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​PresbyFest 2013

​Wallingford Pres' Centennial

Duke-​McArdel Ordination

Duke-McArdel Ordination and North Installation

Come celebrate with us!

Brian North will be installed in worship at Rose Hill Presbyterian Church on Sunday, February 10th, at 3:00pm.

Erin Duke McArdel will be ordained in worship at Southminster Presbyterian Church on Sunday, February 10, at 4:30pm with a potluck dinner celebration afterwards. 

Rohrer and Delaney Called to NPS Churches

Emmanuel PC Votes to Call Rev. David Rohrer

It is with great pleasure that the Emmanuel PNC announces that the congregation voted unanimously to call Rev. David Rohrer as their pastor on Jan. 13, 2013, and the NPSP COM approved the call at their January meeting. 

The NPS Presbytery will vote to receive Rev. Rohrer at the February presbytery meeting. Read more.

Congrats to Rev. Amy Delaney!

On January 6, 2013, the congregation at Edmonds PC celebrated moving Rev. Amy Delaney to the position of Pastor of their church. Rev. Delaney had been serving as the temporary pastor since 2010.

Check out North Puget Sound's Tidelands

Tidelands NCD (North Puget Sound Presbytery) is reaching out to young families who have no church experience in the Stanwood-Camano Island community in Washington state. Led by youth minister Brandon Bailey from Mountain View Presbyterian Church, Tidelands is living into a new way of planting faith communities centered in mission.

Persian Missionaries Visiting Seapres

UPDATE: Please come to Northminster on February 10, 2013 at 9:15 to our Adult Education time in the Fellowship Hall to hear about the mission work being done by The Rev. Sadegh Sephehri and Aziz Sadaghian. Everyone is welcome to attend!

---

Beloved sisters and brothers,

Greetings and Happy New Year!

This is with a great joy to be back in the Northwest. I thank God for you, your ministries, and your prayerful support of the amazing work that God is doing among many nations. I have three good news to share with you.

First, on regular basis I receive joyful emails telling me that one, two, or more individuals from Iran or Afghanistan have accepted the Lord. As someone once said, the Holy Spirit is gone out of control! Amid the severe persecution of Christians in Iran, many disillusioned Iranians walk out of Islam and into the Light of the World. It seems that the Stars that led the Magi from the East (Persia?) are still shining and many wise people seek the signs of the King of kings. Praise the Lord for what He is doing in our very midst.

Second, currently the PC (USA) has two mission co-workers serving the Iranian Diaspora in Germany and Eastern Europe. Ever since 1998 Rev. Sadegh Sepehri (wife: Pouran) and Aziz Sadaghian (wife: Nezhat) have been proclaiming the Good news to the Iranian and Afghani refugees in Germany. Many have accepted the Lord because of their ministries. Christianity Today in a recent article (July 17, 2012) reported that Rev. Sepehri has baptized over 500 Iranians in Germany. Another American missionary pastor has baptized over 2000 Iranians in the southern city of Nuremberg.

Third, from February 2nd through 17th, the two mission coworkers (Sadegh and Aziz) will be staying with my family here in Seattle. They are here to meet you and spend some times with your congregations. I am sure you will be blessed meeting them and hearing a report about their ministries. In return, I am sure, meeting and having a little time with you will encourage and bless them too. I would like to invite you to consider arranging a weekday (day or evening) gathering, or a Sunday worship with our two brothers. I will be the contact person to arrange the time, and I also will provide their transportation too. Please feel free to contact me by phone or email (listed above) to arrange this.

Thanks for your time and many blessings,

Mansour Khajehpour

PresbyFest to be "Awesome"

Things people might have said about PresbyFest 2012:

"...undoing the whole notion of the Frozen Chosen."

"Fun, enriching, and enjoyable--seriously."

"PresbyFest really delivered on both Presby and Fest!"

"Great signage."
 

During his keynote address, speaker Ray Suarez will ask, "What is the role of the church universal in the world today? Where has it been effective? And where has it failed? The dramatic shift in demographics we saw in the recent election (and how it affected the outcome) is reflected in our mainline denominations. How do we wake up to the reality? And what happens if we do? Or don't?"

Among the many luminaries presenting workshops, we are proud to feature Jim Wellman of the University of Washington presenting from his new book "Rob Bell and a New American Christianity."

We are also so fortunate to have Archbishop Elias Chacour joining us to preach and teach. For decades, Archbishop Chacour has courageously worked for peace in the Holy Land.

PrebyFest offers us all the opportunity to come together in our diversity, to learn from one another and share what we have experienced. It provides a place for us to lift each other in prayer and rejoice for all that has been and is yet to be. PresbyFest is a way for us to be Church.
 
Don't miss out--book your ticket today at www.seattlepresbytery.org/presbyfest!
Click here to share PresbyFest on Facebook.

Report on Synod Reduced Function

SYNOD MID COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY

by Rev. Dean Strong - Synod Stated Clerk

Synod Meeting Summary, October 23-25. (Please note—this is an unofficial summary that may contain inaccuracies or omissions--- refer to the minutes which will be release as soon as is practically possible). 

The plan for reduced function was faithfully implemented within pastoral and practical considerations. 

Governance & Structure 
• Presbyteries will elect or reelect one Ruling and one Teaching Elder commissioner to begin serving Jan 1st for two year alternating terms and a maximum of six continuous years. They must be fully representative of the presbytery’s “Council” or equivalent; attend those meetings and fully abreast of the current business and issues before the presbytery, and able to speak on its behalf. It can be a current member of the “Council,” be added as an ex-officio member with or without vote, or simply be required to attend meetings and be included on all be the most sensitive “Council” and presbytery matters. This 14 member (and the Clerk) body will meet at least once a year face to face and as needed by electronic means. 
• A team has been appointed to revise all Synod Governing Documents 
• All committees of the Synod are ended as of December 31st, 2012. 
• The Synod Office will be closed by December 31st, the new location will be the North Puget Sound Presbytery office in Everett, WA, but in reality the office will be “virtual.” 

Assets and Finance 
• The real property held by the Synod (office building, Koinonia House, etc.) are being offered as gifts to the presbyteries where they are located without impacting the division of other liquid assets. An Administrative Commission has been appointed to deal with the disposition of real property. 
• 2013 Mission Partnership Funds of $150,000 received from GA will be divided among the presbyteries 
• Unrestricted funds held by the Synod will be distributed to the presbyteries as they mature. This may take months, and in some cases, years. 
• MDC will continue as usual. Some Synod funds to be distributed to the presbyteries are held in MDC and will be distributed as new certificates. It is hoped but not required that when those certificates expire the presbyteries will continue to invest them in MDC. 
• Funds that are donor restricted that cannot be given to the presbyteries will continue to be held and administered by the Synod. 
• Previous Grants and financial commitments will be honored through 2013. 
• Per capita has been reduced to $4.00 for 2013, which includes significant severance costs. It is anticipated that it will be reduced by at third to half in 2014 as costs continue to decline
• Some decisions regarding the disposition of liquid assets have been postponed until 2013 and will be made as the decisions made at this meeting are finalized and implemented and the financial position of the Synod is clarified (i.e. “when we know better exactly where we stand”). 

Programs 
• Ongoing Synod programs that one or more presbyteries want to support will be continued by them. Those without presbytery support will end on December 31st. 
• The Synod funding for PresbyTech will end on December 31st. It may continue if funding is secured from interested presbyteries. Synod of Living Waters is also interested in a partnership. Presbyteries are obligated to help churches transition to another provider if PresbyTech does not continue. The Synod is planning for its own technical needs. 
• The essential functions---Administrative Review, PJC, and appropriate financial functions---have been fully funded and will continue. 
• An Administrative Commission has been appointed to work with partners who have been affected by these changes. 

Staff 
• Newly elected Stated Clerk Dean Strong will continue in that position until reelection or replacement at the first meeting early in 2013; Eunjoo Lee will continue to provide administrative support. Martha Hubbard will continue as Treasurer and Kris Greene will continue to provide contracted bookkeeping. 
• All other current staff positions were ended as of December 31, 2012; severance packages have been provided for all staff. 

Super Storm Sandy

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) continues to monitor Hurricane Sandy. Last week, PDA reached out to all mid-councils in the projected path of the storm to encourage them to be prepared, and to let them know that PDA is available for an immediate response upon request. The impact and needs will become more clear once the storm makes landfall on the U.S. East coast.

PDA has called members of the National Response Team (NRT) so they may be of service where needed. This includes an NRT member who will serve as a liaison to provide an interface between Presbyterian mid-councils and the American Red Cross. PDA has also been in touch with the Presbyterian Health Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA) to see if some of their members may be available to help with needs after the storm hits.

PDA is also aware that Hurricane Sandy has hit countries in the Caribbean. At least 69 people have died as a result of the storm in these countries, and thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed. Especially hard hit once again is Haiti, where 52 people have died from the storm.  Most of the deaths occurred in southern Haiti and in Port-au-Prince, where many Haitians are still living in temporary shelters as a result of the 2010 earthquake.

How you can help

Give.  Share your financial blessings by designating gifts to DR000148.  Individuals may give through their local Presbyterian congregation, online, or by mailing a check to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) P.O. Box 643700 Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.  You can also text PDA to 20222 to donate $10. 

Act.

• Following storms in the United States, families face the daunting task of beginning to clean up.  Find out how to prepare a Gift of the Heart Kit clean up bucket for response to U.S. disasters, or download a bulletin insert to share with your congregation.
• There may be a future need for volunteer work teams.  Contact Eden at the PDA Call Center, (866) 732-6121, to register your interest. 

Pray.  Our best response is prayer.

Holy God, You are our comfort and strength in times of sudden disaster, crisis, or chaos. By your Spirit, lift up those who have fallen, sustain those who work to rescue or rebuild, and surround us now with your grace and peace to face the challenges ahead. Grant us the assurance of your presence even in this time of uncertainty, and fill us with the hope of your new creation; through Jesus Christ, our rock and redeemer.

October Highlights from across the PCUSA

Rethinking Leadership

Leap across boundaries and share the gospel in new ways – what we can learn from the church’s most effective leaders.

Jesus-driven

Meet two unconventional church leaders who are stirring things up as they reach out to people who are spiritually hungry but often wary of religious institutions.

Yes, they can!

Learn how a leadership program tailored to young women is keeping them more connected with the church.

Read more stories or subscribe to Presbyterians Today.

 

Trigger - Ask for It!

Long after the news stories stop the impact of gun violence is felt. "Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence" is a new, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance documentary that examines what a shooting can do to a community. Ask your NBC affiliate to air it today.

 

Serving with Hope

John and Gwenda Fletcher seek to make a long-term impact in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Read how they helped one woman save her baby boy.

 

Reaching the “Unchurched”

Meet Vera White, a new associate working for the 1001 New Worshiping Communities initiative. Learn how she plans to reach new populations of people looking for faith.

 

1001: Get in the Game

Check out how the new worshiping communities movement went local at the first Get in the Game gathering in Newport Beach, Calif.

 

Having an impact

A lifelong Presbyterian is sharing God’s love with people around her church for the first time, thanks to the 2012 National Evangelism and Church Growth conferences.

 

Hearing the Call to Tentmaking

Explore the benefits of bivocational ministry by visiting theMinisters/Teaching Elders and Association of Presbyterian Tentmakers (APT) websites.Honor the Ministry of Presbyterian Military Chaplains

Veterans Day is on November 12, and it’s a fitting time to honor, pray for, and support our PC(USA) military chaplains, who provide a vital ministry to and with those who currently serve in the military.

• Find resources for churches on thewebsite of the Presbyterian Council for Chaplains and Military Personnel (PCCMP)
• Make a gift to the Presbyterian Mission Agency to support PCCMP’s ministry
  

 

Scholarships Available for Presbyterian Undergraduates

The National Presbyterian College Scholarship Program offers need-based scholarship assistance to full-time students entering their first year of college at one of the colleges related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Visit the Financial Aid for Service website to learn more about this and other programs.Important dates, conferences, and events

Events

November 4
Stewardship Commitment Sunday

Click here for Stewardship resources for your community of faith.

November 5–11
Presbyterian Multicultural Institute 2012

Location: Montreat Conference Center, N.C. 
Offers courses to enable and inspire clergy and laity in cultivating God’s biblical vision to gather people of diverse identities into inclusive communities of faith. Register now →

 November 27–29
“Generosity in Emerging Generations”

Leadership Seminar: Ecumenical Stewardship Center
Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Learn more →

January 21-25, 2013
Disciple Making Church Conference

Location: St. Pete Beach, Fla.

More information →

10/26-7: Discernment: A Teaching Retreat

A Teaching Retreat with Dr. Gordon Smith
President and Professor Systematic and Spiritual Theology
Ambrose University College and Seminary

We all face transitions – in life and work.  Consistently we find that in transitions we are eager to know the voice of Jesus.  Discernment is that point where prayer and action meet, where we move from dynamic communion with Christ to engaged service for Christ.  What does this discernment look and feel like – and how can we find space for discernment:  for clarity about our lives, work and ministry; for empowerment for the challenges we will face; and, for insight into the ambiguities that mark our lives in the world.  For this teaching seminar, we will draw on the wisdom of several spiritual traditions, but give particular attention to how the Ignatian tradition – and particularly the Spiritual Exercise of Ignatius Loyola – provide contemporary Christians of all backgrounds a relevant guide for discernment in times of vocational transition.

Dr. Gordon T. Smith is the President and Professor of Systematic and Spiritual Theology at Ambrose University College and Seminary, in Calgary Alberta. Prior to this he served with reSource Leadership International, an agency that fosters excellence in theological education in the global south – all the while serving in an adjunct teaching capacity at Regent College, Vancouver. Gordon is the author of a number of publications, including Transforming Conversion: ReThinking the Language and Contours of Christian Initiation (Baker, 2010), and Courage and Calling: Maximizing Your God-given Potential (revised edition, IVP 2011). 

Find out more about Gordon.

Cover image (CC) laFaba.​

Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, 7pm - 9pm
Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, 9am - 3pm

First Free Methodist Church, Seattle, WA
Get Directions

Registration:
$50 General Admission
$25 Student
$60 At the Door

Register online here​
​or download the mail-in registration form

2012 Mission Co-Workers: Dessa & Cobbie Palm

About Cobbie and Dessa Palm's ministry

The United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) was established in 1948 and is a union of several early Protestant churches that were in mission in the Philippines. Cobbie serves the church as a mission facilitator. He leads seminars for local church pastors throughout the Philippines, enhancing their skills in church development and revitalization. He also develops curriculum and trains churches in peace and reconciliation for the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform. Dessa coordinates the UCCP’s Theater for Evangelism and Advocacy, which seeks to train church workers and members to creatively communicate the gospel and bear witness to the transformative role of a caring and compassionate church.

Appearances:

• Oct. 21- Preaching at Newport Presbyterian Church at both the 8:45 am and 11:00 am worship services.
• Keynote: Dick Lutz Peace Breakfast  October 27, 9:30 am-11:30 am also at Newport.
• Preaching at Woodland Park Pres October 28, 10:30am

If your church is interested in hosting Dessa and Cobbie for conversation, the week between October 21st and October 27th is open. Contact Nancy Eng MacNeill to make arrangements.

DOXA: Churches Partnering in Mission

​Founded in 1991 to facilitate short-term mission trips to Tijuana, DOXA is the fruit of a long-term partnership between several Seattle Presbytery churches. DOXA provides logistical support for teams, while giving them space to do their own travel prep, cooking, and organize their work and free time as they see fit. Eric Stelter, President of DOXA’s board, explains their impact in Tijuana, “We've been there now for 20 years and, with no strategic plans and all-volunteer everything, have put up around 1,600 homes housing some 7,000 people—a city built and financed almost entirely by high school students in Presbyterian church youth programs.”

But the impact doesn’t end with houses alone. Eric described the growing sense of need for the families and orphans they served. “Many of the poor families we built for could not afford to have their kids in public school, so we worked with our friends and the schools to develop a program to put kids in school.” They developed a holistic approach that includes finances, books, nutrition, health care, and eventually an after-school program. Other ministries include an annual men’s trip redefining brother by intentionally bringing together men from a wide range of racial and socio-economic backgrounds.

9/14: DOXA Benefit Celebration!​

Now, DOXA is looking to the future. Eric explains, “We are capping off several years of transformation—growing up from fly-by-night into a professional and sustainable organization. And, as we are able, we will be expanding our work and our offerings in types of trips and opportunities—expanding the blessings that we have seen flowing across the border in both directions as we respond to God's heart for our neighbors.” 

Visit www.doxaserves.org for more information, or read the full interview with Eric here.

Returning - Notes from the Evangelism Ministry Team

We’re likely to think of evangelism only as introducing people to Jesus who don’t yet know him.   When the word evangelism comes up it should also encompass the ideas of reintroducing Jesus and his Church to those who were once believers, and finding creative ways to make it possible for those who are still his followers to once again participate in his Body.

Life circumstances can cause people to, intentionally or unintentionally, be distanced from Jesus and his Body.  Events such as moving and not reconnecting to a new congregation, a bad experience in a former church, becoming indigent, suddenly single or having a close relationship with someone who doesn’t know Jesus can contribute to people becoming inactive in a congregation.  Some people have to deal with circumstances they have little control over such as a person becoming physically or mentally incapacitated, having a lack of transportation or working on weekends.  

There aren’t any congregations or fellowships in Seattle Presbytery that can’t participate in some variety of an evangelistic outreach to people who, for whatever reason, have drifted away.  We do need to remember that the goal is to present opportunities for people to have a continuing and growing relationship as a disciple of Christ, rather than to just enhance or enlarge the fellowship we presently attend.  

Keeping an open mind as to how we as individual Christians and congregations can participate in fulfilling Christ’s call enables us to be more creative than we might otherwise be.  There are a great many ways to go about helping people to reconnect with Christ, but only a few will be included here.  

Add a service

We’re very blessed to have an abundance of resources in the Seattle area to make additional services available where and when they’re needed. In addition to the many church buildings already in operation that can volunteer their facilities, we also have other important resources that are already available.  Some of these include Seattle Presbytery’s large roster of Candidates and Inquirers, several first rate seminaries with students yearning to serve, capable elders and deacons in our congregations and quite a few retired pastors who are competent and may be interested in continuing their call to serve God’s people.

Because we already have the necessary resources, providing additional worship opportunities needn’t be an overwhelming venture.  It’s also reasonable to assume that not all new groups would require ongoing oversight.  As time progresses the people involved in the new service would take the responsibility for it.   

An additional service can, but need not replicate the complexity or style of what happens in your or other churches, on Sunday morning. Not all worship needs to take place in a church building or to happen once a week. Nor does it require a crowd.  The only firm requirement is that the worship is directed to God.  

Depending on when it takes place, a new service could help those who work on weekends, people who want to sleep in or have kids who do various activities on Sunday.  Early morning and early evening services during the week give people a chance to attend before or after their workday.  A daytime service during the week gives seniors and others who are home an opportunity for worship and fellowship when public transportation is most frequent.   

A visit to shut-ins in the neighborhood once a month to share Communion might involve the use of some form of technology that could bring together two or more households that are also receiving a visit in order to enhance the sense of Christian community among neighbors.  

Several congregations in relatively close physical proximity could work together in a new outreach so the effort is shared and the number of potential participants is increased.  

Making Connections

People in the congregation and old records are a source for the names of people who no longer attend.  Phone calls and visits by church members can open up possibilities for renewed interest. Many older people can be included in the congregation again if pastoral care, transportation and an invitation that lets them know they’re needed and wanted is extended.

Being needed and wanted is a very important consideration and draw for people of any age.  The partner who isn’t a believer can be included in a church community by giving them an opportunity to participate in the mission programs in addition to the fellowship programs.  It’s important here to be respectful of people’s choices and to include others without having personal agendas.  

Mission programs can be an entry point for people.  Consider having an article, or a paid advertisement, about a mission program or mission event in a newspaper that includes an invitation to those not involved in a congregation.  There are people who would appreciate an opportunity to serve who might welcome an official invitation.

Reintroductions Work

In 2004 Great Britain held it’s first “Back to Church Sunday”.  The event was so successful that it’s grown to be a worldwide event that’s held one Sunday in September each year.  These events include denominations and churches from one end of the theological spectrum to the other.  Take a look at this website to learn more,  

www.backtochurch.co.uk

It’s clear from how successful this has been that many people would welcome opportunities to reconnect with Christ and his people.  Of course, some may not even be aware that they’d welcome a new beginning or a reconnection.  We’ve been given the job of letting them know that they could by bringing it to their attention.  We don’t have to wait for a particular day each year to do it though.

Be a Contributor

Talk to the Lord about your part in this outreach. Talk to each other casually then get organized and share ideas, questions, pipe dreams, potential plans.  If want to exchange information or would like support as you develop plans feel free to contact us. (yeslord@mindspring.com  (425)775-8832)

Evangelism Team Co-Coordinators, 
Leslie Fox & Maxine Neel

Rev. Geoffrey K. Wanyoike's Installation Service

August 19, 2012​

With joyful song and an answered prayers, Rev. Geoffrey K. Wanyoike was installed at Kenyan Community International Church, a worshipping fellowship of the Seattle Presbytery. Rev. Wanyoike joins KCIC from the Presbyterian Church of East Africa.

Sammamish PC's Africa Story

Sammamish Presbyterian Church traveled to Africa last spring. Below you can hear one member share how that trip changed their story.​

Seattle area project receives SDOP grant

Self-Development of People disburses over $190,000 to fund 10 self-help Projects in the U.S.

LOUISVILLE, KY. (August 1, 2012) — The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP) has approved grants totaling $191,763 to 10 self-help projects in the United States. The money is from the PC (USA) - One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering. Self-Development of People receives 32 percent of undesignated OGHS gifts.

The Women in the Green Economy project located in Seattle, WA was awarded $20,000 – The project is about providing a place for low-income women, women of color, and women from immigrant backgrounds to build leadership and organize to create new ways to access fresh fruits and vegetables for their families.  

SDOP's grant recipients through the years have ranged from small agricultural cooperatives in rural communities, to empowering young people from low-income neighborhoods, to supporting a cooperative of African-American women who support themselves by selling pecans through the mail.

SDOP enables members and non-members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to form partnerships with economically poor, oppressed and disadvantaged people in order to help them achieve self-sufficiency.

Grants were approved at a meeting of SDOP’s national committee in Newark, NJ in May, 2012.

For further information about Self-Development of People, please contact the National Office at:

100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, KY 40202-1396
Toll Free Telephone: English – (888) 728-7228 x5782 / 5791/5792
Spanish – (888) 728-7228 x5790
Fax: (502) 569-8963

Web site: www.pcusa.org/sdop

Outlook: Local Student Wins Church-College Partnership

Written by JACK HABERER, Outlook editor

Annie Aeschbacher, a graduating senior at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash., has won the 2012 Presbyterian Outlook Church-College Partnership Award.The competition was based on college seniors’ essays on the topic, “How my education at a PC(USA)-related college has shaped my faith and prepared me for significant service and leadership.”

Aeschbacher, who hails from Woodinville, Wash., earned a B.A. degree in Spanish. She will apply her studies as she heads to Guatemala Aug. 27 to serve the next 12 months in the PC(USA)’s Young Adult Volunteer Program. She awaits more specifics about the work ahead, but it probably will entail ministry with children and/or women in community development.

“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity and can’t wait to see how God will work through this year!” she said. Eventually she hopes to earn a master’s degree, possibly in education, and do nonprofit work with Latinos in the U.S.

Click here to read more.​

Image + Faith

By Rev. Tobin Wilson of Lake Burien Presbyterian Church​

​God creates out of nothing and human beings make out of what has already been created. So even our making is grounded in God’s creating. This is the presupposition upon which I write. I am speaking about a very specific type of art–sacred Christian art. This is art that at some primal place recognizes that all that we do is grounded in God’s ultimate creation and what we endeavor in is penultimate, yet for the glory of God!

Matthias Grünewald’s (1475-1528) Crucifixion

At the core sacred art points to the Trinity and creation, and ultimately to its complete restoration in the future. Sacred art is a pointer. Like John the Baptist in Matthias Grünewald’s (1475-1528) Crucifixion, (above) pointing us to Jesus Christ. A piece that was originally commissioned for the chapel altarpiece in Isenheim, a leper colony, contextualized the need of the day while pointing to Christ who offers hope and healing. The great German theologian, Karl Barth, strategically located a copy of this painting above his desk where he prayed, wrote and studied. 

Art recognizes the human condition, believes that something has and has not yet taken place but that will, in fact, ultimately come to pass. Sacred art points to the reality of God in Christ breaking in with a new way to live and be human. This in-breaking is complete and yet not complete. So we live in the midst of the tension. Sacred art captures this tension through music, dance, word and image. It begins with the brokenness of humankind, points to Christ, offers a new way forward and anticipates its final restoration in and through God’s shalom. 

It could be Makoto Fujimura, a Japanese abstract artist, residing in New York, who paints in the aftermath of 9/11 offering reconstruction and hope for New York in the midst of its terrific horror. He could be the most profound voice in our time inserting the sacred arts into culture.

“Sacred art points to the reality of God in Christ breaking in with a new way to live and be human”

Sacred art prepares culture to receive the gospel. It is a leavening and a pointer to something that needs our attention while setting the stage for Christ to break through with life, grace, hope, forgiveness, reconciliation and instigation. Art has the power to cultivate beauty in a world of terror and unmasked horror. These groanings are captured, admitted, spoken of rightly and well and directed to the one who can transform, bind up and heal, namely Christ, crucified, risen, ascended and returning. Art speaks of brokenness, pain, and waywardness while offering a way for wanderers to return home.

Artists are peace poets in the realm of the beatitude, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Peace-keeping and cease fire is about all that modern politics can offer, but artists make peace by awakening our imagination through image to what this peaceful order actually looks like. It transcends cease-fire by restoring the cause of hatred, reconciles our bigotry, ends injustice and dreams the dream that allows a lion to sleep next to a lamb. Artist’s create categories that make peace possible. They are peacemakers as they point to the one who will enact this great restoration in our midst. The violence of the cross silently shouts to the world, “Violence is no longer necessary!”  Leo Tolstoy comments rightly, “Art should cause violence to be set aside.”

At Lake Burien Presbyterian art is part of our daily spiritual diet. We incorporate the arts to prepare us to receive the word read, proclaimed, encountered in Christ and enacted in sacraments. Art tells the truth, heals and transforms, provokes our sensibilities and inspires to action, soothes our anxiety, and points us to Jesus Christ the center and circumference of faith. In this sense the minister of word and sacrament becomes a docent and a curator of the soul. Both words find their etymology in Old English as words for clergy. Maybe Teaching elders are artists, we just use words to paint pictures of the way in which Christ brings healing, hope, action and shalom. This is a life of faith lived well during the rhythm of lent. 

Dream on.

David Brenner: Hope in Grief

​The UPC Times has shared an interview with David Brenner reflecting on life with Madeleine and how God has been moving since her death last fall.​

Q: In the six months since Madeleine’s death, what have you been experiencing?

A: I often thought that I had a good marriage and a great partnership. This is the last note that Madeleine gave to me. It was the night before she went to the gym on October 17 and had her aneurysm rupture, lost consciousness, and never regained it. In this note, she says in the last sentence, “Very grateful that you are my partner on this life journey. Love, hug, and gratitude, Madeleine.” I miss these lovely bits of marriage, of course, but I’ve been surprised to find that what I miss the most is Madeleine’s advice. She had great judgment, and I sought it out all the time.

To continue reading, click here...

Welcome to our new site

Welcome to our new look! It’s been a while since we’re refreshed the website, so check it out--now even more streamlined and in sync than ever before.

Our 50 churches, 7 fellowships and 3 missional communities may be spread out around the city and the sound, yet we are connected to one another by a common mission.

In order to continue to strengthen our relationships and further our shared mission, we’ve highlighted in this website update the three main components that make up who we are as the presbytery.

Mission

– what are we all about, how our ministries, churches, and communities are growing and sharing the Gospel both locally and around the world.

Worship

– we are centered on prayer and praise of our Risen Lord; for whom can we pray for today? How can we pray for your church and ministry?

Work

– there is a business side to our ministry and this is where you can find some resources to assist you. Presbytery papers, background articles on pending issues, forms and documents particular to our various committees such as Committee on Ministry (COM), Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM), Catalyzing Missional Communities Committee (CMC) and more.

The Spirit

In addition to the website, we will still be publishing our periodical magazine to provide an overview of what is happening missionally around Seattle Presbytery, and also in our neighboring presbyteries – North Puget Sound, Olympia, and beyond.

Gathering Together

We honor our relationships through in-person gatherings too, so  besides our stated Presbytery Meetings, we now offer the opportunity to gather every month for SeaPres Café – an event open to all (elders and non-elders alike) where we can learn more, share more and dream more. Check out the fall schedule to see what topics and speakers are coming up.

Our big event – PresbyFest – will once again take place in January at Mercer Island Presbyterian Church. Be sure to stay informed about this popular gathering.

Please take some time to explore this site. And do share your comments, ideas or suggestions with us, either with an email (our staff listing is in the footer under “About”) or in the comments right here on this post.

In Christ,
Rev. Scott Lumsden
Executive Presbyter