Bishop’s Cross Award
Bernadette Walcott
St. Luke’s, Seattle

Bernadette Walcott arrived at St. Luke’s, Seattle, in 2015 when she moved to the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. The priest in her former congregation knew of Bernadette’s passion for cooking for the hungry. In both her previous congregations she was an essential part of their feeding ministry. St. Luke’s was a perfect fit and Bernadette jumped in and began helping to prepare delicious, nutritious meals for the 100-200 people who come to the Edible Hope Kitchen every weekday. She opened the kitchen every morning at 5:30am prior to beginning her full-time job. In the afternoons and evenings she works with volunteers of all ages, training them in how to prepare food for hundreds of people. Each week she helps to feed people with the bread of life by preparing the altar for Sunday worship and sharing the Word by serving as a lector. She has been active as a diocesan delegate, worship leader and Bishop’s Committee member. Her smile and laugh are infectious. She is loved by children, high-school students, the many young people who come to help and those she prays for regularly.

Bernadette’s energy is remarkable and she is never afraid to tell her Vicar what she thinks and how things should be done! Her Vicar, Britt Olson, always agrees.

It is my great honor to award Bernadette Walcott the Bishop’s Cross.