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

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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

Children gather at the front of the house to learn about God's love for them.

"We're using new coloring pencils!"

Comunidad Por Fin, a worshiping community of women and children supported by 7th Presbyterian Church Barranquilla
Worship led by deacons from 7th Church

Visiting El Mirador in the community of El Tamarindo where land disputes have displaced over a hundred families.

Many have been displaced from their homes and lands not just once but numerous times.

What was once fertile land with abundant crops of rice, plantain and yucca (over 50 tons grown per year) is now razed by bulldozers.

Listening to the residents' heartbreaking stories.

Where he once could farm enough to feed his family and sell the extra, this "campesino" has a small strip of temporary land suitable only for his chickens.

Universidad Reformada de Barranquilla

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)

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! 

Read more.

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

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.

November 18 Stated Meeting

Post by Seattle Presbytery.

Free Robes & Stoles Available

E.R. Moore robes and stoles, purchased in 1995 available at BelPres.

Clean, no tears, no frays. A few nylon zippers do stick, but are easily replaced. Dry cleaned every season. We took very good care of these!  

Read more.

Free Hymnals Available

Newport Presbyterian Church has up to 200 copies of  “The Presbyterian Hymnal,” (blue hymnal published in 1990) available for free.   Anyone interested should contact janetdewater@newportpres.org.  Copies will be available to pick up at the Nov. 18 Presbytery meeting at Newport.

Madrona's Julia's Place Shelter featured in local news

Julia’s Place home to many homeless families

By Sarah Radmer, Staff Reporter
Wednesday, October 29, 2014 11:59 AM

When you think of a church’s basement, you probably expect it to be full of old, broken pews or spare Sunday-school supplies. But the basement of Madrona Grace Presbyterian Church (832 32nd Ave.) is full of tents.

On any given night, up to seven families or 22 people are living in those tents as part of the Julia’s Place shelter. 

Keeping families together

The shelter began three years ago after church pastor Mark Zimmerly offered the space to house homeless families through a partnership with Mary’s Place.

Read more at the Madison Park Times site...