Our Values:  Deep Roots, Prayerful Hearts, Open Arms

Deep Roots

We believe there is great value in the Christian heritage, and celebrate our connection with our brothers and sisters in all times and places. Our way of worship on Sunday reflects an appreciation of ritual and wonder. 

The Episcopal Church formed in the 18th century,when our nation was born, and is part of the larger Anglican Communion of sister churches throughout the world, emerging from the reformation in the 16th century.  Our worship and prayer practices, especially the weekly celebration of Communion (called the Eucharist) are rooted in Christian ceremony from the earliest days of our faith, and throughout Christian history as reflected in our Book of Common Prayer.  We are part of a regional group of Episcopal Churches in Western Washington known as the Diocese of Olympia, under the leadership of Bishop Greg Rickel.

Prayerful Hearts

We encourage one another in transformative practices that draw us to and center us in God's loving Presence.   One way we do this is through the arts.  Physical beauty, and glorious music are very important to this congregation.  We practice many forms of prayer, including silent meditation, labyrinth (walking prayer), lectio divina (praying with scripture), "the daily office" (a written service of prayers for each day accompanied by scripture) and chant, as well as intercessory prayers.  Every Sunday a couple of us are available to pray with anyone for any reason during the communion time.  We extend the worship of the community to the sick and home-bound by taking the bread and wine to homes every Sunday.

Open Arms

We welcome folks wherever they are on their spiritual path,

understanding that questions and doubts are all part of the journey.  We respect the diversity of religious views, and take for granted that our congregation is just one little corner of the Body of Christ with it's own gifts and calling.  We deeply trust the Holy Spirit to guide the individual conscience in dialogue with scripture and tradition, and in the context of community.  We see no conflict between the truth of science and the truth of faith, trusting that all truth is God's, and that the universe proclaims God's glory.  We revere the scriptures as the stories of God's people and their evolving understanding of God's saving work in their lives, but we do not expect the Bible to be infallibly factual.  Instead, we engage in lively dialogue with our faith heritage, making use of current Biblical scholarship, and accepting a variety of interpretations as reasonable.  We welcome all people, and their spiritual gifts, regardless of race, age, sex, sexual orientation, or physical/mental abilities.  Our worship and main facilities are wheel-chair accessible.  Our lay leadership and childcare staff and volunteers are trained in keeping children safe from abuse.  We work to make our facility child-friendly, and our community aware of best practices for healthy relationships.