Welcome City of Glory Fellowship!
Excerpt From April 21 EP Report:
As you may know, we’ve been seeking to plant new churches again as a presbytery. The first step in that process is to discern and support those new things God is leading us to explore. Over the past year, God has led us to partner with a number of new worshipping communities, and now through the faithful work of Catalyzing Missional Communities, we welcome City of Glory, an east-African worshipping community. City of Glory worships at and is a ministry partner with Steel Lake Presbyterian Church in Federal Way. Let’s pray for Rev. Lauden Kangele as he leads this new church plant. Rev. Kangele will be the second pastor from the Presbytery of East Africa to join our presbytery.
Free Double Doors & Pews Available
A church in Everett undergoing renovations is giving away two sets of double doors (6' wide, 7' high, each set) and pews (20' long - a dozen of them) and a set (15' long - 1/2 dozen of them). Pick-up needs to happen by the weekend of 4/18-19. Contact Gary at 206-571-3402.
CRE Program Summer Courses
The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary is pleased to announce that we will be offering three summer courses for Commissioned Ruling Elders (CLP/CRE), scheduled from June 1 to August 23, 2015. We would appreciate it if you would pass on this information to those who might be interested and/or advertise it in your newsletter or other publications.
- Introduction to New Testament – Dr. Annette Huizenga
- Presbyterian Polity – Dr. Scott Nesbitt
- Reformed Theology – Dr. Gary Eller
As always, current students can register by going online at http://udtslearning.net/mod/page/view.php?id=15076 or by contacting Carla Gibbons, Distance Education Coordinator (CGibbons@dbq.edu or call 563-589-3630 / 1-888-207-8218), to pay by credit card or check. The tuition rate is $380.00 per course.
New students can apply to our lay ministry program by going to http://udtslearning.net/ and then click on "CLP Registration Information" for application and course information.
Finally, we encourage you to regularly check our continuing education website (http://udts.dbq.edu/edu.cfm) for upcoming events.
Godly Play Curriculum Materials Available
Rose Hill Presbyterian Church has the teaching tools and wall hangings for the Godly Play curriculum. We are no longer using Godly Play. Is there a church in the Presbytery that would like to have them? If you are interested contact Gwen North 425-827-4649 or gwen@rosehillpc.org.
A Pastoral Response to the Marriage Amendment
March 20, 2015
Brothers and Sisters of Seattle Presbytery,
I'm sure you have read by now that the PCUSA is predicting that the marriage amendment will be approved and become part of our Book of Order this June. It's hard to find another topic that causes so many mixed emotions among us as Presbyterians.
These words from Romans come to mind as we head into what is next for us in Seattle Presbytery: "Love must be genuine. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another." (12:9-16)
This is Paul at his missional, called to be Christ-in-community best. It may be hard to embrace at this moment, but I've seen our presbytery live this authentically and honestly--and I trust we will continue to do so. My prayer is that we live ever more deeply into what this means for us and this world as we seek to witness to the One who gave his life out of his immeasurable love for our world.
I'm grateful for our Stated Clerk, Rev. Karen Breckenridge, who supports all of us by providing more details below.
In Christ,
Rev. Scott Lumsden
Executive Presbyter
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
By now you’ve probably seen reports of the passage of amendment 14F that makes changes to the section on marriage in the Directory for Worship of the Book of Order. The effect of the action is to allow broader discretion to teaching elders and sessions in the weddings they will conduct and host. In states such as ours, this discretion could include same gender marriages. As stated in the amendment itself, this change to the Book of Order cannot be used to compel a teaching elder to perform a marriage service nor can it be used to compel a session to authorize the use of church property for a marriage service that is contrary to their discernment of the Holy Spirit and their understanding of the Word of God.
The Office of the General Assembly has a variety of resources to help us understand and interpret the action that has been taken. Among the available resources are:
• an advisory opinion that answers several questions about the change
• a letter from the General Assembly Moderator and Vice-moderator
• a statement from the General Assembly Stated Clerk
Please visit pcusa.org/marriage to view these and other resources.
Many Presbyterians are experiencing strong feelings about the changes that are happening in our denomination – from joy to sorrow, from grief to celebration. Please join me in continuing to pray for our communities of faith and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we seek to be faithful to Christ’s call in our lives.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Karen Breckenridge
Stated Clerk
SeaPres Thailand & Cambodia Trip
Seattle Presbytery SEAM (Southeast Asia Ministry Team) traveled to Thailand and Cambodia on February 25, 2015 with 15 people, representing the following Presbyterian Churches: University, Seattle Community, Mercer Island, Inglewood, Wallingford, and Everett First.
Photos courtesy: Rev. Ken Sunoo.
SeaPres Colombia Mission Trip
Pictures from the SeaPres Colombia Mission Trip, by Rev. Eliana Maxim.
SeaPres & Big Table Launch Partnership
Learn more about one of Seattle Presbytery's newest ministry partners, Big Table, and how you can get involved.
Watch Big Table videos.
Big Table Facebook.
UNEXPECTED 20s (what they are, how to give one, & more)
Kids4Peace Recruiting for Summer 2015
Kids4Peace (www.k4p.org), a global interfaith youth movement, is currently looking for 6th graders (at least 12 years old) who are interested in taking part in our dynamic, exciting leadership and education program. Meetings take place approximately once a month, and kids will also attend the Kids4Peace Seattle camp from August 5-17, 2015 at the Treacy Levine Center in Mt. Vernon, where they will be joined by 18 youth from the Jerusalem area (6 Muslims, 6 Jews, and 6 Christians).
Kids4Peace (www.k4p.org), a global interfaith youth movement, is currently looking for 6th graders (at least 12 years old) who are interested in taking part in our dynamic, exciting leadership and education program. Meetings take place approximately once a month, and kids will also attend the Kids4Peace Seattle camp from August 5-17, 2015 at the Treacy Levine Center in Mt. Vernon, where they will be joined by 18 youth from the Jerusalem area (6 Muslims, 6 Jews, and 6 Christians).
The application is available at: k4p.formstack.com/forms/nwapplication2015.
Check out stories about our 2014 camp in the Seattle Times, the JT News, the Huffington Post, and on KUOW.
Kids4Peace began in Jerusalem during the Second Intifada in 2002. Its mission is to transform divided societies into communities of lasting peace, through a long-term investment in youth leaders and their families. Kids4Peace brings Jewish, Christian, and Muslim girls and boys to international summer camps in the United States and operates year-round after-school programs in their home communities; the year-round program in Seattle focuses on local issues of social justice, such as hunger, homelessness, and racism. The six-year continuum of activities focuses on interfaith dialogue, cultural exchange, leadership development, and practices of nonviolent social change.
For more information, please contact Jordan Goldwarg, Northwest Regional Director, at jordan@k4p.org.
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center Continuing Education Opportunities
Since 1983, Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC) has provided resources for conflicted churches, in addition to training judicatory leaders and pastors in principles grounded in family systems theory useful for managing self in the midst of anxious churches, while addressing conflict in transforming ways.
Since 1983, Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC) has provided resources for conflicted churches, in addition to training judicatory leaders and pastors in principles grounded in family systems theory useful for managing self in the midst of anxious churches, while addressing conflict in transforming ways.
This year, LMPC will be on the West Coast on three occasions, providing training and resources for church leaders. Twice we’ll be leading the Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders: first, in March 16-20, 2015, the MSTI will be held at Hope United Methodist Church, in San Diego, California. Then, we will be at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Portland, Oregon, October 5-9, 2015.
The third visit will be in May 1-2, 2015, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Beaverton, Oregon (Portland area). This occasion will be for a Healthy Congregations workshop, which uses family systems theory for teaching healthy functioning in churches in face of anxiety and negative, reactive forces. Church Discount Coupons are available on our website, www.LMPeaceCenter.org, to facilitate groups from the same congregation to attend together.
Tall Timber Ranch News: Fishburns' Retirement
(From Stan & Becky Fishburn, January 31, 2015)
Dear Friends and Supporters of Tall Timber:
As we wrap up 2014 and ring in 2015, we do so with more than a few mixed emotions. As many of you know, we (Stan and Becky) are retiring at the end of January as Tall Timber’s Executive Director and Assistant Director. We have been hearing many similar questions recently, so here are a few answers:
How long have you been at Tall Timber? We began on May 1, 1980 on a Presbyterian mission grant to develop Program and do PR. Three years later, we were hired as Tall Timber Ranch’s first full time, year round employees. Last summer was our 35th summer at camp!
Wellspring 3rd Annual Basketball League
Wellspring would like to introduce the 3rd Annual Wellspring Basketball League.
When: 10 week league starting March 15th, 2015 games to be held on Sundays
Where: Edmonds Woodway High School
How Much: $650.00 per team
Format: 5 on 5, 45 min games
Who can sign up: Your team must represent a church or a non-profit in order to play.
What do I need to do? How do I register?
Step 1: Form a team, your team needs to get approval from your church or non-profit to form a team. Get a minimum of 5 players (we recommend more in case of injuries or no-shows)
Step 2: Fill out the online registration form
The Ekklesia Project
Whitworth University's Office of Church Engagement: The Ekklesia Project
OCE serves a selected group of churches (8-10 per year) which enter into a 2-3 year process of developing new forms of ministry capable of effectively engaging people in their specific geographic, demographic, and cultural context.
Whitworth University's Office of Church Engagement: The Ekklesia Project
OCE serves a selected group of churches (8-10 per year) which enter into a 2-3 year process of developing new forms of ministry capable of effectively engaging people in their specific geographic, demographic, and cultural context. This partnership develops through a four step process: 1) intentional spiritual formation of the leaders (pastors, elders, and other key leaders) in a communal process of scripture reflection, individual and group prayer, and relational bonding, all with a view toward leading the congregation into an intentional process of vision-casting for the future of the church; 2) learning and recording the story of the church through an intentional process of oral-history recording facilitated by an OCE-trained Whitworth student who will come and live in the midst of the congregation for a summer; 3) cultural analysis of the church's context, facilitated by OCE-trained Whitworth faculty, staff and students; and 4) planning and implementing new forms of ministry with the people who live in the neighborhood. Applications for the Ekklesia Project will be available on the OCE website in the early fall, with selection process complete by mid- November in order to facilitate a January start for the new cohort of Ekklesia Project churches. The cohort for 2015 will be based primarily in the Pacific Northwest, with expansion to other west coast sites in 2016.
January 20 Stated Meeting
Thank you to Southminster PC for hosting our January 20 stated meeting!
January Meeting Summary
Thank You Southminster
Our thanks again to Southminster (Rev. Ken Onstot and the whole congregation) for their gracious hospitality, and a shout out to our preacher Rev. Chris Pritchett for setting the tone for our whole gathering. Rev. Scott Mann, our moderator, led us flawlessly, as did Rev. Dean Strong our Stated Clerk, pro tem.
Statistical Reports Due 2/12
There are two annual reports required by the Book of Order (one each for the presbytery and the General Assembly), that are for the Clerk of Session to complete each year. They are the annual Statistical Report, and the reports of Pastor Terms of Call.
Annual Statistical Report Deadline: 2/12
There are two annual reports required by the Book of Order (one each for the presbytery and the General Assembly), that are for the Clerk of Session to complete each year. They are the annual Statistical Report, and the reports of Pastor Terms of Call. Both of these reports may be completed online and the links are below.
We have had many requests for a comprehensive update on the Pastoral Compensation for all Pastors and Associate Pastors in the presbytery. Therefore, this year, we would ask for you to complete the Terms of Call form even if the presbytery already has updated information on your position(s).
The deadline to complete the Annual Statistical Report is February 12 so please compete the form online as soon as you are able. It is not necessary for the Session to approve the Annual Statistical Report before it is filed, rather the Clerk of Session completes the report and then reports to the Session the submission of the report. It is helpful to then include a printing of the report in your Session minutes.
Please complete the Terms of Call form (again online) after your early year annual meeting or no later than March 15. This will allow for the approval of all Terms of Call at the April Presbytery meeting and provide to all the presbytery a single report of all Terms of Call. To simplify matters we are asking only the questions asked by the Board of Pension in their request for updated Terms of Call. Alas, due to matters of privacy, the Board of Pensions may not just report the information directly to the presbytery.
2014 Necrology Report due March 15. Email completed form to: clerk@seapres.org.
Seattle Evangelicals for Racial Justice
Monday night in Seattle, a group of local pastors tried a different approach in the battle against racial injustice. They invited the public to a worship service that replaced protests with prayers.
Monday night in Seattle, a group of local pastors tried a different approach in the battle against racial injustice. They invited the public to a worship service that replaced protests with prayers.
Watch video of the worship service.
Contact Eliana Maxim for details about a similar presbytery hosted event coming up in January 2015.
SeaPres Office Parking In June
The Presbytery Nominating Committee is seeking qualified candidates to serve as Vice Moderator of the Seattle Presbytery in 2015.
An important note about parking at the SeaPres office (1544 S. Snoqualmie St., Seattle, WA 98108) for the entire month of June: we do not have any regular, reserved parking spaces available this month. Street parking is also limited due to parking lot closures at the VA Hospital nearby.
Please call or email EJ Lee before visiting the office or to schedule appointments, as our office will be working remotely and off site this month. Seattle Presbytery/Synod parking spaces will be available to use again beginning July 1. Please do not park in spots marked Walsh Construction. Thank you for your cooperation.
2015 Per Capita
By vote of the presbytery, 2015 per capita has been set at $40.00 apportioned as follows: Seattle Presbytery $30.43; Synod of Alaska-Northwest $2.50; General Assembly $7.07.
Prayerful Response to Ferguson
“In this time of angst and anger, frustration and fear over the shooting death of eighteen-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) calls for calm and prayer as justice is sought and righteousness pursued.”
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is responding in partnership with the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy and First Presbyterian Church of Ferguson, providing support and resources through members of the National Response Team with significant experience in public violence disaster response.
“In this time of angst and anger, frustration and fear over the shooting death of eighteen-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) calls for calm and prayer as justice is sought and righteousness pursued.”
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is responding in partnership with the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy and First Presbyterian Church of Ferguson, providing support and resources through members of the National Response Team with significant experience in public violence disaster response.
Prayer following the grand jury decision, Nov. 24, 2014
“The PC(USA) will not become a change-agent in the ages-long battle against racism by passing actions at the General Assembly or presbytery levels. Our impact must take place in our heart of hearts — the PC(USA) congregations in most cities and towns in this country. Our strength is at the “bottom” of our denominational hierarchy, not the “top.” Our congregations are perfectly positioned to make a difference in their communities.”
