January 20 Update from Eliana Maxim
Seattle Presbytery
SeaPres Update: January 20, 2021
Dear friends,
I pray that you are all well and give God thanks that a peaceful transition of national governance was once again on display today. I hope you will join me in continued prayer for our nation; that leaders may rule with compassionate and collaborative spirits, that justice and mercy may reign, and that each of us do our part to lift one another up, affirming the work God has begun in us all.
Just a few updates for you to keep in mind.
The Presbytery’s Executive Board met yesterday for their first meeting of the year and welcomed new members Rev. Colleen Chinen, Todd Peterson (Woodland Park PC), Rev. Zac Calvo, Pulemau Savusa (Lake Burien PC), and Rev. Paul Kim. The board also elected Rev. Lina Thompson as board moderator for 2021. We give God thanks for these leaders, and for all those who serve the wider church in a variety of ways!
Be sure to register for the next Presbytery meeting on February 23. This is but one more way for us to all stay connected, particularly during these challenging times. Check the website for more information.
The Governor’s office has provided an update for Faith Based Organizations; the main points are listed below. As always, it is your session’s responsibility to determine whether it is prudent for your congregation to participate in “in-person” worship services. We understand there are many factors involved for them to consider, and each congregation has its own contextual realities. We also understand that with the arrival of the various vaccines we may believe we are out of the woods. The truth - as expressed in the same state update - is that we are still hitting high numbers of infections in western Washington and are urged to take all safety precautions possible.
Update from the Governor’s Office permits:
live music and performances so long as individuals wear face coverings and adhere to physical distancing requirements.
up to one individual at a time to speak during a service without a face covering.
up to two households to sit as a group in Phase 1 outdoor services and Phase 2 indoor and outdoor services.
As to live music and performances –
a. Choirs and Congregational Singing: Choirs with up to 15 singers are permitted to sing indoors during the service so long as each singer maintains 9 feet (12 feet is encouraged) of physical distancing and wears a three-layer surgical mask. For religious organizations without a choir or with a choir of fewer than 15 singers, congregants and staff are permitted to sing so long as the total number of people singing does not exceed 15 and all those singing adhere to the 9 feet (12 feet is encouraged) of physical distancing and three-layer surgical masking requirements.
Choirs in excess of 15 individuals and the entire congregation are permitted to sing outdoors provided that all singers maintain 9 feet (12 feet is encouraged) of physical distancing and wear a three-layer surgical mask.b. Soloist singers are permitted to sing during the service without a mask provided that the individual maintains 15 feet of physical distancing.
The link to the entire guidance is here.
In grace and peace,
Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter