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1013 8th Avenue
Seattle, WA, 98104
United States
(206)762-1991
communications@seattlepresbytery.org
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.
October 2016 update:
Starting from scratch yet again in January, 2016, these Colombian farmers have made great progress after multiple displacements. This month they inaugurated a new well which will provide a steady water supply.
--Keeping old sails out of landfills,
--Providing sails for developing countries in the south Pacific, and shelter for homeless people here and in Mexico.
If you know someone who’s getting new sails, and would like to see their old sails help people in need, please contact Marsha Cutting at resailproject@gmail.com
or visit our Facebook page.
And, if you or someone you know is traveling to San Diego and has room to transport some sails (on top of the car is fine), please let us know.
Video created by: Derona Burkholder, SeaPres Triennium Registrar
October 7, 2016 by Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE (PNS) – The legal counsel of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has issued a set of guidelines for pastors, congregations and mid-councils during the election season. As tax exempt organizations, the guidelines prohibit PC(USA) entities from campaigning for or against a candidate but allows promotion of or lobbying for or against issues.
I am greatly appreciative to Seattle Presbytery for the opportunity of a 2-month sabbatical (August – September 2016). My first ever, and most certainly a most memorable one.
I began my time away by attending the general assembly of the Alliance of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches of Latin America as a delegate from the PCUSA’s National Latino/Hispanic Caucus. For a week in Sao Paolo, Brazil, delegates met for a consultation on ecological justice, the status of women in Latin America and the role of the Church in both of these areas.
Conversations were also held around the topics of Latino immigrants and their faith communities in the US, new and reformed liturgical resources and the political and economic realities affecting Latin American countries, including peace negotiations in Colombia and instability in Venezuela.
Following the conclusion of the assembly, I took advantage to visit Rio de Janiero (during the Olympics, no less!) and Iguazu Falls, considered one of the seven wonders of the world. One word: amazing!
My husband and I also had the opportunity to travel to Spain and visit Santiago de Compostela, considered by many as a holy pilgrimage site, and attend worship at the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona. From there, we traveled to Romania and drove through the northern Moldavian region visiting various painted monasteries from the middle ages. These religious communities are still home to hundreds nuns and monks who maintain daily ancient Orthodox rites and services.
Both these countries play a significant role in my family’s cultural identity as my father’s family comes from the Galician coast of Spain (location of Santiago de Compostela) and my husband is from Romania.
I had embarked on this sabbatical time with the hope of experiencing a variety of Christian worship expressions from both the western and eastern churches, and I was not disappointed. As someone who relishes the stories and traditions of “others” and partners with diverse communities in the greater Seattle area, this was an invaluable opportunity to learn, listen and synthesize for our ongoing ministry at Seattle Presbytery.
Again, thank you all for your support during this sabbatical season, in particular my colleagues Scott Lumsden and EJ Lee.
I look forward to this next season of ministry and welcome all the ways we can serve our Lord together!
In Christ,
Eliana
All employers must create and submit an Employer Agreement through Benefits Connect by September 30, 2016 — even if an installed pastor is their only Benefits Plan member. If employers don’t submit an Agreement, their employees will not be able to elect 2017 benefits during annual enrollment.
Employers must use Employer Decision Support through Benefits Connect to model benefits selections and costs for 2017. Employer Agreements are created through Employer Decision Support. The Agreement details the benefits they will offer employees during annual enrollment (October 17-November 11).
Registering for Benefits Connect is easy; see the Benefits Connect box on this page. For employer representatives (previously, authorized web representatives) who are already registered, IDs and passwords have not changed.
Annual enrollment, your chance to review and change benefits coverage, will be October 17 through November 11. This year, employees will use Benefits Connect to enroll for benefits online. Look for more information about annual enrollment in coming weeks.
The 2016 Benefits Administration Handbook for Churches and Employing Organizations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been updated! This handbook can help church treasurers, clerks of session, and business administrators in their role as benefits liaison to the Board, providing practical information on such topics as enrolling members in coverage and calculating and paying dues.
by Emily Enders Odom | Presbyterian News Service
Chris Lim at the Go Disciple Live “Be the Light” Evangelism Conference. (Photo by Mari Graham)
ST. PETE BEACH, FLORIDA – After earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science from the University of Washington and then landing a plum job at Amazon less than a year later, what more could a young software engineer want?
More—Chris Lim wanted more.
Lim, a ruling elder at the Indonesian Presbyterian Church in Seattle, wanted nothing less than what God wants—that God’s kingdom come. And, what’s more, he wanted to use his God-given gifts, specifically his expertise in technology, to hasten its coming.
August 9, 2016
Dear Brothers and Sisters –
What a wonderful Lord’s Day celebration we had last Sunday – filled with worship, and a sense of community with God’s people – friends old and new – hailing from Canada, Tennessee, some originally from Iran, Vietnam, Mexico, some from across town, a few from the streets. And then to be “picked” by that quite amazing Lectionary text from the gospel of Luke: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom!” (Luke 12:32) And then to come to the Lord’s Table, and be assured once again of the sheer gift of it all, the sustained grace of it all in this life of following Jesus.
I think you’ll be glad to hear that we’ll be gathering regularly for worship at 10:30 am on Sundays in the Chapel at the building known as “First Presbyterian Church Seattle”. Be sure to spread the word!
Until then…be the church!
Pastor Heidi
Parking information:
Free parking will be available in the surface (south) lot on 8th Avenue and Madison. Overflow parking will be available in the large (north) lot on 7th and Spring.
Easiest entry to the Chapel is on Spring Street (about the middle of the block or so - look for the sign on sidewalk).
July 31, 2016
Reports of my “retirement” have been greatly exaggerated! Though the Presbyterian Church (USA) has now recognized me as “Honorably Retired” from mission service after 21 years as a PC(USA) mission co-worker, I have definitely not retired from Kenya, from ministry, nor from university teaching in East Africa! Not only have I not “retired”, I am excited about the way opportunities and engagement in the region continue to deepen and expand.
Message from Pastor Heidi Husted Armstrong:
Dear sisters and brothers:
A long awaited day - much prayed for in recent months - has arrived: this Sunday we will be worshipping at the building known as “First Presbyterian Church Seattle.”
We plan on holding two worship services in the Chapel this Sunday, at 10:30am and 1pm. The second service allows members of Presbytery to attend. There will be a communal meal in between the services in the Whitworth Room (food will be provided). We hope you will able to join us for any or all of this time – and ask you to please spread the word!
While there are still many unanswered questions, and the way forward is not entirely clear, we invite you to continue to trust God on this journey as we discern together God’s direction and will for First Presbyterian Church Seattle.
Grace and peace!
Pastor Heidi Armstrong
Rev. Dr. Heidi Husted Armstrong, Transitional Pastor
First Presbyterian Church Seattle
Email: heidi@seapres.org
Cell: 206/294-1544
Website: http://seafirstpres.org/
Parking information:
Free parking will be available in the surface (south) lot on 8th Avenue and Madison. Overflow parking will be available in the large (north) lot on 7th and Spring.
Thank you to our amazing hosts @ Madrona Grace!
We, your people, pray for these young people and adults, who we send to the 2016 Presbyterian Youth Triennium. We pray, God, you will move through all their experiences at Triennium. That it is a reminder of how you bring people together. That all are welcome. That everyone is accepted. That your word is embedded in their hearts.
We pray for the renewal of friendships and the birth of new ones. For deep thoughts, transformation and the freedom to be silly.
God, shape Triennium to be a life-altering, life-giving, life-forming, unbelievably awesome experience. That the joy, laughter and challenges shared by those gathered together will travel with them and carry them all the days of their lives.
In your loving name, we pray these things, and together we say, Amen.
Learn more about the SeaPres Triennium delegation.
Queen Anne PC's Food for Kids:
Together with our partners, Queen Anne Helpline and Ballard Food Bank, we provide six nutritious meals and snacks for the weekends for children attending local schools who do not otherwise have enough to eat. Twice a month, we hold "packing parties" at the church to get bags of food ready that will be discreetly delivered by school staff to the participating kids. The program started in October, 2013 and has grown rapidly since.
Questions? Contact Queen Anne PC.
7/11/16 update from the Board of Pensions:
Log on to the New Benefits Connect Today
Beginning today (7/11/16), the new Benefits Connect is live -- and it's your one-stop shop for everything related to benefits. With the new site, you can view contact and benefits information, search resources for additional information, and contact the Board -- all online.
Log on to the new Benefits Connect to
Paper Forms Needed During Transition
Our goal is to provide you with the ability to complete nearly all requests quickly and easily online through Benefits Connect. Through 2016, we will be working to reach our goal! Until then, paper forms will be needed to submit service changes, salary changes, and terminations between now and January 2017. Members will need to complete paper forms to
For additional help, you can always call 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN); Employer Services will continue to provide high level quality service and respond to questions and concerns.
Employer Decision Support Coming Soon
Our plan is to open employer decision support next week so you will be able to begin to use Benefits Connect to model 2017 benefit selections and costs (throughSeptember 30) to determine the benefit selections to offer employees during annual enrollment. Look for an email with more details coming your way soon! For a refresher of 2017 Benefits Plan features, view Overview of the 2017 Benefits Plan. Be on the lookout for information about employer decision support!
Transformed Service Delivery: Serving More. Serving Better. Serving the Church.
The new Benefits Connect is the result of months of thoughtful design, development, and enhancement of processes and technology that support the Board's service. Experience first-hand the meaning of transformed service delivery. Log on to the new Benefits Connect today!
Questions about the Benefits Plan, your benefits, or payments?
Comments/suggestions about this email, newsletter, or other publication?
More resources:
2017 BOP Benefits Plan Overview
The Board Bulletin - Spring 2016
800-PRESPLAN Information Update
May 13, 2016 by The Presbyterian Outlook
What will they hear? Who will tell them?
Give your church members a fast, accurate and fair account of what happened at the General Assembly. We’ll explain how the assembly voted on the most significant issues – from new denominational leadership to the world’s concerns.
You can provide them with a summary of the news in a bulletin insert the day after the assembly adjourns prepared by the award-winning Presbyterian Outlook news team. Download it and print as many as you need.
The PDF is just $20 for congregations with less than 250-members and $30 for congregations greater than 250-members.
Also available:
Assembly in Brief, the popular bulletin insert-size summary of the 222nd General Assembly (2016) is now available as a free download. The insert is chock-full of information about the Assembly, complete with color photographs. Assembly in Brief is a partnership between PNS and the Office of the General Assembly. It relies heavily on the writing and photography staff of the General Assembly Communications Center.
Contents:
The bulletin insert may be downloaded below or you may:
Assembly in Brief (free downloadable bulletin insert from the Office of the General Assembly)
More links:
Read assembly reports & recommendations
Seattle Presbytery's GA commissioners:
Ruling Elder Steve Aeshbacher, Bellevue
Ruling Elder Pattie Holt, St. Andrew
Teaching Elder Doug Early, commissioner
Teaching Elder Chris Pritchett, commissioner
Riley Drinkwine, Young Adult Advisory Delegate
Just for fun:
The Rap on GA - "No Sleep Till Portland"
June 24, 2016 by Leslie Scanlon, The Presbyterian Outlook
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has elected a new stated clerk: J. Herbert Nelson II – a third-generation Presbyterian pastor, a prophetic voice for justice.
Nelson issued a call to Presbyterians stop focusing on internal church disputes, numerical survival, and labeling each other as progressives or conservatives, and to focus on “the impact God can make through us” in a broken world.
“I believe we are not dying,” Nelson told the 2016 General Assembly. “I believe we are reforming.”
On the first ballot, the assembly voted overwhelming 447 to 112 to elect Nelson – the official nominee and the director of the PC(USA)’s Office of Public Witness – over challenger David M. Baker, stated clerk of the Presbytery of Tampa and its director of communications.
June 23, 2016 by Jill Duffield, The Presbyterian Outlook
PORTLAND, Ore. – The 2016 General Assembly made history by voting June 22 to add the Belhar Confession – a moving call for reconciliation, and a condemnation of racial injustice written in the crucible of the struggle over apartheid – to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Book of Confessions. Belhar becomes the first confession from the global south the mostly-white PC(USA) has ever adopted – and the PC(USA) has done so at a time when racial tension, injustice and violence in the United States make headlines nearly every day.
June 18, 2016 by Leslie Scanlon, Presbyterian Outlook
On the first ballot, the 2016 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) elected on June 18 the team of T. Denise Anderson and Jan Edmiston as its co-moderators – choosing leaders who say they want to “cast a vision of hope for the church we love dearly” and who have challenged Presbyterians to realize that change is both inevitable and can be a force for good.
The assembly elected Anderson and Edmiston – both teaching elders – by a vote of 432 (76 percent) to 136 (24 percent) over the team of Adan Mairena, a teaching elder and new church development pastor from Philadelphia, and David P. Parker, a ruling elder and lawyer from North Carolina.
That election marks the first time the assembly has elected co-moderators – and the first time the slate chosen has ever consisted of two women.
by Paul Seebeck | Presbyterian News Service
For Eric Hanna, what began as a dinner invitation became an integral part of a spiritual journey.
Last year a classmate at the University of Washington invited Hanna to a meal and Bible study at International Friendship House in Seattle. Friendship House is home to International Disciples, a new worshiping community that seeks to empower international and American college students in the Seattle area to be global Christian leaders.
A native of Amsterdam, Hanna had accepted invitations like this one before, but always felt as if the group ended up being too fanatical. After declining the initial invitation, he kept thinking about it and, after a long weekend, decided to give it a try.
“I really admire Eric,” said International Disciples leader Polly Yorioka. “I’ve appreciated his honesty about the spiritual journey he is on—that he doesn’t feel like he has to have the perfect answer or claim faith that he doesn’t have.”
On May 18, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor announced changes to the White Collar
Exemption Regulations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). The FLSA addresses which
employees are entitled to minimum wage and overtime. Those changes will take effect in
approximately 6 months on December 1, 2016. There is no exemption in the FLSA or its
regulations for non-profit organizations. Therefore, all non-profits, including churches,
presbyteries, and synods, need to assess the impact of the FLSA changes on their organization.
In order to determine if the recently announced FLSA changes impact your congregation or
council (hereafter collectively “Council”), there are several questions and a few analyses you
might consider.
