every congregation is encouraged to solicit church school Lenten offerings for special missionary purposes to be designated by the bishop.” This year, Bishop Rickel has designated Haiti, through Episcopal Relief and Development, as the Diocese of Olympia’s special missionary offering. He reminds congregations that Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday is Feb. 21, or whichever Sunday works best in a given congregation. For more information, go to www.er-d.org/Lent.

Additionally, the Good Friday offering is designated for the Diocese of Jerusalem, as it has been for a number of years.  Further information can be found here.

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Lenten resources available from the Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs offers prayers, reflections, videos, meditations for the Lenten season. Centering on the theme "Things done and left undone," Lenten prayers, video reflections and penitential meditations have been assembled by the program staff of The Episcopal Church for use throughout the 40 day Lenten season.

Designed for personal reflections as well as community services, the Lenten resources are available on the Lenten Resource page:

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Haitian Relief

From Bishop Rickel:

The devastation in Haiti is just so difficult to absorb. I have met with Chuck Hamilton, our ERD Coordinator and Brian Sellers-Petersen, Director of Church Engagement Programs for ERD. They are keeping us in touch with the needs there. If you have donations you may send them directly to ERD or to the diocese and we will see that it gets there.

For the latest updates on the situation in Haiti and the involvement of the Episcopal Church, please go to Episcopal Relief and Development's Haiti Crisis page and Episcopal Life Online.

 

A message from the Presiding Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori

 

 

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H1N1 Flu Preparedness

 

Below are two tips for H1N1 preparedness:

• Pandemic Checklist from ERD
• Pandemic Preparedness
  

More on H1N1 Preparedness

You can also access current and helpful information from the Washington State Department of Health website at http://www.doh.wa.gov/h1n1. Also, if you click on the button at the left for the "H1N1 Newsroom"
(http://www.doh.wa.gov/h1n1/h1n1_newsroom.htm), you can then select the most recent news release from the DOH. This release will direct you to any updates in flu prevention information and the criteria for the priority groups to receive the H1N1 vaccine, as well as a link to the site that lists vaccine distribution locations county-by-county, http://www.doh.wa.gov/h1n1/h1n1_getvaccine.htm.

David Baylor, Diocesan Coordinator, Disaster Preparedness & Response,

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The Global Youth Movement Northwest

The Global Youth MovementNorthwest is a non-profit connected to the Diocese of Olympia. It works to engage youth in yearlong community service projects that strengthen their connection to specific communities and promote youth leadership. The mission is to engage youth in community change. This is the first year that this non-profit, started by Merritt Hess, has hit the streets. "High school youth from churches throughout the Diocese of Olympia are selecting projects that they will plan, carry out, and eventually report on next fall. It's an opportunity for us to get out of the way and let young people gain valuable experiences and leadership skills."

The way it helps the Diocese is that all of the sudden many youth programs become youth led. This is the point of success in youth ministry. This gives youth from these churches the pride and passion that they need to want to belong. Community service projects are also a way for teenagers to do something that A.) is very meaningful B.) is something that they can invite their friends to do as well. Since many different churches are participating this also creates a feeling that "we are not alone" in doing a community service project as a youth group.

The Global Youth Movement- Northwest brings high school youth face to face with communities, facilitates cultural exchange, and teaches youth leadership. We have a commitment to unified projects that benefit all parties and promote human empowerment. Through focused efforts many of our projects will continue to reach low-income and diverse populations. Our programs aim to reduce stereotypes and educate young people on the importance of community and interpersonal exchange. For more information, contact Merritt Hess at: