June 2022 SeaPres Update from Co-Executive Presbyters
Seattle Presbytery
Please listen to this SeaPres Podcast episode in preparation for the June 21st presbytery meeting.
SeaPres Podcast: Colombia Mission Partnership
Seattle Presbytery
Eight years after embarking on a unique partnership with the Presbytery of the North Coast (Presbyterian Church of Colombia), Seattle Presbytery staff discuss this pivotal time of deeper engagement and mutual learning invitations. Join Revs. Scott Lumsden, Tali Hairston, Maggie Breen, Paul Kim, and Eliana Maxim as they talk about what this means for our local congregations and communities.
May 26 SeaPres Update from Co-Executive Presbyters
Seattle Presbytery
Buffalo and Uvalde. We wish there were wise or comforting words we could offer. But like you, we are overwhelmed and heartbroken at the horror, violence, and hate. As we grieve both as church and nation, we join others in prayer...
Denominational resources that may be of help in your communities.
Gun Violence Resources (Presbyterian Peacemaking): presbyterianmission.org/ministries/peacemaking/gun-violence-resources/
Through a Mirror Dimly (Presbyterian Youth and Triennium Office)
drive.google.com/file/d/1f65UCiDIRNEUAzW4rEiTUbxPlOgug8RE/view
G-NS: A Resource for Generous Dialogue about Gun Violence (PCUSA Store, For Young Adults)
pcusastore.com/Products/GNS18D/gns-a-resource-for-generous-dialogue-about-gun-violence.aspx
How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings (Common Sense Media)
commonsensemedia.org/articles/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-school-shootings
Church safety resources from PC(USA): https://www.seattlepresbytery.org/news/2022/weapons-at-church-the-unthinkable-in-gods-house-pcusa-resources
Longing for peace,
Eliana and Scott
Revs. Eliana Maxim & Scott Lumsden
Co-Executive Presbyters
Weapons at Church: The Unthinkable in God’s House - PC(USA Resources
Seattle Presbytery
Weapons at Church: The Unthinkable in God’s House—A message from PC(USA) General Counsel Mike Kirk as our prayers and lamentations continue
We like to think of our churches as places of safety and refuge. A place to commune with God and join in fellowship with our church community. Unfortunately, others view churches as targets. White supremacist Dylan Roof murdered nine people at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina in 2015. Recently a Las Vegas man with a grudge against Taiwan entered the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, California, and shot members and friends of the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church who were gathered at a celebratory luncheon.
It is unfortunate that church leaders must think about how to prevent such violence or how to respond to it if it happens. But sessions should discuss church safety. There are many resources available for churches, including the following:
Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Houses of Worship (FEMA)
Safety for Faith Based Events at Houses of Worship (Department of Homeland Security)
Developing an emergency plan for violence on church property (Creating Safe Ministries, PCUSA)
Congregations and mid councils should consider organizing a committee to discuss and make recommendations for safety policies and procedures.
Peacebuilding in the Holy Land
Seattle Presbytery
Peacebuilding in the Holy Land
Bellevue Presbyterian Church & University Presbyterian Church
Trip dates: October 15 - 22, 2022
Extension dates: Oct. 23 - 25, 2022
Many of us aspire to travel to the Holy Land. We want to see the places we read about in the Bible.
But the Holy Land is more than just the stirring backdrop of Jewish, Christian and Moslem faiths.
It's also a land of heartbreaking hostilities. Decades of strife between Israelis and Palestinians continue to rage. The Biblical imperative for justice, reconciliation and forgiveness is as much in need there today as it was 2,000 years ago.
You're invited to join an eye-opening trip to the Holy Land this October where you'll have an opportunity to not only tour the celebrated holy sites, but dig deeper into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We'll hear from Israeli Jewish and Palestinian guides, religious leaders and peacemakers. We'll discuss religious, political, and economic and justice issues facing the region. Moreover, we'll wrestle with the question of how we can engage and respond to the ongoing turmoil.
The tour is organized through our mission partner Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and MEJDI Tours. See:
https://www.mejditours.com/open-tour/seattle-presbyterian-churches-holy-land-tour/
Come learn more about this trip Wed. May 25, 5:30 pm: Either in person at University Presbyterian Church,
4540 15th Ave NE, Seattle 98105 OR
Via Zoom - contact Holy Land Task Force for the link.
2022 Colombia Partnership Trip
Seattle Presbytery
Please keep our Colombia partnership trip members and partners in prayer. 2022 team members: Renee Notkin, Maggie Breen, Tali Hairston, Paul Kim, Eliana Maxim, Alex Maxim. We’ll be posting trip photos and updates on Seattle Presbytery’s Facebook page.
April 18 SeaPres Update from Co-Executive Presbyters
Seattle Presbytery
“Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” (Mark 16: 9-15)
Dear friends,
Despite everything they had been through with Jesus, somehow or another, his closest disciples were unable to believe he was alive. No matter what they had seen with their own eyes and experienced firsthand – healings, teachings, feedings, and more! - they refused to believe the good news offered to them by Mary Magdalene, the two disciples from the road story, and even a first hand encounter with Jesus.
Good on Jesus for scolding their unbelief, but even better on Jesus for the simple instruction he gives them (and us) despite their (and our) stubbornness and lack of faith – to proclaim good news!
In this Eastertide, when the challenge of 2 plus years of pandemic weariness weighs us down, Jesus continues to empower us to extraordinary ways of being. There is work to be done; wrongs to be righted, the hungry to be fed, broken lives to be restored, captives to be freed, hope to overcome despair. There is good news to be proclaimed! And part of the good news is that despite our shortcomings, we are still commanded to be bearers of the Gospel and embody a different way of life.
We are grateful for all the churches in the Seattle Presbytery who are grappling anew with who they are and who God needs them to be as they share the good news in their communities. And we are grateful for presbytery leadership such as the Executive Board, Commission on Ministry, and Commission on Preparation for Ministry, who remain committed to issues of equity and justice as they support and encourage congregations, sessions, and ministers.
Welcome Rev. Paul S. Kim
We also want to take this opportunity to share the good news of our newest staff member, Rev. Paul Kim. Paul will be serving a two-year term as Community & Ministry Development Associate. As the Thriving Congregation program grows, Paul will be tasked with supporting the current program and inviting participation from congregations outside Seattle Presbytery. If that weren’t enough, Paul will also be helping the presbytery explore community partnerships (and development) where we have vacant properties. He’ll also help support the staff team during the upcoming sabbaticals for Scott (this summer/fall) and Eliana (2023).
Grace and peace,
Revs. Eliana Maxim & Scott Lumsden
Co-Executive Presbyters
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance: Ukraine Response
Seattle Presbytery
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
We are grateful for the outpouring of prayers and calls from congregations and individuals asking how they can help. As the violence continues, the number of people being displaced internally and fleeing to neighboring countries increases by the day. And in the midst of the chaos, there are sibling churches and ecumenical partners who are already providing assistance with basic items for survival. Our first priority as PDA is to provide funding to these partners on the ground. While the scale of this crisis is new, receiving refugees from Ukraine and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe is not which means we have trusted, established partners with the knowledge and expertise to carry out this important work.
We are hearing that the reformed churches in Ukraine and the region are also feeling called to join in the humanitarian response. PDA, therefore, anticipates that our response will include both financial and technical assistance as the network of faith communities providing humanitarian assistance grows in the months ahead.
As we pray for an end to this violence, we ask the U.S. Government and our European allies to make a commitment to the Ukrainian people for a peaceful solution. We don’t know how long it will take, but we know that they will need help with the rebuilding of their country so that those who are fleeing now may one day return home safely.
Funds are being used for emergency humanitarian aid such as food items, shelter, medicines, diapers, hygiene items, etc.
To support our response, designate gifts to DR000156 or text PDAUKR to 41444.
Click here to read FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS on our response to Ukraine.
Thriving Congregations featured in Matthew 25 broadcast
Seattle Presbytery
Being Matthew 25 broadcast explores ministry gifts and opportunities found in the neighborhood
by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service
This video describes Seattle Presbytery’s Matthew 25 work, especially its Thriving Congregations learning cohort, financed by a grant from the Lilly Endowment.
The film features the Rev. Scott Lumsden and the Rev. Eliana Maxim, co-executive presbyters, as well as the Rev. Tali Hairston, the presbyter’s director of Community Organizing, Advocacy and Development, who leads the Thriving Congregations cohort.
In the film, Hairston is depicted talking with members of three congregations east of Seattle. A central tenet is this quote from Tim Shapiro, the author of “How Your Congregation Learns”: “Congregations don’t just do new things; they learn to do new things.”
“Congregations in this learning cohort are having hard conversations that are easy to shy away from,” Maxim says in the video. Some churches “are so busy taking care of their to-do list they shy away from these deeper conversations.”
“Scott and Eliana said, ‘Go talk to these churches,’” Hairston says in the video. “What does it mean to creatively cultivate Christian practices? We are learning a lot about what that means” by looking at the relationship participating churches have between place and story.
February 24 Update from Eliana Maxim
Seattle Presbytery
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, heart that devises wicked plans, feet that hurry to run to evil, a lying witness who testifies falsely, and one who sows discord amongst siblings.” (Proverbs 6:16-19) *emphasis mine
Dear friends,
The heaviness of the world never seems as heavy as when it groans with the violence and destruction of war. Today our social media feeds, radio waves, and news bulletins are filled with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Scripture reminds us that all those things that diminish humanity, bring hurt and destruction, all grieve God and are the true abominations among us.
I know you and your congregations will join the millions of voices around the world praying for peace, not just in Ukraine, but in Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, and so many other countries. And may each of our churches be aware of community needs of our refugee and immigrant siblings around us who must bear this grief and fear far from home.
We share this prayer from the PCUSA:
In grace and most of all peace,
Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter
Email scam targeting churches
Seattle Presbytery
An email scam is targeting our churches, pretending to be an employee asking for a bank account change for direct deposit. If you receive any emails like this, do NOT respond. Call the employee directly to verify the information and never share any account information over email.
Background on this type of fraud & similar schemes.
Actions to take if you’ve had funds stolen:
Contact your bank immediately.
File a police report.
Notify the Presbytery so we can share with other churches.
December 22 SeaPres Update
Seattle Presbytery
Dear friends,
If there is one thing the covid pandemic has taught us these past 20+ months is that everything must be held lightly, and flexibility is our friend. After dipping our toes back into in person worship services and face to face gatherings, the latest coronavirus variant omicron and its rapidly contagious sweep across the country has once again forced us to reconsider our decisions. Infection rates have once again soared in Washington State and specifically King County.
For our congregational leaders – pastors and sessions – this is frustrating and disappointing. Some of our churches have made the decision to cancel in person Christmas services already, while others are still considering offering a hybrid format. Regardless of choice, long hours and hard work have been spent to gather faith communities together to celebrate the birth of Christ. The discouragement is real.
We know that you are all making the best choice for your congregation, and we know you do not do so lightly. As your co-executive presbyters/colleagues/friends, we want you to know that we recognize this extra challenge in ministry and are here for you. We pray for you and your churches.
And yet... if there is something the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ has taught us though, is that despite worldly impediments, human stumbling blocks, political instability, or waning hope – Christ continues to break through into the world, standing in the midst of our uncertainty and fear, fulfilling the promise to be Emanuel, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God. We take courage and comfort in this assurance.
In hope and peace,
Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter
November 24 Update from Eliana Maxim
Seattle Presbytery
Dear Friends,
I recently shared with our Executive Board some reflections on a particular line about the role of presbyteries in our Book of Order. “The presbytery is responsible for the government of the church throughout its district, and for assisting and supporting the witness of congregations to the sovereign activity of God in the world, so that all congregations become communities of faith, hope, love, and witness.” (G-3.0301) (emphasis mine)
I was struck by that line as I considered the work our presbytery staff and leadership take on. There are always to do lists being created (and added on to), agendas coordinated, conflict to be managed, meetings to attend, transitions to be planned, and on and on. These are all important and necessary tasks for the work to get done and leadership to take place. But that line from the Book of Order stuck with me – how are we witnessing to the sovereign activity of God in the world? Where are we seeing God at work in and amongst us?
Personally, in this season of life, my obvious answer to that question is the recent birth of my grandson, particularly when I watch my parents holding him.
But it’s also in witnessing a church’s session wrestle with their role and find their voice and authority to be the spiritual leaders they were ordained to be; or the rallying and support of colleagues around a pastor who is struggling with grief, providing them with space and time to heal without the congregation lacking leadership; or a congregation grappling with its racist history and how institutional white supremacy contributed to its growth and power; or a congregational leader making their way through restoration and reconciliation after a disciplinary matter. God is in all those places. God continues to be in all our places.
As we mark another Thanksgiving holiday, whether with family and friends, or quietly on our own, I invite you to join me in hitting the pause button on the busy, technical aspects of leadership. Let us set aside our to do lists and spreadsheets, breathe deeply, and point to where God is present and actively engaging the world. For this we can be thankful, and what a blessing that needs not be relegated to one day in the year, but all times. In that way we may indeed heed Paul’s urging, “rejoice in the Lord always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ for you.”
Grateful for you, your congregations, and your witness to God’s sovereign activity in the world!
Grace and peace,
Rev. Eliana Maxim
Co-Executive Presbyter
SeaPres Podcast: SeaPres Conversations w/Eliana & Scott
Seattle Presbytery
This week’s e-news is an auditory extravaganza!
New episode: SeaPres Podcast. Co-Executive Presbyters Eliana Maxim & Scott Lumsden recap the October presbytery meeting, look ahead to the next few months, and share an important message for our pastoral leaders.
Scott and Eliana shared this written report at the October SeaPres meeting.
Board of Pensions resources
Seattle Presbytery
Resources from the Board of Pensions:
Rev. Christine Long (Church Consultant) will bring greetings at the Oct. 19, 2021 presbytery meeting. Please review the following resources and let Christine know if you have questions:
Video about Minister’s Choice:
Hispanic and Latinx History Makers
Seattle Presbytery
PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Mid council leaders on cross-culturalism and pasión in ministry
Fred Tangeman | Office of the General Assembly - October 12, 2021
Last Wednesday a PHS LIVE panel lifted up the ministries of Hispanic and Latinx Presbyterians in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A).
Five mid council leaders shared their perspectives on their own ministries and identified ways Latinx and Hispanic Presbyterians contribute unique gifts to the PC(USA).
The panelists and moderator Nancy J. Taylor, Executive Director of the Presbyterian Historical Society, also identified ways the PC(USA) can better resource Hispanic and Latinx Presbyterians and learn from their experiences.
Hispanic and Latinx communities, hardly monolithic in culture and outlook, are severely underrepresented in mid council leadership and other areas of the PC(USA), including the collections of the Presbyterian Historical Society.
Spanish and English interpretation for the hour-long session was provided by Global Language Resources, a part of the PC(USA)’s Administrative Services Group, the business office of A Corp.
Watch the full recording here, beginning at 1:18.
October 1 Update from Scott Lumsden
Seattle Presbytery
Pastors and Friends,
Many months ago, Eliana and I shared the difficult message that it was time to stop in person worship. Our message today is not as dire, but just as serious -- it's officially time to dial it back. What does that mean? It means whatever you're doing as a pastor, session, elder, volunteer, cut that in half and let the other things sort themselves out. That's right, it's time to do less.
Friends, every conversation now, whether in Seattle Presbytery or across the PCUSA, hits the same exasperating notes -- leaders everywhere are tired and running on fumes and don't know how much longer they can keep it up.
This why we are telling you that the time has come to admit to ourselves and to others that what we're doing is not sustainable -- that it's time to readjust (again!).
So what can you do?
1). Scale back. Stop doing at least one thing and reinvest that time in the thing that really needs doing, whatever that is.
2). Take the rest of what you are doing and reprioritize them by sorting things from highest priority to lowest priority.
3). Now, take the bottom half of that list and cross it off.
4). And now that you've done that, communicate to yourself and others what you have time for and what you don't (the top half of your list).
5). Don't take on any more duties, jobs, or responsibilities.
6). Go spend some time with your family and friends and recharge (in whatever way works for you).
7). Because your personal health and well-being matters.
Ok, I think you get the picture. Are we trying to tell you what to do? No, all we're saying is that the burnout you're feeling is real and is not going to go away. You need to reassess and readjust and be open and realistic about what is most important. That means prioritizing your time to get the essentials done -- both workwise and relationshipwise -- so that you can be present for those most important to you.
Friends, the long haul is getting longer and we're all feeling it. It's time to admit it and make some changes so that we can all make it through together.
Peace,
Rev. Scott Lumsden
Co-Executive Presbyter
Refugee & Asylum Seeker Support & Information
Seattle Presbytery
PC(USA) Office of Immigration Issues
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance also offers resources: https://pda.pcusa.org/situation/refugee-ministry/
PDA recently partnered with Church World Service to provide ecumenical resources and partnership opportunities to support refugees: https://cwsglobal.org/
Vaccination and faithfulness in a time of pandemic
Seattle Presbytery
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) urges vaccination against COVID-19
September 27, 2021
The theological commitments of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) compel us to support vaccination against COVID-19 for all people except those who are unable to receive the vaccines due either to age or medical condition.
Because we believe in the God who urged the people of God to “seek the good of the city” (Jeremiah 29:7) where they were located, a city that was not even their native home, we urge all people to be vaccinated. Because we are followers of the Jesus Christ who requires us “to love the Lord your God … and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27), we urge all people to get vaccinated. Because we confess, as a matter of our religious belief, that “the members of the church are emissaries of peace and seek the good of all in cooperation with powers and authorities in politics, culture, and economics” (Confession of 1967), we urge all to seek the good of all, to love their neighbor and get vaccinated.
Sign up for last antiracism, gender and inclusion workshops of 2021
Seattle Presbytery
Training sessions on PC(USA) policy are virtual and intended for anyone who is interested
by Rich Copley | Presbyterian News Service
LEXINGTON, Kentucky — The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s final antiracism and gender-and-inclusion workshops of 2021 will be presented in the next few weeks.
There is still time to sign up for the Introduction to PC(USA) Antiracism Policy at 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Sept. 28 and Gender & Inclusion Training at 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Oct. 19. Both workshops will be held on Zoom. They will be private meetings, not shared on Facebook or any similar forum, to allow for a free-flowing, candid discussion between participants and leaders.