Reports
REPORTS
For Information:
Approval of the Minutes, Presbytery and Executive Board: The Stated Clerk will draft the minutes and distribute them, in the case of the presbytery, to the continuing members and the churches, in the case of the Executive Board, its members, for review and suggested additions, corrections or deletions. After ten days of the distribution and reviewing any suggestions, the moderator, vice moderator and immediate past moderator may approve the minutes. (Approved April 30, 2019). Link: Seattle Presbytery Minutes 2025-10-21.
Seattle Presbytery Exams Process (available online).
The presbytery may change any action taken by a subordinate body (Board, commission or committee) in the same way it may change any previous action by the presbytery by means of the motions to "Rescind" and to "Amend Something Previously Adopted." There is no time limit. A second is required, it is debatable, a 2/3rds majority is required without previous notice; a majority is required if notice is included in the call for the meeting.
Link: Seattle Presbytery list of commissions & committees. Submit nominations to: nom<AT>seattlepresbytery.org.
Link: PDF version of meeting reports (posted when available)
executive board
Recommendations to Presbytery:
MOTION FROM EXECUTIVE BOARD: 2026 Per Capita & Budgets: Approve the 2026 Seattle Presbytery budget as recommended by the Property & Finance Committee. The recommended budget includes recommended per capita contributions by churches in the amount of $35; and COLA recommendation of 2.8% for Presbytery staff.
Link: 2026 Seattle Presbytery Budget.
Authorized Delegated Actions Reported to the Presbytery:
The Executive Board operates as an Administrative Commission of the presbytery. Its full minutes, which are available here (online only), constitute the minutes of the Directors of the Corporation. Delegated actions only, taken on behalf of the presbytery according to the bylaws, are reported here. For more information regarding these actions, please consult the full minutes.
Approved the Seattle Presbytery Thriving Grants process. Questions: grants@seattlepresbytery.org.
Approved Lake Burien PC’s $100,000 operations grant request for 2026, and encouraged them to follow the process for additional grant funding next year (limited to $50,000) and the following year.
Approved Rev. Maggie Breen to serve as Seattle Presbytery’s Alternate Teaching Elder Commissioner to GA 227.
COLOMBIA MISSION PARTNERSHIP
The next annual trip to Barranquilla, Colombia for 2026 is February 23 - March 3, 2026!
Participants: Rev. Lindsay Murphy (MIPC), Eric Elefson (MIPC), Sheryl Wilson (Madrona Grace), Becky MacPherson (Madrona Grace), Rev. Joe Sheeran (Woodland Park), Dustin Wilsor (Northminster), Grace Wang (OPPC), Sydney Ku (OPPC), Ashley Ku (OPPC), Nancy Devine (OPPC), Phil Lewis (Union), Beth Douglass (Union), Kennadi Hairston (Seattle Presbytery), Sacha Maxim (Seattle Presbytery), Rev. Tali Hairston (staff), Rev. Eliana Maxim (staff)
Eleven years ago, representatives from the Seattle Presbytery and the Presbytery of the North Coast in Colombia (El Presbiterio de la Costa Norte) signed a covenant of partnership with one another. Since then, our relationship of mutuality and accompaniment has flourished, providing abundant opportunities for learning, growth, and joy for both presbyteries.
The Colombia Mission Partnership Task Forceof the Seattle Presbytery fosters and oversees the covenant relationship between the Presbiterio del la Costa (Barranquilla, Colombia) and the Seattle Presbytery. The formal partnership began in 2015. Pastors and members of over 9 Seattle Presbytery churches have participated in this ministry.
COMMISSION ON MINISTRY
Authorized Delegated Actions Reported to the Presbytery:
Approved Rev. Gareth Icenogle to serve as Interim Transitional Pastor at University Presbyterian Church.
Approved three new temporary pastoral positions as proposed by Union Church: Pastor of Youth, Pastor of Worship Community Enrichment, and Pastor of Faith Exploration. Recommended that Phil Lewis (certified candidate of Seattle Presbytery) and Jeff Fisher (certified candidate of Seattle Presbytery) proceed to examination for ordination on the floor of presbytery, to serve as Temporary Associate Pastors at Union Church: Phil Lewis (Pastor of Youth) and Jeff Fisher (Pastor of Faith Exploration).
Received Rev. Beth Douglass (Whitewater Valley Presbytery) as a member at-large.
Released Rev. Jeff Keuss to the Presbytery of San Gabriel on October 2, 2025, per his request.
Approved a sabbatical grant request in the amount of $6,000 for Rev. Dan Hammer, Mercer Island PC.
The session of West Side Presbyterian Church has requested to enter into discernment for the gracious separation process. The following Presbytery discernment task force members were appointed: Loretta Pain (RE, Union), Rev. Rob Wilson (North Point), Christine Corneille (RE, BelPres), Rev. Gareth Icenogle (UPC).
Appointed Rev. Scott Lumsden & Rev. Lottie MacAulay Friedman to work with Summit Avenue PC’s co-pastor task force.
Approved the request from the Wallingford PC to hire Rev. Emily Mitchell to serve as gap pastor for 3 months, then month-to-month during pastor’s family leave.
Approved the request from St. Andrew PC to renew their contract with Rev. Julie Kae Sigars to serve as Temporary Associate Pastor for a period of three years.
Granted Retired status to Rev. Doug Burleigh, with the proviso that he report to COM on any ministry activities on at least an annual basis.
Approved the continuing education grant request in the amount of $1,000 for Rev. Linda Ott, Magnolia PC.
2026 minimum salary recommendation: It was agreed to adopt the 2.8% COLA for 2026. For context, the Executive Board of the Presbytery of Seattle recommended a 2.8% COLA for staff for 2026, which is also based on a nation-wide standard.
Approved Summit Avenue PC pursuing a co-pastor arrangement with Revs. Susie Biel and Staci Imes, with Rev. Staci Imes being a Temporary Pastor in the role.
Approved Rev. Chelsea Chiu, a member of Seattle Presbytery, to seek dual standing with and through UCC, relating to her ministry at First Taiwanese PC.
Approved renewal of the contract between Magnolia PC session and Rev. Linda Ott to serve as Temporary Associate Pastor for a period of one year pursuant to G-2.0504b.
Released Rev. Heather James to Olympia Presbytery, per her request.
Authorized the Mt. Baker PC Session to call a congregational meeting to elect a Pastor Nominating Committee pursuant to G-2.0802.
Approved the sabbatical grant request in the amount of $6,000 for Rev. Bianca Quezada, Bethany PC.
Approved the sabbatical grant request in the amount of $6,000 for Rev. Andrea Chaumont, sabbatical to commence after her time serving as Interim Pastor at Mt. Baker PC has concluded.
For Information:
COM modified the policy for eligibility to be on the Seattle Presbytery pulpit supply list to remove membership in Seattle Presbytery as a criteria for eligibility, and replaced it with a criteria for membership in good standing with a PC(USA) presbytery. Sessions can request a copy of the list by emailing: com@seattlepresbytery.org.
Approved the Commissioned Ruling Elder (CRE) guidelines for Seattle Presbytery.
commission on preparation for ministrY
Recommendations to Presbytery:
Union Church/Phil Lewis: Having received evidence that Certified Candidate Phil Lewis has fulfilled the educational requirements of the Constitution of the Church, Be it Resolved, That Phil Lewis proceed to ordination by an Administrative Commission designated by the Moderator, to serve as Temporary Associate Pastor at Union Church, upon successful examination by the Presbytery.
a. “The presbytery shall examine each . . . candidate who seeks membership in it on his or her Christian faith, views in theology, the Bible, the Sacraments and the government of this church.” (G-3.0306). The examination shall also include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W- 4.4003).
b. When a motion to end the exam is approved by a 2/3rd vote, the candidate will exit; the presbytery will “discuss and discern,” and vote.
c. Commissioners shall have the following voting options, as provided by the Seattle Presbytery Examinations Process Overview: yes, no, or abstain.
Clerk’s note: It is the presbytery moderator’s duty (not CPM or COM) to rule a question out of order if he/she/they believes it is outside the bounds of the exam. Any member may rise and immediately appeal a ruling by the moderator. A second is required. Debate ensues. No member may speak to the appeal more than once, except for the moderator, who may respond with additional reasons for the ruling. A majority or a tie sustains the moderator’s decision.
Seattle Presbytery Exams Process (available online)
Link: Phil Lewis Statement of Faith
2. Union Church/Jeff Fisher: Having received evidence that Certified Candidate Jeff Fisher has fulfilled the educational requirements of the Constitution of the Church, Be it Resolved, That Jeff Fisher proceed to ordination by an Administrative Commission designated by the Moderator, to serve as Temporary Associate Pastor at Union Church, upon successful examination by the Presbytery.
a. “The presbytery shall examine each . . . candidate who seeks membership in it on his or her Christian faith, views in theology, the Bible, the Sacraments and the government of this church.” (G-3.0306). The examination shall also include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W- 4.4003).
b. When a motion to end the exam is approved by a 2/3rd vote, the candidate will exit; the presbytery will “discuss and discern,” and vote.
c. Commissioners shall have the following voting options, as provided by the Seattle Presbytery Examinations Process Overview: yes, no, or abstain.
Clerk’s note: It is the presbytery moderator’s duty (not CPM or COM) to rule a question out of order if he/she/they believes it is outside the bounds of the exam. Any member may rise and immediately appeal a ruling by the moderator. A second is required. Debate ensues. No member may speak to the appeal more than once, except for the moderator, who may respond with additional reasons for the ruling. A majority or a tie sustains the moderator’s decision.
Seattle Presbytery Exams Process (available online)
Link: Jeff Fisher Statement of Faith
Authorized Delegated Actions Reported to the Presbytery:
Enrolled as Inquirers:
Michael Won, Lake Burien, November 3, 2025
Brandon Tacadema, Lake Burien, November 3, 2025
Annual Consultations and Continuation of the Preparation Covenant:
Prentice Park, University, February 2, 2026
STATED CLERK
Administrative Commissions - Currently Active.
Lake City Presbyterian Church Administrative Commission. The AC appointed by the Presbytery Moderator on July 6, 2023, is continuing its work wrapping up the corporate entity. The AC is composed of: Dustin Wilsor (RE Woodland Park), Leslie Ferrell (RE Mercer Island), and Aaron Willett (TE Southminster).
Union Church Administrative Commission. At the request of the Executive Board and Union Church, on June 21, 2022, the Presbytery appointed a Property Redevelopment Administrative Commission to work with Union Church on property redevelopment matters. The AC is composed of: Bill Longbrake (RE), Bob Wallace (RE), Scott Lumsden (TE), and Becki Barrett (TE).
Administrative Commissions - Ready for Discharge.
Inglewood Presbyterian Church Administrative Commission. The AC appointed by the Presbytery Moderator on August 21, 2023, has completed its work wrapping up the corporate entity. The Commission’s assigned work having been completed, it is now discharged from its duties with gratitude for the work of Commissioners: Pattie Holt (RE St. Andrew), Ben McConaughy (RE Mercer Island), and Rev. Scott Anderson (TE St. Andrew).
University Presbyterian Church Administrative Commission. At the request of the Commission on Ministry and University Presbyterian Church, on November 18, 2024, the Presbytery Moderator appointed a Property Redevelopment Administrative Commission to work with University Presbyterian Church on property redevelopment matters. The Commission’s assigned work having been completed, it is now discharged from its duties with gratitude for the work of Commissioners: Bob Wallace (RE); Bill Longbrake (RE); and Leslie Ferrell (RE).
Disciplinary/Remedial Matters: There are no disciplinary or remedial matters currently pending.
End-of Year Reporting: Clerks of Session had a Zoom meeting on December 5, 2025, to discuss matters relating to end-of-year reporting. Thank you to the clerks who have submitted their 2025 session and congregational meeting minutes to this office for review and approval pursuant to G-3.0108. Churches who have not yet submitted their 2025 Statistical Reports to the OGA may still do so by Noon on February 20, 2025. See the Stated Clerk’s page on the presbytery’s website for more information.
The 227th General Assembly (GA 227): The PC(U.S.A.) General Assembly, No. 227 will commence in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in late June – early July, 2026. Commissioners elected to serve Seattle Presbytery are: Rev. Maggie Breen (Calvary PC)*; Rev. Jeny Carlson (Northminster PC); Brandon Tacedena, (Ruling Elder Lake Burien PC); and Grace Wang, (Ruling Elder Overlake Park PC).
[*Rev. Haley Ballast (Wallingford PC) was replaced, at her request, by vote of the Executive Board on December 17, 2025].
Associate Stated Clerk Position (Proposed): The Stated Clerk’s Office has a wide variety of responsibilities, from providing Polity advice and opinions, to serving as corporate secretary and keeping minutes of various meetings. The Stated Clerk’s Office also works closely with the Commission on Ministry (COM) on matters relating to keeping track of the various ministries of Minister Members, Commissioned Ruling Elders (CREs), and Certified Christian Educators (CCEs). The Stated Clerk also works closely with the Commission on Ministry in its efforts to serve as pastor, counselor, and advisor to Ministers of the Word and Sacrament and to congregations pursuant to G-3.0307. However, due to the large number of Minister Members, CREs, and CCEs, it is difficult to fully meet the demands of this work. In addition, with the ongoing restructuring of the Commission on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) there is an opportunity to expand the role of the Stated Clerk’s Office to provide additional administrative support in that area as well. Considering the above, staff has determined that there is a need for additional capacity in the Stated Clerk’s Office. Accordingly, the proposal is to create a part-time ASC position to assist the Stated Clerk, the COM, and CPM.
Qualifications for the ASC position will be the same as for the Stated Clerk, including being ordained as a Teaching or Ruling Elder. The primary responsibilities of the position are set forth in the Job Description which is included in the documents packet for this meeting. Authority for this position is the same as for the Stated Clerk’s position, as found in the Seattle Presbytery Bylaws and the Book of Order.*
The position will operate under the supervision and direction of the Stated Clerk in consultation and coordination with the Executive Presbyter(s), who may together assign additional responsibilities as needed. The ASC shall be a non-voting Ex Officio member of COM and CPM unless elected to serve as a voting member of either of these commissions. As with the Stated Clerk, the holder of this position will be elected by the Presbytery to three-year terms. The position will be part-time, with a starting hourly rate of $40.
After careful consideration, the Co-Executive Presbyters and the Stated Clerk recommend that Rev. Bianca Quezada, who is currently an active member of the Commission on Ministry, would be well qualified to fill the position. Rev. Quezada has agreed to serve if elected. If approved, the position would begin immediately. To that end, the Stated Clerk requests that the following motion be approved…
MOTION: To establish an Associate Stated Clerk position as set forth above, with Rev. Bianca Quezada to serve in the position for a three-year term starting immediately.
*Authority for the ASC position includes and is derived from, but not limited to, the following: Book of Order: Sections G-3.0104 and G-3.0307. Seattle Presbytery Bylaws: Art. IV, Section 6. Stated Clerk (Secretary). “The Stated Clerk shall be elected for a three-year-term. There is no limit on the number of consecutive terms that may be served. The Stated Clerk shall serve as the parliamentarian of the Presbytery.” See also, Section 1). Also, Bylaws Art. VI, Section 1. Composition. “… The Stated Clerk, who shall serve as secretary of the Board….” (See also, Section 3).