5/26: Rev. Jim Simpson Died

Presbyterian Family:

  Below I am forwarding the message we just sent to our extended family and friends letting them know that our Dad, Jim Simpson, passed away yesterday, May 26, 2015.  He lived a full and long life with deep roots in the Presbyterian church.  He served as clergy in Port Townsend and Pasco prior to going to Philadelphia, PA to work with the national church in Christian Education.  In 1969 Dad returned to Washington, and thrived in his Christian Education focus with the Synod of Alaska NW.  Before retirement he taught at San Francisco Theological Seminary. 

  While many of Dad's contemporaries and colleagues are no longer with us, there are likely some who knew Dad and would appreciate knowing this.  If you have avenues of communication, we would appreciate you letting people know.

  With appreciation, 

  Martha Teigen (Jim's daughter)     

Dear Family and Friends,

Yesterday our Dad, James (Jim) Simpson, the ever positive, creative, can-do, enthusiast of life left this world to join Mom after only two months since her passing.  They were both 92 years old and had been married since 1946 – what an amazing story this is.

As most of you know, these past few years have been difficult for him, as his vibrant self became muddled into the confusion and limitations of dementia. He became complacent and easy going, recognizing us off and on, always with a willing smile or chuckle to a friendly face or laughter, yet, not himself. It was hard for those of us who knew and loved him not to grieve and miss who we knew him to be. His body outlived his vibrant one-of-a-kind mind and spirit. That said, his life was so much more … his forever love for his homeland of west central Minnesota, his commitment to family, faith and sense of purpose.  His true gifts as a Christian Educator and as Grandpa Extraordinaire! 

There will be much to reflect on in days ahead, but for now, we want to express deep appreciation for all of you who have enriched Mom, Dad and our families’ lives in immeasurable ways.  Our parents felt immensely blessed and could not have been more appreciative of their extended family and their wonderful circle of friends.  They loved their lives.  What more could anyone ask?

We will be planning a memorial service for Dad for 10:30 AM on July 2nd at Maplewood Presbyterian Church in Edmonds, WA.  This was Mom and Dad’s church home for over 30 years.  We know that this is possible for some living locally, while others will be present with us in spirit and that we will connect at different times and places on into the future.

According to the caregivers with Dad just before he died, his last word may have been, “God.”

We have been blessed and are giving thanks for his life,

  Martha Teigen, Jim Simpson Jr., John Simpson and Peter Simpson

1/31: Rev. Dr. Steve Hayner, Seminary President & Interdenominational Leader Died

Columbia Connections

January 31, 2015

The Rev. Dr. Stephen (Steve) A. Hayner, president emeritus of Columbia Theological Seminary, passed away today at the age of 66 surrounded by family and friends in the Columbia community. Known by many throughout the world with love, affection, and gratitude, Steve was a person of many honors and degrees who refused to categorize others or himself by achievements. His goal was to always live to and for an audience of One, and his hope was to live life with wide open arms and relational integrity. His life was imbued with joy and freedom, which touched and changed many people along the way.

Born June 23, 1948, Steve graduated from Walla Walla High School in Walla Walla, WA. He then attended Whitman College also in Walla Walla, graduating summa cum laude in 1970 with a B.A. in English Literature.

In 1972, Steve continued his education at Harvard Divinity School where he received his M.T.S. in Semitic Studies, and then one year later earned a Th.M. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. While in the Boston area, he served at the well-known Park Street Church where Steve met Sharol Rhodes, whom he later married in June of 1973.

After receiving his degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 1973, Steve was ordained and installed as “university pastor” at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle, WA where he was involved with students and faculty. What started as a group of 17 students quickly grew to over 1,200. While there, he utilized two sabbaticals to complete his Ph.D. in Hebrew and Semitic Studies at the University of St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland in 1984.

Read more.

“On Wednesday when the Columbia community gathered to worship and pray for Steve and his family, he continued to love the students, faculty, and staff as he texted to say, “On what will probably be my last day on this earth I want to send you all at the seminary my deepest love, gratitude and joy. Joyfully, Steve.””

A service celebrating Steve’s life will be held at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, 3434 Roswell Road Northwest, Atlanta, GA 30305 on February 23 at 2:00pm.

Gifts in memory of Steve Hayner may be given to Columbia Theological Seminary, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (U.S.A.), International Justice Mission, or World Vision.

1/19: Lifelong Servant of the Church, Elizabeth-Ann 'Betty' Nicholson Died

Elizabeth “Betty” Nicholson died peacefully from cancer January 19. 

Betty Nicholson in 1969 - Courtesy of Rev. Dr. Bob Nicholson.

Throughout her life, Nicholson served the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and communities across the country, from New York City to Lubbock, Texas, to Juneau, Alaska. She was a fourth-generation Presbyterian leader. 

Born in China to missionary parents and educated at the College of Wooster, Nicholson began her professional life as a director of Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church in Little Falls, New York. After a brief stint there, she became an editor for the Board of Foreign Missions at the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (PCUSA) offices in New York City, where she met her husband, the Rev. Dr. Robert D. Nicholson (HR, Seattle Presbytery). 

Among many other services to her church, Nicholson helped form the Palo Duro Union Presbytery that brought together 65 congregations of the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS) and the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (UPCUSA) before the two denominations merged. 

During her 14 years as a member, elder, chorister, and teacher at Lake City Presbyterian Church (Seattle, WA) she was known for her Biblical knowledge, musical skill, and hospitality.  She repeatedly and graciously entertained church members, groups and officers in her home. In the Lake City PC sanctuary her son and daughter were married and two of her three grandsons were baptized.

Betty’s experience with aging prompted her to initiate the Lake City PC Care Giver Support Group that continued under her leadership for nearly a decade.  She was longtime Chair of the Task Force on Aging of the Church Council of Greater Seattle; a deacon at the Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, Seattle; Board Development Chair for the Board of Presbyterian Retirement Communities NW; and instrumental in planning and building of their newest Retirement Community, “Skyline At First Hill.”  

She served professionally as Regional Manager for the Volunteer Chore Ministry to help older persons live independently in their homes and was a Resident Service Director for 5 senior housing projects for low-income seniors sponsored by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle. She completed master level studies in Gerontology at the University of Washington’s Institute on Aging and brought to that experience two years of study in patient education at the School of Medicine from Texas Tech University.

She has served the national Presbyterian Church(USA) as a founder of POAM, the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network; led training conferences at Montreat in North Carolina and Mo Ranch in Kerrville, Texas; served on the Presbytery of Seattle’s Committee on Ministry and Moderator of the Presbytery’s Permanent Judicial Commission(PJC); followed by service on the Synod of Alaska Northwest’s PJC. 

In retirement with Bob, they served the Chapel by the Lake, Auke Bay, Juneau, Alaska where she was active with the Committee on Ministry of the Presbytery of Alaska.  She lived her last four years at retirement communities in Seattle grateful for the blessing of family, neighbors, and friends. 

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 7, at 2:00 p.m. at Lake City Presbyterian Church in Seattle, with a graveside service at 3:00 p.m. the following day at Woodlawn Cemetery in Snohomish, Wash. 

Donations to the Betty Nicholson Memorial Fund, which will be shared between Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Heifer International, can be made at any Wells Fargo branch.

Presbyterian News Service Story

1/14: Rev. Syngman Rhee Dies

PC(USA) mourns loss of former Moderator and ecumenical leader

The Reverend Syngman Rhee, a Presbyterian minister, seminary professor, and respected leader in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and wider faith community, died January 14 in Atlanta shortly after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. He was 83.

Elected in 2000 as Moderator of the PC(USA) General Assembly, Rhee was the first Asian American to serve in that position. He also served as president of the National Council of Churches from 1992 to 1993.

Read more...

11/7: Rev. Dr. Richard "Dick" Leon Died

Rev. Dr. Richard "Dick" Leon (Honorably Retired, Parish Associate at Sammamish PC and former Senior Pastor at BelPres) was killed in a bicycle accident November 7, 2014 in Arizona where he and his wife Carolyn live during the winter months. 

From BelPres Communications:

It is with a heavy heart that we send this email. Late this afternoon we received word of the death of beloved, former Senior Bellevue Presbyterian Church Pastor Dr. Richard Leon, known affectionately by all as Dick. He died while doing one of his favorite activities, riding his bicycle in Arizona. This news is such a shock and is almost impossible to believe. When we think of Dick we hear his strong preaching of God's love and grace. Today we hold onto Dick's faith and claim God's eternal promise that "in life and in death we are the Lord's." Please pray for Carolyn and the family in this time of grief. As we receive more details and information about a memorial we will post updates.

From Rev. Jeff Lincicome, Senior Pastor at Sammamish PC:

Dick leaves a long legacy for Jesus Christ, serving Christ and the church all around the world as a dynamic preacher and teacher, a talented leader, and a faithful and gracious pastor and friend. I know many of us rank Dick among the giants of the faith and will be forever grateful for his influence and friendship. SPC has been blessed to have Dick teaching for us, leading us in times of transition, and most recently preaching for us this past summer during my sabbatical.  
Death is always a blow, and this death is particularly devastating. But what we believe and hold to is that death doesn't have the final word: Jesus Christ does. And because of that, we have hope, even in the face of tragedies such as this. Please hold Carolyn, and their children in your prayers, and I'd invite you to join us in worship Sunday as we comfort each other, grieve together, and look to our God for hope. In times like this, the family needs to be together. Please join us.

From Scott Lumsden, Executive Presbyter:

Our hearts grieve with his wife Carolyn and her family in their loss and with the communities of Bellevue Presbyterian and Sammamish Presbyterian Church. Words cannot express our shock and sadness at this tragic news, yet we affirm the hope even in our grief. 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

Memorial Service: Saturday, November 22 at 1:00 PM, Bellevue Presbyterian Church. All are welcome to attend. 

10/1: Mission Coworkers Injured in Ethiopia

October 2, 2014 - Presbyterian World Mission is asking for prayers for longtime Presbyterian Mission coworkers Gwen and John Haspels, who were injured Wednesday, October 1, when their car was attacked by armed bandits on a rural road in Ethiopia. Read more...

7/27: Prayers for St. Andrew PC

Please pray for St. Andrew PC (Renton) as they deal with the aftermath of their church being burglarized this week. No one was hurt, but numerous items were stolen. Prayers are also welcomed for other groups who use the building, including various Scouting & community organizations, and Tabernaculo Manantial de Vida. 

7/16: Rev. David A. Norwood Died

Rev. David Norwood was killed on July 16th in a paragliding accident. Rev. David formerly served at Vashon Presbyterian Church (Seattle Presbytery) and Wapato Presbyterian Church. Please keep his family and friends in prayer.

Memorial service: Saturday, July 26 at 1:00 PM at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 4105 Richey Road, Yakima, WA.

The Yakima Herald Republic reported on this tragedy and wrote this about Rev. David:

Friends said Norwood will be remembered as a man who followed his passions and went above and beyond to help others...

News of his death left a somber cloud over Wapato, a rural Lower Yakima Valley city where he not only served as pastor for more than a decade, but also as a volunteer firefighter and a youth pastor at Campbell Farm, a summer camp just west of town.

“It’s just kind of numbing right now,” Campbell Farm Director Carman Pimms said softly during a Thursday telephone interview. “You think, he died doing what he loved doing. He loved paragliding. That free spirit. But it’s tragic. He will be missed in our community.”

Norwood served the Presbyterian Church in Wapato until 2012, and touched the lives of many families, said Jill Ross, a pastor with the Lutheran Church who provided Spanish outreach from an office in Norwood’s church. She worked closely with Norwood to secure a United Way grant for an English as a Second Language program at his church.

She described his sermons as “thoughtful and evocative.” There were five other pastors at his church, and they often gathered to discuss his sermons, she said.

Church member Jaurene Traub said Norwood displayed unconditional love, and warmly welcomed her husband, the late Marlyn Traub, to the church. Her husband was once the pastor of the Wapato Avenue Chapel before changing demographics in town and his ailing health eventually led to his church’s closure, she said.

She said Norwood’s warm welcoming eventually led her husband to become a member of the Presbyterian Church. “Which was something he thought he’d never do,” she said.

Read more online...

6/24: Martha Longbrake Died

Long-time member and leader of Seattle First Presbyterian and Seattle Presbytery, Martha Longbrake, passed away on June 24th after a long struggle with cancer. Martha is survived by her husband, Bill, and children, Derek, Mark, Dorothy, and David. A memorial service will be held July 20th at Seattle First Presbyterian Church at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow the service. Gifts in remembrance of Martha may be made to the Samaritan Center of Puget Sound. Please keep the Longbrake family in your prayers as they grieve this loss and celebrate Martha's life.

6/25: Rev. J. Graley Taylor Died

Honorably Retired Rev. J. Graley Taylor passed  away on 6/25/2014.  Rev. Graley most recently served as the Parish Associate at Inglewood Presbyterian Church.

Memorial Service: Saturday, August 2, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Inglewood Presbyterian Church. Luncheon to follow.

This year, Whitworth University honored Rev. Graley with the "Mind and Heart Award" and wrote this about him:

J. Graley Taylor's vocational journey can be traced back to his time at Whitworth, where he organized a gospel team, acted in numerous theatre productions, attended and sang at Christian Endeavor meetings, and served at churches near the Canadian border. Looking back, Graley's participation in a broad range of activities stands out as a clear indicator of his future evangelical and creative paths.

After graduating in 1950, Graley went on to attend San Francisco Theological Seminary; he then served as pastor to churches in California and Washington and was the organizing pastor of two new congregations, fostering family ministry and working closely with Presbytery youth. These experiences led him to make his first film, a positive experience that ultimately led to his career in media ministry.

Today, Graley's acclaimed film, television and radio productions are too numerous to mention in detail. He helped develop the Religious Broadcasting Commission, an ecumenical media ministry that transformed religious programming in the Northwest. His work as a writer-producer for the documentary "Right On! Superstar" garnered four Emmys. His TV special "Celebrating Tomorrow's Hope" won a Gabriel Award. Another TV special, "Out of the Night," recounted the spiritual journey of Vietnam veterans returning from war. Graley's wide-ranging honors and awards are indicators of the scope of his career, which continues today: he's currently working on a film with Maori Presbyterians in New Zealand.

Whitworth is proud to add the Mind and Heart Award to Graley's long list of accolades. In Graley, Whitworth University has another distinguished alumnus who has used his education as a launching point to a colorful and rewarding life in Christian service.

View Award Ceremony Poster (PDF)

12/10: Rev. Dr. Francis E. Horner Died

Honorably Retired Rev. Dr. Francis E. Horner passed  away on December 10, 2013. He leaves behind his wife, Mary, children, great-grandchildren, and his brother.  Please keep his family in prayer.

Viewing: Friday, December 13, 5-8 PM at Klontz Funeral Home in Auburn.

Graveside Service: Saturday, December 14, 10 AM at Mountain View Cemetery in Auburn.

Memorial Service: Saturday, December 14, 2 PM at Newport PC in Bellevue. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Cherished Acres Estates in Auburn. 

12/3: Rev. Frank B. Christ Died

Honorably Retired Rev. Frank B. Christ passed away on Tuesday, December 3rd. He was 80. 

Frank was ordained to the Presbyterian ministry in Crosby, North Dakota, and served Presbyterian churches and presbyteries in North Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri.

His memorial service will be at Japanese Presbyterian Church on Saturday, December 28th at 11:00 AM, with a reception to follow in the fellowship hall.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts to Franklin and Marshall College or McCormick Theological Seminary.

Please join us in holding Frank's family in our prayers.

11/18: Rev. Ron Reese Died

Honorably Retired Rev. Ron Reese passed away on Monday November 18th, 2013. 

A memorial service will be held Saturday November 23rd @ 11:00AM in the Chapel at Seattle First Presbyterian Church. 

Please join us in holding Ron's wife, Bonnie, and their family in our prayers.

Update, from Ron's Caring Bridge site:

There will also be another Memorial Sunday @ 5:00PM in the former New Life Center space adjacent to Cambel Hall. Former residents of the New Life Ministry, shelter guests and friends of Ron are welcome to either or but this second service promises to be a little more intimate, but in no way exclusive of anyone who knew and loved Ron. 

Ron and Bonnie were among the cadre of eleven or so Church Members who stepped up to begin shelter.  Shelter Team members and former New Life Community members whose lives have been touched by these two ministries will be encouraged to share.  

10/22: Annette Moser-Wellman Died

We invite you to keep Rev. Jim Wellman and his daughters, Constance and Georgia in your prayers as they mourn the loss of their wife and mother, Annette Moser-Wellman. Annette was a candidate under care of the Presbytery of Seattle and a long-time members of University PC.  After a long battle with a rare illness, Annette passed away this week at her home, surrounded by family.  There will be a service to celebrate Annette's life at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at University PC in Seattle. Everyone who attends is encouraged to bring written remembrances of Annette to share with family.   

8/29: Virginia Redfield Died

We received news today that Virginia Redfield passed away this morning. She was the widow of the Rev. Richard Redfield, who served Lake Burien PC for nearly 20 years. They met at Princeton Seminary and served a number of churches over his lifetime. Virginia was a spirited woman who loved God and lived her deep faith every day of her 89 years. Her family and friends would appreciate your prayers as they deal with this unexpected loss.

Rev. Ron Reese (Hon. Retired) in Critical Condition

From Neal Lampi: 

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE WITH THE WORLD YOUR EXPERIENCE OF RON AND BONNIE REESE, WE NEED TO LIFT THEM UP, AND GET THEM BACK OUT INTO GODS CREATION!!!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ronreese/guestbook

Saturday July 13th there was a message left on my phone from the Reese residence.  I was in the midst of my workday when I saw it, but decided to return the call quickly without actually listening to the message;  I left a brief message when I did this.  When I finished work I listened to the message and was bowled over, Bonnie spoke in a hushed tone, Ron is back in the hospital… silence, weeping, its related to his recent surgery for the hernia he had.  Silence, breath, your one of the first to know, and Ron wants to see you… silence, fighting back tears, her message went on…  I began to cry myself as I walked to the hospital.

When I arrived at the hospital, Bonnie and Ron’s brother Richard were in the room with Ron.  Bonnie was reclining with her feet up on Ron’s bed, I joked, “don’t get too comfortable there”.  Ron laid on his bed his swollen abdomen bare, eyes closed, he glanced to hear who had entered the room and closed his eyes again.  We prayed thanking God for his mercy and Grace, in that each breadth he takes is in defiance of the doctors grime prognosis.  The prospect of recovery as anticipated from the usual course of disease and peculiarities of cancer of the bile duct was dim at best, Ron was given months to live in March 2012, and here he was, in pain yes, needing surgery yes but breathing in the company of people who love and adore him.  We prayed together.

Ron offered a prayer himself as we went around, and his prayer was for those without faith and in need of healing themselves.  This reminded me of the prayer service we had in the Chapel at SFPC, where people surrounded Ron, bathing him in prayer, and he then too offered a similar prayer for those without faith and in need of healing themselves.

I continue to see Ron and Bonnie, who herself is battling cancer and in still in pain from recent surgeries herself, at the trailhead.  Please join me as you pray for their healing and restoration to the service of Christ, service they have faithfully performed for so many years.

Ron smiled when I once again shared this vision, “it’s such a lovely vision and implicit in the vision is a new beginning”  This will happen Ron you will leave here stronger than the day you came in.  You will join your lovely wife at the trailhead I see it. 

Join me in seeing this with me as you pray for Ron and Bonnie.

5/26: Elder Daisy Dawson Died

Elder Daisy Dawson went home to be with the Lord on Sunday the 26th around 6am.  We continue to pray for her family and for all who will miss her. 

There will be a service of witness to the resurrection in Daisy's honor this Saturday, June 1st at 11am.  A repass is currently being planned by the Deltas for later in the afternoon at the church, most likely around 3:30pm, with a trip to the graveside in-between.

Chehalis elders in cancer treatment need Seattle housing

​Update 5/13: Housing has been found! 

Active Elders from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Chehalis are seeking a home as a haven during four months of cancer treatment in Seattle for the husband.

If you or a friend can help contact Rev. Joyce Emery, Transitional Pastor at 206-409-9387, or jemery@chehaliswpc.org.

4/17: Rev. J. Murray Marshall Died

In Loving Memory

April 27, 1930 - April 17, 2013

J. Murray Marshall, age 82

Passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his loving wife Nancy, his sons J. Scott Marshall and J. Douglas Marshall (Kathryn) and his daughter Kimberlee A. Barnard. He was a former pastor at Seattle First Presbyterian Church.

Memorial Service is June 5, 2:00 p.m. at SFPC.

3/36: Rev. Al Horn died

Former pastor of Marcus Whitman Presbyterian Church and honorably retired, Rev. Al Horn died on March 26, 2013 in Las Vegas, NV of cancer.  Al was an active member of Seattle Presbytery for 20 years.

​Please keep his family in your prayers.