April 18 SeaPres Update from Co-Executive Presbyters
Seattle Presbytery
“Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” (Mark 16: 9-15)
Dear friends,
Despite everything they had been through with Jesus, somehow or another, his closest disciples were unable to believe he was alive. No matter what they had seen with their own eyes and experienced firsthand – healings, teachings, feedings, and more! - they refused to believe the good news offered to them by Mary Magdalene, the two disciples from the road story, and even a first hand encounter with Jesus.
Good on Jesus for scolding their unbelief, but even better on Jesus for the simple instruction he gives them (and us) despite their (and our) stubbornness and lack of faith – to proclaim good news!
In this Eastertide, when the challenge of 2 plus years of pandemic weariness weighs us down, Jesus continues to empower us to extraordinary ways of being. There is work to be done; wrongs to be righted, the hungry to be fed, broken lives to be restored, captives to be freed, hope to overcome despair. There is good news to be proclaimed! And part of the good news is that despite our shortcomings, we are still commanded to be bearers of the Gospel and embody a different way of life.
We are grateful for all the churches in the Seattle Presbytery who are grappling anew with who they are and who God needs them to be as they share the good news in their communities. And we are grateful for presbytery leadership such as the Executive Board, Commission on Ministry, and Commission on Preparation for Ministry, who remain committed to issues of equity and justice as they support and encourage congregations, sessions, and ministers.
Welcome Rev. Paul S. Kim
We also want to take this opportunity to share the good news of our newest staff member, Rev. Paul Kim. Paul will be serving a two-year term as Community & Ministry Development Associate. As the Thriving Congregation program grows, Paul will be tasked with supporting the current program and inviting participation from congregations outside Seattle Presbytery. If that weren’t enough, Paul will also be helping the presbytery explore community partnerships (and development) where we have vacant properties. He’ll also help support the staff team during the upcoming sabbaticals for Scott (this summer/fall) and Eliana (2023).
Grace and peace,
Revs. Eliana Maxim & Scott Lumsden
Co-Executive Presbyters