Colombia 2020

Colombia 2020 team members: James Kumin/Inglewood, Doug Early/Queen Anne, Alex Maxim/Mercer Island, Austin Ashenbrenner/Redmond, Jarred Hill/Overlake Park, Scott Anderson/St. Andrew, Tali Hairston/Seattle Presbytery, Crystal Hairston/Lake Burien, Eliana Maxim/Seattle Presbytery, Steph Boyer/Mercer Island, HT Lee/Overlake Park, Ben McConaughy/Mercer Island.

Seattle Presbytery’s trip to Barranquilla, Colombia was Jan. 27 – Feb. 7, 2020. A team of 12 teaching and ruling elders from Seattle Presbytery spent 10 days in Barranquilla, Colombia in our ongoing partnership with the presbytery of the North Coast of the Presbyterian Church in Colombia. The following churches established congregational partnerships while there: Queen Anne PC with Sincelejo PC, Overlake Park PC with 5th PC, Vashon PC with 9th PC, Lake Burien PC with 4th PC and Cartagena PC, Union PC with 1st PC, Redmond PC & St. Andrews PC with 3rd PC, and Mercer Island PC/Preschool with El Camino PC/Colegio Americano. We give thanks for the deepening relationships and missional partnerships being developed. While there, members of the Partnership Task Force worked with representatives from the Presbyterian Church of Colombia to write an overture to the 223 General Assembly requesting ongoing support for the church’s role in the nation’s peace process. 

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February 2, 2020 Colombia weekend update:

A weekend with lots and lots of activity.
Our team broke into pairs on Saturday and visited mission partnerships of various churches in the presbytery. From community programs for children, seniors, and the displaced to collective worship planning, and then onto a presbytery-wide women’s ministry event about changing worship styles.
On Sunday everyone went to a different church; Austin Ashenbrenner (Redmond PC), James Kumin (Inglewood PC), Doug Early (Queen Anne PC), Crystal and Tali Hairston (Lake Burien PC) and Eliana Maxim (presbytery staff) all led worship services.
Church doesn’t end with worship though; lunch, meetings, and wonderful conversations with “tintos” filled the day.

Read more trip updates and see pictures on the SeaPres Facebook page.

Team’s arrival in Barranquilla.

Colombia Task Force members and trip participants gathered at the Maxims’ on December 2nd for the first of several trip preparation meetings.

Read more about Seattle Presbytery’s missional partnership with the Presbyterian Church in Colombia.

SeaPres Update: January 31, 2020 (Copy)

Dear friends,

There are two things I can count on in ministry and life in general. 
One: change is inevitable and constant. 
And the second: there’s more I don’t know than I do, and so openness to learn and try new ways of doing things is imperative.

We’re attempting a new way in doing our meetings as a presbytery.

The Executive Board and presbytery staff considered the following question when planning our meetings for 2020: How can we create space and time for us all to come together in order to care for our congregations, leadership, and communities? To do so prayerfully in a manner that would lead us to make informed, caring decisions and in the process, learn and be transformed by the spirit of God amongst us?

So we’re crafting our time together at Presbytery meetings in a new way. We invite you to step into this “pilot” format and experiment with us.

We’ll still have all the elements required for our work together, but it’ll look and feel a little different, hopefully providing participants with yet another way to step into the space of being community together.

I look forward to seeing you the first presbytery meeting of 2020 on February 25 ( 5:00pm) at Northminster Presbyterian Church.In grace and peace,

Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter

Bellevue Taiwanese Presbyterian Church Chartering

Celebrating Seattle Presbytery’s newest congregation

Bellevue Taiwanese Presbyterian Church

Housed at Newport PC, 4010 120th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98006

Pastor Chunlan Tung

Seattle Presbytery chartered Bellevue Taiwanese Presbyterian Church on Sunday, January 26, 2020, installing two elders and four deacons.

Thank you to our administrative commission members: Rev. Laura Terasaki (Newport), Andrew Leo (First Taiwanese PC), Glen Ferguson (Overlake Park), & moderator Karen Cunningham (Newport).

New Testament Greek class @ University PC

Family Advent devotional booklet available

From Lilly Schneider, Bellevue Presbyterian Church:

I am an active member of Bellevue Presbyterian Church and a high school senior working on a Girl Scout Gold Award I’ve noticed that a lot of young people growing up in the church these days are missing out on some key (and fun) parts of the liturgical year, so for my Award project, I created an Advent devotional and activity booklet for preschool- and elementary-age children and their families. The booklet includes information about Advent and its meaning, instructions for weekly Advent practices (candle-lighting, scripture-reading, discussion questions, songs, and fun activities like crafts and games,) and devotions for adults. This Advent season, my church distributed about 400 copies of the booklet to families, folded its lessons into their Advent Sunday school programs, and based their Stations of Advent event off of its curriculum. The Gold Award requirements state that the project must reach a wider audience than just my immediate community, which gave me the idea to share this curriculum and booklet with churches in the surrounding Seattle Area through the Seattle Presbytery. 

Download Advent Devotional here.

Presbyterian Border Region Outreach

Tent city in Matamoros, Mexico

Border wall construction in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Border wall construction in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Asylum seekers bathing in the Rio Grande

Tent city in Matamoros, Mexico

By Nancyrose Houston, member of Wedgwood Presbyterian Church

In early November, I set out on a sojourn along the US-Mexico border. I, like many in our country, had been horrified by the cruelty I was hearing about in the news towards immigrants, and the planned trip had been months in the making. I wanted to see the situation for myself, learn what I could, and bring back as much information as possible to my community in Seattle. 

Below follows an account of some of my travels, but first I would like to extend an invitation to attend the adult education classes I will be leading at my home church, Wedgwood Presbyterian. I will share more about my experiences and the general state of immigration, especially asylum, in our country. The classes will be held on January 26 and February 16 from 11:15am to 12:30pm, with a light lunch included. The first class will focus on the assault on the rights of asylum seekers, while the second class will explore the topics of the border wall, detention, desert deaths, border patrol policies, and more. For more information, or to RSVP so I have an approximate count, contact me at nancyrosehouston@gmail.com. You can also read the blog with more reflections from my trip at www.wonderingwanderings.org. 

My journey first took me to the Presbyterian Border Region Outreach conference, “Responding to an Exodus: Gospel Hospitality and Empire” in Agua Prieta, Mexico. There I met approximately 100 people of faith from across the country, mostly Presbyterians, who are involved with immigrant advocacy or volunteer work in their communities. Some work with legal organizations, others serve food to migrants trapped in border towns under the “Remain in Mexico” program, and others stand up against ICE presence in their communities far from the border. All were united by a calling to welcome the “ger,” a Hebrew word usually translated to stranger but which I found out literally means foreigner, alien, or immigrant. The text of Matthew 25 takes on a more explicit meaning in our current political atmosphere when we read verse 35 as, “I was an immigrant and you invited me in.”

The conference was not only a chance to connect with people who are doing good works in the field. I heard inspiring speakers share their stories as well as biblical stories of displaced people. I learned about the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship’s Accompaniment Program in Agua Prieta. I also saw for the first time the border wall, which divides Agua Prieta from Douglas, Arizona. During a workshop, a group of conference attendees painted the wall with flowers and birds emblematic of the countries from which asylum seekers are arriving. We worshiped in front of this section of border wall on Sunday, and the images added color and life to this physical symbol of rejection and separation. 

I also saw the tents set up on the Mexican side of the port of entry, where the asylum seekers next in line must wait until their names are called. This is the product of a policy called “metering,” in which people are let in to request asylum only as beds are made available in CBP processing facilities. Volunteer staff at the Migrant Resource Center in Agua Prieta estimated that 1,000 people are waiting in the city to seek asylum at the moment. Some days no one is let through the gates, other days a few people. Migrants at the top of the list, maintained by non-profits, must be ready at all times to be called. Meanwhile, other asylees are at risk for being exploited by cartels as they wait in Mexico, often with no resources, having used all their savings to get to the border in the first place.

After the conference, I volunteered for two weeks at a shelter in Tucson, Arizona called Casa Alitas, or “House of Little Wings.” This shelter receives asylum seekers recently released by ICE, who give the asylees paperwork assigning them a day in immigration court, up to six months in the future. Originally ICE began to drop families off at the Tucson Greyhound station, where they were supposed to figure out transportation to their sponsor, usually a family member or friend in another part of the United States. Volunteers stepped in to help these families, who almost always had no money to buy a bus ticket or even to call their sponsors, had not showered for days, had their hair ties and shoelaces taken away by ICE, and had only eaten poor quality packaged food since entering into detention. 

Eventually, Casa Alitas was formed, and the organization now has the procedure down to a science: asylum seekers being dropped off by the white, unmarked ICE bus are greeted warmly, given hot soup and fruit as they listen to an introductory talk, screened by doctors and nurses, and given an intake interview. They are assigned to a bedroom as a family, offered two changes of clothes each, including shoes, and assisted in calling their sponsors to arrange transportation plans towards their destinations. I spent my time volunteering in the travel room, helping explain the process of buying bus or plane tickets to the sponsors, as well as translating for doctors during medical intake interviews. I listened as people called their family members in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and India, telling them that they were okay, they had made it out of ICE custody, and often weeping on the phone. I spoke to sponsors who said “Que Dios le bendiga” over the phone, thanking the organization immensely for helping their family. I cried with a seven-month pregnant mother as she received an ultrasound and heard her baby’s heartbeat for the first time. “Que alegría, que alegría,” she cried, and I asked her if I could hold her hand.

One of the most significant experiences of my trip was crossing the border from Brownsville, Texas to visit the tent city in Matamoros, Mexico. There I volunteered with a ministry that was serving dinner to asylum seekers living there. Different groups serve breakfast and dinner each day - the only food that many people can rely on. We served food to over 700 people, but the group told us they have served up to 1,300 people per night within the last few months. Residents of the camp estimate that there are about 2,000 people living there in tents and bathing in the Rio Grande, their only access to food and medical care provided by volunteers. This camp exists because of the euphemistically-named Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) policy implemented in January 2019 by the current administration, also known as “Remain in Mexico.” This policy forces people who have requested asylum in the United States to return to Mexico to wait until their court dates, which are usually between three and six months away. The policy has been enacted at different times along the length of the border. It was started in the Brownsville area in July 2019, but was only recently begun in the Tucson sector, after my time at Casa Alitas. The policy has been met with significant protest in Tucson, who insist that asylum seekers are welcome in their city, where there are plenty of services available.

“Migrant Protection Protocols” is an ironic and cruel name, given that forcing migrants to wait in Mexican border cities is far from a protective measure. A recent report by Human Rights First found “636 reported cases of kidnapping, torture and other violent attacks on asylum seekers who were part of the Remain in Mexico program,” including “138 cases of kidnapping or attempted kidnapping of children.” The US Department of State Travel Advisory for the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, where Matamoros is located, is a Level 4, which means “Do Not Travel.” The website states that “Organized crime activity – including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault – is common along the northern border,” yet our government is forcing thousands of refugees to live in this state while they wait for their court dates.

As I saw at the Presbyterian Border Region Outreach conference, the situation at the southern border and the immoral treatment of immigrants throughout our country has rallied the faith community. Organizations such as the Church Council of Greater Seattle have made this a focal issue. We must remember the words of Matthew 25 as we consider how we personally will respond to the crisis both locally and nationally. There are local opportunities to “take strangers in,” provide food, drink, and clothing, visit those who are in detention centers, accompany immigrants to their court dates and appointments, offer legal aid, or lobby politicians. Each person should consider what they can do to show welcome to “ger” - strangers, foreigners, and immigrants.

Download flyer for Border Talks Adult Education event on Jan. 26 & Feb. 16, 11:15am-12:30pm @ Wedgwood PC.

Annual statistical reports due February 7, 2020

You do not need session approval to enter your report, DO NOT click on "submit" and you can change or amend it at any time.

ANNUAL STATISTICAL REPORT DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 7, 2020

Dear Pastors and Clerks of Session,

Links to annual statistical reporting are now online.

The Clerk of Session is responsible for these reports, but if someone else is completing them, please let us know.  If the Clerk does not respond, the Moderator of Session will be responsible.  Other people can help, input data, etc., but the Clerk of Session is responsible to see that it all gets done. 

All reports are linked on the Presbytery website: https://www.seattlepresbytery.org/clerk/.  

ALL REPORTS ARE DUE FEBRUARY 7, 2020:
           -Annual Statistical Report (see below)
           -Clergy 2020 Terms of Call (To be reported to the Presbytery. Must also be reported to the Board of Pensions. Due to matters of privacy, the Board of Pensions may not just report the information directly to the Presbytery.)
           -2019 Necrology Report (To be reported to the Presbytery.)

Blessings,

Rev. Dean Strong

Stated Clerk

SeaPres Update: December 15, 2019

It seems like every year, there is a rehash of Christmas controversy on social media that gets us riled up either defending or scrutinizing a well known tradition, figure, or in this year’s case, a song.

The latest is the dispute over the popular Christian song “Mary Did You Know” written by Mark Lowry in the mid-80s. The lovely melody is accompanied by lyrics that include:

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God

Yes, there is some heavy-duty mansplaining going on in the song. But besides the annoying misogyny of a male singer querying the mother of God, there is also the theological and biblical illiteracy in the song.

Yes! Mary did know! It says so plainly in Luke 1:30-33, 35:

               “And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.    And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ And the angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the  power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.’”

Frankly, I’m more concerned with what we know.
What we know and yet forget.
What we know and still behave as it couldn’t possibly be true.

We know that God so loved us that God came into the world as a vulnerable human being.
Dare we see ourselves and others are beloved creations of a loving God?

We know that God is Emanuel; not just once in a manger in a far away place, but today and everyday in every place.
Might we live courageously and hope filled in a world wrought with brokenness and despair?

We know that we are invited to walk by faith, in the assurance that God walks with us and this is Good News indeed!

So after the Christmas lights are tucked away, nativity sets are packed, and the last of the cookies have been polished off, perhaps the question for us is: People, do you know? And so how will you live “your one wild and precious life”* after Dec. 26?

On behalf of the Seattle Presbytery staff, I wish you a blessed Christmastide and look forward to our continued ministry partnerships in the new year!

Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter

*The Summer Day by Mary Oliver

Webinar: Session Records and Polity for Clerks and Moderators

Webinar: Session Records and Polity for Clerks and Moderators

From Stated Clerk Dean Strong:

The last session (Q&A with Dean) of the year will be on Wednesday, December 4 at 7pm, for those who would like to ask questions or discuss anything in the Session Manual or year end reporting.

When this session concludes, I'll be making a one hour summary of the issues that have been discussed over the past six sessions.

Several churches have asked about the required Manual of Operations (linked here).

Other key dates for Clerks of Session:

1. 2018 Session and Congregational Meeting Minutes, and the Checklist, are due by December 31, 2019.

2. Office of the General Assembly (OGA) Statistics entry is open to churches beginning Friday, December 6, 2019. You do not need session approval to enter your report, DO NOT click on "submit" and you can change or amend it at any time.

THE DEADLINE FOR CLERKS TO ENTER STATISTICAL DATA IS FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2020.

Read more.

See also: https://www.seattlepresbytery.org/clerk.

Advent email series available from Union Church

Everyone is welcome to sign up for Union’s Advent email series: 25 Steps Toward Justice. Email truthandjustice.union@gmail.com and reply OPT IN TO ADVENT EMAILS "25 STEPS TOWARD JUSTICE" to get on the mailing list.

Congregations can get up to $50k to help their pastors find renewal

Applications available for the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program

from the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program | Special to Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE — Congregations seeking renewal for their pastor are invited to apply for the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana.

According to a news release from the program, congregations may apply for grants of up to $50,000 to underwrite a renewal program for their pastor and for the pastor’s family. Up to $15,000 of the funds are available to the congregation to help cover costs for ministerial supply while the pastor is away.

Read more online.

From Armistice Day to Veteran's Day—and back again

By Saybrook

Saybrook Forum, Blog

A hundred years after the Armistice of 1918, we reflect on peace and war on what is now Veteran’s Day.

By Rev. Kelly Wadsworth

As I stepped off the C-130 into the sweltering desert heat, the sergeant next to me leaned over and said, “We carry this burden and fight this fight so our children won’t have to.”

It was 2008 and after months of preparation, my National Guard unit had finally landed in Balad, Iraq, for a 12-month tour as part of the Global War on Terrorism. Like the sergeant, a keen sense of idealism had taken root in me, bolstering my survival instincts and providing fuel for the long days ahead. I participated in the Iraq War with the hope that my role would shelter the next generation from having to do something similar. What I could not have known then, but understand now, is that even my loftiest dreams had a darker side.

Read more online.

Calvary PC hosting community conversation on affordable housing

All invited to attend kick-off conversation about affordable housing

The Calvary Presbyterian church will be hosting a “community conversation” on affordable housing on Oct. 26.

By Kevin Hanson, The Courier-Herald

Lynelle Caudillo shares the story of a woman who landed a professional-grade job on the Plateau and hoped to live in Enumclaw. The search proved fruitless for the single mother of two and, as a result, she now makes the commute to and from Federal Way.

Caudillo, a pastor at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Enumclaw, tells the tale to attach a real-life situation to a pressing, societal problem. Simply, affordable housing is in short supply in Enumclaw.

The city certainly isn’t unique when it comes to limited supply and greater demand. A lack of affordable housing seemingly is being discussed everywhere these days and it’s a cause being tackled throughout the Puget Sound region. Advocates are found in government circles and among those in the realm of social services.

Read more online.

Zoom Check-ins re: Clerks, Session, Polity, Records

Zoom Check-ins re: Clerks,  Session,  Polity,  Records

Wed., Oct. 23 & Wed. Nov. 6
12:00 – 1:00pm

https://zoom.us/j/890050226

Dean Strong is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/890050226

One tap mobile +16699006833,,890050226# US (San Jose) +19294362866,,890050226# US (New York)

Dial by your location +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 890 050 226
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acBwBFRaPE

Contact: Rev. Dean Strong, Stated Clerk

See also: 2019 Session Records Review Form

2019 Manual for Clerks of Session & Session Moderators

Presbyterian Youth Triennium

July 16-20, 2019
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana

2019 Seattle Presbytery Triennium delegation:

Christine Stratton (Chaperone), Southminster PC

Rev. Ken Onstot (Chaperone), Southminster PC

Jessica Cedergreen, Southminster PC

Emma LaRochelle, Southminster PC

Linda Engen (Chaperone), Overlake Park PC

Erik Engen, Overlake Park PC

Carissa Bartlow, Bethany PC (Inland NW Presbytery)

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Five days of CONVERSATION, RECREATION, LEARNING, WORSHIP AND FUN! Drawing from the rich and diverse theology, history and education of the Presbyterian tradition – the Triennium experience is packed with the information students long to explore!

Digging into faith through a variety of activities and experiences – all focused around the theme “Here’s My Heart” (Recognize the line yet? Hint: It’s a lyric from a classic tune / hymn we sing!) participants at the Triennium will re-enter their lives with a fresh sense of inspiration grounded in the context of personal and communal worship!

Presbyterian Youth Triennium is a gathering for high school age youth (entering 9th grade through graduated 12th grade) from the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church that occurs every three years. All participants must be registered through a local presbytery or church delegation.

Presbyterian Youth Triennium website

Presbyterian Youth Triennium on Facebook

‘Here’s my Heart’ named 2019 Presbyterian Youth Triennium theme

Mission Development Program seeks board members

Board Member Recruitment

Are you looking for a way to join a mission driven, financially responsible organization that serves Presbyterian churches? The Mission Development Certificate (MDC) and Loan Program is seeking new board members for a three-year term beginning in 2020. MDC offers low cost loans to churches through investments from individuals and churches that build, expand and renovate capital facilities. This thriving program began in 1955 and continues to serve Presbyterian churches in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.

As a board member, you will meet twice a year to set the vision and direction of the organization. If you are interested in joining the executive board, please contact Dean Mielke at dmielke@mdcprogram.org to learn more about this important ministry.

SeaPres Update: Un Hermanamiento

When Seattle Presbytery first began exploring in 2014 a possible missional partnership with the Presbyterian Church in Colombia, a guiding principle for our conversations was mutuality. We sought to move away from the traditional mission partnerships of giver and recipient, privilege and need… in short, we were seeking an equitable and balanced relationship where we would both learn and benefit from being together.  

We developed an “hermanamiento”, literally translated from Spanish to “twinning”. It’s a sibling model that acknowledges both entities – Seattle Presbytery and Presbiterio de la Costa – have their own gifts and challenges to bring to the relationship. We recognize and name the inherent imbalance of power (we have more churches and more financial resources than they) and yet also see the significant ministry their presbytery has done through a myriad of community engagement opportunities.

Over the past years, Seattle Presbytery has sponsored an annual trip to Barranquilla where 10 -12 participants go and learn about the social and political context of doing ministry as a Presbyterian church. We have explored the role of the church around issues of peace, violence, displacement, and economic scarcity. We have witnessed the power of a re-envisioned diakonia ministry that calls for congregants to face outwards to care for their communities. We have participated in theological lectures and workshops at their Reformed University and seen what it means for the church to be fully invested in education, from preschool through college.

We have also hosted pastors and elders from the Presbiterio de la Costa, sharing with them the work of our congregations, the challenges of being church in our location, and the desire we have to be an integral part of our communities. Along the way we have discovered shared ministry goals and gifts.

What’s Next?

The next level of “hermanamiento” is to take this from the presbytery level to the congregational one, with several of our churches launching a relationship of mutuality with congregations in Barranquilla. This is an opportunity for churches to share ideas and vision, create friendships and exchange liturgical, musical, or educational resources. What a great way to practice language skills for all!

We are excited to welcome Rev. Gloria Ulloa (Executive Presbyter of the Presbiterio de la Costa), Rev. Milciadas Pua (Dean of Academics at the Reformed University), Valeria Diaz (student at the Reformed University and ruling elder), and Rev. Cristhian Gomez (pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Barranquilla) to Seattle this month. Please take a moment to welcome them and hear them at the Oct. 15 Presbytery Meeting. 

We are also preparing for Seattle Presbytery’s trip to Barranquilla from Jan. 27 – Feb. 7, 2020. If you are interested in participating, please complete the application form by no later than October 25.

Required pre-trip meetings for the team are scheduled on Nov. 4, Dec. 2, and Jan. 6 at 7pm.

We’ve moved away from the historical model of missional partnerships when an American church would come and “do” for a church in an emerging country. We recognize that God is at work in all places and we are called to come together to learn from one another and witness each other’s faithfulness. This is an hermanamiento.

Rev. Eliana Maxim
Seattle Presbytery Co-Executive Presbyter

The Search for Peace & Justice in the Holy Land

Join University PC, Bellevue PC, and United Church of Christ University Congregational Church (UCUCC) for a series of video presentations with facilitated discussion called, "The Search for Peace and Justice in the Holy Land" https://cmep.org/curriculum/search-peace-justice/ which was developed by the group known as Churches for Middle East Peace. https://cmep.org/ . The fall series will serve as preparation for a Holy Land trip scheduled for the end of April 2020 in partnership with Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP).

The U District series (hosted by UCUCC) will begin October 1st, and continue on every other Tuesday until November 26. The same series begins this evening in Bellevue, and it will continue on alternate Tuesdays through November 19.

EVERY OTHER TUESDAY:  Oct. 1, 15, 29, Nov. 12, 26

•         Who Christians of the Holy Land are

•         The conflicting historical claims to this land

•         How these perspectives challenge efforts for reconciliation

•         Repercussions of the continued occupation of Palestinian land

•         How to be an effective advocate for a just peace in the Holy Land

Contact: Holy Land Task Force, hltf.upc@gmail.com.

GA 224 Nominations & Elections

Election of GA Commissioners and Young Adult Advisory Delegates 224th (2020) General Assembly, Baltimore, June 20-27, 2020.

Note: YAADs will be elected at the October 15, 2019 Seattle Presbytery meeting. GA commissioners will be elected at the February 25, 2020 presbytery meeting.

The Presbytery of Seattle is entitled to two (2) ruling elder commissioners and two (2) teaching elder commissioners.                        

The process below strives to respect three Presbyterian Principles:  

1.   “the election of the persons to exercise authority, in any particular society, is in that society.” [F-3.0106]

2.   “Presbyters are not simply to reflect the will of the people, but rather to seek together to find and represent the will of Christ.” [F-3.0204]

3.   “The Presbyterian Church shall guarantee full participation or representation in its worship, governance, and emerging life to all persons or groups within its membership.” [F-1.0403] 

1.  Nomination is by application (see below), which will be distributed to the presbytery for consideration.

2.  Nominees must be available for questioning at the time of the election.

3.  Selection is by election; that is a majority vote.

4.  Presbytery will vote until a majority and representation requirements are obtained.

5.  Alternates will be those with the next most votes.

6.  If no person meets all of the criteria, those who apply may be considered by the presbytery.

Download complete GA commissioner selection process.

Download GA commissioner application form.

Download YAAD nomination form.

Vashon PC helps host community bike drive

From Vashon PC Pastor Leigh Weber:

On Saturday. September 14, we partnered with Bike Works, an organization in Seattle that takes used bikes and bike parts and repairs them to make available to kids and others who might not otherwise have one.  It also keeps used and broken bikes from being tossed in the land fill.  We had no clue how many folks to expect and we were laughing about what we would do if no one showed.  Right at 9 a.m. folks started showing up and it was a steady stream until we closed at 1 pm.  We partnered with John L. Scott on island to use their truck to transport them to Seattle (we collected two full truck loads) and we partnered with Vashon E Bikes who gave a gift certificate towards an E Bike that folks entered a drawing for if they make a bike donation.  We also partnered with our neighbors at Camp Colvos, who gave us wrist bands for a free beer for a donation.  

We collected almost 150 bikes, saving the planet some more space and making more available to others.