An Ecumenical Catholic is someone who wants to engage deeply with the example of the early Church, when congregations were small, inclusive, participatory, and centered on Christ’s message of love, collaboration, and service. Ecumenical Catholics believe that God is present in all things, and that to know and care for all the people, the earth, and all the living things around us is how God wants us to serve Them. You can start a new ECC community. Go HERE to see the steps. You are also welcome to attend mass online through the Zoom platform at Emmaus ECC or Holy Questions ECC. Just let us know and we can send you the link.
Emmaus ECC in Olympia
Emmaus ECC seeks to provide an inclusive church and welcoming community, sharing the richness of the Catholic faith tradition, open to a progressive theology, available and accessible regardless of age, race, national origin, religious affiliation, gender or sexual orientation, and welcoming all regardless of differing abilities. We desire to provide a source for deepening an individual’s personal commitment to the life, teachings, and spirit of Jesus through prayer, study and mutual support. We also seek to be engaged in social justice outreach rooted in Christian gospel values, interacting with the wider community. We are a gay friendly community and supportive of our trans siblings.
We are happy to welcome those who have no Church to call their own, who have left a Church or never belonged to a Church. Come where we believe what we pray, and where we seek not only to be comforted by God, but to be challenged by the Good News, the Gospel of Christ.
Emmaus ECC is located in Olympia Washington. We are nested in the First Christian Disciples of Christ Church in their Sacred Space. The address is 701 Franklin Street, Olympia WA 98501. Bishop Kedda Keough is the pastor, Father John Tanner is the associate pastor, and Jai Tanner is a chaplain. Father David Gerardot, while retired, still serves as a chaplain for our Good Shepherd Ministry. Mass is on Sundays at 10:30 am. We meet in person and by Zoom. Request a Zoom link by sending an email to bishopkedda@comcast.net.
Visit our website at emmaus-ecc.org. Follow us on Facebook HERE.
Find out more about Good Shepherd Ministry HERE.
Holy Questions ECC in Seattle
The community has chosen a name for itself. After reading and reflecting on the gospel passage about Thomas during Easter season, the community realized that they identified with Thomas and his questioning. The name they chose is “Holy Questions ECC.”
We are an emerging ECC faith community. Our location is in the Seattle area of Western WA. At this time, we are meeting in Seattle at the Greenwood Senior Center 525 N 85th St, Seattle, WA 98103 in the Phinney neighborhood. We want to create a team to serve and worship in an authentically early (NOT Roman) Independent/Old Catholic community.
If you want to know more about us visit our Facebook page HERE. Our website is HERE. Contact us by email at pastor@holyquestions.org. We will be happy to send you our Zoom link for mass. At present we meet at 10:30 am on Sundays. Follow Father Mir on Reels.
Fr. Mir also has a religious trauma group. Sadly, many people experience trauma from religion.
Mount Vernon
We have a spirituality center in Mount Vernon managed by two of our retired ECC clergy, Rev. Jack Miller and Rev. Liz Miller. Their ministry includes reflecting on the weekly liturgical readings and intercessory prayer. Check out their website: Haven of Rest.
Vancouver
Fr. Zilvinas Jakstas lives in Vancouver WA, serves as a chaplain, and is a Religious Coordinator for corrections. His focus is on supporting the wellbeing of incarcerated individuals through various programs and religious services. Fr. Zilvinas manages all the statewide Chaplains for the Department of Corrections, which includes overseeing Religious Contractors and volunteers. Fr. Zilvinas is originally from Lithuania and writes beautiful icons. He is also an author.
Tacoma
We are in the process of establishing our presence in Tacoma once again. We had a mission parish downtown a few years ago and would love to come back. We have located a place and are beginning to gather the folks who are interested. If you are interested email bishopkedda@comcast.net.
Oregon
We have representatives of the ECC in Oregon who attend ECC liturgies online through Zoom at one of our other communities. We soon expect to begin an ECC faith community in Oregon. Contact bishopkedda@comcast.net if you are interested in being part of an emerging faith community. We only need a few more people to get things started!