“Trouble the Water: Conversations to Disrupt Racism and Dominance”

“Trouble the Water: Conversations to Disrupt Racism and Dominance” is a documentary series resource produced by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for communities and congregations to facilitate conversation and engagement around the issues of race and racism. As we struggle as a nation with these deep systemic and structural issues on a daily basis, we hope this series can be a resource to listen to one another, have difficult but honest conversations and collectively work together to disrupt systemic racism.

Learn more.

Presbyterian Week of Action

August 24–30, 2020

While we recognize and honor the good work toward justice that has been ongoing in our denomination, we also realize that in this time, it is not enough. Though the Presbyterian Week of Action hopes to meet the immediacy of our current context, it will not be the culmination of our work as a denomination, for we have a long way to go to eradicate systemic racism and white supremacy. It is our hope and prayer that this week will empower us, challenge us and enliven the faith we follow.

Contents

Background & Purpose

Why we say: Presbyterians affirm Black Lives Matter

Schedule of Events

Digital Toolkit

Resources

Respond

“To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” — Proverbs 21:3

“God sends the Church to work for justice in the world: exercising its power for the common good; dealing honestly in personal and public spheres; seeking dignity and freedom for all people…” — Book of Order, W-5.0304

It is abundantly clear through the gospel narrative and the greater witness of the Bible, that God has called us, as people of faith, to seek justice for those most marginalized in our world. As a Matthew 25 denomination, it is the vision of our church to eradicate white supremacy and dismantle institutionalized racism. Furthermore, in an effort to do the “hands & feet” work the Lord ordains, we must act and bear witness to the gospel in these crucial times.

The PC(USA) staff expressed a deep yearning to be more engaged in responding to the murders of Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others who died at the hands of the police and racism. From this need has come the “Bearing Witness” working group which has participation from the Presbyterian Mission Agency, Office of the General Assembly, Administrative Services Group and Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. From this group a number of strategies are being formulated to provide advocacy campaigns, education initiatives and opportunities to join with community efforts organized by the Movement for Black Lives, Louisville Showing Up for Racial Justice, the Bail Project and other grassroots groups.

As a centerpiece of this movement, we will host a Presbyterian Week of Action. This endeavor is structured to provide a public witness that facilitates education, visibility, and action that reinforces our PC(USA) statements and policy around the support of eradicating racism and acknowledging that God loves all Black lives. By joining together as national staff and the greater church, we hope to provide faithful leadership in the area of justice, love, and equality within our denomination and communities. 

Learn more. 

Adult & Family Events @ Tall Timber Ranch

Come away to 140 acres of fresh air in the Mountains!

Avoid the crowds at packed campgrounds and trailheads!

Stay in a cabin, a tent, or your own RV away from the masses.

We believe you could use some time in the wilderness! We get it.  

You can spend a few days disconnecting from the quarantines and reconnecting with each other in a place set apart for you and your family.

Come and walk, hike, relax, read, and be — in a special place set aside for you.

Learn more.

COVID-19: August 7 Update from Co-EP Scott Lumsden

Dear Friends, 

I pray that as we head into the heart of summer, you are doing well and maybe even getting a bit of a break from your daily routine (previously known as a vacation). Mid July, I was able to enjoy a week of hiking with my two daughters, and even though we hit some serious snow (enough to force us off the trail), the change of scenery and the time together was quite rejuvenating. 

It seems that small breaks now (or real breaks from work even if you don’t go anywhere) are the name of the game as far as trying to maintain our mental and emotional health during this pandemic. So I’d encourage you, if you don’t already do so to take a regular sabbath -- and an extended one when you can. And as always, feel free to reach out to Eliana or me (Scott) if you need a preacher. If we can’t do it, we know many who can. 

As we turn our attention to the fall, it must be acknowledged that the progress we made by flattening the curve seems now to have been lost to an increase in new cases. Sure, they are slowly going down again, but this reality makes whatever plans we were making for the fall and winter quite challenging as we try to balance expectations versus reality. 

In this vein, we’ve gotten many questions about building related issues -- not just related to returning for worship -- but for building use for the congregation’s programs and by outside groups. To address this we asked our attorney’s office to craft a document that defines best practices around building use guidelines. 

If you would like a copy of our Building Use Guidelines, please email EJ and we’ll email it to you. It’s designed to be a template for your session to customize and then adopt as their building use policy (if you don’t already have one). 

We continue to pray for our congregations as they navigate these important times. Let’s stay connected. (1 Cor 12:12)

Scott Lumsden
Co-Executive Presbyter

2020-2021 PW/Horizons Bible Study

Introducing the 2020-2021 PW/Horizons Bible Study

​For information about Horizons Bible study groups and fall gatherings, contact Cherie Murchie (Calvary Presbyterian Church).

Race and Equity: A Young Leaders Panel Discussion

Who gets to tell their own stories? 
Which voices are amplified? 
What narratives are considered to be normative? 
What qualifies as expertise or authority?

These critical questions have been bubbling up, not only in our national conversations, but also around our dinner tables and our elder board meetings and our church social media feeds. How we, the members and friends of the Seattle Presbytery, decide to answer those questions will undoubtedly have a significant impact on our future together. How does the gospel of Jesus Christ compel us to answer?

On Wednesday evening, over 100 people from around the presbytery tuned in to hear the voices, narratives, and expertise of six young leaders of color: Ronald Alvarado, Anthony Ballard, Indigo Brown, Esther Lee, Phil Lewis, and Bianca Quezada. They spoke for over an hour, sharing about what gives them hope and joy in their work, how they see God on the move, and what they believe the Church is called to in this moment.

Throughout the panel, the webinar's chat feature was lively, often with words of support for panelists as they spoke: Amen, Indigo! and Yes, Phil! and Thank you Anthony! Many of us expressed appreciation for the opportunity to listen to their insights, ideas, and experiences in ministry. The story of Jesus' reception in Capernaum comes to mind... "they were amazed by his teaching for he taught as one with authority." (Luke 4:32, Mark 1:22)

In closing I will share, with her permission, Bianca's reflection from the event:

Thank you for the support from Presbytery to host this event. I believe our solid foundation on Jesus Christ will hold us as we continue to build places of peace, rest, and truth for everyone. Stay curious about what God is doing in your life and in the lives of others.

Peace,

Haley Ballast
SeaPres Race & Equity Task Force Chair

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Zoom recording link available upon request. Contact SeaPres Communications.

Race & Mission: October Series for Congregations on Racial Justice as Part of God's Mission

Looking for tools to lead your congregation or student group into deeper conversation on how racial injustice and racism at home impact God's mission in the world?

Join Pittsburgh Seminary's World Mission Initiative for Four Wednesdays in October at 7:30 p.m. (ET) for national speakers Brenda Salter McNeil, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove and David Campt. Due to COVID-19 and in the spirit of the namesake of our W. Don McClure annual lecture, we are "flipping" what has traditionally been an on-campus lecture, giving pastors and congregational mission leaders the tools they need to encourage and enhance their congregation's engagement in God's mission around issues of race and racial justice.

We encourage you to organize congregation “watch parties” and gather members for guided discussions each Wednesday evening in October following the plenary presentations. The format will be the same each week:

•         7:30-8:10 p.m. (ET) Plenary Presentation

•         8:10-8:30 p.m. (ET) Nationwide Question & Answer Session

•         8:30-9:30 p.m. (ET) Your congregation holds its own conversation on plenary presentation, using WMI’s leader guide with discussion questions.

In addition to the four national presentations and leader guide, there will also be five pre-recorded workshops that can be accessed and used in the future by participating churches and individuals to go deeper in the intersection of racial justice and God’s mission.

The event is free to everyone, however, you must register to attend. You can register once for the entire series.

Learn more and register online.

TheoTech Podcast features Eliana Maxim

Today we’re discussing church government and COVID-19 with our guest Eliana Maxim, Seattle Presbytery Co-Executive Presbyter. Eliana shares how Seattle area churches are ministering to their congregations and communities through the pandemic. Churches have been facing new technical problems, like how to have communion during a virtual service. And the solutions aren’t coming from denominations or church governments, but individual church leaders. So the Seattle Presbytery is stepping back to “let the church be the church”, and stepping up to having tough theological conversations that build a framework to support innovation. 

This new mission-oriented movement could take us in a new direction, away from institutionalism and toward becoming an agile church, able to move “where the Spirit blows”. If you want to keep up with the work Eliana and the Seattle Presbytery are doing, you can follow them on twitter @seapres.

Become a patron: Visit our Patreon

New SeaPres Podcast Episode: Leading Change

Leading Change: Join a fireside chat with Co-EPs Eliana Maxim, Scott Lumsden, and Tali Hairston, Dir. of Community Organizing, Advocacy, and Development.

July 8 SeaPres Update from Co-EP Eliana Maxim

Dear Friends,

In the midst of a global pandemic and a national uprising about racial injustice, our denomination the PCUSA held its biannual General Assembly (GA) a couple of weeks ago. What normally takes place over 10 days at a convention center with a couple thousand folks attending plenary sessions, special events, bookstores, and city tours, had to be quickly adapted in less than 3 months online.

Realizing that an online assembly could only cover so much ground, it was determined by the Office of the General Assembly (and its board COGA) that only critical business would be addressed. This meant matters that if left unattended, would breach polity, financial, or leadership denominational requirements.

The technology was there and GA was technically successful. Commissioners were attentive, were able to vote smoothly, and business was tended to. You can read more about key decisions made here.

What was also on full display though, was our denomination’s proclivity toward institutional racism and white supremacy. Not once or twice, but throughout the three day assembly, a variety of micro and macro aggressions were perpetrated against BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), most especially against Black women. I recommend my colleague Ryan Landino’s blog for a more detailed account. 

I was dumbfounded. I serve on the committee (COGA) that helped move the traditional GA to its digital expression. We had taken so much into consideration when planning, anticipating a myriad of variables. We had not, however, planned for how to deal with commissioners wielding their white privilege in order to silence voices nor how our existing structure and polity would support and even encourage this damaging behavior.

The church is obviously not exempt from the sin of racism, and there is much work to be done in dismantling the structures, processes, and attitudes that enable this brokenness. This is true for the national expression of the church in the General Assembly as well as our local congregations where each of us is complicit in centering whiteness in our faith communities. 

Although my experience with GA was painful and disheartening, as a person of color in the PCUSA I find hope in the insistent and intentional commitment to this work of Gospel truth and justice. God expects this from us. God expects better from us.

And I find strength in the words of the prophet: “Instead, let justice flow like a stream, and righteousness like a river that never goes dry.” (Amos 5:24) and invite you to join me in this hard, but faithful labor of love.

Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter

Race & Equity Development and Training

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Yesterday over 70 people from the Seattle Presbytery gathered for a Zoom call hosted by the Race & Equity Task Force. One of the most encouraging aspects of our time together was toward the beginning of the call, when participants were invited to comment in the chat if their home congregation had a group, team, or committee working on addressing racial injustice. The comments flooded in, and something in the atmosphere shifted. Every chat entry was a reminder that we are all in this together. We do not labor alone.

The Race & Equity Task Force, as well as the presbytery staff and Executive Board, are committed to walking alongside church communities and the leaders who shepherd them. To that end, our quarterly forums will become monthly opportunities. We will be offering monthly learning opportunities throughout the summer and fall -- panel discussions, guest speakers, and more -- designed to equip and encourage leaders.

It's important to ask, however, equip leaders for what? Last night, the topic of individualism came up, and I felt the familiar sting of conviction. I regularly fall back into an individualistic mindset, even when I think I'm focused on the common good. I wonder... is our goal to equip leaders to become anti-racist individuals? Or can we imagine a way to become leaders of communal transformation?

Moving forward, our hope is that we will embrace this model of community-based change, not only because it works, but also because our theology is built on mutuality and neighbor love. I hope you will consider attending the upcoming learning opportunities hosted by the Race & Equity Task Force, not only for yourself as an individual, but for the sake of the beloved community.

Haley Ballast
SeaPres Race & Equity Task Force Chair

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Resources from June 25, 2020 Zoom:

• Zoom recording link available upon request. Contact SeaPres Communications.

• Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Paulo Freire 

• Seeds of Destruction, Thomas Merton

• We Drink of Our Own Wells, Gustavo Gutierrez

• I’m Still Here, Austin Channing Brown

• Said I Wasn’t Gonna Tell Nobody, James Cone

• Christina Cleveland

• Me and White Supremacy, Layla F. Saad

• Be The Bridge, LaTasha Morrison

• My Grandmother’s Hands,  Resmaa Menakem

• White Fragility, Robin DiAngelo

Organizing Clergy with White Privilege for Black Lives

Invitation from Rabbi David Basior, Kadima Reconstructionist Community:

This is one way to reach out to you, beloved fellow clergy with white privilege.* **

I am part of an effort to organize us to be showing up in support of the demands made by Black leaders for justice in these times. If this is you, please take a moment to fill out this form. If that doesn't work, be in touch directly and I will work to include you.

We have potential roles to play, on the streets and not, and we want to get a sense of who is already and can start doing what - from chaplaincy to protestors, clergy presence at rally, using our privileged bodies to prevent violence, de-escalation, disruption, social media, tradition-based messaging, organizing other clergy, and more. We recognize that more than ever this is a time where our ability to participate will be varied, and we honor whatever you are able to bring to this. We want to assess what we are able to offer as a group. 

I am working on this with Rev. John Helmiere (Methodist) from Valley and Mountain and Rev. Cecilia Kingman (UU) from Edmonds Unitarian, as well as Griff, a Episcopalian priest who works at the UW. 

Please forward this to anyone else you feel might wish to be involved in these ways (fine if they get it more than once :)

With gratitude and may we all go in peace,

David

*knowing there is a variety of relationships with whiteness, while I myself identify as a white, Ashkenzi Jew, I know we might vary with our personal identities. My point in this language for the sake of this email is to include anyone who would be seen as white based on appearance and affords privileges white people are granted in our society. Not wanting us to get caught in the language at this time. 

**If you know non-Black clergy of color who might want to be involved, there is likely some organizing happening for them to be plugged into also - have them be in touch or share who they are.  

--

L'hayim,

Rabbi David

Pronouns: he or they

224th General Assembly (2020)

The 224th General Assembly (2020) Convenes on Friday, June 19 at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Watch the livestream on the 224th GA website or on the Facebook Spirit of GA page. The gathering is being held online June 19, 20, 26 and 27.

GA 224 Frequently Asked Questions
Follow GA 224 Business

We pray for Seattle Presbytery’s GA commissioners and thank them for their faithful service. In addition to their own preparation, they’ve already spent many hours in virtual trainings and other meetings.

Top (from left): Todd Peterson/RE Woodland Park, Stephanie Neu/YAAD Newport, Rev. Kelly Wadsworth Bottom (from left): Glen Ferguson/RE Overlake Park, Rev. Eyde Mabanglo.

We also pray for all PC(USA) staff and leaders who are coordinating this historic assembly, including our own Eliana Maxim who serves on the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA).

June 12 SeaPres Update from Co-EP Scott Lumsden

Dear Friends, 

Many pastors and sessions are asking what they can do collectively as a church to make a difference in the work toward racial justice. The Executive Board of the presbytery asked this same question last year, which led us to seek a formal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Assessment. Often reports like this garner a few difficult conversations, but then get swallowed up by the urgency of daily work. 

As a staff we decided to try something different and we’re already seeing some changes in how we work. 

If you’re interested in learning more about what we did and why, and what steps you can take as a pastor or session, I invite you to listen to Eliana, Tali and I talk about it in this week’s podcast. 

Also, check out our new Racial Justice resource page on our website. 

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph 6:12, read by Rev. Al Sharpton at the Houston memorial for George Floyd)

Scott Lumsden

Co-Executive Presbyter

Stated Clerk says don't rush to get back into a church building for worship

J. Herbert Nelson, II, urges caution as the COVID-19 pandemic continues

Rick Jones & Randy Hobson | Office of the General Assembly - June 9, 2020

LOUISVILLE
Don’t rush to re-open your church sanctuary for face-to-face gatherings. That’s the word from the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). As local, state, and federal governments continue their work to re-open businesses and allow for houses of worship to hold services once again, Nelson believes caution is still the best action to take.

Spirit of GA: Message from Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk

Spirit of GA

The recent deaths of three African Americans have once again raised concern about racial injustice across the country, including the cities where the deaths occurred. The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) says there is work to be done.

Watch the video online.

Document of Lament and Resolve from Seattle Presbytery's Executive Board

“There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love.”
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King1

The recent unjust deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd; and the harassment of Christian Cooper have outraged us as a faith community. As families and communities grieve their lost loved ones, we join our lament to theirs, crying out to God for justice and peace in our land.

We recognize that this response captures one moment in time. Yet, it bears witness to the long string of injustices that have been intrinsic to our nation’s history, and that have yet to stop. As our nation struggles with the loss of life due to coronavirus and its disproportionate impact on the Black community, we believe that communities of faith are called to speak out and to continue the labor of justice.

The Board of Seattle Presbytery, therefore, offers this document of lament and resolve as a commitment to our ongoing labor to claim our common humanity forged in the image of God until race is not a barrier to the experience of being fully human:

Read the full document here.

Appendix:
Resources for Communities of Faith:
We recognize that there are many resources that support the work of Antiracism. This list offers a starting point and is in no way meant to be comprehensive or exhaustive.

A Service of Grief and Remembrance for Ahmaud Arbery:
The Cross and the Lynching Tree: A Requiem for Ahmaud Arbery, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III

Resources for Identifying Racism and Implicit Bias:

http://www.resourcesharingproject.org/sites/resourcesharingproject.org/files/Dismantalin gRacismforSocialChangeGroups.pdf

https://www.ibramxkendi.com/how-to-be-an-antiracist-1

Organizations that help to identify areas of racism:

https://www.focseattle.org/consulting/

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Jared Chase
Dani Forbess
Brocc Snyder
Hugo Torres
Loretta Pain

Seattle Presbytery Executive Board

Heidi Husted Armstrong
J.P. Kang
Lina Thompson
Jesse Mabanglo
Leslie Ferrell

COVID-19: May 28 Update from Co-EP Scott Lumsden

Some of you may have read the article The Coming Pastoral Crash by John Dobbs. It’s gotten a lot of attention in pastor circles lately for obvious reasons. The article asserts that because of the unprecedented challenges of adjusting to COVID-19, many pastors are destined for burnout. It’s a short read and for what it’s worth I have similar concerns, however as I was reading it I kept thinking, “yes, but what can we do to avoid or mitigate this coming ‘crash?’” He has some good ideas at the end that need a little more development, but I’m wondering what you're doing to adjust to these challenges. Here are some things I’ve noticed. 

Finding a New Rhythm  

It’s easy to get lost in the weeds these days. Everyday there’s new information to digest, new data to analyze, and lots of little nuances to pick up on as we try to navigate daily life. And that’s just before our morning coffee. Then there’s church life -- sermon, worship, staff meeting, session/committee meetings -- and before you know it, you’re zoomed out. 

If you haven’t found it yet, I’d encourage you to find a new rhythm -- with yourself, your staff, and your session. It’s simply not possible (or healthy) to keep everything going as before. Naming those things that are most important right now and doing them (and letting some other things go for now) is holy work (and enough).  

Taking Breaks

Yet even doing this holy (reprioritized) work takes about twice as long as it used to. A pastor told me recently that though his sermon is shorter, his sermon prep takes about the same amount of time, but then to this he adds the video part -- recording it, and editing his “sermon” (adding about a day to his normal routine). 

Though it’s a bit counterintuitive to take good (even long) breaks -- finding some chunks in the day to regroup and recharge have been life giving for me. It’s true I’m not as “productive” as I was before, but by taking some quality time during the day for my own daily renewal allows me to stay engaged. As I’ve shared before, I have my good days and my bad days, but despite this I’ve made most of my meetings.  

Connect with Friends

Another thing that I’ve noticed is that I need to have some social connection with friends throughout the day. Whether it’s a call, a zoom, or a physically distant happy hour in someone’s yard, these times to renew relationships have been the thing that has kept me going. It takes a little work and some time (sometimes even in the middle of the day), but these connections have reminded me that I’m not alone and that we’ll get through this. Heck, a few days this was my “work” for the day. Yes, it’s that important (see above). 

Most recently, I’ve had a weekly reunion of sorts with my seminary buddies. Though we text and call from time to time, we haven’t seen each other together for at least 10 years. Well, now it’s every Thursday -- and we’re adding a new person each week to catch up with. 

What Are You Doing?  

So, as you reach the end of this letter, it’s probably no surprise to you that I’m taking a few days off to go hiking -- three days, two nights with my two daughters and my hiking buddies along the West Fork of the Dosewallips River. It’s just three days but it’s time doing something I enjoy with people I love. We’ll give ourselves a good six feet, but we’ll also share some quality time in the wilderness. 

What are you doing to pace yourself for the long haul? What new rhythms have you discovered? What do you do to get “breaks” to regroup and recharge? And what connections are you nurturing to feed your soul in this wilderness?  

I continue to pray for you and our churches and for God to show us the holy work in this season. And as I do I pray for times of rest and reconnection, for renewal and hope for all of us. 

Scott Lumsden

Co-Executive Presbyter

COVID-19: May 27 Update from Co-EP Eliana Maxim

Dear friends,

Governor Jay Inslee has provided new guidelines for religious services in the state of Washington during Phase 1 and 2 of the Staying Home mandate.

As of today’s date, churches may host an outdoor in-person worship service for up to 100 people. Social distancing and face masks are required.

Once the county moves to Phase 2, indoor worship may be observed with up to 50 participants (or 25% of the building capacity, whichever is the lesser number). Again, social distancing and face masks are required.

Reminder: King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties are still at Phase 1 and are not expected to move to Phase 2 in the near future.

Although the Governor has provided these new guidelines for houses of worship, I want us to remember that central to our faith is our commitment to care for our neighbor. We need to take into consideration that our congregations are made up of a great many individuals categorized as vulnerable either due to age or health. We also need to take into account that the number of new Covid-19 cases each day in King County is still in the double digits, and we have already hit the heartbreaking mark of 100,000 lives lost in this country due to the pandemic. We also know that issues of justice and access have been accentuated as communities of color are more severely impacted by the virus.

Despite “virtual” worship services and Bible studies as well as church facilities left empty, we continue to be church, to serve our communities, and proclaim the good news of the Gospel. There is no rush to leave our safe practices of worship and engagement, only to expose our communities, our congregations, our pastoral leaders, and ourselves to possible illness. We have witnessed what can happen when congregations gather in person despite their best intentions.

“...believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem…”  (John 4:21) 

Let us continue our practices of worshiping safely while caring for one another and our communities. It’s a matter of faith and justice.

Grace and peace,

Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter

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New SeaPres Podcast Episode: Public Health, Faith, & Race: A conversation with Rev. Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung

Public Health, Faith, & Race: A conversation with Tali Hairston, Dir. of Community Organizing, Advocacy, and Development and Rev. Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung. 

Read the Op-Ed Dr. DeYoung co-wrote with Minneapolis NAACP President Leslie Redmond: https://m.startribune.com/white-privilege-shines-with-covid-19/569903692/.