Seattle's First UMC Consecrates New Facility

I was privileged to be at the consecration service for Seattle First United Methodist Church's new church on Denny Way. It has been a long haul for the congregation. Their former church facility was a beautiful historic building on 5th and Columbia, but due to age, damage from earthquakes, and changing needs, it no longer fit the missional requirements of the congregation. After years of effort, a new building program began in another location, allowing the old sanctuary to be partially preserved and used for other purposes. Yesterday the congregation worshiped in their new sanctuary and the bishop consecrated the building. Founded in 1853, First UMC was the first congregation in Seattle. I hope it will be in the heart of our city for many years to come providing valuable ministry for the young and old, the rich and poor, the housed and the homeless, and all who need spiritual healing. Congratulations, First Church! Your journey is just beginning.

At the ceremony yesterday, King Co. Executive Dow Constantine was on hand, as was Dept. Mayor Phil Fujii, two city council members Sally Bagshaw and Tim Burgess, and hundreds of worshipers and clergy from many denominations. We wanted to celebrate the rich history of this congregation, note its struggle to be reborn on Denny Way, and to voice our hope for its missional future.

The Seattle Times carried an article covering the ceremony, the congregation, and its history.

The photo used on this page was taken by Erika Schultz for The Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010947385_firstmethodist01m.html

Bishop Gene Robinson on The Daily Show (and more)

Bishop Gene Robinson was on The Daily Show on January 20.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Bishop Gene Robinson

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

The bishop was in Seattle, WA on January 12, 2009. Listen to to an interview that he gave to Seattle's local public radio station KUOW during that visit.

Additionally, at 8 PM on Thursday, January 22 KUOW will air the full speech that Bishop Robinson gave at Town Hall.

UPDATE: While Bishop Robinson was in Seattle, he preached at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral.

seattle's annual one night homeless count 2007

Each year hundreds of volunteers - students, teachers, city council members, churches, and synagogues - take to the streets to perform a head count with the hope of determining how many people are actually sleeping on the streets and in shelters in the greater Seattle area. This year the geographical area was extended to include growing outlying areas like Renton and other communities. This year the count yielded a total of 2,140 people.

The data collected last night, Thursday, January 25, report mixed results. While the numbers show an increase of homeless people counted, 289 of those were counted in new geographical areas. That actually indicates a slight decrease (5%) in areas counted in the past. Because not everyone without housing actually gets counted (for example, people staying on friends couches, in motels), the rule is to triple the actual count to arrive at a number approximating the actual number of homeless people in our area. Also not counted in the one night count are the number of people in shelters (although Tent Cities were counted). These numbers will be collected and added to the total. Of particular note to me are the twenty-two minors counted. This data, of course, is difficult to analyze. We have to ask if Seattle and King County's effort to end homelessness in ten years is starting to have an effect two years into the program? Are homeless people moving into outlying areas because of increased police intervention in the city? Did the weather affect the count?

As someone who has participarted in the count a number of times, I think that every church in Seattle needs to get its people to volunteer. This year there were 735 volunteers; wouldn't it be incredible if half or more of these were church people? The impact of walking around the streets in the early morning hours do perform this work is humbling, angering, and life-changing. Walking around looking for homeless people runs counter to what most people typically do - try to look away from and not see homeless people. The number of people living in cars, unable to access shelters, sleeping under overpasses is staggering. After the night of counting is over, it has been tradition to head to a local cafe and wait for the numbers to be totalled. A press conference is called and a quick summary of the night is offered. If this isn't what the church should be doing, then I don't know what our mission could be.

Go here to read more about the One Night Count. Tables of count categories as well as the press release are available.