Form to be filled out by employee as proof of childhood immunizations

Form to be filled out by health care provider for proof of childhood immunizations

The purpose of this paper is to present a roadmap for churches and faith organizations to prepare for and respond to potential cybersecurity and data recovery issues that may arise for themselves and their organizations.

Guidelines for reopening Diocesan House due to Covid-19

Immunization Policies adopted by Diocesan Council, June 24, 2021

Covid-19 Vaccination Policies adopted by Diocesan Council, June 24, 2021

A resource for ordering and arranging name badges for churches

Donation Processing Policy through our online giving portal.

The following job description is for Parishes only, not for Missions. If you are part of a Parish or Mission and would like to be connected with the Diocesan Chancellor, please contact the Bishop and/or the Canon to the Ordinary.

Best practices for conducting a Virtual Annual Meeting due to COVID-19 restrictions

Guidelines for Conducting a Virtual Annual Meeting due to COVID-19 restrictions

In February 2020 the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church (TEC) adopted a Model DFMS (Domestic & Foreign Missionary Society) Vaccination Policy for Youth Events, and encouraged dioceses and Episcopal Institutions to adapt it locally. Our Diocesan Council established a task group to adapt this into a diocesan policy, which was approved at the July council meeting.

As part of that action, the Office of the Bishop has been directed to issue written and online communications to all congregations directing them to initiate the five policies; the due date for implementation is June 1, 2021.

Template created by the diocesan Personnel Commission for use by congregations in creating or updating the Congregation Personnel Handbook. A Word version is available by request.

Washington State Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) - Update

Mandatory Washington State Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) went into effect in January 2020 and is the family leave benefit program for all eligible lay and clergy employees working for congregations & associated organizations in the Diocese of Olympia. This program is administered through the Employment Security Department. Congregations have the responsibility to pay the employee portion of the premium; employers with less than 50 employees (most if not all of our congregations) are exempt from paying the employer portion of the premium. The Estimate Calculator linked below can assist you in determining/confirming the employee/employer split. A congregation, by vestry/bishop’s committee action, chooses to either pay the employee premium or deduct the employee portion of the premium from employee’s paycheck. For more information: 

PFML: www.paidleave.wa.gov

PFML How Paid Leave Works: https://paidleave.wa.gov/find-out-how-paid-leave-works/

PFML Estimate Calculator: https://paidleave.wa.gov/estimate-your-paid-leave-payments/

The following documents are available for preparation of a Bishop's Visitation in the Diocese of Olympia. Please note that the Planning Form, Readings, and Letters should be sent to the Office of the Bishop 30 days prior to your Visitation.

Contact the Executive Assistant to the Office of the Bishop with any questions: exec-asst@ecww.org or 206-325-4200 x. 2010.

Customary (BV1): The Customary is designed to help plan for the Bishop's Visitation.

Checklist (BV3): A checklist of items necessary for a successful Visitation by the Bishop.

Planning Form (BV4): https://dioceseofolympia1551.formstack.com/forms/bishop_visitation

Confirmation Record Form (BV5): A report of baptisms, confirmations, and receptions that took place during a Visitation.

This document describes the lobbying rules for churches. There are two parts, the first which provides the legal information and the second which has FAQs pertaining to this.

This form is to be used as the planning form for an upcoming bishop's visitation. The document below can be used if need be. It must be downloaded, completed, and returned to the Office of the Bishop no less than one month prior to the Bishop’s visit.

Contact the Executive Assistant to the Office of the Bishop with any questions: exec-asst@ecww.org or 206-325-4200 x. 2010.

Please go to the following site to generate a current list of supply clergy -> Supply Clergy Roster - The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia

Guidelines for counseling centers connected to congregations.

Diocesan policy on unpaid assessments

The Canons and Constitution of the Diocese of Olympia describe various approvals required for certain financial transactions in congregations, including property transactions (buying, selling, remodeling, etc.), and loans (from the Diocese or from a bank).  The Diocese has had a policy in place for many years that describe these transactions and the required approvals (from the Board of Directors and/or the Standing Committee).  That policy was called the “Congregational Authority to Act”.

Over the last 18 months, the Board of Directors and the Standing Committee have been revising this policy. The new policy is called the “Guide to Congregational Financial Transactions”.  There were two primary reasons for rewriting this policy. 

First, the old policy was hard to read. The requirements for parishes and missions are different, and the old policy made it hard to see those differences.  The new policy separates out transactions that parishes and missions do.

Second, the Joint Finance Panel (JFP), which has existed for ten years, has taken on a new role. JFP is made up of members from the four governing bodies (Diocesan Council, Standing Committee, Board of Directors, and the Office of the Bishop).  Because JFP can bring to bear information from all four governing bodies, it is now one of the first steps in the process of getting approval for any of these financial transactions. JFP reviews the request and makes a recommendation to the Standing Committee and/or the Board of Directors (depending on the request and whether it is from a parish or a mission). The new policy makes it clear when requests must be referred to JFP.

Any parish or mission wishing to engage in any financial transaction should consult this Guide to find out what approvals are required and the steps to take to get those approvals.

A list of recommendations and clarifications by The Church Insurance Agency Corporation (CIAC) in regards to pastoral counseling.  Updated June, 2009.

These guidelines are for use by the requesting mission and the reviewing committee appointed by the Office of the Bishop

Requirements for Acceptable Use by Users/Renters of Church Property.

Diocesan policy regarding email, internet and social media use by church employees. This is now incorporated in the document Archives and Records Management.

The visitation customary is designed to help plan for the visit of the Bishops.