The Rt. Rev. Nedi Rivera, Bishop Suffragan of Olympia

The Rt. Rev. Bavi Edna “Nedi” Rivera was elected the Diocese of Olympia’s first bishop suffragan in May 2004. She is the first Hispanic woman bishop and the 12th woman bishop in the Episcopal Church.

Bishop Rivera came to the Episcopal Church in Western Washington from the Diocese of California and St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, San Francisco, where she served as rector from 1994 until August 2004. Ordained to the priesthood in 1976, she served at various churches in the dioceses of California and El Camino Real. She has an M.Div. and a D.D. from Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP) in Berkeley, Calif.

The passions for ministry Rivera held as a parish priest have easily transferred to her role as a bishop. Her portfolio of responsibilities includes faith formation, ethnic ministries and evangelism and she is actively engaged in events that demonstrate how these three are closely linked. Known for her creativity and imagination, she enjoys helping systems, whether they be congregations, committees or groups, develop their gifts for ministry. The process of Appreciative Inquiry plays a strong role in this work. Rivera also oversees the discernment for ministry process that includes Holy Orders. Her spiritual discipline is that of a Franciscan Associate.

As a member of the diocesan We Will Stand With You team, she provides leadership and support for a major fundraising effort in the Diocese of Olympia to rebuild St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and School, New Orleans, devastated by Hurricane Katrina. On the national church level, Rivera serves on the College for Bishops Advisory Committee and Curriculum Board, and on the House of Bishops’ Planning Committee.

Rivera is one of three daughters born to a Puerto Rican father, the late Rt. Rev. Victor Manuel Rivera (Bishop of San Joaquin), and Anglo mother. She has worked hard to become conversant in Spanish (English was spoken at home) and now celebrates and preaches in Spanish.

She is married to the Rev. Robert (Bob) Moore. Her interests include baseball, movies, theatre, music, dancing, good books, cooking and her children and grandchildren – not necessarily in that order.