Domestic Giving 2021

May 21, 2021July 28, 2021 Peter Bankson

The recipient organizations of our domestic giving vary somewhat from year to year. The general rule is that one or more Seekers are personally involved in these organizations in some way. Recipients are chosen by consensus during an open meeting of the congregation at the start of every year.

Seekers Church donates generously to missions and ministries within the United States, with an amount budgeted that equals a bit over 25% of expected offerings for the year. The community has agreed to several conditions to ensure that our giving is connected to and reinforces our personal efforts and passions. These connections should reinforce Seekers values, involve significant personal support from Seekers’ members, and foster a change from charity to solidarity.…

International Giving 2021

April 27, 2021June 8, 2021 Peter Bankson

†††

INTERNATIONAL GIVING
2017

Seekers Church continues to support many missions and ministries in the United States and other countries. The amount budgeted for international giving this year approaches 20% of what we expect to receive in offerings over the course of the year. Once our budget for the year was approved, and the overall amount available for international giving had been determined by the Stewards of Seekers Church, all Seekers were invited to request support for missions or ministries where they are personally involved.

After worship on February 19^th the community met to determine how our international giving will be distributed. At that community meeting we affirmed support for 13 international missions and ministries:

Seekers Gallery presents “Inspired”

October 22, 2019October 6, 2020 Peter Bankson

Handmade Paper & Mixed Media Sculpture

November 10 – December 15, 2019

Opening Reception is Sunday, November 10th at 11:30

This installation features sculpture created from handmade paper by Sandra Miller. Sandra is the curator of the Seekers Church gallery and a long-time Member and Steward of Seekers.

To arrange a viewing, other than Sunday mornings after worship services, please contact Sandra: sandra@seekerschurch.org.…

Emily Gilbert’s Memorial Service Homily by Marjory Zoet Bankson

July 3, 2019November 13, 2020 Peter Bankson

June 29, 2019

Emily was quite specific about her wishes for this memorial service: red balloons, lectionary scriptures (whatever they might be on that given week); support the Goodwin House Foundation or Heifer International rather than spending money for fancy flower arrangements; listen to Marion Anderson sing “My Lord, What a Morning” and Simon & Garfunkel’s version of “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” She was always direct and clear about her preferences.

Her choices give us a thumbnail sketch of Emily. Red was simply her favorite color, not a political statement. By choosing the common lectionary, we know she saw herself within the common body of Christians, not someone who needed special attention.…

“The Interrupted and Distracted Mind” by David Novello

July 1, 2019November 13, 2020 Peter Bankson

June 30, 2019

The Third Sunday after Pentecost

In today’s Epistle reading, Paul tells the Galatians that they are called to freedom. He instructs them to stand firm and not use their freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence. He warns not to submit again to a yoke of slavery. Paul wrote concerning desires of the flesh, which he said were opposed to the Spirit. I know these are controversial passages, with debate over what exactly the Greek word “sarx”, commonly translated into English as “the flesh”, truly means.

I won’t touch on this debate, but rather will address a newer type of self-indulgence that makes many of us slaves – a self-indulgence of the mind.

…

INTERNATIONAL GIVING2017

Global

Middle East

Africa

South Asia

Central America