Our blog and our Facebook page are one in the same. We encourage you to read the feed below and follow us. That way, you can always see what we’re up to and it’ll be that much easier to stay in touch.
More shots of the foot care crew in LA, courtesy of ace photographer Mike Wisniewski
Coming up in a couple weeks...
www.waisn.org
Together, we will speak in one voice to say that immigrants and refugees make Washington a better place to live, work, and thrive.HW COMMUNITY MEETING CANCELLED TONIGHT
If you have comments regarding the End-of-Life Sessions scheduled in February or the rewording of our Welcome/Who We Are Statement, please email Diane.
Thanks.
The latest Interfaith Works Newsletter is out...
mailchi.mp
Farewell This marks the farewell to 2019 and my farewell to the organization. The past eighteen months that I’ve served as Co-Executive Director have been very rewarding. I am grateful for all the many experiences shared with so many wonderful people, especially at community wide interfaith ...SideWalk's newsletter is out...
Walk The Walk - SideWalk's Monthly Newsletter
walkthurston.dm.networkforgood.com
Thank you to all of our donors who gave during the Give Local campaign. Because of your generous financial support, SideWalk raised $14,565! Combined with our expected Incentive Fund boost, we expect that in three weeks we raised enough to help at least 19 people escape the streets of Olympia.As we prepare for Christmas, we acknowledge the Christ, here and yet to come, with the most ancient of titles, Holy Wisdom! May we have the courage to receive Holy Wisdom and allow her transformative power to work through us for the healing of the world.
www.womensordination.org
Today, December 17, we begin the O Antiphons that lead us for the next sevenHo Ho Hobos will be outside Duck The Malls today, at the Capitol Theater, 206 East 5th Ave. from 11-4:00! They’re also very close to having sales/sales updates up at hohohobos.com Roving sales crews are out, but as ever, they are hard to predict where they will be.
Every December since 2015, Ho-Ho-Hobos has provided jobs on the streets by employing homeless folks to make and sell Christmas wreaths (and now toys and ornaments!). Their model is to work with the street community to empower unhoused leadership. By engaging people not only making wreaths (paid), but also organizing and facilitating the project (unpaid), they’ve fostered a sense of ownership, self-worth, and pride.
What started one winter in a fireworks stand on loan from a Nisqually elder is now coming into their 5th season. Along the way, they’ve had a small impact in the lives of hundreds of wreath makers, and a much larger impact on a smaller handful of fully engaged participants.
Statement from the bishops on policy priorities is here: docs.google.com/document/d/19D5AJpaLyZ1obG0fOXMbkTP0qdIoMITqO3_csK3Scpc/edit
Centering prayer and mass will proceed as normal on Saturday but the potluck has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict with St. B's. We will, however, be rolling beeswax Advent candles after mass as planned. The cost is $6 for a set of four candles. Multiple colors will be available.
The latest SideWalk newsletter is out...
Walk The Walk - SideWalk's Monthly Newsletter
walkthurston.dm.networkforgood.com
Last year, SideWalk volunteers helped Brian move into a new home in Lacey. He wrote in recently to let us know how he's doing.Community Kitchen donations...
Catholic Community Services' Community Kitchen
spsgives.org
Help feed your hungry neighbors three meals 365 days a year.The quarterly justice journal A Matter of Spirit is out...
Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center » A Matter of Spirit
www.ipjc.org
A Matter of Spirit A Matter of Spirit (AMOS) is the quarterly justice journal of the Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center with analysis, theological reflection and action on justice issues. Our Governing Council selects four topics for the year, which are then given to our Editorial Board to determ...News from Sidewalk...
walkthurston.dm.networkforgood.com
This is a tremendous achievement, and we’re proud of that. Every time we help a person experiencing homelessness move in to a new home, we change their life.First Christian Church is hosting a cold weather shelter in Koinonia Hall this week from 7 p.m.-7a.m. They are in need of blankets, healthy snacks and volunteers for the evening hours. Please drop off any donations during the evening hours at First Christian Church at 701 Franklin St. SE Olympia, or if you're available to help please call their office at 360-943-8025. This is a temporary shelter until November 1st when the county's cold weather shelters will begin. Thank you for your willingness to help those who are in need.
Ho-Ho-Hobos are in need of a location...
Ho-Ho-Hobos Petition for Space
secure.avaaz.org
Every December since 2015, Ho-Ho-Hobos has provided jobs on the streets by employing homeless folks to make and sell Christmas wreaths. Our model is to work with the street community to empower unhoused leadership. By engaging people not only making wreaths (paid), but also organizing and facilitati...The latest Interfaith Works newsletter is out...
us3.campaign-archive.com
Please join us for an afternoon of sharing and friendship around the theme of sacred gratitude, that giving thanks is a holy act. There will be Interfaith readings by faith and community leaders, Interfaith musical selections, and after the hour-long program, we will gather for informal fellowship ...This just in...
Another Path Opens? | Women's Ordination Conference: The Table
www.womensordination.org
Women's Ordination Conference works for women's ordination as priests and bishops into a renewed priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church.Theology courses available...
People's Catholic Seminary Courses Available Now
bridgetmarys.blogspot.com
(C) Mary Theresa Streck People's Catholic Seminary offers courses in contemporary theology and programs for spiritual enrichment. The...Statement on climate change from the RCWP bishops...
docs.google.com
Statement on Care of Creation We, the undersigned Roman Catholic Women Bishops of North America, express our support for international efforts to care for creation, to protect the environment and reduce the causes of climate change. We support the youth of the world like Greta Thunberg who are sp...Side Walk's latest...
Walk The Walk - SideWalk's Monthly Newsletter
walkthurston.dm.networkforgood.com
Last month, SideWalk started our new Peer Supported Rapid Rehousing program for our most vulnerable participants. I'm excited to tell you more about it.The Interfaith Works newsletter is out...
mailchi.mp
THE GRAND OLY OPRY Friends it is that time again... summer is a’comin’ and Olympia’s premiere summer hoedown is right around the corner. So, dust off those hats, polish up those boots, and get ready for the best booty-shakin’, skirt-twirlin’, whiskey-swillin’ hootenanny all summer!Hello members of Olympia-area faith communities, service providers, advocacy groups, and others,
We are forwarding you as an FYI our urgent appeal to the Olympia City Council for a pause on the sweep of the 4th Ave bridge camp presently scheduled to take place at 8 AM Wednesday, Sept 11. We invite you to consider sending your own appeal to the Council and to senior City staff using the recipient addresses in the letter below. (We have also attached a set of talking points for your consideration.)
We also encourage you to consider attending the City Council meeting at 7 PM this Tuesday, September 10, where the Council will be considering a motion to pause this sweep. If you wish to speak to the Council during the public comment period, you need to show up between 6:30 and 7 PM to sign up.
If the Council does not pause this sweep, we also invite you to show up at the 4th Ave bridge camp before 8 AM the following day, Sept 11, to be present as a witness or to assist camp residents in trying to save their belongings.
Thank you from Just Housing Olympia for all that you do for our community. For more information contact:
Tye Gundel 206-653-5739 tyegundel1994@gmail.com
Regon Unsoeld 360-349-1168 runsoeld@gmail.com
Rabbi Seth Goldstein on sanctuary...
Pursuing Justice in Word and Action, Together
rabbi360.com
This week’s Torah portion contains the powerful and clear call to justice and righteousness: “Justice, justice you shall pursue!” (Deuteronomy 16:20) We read these words after Moses implores the Is...Temple Beth Hatfiloh now is offering sanctuary to a mother and son from Guatemala.
Facing deportation, a mother and son seek sanctuary at Olympia synagogue
www.theolympian.com
A year after declaring itself a sanctuary congregation, Temple Beth Hatfiloh in Olympia officially acted on that decision Thursday, announcing it would protect an immigrant woman and her son from Guatemala.Interesting conference coming up...
Building More Just Communities - Call To Action
cta-usa.org
West Coast Regional Conference Doubletree Hotel Sacramento, CA October 4-5, 2019 Come join us for a weekend of friendship, inspiration, community, and liturgy. We will be presenting longtime friends of CTA (Roy Bourgeois and Ched Myers) as well as speakers who are new to our gatherings, with an emph...Bishop's letter about the situation on the border...
docs.google.com
We, the undersigned Bishops of the International Circle of Roman Catholic Women Bishops express our anguish, sadness and incredulity at the current treatment of children at international borders of the United States. We speak out against any failure to provide adequate water, food, clothing, be...The Eucharist is about more than Christ becoming present...
The Eucharist is about more than Christ becoming present
www.ncronline.org
There has been a lot of clerical hand-wringing of late about Catholics who don’t believe what the church teaches about Christ’s presence in the bread and wine of the Eucharist. According to the&nb...Sign on to the Pastoral Letter on the El Paso Shootings
Sign on to the Pastoral Letter on the El Paso Shootings
action.groundswell-mvmt.org
Mr. President, we recognize that you are a symptom of our decaying moral fabric and you have ignited a modern day wildfire. The coals of white nationalism are always smoldering in our common life, and they have fueled the violence of indigenous genocide, slavery, lynching and Jim Crow. Stop stoking....The IW newsletter is out...
mailchi.mp
In February of this year, Olympia Friends Meeting (Quakers) supported my trip to Tijuana to provide witness on Meeting’s behalf to migrants who had traveled from Central America to the US southern border last Fall. Turned back by US Border Patrol or deported by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enfor...Coming off of a horrible weekend...
bridgetmarys.blogspot.com
A Prayer In Response to Gun Violence "Let us lament with all those who are touched by gun violence Let us lament the shooter’s choice...Coming Tuesday: This very large youth group from Los Altos, CA United Methodist Church will visit Olympia and perform this show on July 30. A free will offering will be taken to support the work of our Refugee Ministry Team, currently supporting an 8 member family from the DR Congo.
Despite the warmth, sunshine, and summer festivities, Just Housing, local government entities, and other community groups have not slowed down our efforts to address our region's housing and homelessness crisis.
In light of what is happening at our boarders and with the ICE raids, this new song by David Haas can help us in our prayers during this difficult time. It's called: Christ, You Spoke to Us of Children.
Christ, You Spoke to Us of Children (David Haas)
m.youtube.com
Text: Copyright © 2019 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Music: Copyright © 2019 by David Haas/Emmaus Communications. Icon by Kelly Latimore ...The latest Walk the Walk is out...
Walk The Walk - SideWalk's Monthly Newsletter
walkthurston.dm.networkforgood.com
In 2011, SideWalk launched Coordinated Entry for homeless adults. Coordinated Entry is a vital service. It acts as the single front door for people experiencing homelessness to access housing and shelter programs. This reduces runaround for people on the streets and weaves disparate programs and ser...Interesting article...
Girl power: Vatican 'hid art that showed female priests'
www.independent.ie
There is "overwhelming evidence" that women served as clergy in the early years of Christianity - and some of the evidence was deliberately hidden by the Vatican, according to ground-brUpcoming Programs at The Priory Spirituality Center...
Weekend Programs | St. Placid Priory
www.stplacid.org
We offer many programs throughout the year. Our weekend programs generally occur on Saturdays from 9:00am-3:00pm. We also have a few weekend retreats that last from Friday through Sunday.Good think piece here...
Ilia Delio:Theology needs radical revisioning | Global Sisters Report
bridgetmarys.blogspot.com
www.globalsistersrepor t.org/column/spirituality-envi ronment/theology-needs-radical -revisioning-56295?utm_source= PANTHEON_STRI...The new issue of A Matter of Spirit is out...
Latest Interfaith Works newsletter is out... mailchi.mp/607111d86ef3/interfaith-works-newsletter
mailchi.mp
In February of this year, Olympia Friends Meeting (Quakers) supported my trip to Tijuana to provide witness on Meeting’s behalf to migrants who had traveled from Central America to the US southern border last Fall. Turned back by US Border Patrol or deported by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enfor...Interesting developments...
Francis: Decision on women deacons cannot be made 'without historical foundation'
www.ncronline.org
Pope Francis announced May 10 that he has given the report of the Vatican commission studying the history of women deacons in the Catholic Church to the global umbrella organization of women religious...May 12 is Vocation Sunday. Celebrate by remembering those who are barred from service.
Vocations Sunday 2019: Where are the Women? | Women's Ordination Conference
www.womensordination.org
Women's Ordination Conference works for women's ordination as priests and bishops into a renewed priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church.Excellent interview
Out on a limb: In conversation with Bishop Patricia Fresen
www.youtube.com
“Never forget, only dead fish swim with the stream”, said the famous British journalist, writer and public intellectual Malcolm Muggeridge. Muggeridge got to...Interfaith Connection is out...
mailchi.mp
In this Gathering, join us in welcoming Karen Capuder. We will be gathering on a Saturday this month. For more details, Find the link here to Learning right relations.orgBridget Mary Meehan, a Roman Catholic Womanpriest Bishop, offers a description of the sacramental theology that is Holy Wisdom's foundation as an Inclusive Catholic Community.
bridgetmarys.blogspot.com
In his new book The Universal Chris t, Richard Rohr writes “you can only reform things long term by unlocking them from inside – by...Rabbi Seth from Temple Beth Hatfiloh has an interesting dispatch from the border...
“In Every Generation:” Notes from the Border
rabbi360.com
Earlier this week, I stood outside Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center in El Paso, TX. Painted on the exterior wall was a quote from Franklin Delano Roosevelt from 1938: “Remember, remember alwa...HW folks at the SideWalk Fundraiser "Love for a Change." SideWalk is a local organization on a mission to end homelessness in Thurston County, WA.
HW friends Roger and Kitty recently went to the border to work with refugees. Here's their account.
docs.google.com
The volunteers from Holy Family Parish, Kirkland, WA March 13,2019 Last week Kitty and I welcomed asylum seekers from Latin America on the Texas-Mexico border at McAllen, Texas. "Lazarus teaches us that other persons are a gift. A relationship with people consists in gratefully recognizing ...Join us for for SideWalk's annual Love for a Change gala on March 28th, 2019. A magical evening of drinks, live entertainment, a delicious dinner catered by Nineveh, and the best dessert dash in town! Hosted by Lauren O'Neill, Love For A Change will be a night to remember as our community comes together to declare that everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Purchase your tickets today!
There is a code blue for Olympia tonight: 22 degrees out, and the emergency will last about a week. HW folks are encouraged to volunteer if you're able. See link for more info.
docs.google.com
www.iwshelter.org/hwtf-volunteer.html What is the Hazard Weather Shelter Plan? Thurston County coordinates the Hazard Weather Shelter Plan (aka the Winter Weather Response Plan for Winter: 2018 – 2019), intended to provide shelter and other accommodations for unhoused citizens during epis....Come join us on Saturday for: Compelled by Love: A Lenten journey with The Gospel of John - A Pre- Lenten Retreat
-March 2nd
-11:00-4:30, Doors open at 10:30
-Please bring a snack to share
-Brown bag lunch
-All are welcomed!
docs.google.com
Compelled by Love: a Lenten journey with The Gospel of John A Pre- Lenten Retreat With Wes Howard-Brook and Sue Ferguson Johnson March 2nd 11:00-4:30, Doors open at 10:30 Please bring a snack to share Brown bag lunch St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church Suggested donation: $20.00 (or what you ...After a long pause in enforcement against camping, the City of Olympia has officially resumed the practice of sweeping encampments on public property. Here are more details on how to ask Olympia City Council members to pause the sweeps (again) & pursue a humanitarian path forward.
docs.google.com
Just Housing friends and family, After a long pause in enforcement against camping, the City of Olympia has officially resumed the practice of sweeping encampments on public property. The return to this historical practice was first signaled by the completion of multiple sweeps that took place o...All about House Bill 1591, the Homeless Bill of Rights...
docs.google.com
Information and Suggested Talking Points for House Bill 1591 We are reaching out for community support around House Bill 1591, which brings the conversation of ending the criminalization of homelessness to the state level. Those advocating for the bill are referring to it as a Homeless Bill of R...“Code Blue” advisory calls for expanded shelter beds
OLYMPIA – The National Weather Service has issued new forecasting that predicts below freezingweather patterns in the Puget Sound area through February 17, 2019. In response to this predicted weather pattern, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services is extending the “code blue”advisory at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 6, 2019 until further notice. The County will assess weather and resources every 72 hours.
During a “code blue”, organizations, including Hazardous Weather Task Force members, take special measures to keep people who are homeless safe by expanding shelter services to accommodate the increased need, offering transportation to shelter for those people in outlying areas, and by offering survival supplies to those who choose to remain outside the shelter system.
“It’s the generosity of our community that make additional shelter a possibility,” said Keylee Marineau, the Thurston County Homeless Prevention Coordinator. “However, providing extra shelter beds in our community for an extended period of time is dependent on the availability of trained volunteers and staff from our partnering agencies. In the event that the extra shelter beds are not possible, we will distribute survival goods to those who remain outside the shelter system.”
During this code blue activation period, expanded shelter options are available at the Salvation Army, 1505 4th Ave. E. Olympia for single men and women. Family Support Center’s Pear Blossom Place, 837 7th Ave. SE, Olympia, is available for families with children needing shelter and Community Youth Services, 520 Pear Street SE, Olympia, is available for youth ages 18-24. Trained volunteers will be providing transportation to shelter, and supplies in cities as well as in outlying areas.
Volunteers and donations of blankets, coffee, creamer, cup of soups, and other snacks are needed. Items can be dropped off at the Salvation Army at, 1505 4th Ave. E. Olympia, after 8:00 p.m. during the “code blue” activation. For volunteer opportunities please visit, www.iwshelter.org/code-blue.html or email Keylee Marineau at keylee.marineau@co.thurston.wa.us.
For more information call Thurston County’s Coordinated Entry Shelter and Housing Hotline at 1-844-628-7343.
www.iwshelter.org
Help support our shelter by volunteering your time and skills. Our volunteers primarily support our staff, assist with guests needs, cleaning, organizing and being available to meet our guests and get to know them. We also need volunteers to help transporThe National Weather Service has issued a forecast for below freezing weather patterns in the Puget Sound area during the next five days. In response to this predicted weather pattern, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services is issuing a “Code Blue” advisory to increase shelter capacity beginning at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, February 3, and extending through 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 6, 2019.
Please see the attached flyer and distribute to your communities for instructions on how to help whether it be donating food or volunteers. We could not do this without you!
For volunteer opportunities please visit, www.iwshelter.org/code-blue.html or email Keylee Marineau at keylee.marineau@co.thurston.wa.us.
A timely open letter...
bridgetmarys.blogspot.com
25 January 2019 To Members of the Planning Committee for the Clerical Sex Abuse Conference called by Pope Francis: Reverend Hans Zol...Healing ointments ready to go for foot care clients, Mike closes out the kitchen day, and Saima working on feet. More photos available at lacatholicworker.org/
After foot care on Friday we went to Homeboy Industries and met with Fr. Greg Boyle SJ. Homeboy Industries (and Homegirl) helps gang members turn their lives around.
Update from Los Angeles from Saima: "This is the garden at the Los Angeles Catholic Worker Hospitality Kitchen. Today, Friday, was out first day with cloudy but no rain.
Happy feet today."
Quick reminder about the Eye to Eye dinner that is fast approaching on January 25th. Here's the link for tickets: www.iwshelter.org/events.html#2019tickets
The SideWalk newsletter is out. Great photo of a gingerbread house inside...
Walk The Walk - SideWalk's Monthly Newsletter
walkthurston.dm.networkforgood.com
I want to thank you all for supporting SideWalk through another great year! While this year has been filled with challenges, together we've continued our work to end homelessness in Thurston County. By the end of the year, we will have helped 269 more people escape the streets of Olympia and move in...Concerned clergy of Olympia stands in solidarity and sorrow with our sisters and brothers of The Lacey Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, which was destroyed by fire early last Friday morning. This is one of several acts of violence committed against local Jehovah’s Witness communities this year. When some are deprived of their freedom to worship in safety, it is a loss not only for their community but for all of us who believe in living peaceably with each other. This violation of our local Jehovah’s Witness Community is a violation of us all.
Arson 'attacks' target Jehovah’s Witness halls in Washington State
www.nbcnews.com
"How frustrating is it that people who find a solemn place of worship — now it’s being destroyed,” an official said.You are invited to take part in an interfaith Moment of Blessing to respond to the murders of Summer Scheibel, age 23 and Nicholas Olson, age 25 - both of Lacey who died by gunfire on November 17, 2018. The brief service will include readings, non-denominational prayers and an opportunity for those in attendance to speak if they wish. Kathy Baros Friedt of Interfaith Works will lead the service.
There's a code blue this week, given the cold weather. Click on the volunteer calendar below to see what you can do to help.
www.iwshelter.org
Help support our shelter by volunteering your time and skills. Our volunteers primarily support our staff, assist with guests needs, cleaning, organizing and being available to meet our guests and get to know them. We also need volunteers to help transporInterfaith connection is out...
Sidewalk's newsletter is out...
Walk The Walk - SideWalk's Monthly Newsletter
walkthurston.dm.networkforgood.com
It’s time once again for SideWalk’s Gingerbread Village! As part of Olympia’s annual Downtown for the Holidays celebration, the Gingerbread Village at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts has become a community favorite. Thousands of visitors each year come to see a stunning variety o...A response to Pope Francis' decision to halt US bishops from voting on sex abuse crisis reforms. Something to ponder...
Why Pope Francis was right to halt the US bishops
international.la-croix.com
Catholic bishops in the US began ceding their teaching authority to fringe groups decades ago. Now that the chickens have come home to roost, a pope has finally stepped in.Community meeting tonight! Click the link for details, including the agenda and relevant notes.
A biting and timely editorial...
Open letter to the US Catholic bishops: It's over
www.ncronline.org
Dear brothers in Christ, shepherds, fellow pilgrims, We address you as you approach this year's national meeting in Baltimore because we know there is nowhere left to hide. It's over. All the manip...Great workshop this Friday and Saturday on the women of Luke, co-sponsored by HW. And don't forget: Contemplative Mass on Saturday is at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.
A bold faced name of centering prayer and inspiration for many in the HW community, Thomas Keating is dead at 95.
Rev. Thomas Keating, Pioneer in Contemplative Movement, Dies at 95
www.nytimes.com
He willingly went from riches to rags, walking away from privilege to a monastic life, only to be rewarded with spiritual riches.Roman Catholic Women Priests mourn the victims of Saturday's horrific violence at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. We offer our deepest condolences and prayers to the victims and their families, both to those who lost their lives and were injured including members of the Jewish community and first responders. We commit ourselves to working for unity among all people of the United States. We, as a nation, are better than the divisive rhetoric filling our airwaves. As Christians, we have a moral obligation to care for all, especially the most threatened.
Roman Catholic Women Priests focuses on the renewal of the Catholic Church through the inclusion of the marginalized, by ordaining women to the priesthood. RCWP-USA condemns the divisive atmosphere created by the present administration, whereby entire races and faiths are labeled as enemies. We disagree with those who suggest that armed security for schools and houses of worship forms a solution.
We call on the leaders of our nation to end speech which divides Americans and enact laws which ban assault rifles and keep all firearms out of the hands of those who would threaten the innocent.
rabbi360.com
Words I shared with my congregation this afternoon in the wake of the attack at a synagogue in Pittsburgh: Dear friends, By now, many of you have heard the horrible news of the shooting this mornin...Kathleen reports that folks in the homeless encampments in Downtown Olympia are in need of first aid supplies,
bus passes, brooms and dustpans, blankets, tents, and basic hygiene supplies. She and others will return to visit the encampments next Thursday with supplies. If people want to donate items they should contact her about where to drop items off.
Sidewalk's newsletter is out...
Walk The Walk - SideWalk's Monthly Newsletter
walkthurston.dm.networkforgood.com
If you're a public employee or retiree and you would like to help end homelessness in Thurston County, we encourage you to set up a recurring donation to SideWalk through the CFD. For just $75 a month, SideWalk can get someone off the streets and into a home of their own! Just use the charity code ...