“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 
a time to be born, and a time to die; 
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted…” 
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-2) 

Dear friends, 

We enter the new year filled with hope and expectations; determined to continue discerning how and where God is calling us to be disciples, the church, the presbytery. 

We also know that change is inexorably a part of this journey, and as the verses from Ecclesiastes remind us, there is a season for everything. Among those changes is a particular church’s ministerial conclusion.  

There are a variety of reasons for a church to enter “dissolution” (the term used by our Book of Order), but the fact remains that no particular church is ever expected to last indefinitely though Christ’s ministry in and through us all continues today, tomorrow, and forever. 

This coming Sunday, January 8th at 10am, Marcus Whitman Presbyterian Church will celebrate its final worship service and all are invited to give thanks to God for this church’s legacy and witness to the Good News of the Gospel in the Des Moines area.  

There will be a celebration lunch following the service; all are welcome. 

Special thanks to Marcus Whitman elders Dan and Diane Camp, Adair and Ted Hendrickson and Tim Lackey who have faithfully shepherded the church in this final journey with grace and love. And appreciation to the Administrative Commission appointed by the presbytery (Rev. Jane Pauw, elder Pattie Holt (St. Andrew), and elder Jacq Skeffington (Vashon) who have accompanied the church’s session these past few months. 

We rejoice at the planting of faith communities and churches. We also rejoice when we can conclude a season of ministry with the words, well done good and faithful servants.  

Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter