March 31 Update: Blessed Holy Week and Joyous Easter Sunday

As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one,
so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”
John 17:20-24

Dear friends,

I (Eliana) love using the daily lectionary for my reflection and prayer time. It inevitably points in a direction I may have been avoiding or simply neglected. I guess the Word of God can do that.

This year’s lectionary Gospel reading for the day is part of Jesus’ prayer for us. Right before Jesus is arrested, he goes to God in prayer for his followers, including the future generations of Christians. Yes that means you and me. 

Christ once again lifts up the essential value of being community. To grow in our faith, to seek the will of God, to live the fullness of life as God intends for us all calls that we do so in relationship, in mutual trust and love. Or as I used to say to my kids, you really can’t be an individual Christian, you can’t do it alone. We do this thing together.

As the season of Lent draws to a close, and we are once again comforted and convicted by God’s extravagant love in the mystery of the resurrection, even as we witness the ongoing violence against our AAPI siblings, the traumatic courtroom testimony in George Floyd’s murder, and so much human brokenness around us. Yet in the midst of all this, Jesus’ prayer for us right before his death calls us to unity; that we be one as he was one with God. And in that unity, may we find communion, worship, and love in our faith.

Let us recommit ourselves to one another, that we might encourage and support one another in Jesus’ fervent prayer. And may you and your congregations join us, your presbytery staff, in pausing to pray for our unity. No matter our differences or disagreements, may we find the love and grace of the resurrected Christ in one another. May we hold each other accountable in seeking to be the best possible version of ourselves, to live fully into God’s call on our lives, to do justice, and seek mercy as we are one. 

Blessed Holy Week and Joyous Easter Sunday!

Seattle Presbytery staff

Scott Lumsden      Eliana Maxim

Tali Hairston          EJ Lee

Maggie Breen        Glen Ferguson

*please note that the Presbytery office will be closed April 1-4 in observance of Holy Week and Easter Sunday.

March 26 Update from Scott Lumsden

On Ghosts 

With spring officially here, I suppose it’s time to talk about spring cleaning. In our house right now that means the time has finally come to bite the bullet and get rid of the clutter that is taking up most of our basement. But why is it so hard to face? Why can’t I just go down there and get it done? Probably because all of those “things” down there once meant something to me and I have to deal with the emotional reality that things have changed -- I’ve changed, my family has changed, and those things don’t mean the same to us anymore. 

In the same way, churches and organizations from time to time are faced with a similar dilemma. After years of dealing with signs that things have changed:  the inability to get things done, the nagging inefficiencies of their structure, the drift and/or malaise that has set in with their leaders and volunteers, and the lack of clarity around their mission -- many organizations choose to reorganize or restructure. But they too have to face those same emotional realities of their organization -- who they’ve been, who they are now, and who they are becoming -- to successfully navigate an organizational “spring cleaning.” 

Ghosts are a strange thing in the bible. The disciples see Jesus walking on the water and scream out like they’ve seen a ghost (Mt 14:26, Mk 6:49). After the resurrection, they were similarly frightened at Jesus’ appearance before them, “thinking they saw a ghost;” to which Jesus replies that “a ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones as you see that I have” (Lk 24:37, 39). And in one of the more interesting passages in the Old Testament, Saul, in a panic disguises himself and consults a medium to seek Samuel’s advice, who the scriptures describe as a “ghostly figure coming up out of the earth,” (The whole process of consulting the dead being expressly prohibited by Deuteronomy 18:10-11.) 

What strikes me in these passages, is that: 1). ghosts are acknowledged as a reality (more or less);  2). ghosts are not a negative thing or necessarily to be feared, though their appearance can surprise and shock us; and most to the point for this little reflection, 3) ghosts are reminders of what was once a living, present, meaningful reality to us but is now gone. 

Whether life is asking us to live into new realities, our languishing organization is begging for reorganization, or our basement needs a purge -- these ghosts of the past may leap out and scare us -- but they shouldn't. Those old ways are not the enemy, they are in fact a friendly reminder to us of how things have changed. We are different now -- we’ve grown -- and it’s time to live into who we are becoming, rather than hold on to who we’ve been. Who we were in the past worked then, but not now -- the challenge now is to live into who we are becoming and discern the best path forward. 

Obviously we are on a journey, thanks be to God, toward the resurrection and new life. And on that journey are called to grow day by day into the person and people Christ is calling us to be. A part of that journey means facing what is old and no longer working, so that we can embrace the new things God might be calling us to do. 

Peace,

Rev. Scott Lumsden
Co-Executive Presbyter

---

Hosted by University PC: COVID-19 Update: Regathering and Vaccinations Webinar

Hear from a team of local churches on how they have worked together in developing a set of shared principles and guidelines that are being used to build plans that consider each church’s unique situation.

The panel discussion was guided by Dr. Daniel Chin, UPC Elder with panelist members Pastor Laurie Brenner, Westside Presbyterian Church (WSPC); Pastor James Broughton, Damascus International Fellowship (DIF); Dr. Elton Lee, Evangelical Chinese Church (ECC); and Atsuko Tamura, University Presbyterian Church (UPC).

March 18 Update from Eliana Maxim

And your ears will hear a word behind you saying,
‘This is the way, walk in it’,
when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”
Isaiah 30:21

Dear friends,

It may seem at times that life was just a little bit easier when all we had to do was simply shut everything down, as we did a little over a year ago. Everyone retreat to your homes, no contact, stay away from anyone not in your immediate household.

Having now seen a glimmer of light at the end of this pandemic tunnel, with the rate of coronavirus infections on a decline, and the vaccines more readily available, we now must consider the next step: our tentative steps toward in person worship considerations.

Next week’s move to phase 3 by Governor Inslee in the Healthy Washington reopening plan permits faith communities to gather in person (masked and 6 feet distancing) at 50% capacity, has raised more questions from many of our church leaders about when and how to gather in person again.

Respected epidemiologist Dr. Daniel Chin, who has consulted with the WHO and is a member of UPC, recently wrote an excellent article for faith leaders considering in person worship. He calls this pandemic phase we have entered as the “partial vaccination phase”, when unvaccinated and vaccinated people begin to interact publicly and lifts up two significant unknowns that complicate matters: 1) can vaccinated people transmit the virus? and  2) identified variants from other countries are appearing to be 10-70% more transmissible and could extend the pandemic. 

Dr. Chin goes on to outline 5 suggestions in planning in person worship, which I strongly encourage you consider in your congregational decisions. Our desire to be together in worship cannot outweigh our concern for the wellbeing of all in our communities; let’s commit to making sound decisions that honor and affirm God’s desire for an abundant life, well being, and shalom, for all. 

I also invite you to take a moment and complete the Worship Survey to help better understand the needs and plans of our presbytery.

Heartbreak and Anger

I join the chorus of lament across this country over the recent shooting in the Atlanta area that killed 8 people, 6 of whom are identified as Asian. Regardless of the killer’s motive, the reality is that our Asian siblings have been victimized during this pandemic simply because of their ethnicity, enduring assault and discrimination; our sin of racism finding yet another way to cause injury and death to an already marginalized population. Let us not stay silent on this subject, simply retreating to prayer. But rather, let’s find ways to publicly speak out against heinous acts like these and find ways to support our Asian siblings particularly in this difficult time. May our prayers be acts of love and justice. For more information on what this might look like, please see the message from our Race and Equity Task Force. 

We are all walking challenging paths, and the journey may seem daunting or we just may not know which way to turn. I return to the prophet Isaiah, who put his trust in the Lord, and chose his direction based on that still small voice that promised a way forward. As people who walk by faith, and not by sight, we also would do well to listen to the voice(s) that call us to wise choices; ones that affirm humanity and claim wholeness for all.

In grace and peace,

Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter

---

We've had wonderful gatherings this week for our first ever Colombia Partnership virtual trip! Please join the upcoming events and contact EJ Lee for access to recordings of previous events.

March 12 Update from Scott Lumsden

[Jesus said to Nicodemus]...“‘And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.’”
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” John 3:14-21

This Sunday’s gospel text is familiar enough to most that the context is helpful. In fact, it’s also good to remember that Jesus’ response here is to Nicodemus, a Pharisee with considerable power and privilege. Yet something about Jesus’ teaching cuts him to the quick and sparks his curiosity. To Nicodemus, Jesus has unorthodox, but legit credentials that allow him to reveal God’s heart, which in turn may have revealed some gaps in Nicodemus’ own discipleship. In fact, Jesus does seem to imply that Nicodemus, with all his power, privilege, and training, isn’t actually following God (or can’t be) unless he essentially (repents and) starts over. That didn’t land so well, so Jesus offers a fuller explanation complete with an Old Testament reference (above) to help him. (And then the gospel writer John adds some helpful interpretation). 

Familiar passages like this lull me into complacency if I’m not careful, but today I’m struck by my own power and privilege. In other words, I’m not just someone casually reading the gospel and lifting up my John 3:16 sign -- no, quite the contrary -- I’m Nicodemus. I’m part of a power structure in religion, family, government, and society that is designed to perpetuate my privilege in all spheres of life. I didn’t create it, but I do receive its benefits daily. Yet like Nicodemus, my heart knows somehow this isn’t part of God’s plan -- there’s something missing in my own discipleship -- but am I willing to go to Jesus so he can help me see things differently (anew)? 

God’s plan in sending Christ is to shed light on the darkness of the people, powers, and structures of this world that stifle the Light -- to bring hope, life, and wholeness to the whole world -- overturning the people, powers, and structures that hinder the building of God’s new community. The story of Nicodemus reminds me that I can believe in the Light, yet still participate in and perpetuate systems that oppress; I can claim to be “enLightened” yet still lack the knowledge of the depth and broadness of God’s plan to renew all things. 

This is why I’m grateful for fellow disciples who show me my blindspots and encourage me to think differently -- and more deeply -- as a leader. One such opportunity I had recently was the 2021 NEXT Conference that took place last weekend. The theme (Break, Bless, Build), the speakers, the worship, the workshops were all quite a powerful witness to the moment we’re in as a nation, church, and denomination. More importantly, it was a sacred space to take stock of one’s discipleship in challenging and life giving ways. The really good news is that it is all recorded and available online for you to view yourself. In light of the scripture today, I’d encourage you to check it out.  If you'd like Seattle Presbytery's subscription access to recordings and other resources, please contact EJ Lee.

Lastly, I want to thank Eliana, EJ, Tali and many others for so ably keeping things going while I was away. The challenges of this pandemic are deep and incessant and we need to remain mindful of the hidden toll they are taking on us all -- especially people like pastors and other caregivers. Let’s continue to reach out and be honest with one another about how we’re doing -- it makes all the difference. 

Peace, 

Rev. Scott Lumsden
Co-Executive Presbyter

---

Join us next week for an amazing opportunity to get a flavor for how we're living into our partnership with the Presbytery of the North Coast in Colombia.

February 25 Update from Tali Hairston

Dear friends, 

Many thanks to all of you who were able to attend our online presbytery meeting this past Tuesday. We had a powerful Holy Conversation around the work the presbytery’s executive board is doing around equity, diversity, and inclusion. We all know that this subject requires way more work than one conversation. Or even one book or one talk. But I do want to update you on our progress on one item and strongly encourage you to attend another.

The Thriving Congregations program is in full-swing. A total of twelve congregations decided to go through the program, which is more than was expected. Many thanks to the Advisory Board for their guidance. There is great excitement and probably some anxiety about the journey ahead. Each congregation has their own story and creating space for them to learn from each other’s story can feel outside of our cultural norm. Congregations are stepping into that awkward space in response to this grant opportunity and we covet your prayers for each of them.  

This is also an opportunity to break new ground in congregational and community development. Congregations will participate in a facilitated learning cohort that will assist in exploring, discovering, and catalyzing their approach to the changing social and cultural realities. Some will develop innovative partnerships and others lean into more practical ministry opportunities. We are excited to learn and grow together and to share those learnings with all of you.  

Lastly, we strongly encourage you to attend the NEXT National Gathering on March 5-7 (online) if you want to immerse yourself in the hard but sacred work of race, privilege, power, and justice. The Rev. Lenny Duncan, ELCA minister in the Portland area and author of Dear Church and United States of Grace, will be giving the opening keynote talk. His words are compelling, challenging, hard, and Gospel. 

There are many other wonderful offerings at this gathering: powerful preaching, helpful workshops, and loads of resourcing and connections. I hope you’ll join me and we can continue on this journey together of doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with our God.

Rev. W. Tali Hairston
Director of Community Organizing, Advocacy, and Development & Thriving Congregations Program Dir.

Thank you from the Church Council of Greater Seattle

From the Church Council of Greater Seattle, to Seattle Presbytery:

Your community has made a tangible difference, and we hope you enjoy receiving updates on the impact of your support.

We are truly honored to be partnered with your community. Thank you for bringing such a gracious support into our lives.

Read the thank you letter

Local leaders quotes

Pastoral update regarding First Presbyterian Church of Seattle

Dear Friends –

Perhaps it is appropriate that right at the beginning of this Lenten season, we would receive word that God is indeed both near and present, even in difficult times.

This morning we were notified that the U.S. Supreme Court denied the former church leaders' request to review the decision by the Washington Court of Appeals in favor of Seattle Presbytery and First Presbyterian Church of Seattle. This denial forecloses any further appeal by the former leaders.

To put it simply: It’s over. We prevailed.

The Administrative Commission was never interested in entering into a lawsuit, but was determined to fulfill our collective ordination vows and uphold the Presbyterian constitution.

It saddens us that many lives were impacted by the chaos and drama, and many in the congregation suffered. With the SCOTUS decision, our hope is that we can all continue to move ahead in hope and healing, serving God and God’s kingdom faithfully and creatively.

We want you to know that our little congregation remains committed to finding a way forward that is all about joyfully welcoming, loving, and sharing life with our neighbors in Seattle.

There will be more information forthcoming as we learn more about the implications of the final resolution of this court case. We ask for your prayers as we rejoice in this decision, and continue to forge a new way forward.

Grace and peace,

Eliana Maxim (Co-Executive Presbyter) & Heidi Husted Armstrong (Transitional Pastor, Seattle First PC)

February 19 Update from Eliana Maxim

“In our own time, we affirm that, in the power of the Spirit, 
the Church is faithful to the mission of Christ as it: 
Proclaims and hears the Word of God….Administers and receives the Sacraments… 
Nurtures a covenant community of disciples of Christ,
 living in the strength of God’s promise and giving itself in service to God’s mission.”
Book of Order F-1.0303

Dear friends,

Despite social distancing, we are still called to be in communion with one another, and to journey together in our ministry as a presbytery. I give God thanks for the faithful leaders throughout our congregations who also serve in a variety of capacities in the presbytery: on the Executive Board, COM, CPM, committees, task forces, administrative commissions, and more. The work of being a mid council is ongoing, and ever changing. These elected bodies have continued to meet regularly throughout the pandemic and remind me of God’s providence in placing the right people at the right time and place to seek God’s will. They also remind me that being church is so much broader than we sometimes think.

This coming Tuesday, February 23 at 5pm we have the opportunity and blessing to gather together for our Presbytery meeting via Zoom. Please be sure to register and read the accompanying reports in preparation for our time together.

We’ll be hearing about the ongoing work of the presbytery in a variety of ways, as well as celebrate the ministry and legacy of Mt. View Presbyterian Church, hear about the Virtual Trip to Colombia, pray with and for one another, and spend time in Holy Conversations around the Executive Board’s commitment to the presbytery’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) assessment. 

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” 
I look forward to seeing you at the Presbytery Meeting where we can dedicate ourselves to being the faithful community that gives of itself to God’s mission!

In grace and peace,

Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter

February 3 Update from Eliana Maxim

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchrae… Greet Prisca and Aquila...Greet beloved Epaenetus...Greet Mary….Greet Andronicus and Junia...Greet Ampliatus….Greet Urbanus… Greet Apelles… Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus…. Greet my relative Herodiom...the family of Narcissus… Greet the workers Tryphaena and Tryphosa… Greet the beloved Persis… Greet Rufus...Greet Asyncritus, Phlegnon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas… Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus, his sister, and Olympus, and all the saints who are with them.
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.”
(Romans 16:1-16)

Dear friends,

When I was a child newly emigrated to this country with my parents, phoning back home was a much anticipated and planned event. Long distance calls were also expensive (yes, the age of rotary phones and operator assisted calls). Calendars had to be coordinated via snail mail to ensure that when the call went through, my grandparents would answer and the rest of our extended family could gather around to hear our voices. Our litany of greetings was not unlike Paul’s greetings to the many in Romans. A long one.

Of course, the great joy was the trips home when we could finally hug one another, kiss cheeks, snuggle new babies, cousins wrapping their arms around each other to finally spill secrets and share dreams in person. 

Earlier this week as I finished up my 5th Zoom meeting of the day, I stared at the darkened screen and was overwhelmed with grief at not seeing, much less embracing, friends and colleagues for the last 11 months. Almost a year without seeing so many of you in person; not being able to chat over a cup of coffee, praying together, our knees almost touching; laughing over a meal; of not being to be blessed by each other’s presence.

Although I am grateful for technology and our ability to see one another in order to stay connected, screens, masks (double masked now!), and social distancing have created walls around us. After 11 months, it is no wonder that many are feeling lonely and isolated. Many of our children are struggling without the normal developmental activities of attending classes, hanging out with friends, participating in social rituals such as sports, music events, and dances. Older folks, already sidelined by limited mobility or health concerns, have been further cut off from usual day routines due to their vulnerability to covid. And the rest of us are plain old exhausted.

I am reminded that despite these barriers we have had to erect in order to keep one another safe and healthy, we continue to be challenged by a very present God who insistently calls us to dismantle other walls. Our inability to be physically present to one another does not preclude us from being attentive to each other’s well being, just like a congregation’s inability to gather does not preclude it from worshiping, developing discipleship, praying for each other, and being attentive to the needs of their community. 

Just as Paul ensured to check in with the faithful scattered throughout his travels, many of whom he would never see again, we too can strengthen the ties that bind us to one another through Jesus Christ. And though we continue to observe the physical barriers that keep us safe, we must commit to the ongoing work to dismantle the human constructs of poverty, injustice, racism, and violence. 

My prayer is that when this is all over and we are once again meeting together - for worship, in meetings, over a cup of coffee - we are able to look back at this time of pandemia and be able to point to all the ways and times we continued to labor for the sake of the Gospel, for the Kin-dom of God here on earth. On that path no distance or barrier can keep us from the truth of our faith: to love God and love our neighbors. I pray that our children and grandchildren and all those yet to come will retell the stories of how our communities of faith continued to greet the world with Christ’s holy kiss. 

In the meantime we continue to labor in the circumstances we must. Be sure to mark your calendar for the Stated Presbytery Meeting on Feb. 23 at 5pm via Zoom. Please register online early and get the Zoom link.

Also, for any congregational leaders still considering applying to the Thriving Congregations Program, the deadline is February 15. And as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

In grace and peace,

Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter

January 20 Update from Eliana Maxim

SeaPres Update: January 20, 2021

Dear friends,

I pray that you are all well and give God thanks that a peaceful transition of national governance was once again on display today. I hope you will join me in continued prayer for our nation; that leaders may rule with compassionate and collaborative spirits, that justice and mercy may reign, and that each of us do our part to lift one another up, affirming the work God has begun in us all.

Just a few updates for you to keep in mind.

• The Presbytery’s Executive Board met yesterday for their first meeting of the year and welcomed new members Rev. Colleen Chinen, Todd Peterson (Woodland Park PC), Rev. Zac Calvo, Pulemau Savusa (Lake Burien PC), and Rev. Paul Kim. The board also elected Rev. Lina Thompson as board moderator for 2021. We give God thanks for these leaders, and for all those who serve the wider church in a variety of ways!

• Be sure to register for the next Presbytery meeting on February 23. This is but one more way for us to all stay connected, particularly during these challenging times. Check the website for more information. 

• The Governor’s office has provided an update for Faith Based Organizations; the main points are listed below. As always, it is your session’s responsibility to determine whether it is prudent for your congregation to participate in “in-person” worship services. We understand there are many factors involved for them to consider, and each congregation has its own contextual realities. We also understand that with the arrival of the various vaccines we may believe we are out of the woods. The truth - as expressed in the same state update - is that we are still hitting high numbers of infections in western Washington and are urged to take all safety precautions possible.

Update from the Governor’s Office permits:

• live music and performances so long as individuals wear face coverings and adhere to physical distancing requirements.

• up to one individual at a time to speak during a service without a face covering.

• up to two households to sit as a group in Phase 1 outdoor services and Phase 2 indoor and outdoor services.

As to live music and performances –

• a. Choirs and Congregational Singing: Choirs with up to 15 singers are permitted to sing indoors during the service so long as each singer maintains 9 feet (12 feet is encouraged) of physical distancing and wears a three-layer surgical mask. For religious organizations without a choir or with a choir of fewer than 15 singers, congregants and staff are permitted to sing so long as the total number of people singing does not exceed 15 and all those singing adhere to the 9 feet (12 feet is encouraged) of physical distancing and three-layer surgical masking requirements.
  Choirs in excess of 15 individuals and the entire congregation are permitted to sing outdoors provided that all singers maintain 9 feet (12 feet is encouraged) of physical distancing and wear a three-layer surgical mask.

• b. Soloist singers are permitted to sing during the service without a mask provided that the individual maintains 15 feet of physical distancing.

The link to the entire guidance is here.

In grace and peace,

Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter

New SeaPres Podcast Episode

Revs. Tali Hairston (Director of Community Organizing, Advocacy, and Development), Maggie Breen (Community Education & Assessment Specialist), and Eliana Maxim (Co-Executive Presbyter) reflect on Christians’ response to the insurrection in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6.

More conversations: 

NPR’s Sam Sanders—”The Lies We Tell Ourselves About Race”

PC(USA) Stated Clerk discusses attack on the Capitol

January 8 Update from Eliana Maxim

‘Jesus said,
‘I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.’ Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him,
‘Surely we are not blind, are we?’”
(John 9:39-40)

Dear friends,

In the midst of the insurrection this past Wednesday in the U.S. Capitol, the Confederate flag was waved alongside the Christian and Nazi flags. After turning a blind eye to this country’s rising Christian nationalism for many years, here it was on vivid display for the world to see. As rioters broke windows and scaled the building fences, a wooden cross was erected.

The sacred symbols of our faith had been fully co-opted by national terrorists in order to legitimize rioting, the breach of federal buildings, and the violation of the U.S. Constitution. This had nothing to do with being conservative or progressive, liberal or traditional. This had everything to do with the mocking and derision of our faith.

As Christians we are called to see the world around us in a different light; to see its truths, no matter how painful or how closely they may hit home; to see how our blindness has wounded others, including God’s very own heart.

The truth is that in those hours of mayhem, we were witnesses to the blatant preferential treatment white rioters receive compared to protestors in past demonstrations. We heard many of these folks identify themselves as being in “God’s Army” or “Trump’s Army”, using the terms interchangeably. Many of them carried banners and posters vulgarly offensive to people of color and immigrants. All of them acted at the urging of an insecure, frightened despot. (Reminiscent of Herod, anyone?)

There was yet another time in history when the world watched white supremacy meld with Christian nationalism to give rise to narcissistic leadership, violence, and death, in order to further a false human construct of power and privilege.  

Good people of faith wrote in opposition: “We reject the false doctrine, as though the church in human arrogance could place the Word and work of the Lord in the service of any arbitrary chosen desires, purposes, and plans.” (The Theological Declaration of Barmen 8.28)

My friends, surely we are not blind are we? We who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior must not avert our eyes from the events on Wednesday or solely pray about them on Sunday. In the midst of hurt and pain, when we grieve and are angry as we were this past week, let us look for God in the chaos.

Let us commit ourselves to not only see the truth of the world around us, but to name it, oppose it in the name of the One who created us all and called it good. 

Rather than declare “But this isn’t us!”, let us confess that sadly, indeed this is us, but we can and will do better. The change starts with each of us because of Emmanuel, because of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection. Our faith is not a thing to be transacted by politicians or hooligans. It is sacred and set apart from human depravity. Let us stand firm on this, no matter our political persuasions.

In grace and peace,

Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter

Email scam alert

Friends, several of you have indicated receiving an email supposedly from Scott Lumsden requesting a favor involving money. This is a scam and does not come from the presbytery office. First of all, Scott is on leave. Secondly, the email address is incorrect. And lastly, and perhaps more importantly, we will never ever contact you in this manner to solicit anything - money, items, or favors.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate those who brought it to our attention.

This scam has hit numerous SeaPres churches and others across the country. We have reported our case to the FTC.

Read a local news story here.

Read more about the FTC alert here.

December 30 Update from Eliana Maxim

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out
of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 
‘See, the home of God is among mortals. God will dwell with them, they will be God’s peoples, and Godself will be with them; God will wipe every tear from their eyes.’” 
(Revelation 21:1-3)

Dear friends,

I’m trying hard not to put too much pressure or expectations on 2021. Though after experiencing 2020, you can only go up from that, right? But it takes time to rebound from a global pandemic and the rolling out of the covid vaccine is going to take longer than had been predicted.

With all that in mind, I still have longings for the new year…
…to be able to hug my family members without masks and quarantining
…to share a meal with dear friends in our homes
…to worship in person alongside my siblings in Christ 
…to go to the office with my valued colleagues, collaborating and co-inspiring together
…to attend meetings only rarely resorting to Zoom
…to see you!

Although it may be quite some time before any of these are my reality again, my comfort comes from remembering the words of Revelation: God is among us, God dwells with us.

And so in the meantime, and as we enter this new year, I pray…
…that we may be resolute in our caring for one another, masks and all
…that we confront the inequities of our society and work to dismantle them
…that we recommit to intentional relationship building through whatever means it takes
…that we continue to find meaningful worship experiences in our congregations
…that we lean into and onto one another for support and encouragement
…that we remain engaged in the work of being church in our communities
…that we nurture creativity, imagination, courage, and love in one another and in our calls 

Peace and courage to you, my friends.

Here’s to 2021!

Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter

December 23 Update from Scott Lumsden

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Dear friends,

As 2020 wraps up, I feel it’s especially timely that we are celebrating the incredible hope of Christ. Despite all the darkness we’ve been dealt and all the energy we’ve expended to hang on to some normalcy this year, the Light of the world is having the last word.

It’s true 2021 will have its own challenges, but I feel there is more hope -- more signs of light -- to hold on to as we look to the new year, than when this year began.

I am so proud of this presbytery and the way it has responded to the challenges we’ve faced this year together. Pastors, sessions, and congregation members alike have all stepped up and adapted in ways that maintained worship, connection, and community engagement. Some have even deepened and made new connections with each other and their communities during this unprecedented time of social distancing.

I am also grateful for the opportunity we have to continue to grow our capacity for change through the Thriving Congregations program. I hope that all sessions take a look at the possibilities that this program provides to begin an in depth transformation process in the coming year.

I look forward to supporting our pastors, sessions, and congregations in the new year, but at least for the first couple months of 2021, I will step away to tend to my own and my family’s health. My plan is to return in early March.

It goes without saying that you are in good hands, as Eliana and the staff are more than able to keep us moving forward while I’m gone.

May this Christmas season be a season of light and hope to you and your family, and may the peace of Christ be with you in the coming year.

Rev. Scott Lumsden
Co-Executive Presbyter

December 19 Update from Eliana Maxim & Scott Lumsden

“By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79)

Dear friends,

In an Advent season like no other, we watch and we wait; for a Christmas morning that will be like no other, for the closing of a year unlike any we have ever known. 

We could not have imagined 12 months ago that our lives would be turned upside down by a global pandemic. Let’s be honest: this has been a very difficult year for our congregations and church leaders, for everyone. We’ve had to rethink how to “do” church, yet in the process many discovered how to “be” church. We’ve had to be creative in how to stay connected, and in the process many found authentic community and companionship. We’ve had to admit we cannot do it all, and been overwhelmed with the gifts of collegiality, grace, and partnership.

In this most challenging year, we have been called to both deeply examine who we are, as well as commit more fully to God, each other, and our faith.  In the seemingly endless mask-wearing-social-distancing-quarantining-disinfectant-slathering-zoom-exhausting days we have lived and have yet to endure, God’s tender mercy has broken through not once, but over and over again.

This Christmas season we invite you to acknowledge all those broken places you have had to sit in - waiting for a diagnosis, healing of broken body or mind, systemic injustices that refuse to surrender, reconciling of fragmented relationships, loneliness from not being with loved ones - and then make your way towards the dawn God has promised will break. 

Unto us a child was born, and he was named Emmanuel, for indeed, God was, is, and will always be, with us. This is the mystery of our faith, the hope for the world that God chose to be with humanity in all its messiness and still love and redeem us.

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones and may 2021 be gentle with us all.

Revs. Eliana & Scott Lumsden
Co-Executive Presbyters

Thriving Congregations Program Update

December 18 Update: Letter of Intent deadline is now February 15, 2021. SeaPres sessions are also invited to a Zoom information session on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 7:00pm. Register online.

---

Happy Advent to all,

We pray this email finds you healthy and at peace. We have experienced truly an unexpected year. So much has changed and yet we have continued to learn, grow, and adapt as a presbytery.

As you may know the presbytery submitted a grant proposal to the Lilly Endowment and received its proposed four-year Thriving Congregations grant. For this we are truly grateful. This email is an invitation for congregations to participate in the Thriving Congregations program.

Research evidences the trends and challenges facing congregations today and tomorrow. With aging facilities and diversifying communities, it is essential to learn how embracing communities can allow faith and theological commitments to find new life through community relationships. The aim of the initiative is to prepare congregations to be transformational learning communities able to faithfully and creatively confront social and cultural challenges.

What is the Thriving Congregations Program?

The Seattle Presbytery seeks to engage learning cohorts of five-to-ten congregations each year to participate in examination of their ecclesial and theological commitments, creative cultivation of Christian practices, and how they are informed by the social and cultural context of their communities.  In order to accomplish this the Seattle Presbytery is developing a two-year cohort program that assists congregations in becoming transformational learning communities.

Congregations will learn to: 1) discern congregational identity, 2) exegete their ministry context, 3) practice intercultural community-building, and 4) form innovative collaborative ministry models. Learning cohorts will participate in bi-monthly gatherings, learn to interpret community, receive prayer and coaching, form a collaborative network and reading group, practice intercultural leadership, and build community-based ministry.

Facilitated by the learning cohort staff, a training table, and guest lecturers, a learning community will engage this two-year journey with a new cohort beginning each year in years one through three. Through this overlapping structure successive cohorts will inform and support each other.

How do congregations participate? Interested congregations are asked to submit a one-page Letter of Intent by February 15, 2021, describing 1) how this program might be helpful and informative, 2) what aspects of this program relate to your own congregational journey, and 3) what are some challenges you anticipate needing to be addressed.

What are the program commitments? Participation is largely based on a congregation’s willingness to establish a learning cohort that includes laity and community. Additionally, participants interested in pursuing Transformational Grant funds are asked to consider the learning cohort as a first step of the Transformational Grant.

Information Sessions Date & Time: Any congregation interested in learning more and possibly submitting a one-page Letter of Intent, should schedule an information session with the program director. Email: thriving@seapres.org. SeaPres sessions are also invited to a Zoom information session on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 7:00pm. Register online.

Rev. W. Tali Hairston
Director of Community Organizing, Advocacy, and Development

Rev. Angela Ying featured by The Quad @ Princeton Theological Seminary

From Bethany United Church of Christ:

A blessed Advent and Christmas!

We, at Bethany United Church of Christ, wanted to share with you the
article that came out on December 10, 2020 from Princeton Theological
Seminary featuring Senior Pastor, Rev. Angela Ying who was ordained as
the first second generation Taiwanese American in the United States by
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), and who also served as your Associate
Executive Presbyter of Seattle Presbytery before being called to
pastoral ministry with our Black Indigenous People of Color church and
communities here in Beacon Hill, Seattle.

We hope the Seattle Presbytery will celebrate with your colleague and
share this with other pastors, churches, leaders in the Presbytery of
Seattle to lead by example during these challenging times. The Reverend
Angela Ying, who continues to keep your Presbyterian ties through dual
standing and ecumenical work in the city as our pastor is truly an
inspiration.

Here is the link and article about the Reverend Angela Ying leading by
example:

https://www.ptsem.edu/news/leading-by-example

Donations for Urrutia Family coordinated by Madrona Grace PC

From Madrona Grace Presbyterian Church:

On November 7, 2020, while painting and beautifying the exterior of the church, Fidel and Christian Urrutia, father and son contractors, were moving a ladder when they lost control in the wind and the ladder hit a power line. Fidel died on the scene; Christian died on December 3, 2020.

If you would like to assist the family financially, you may utilize the “Donate” link and designate your gift using the “Memorial Fund” option. Alternatively you may send a check made out to “Madrona Grace Presbyterian Church” with a notation of “Memorial Fund” or “Urrutia” on the memo line. All proceeds will be provided to the families for assistance during this devastating time.

To send a check to Madrona Grace Presbyterian Church: 832 32nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 designated “Memorial Fund.”

December 3 Update from Eliana Maxim

“I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:13-14

Dear friends,

As we enter this Advent season filled with the promise of possibilities, we might still feel as if those possibilities are limited due to the ongoing pandemic and the sharp rates of infection raging across the country. There is the hopeful glimmer of vaccine availability for the most vulnerable and frontline caregivers in the next month or so, with the expectation that widespread access will come by spring. And yet we must wait. 

But how shall we wait? The temptation is to succumb to pandemic weariness with all its rules about social distancing, mask wearing, and bubbles. The psalmist cries out that in the waiting for the Lord, we can lean on our belief, our conviction that God’s goodness is in the land of the living. In the land where our neighbors, friends and strangers alike, reside; where their well being and health are just as precious to God as our own.

And so in this season when our hearts long even more for connection, to sing our favorite hymns and carols about the Christ child, to see each other’s faces reflected by candlelight, we urge you to please refrain from in person worship or gatherings. The Stated Clerk of the PCUSA, Rev. J.Herbert Nelson wrote recently about this, and we join in his request that we “choose life and life more abundantly as our Scriptures require.”

We have learned to be innovative and creative; we have practiced alternative forms of collaboration and communication; we have connected with our communities to be the partners they need us to be; we have learned to trust that God walks with our congregations despite a global pandemic. Let us continue to believe in the goodness of the Lord and take courage!

In grace and peace,

Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter