January 17 Meeting Photos

Thank you, Northminster PC for hosting the January stated meeting!

For sale from Southminster PC

Southminster Presbyterian Church has received a donation of two outdoor mausoleum crypt spaces at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery in north Seattle.  The spaces are in an above ground tandem crypt (two spaces end to end), and the church would like to sell both spaces together for $4000, less than half the retail price.  To find out more or to arrange an opportunity to see the crypt, contact Bill Gwyn at 206-349-2968.

An Invitation from Seattle Presbytery

Many thanks to Rev. Dani Forbess, Coastland Commons, and Northminster Presbyterian Church for their gracious and warm hospitality last night at our presbytery meeting. We also wish Rev. Kevin Nollette a fruitful and blessed retirement. 

As we look forward, I want to take this opportunity to invite you to Leadership for Healthier Churches on Saturday, January 28 at Seattle First Presbyterian Church. There is no end to the challenges that church leaders face on a day to day basis. Pastors, elders, sessions, staff members -- all of us -- face difficult decisions about the future and the need to change. Underneath this all lay the relationships that bind us together as one. 

Ron Richardson has dedicated much of his life helping church leaders navigate the personal and the professional aspects of leadership. If you are looking to grow in your ability to serve the church in a healthier, more productive way, please join us for this special leadership event. 

In Christ, 

Scott Lumsden

Proposed Amendments to the Constitution

Download the proposed amendments to the Constitution approved by the 222nd General Assembly (2016) and recommended to the presbyteries for their vote.

Read more.

Puget Sound Interfaith Network for Public Theology

Center for Religious Wisdom & World Affairs Call for Participants:
Puget Sound Interfaith Network for Public Theology

Now, more than ever, strong and unified religious voices are needed in public life. The Center for Religious Wisdom & World Affairs is committed to helping religious leaders gain the resources and tools they need to effectively address issues of social justice and the common good.

To that end, the Center is seeking to engage Puget Sound religious leaders from a variety of faith traditions that are interested in: 1) articulating interfaith positions around homelessness; 2) reimagining the role of religion in public life; and 3) enhancing their skill set to serve as public intellectuals.

If selected, you will:

•  Participate in an all-day forum at Seattle University in April 2017 and 2018

• Periodically meet with network members from your geographic area for a one-year period

• Receive travel compensation and have access to relevant resources

Deadline: February 27, 2017

Read more.

Way Forward Commission Needs Your Input

Way Forward Commission establishes process to encourage engagement

JANUARY 9, 2017

PC(USA) News Release

The General Assembly Way Forward Commission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has released its process for receiving initial communications and suggestions from any interested PC(USA) groups or individuals. The online form is designed to assist the commission in identifying areas for continued discernment about the ministries and structure of the national denomination.

The form is available in English, Korean, and Spanish, although the commission will accept submissions in any language. Recognizing the timeframe and scope of their work, the commission has set February 28 as a deadline for submissions, which are limited to 2,000 words.

Read more.

Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs

Seeking to strengthen Christian congregations through renewal and reflection

Welcome to the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs at Christian Theological Seminary!

Lilly Endowment's Clergy Renewal Programs are administered by the Center for Pastoral Excellence at Christian Theological Seminary. 

Through its religion grantmaking, Lilly Endowment, an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation, seeks to deepen and enrich the lives of American Christians. It does this largely through initiatives to enhance and sustain the quality of ministry in American congregations and parishes.

To this end, National and Indiana Clergy Renewal Programs provide an opportunity for pastors to step away briefly from the persistent obligations of daily parish life and to engage in a period of renewal and reflection. Renewal periods are not vacations but times for intentional exploration and reflection, for drinking again from God's life-giving waters, for regaining enthusiasm and creativity for ministry.

Details and application materials for the 2017 programs are now available. In the 2017 Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program and the 2017 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations, eligible congregations will be able to apply for grants of up to $50,000 each to support a renewal program for their pastor. Up to $15,000 of the grant may be used for congregational expenses associated with the renewal program.

Read more.

Online Statistical Reports Due

Online statistical reporting links are now live.  The reporting deadline is February 16, 2017.  

Click here for details and links to all forms.

Greetings from Seattle Presbytery

….the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see! I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
 
The light that overcomes all darkness, the hope of all the ages- we remember and rejoice that God’s promises to us are met from manger to the cross to the empty tomb.
 
We are thankful for each of you, our sisters and brothers; for your faithfulness to the Gospel and your partnership in ministry. We look forward to the coming year as we continue to serve together. May you, your congregation, community and loved ones be richly blessed by the gifts of peace, joy, hope and love this Christmas tide.
 
In Christ,
Scott, Eliana and SeaPres Staff

Toward a new vision: Way Forward Commission forms subgroups, discerns next steps

December 14, 2016 by Leslie Scanlon (The Presbyterian Outlook)

NEW YORK (Outlook) The Way Forward Commission has begun to discern next steps for its work – including considering some issues it may be able to act on quickly, and starting to figure out how to organize its longer-term work.

Part of the conversation is structural: for example, deciding what kind of subgroups to establish to work from now until the board’s next meeting (via conference call) on Feb. 7.

But the structural nuts and bolts all link back to deeper concerns about how the denomination functions – such as when commission member Eileen Lindner, a teaching elder from New Jersey, said the intent of considering a potential polity change would be to “take a look at access to the places that allow people to lead and participate fully in the life of the church.”

In several instances, while discussing what needs to change, commission members raised questions of how seriously the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is taking its work with people of color.

“The fact that Latinos and Hispanics are the largest minority and we have no funding to hire anybody … this just doesn’t make sense,” said Adan Mairena, a new church development pastor from Philadelphia.

Eliana Maxim, a mid council executive from Seattle, questioned the terminology of “racial ethnic ministries” in the PC(USA) structure. “It’s this – pardon the language – little ghettoized area where they put all the black people and all the brown people and throw in a couple of people of color to lead them, and say ‘we’re doing good work.’ ”

Read more.

Seeking Godly play materials

A local church redevelopment is looking for Godly Play materials and resources that a church may no longer use or need.  Contact: SeaPres Office.

When incivility becomes the norm

November 16, 2016

News Release

BY J. HERBERT NELSON, II

Stated Clerk of the General Assembly

This statement is a response to the violence on America’s streets after the election of Mr. Donald Trump as President–Elect of the United States of America.

I read several post-election statements and heard news accounts of violence, riots, and protests while in Central America visiting Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission partners. The news images were shocking to both our partners and me. We struggled to understand the results of the election, particularly given Mr. Trump’s stance on immigration, which was the theme of my visit. However, I was not as startled as my Central American friends. Serving as director of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) Office of Public Witness in Washington, D.C., for six years prior to becoming Stated Clerk prepared me to understand the outcomes we face in electoral politics. Although I have shared parts of this writing before with congregations and audiences, there seemed to always be a sense of skepticism among the hearers. I proclaim the message once again, because the apparent shock for many has left people raising the question, “What happened?”

Read more.

Post Election Pastoral Letter from Seattle Presbytery

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
 
Regardless of where you may stand politically, this past Tuesday’s election brought an avalanche of emotions for all.
Sadly, the season’s political rhetoric was laced with such anger and hateful talk, there are many in our congregations who are angry and grieving; others still who are worried about an uncertain future for their loved ones or themselves.
 
It is also important to note how tragically divided our country is at this time, and how fear has given permission for some to bully or oppress others.
 
Now more than ever we must recommit ourselves to the values and teachings of the Gospel. Now more than ever we need to publicly voice our commitment to love, justice and peace for all of God’s children.
 
Let us pray for our president-elect and our country, but let us also refuse to turn a blind eye to racism, xenophobia and sexism.
Let us be the communities of faith that stand with the vulnerable, speak out against oppression and bigotry, and offer the hope that comes from claiming Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

In grace and peace,

Scott Lumsden & Eliana Maxim

October 18 Meeting Photos

Big thanks to MIPC for hosting the October presbytery meeting!

Update on campesino farmers of María Jacinta (Colombia)

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.

The ReSail Project

Sponsored by Madrona Grace Presbyterian Church

--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.

Learn more.

Triennium 2016 Video Recap

Video created by: Derona Burkholder, SeaPres Triennium Registrar

Guidelines on election activities for religious organizations

PC(USA) issues updated guidelines on election activities for religious organizations

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.

Read more.

Eliana's Sabbatical Report

Santiago de Compostela

Mass Sagrada Familia Cathedral

Biserica

AIPRAL GA worship

Agapia Monastery

Romania

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

BOP: Employer Agreements Due Sept. 30

Employer Agreements Due September 30

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 Is October 17 through November 11

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.

Resource for Churches and Other Employers Updated

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.

Read more.