A sigh of prayer for Ukraine

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship

https://www.presbypeacefellowship.org/a-sigh-of-prayer-for-ukraine/

God, 

We sigh. We sigh because words cannot express our anguish, our hurt, our despair, knowing that siblings in Ukraine are fleeing their homes for their lives, that the cities and towns that hold memories and culture and history may be destroyed. 

Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans that the Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And so we sigh. Let us breathe together. 

<take a deep breath>

May our sighs remind us
that we all share the same air;
that what impacts one of us impacts all of us;
that life is precious to God and war is never necessary. 

May our sighs be a prayer
for every Ukrainian who worries about surviving today; 
for those who will not survive this invasion;
for those who will survive and be forever changed by the trauma of war;
for those Russian soldiers who question their orders and refuse to use their weapons. 

May our sighs be a prayer
for nuclear deproliferation;
for an end to the sin of imperialism and colonization.

May our sighs be a prayer for truth, peace, and solidarity to guide each of us;
May our sighs be a prayer for Ukraine and the whole world.

May our sighs fill our bodies with air 
to breathe through grief and fear and 
fill us with courage and connection, 
so that we are ready to act in solidarity with Ukraine, 
for an end to this war 
and all war.

Remembering Rev. James Heer (HR)

Prayers for Rev. Ken Sunoo

We invite you to join us in prayer for Rev. Ken Sunoo, who has been diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer. We hold Ken, Deb, and the Sunoo family in prayer as they navigate his treatments and care.

Updates will be shared here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kensunoo.

Remembering Rev. Umeko Kagawa Momii

Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that,
just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,
so we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)

Dear friends,

I share the sad news of the passing last night (August 19) at home of the Rev. Umeko Kagawa Momii, who had just entered hospice care following a rapid decline earlier in the week. She was 92 years old.

Rev. Momii was the first Japanese woman ordained by the United Presbyterian Church, in November 1981, and served at Lincoln Avenue Presbyterian Church in Salinas, CA, prior to being called as the associate pastor for Japanese language ministries at Japanese Presbyterian Church of Seattle from 1990–1995.

Rev. Momii was preceded in death by her husband John in 2018 [obituary with photos].

Though she and John were long retired by the time I began serving at Presby twelve years ago, I was blessed to continually welcome them and provide pastoral care to them to the ends of their lives.

Please pray for God’s peace for her extended family and especially daughter Machiko, with whom she had been living, Machiko’s husband Marcus, their children Joji and Kitsune, and numerous caregivers as they grieve.

Thanks be to God that Rev. Momii has completed her baptism and walks in newness of life with the Lord!

Faithfully,

J. P.

Rev. Dr. J. P. Kang
Associate Pastor
Japanese Presbyterian Church of Seattle

Prayers for the Taylor family

August 19 update:

Friends, our hearts break for our colleague and friend Rev. Wendy Taylor (Trinity PC, Shoreline) whose son Philip passed away early this morning from COVID complications. Wendy is so appreciative of everyone’s prayers, love, and concern.

“If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord, so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.”

We thank God for Philip’s life and we continue to hold Wendy in tender prayer.

—Rev. Eliana Maxim

Remembering Rev. Dr. Jean Kim (HR)

Rev. Dr. Jean Kim (HR, Northwest Coast Presbytery and formerly Seattle Presbytery) passed away peacefully on July 3, 2021.

Her memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 17th, 10:00am (PST) 1:00pm Eastern at Maplewood Presbyterian Church in Edmonds. 19523 84th Ave W Edmonds, WA 98026

Online viewing of the memorial service will be available.
Use one of these linked buttons to connect at the time of the service:

YouTube: Maplewood PC

Facebook: Maplewood PC

To honor Jean's wishes, please do not send flowers or cards. Instead, please wear something purple or bring a purple balloon to the service.

The family requests that memorial gifts in memory of Jean Kim be sent directly to one of the following homeless missions:

1)        Jean Kim Foundation. Jules Butler, PO Box 1835, Lynnwood, WA. 98046. jules.butler@butlerllaw.org

2)        Nest Mission. Rev. Deuksil Jung. PO Box 5782, Lynnwood, WA. 98046. (206)255-0676 dsjung12@yahoo.com

3)        Mary’s Place. Marty Hartman. PO Box 1711, Seattle, WA. 98111. (206) 383-6262.  marty@marysplaceseattle.org

4)        Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness. Rev. Bill Kirlin Hackett. 1847 F St. SE, Auburn, WA. 98002.

(425) 442-5418. kirhac@comcast.net

5)        Operation Nightwatch. Rev. Rick Reynolds. PO Box 21181, Seattle, WA. 98111. rick@seattlenightwatch.org

6)        WHEEL. Michele Marchand. PO Box 2548, Seattle, WA. 98111 (206) 817-3918. marchand@speakeasy.net

7)      Hope in Color Purple Fund   Samuel Kim, 15228 - 72nd Drive SE  Snohomish, WA 98296 (425) 789-8290

Tribute to Rev. Dr. Jean Kim by Rev. Jinsuk Kim (Northwest Coast Presbytery):

Several days ago before her passing, my wife and I visited Jean Kim along with her co-workers. She hadn’t eaten anything for three days only being able to sip water aided by her son Sam and family. She signaled to see me, and I could barely hear her speaking to me. I thanked her for modeling a good faith for us. She replied “I thank the presbytery.” I told her that we shared about how she was with our presbytery members and prayed for her. Then she said the same thing twice “I give thanks to the presbytery” seemingly to make sure that I heard.

It was apparent that she was full of gratefulness for her presbytery (NWCP), where she was ordained (1987) and then founded Church of Mary Magdalene in Seattle which grew to Mary’s Place, now serving hundreds of thousands daily for the vulnerable women, children and families. After a long time serving as a GA commissioner to the End Homelessness project, she founded Nest Homeless Mission and the Jean Kim Foundation which is now a mission partner of NWCP.

Jean deeply impacted me by how she led her life. Her purpose of life was clear as she was often explicit about it: to live for the homeless and vulnerable. And she was fully committed to it and did all she could with everything available to her, until the last day marked by writing her 13th book to educate us of the root cause of homelessness and what to do about it.

Her works are now being firmly continued by those who have been inspired by her life, weekly and daily. And I am confident that this will not stop, as Jesus said “For you always have the poor with you…”

She was a humble and grateful person who had attributed all her works to God. She had expressed often how she was looking forward to unite with Christ soon, but even during those time of enormous physical pain, she did what she was committed to with all her energy, passion and grace.

Thank God for her.

By Jinsuk Kim
Associate Executive Presbyter for Korean Ministries

Seattle Times: The Rev. Jean Kim, a ‘mother’ to the homeless community in Seattle, dies at 86

More about Jean.

Remembering Rev. Jerry Benjamin (HR)

Rev. Jerry Benjamin (HR) died on February 4, 2021 at the age of 83. Please keep his family and the congregation of Summit Avenue Presbyterian Church in prayer during this time.

Jerry’s memorial service will be Saturday 5/1/2021 at 1:00 pm at Summit Ave Presbyterian Church in Bremerton. It will be live streamed for those who cannot attend.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions only 42 people will be allowed in the service.

https://obituaries.neptunesociety.com/obituaries/tacoma-wa/jerry-benjamin-10042847

Remembering Rev. Dick Erickson (HR)

Rev. Dick Erickson (HR) died on February 5, 2021. Please keep his family and the congregation of Woodland Park Presbyterian Church in prayer.

Prayer from Rev. Staci Imes, Woodland Park PC:

Dick was and is so beloved to this congregation; his death leaves a hole in our hearts. We also know that the past couple of years have been especially difficult for Dick, and I give thanks that he is at peace.

I offer this prayer in his memory:

Holy One,

Our hearts ache with the loss of our friend, teacher, and pastor Dick. We are grateful for the many ways he touched so many of our lives. We give thanks for his brilliant mind, his engaging questions, his faith, and his love for his family and friends. We entrust him to your care, God, that he may be at peace and at home with you. Comfort us in our grief, and take particular care of Joyce and their loved ones. Surround them with you love and holy consolation.

Amen

A memorial service will happen by Zoom on Saturday, February 27 at 11am.

Please email the church office or call/text (206)486-2175 for the Zoom password.

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/2067823776

Meeting ID: 206 782 3776

(Contact Woodland Park PC for the password.)

Remembering Rev. Dr. Paul R. Smith (HR)

Update from Rev. Dr. Ron Rice (HR):

After a 3½ year battle with multiple myeloma, the Rev. Dr. Paul Smith (HR) was received into the Lord’s presence early Sunday morning (July 19, 2020) in a hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota.  

He and Carreen flew to South Dakota 2 weeks ago, to the family cabin in the Black Hills, Paul’s favorite place in all the world, where they visited every summer. It may have been a premonition, that he wanted to spend his last days there, one last visit. He was hospitalized in the middle of the week. Son Lucian was there and daughters Lindsey and Miriam arrived, and they were able to sing hymns together and retell stories. Daughter Taleigh was able to join by phone from Nicaragua.

Paul was the pastor of West Side Presbyterian Church for 35 years, retiring in June 2016.

He was a dear friend and colleague. I admired his creative and thought-provoking sermons, his biblical scholarship, his wide reading and knowledge, his intellectual curiosity, his pastor’s heart, and his deep love for the Lord and for his congregation.

I am sure he is hearing these words today, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy I have prepared for you.”

Photo courtesy: West Side Presbyterian Church

Remembering Rev. Robert A. Gray

Rev. Robert (“Bob”) Gray (HR) passed away on May 31, 2020.  He was a member of Seattle Presbytery since starting Pine Lake Presbyterian church in the mid-1960’s.  His obituary was posted in the Seattle Times Sunday edition on June 14 and a lengthy obituary can be found on the website for Flintoft’s Funeral Home: www.flintofts.com .

A memorial will be planned for a later time when COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed, so friends and family together will be able to celebrate Bob’s life with love and laughter. We will post specifics of the memorial on this page once we have the details worked out.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider remembrances to any of the following groups:
• Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank
• Planned Parenthood
• Parkinson’s Foundation
• Alzheimer’s Foundation
• Amnesty International

Remembering Rev. Iris Weber Martin

Rev. Iris Elinor Weber Martin died January 5, 2020.  Iris was ordained in Seattle Presbytery and a member of Olympia Presbytery.

She resided in Edgewood for 53 years. A graduate of UW in Botany she worked at Boeing during WWII. Her call to be a preacher led her to work in Lincoln Heights, Tacoma. She would be the only woman in her Seminary class of 1954. Iris would serve at Trinity Reformed Church in Kent, Fife Presbyterian, Church of the Indian Fellowship, and DuPont Presbyterian. A Master Gardener she developed a show garden at her home in Edgewood which provided many winning entries at the Pierce County and Western Washington State Fairs. Iris was active in the Pierce County Iris and Orchid Societies. Carrying on her legacy are her three children; The Rev. Dr. Joyce Martin Emery (David) of McLean, VA; Paul W. Martin (Eileen) of Renton, WA; Noel S. Martin (Sherri) of Fernandina Beach, FL; 8 grandchildren and 8 greats.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at Mission Woods Presbyterian Church, 2003 Taylor St., Milton, WA 98354.

Remembering Rev. Cirilo Del Carmen (HR)

Rev. Cirilo Del Carmen passed away on December 5, 2019.

Cirilo was diagnosed with Malignant Pancreatic Cancer, stage 4.   He was in San Antonio TX under the care of the Medical Cancer Specialist Team at the MD Anderson connected with the University of Texas.

To send messages to Cirilo and his family, contact communications AT seapres.org for contact information.

Make a gift to the Cirilo DelCarmen Pastoral and Spiritual Care Lecture Series Endowment Fund.

Remembering Rev. Kunnan Chen (HR)

From Rev. Angela Miksovsky (English Ministry Pastor, First Taiwanese Church of Seattle):

It is with both sadness and joy that I share the news that Pastor Kunnan Chen recently went home to the Lord on 6/14 at 9:35PM. He served faithfully at Seattle Taiwanese Christian Church for many years, retired honorably. He most recently worshipped at Bellevue Taiwanese Christian Church. I remember the gentleness, persistence, and grace with which he pastored us and with which he bore the burden of his Parkinson’s as it progressed. He was 80 years old and served faithfully, kneeling by his bedside and holding God’s church especially in Taiwan in his prayers always. His memorial service will be on 7/13/2019 at 10:30 at Bellevue Taiwanese Christian Church. He is survived by his wife, daughters, sons-in-law, granddaughters, and grandsons. We gave thanks for his faithful ministry to us always.

Remembering Rev. James Mulligan (HR)

The Reverend James Mulligan, 76, passed away quickly and peacefully early Thursday morning, February 14, following eight years living with Alzheimer’s.  He was a gentle man, with a loving, helping heart, and a willingness to take unassuming leadership roles when and where needed, often behind the scene, and always with a great sense of humor.

Jim and his twin brother, Timothy, were born November 17, 1942, to Frank and Marjorie Mulligan, in Los Angeles, California.  His family moved to Marietta, Georgia, where he graduated from Marietta High School, and Hampden-Sydney College, Virginia. He earned his MDiv to become a Presbyterian minister from Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, in 1968.   With acceptance by Seattle Presbytery, Jim moved to Seattle in 1971 to become Pastoral Counselor at Presbyterian Counseling Service, (now Samaritan Center).  He became an Approved Supervisor in the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists in 1979.  Jim was recognized as an exceptional Family Therapist and Supervisor, serving for twenty-five years.

In June 1981, Jim married his loving wife of 38 years, Ruth Voskuyl Ferguson, and stepped into the role of engaged stepfather to Leslie, 14, and Karrie, 13.

Following a wilderness river canoe trip in northern British Columbia, Jim and Ruth were inspired to embark in a new direction. In 1992 they co-founded Earth Ministry, an ecumenical religious environmental non-profit, with Carla Berkedal Pryne, Episcopal priest.  By 1996, Jim had moved to full-time involvement, becoming Executive Director.  Jim served as a visionary leader for seven years, followed by eight years as devoted editor of the mini-journal, “Earth Letter”.

Jim relished his time spent in nature at their beloved cabin on Harstine Island.  He was an avid photographer of nature (especially birds) and family activities.  The last six years of his life, he enjoyed participating actively in the dementia-friendly activities of the “Momentia” community (momentiaseattle.com).  Jim was appreciated for his warm smile, big hugs, great sense of humor, and beautiful singing voice.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; brother, Tim (Kyle); stepdaughters Leslie David (Chris), and Karrie Sutkus (Don); and grandchildren Justin, Kaitlyn, Heather, and Erika.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim’s honor can be made to Earth Ministry’s Jim Mulligan Memorial Fund (earthministry.org).  A memorial service and reception will be held on Saturday, March 9, Saint Mark’s Cathedral, 1:00pm.  Jim’s online Guestbook is at www.Legacy.com.

Remembering Rev. Roger Smith (HR)

January 30, 2019:

Please join us in praying for family and friends of Rev. Roger Smith, Honorably Retired minister of Seattle Presbytery and former pastor of Rainier Beach Presbyterian Church.  He died on January 30, 2019 at the age of 81.

Memorial information from Rainier Beach PC: 

Dearly beloved former pastor Roger Smith will be celebrated and remembered in a memorial service on February 23, 2 pm, at Maple Valley Church, 22659 Sweeney Rd. SE, Maple Valley, WA.

Remembering Bob Whitford (BelPres)

Update from Rev. Scott Mann, BelPres:

Bob Whitford graduated to the Church Triumphant Tuesday, Dec 11 peacefully having been in an adult care home and hospice for some time. What a gift to the Presbyterian Church USA he has been for many, many years! Please keep Bob’s family and friends in prayer.

Prayers for Gláucia Vasconcelos Wilkey

‘It’s hard to comprehend such a presence becoming frail’

Theological Education December 14, 2018

Liturgical theologian Gláucia Vasconcelos Wilkey’s ‘extraordinary mind’ is being taken from her

By Paul Seebeck | Presbyterian News Service

Friends say their hearts break watching Alzheimer’s disease diminish the brilliant mind of liturgical theologian Gláucia Vasconcelos Wilkey. (Contributed photo)

LOUISVILLE — The last time the Rev. Dr. David Batchelder saw renowned liturgical theologian Gláucia Vasconcelos Wilkey was over Thanksgiving.

At about that time, her hospice chaplain had contacted the Presbyterian Center to ask for a picture of the tapestry hanging outside the chapel. Wilkey had commissioned it for World Communion Sunday, when she had worked here in the nineties in the Office of Theology and Worship.   She’d used it as a cover for a book she published on Worship and Culture, which was a significant part of her life’s work.

Read more online.

Rev. Richard T. Nishioka (HR) Memorial

The Rev. Richard “Dick” Nishioka passed away September 28, 2018.

A Celebration of Life service is planned for Saturday, November 17, 2018, at 2 PM at Japanese Presbyterian Church of Seattle, which Dick served as Associate Pastor (1967–71) and then Pastor (1971–97) until his retirement.

Dick was Moderator of the Synod of Alaska-Northwest (1974), chaired the Permanent Committee on Nominations for the General Assembly (1982), and was Moderator of the Presbytery of Seattle (1988). He also served on and/or chaired COM, the Long Range Planning Committee, the Missions and Evangelism Committee, and the Presbyterian Urban Ministry Parish (P.U.M.P.) of the Presbytery and the Racial Ethnic as well as Self-Development of People Committees of the Synod.

Dick was preceded in death by wife Alice (2012).

We join Dick and Alice's sons Jason, Rodger, Gar (Michele), and Brandon (Vicki), and grandchildren Jayna and Cameron in their sorrow at his passing and thanksgiving for his warm and winsome witness to Jesus Christ.

The family requests that any memorial gifts be made to the Japanese Presbyterian Church of Seattle or the National Park Foundation.

Japanese Presbyterian Church of Seattle
1801 24th Ave S
Seattle WA 98144

Please call (206-323-5990) or email (japanesepresby@gmail.com) with any questions about the service.

Remembering Margarita Suarez

Please keep family and friends of Elder Margarita Suarez (Lake Burien PC) in prayer. She died October 17, 2018.

Memorial service details are still pending. 

Celebrating Esther Laing's Life

Esther Laing

Rev. Eliana Maxim’s beloved sister, Esther Laing, died on October 3, 2018.  Thank you for your outpouring of prayers and support for Esther’s family.

Join us in a celebration of Esther’s life on

Sunday, October 28 at 2pm at
Overlake Park Presbyterian Church.

In keeping with Esther’s wishes, you are invited to:
wear your favorite church hat, or
wear her favorite color purple.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly request you consider making a donation to:

Insulin for Life, a non-profit that provides life saving insulin and diabetic supplies to Type 1 diabetic children around the world.

You can either mail a check to:

Insulin for Life USA, Inc.
5745 SW 75th Street, #116
Gainesville, Florida 32608 

or visit:

https://ifl-usa.org/donate-now/

Please be sure to indicate this donation is in memory of Esther Laing.