

Events


Stewardship Kaleidescope
Registration is now open for Stewardship Kaleidoscope 2025–Stewardship: The Art of Resiliency.
Stewardship Kaleidoscope, an ecumenical conference planned by volunteers from the PC(USA) and ELCA, is designed for pastors and lay leaders to provide practical tools to strengthen your congregation's stewardship and generosity programs. This year’s conference will be in New Orleans, Louisiana, September 22-24, with an online virtual registration option as well. In-person attendees will be able to choose from dozens of workshops in addition to attending diverse plenary sessions and worship experiences. Virtual attendees will be able to join us for live-streamed and recorded plenaries and worship, and will also have access to 8 workshops, 4 of which will be available via be livestream.
Registration rates as are follows:
Early Bird In-Person Registration (through June 30): $360
First Call Pastor or Seminary Student In-Person Registration: $200
Virtual Attendee Registration: $150
After June 30, regular In-Person Registration increases to $385.
Rooms at our event hotel, the Sheraton New Orleans Canal Street, are offered at the discounted rate of $179/night if you book by August 29.
For more information about this conference and to register, click here.
Grants are available through the Presbyterian Foundation to assist pastors and New Worshiping Community leaders to attend the conference. For more information, visit https://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/resources/church-financial-literacy-and-leadership-program/grant/ or contact your Ministry Relations Officer, Sandra Moon, at sandra.moon@presbyterianfoundation.org.

Presbytery Meeting: Tue., October 21
STATED PRESBYTERY MEETING
TUESDAY, october 21, 2025
thank you to our host: mercer island presbyterian church

2026 SeaPres Colombia Partnership Trip
Seattle-Barranquilla
Colombia Partnership Trip
save the date: Feb. 23-march 3, 2026
The Colombia Task Force is excited to announce the dates for our annual trip to Barranquilla, Colombia for 2026: February 23 - March 3, 2026! If you are interested in learning more about the trip or about the partnership between Seattle Presbytery and the Presbytery of the North Coast in Colombia, please contact Haley Ballast (pastor@wallpc.org) or Eliana Maxim (eliana@seattlepresbytery.org).

227th General Assembly (2026)
The 227th General Assembly (GA) will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June/July 2026. GA will start with online committee meetings on June 22-24, with travel days being June 25&26, followed by in person Plenary business meetings June 28-July 2 in Milwaukee.

2025 Meekhof Lecture: Exploring Art and Faith with Scott Erickson
Meekhof Lecture 2025: Exploring Art and Faith with Scott Erickson
Join Newport PC for an amazing weekend of Exploring Art and Spirituality with Scott Erickson! This is a no-cost community learning event sponsored by Newport Presbyterian Church, where all are welcome.
Friday afternoon, August 8, from 3 to 5pm we'll hang out with Scott, engaging an art project and talking about how the creative process helps us in problem solving and working through struggles. It's going to be fun, meaningful, and interactive!
Scott Erickson’s main talk on Harmonizing Polarities will be on Saturday, August 9, at 10:00 a.m., in the sanctuary of Newport Presbyterian Church, followed by a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. This event is free and open to the public, and we encourage everyone to join us.
Please complete the below information to register for these events.
Children and youth are welcome, however, childcare will not be available.
For more information on this Doreen Meekhof Lecture Event, check out our website:
https://www.newportpres.org/2025-Meekhof-Lecture-Events
For more information about Scott Erickson, see his website:

Pentecost Celebration: 10 Years of Partnership Seattle Presbytery and the Presbytery of the North Coast in Colombia (El Presbiterio de la Costa Norte)
Ten years ago, representatives from the Seattle Presbytery and the Presbytery of the North Coast in Colombia (El Presbiterio de la Costa Norte) signed a covenant of partnership with one another. Since then, our relationship of mutuality and accompaniment has flourished, providing abundant opportunities for learning, growth, and joy for both presbyteries.
All are invited to join us on Sunday, June 8, 5-6PM Pacific, in the spirit of Pentecost, for a shared worship service via Zoom, including music, liturgy, and storytelling celebrating this milestone.

Sammamish PC: Weekend with Jerry Sittser
Join us for an unforgettable weekend with Rev. Jerry Sittser, author of A Grace Disguised, A Grace Revealed, The Will of God as a Way of Life and other deeply meaningful books, as he shares profound insights on faith, grief, and spiritual resilience. Jerry’s powerful messages, drawn from his personal journey and years of study & teaching at Whitworth University, especially speak to those of us who have walked through the dark and wonder if God is still good, still present and still loving!
Saturday, June 7th Workshop/Lunch provided: We will dive into life-changing topics of faith, suffering, and redemption amidst loss. Bring your hardest questions and engage with Jerry on topics like navigating life’s challenges, finding hope in hardship, and growing spiritually through adversity. Whether you’re struggling with grief, facing a personal challenge, or simply want to grow in your faith, Jerry’s wisdom and own life experiences will speak to your heart of God’s grace in difficult times. Jerry will also be SPC's guest preacher for worship, Sunday, June 8th.
This is a rare opportunity to hear from one of the most insightful Christian voices of our time. Don’t miss this chance to be inspired, encouraged, and equipped to live a life of greater hope and resilience. “Grace will meet you, even in the darkest moments.” — Jerry Sittser
To register, click here:
https://spconline.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2667731

Presbytery Meeting: Tue., May 20
STATED PRESBYTERY MEETING
TUESDAY, may 20, 2025
thank you to our HOST WEDGWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Reimagining Preaching Conference
A practical, skills-based conference equipping clergy, church staff, & lay preachers to bring the Word to life in Cascadia
Saturday, May 3, 2025
1:00-5:30pm followed by optional Mocktail Mix & Mingle
Calvin Presbyterian Church, Shoreline, WA
Cost: $99 Learn how you can attend for free.
https://transformingengagement.org/preaching-conference/
Download event flyer.
Contact SeaPres communications for free attendance with partner discount code.

Special invitation from Rainier Beach PC
Rainier Beach PC invites you to special presentation on Saturday, April 5, at 3:30 PM. Rev. Tom Kirkpatrick and Rev. Duncan Ferguson will introduce their new books and discuss the findings of their research.
Duncan Ferguson and Tom Kirkpatrick have recently had books published on topics that may be of interest to pastors and laypeople in our Presbyteries. Duncan's is titled Living Wisely and Well in the Evening of Life: Foundations for Flourishing--A Spiritual Perspective. And Tom’s is titled Signs of Hope and Health in Mainline Churches: Guidelines for Creating Hopeful and Healthy Congregations.
It's time to replace lament over problems facing 21st century mainline churches with aspirations of hope and possibilities for health. And Princeton Seminary theologian Gordon Mikoski says this about Duncan's book: "Duncan Ferguson offers decades of open-minded Christian life and service, wise guidance for those seeking to navigate the 'evening of life' with meaning and dignify, and mature reflection on the significance of the life and teachings of Jesus for the living of these perilous days."

Church Council of Greater Seattle: Weaving Our Strengths
Join the Church Council for a day of workshops and reflection on the community organizing principles and anti-racism values that ground us in transformational change for liberation & justice. Stay tuned for workshop descriptions and more information!
Únase the Church Council para un día de talleres y reflexión sobre los principios de organización comunitaria y los valores antirracistas que nos fundamentan en un cambio transformacional para la liberación y la justicia. ¡Pronto estaremos enviando descripciones de los talleres y más información!
When
March 8th, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Location
University Congregational United Church of Christ
4515 16th Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98105

Webinar: Pondering God with Presbyterians: What Do We Believe and Why
March 6 webinar designed to help Presbyterians ponder what they believe and why
Dr. Martha Moore-Keish of Columbia Theological Seminary will lead the webinar, part of the Leader Formation series.
The deadline to register for the March 6 webinar “Pondering God with Presbyterians: What Do We Believe and Why” is Wednesday, Feb. 26.
This online gathering, part of the Leader Formation series of webinars, will explore some basic theological convictions of the faith, including what Presbyterians hold in common with other Christians and the peculiar treasures of the Reformed tradition. “Want to learn more about the mystery of the Trinity, justification by grace through faith, or learn the puzzle of predestination? Come join the conversation,” organizers say.
This event is provided free for participants and is funded through per capita dollars. The webinar will be provided in several languages with interpretation based on requests made through the registration process, necessitating the Feb. 26 registration deadline. Advanced registration is not necessary to access the recording, which will be made available in English following the event.
Dr. Martha Moore-Keish, the J.B. Green Professor of Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary, will lead the webinar. She worked in the PC(USA)’s Office of Theology & Worship and taught liturgical studies at Yale Divinity School before becoming a professor of theology at Columbia Seminary. She’s published books on eucharistic theology and prayer, a research guide on Reformed theology, a commentary on the Book of James, and co-edited the 2023 reference volume “The T&T Clark Handbook on Sacraments and Sacramentality.”
In addition to research on liturgical and sacramental theologies, Moore-Keish has a long-standing interest in interreligious issues, particularly Christian-Jewish relations and the religions of India. A Reformed theologian committed to theology for the church, she also serves on the PC(USA) committee to write a new confession for the Book of Confessions.
The March 6 webinar is set for 7 p.m. through 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Register here.
Seattle Presbytery Thriving Congregations Leadership Forum
March 3 & 4, 2025 @ Cedarbrook lodge
We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Thriving Congregations Leadership Forum on March 3rd and 4th. This forum will take place at Cedarbrook Lodge in SeaTac. It will kick off our next iteration of the Thriving Congregations Initiative (TCI) and will focus on working across congregations.
This year, the focus will be on working together across congregations. The conference will begin with lunch on March 3rd and end at 4pm on March 4th at the Cedarbrook Lodge. If your congregation has an active TCI team, we invite you to contact us to learn more. We have limited space and unfortunately will have to limit the forum to active participants. We have secured overnight lodging for team leaders and pastors who desire to stay and enjoy evening discussion groups, moments of discernment on the lodge property, or would appreciate congregation team bonding and planning time.
Please contact TCI staff for questions and more details on registering.
https://www.seattlepresbytery.org/leadership

Presbyterian Advocacy Hour
For such a time as this! Standing in the Gap!
A message from the Office of Public Witness in collaboration with many other programs of the Interim Unified Agency
Join us for a new monthly series — fourth Wednesday each month — hosted by the Presbyterian Church (USA) As Christians, we are called to act in the face of suffering, injustice and strife — to be repairers of the breach. The fuel behind such action is a mixture of faith, hope, discernment, spiritual nourishment, and community.
Presbyterian Advocacy Hour will bring together committed people of faith each month to fuel up with information on the most pressing issues. Church members, lay leaders, pastors, mid council staff, all Presbyterians and friends are welcome! Get nourishment for your spirit, essential connections and resources, relationship building, and direction for how to stay in righteous movement while being your best self.
After the first overview session in February, each month we’ll dive deeply into one area of concern and provide the knowledge you need to take effective and focused action. The hour will start with spiritual grounding and then move to in-depth analysis of key issues. There will be an additional optional 30 minutes for time to network, movement-building, community-building and feedback on helping to shape what you need from these monthly advocacy hours. There is a barrage of pressing issues we might react to, but we contribute most faithfully with quality action and a loving presence. Let’s resource each other and do church in a world that needs every single one of us!
Monthly Advocacy Hour ~ Fourth Wednesdays — First session will be on Wednesday, February 26th 9 a.m. (PST), 10 a.m. (MST), 11 a.m. (CST), 12 p.m. (EST)
Register for Presbyterian Advocacy Hour: pcusa.info/advocacyhourregistration
2/22: Rev. Maggie Breen Installation @ Calvary PC
Installation service for rev. maggie breen
February 22, 2025, 3:00pm at Calvary Presbyterian Church
Seattle Presbytery and Calvary Presbyterian Church invite you to join us to joyfully celebrate a worship service for the installation of Pastor Maggie Breen.

2/12: Linda Erickson ordination @ Calvin Presbyterian Church
“O LORD, make me know your ways.
Teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth, and teach me; for you are the God of my salvation.
I have hoped in you all day long.”
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
During Messy Church 5:30pm - 7:00pm
The service from 6pm-6:30pm will be live-streamed from Calvin’s website Calvinpc.org.
Calvin Presbyterian Church,
18826 3rd Ave NW, Shoreline, WA 98177
Please join Seattle Presbytery in a Messy Church service of worship for the ordination of Linda Erickson, who has received a call to a validated ministry as chaplain to Harborview Medical Center, Seattle.
Note: Clergy are invited to wear stoles but please not robes.

2025 SeaPres Colombia Partnership Trip
Seattle-Barranquilla
Colombia Partnership Trip
Feb. 4-11, 2025
The Colombia Task Force is excited to announce the dates for our annual trip to Barranquilla, Colombia for 2025: February 4-11, 2025! The first step in preparing for this trip is to gather a delegation of folks who would like to travel with us. If you are interested in learning more about the trip or about the partnership between Seattle Presbytery and the Presbytery of the North Coast in Colombia, please contact Haley Ballast (pastor@wallpc.org) or Eliana Maxim (eliana@seattlepresbytery.org). Trip registration deadline is October 31, 2024.

Presbytery Meeting: Tue., January 21 @ 5:00pm
STATED PRESBYTERY MEETING
TUESDAY, January 21, 2025
Sammamish presbyterian Church
4:30PM: pre-gathering with refreshments
5:00PM: Meeting begins (in person)
Please contact the Executive Board if your church is able to host a presbytery meeting in 2025.

PCUSA Town Hall on Protecting Immigrant Rights Near and Far
Hosted by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), Immigration Issues and OPW to prepare for new U.S. policies and actions against immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

Community Screening: All We Carry
A special showing of the highly regarded documentary about an asylee family that fled violence in Honduras and made a new home in West Seattle will be in Fellowship Hall December 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. The film, All We Carry, is being sponsored by Hazelwood School and the Immigration Task Force. Refreshments will be available, and donations will be accepted on behalf of the ITF and the film producers.
All We Carry tells the story of the family of Mirna, Magdiel and their children as they flee persecution—migrating in cargo trains across Mexico, claiming asylum at the US border, and enduring separation in detention before being released in Seattle. There, the West Seattle synagogue Kol HaNshamah based at Alki UCC sponsors the family for two years while they await the final decision on their asylum case. As the family tries to settle into their new home, they navigate countless life-altering and every-day moments where memory, joy, and grief collide.
Magdiel as a local businessman is well known to many here in West Seattle and he has aided the Immigration Task Force in the past. One of their children attends the Hazelwood Pre-School, which initiated the local showing.
A trailer can be seen here. https://www.allwecarrydoc.com
In this time of unprecedented attack on immigration this film offers both hope and promise on how Seattle and America has been protecting asylees. The Immigration Task Force has begun exploring how it can step up efforts to help refugees in the coming years.

Service for Peace and Unity
The next Service for Peace and Unity will be at Epiphany Seattle. Everyone welcome!
Monday, November 4, 7 PM
Epiphany Seattle
1805 38th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
More background:
You are invited to a service of prayer, peace, silence, song, and lighting of candles.
The election is now days away. Our neighboring churches know people are concerned and have fears about what the future may hold. We want you to have a place to take your fears and to share your concerns for the elections and all that is going on in our world.
We are hoping this will give you an opportunity to release some of your worries, fears, and anxieties that these elections are producing for a lot of us.
Participating churches include Mount Baker Presbyterian Church, Japanese Presbyterian Church, Epiphany Episcopal Church, and Madrona Grace Presbyterian.
Hope you will choose to join us for all or even just for part of this very special service of peace and prayer for all that is going on with the elections and in our world.

Presbytery Meeting: Tue., October 15 @ 5:00pm
STATED PRESBYTERY MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024
Mercer island pc
5:00PM: Meeting begins (in person)
Please contact the Executive Board if your church is able to host a presbytery meeting in 2025.
10/11: Rev. Haley Ballast Installation Service @ Wallingford PC
Installation service for rev. haley ballast
October 11, 2024 at 6:00pm @ Wallingford Presbyterian Church.
Seattle Presbytery and Wallingford Presbyterian Church invite you to join us to joyfully celebrate a worship service for the installation of Pastor Haley Ballast.

2025 SeaPres Colombia Partnership Trip Informational Zoom
Seattle-Barranquilla
Colombia Partnership Trip
Feb. 4-11, 2025
The Colombia Task Force is excited to announce the dates for our annual trip to Barranquilla, Colombia for 2025: February 4-11, 2025! The first step in preparing for this trip is to gather a delegation of folks who would like to travel with us. If you are interested in learning more about the trip or about the partnership between Seattle Presbytery and the Presbytery of the North Coast in Colombia, please mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 9 at 7pm, when the task force will host an informational Zoom meeting. For more info please contact Haley Ballast (pastor@wallpc.org) or Eliana Maxim (eliana@seattlepresbytery.org).

9/23-25: Stewardship Kaleidoscope
Stewardship Kaleidoscope is an annual conference offering excellent plenary speakers, informative workshop leaders, provocative worship experiences, and incredible networking opportunities for all passionate about stewardship and generosity. Drawing leaders from across the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) and other ecumenical partners, Stewardship Kaleidoscope is designed to help participants explore stewardship in its many colorful dimensions. We are excited about our 2024 conference, which will be in Portland, Oregon September 23-25, 2024. We will continue to offer both an in-person and virtual experience.
Holy Land Luncheon at University PC
A special invitation from University PC:
On Sunday, September 15th, University Presbyterian Church will host a noon luncheon event in Geneva Hall to feature two strategic ministries from Jerusalem and Bethlehem who will report on how they are working for peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land. The two speakers, and modern day peacemakers, are Mr. Zoughbi Alzoughbi, Director of the Palestinian Conflict Transformation Center in Bethlehem, and Rev. Dr. Mae Cannon, Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace. We invite you to attend this event that promises to inspire and encourage you. Please RSVP to carol.gloria.johnson@gmail.com.
As you may know, Mr. Zoughbi's national tour is sponsored by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program of PCUSA. We are also working in collaboration with the Northwest Coast Presbytery, where Mr. Alzoughbi will be speaking at First Presbyterian Church of Snohomish. In addition, Rev. Dr. Mae Cannon is a very dynamic speaker, and she heads up Churches for Middle East Peace, of which PCUSA is a member denomination. We are hoping that many congregants will be able to attend this timely presentation.
Through Christ, our Prince of Peace,
Carol Johnson
Co-chair, Holy Land Task Force
University Presbyterian Church, Seattle
Opioid Crisis: Responding with Resilience, Opportunity and Hope
A special invitation to a day of education sponsored by Spiritual Health providers in Snohomish County with Amy Wheat, Opioid Outreach Specialist, Snohomish County Human Services.

Board of Pensions Virtual Workshop
Board of Pensions Workshop for Churches and Congregational Pastoral Leaders
An Overview of the Benefits Plan 2025
Seattle Presbytery
Date/Time: August 22, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. on ZOOM
Click here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtdOysrDojE9LorgoVa97w9KD-F7C55Z_j
Join Board of Pensions Church Consultant, the Rev. Christine Long, for an online, one-hour
workshop to review the basics on the 2025 Benefits Plan updates for congregational pastoral
leaders (i.e. installed pastors, non-installed pastors, Commissioned Pastors). This review will help
churches and their congregational pastoral leaders understand choices and costs for benefits in
2025.
The workshop will review:
- The Covenant Package
- Congregational Pastors Package
- Transitional Pastor’s Participation
While anyone interested is welcome to attend, the workshop is designed for congregational
pastoral leaders, Personnel Committee chairs, Session elders, finance employees or volunteers, or
other appropriate benefits decision makers in PCUSA congregations.
Pastors in unique situations such as: split service, couples sharing one position at the same
congregation (14-09 couples), Formula of Agreement pastors, non-PCUSA pastors, validated
pastors, and pastors receiving dues incentives are encouraged to contact Christine Long directly for guidance.
Following are links or attachments to help you learn about the changes coming with the Benefits
Plan 2025:
• Dues Packages: Benefits Plan 2025
• Calculators – 2024 Calculators
• Benefits Plan 2025 Decision Guide
• seasonofrebuilding.pensions.org – link to the microsite for the Benefits Plan 2025
Contact Information for Christine Long
Email: clong@pensions.org
Office phone: 215-587-7264 ◆ Cell phone: 215-704-7360

Board of Pensions Virtual Workshop
Board of Pensions Workshop for Churches and Congregational Pastoral Leaders
An Overview of the Benefits Plan 2025
Seattle Presbytery
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. on ZOOM
Click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsdO6sqD0sGtFWuIq9VFVhm2_g6REZtfDQ
Join Board of Pensions Church Consultant, the Rev. Christine Long, for an online, one-hour
workshop to review the basics on the 2025 Benefits Plan updates for congregational pastoral
leaders (i.e. installed pastors, non-installed pastors, Commissioned Pastors). This review will help
churches and their congregational pastoral leaders understand choices and costs for benefits in
2025.
The workshop will review:
- The Covenant Package
- Congregational Pastors Package
- Transitional Pastor’s Participation
While anyone interested is welcome to attend, the workshop is designed for congregational
pastoral leaders, Personnel Committee chairs, Session elders, finance employees or volunteers, or
other appropriate benefits decision makers in PCUSA congregations.
Pastors in unique situations such as: split service, couples sharing one position at the same
congregation (14-09 couples), Formula of Agreement pastors, non-PCUSA pastors, validated
pastors, and pastors receiving dues incentives are encouraged to contact Christine Long directly for guidance.
Following are links or attachments to help you learn about the changes coming with the Benefits
Plan 2025:
• Dues Packages: Benefits Plan 2025
• Calculators – 2024 Calculators
• Benefits Plan 2025 Decision Guide
• seasonofrebuilding.pensions.org – link to the microsite for the Benefits Plan 2025
Contact Information for Christine Long
Email: clong@pensions.org
Office phone: 215-587-7264 ◆ Cell phone: 215-704-7360

Presbytery Meeting: Tue., July 16 @ 5:00pm
STATED PRESBYTERY MEETING
TUESDAY, July 16, 2024
Calvary pc, enumclaw
5:00PM: Meeting begins (in person @ Calvary PC)

PC(USA) General Assembly 2024
226th General Assembly (2024)
June 25 - July 4, 2024
Salt Lake City, UT
WHAT IS IT AND WHAT DOES IT DO?
The General Assembly consists of commissioners elected by presbyteries. Half of the commissioners will be ruling elders, half will be teaching elders. Few will ever have been commissioners to the General Assembly before, but most will have served in one of the other governing bodies of our church: the session, which provides care and oversight of a local congregation; the presbytery, which provides care and oversight of a group of congregations; or the synod which provides care and oversight of several presbyteries.
It reviews the work of synods, resolves controversies in the church, is responsible for matters of common concern for the whole church, and serves as a symbol of unity for the church.
The General Assembly has several specific responsibilities outlined in Chapter 3 of the Book of Order. The assembly seeks to protect our church from errors in faith and practice, is responsible for assuring that the expression of our theology remains true to the biblical standards in our historic confessions. The General Assembly presents a witness for truth and justice in our community and in the world community. It sets priorities for the church and establishes relationships with other churches or ecumenical bodies.

Service for Personal Peace
A Service for Personal Peace is being offered by the Rev. Reggie Avant, Pastor of Madrona Grace Presbyterian Church, and the Rev. Lee Seese, Pastor of Mount Baker Park Presbyterian Church, on Wednesday, June 12, at 7:00 p.m., at Mount Baker Park Presbyterian Church. This meditative service is an invitation to find rest and peace during these tumultuous times. All are welcome.

Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
Invitation from the Greater Northwest Area of the United Methodist Church
“Welcoming the Wilderness”
Many feel lost in a wilderness where little feels familiar. We’ll explore how to move beyond simple survival to welcome our wandering as God’s people.
Faculty Presenters:
Amy Oden - Working Professor of Church History and Christian Spirituality
Here is Where We Begin: Practices for the Present Moment
Daniel Wolpert - Cofounder and Executive Director of Minnesota Institute of Contemplation and Healing
Hanging Your Laundry on a Beam of Light: Finding God When Things Fall Apart
Retreat Facility:
Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center at the Palisades, Federal Way, WA
Academy Fees:
$1,070 – Fees include single occupancy accommodation with private bath, all meals, and Academy tuition.
April Presbytery Meeting Cancellation & Invitation to Dinner & Fellowship
“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity. It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes.
It is like the dew on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord ordained his blessing, life forevermore.”
Psalm 133
Dear friends,
We are blessed to have faithful and diligent leaders throughout the presbytery serving in many ways: the Executive Board, the Commission on Ministry, the Commission on the Preparation for Ministry and a variety of task forces and committees. And this presbytery has delegated much of its work to these entities.
Although we scheduled a presbytery meeting for this coming Tuesday, April 16, upon reviewing the draft docket, we realized there is no business coming before the body.
Reports have been filed by the above-mentioned leadership bodies which we encourage you to read and see what business has been conducted on your behalf. But the Executive Board has determined there is no need for an official presbytery meeting and has cancelled it.
And yet, because we do enjoy gathering as a community of faith, we will still gather on the 16th at 5:30pm at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church for dinner and fellowship. We look forward to the opportunity of simply being together in conversation without any particular agenda before us.
We do want to assure you though that Scott and I are aware of a few significant items of business with potential impact on our congregations and presbytery. One of them is the changes to the Board of Pensions benefits. We will be attending a BOP sponsored informational gathering on the 23rd of this month and will engage with COM and the broader presbytery to share information and strategize how Seattle Presbytery can be a faithful partner to our churches and pastors amid these changes.
The other item is the proposed overture to the General Assembly regarding inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity among categories that the church does not discriminate against. We are in conversation with many as we seek to be informed and prepared for how the assembly may vote.
These – and other – topics will be reviewed and discussed in the next couple of months. We invite you to stay connected and stay tuned.
In conclusion: no presbytery meeting on April 16th but yes presbytery gathering for dinner and fellowship that same date. Be sure to RSVP so we can plan appropriately.
Eliana Maxim & Scott Lumsden