Circles of Color has supported ethnic ministries financially thanks to the tireless advocacy of members in establishing these funds. A Combined Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) Funds Working Group meets monthly to manage the following funds:
The BIPOC Ministry Fund
The BIPOC Ministry Fund as passed at the 2020 Diocesan Convention supports non-stipendiary BIPOC leadership at ethnic congregations. The BMF was created in response to the Gospel call to make disciples from all nations and our baptismal call to respect the dignity of every human being.
Giving Instructions
Jerry Shigaki Giving Instructions:
- By card: visit the Diocesan Giving site, select “BIPOC Ministry Fund” under Giving Options, select “In Memory of” under Gift Type, and then include Jerry Shigaki’s name.
- Checks can be addressed to the Diocese of Olympia with “Jerry Shigaki BMF” in the memo line. Mail checks to 1551 10th Ave E. Seattle, WA 98102.
- Work is underway to rename the fund in Jerry’s honor.
Eligibility
The fund currently supports clergy of color serving in congregations of color. Email Adrienne if you have questions about the fund or eligibility.
History & Updates
History
Beginning in calendar year 2022, BMF was annually maintained using 2% of the Diocesan budget. Following the passage of a 2022 resolution, the fund will be maintained with 5% of the Diocesan operating budget starting in 2024 to more-sufficiently support clergy and congregations of color.
Stay tuned for updates!
We are currently working on renaming the fund in Rev. Canon Jerry Shigaki’s honor and will add updates on how you can support this effort!
The Bishop Rivera Fund
The purpose of the Bishop Rivera Fund is to support the maintenance and growth
of existing Latino ministry congregations in the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia.
Giving Instructions
- By card: visit the Diocesan Giving site, select “Bishop Nedi Rivera Fund” under Giving Options, and complete the form.
- Checks can be addressed to the Diocese of Olympia with “Bishop River Fund” in the memo line. Mail checks to 1551 10th Ave E. Seattle, WA 98102.
Applications
Rolling. The application can be found here and emailed to Adrienne for submission to the Combined BIPOC Funds Working Group. Please let us know if you have any questions about the process!
Updates
In 2022, grants were given to the following churches:
- St. Luke San Lucas | Blog and photo update
- St. Luke’s, Renton / Our Lady of Guadalupe
- St. John’s San Juan
The Richard Younge curates of color Fund
The Richard Younge Curates of Color Fund was established to honor the ministry of the Rev. Richard Younge and to support the ongoing formation of newly ordained people of color in the Diocese of Olympia.
Giving Instructions
- By card: visit the Diocesan Giving site, select the Giving Option: “Other Donations” and indicate “Richard Younge” under “Other Designation.”
- Checks can be addressed to the Diocese of Olympia with “Richard Younge Curacy Fund” in the memo line. Mail checks to 1551 10th Ave E. Seattle, WA 98102.
Honoring The Rev. Richard Younge (1925-2011)
Father Richard Younge came to the Diocese of Olympia in 1980 as staff member of the Campus Christian Ministry at the UW and served there until the end of 1985. From the fall of 1986 until his retirement at the end of 1990, he was Episcopal chaplain at Grambling State University in Louisiana and vicar of St. Luke’s, Grambling.
His interim assignments here in the Diocese of Olympia were at St. Andrew’s, Seattle; St. Columba’s, Des Moines (before they relocated to Kent); and St. David’s, Shoreline (before their merger with Emmanuel). Father Younge was also at Christ Church in the U-District where he was a part time Sunday and Wednesday evening “curate” for a couple of years as part of an effort to reach out to Episcopal students at the UW in an Episcopal setting. After retiring and returning to the Diocese in the beginning of 1991, he was invited to be part of the diocesan interim clergy rota. Over the next 16 years, he served as interim priest at Christ Church, Puyallup; St. Andrew’s, Tacoma; St. Mathew’s, Auburn; St. George’s, Lake City; St. Mathew’s, Browns Point; and St. Clement’s, Seattle. He also served as advisor/chaplain for Integrity of Puget Sound, on the diocesan Standing Committee, as chair of the Sudanese Committee, and on the boards of the Episcopal Charities Appeal, School of Ministry and Theology, and Walking in Love, the diocesan HIV/AIDS Commission.
In the wider church, Fr. Younge served as president of the National Episcopal AIDS Commission, a member of the General Convention’s Commission on HIV/AIDS, and as a board member of the Episcopal Society for Ministry in Higher Education. Locally in Seattle he was a member of Brother to Brother, an HIV/AIDS outreach and education project, and served two terms on the King County HIV/AIDS Planning Council.
We give thanks for the ministry of Fr. Younge in our diocese and hold it up specifically as an example of ministry by one Black Episcopalian in Western WA which others may find helpful as they consider their own ministries within community.
In a 2006 biography he said, “My ministry has been quite intentional for the diocese in all its diversity and I would want it to be presented as such.” Let us remember our friend and brother and honor his legacy!
Updates
The RYCF was last used to support Rev. Malcolm McLaurin’s curacy. Please email Adrienne if you would like more information about the fund or grant eligibility.