The Little Sisters of St. Clare is a contemplative Franciscan Religious Community for women who are married, single, divorced, partnered, lay or ordained in Diocese of Olympia, Washington. We are a Christian Community, not a Religious Order, since we do not take the traditional vows of celibacy and do not live together in community. In 2002, the Community received recognition as a Christian Community by the Standing Committee on Religious Communities, House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church, and a month later by the Diocese of Olympia. 

We are also a member of The National Association of Episcopal Christian Communities, which is a network of communities within the Episcopal Church that require its members to follow a rule of life and to be under appropriate ecclesial authority. Structurally we are a non-profit under the Federal Internal Revenue Service. The Little Sisters of St. Clare is a dispersed community, and each member lives in her own home and is responsible for her own financial support and livelihood. We do not have a convent or monastery, but we have an office/oratory (prayer room) at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Seattle.