September 15 Update from Eliana Maxim

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ and I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’” (Isaiah 6:8) 

“Ruling elders, together with the ministers of word and sacrament, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church….” (Book of Order G-2.03) 

Dear friends, 

Too often, we tend to view our world and our responsibilities with limited vision. We think of the well-being of the street we live on, rather than the entire community we reside in. We might concern ourselves with the productivity of our particular department or the success of our team or class alone. 

When we discern the call to serve the church in an ordained role, either as ruling elder or teaching elder (minister/pastor) we are charged with a broader scope of responsibility and authority. 

One of the gifts, and I would add strengths of the Presbyterian faith tradition, is our connectedness; an acknowledgment that we do not operate independently as individual congregations but are part of a larger whole and together make up the entire denomination. The presbytery exists because and for all the churches in its geographic area. And together, the presbyteries compose all the representatives that make up the PCUSA’s General Assembly. 

So why this PCUSA 101 highlight? Because your presbytery needs you. As ordained ruling elders, you faithfully serve on your church’s session (or have in the past) and now I am asking you to prayerfully discern how God might be able to use you to serve at the presbytery level.  

We are committed to having equal teaching and ruling elder representation on all our commissions and committees, but this requires elders to step up and say “here I am.” 

We are also seeking to round out our commissioners to the upcoming General Assembly in Louisville, KY next June. We are still in need of one alternate adult commissioner (can be either teaching or ruling elder) and a Youth Advisory Delegate.  

Slates for all these opportunities will be presented and voted on at the October 19th presbytery meeting. 

Please consider how you might contribute to the mission and ministry of the broader church expression in the greater Seattle area. 

For more information on any of these opportunities, please contact the nominating committee. 

Grateful to be on this journey of faith and doing life together with you.  

Grace and peace, 

Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter

GA 225 Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD) & Alternate Commissioner Nominations

Seattle Presbytery is accepting nominations from sessions for Young Adult Advisory Delegates and an alternate GA commissioner for the 225th General Assembly (2022).

A YAAD delegate and alternate will be elected at the October 19, 2021 Seattle Presbytery meeting. (Submission deadline for applications: september 20, 2021.)

YAAD requirements:

1. Must be between the ages of seventeen and twenty-three as of June the year of GA.

2. An active adult and/or confirmed member of a congregation.

3. Endorsed by the session.

Download YAAD nomination form. Submit completed application to nom<AT>seattlepresbytery.org. Submission deadline: Monday, September 20, 2021.

A GA commissioner alternate will also be selected at the October 19, 2021 Seattle Presbytery meeting.

Download GA Commissioner Selection Process.

Download GA Commissioner Application. Submit completed application to nom<AT>seattlepresbytery.org. Submission deadline: Monday, September 20, 2021.

August 27 Update from Scott Lumsden

Dear Friends,

I'm beginning to read articles that talk about what is being termed the Great Resignation -- people who have had a chance to reassess their lives during these long 18 months of pandemic and are deciding to quit their current jobs (and look for another, or do something else entirely). Though I am not among that group, I may be a member of another group -- the Great Disappointment.

These are folks who begrudgingly accepted the reality of the pandemic in the hopes that a vaccine would be found -- and once that vaccine was implemented, we thought we'd return to some sense of normalcy in the fall. "Welp. Not so fast," says the Great Disappointment, "I've got news for you -- the only normalcy you're going to get is more masks, distancing and quarantines."

I do still hold out some hope that this fall will be better than last fall, but I'm steeling myself for disappointment.

Though I have no doubt folks will rally in the coming months and make the right decisions, I am concerned about our overall emotional well being as a community. Constant adjustment to this pandemic is sapping our energy both individually and collectively and we're going to have to find more creative ways to take care of one another for some time longer than we expected.

Patience and persistence in doing the good thing will be the challenge this fall. But I'm sharing this message from Bruce Reyes-Chow in order to shed some light on the complexities we're all up against this fall.

Yet, in spite of it all, I know there's light somewhere in this tunnel: "We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body." (2 Corinthians 4:7-10)

Peace,

Rev. Scott Lumsden
Co-Executive Presbyter

August 19 Update from Eliana Maxim

“I lift up my eyes to the hills – from where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth....the Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.” (Psalm 121: 1-2, 7-8)

Dear friends, 

This has been an exceptionally difficult week of heartbreak as we witnessed the desperation of people around the world: the anguish of our Haitian siblings already reeling from poverty and political strife, now finding themselves in a post 7.1 earthquake that struck at the most vulnerable in the country and devastated communities leaving thousands upon thousands without home, water, and/or food; the desperation of our Afghan siblings as the Taliban regime takes control of the country with its oppressive rule particularly over women, girls, and religious/ethnic minorities; the exhaustion of medical caregivers around the US, particularly the south and southwest as COVID (Delta variant) infection rates rise alarmingly, rending most hospitals in these areas unable to take in anymore critical cases. Meanwhile, fires continue to rage throughout the western US and parts of Europe and Australia. Sometimes it just seems too much. 

This Sunday’s lectionary Gospel from John provides us an additional assurance from the words Peter says to Jesus when many followers, finding Jesus’ teachings too difficult, fall away from Christ, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” 

Indeed, when the brokenness of this world seems insurmountable and too painful to hold, where we cast our eyes can determine how we will endure. Our gaze needs to fall on Jesus, as he has the final word; he is both bread of life and cup of salvation and the difficulties of this life on earth can be borne with compassion and justice with his help. It is through Christ that we can share the fullness of His grace and love with a hurting world. 

Locally for our churches, especially in King County, we are dealing with yet another spike in COVID infections equal to the one we experienced in late 2020 and significantly higher than the one recorded in May of this year. The governor’s statewide mask mandate beginning Monday should give us all pause in our plans for the fall. Many of our churches are once again making masks mandatory even in outdoor services and still others are reconsidering their return to in person worship. The Stated Clerk of the PC(USA) Rev. Dr. J Herbert Nelson shared this recent message with the church about the topic.  

Let us be of strong and faithful hearts. Let us boldly reflect Christ’s message of hope and healing. Let us be united in our commitment to one another and the broader community of our siblings in all places. 

Praying for each of you and our world, 

Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter

P.S. Some ways to support both Haiti and Afghanistan during this time:

https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/after-a-massive-earthquake-and-a-tropical-storm-haiti-continues-to-face-serious-challenges/ 

https://www.presbyterianmission.org/pda-blog/2021/08/18/afghanistan-evacuations-and-refugees/ 

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/heres-how-to-help-new-local-arrivals-fleeing-afghanistan/ 

August 13 Update from Scott Lumsden

Dear Friends,

I hope this enews finds you cool and hydrated!

As you enjoy these last few weeks of summer, I pray you're taking some time to relax and enjoy a little downtime. As usual for me during the summer, I'm getting a hike in next week in the Wallowa Mountains. Thankfully the weather report predicts mid 70s rather than the mid 90s it had predicted earlier in the week.

Predicting the weather is not an exact science as weather patterns can change quickly -- winds shift, pressure builds, moisture levels drop, and before you know it you're having to throw your fleece sweatshirt in your backpack that earlier in the week you were positive you didn't need. I think we've all been hoping the COVID predictions by now would have been more favorable than what they are turning out to be. It's true there's been great progress thus far, but viruses mutate and before you know it, you're having to plan for all types of COVID "weather" again. (Yes, I'm wearing a mask indoors again). This fall will be different from last fall, and next fall will be different again. So let's do our best to pace ourselves and remain present for one another and our communities in the midst of it.

Your presbytery staff and Executive Board are committed to doing all that we can to support our churches and pastors through this unprecedented time. To that end here's just another reminder -- sessions, do take advantage of the COVID Worship & Technology Grant -- and pastors, do avail yourselves of the COVID Sabbath grant.

And, especially this weekend, stay cool!

Peace,

Rev. Scott Lumsden
Co-Executive Presbyter

August 3 Update from Eliana Maxim

“Only live your life in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that... I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the Gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents.” (Ephesians 1:27-28)

Dear friends, 

We’re halfway through summer (give or take a couple of weeks) and I pray that you have had the opportunity to enjoy this season. A season that has brought both sunshine and warmth, as well as a significant amount of planning and regrouping as recommendations around COVID 19 and its variants continue to change. 

Scott and I understand the challenges many of you are facing as you consider in-person worship, others of you providing pastoral care as hospitalization rates climb, all while you continue to juggle the demands of family and home. 

We encourage you to take advantage of the Executive Board’s Sabbath Grant opportunity. The application process is simple, and the $750 amount can provide our minister members an opportunity to take a break, rest, restore, and recharge for the fall. Please note that we are giving priority to ministers who did not receive a Sabbath grant in 2020, are solo pastors, or in a validated ministry. All others will be placed on a wait list as we ensure everyone has a chance to apply. 

As congregations prepare for different ways of doing worship that meet the needs of the community, we know there are costs associated with these changes. The Executive Board has also set monies aside to support churches in this manner. Please see the COVID Worship & Technology Grant section for more information on how to apply. 

The Wisconsin Council of Churches has been providing us with excellent resources for guiding the planning of congregational life, including worship, since the start of COVID. Their latest document (released July 27) is now available. 

And finally, a reminder that both Scott and I –and the rest of the presbytery staff – are here to support and encourage you in your ministries. Please feel free to contact us with questions, comments, or simply just to chat.  

We are church together, and together we seek the kin-dom of God in our congregations, our neighborhoods, and communities, even in the midst of a pandemic. 

In grace and peace, 

Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter

SDOP disburses more than $190,000 in grants to 13 self-help projects

The grants are partnerships with oppressed and disadvantaged people to help them toward self-sufficiency

by Margaret Mwale, Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People | Special to Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE — The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP) approved grants earlier this year totaling more than $190,00 to a baker’s dozen of self-help projects. The money is from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering.

The national SDOP, which met virtually, enables members and non-members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to form partnerships with oppressed and disadvantaged people to help them achieve self-sufficiency.

Read more.

Ruling Elder & Teaching Elder PC(USA) exam readers needed

PC(USA) ordination exam readers needed during the week of October 4-8, 2021. All training and scoring takes place online and can be done from your home. Seattle Presbytery currently has one teaching elder vacancy and two ruling elder vacancies. Contact cpm@seapres.org to learn more.

July 9 Update from Scott Lumsden: Living in Tension

Living with Tension 

Over the past few months I’ve been reading 1 and 2 Samuel. It’s been a while since I’ve read how Israel transitioned from tribes and judges to kings and kingdoms, and I’m struck by how insightful these stories are for understanding church life today.  

For starters, we often forget that Israel is more a family of tribes than one, unified nation. These tribes are a unique expression of Israel, each one with its own distinctive qualities and differences. They work together, but not always; in fact, at times the tribes fight each other. (Judges 19-21) This tribal tension is more the norm, than the exception. Case in point, Israel is only “united” for about 100 years (David and Solomon) -- for most of its existence, its tribal characteristics dominate its collective identity. Further, the bible has no problem acknowledging the fact that after David and Solomon, Israel is divided into North and South. (Yet God’s purposes continue despite their division).  

Another interesting insight comes from the whole idea of kingship in general. We’re told early in 1 Samuel that Israel’s request for a king is a rejection of God:  

“But when they said, ‘Give us a king to lead us,’ this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: ‘Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.’” (8:6-7) 

But in Deuteronomy there is no judgment against kingship, in fact it very clearly lays out how kingship is to be established.  

“When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, ‘Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,’ be sure to appoint over you a king the Lord your God chooses.” (Deut 17:14-15) 

My point here is not to debate whether kingship is a good thing or a bad thing, it’s to point out that even within the bible there are unresolved tensions. Another way to say this is that the bible sometimes clearly shows how there are (at least) two different, yet faithful, ways to look at a particular issue. (Think of the two creation accounts and how each one gives lifts up important aspects about God, creation, and humankind.) 

I often hear people say, “we’re not all in agreement about this,” or, “we’re not yet of one mind on that issue,” or, “we’re praying for unity on this.” On the one hand, I understand how hard it is to be in a place of disagreement as a leadership body -- so prayer is definitely an integral part of any discernment process. But on the other hand, so is acknowledging and allowing for difference.  

Wrestling with the realities of life and how that life is lived in community is at the heart of faithful, biblical, spirit-filled discipleship. And we would do well in times of disagreement to pause and ponder how the scriptures sometimes preserve differences of thought rather than cover them over. Might we ask ourselves, “Could this be an issue in which there is more than one faithful response?” I think the scriptures say, Yes.  

There is a lot we’re wrestling with as we ponder life in this new phase of the pandemic. Some of the issues we’re wrestling with are old, and some are new. Whatever the question may be for you, I pray that your “faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.” (1 Cor 2:5) 

Grace and peace, 

Rev. Scott Lumsden
Co-Executive Presbyter

Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2022

July 24-27, Indianapolis, IN

A gathering for High School age youth, youth leaders and young adults in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Cumberland Presbyterian Churches.

Seattle Presbytery is seeking a delegation registrar (appointed volunteer who is responsible for registering and preparing our delegation for Triennium). If you’re interested, please contact EJ Lee.

• Read more: Triennium Delegation Guide 2022

• Read more: Registrar Responsibilities Overview 2022

Changes are coming to Triennium, a life-changing event for thousands of Presbyterian youth and young adult

by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service

The 2022 version of Presbyterian Youth Triennium will feature a Matthew 25 framework, activities that will extend a full year following Triennium and enough innovation to send thousands of high schoolers and young adults scurrying to register — once registration goes live this winter.

Read the Full Article

Learn more about Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2022.

June 25 Update from Eliana Maxim

“...now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Siblings, what should we do?’....they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:37, 42)

Dear friends, 

Theologian Justo Gonzalez has said that the purpose of the book of Acts is to show how the Holy Spirit allows the Church to discover and rediscover its mission and provides the Church the ability to move from fear to joy over and over again. 

Fifteen months ago, we were all thrown into the unknown territory of doing and being church virtually. How to plan a worship service over Zoom? Would people log on? How awkward is it to preach to a screen? How will we maintain connection and care? And yet, we adapted and, in some ways, may have lived into our call as faith communities more faithfully than we had thought, creating spaces for learning and prayer, fellowship and neighborhood engagement.  

Here we are again, at yet another transition point of returning to church buildings and in-person worship. Like the early church, we too can ask of each other: what should we do? We can certainly rely on the framework laid out to us by the apostles and focus on learning, fellowship, breaking bread and praying. But perhaps just as importantly, we can rely on the awareness that we can adapt, that the church has been constantly adapting throughout the ages, and this opportunity is nothing different.  

Not everything will work out perfectly, or even as planned. There will be bumps along the road and lots of discoveries to be made. But the presence of the Holy Spirit is unchanging, and she will continue to provide the Church everything it needs to live into the movement from fear to joy in Jesus Christ. 

Having resources always helps. So please do take advantage of the updated presbytery webpage on COVID related support, including legal guidance from both the presbytery and denominational legal teams. Many thanks to Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow who provided us with 90 minutes of an excellent overview on hybrid worship and hybrid church. The conversation around those learnings continues with another gathering next week. If you’d like access to that material, please contact EJ Lee. 

And many thanks to all who participated in our summer presbytery meeting (via Zoom) on June 15. Minutes of the meeting will be posted soon, but in the meantime, a warm welcome to Rev. John Bangs serving in a validated ministry at World Concern, and congratulations to Rev. Aaron Williams who moves from a temporary to installed position at University Presbyterian Church. Please note that at the October presbytery meeting we will be electing a General Assembly commissioner alternate as well as Young Adult Advisory delegate. For more information, please check here. The Executive Board will determine in early fall if that presbytery meeting will also be virtual, hybrid, or in-person. 

May you stay cool during the heat wave. May you be reminded of the power of the Holy Spirit to move and inspire us to be the Church God needs us to be. 

Grace and peace, 

Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter

June 2 Update from Eliana Maxim

"...be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:19-20)

Dear friends,

This past Tuesday, as I, along with presbytery staff, sat in my backyard under the blazing sun, I couldn’t help but have this verse running through my mind. Here we were, finally having our weekly staff meeting in person. Although I am not a particularly skilled singer, I was ready to burst into song. There is no doubt that we were created to be in relationship with one another, and the gift of presence is a huge component of it all. I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to express and experience this gift. 

These past 15 months have been challenging for our congregations, pastors, and elders. What it meant to be church, to do church, was turned upside down almost overnight. As the PCUSA’s Stated Clerk Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson likes to say, “and just like that, our pastors had to learn how to be television evangelists” with all the technological complexities involved, meanwhile caring – distantly –  for their flock, moderating Zoom meetings...after Zoom meetings...after more Zoom meetings. And now as we begin the planning and executing of returning to in-person worship we realize that simply going back to how things were in February 2020 is impossible, and something new and different needs to be imagined and offered. 

As you all consider what that may mean for your congregation, I’d like to extend a special invitation to all our pastors serving churches who are planning this for the summer and fall. 

We’ve invited Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow to facilitate a 90-minute workshop on June 23 exploring the variety of worship options available to churches post-social distancing and quarantining. Space is limited so I urge you to register early. The event is being sponsored by the Commission on Ministry at no cost to our pastors. 

We all know these have been challenging times in church leadership, but we also know that God is about doing something new and life giving among us. My prayer is that though we may grieve for what we have missed or lost this past year, we would also give thanks for what is and what can be... with psalms and hymns and spirituals, together being the body of Christ, seeking God’s will for us all. 

In grace and peace, 

Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter

May 27 Update from Scott Lumsden

Dear Friends,

I'm hitting the pause button on my recent ghost musings for a short but, I hope, meaningful message -- take a break (if you can). This weekend, as our country pays its respects to those who have died in military service, we also turn our attention to a summer that is fast on the approach.

Graduations, summer plans, the question of going back to the "office," when to do in person worship again (and how)...all of these questions are both old and new again as the calculus has changed for how we even make decisions anymore. This has been a long season of accelerated watchfulness for us all, and even as we see signs of the pandemic's waning, the need to be attentive and mindful only increases.

That is why I want to take a moment to remind us all of the weight we're still carrying, even with some rays of sunshine on the horizon. Just because there are some things to be hopeful about, it doesn't mean we're not still reeling from the challenges of this past year.

So, enjoy this weekend, and as you enter into this summer's promise -- take some time to step away and recharge. The fall will be here soon enough with new challenges. Let's pace ourselves; we're not out of this yet.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens..." Take the time to embrace this season, whatever season this is for you.

Peace,

Rev. Scott Lumsden
Co-Executive Presbyter

May 20 Update from Eliana Maxim

Dear friends,

It seems like almost every week we are provided different directives and guidelines on how to re-engage socially, even as we try to move forward in this COVID time. Recently, the CDC issued a surprising directive on mask wearing for vaccinated individuals. And so many of us have been wondering what this means for our church re-entry plans. 

Regardless of the CDC’s statement, King County Public Health issued a new directive today (May 20th) that all individuals – vaccinated or not – should continue to wear masks both indoors and in public spaces. This is more stringent than the federal guideline, primarily due to the current fully vaccinated population in King County (57% rather than the desired 70% rate). 

So whether you are vaccinated or not, businesses – including houses of worship – can require you to mask up. It might be tempting for us, as we begin to make plans for in person worship again, to attempt to circumvent this recommendation. But knowing what we have learned about this virus, its many variants, and its devastating impact on our communities (particularly our black, brown, and indigenous siblings), we would be wise and caring to continue a cautious return to church. 

There have been other questions raised about vaccines, worshipers, and church employees. The PCUSA’s legal department has developed a FAQ you might find helpful as well.  

As always, keep informed through the King County, Kitsap County and  Washington state health department pages for any changes in guidelines or policies. And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. 

In these times of anticipation and hope, tinged with some fear and uncertainty, may we take comfort in God’s promise that we have already been given everything we need, as well as commit ourselves to together seek the shalom for all communities and one another.

In grace and peace, 

Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter

May 14 Update from Scott Lumsden: On Ghosts (III)

“The king [Saul] said to her, “Don’t be afraid, what do you see?”
The woman said, “I see a ghostly figure coming up out of the earth.” 1 Samuel 28:13

On Ghosts (III)

Kingship in Israel is fraught with challenges as we see highlighted by the very first anointed leader of this new institution, Saul. Despite his good looks and size (9:2), Saul never seems to understand how to put his apparent advantages into practice to help the people he serves.  

It turns out that Saul is also his own worst enemy, and Samuel has to say the hard truth: “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you...now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him [David] ruler his people...” (13:13-14) Easier said than done, as this transition of power from Saul to David spins another 18 chapters of some rather intriguing yarn.  

One of the more interesting of these stories is about Saul’s consultation with a medium at Endor. With the Philistine army ready to attack, Saul’s prayers for God’s direction go unanswered -- so he does the unthinkable, he tries to contact Samuel (who is now dead) through a medium (or psychic) -- which is a huge no-no in Israel. Amazingly, the medium does contact Samuel, but instead of getting assurances that things will be alright – Samuel reminds him that 1). God has abandoned him, 2). Given the kingdom to someone else, 3). Israel will lose the war, and 4). Saul and his sons will die in battle. Hardly the pick-me-up he was hoping for.  

To me, this desperation move is all the more tragic in that Saul has actually known for quite a while what God’s plans are, yet he’s so troubled by those realities that he thinks by conjuring up Samuel one last time, the answer will somehow be different.  

I sometimes wonder if we in the mainline church aren’t a bit like Saul – we know God is at work in the world in ways that aren’t limited or contained by our churches and her endless meetings, yet still we trudge and toil to keep God there – in that moment in time – in those familiar places. Instead of being open to God in new ways, we work even harder to search for God in the old ways.  

So perhaps a first step (for those of us who hold too tightly to the past) might be to muster up the courage to acknowledge the losses in some of the things and places that used to provide us meaning -- where we used to find God -- and as we’re led, begin to trust God in those new and unknown places where we find ourselves in the present.  

This is hard work no doubt, but we don’t do it alone. If this story tells us anything, it’s that God is a God of the present and future, not just of our past -- or as Jesus put it: God is not a God of the dead, but of the living. (Mk 12:27)  

So, let’s, as members of Christ’s living body, open ourselves up to the ways in which God is at work in the world -- a world filled with new opportunities and hope.  

Peace,

Rev. Scott Lumsden
Co-Executive Presbyter

Email Scam Alert

Friends, several of you have indicated receiving an email supposedly from Stated Clerk Glen Ferguson requesting a favor involving money. This is a scam and does not come from the presbytery office. The email address is incorrect. And 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.

Read a local news story here.

Read more about the FTC alert here.

May 7 Update from Tali Hairston

In our seriously divided and pandemic world, many of us are probably longing for being together. The Thriving Congregations Program has been a kind of coming together. We have had two virtual gatherings and Rev. Maggie Breen has checked in regularly with everyone. The content is coming along but our work initially is to create the context for being a learning community on a learning journey.  

As some of you know, my own learning journey will soon come to an end as I complete the last few chapters of my PhD dissertation. I was forewarned this moment would be emotional. It has been! Tim Shapiro (2017) talks about the learning journey as anything but a straight line that is full of starts and stops. Believe me, I discovered every roundabout and stop sign possible. The learning journey is never idealistic because if done authentically you will follow your curiosity, discover vulnerabilities, and explore your doubts.  

The Seattle Presbytery’s Thriving Congregation’s Program (TCP) can best be described as a learning journey as well. Congregations have begun building relationships with each other, forming their teams, and assessing their starting point. Soon, congregations will move from the perceived and aspirational, to the real and doable. Like when you realized there was more homework in a particular class. Remember that feeling? Every participating congregation is on this learning journey. And there is good evidence to suggest congregations will experience the non-linear, start-stop, and those circuitous roundabouts. This is the learning journey.  

Using the model presented in the book by Shapiro, “How Your Congregation Learns,” we are experiencing what it means to define the challenge. That means asking and answering, the dreaded “why” question. Why are we doing this? And this is not an easy question to answer. Not because the question is hard, like doing statistics. Rather, the answers can be hard to hear, believe, and accept. Yet, to skip over the “why” is problematic and possibly detrimental to the learning journey. Overwhelmed with books and papers and confusion, I learned to put my “why” front and center. Undoubtedly many of you have done the same in different circumstances. 

How else do we manage the learning journey and engage the difficult and vulnerable? We are learning the benefit of doing this work in community. The best advice I received about the learning journey is to never go alone. My wife once put a weekly schedule in the middle of the kitchen. I had to write down my study plan and my actual study hours. Our children could see my daily failure to meet my goals while grabbing a snack. And it made all the difference. As participating congregations look to each other, these may be new muscles to be exercised. But no matter the roundabout path we may take, we are doing it together. And it makes all the difference. 

Isn’t this what our world lacks right now? Don’t we need more opportunities to be the kind of community that learns together, even in our differences? As we continue to share this journey with you, we seek your prayers and hope you are curious.

God Bless, 

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

Statement from Universidad Reformada Regarding the Current Situation in Colombia

Please receive our warm greetings and allow us to share with you the English version of the statement of Universidad Reformada about the current situation in Colombia.

We invite you to share it and to pray for our struggling country so that we all can enjoy peace, health, economic justice and a harmonious life with the environment.

Best wishes, 

David Pua
Director of International Relations
Universidad Reformada
Barranquilla, Colombia

---

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship update on May 6: Our prayers are with the Presbyterian Church of Colombia, where violence from police and state security forces across the country has taken the lives of dozens of people and wounded hundreds. The violence is an attempt to quell the voice of the Colombian people protesting neoliberal health reform, the third and worst yet wave of Covid, ongoing lack of peace accords implementation, and more.
The Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia is specifically asking folks to participate in a time of prayer this Saturday (May 8 at 4pm Pacific Time). If so moved, you are invited to share your prayers on Facebook at that time and tag the IPC to show your support.
Translation of image: "TIME OF PRAYER. The three Presbyteries that form the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Colombia, convene all of their churches to a time of prayer for peace and comfort for the Colombian people. Date: Saturday 8th of May at 6pm." [6pm Colombian time is 4pm PT.]

April 15 Update from Eliana Maxim

Dear friends, 

This Eastertide I’ve been thinking a lot about how the assorted followers of Jesus must have felt upon discovering an empty tomb, and a mystery unfolding and still incomprehensible to them. Luke’s final chapter provides us vignettes of good-hearted folks trying to navigate the hard reality of Jesus’ earthly death, and each in their own way.  

The women at the tomb arrive to anoint and tend to the body, desiring to physically hold their beloved one last time, to demonstrate care. The men on the road to Emmaus process the crisis through conversation, talking it all through, trying to find the logic to their situation. The disciples as a group gather in community to commiserate, to grieve, and have something to eat.  

The interesting thing to me is that in their own ways of processing the crisis they’ve encountered, the same net effect results: Jesus makes himself present to them, speaks into their confusion, opens their minds, reinterprets scripture considering the events, breaks bread with them which in turn ends with a worshipful experience. 

Presence.  Conversation.  Understanding.  Rereading scripture.  Communion in community.  Worship.  

We all engage in crises in our lifetimes. And many times, they are more like changes or transitions. Yet, I wonder if the pattern we see play out in Luke might not be helpful to us as well. Perhaps your congregation is entering into a season of pastoral transition. Or there is a need to spend time in reflection and assessment about who your church is and why it is. What if your faith community is wrestling with the simple question on viability and sustainability? 

Can this process work for us as well? Presence sounds like a no brainer, but so many times in a challenging time, the temptation is to either flee or simply be absent from the strain. Staying in the moment, staying in relationship forces us not to look away from the challenge, but rather see it part of being community.  

Conversation and understanding are crucial and ones we tend to overestimate at how well we do them. Conversation requires deep listening which can lead to understanding that which we may not have agreed with or considered. That’s not to say that conversation will automatically lead to unanimous agreement on matters, but it can certainly lead us to discovery and wondering.  “Their eyes were opened...”. (31) 

In these encounters, Scripture is either quoted or reinterpreted. “... the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners“ (7). “Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself...” (27) How can we center Scripture, its reading and interpretation in our moments of communal crisis? So that, as it does in Luke’s final chapter, offering opportunities for communion and worship. “Were not our hearts burning within us?”(32)  

Sacred moments of breaking bread and giving God thanks for indeed being Emanuel, a God with us who has journeyed with us in the challenging spaces of our lives. “And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple blessing God.” (52)  

Not everything has been resolved, a lot of answers are missing, and frankly, their future is unknown. Yet imagine staying in community joyfully, worshipfully because Christ is in our crisis, in our conversations and Biblical discernment. This is my prayer for you, church. My prayer for us all. 

In grace and peace, 

Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance: Virtual Emotional and Spiritual Care Offerings

PDA continues to make available Virtual Emotional and Spiritual Care Offerings in response to COVID and the many natural and human caused disasters that have occurred in the past year. PDA has facilitated over 75 events in over 24 Presbyteries and Synods. While the format has stayed consistent the content and discussions have shifted to address the current concerns and issues that have arisen.

Learn more.