September 17 Update from Co-EP Eliana Maxim
Seattle Presbytery
Dear Friends,
I’ve been doing my very best not to think about Deuteronomy 28. As we continue with this Covid pandemic, continuing racial unrest, rising unemployment, climate based disasters, contentious election season, and most recently the oppressive smoke cover it’s hard not to think of the challenges around us in biblical terms. Layer on all this, parents trying to work from home while their children are schooled from home as well, limitations in personal interactions and travel, and the uncertainty of when this all might change, it’s no wonder many of us feel fearful, angry, or depressed.
And yet, in the midst of all this we are called to be church. We are called to be faithful and prayerful. Like the exiled people in Babylon, God does not release us from singing our song, but rather longs for us even more.
Remarkably, our congregations continue to gather and worship, albeit virtually, every week. Bible studies, book groups, Sunday school classes. All these too are finding a new way to take place. Sessions and congregations hold meetings, elders are being ordained and installed, baptism and communion are being celebrated, lives lost are remembered and mourned. Congregations are finding their voice and place in their communities, coming alongside as valuable partners, seeking ways to serve and accompany.
As a presbytery, we are called to be church despite the swirl of uncertainty and stress as well. We continue to do our work around issues of race and equity and walking alongside 6 congregations in pastoral transitions. We are committed to partnering with our churches in their community engagement and supporting inquirers and candidates for ministry.
Tuesday, September 29 at 5pm we will gather as a presbytery for our first virtual meeting. Like everything we’ve been experiencing these past 6 months, it will be different. It may have bumps in the road and glitches along the way. But we will gather and be church together. And for this - despite smoky skies and uncertain times - we give God thanks.
In grace and peace,
Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter