contact us

Use the form on the right to contact us.

You can edit the text in this area, and change where the contact form on the right submits to, by entering edit mode using the modes on the bottom right.​

1013 8th Avenue
Seattle, WA, 98104
United States

(206)762-1991

The mission of Seattle Presbytery is to participate, in word and deed, in God’s transforming work through the Gospel of Jesus Christ: †by strengthening the witness and mission of our congregations and members and by building strong partnerships with each other and the larger Christian community.

IMG_0517.jpg

Theological Education Fund (TEF)

Seattle Presbytery

The Presbyterian Foundation invites you to celebrate God's inspiring work in equipping our seminaries to educate and prepare Christian leaders to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God" (Micah 6:8). May these liturgical resources assist you in preparation for worship, prayer, meditation, and reflection. The Presbyterian Planning Calendar specifies Sunday, September 20th as the Lord's Day for recognition of this mission emphasis, yet you may choose an alternative date as customs dictate or circumstances require.

Lectionary Resource: Click HERE to download the .pdf resource
Bulletin Insert: Click HERE to download a copy and/or order printed bulletin sets

Learn more online.

 

The PC(USA): Stretched Harmony

Seattle Presbytery

August 7, 2015 by The Presbyterian Outlook 

Guest commentary by Doug Kelly (Seattle Presbytery, Bethany PC)

“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:14)

I love when our choir breaks out into 4 or even 8 part harmony. The mixture of different notes, vowels and meter brings a rich sound.   Sometimes the harmony is a simple major chord blend. However, sometimes the harmonies are pushed, tense and don’t resolve so quickly.   I appreciate these harmonies too, although it takes some practice to endure them; they’re harmonies that stretch you.

I feel that way about the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), our denomination.   We are unified in Christ and also in a theological and ecclesiastical tradition, but that unity is being tested by differences around same-sex marriage and ordination standards. Some churches and pastors have left the PC(USA).   Some churches have left the denomination while their pastors have remained in the PC(USA). And there are many churches not talking about going anywhere. Some of my friends have even asked me if I am considering leaving the PC(USA).   I am not – for three reasons.

Read more.

    Whitworth's Academy of Christian Discipleship

    Seattle Presbytery

    "Train yourself in godliness," the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, his spiritual apprentice," for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

    To be a disciple requires a lifelong apprenticeship to Jesus. The ACD is designed to provide both instruction in and training for a life of discipleship. It is also designed to work in partnership with ministries and Christian organizations. The academy will be based on three foundational principles. First, it will equip and send people back to their local ministries as exemplars and servants. Second, it will train leaders to help establish a training program in those ministries. Finally, it will require commitment to a comprehensive vision of discipleship, which will include not only formal instruction but also deeper relationships, accountability, worship, spiritual exercises, and application to life in ministry.

    The program will videotape all sessions and offer them virtually so anyone can participate.

    Presbyterian News Service Features Madrona Grace's Tiny House

    Seattle Presbytery

    Madrona Grace Presbyterian Church in Seattle is addressing homelessness by installing Tiny Houses on their property, and in the yards of parishoners.

    Posted by Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on Monday, August 3, 2015

    Listening to God Together

    Seattle Presbytery

    As followers of Jesus, we live, work, and minister in a complex and rapidly changing culture. The church is reforming and recalibrating to share the gospel and minister more effectively in this context. As we face these challenges we need spiritual renewal and to intentionally seek God’s way forward through our practice of communal discernment.

    We want to hear God speak into our challenges and our opportunities.  We want to learn more about how to discern well. In this program you will first learn spiritual practices that aid deepening in your relationship with God through prayer. And second, you will learn and have the opportunity to engage a process of communal discernment with your leadership team in which you listen to God together.

    More information here...

    Code For the Kingdom Recap

    Seattle Presbytery

    By Chris Lim (RE, Indonesian PC):

    About a hundred people gathered for the first ever Code for the Kingdom @ Microsoft on July 10-11. We prayed, worshiped, hacked (kids did too!), pitched and celebrated–it was an amazing time. Read more.

    Here are some pictures, videos and tweets from the event. You can read my thoughts on the winning projects here.

    One participant shared, "Initially I registered as a photographer volunteer to participate in "Code for the Kingdom" event, because I never thought I was capable of handling a software project of real user impact. But after discussing with the tutor, I suddenly got some idea. Why cannot I use the algorithms I learned in Bing for biblical verse ranking? Although got the initial idea, there are a lot of technical challenges. But I really felt that God inspired me to attack my limitation. With the help of two tutors, my project "Bible insight" got the second place out of three, winning $100 gift card. I don't think I deserve the prize, but this event was really a spiritual treasure for me!"

    Interested in Partnering for Chap Clark Seminar?

    Seattle Presbytery

    Calvin Presbyterian Church in Shoreline, WA would like to host a Chap Clark Seminar on Saturday, September 26, 2015.

    Calvin proposes to host this seminar with your help through partnership and sponsorship of Presbyterian churches in the area.  As a partner, your church’s staff will attend free of charge and your church’s name will be included on all promotion materials.  The cost of the seminar is $3,500.  This expense will be covered by ten Presbyterian churches partnering at $250 each, and approximately 75-80 paying registrants.

    Our vision is to invite all churches and their staff and congregants, as well as publicizing broadly to schools, Younglife, parents and others who work with children and youth. 

    We are proposing the following fee schedule for non-sponsoring church staff and others: 

    $15 for church staff and pastors

    $10 for parents

    $20 for both seminar sessions

    See seminar session details below.
    Event Details
    Join other parents, pastors, youth and children’s ministry staff as we explore what it means to take seriously the spiritual formation of children and adolescents.  Chap Clark, Fuller Seminary Professor of Youth, Family, and Culture, and best-selling author, will provide training and tools to help us understand the adolescent experience, and faithfully journey with children and youth as they become followers of Jesus. 

    Two seminars will be offered:

    10am – 12 noon:  For clergy and church formation leaders to discern ways we can better minister to families and equip parents to walk with their children and adolescents on a journey of faith.

    1pm – 3pm:  For parents to learn more about the world of adolescents and discover ways to be more intentional about faith formation at home. 

    Karen Kirkman, Director of Family Ministries at Calvin Presbyterian Church would love to talk with you about this seminar with Chap Clark and answer any of your questions.  Her e-mail is families@calvinpc.org, or call her at (206) 542-6181. 

     

    PC(USA) Leaders Issue Statement on Church Burnings

    Seattle Presbytery

    A hate-inspired tragedy like the murder of nine worshipers at the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina, causes people of good conscience not only to grieve, but to reassess their attitudes about race, and moves people of all races to come together and take actions that reflect new commitments to heal long-standing wounds in the United States.

    Read more.

    Equip Your Congregation to Mentor Vulnerable Youth of Color

    Seattle Presbytery

    The 4C Coalition Can Equip Your Congregation to Mentor Vulnerable Youth of Color in King County 

    In recent years, many churches have foregone the one-week mission trip to other parts of the US, or abroad, in favor of responding to significant issues of poverty, homelessness, abuse, and disenfranchisement right at home.  Such a shift provides for long-term, life-changing relationships that can bring hope, justice, and healing to people who live in the same region, but who, in significant ways, live worlds apart.

    The 4C Coalition is a local non-profit (the 4 C’s stand for: Clergy, Community, Children/Youth, Coalition) that has seen great success in turning around the lives of boys and girls aged 12-18 throughout King County. About a year ago, members of Mount Baker Park Presbyterian Church (MBPPC) began a partnership with the 4C Coalition.  MBPPC is hosting 4C Mentor Trainings to build one-to-one mentoring relationships with vulnerable youth of color in King County.  MBPPC is hosting these one-day trainings on Saturdays throughout the year. Along with hosting women and children from the Mary’s Place Shelter, MBPPC members who have completed the one-day training have been matched with youth from Seattle to Auburn, Issaquah to Vashon Island.

    The 4C is supported by such agencies as King County Superior Court, City of Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, United Way of King County and the National CARES Mentoring Movement. The 4C has provided academic, social, positive peer relationships, increased school attendance, decreased suspensions, expulsions and truancy as well as provided material support to families struggling to give their children a good footing in transition from childhood to adulthood. 

    Why not get your congregation involved?  It is easy to do, and the benefits to the people of King County are immeasurable.

    Take a look at this video and consider getting started today.  You can contact the 4C Coalition, Donald Cameron @ 206.972.3426 or by email at donc@the4ccoalition.org.  

    In addition, look for a table staffed by Don Cameron of the 4C Coalition /Seattle Cares as you arrive at the July 21 Presbytery meeting at Rainier Beach PC.

    Sincerely,

    Pastor Leland Seese

    Mt. Baker Park Presbyterian Church

    PC(USA) Stated Clerk issues statement on Supreme Court's action on marriage

    Seattle Presbytery

    The Reverend Gradye Parsons
    Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
    Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

    The 221st General Assembly (2014) and the presbyteries ratified the following definition of marriage:

    Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family. Marriage involves a unique commitment between two people, traditionally a man and a woman, to love and support each other for the rest of their lives. The sacrificial love that unites the couple sustains them as faithful and responsible members of the church and the wider community...

    Read more.

    The Office of Constitutional Interpretation has prepared a helpful set of FAQs for pastors, sessions, and mid councils to use in response to the decision of the Supreme Court.

    Read this post in 한국의 and Espaňol.

    SeaPres Office Parking in June

    Seattle Presbytery

    An important note about parking at the SeaPres office (1544 S. Snoqualmie St., Seattle, WA 98108) for the entire month of June: we do not have any regular, reserved parking spaces available this month. Street parking is also limited due to parking lot closures at the VA Hospital nearby. 

    Please call or email EJ Lee before visiting the office or to schedule appointments, as our office will be working remotely and off site this month. Seattle Presbytery/Synod parking spaces will be available to use again beginning July 1. Please do not park in spots marked Walsh Construction. Thank you for your cooperation.

    CPE Program Available At VA Puget Sound

    Seattle Presbytery

    The CPE program is available again at VA Puget Sound after a two year hiatus.  

    We are trying to put together an extended unit for the fall fromSeptember 9, 2015 to January 8, 2016.

    Contact: 

    Rev. Beverly K. Hartz, MA BCC

    ACPE Supervisor

    Chaplain Services

    VA Puget Sound Health Care System

    1660 S. Columbian Way

    Seattle, WA  98108-1532

    206-768-5210

    Beverly.hartz@va.gov

    VA Puget Sound Health Care System is accredited for Level I and Level II by The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., 1 West Court Square, Suite 325, Decatur, GA 30030, 404-320-1472www.acpe.edu.

    Coaching Study Needs Your Help!

    Seattle Presbytery

    Coaching Research Needs Your Help!

    Hello, my name is Jeff Gephart.  I'm an ordained teaching elder of 16 years and currently at large in Seattle Presbytery and finishing a doctorate at Seattle University.  I have a desire to help pastoral leaders sustain themselves in ministry over the long haul.

    To that end I'm conducting a study of the coaching of clergy as part of my dissertation.  If you wish, you can read a more thorough introduction here and also read the consent form .

    Would you consider participating?  Qualified participants must be currently serving a congregation and have used a coach at some point in the last few years.  If you are willing to share your perspective on your coaching experience email me today at gephartj@seattleu.edu with your name and your email and I will send you the link to the online survey.  Your name and email will only be used for the purposes of this study and kept confidential.  Thanks!

    Regards,

    Rev. Jeff Gephart, M.Div.

    Ed.D. Candidate, Seattle University

    gephartj@seattleu.edu

    PresbyFest 2015 Pictures!

    Seattle Presbytery

    Together we shared an enlightening and engaging day featuring Mike Breen, Tali Hairston, Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz, Bev Shrumm, James B. Notkin, and Caz Minter.

    Posted by Seattle Presbytery on Thursday, May 21, 2015