March 18 Update from Eliana Maxim
Seattle Presbytery
And your ears will hear a word behind you saying,
‘This is the way, walk in it’,
when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”
Isaiah 30:21
Dear friends,
It may seem at times that life was just a little bit easier when all we had to do was simply shut everything down, as we did a little over a year ago. Everyone retreat to your homes, no contact, stay away from anyone not in your immediate household.
Having now seen a glimmer of light at the end of this pandemic tunnel, with the rate of coronavirus infections on a decline, and the vaccines more readily available, we now must consider the next step: our tentative steps toward in person worship considerations.
Next week’s move to phase 3 by Governor Inslee in the Healthy Washington reopening plan permits faith communities to gather in person (masked and 6 feet distancing) at 50% capacity, has raised more questions from many of our church leaders about when and how to gather in person again.
Respected epidemiologist Dr. Daniel Chin, who has consulted with the WHO and is a member of UPC, recently wrote an excellent article for faith leaders considering in person worship. He calls this pandemic phase we have entered as the “partial vaccination phase”, when unvaccinated and vaccinated people begin to interact publicly and lifts up two significant unknowns that complicate matters: 1) can vaccinated people transmit the virus? and 2) identified variants from other countries are appearing to be 10-70% more transmissible and could extend the pandemic.
Dr. Chin goes on to outline 5 suggestions in planning in person worship, which I strongly encourage you consider in your congregational decisions. Our desire to be together in worship cannot outweigh our concern for the wellbeing of all in our communities; let’s commit to making sound decisions that honor and affirm God’s desire for an abundant life, well being, and shalom, for all.
I also invite you to take a moment and complete the Worship Survey to help better understand the needs and plans of our presbytery.
Heartbreak and Anger
I join the chorus of lament across this country over the recent shooting in the Atlanta area that killed 8 people, 6 of whom are identified as Asian. Regardless of the killer’s motive, the reality is that our Asian siblings have been victimized during this pandemic simply because of their ethnicity, enduring assault and discrimination; our sin of racism finding yet another way to cause injury and death to an already marginalized population. Let us not stay silent on this subject, simply retreating to prayer. But rather, let’s find ways to publicly speak out against heinous acts like these and find ways to support our Asian siblings particularly in this difficult time. May our prayers be acts of love and justice. For more information on what this might look like, please see the message from our Race and Equity Task Force.
We are all walking challenging paths, and the journey may seem daunting or we just may not know which way to turn. I return to the prophet Isaiah, who put his trust in the Lord, and chose his direction based on that still small voice that promised a way forward. As people who walk by faith, and not by sight, we also would do well to listen to the voice(s) that call us to wise choices; ones that affirm humanity and claim wholeness for all.
In grace and peace,
Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter
We've had wonderful gatherings this week for our first ever Colombia Partnership virtual trip! Please join the upcoming events and contact EJ Lee for access to recordings of previous events.