MBPPC News & Announcements - October 15, 2026

October 18, 2026: 29^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Service Time: 10:30 a.m.

1^st Scripture Reading: Psalm 96

2^nd Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 12:12-31

Pastoral Nominee Ben Drew Preaching:

"The Whole Body"

Dear Friends, 

We have an exciting weekend ahead! Please make sure to stop by the church this Saturday morning between 10-12pm to meet pastoral candidate Ben Drew. Then, plan to be in worship this Sunday to hear a message from the PNC’s candidate and to attend the congregational meeting directly after the service to vote on the motion below. 

"MOTION: Should the way be made clear by approval of ordination by the presbytery where he is under care, and ordination, to approve Ben Drew as the next Pastor of Mount Baker Park PC, and approve the Terms of Call as recommended by the PNC and presented by Session. (The motion being presented by the PNC, no second was necessary).”

You will receive a packet on Sunday with 1) the motion for the congregational vote, 2) Pastor Ben’s terms of call, 3) his statement of faith and CV. We also are planning to provide a Zoom recording of Ben’s sermon for those who are not able to attend in person. Please e-mail the office (mbppc@mtbakerchurch.org) if you would like the link. Only members of the church who are present (not on Zoom) are eligible to vote, but I would encourage everyone to attend the congregational meeting after the service.

The meeting will be followed by a festive coffee hour! I look forward to accompanying you this weekend in this important moment in the life of the church!

Blessings,

Pastor Andrea

Pastor Andrea Chaumont

pastor@mtbakerchurch.org -or- achaumont@mtbakerchurch.org

Google phone number: 360-362-5274

Upcoming dates to have on your calendar:

1. AI Made for Us: A Christian Spirituality for Today, Rev. Greg Cootsona November 3, 2026 at 6pm in the sanctuary. This is a great event to invite friends and neighbors to. Rev. Greg Cootsona, executive director of AI and Faith, will help us think through the implications of AI as people of faith. 
2. Are you interested in becoming a member or just finding out what membership means? Join Pastor Andrea and others for a conversation after the service on Nov. 8 in fellowship hall. Please e-mail the office or Pastor Andrea if you would like to join the membership class.
3. Jazz Vespers at MBPPC on December 20, 2026 (Christmas themed), followed by hot chocolate on the patio and caroling in the neighborhood

"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching."

1 Timothy 5:17

NOMINEE WEEKEND IS HERE!



With the approval of the Seattle Presbytery, the MBPPC Pastor Nominating Committee is pleased to introduce our pastoral nominee, whom we believe is called to serve as our next pastor.

EVENTS:

*Saturday, October 17 (10AM – 12PM):

Informal coffee meet-and-greet with the

nominee.

*Sunday, October 18: The nominee will lead

worship and preach the Sunday sermon.

A congregational meeting will convene immediately following the October 18th Sunday worship service. During this meeting, we will present the nominee, share our decision criteria, host a Q&A period, and hold a membership vote. Please make every effort to attend both events.

Pastor Nominating Committee

MBPPC

PINK OUT SUNDAY @MBPPC: OCTOBER 25TH

You are welcome to wear PINK on that Sunday in support of

Breast Cancer Awareness

Dear Mt Baker Park Presbyterian Church congregation and community,

Your Pastoral Nominating Committee (PNC) is delighted to send you introductory information for Benjamin (Ben) Drew as the candidate we recommend to extend a call as Mt Baker Park Presbyterian Church Pastor. We are excited for you to meet him! Please hold the following dates:

• Saturday October 17th 10am-noon. Ben and PNC Members will host a coffee & snack hour at the church in the fellowship hall. This is an optional, informal opportunity to get to know Ben. Please stop by anytime between 10am and noon to meet Ben!
• Sunday October 18th 10:30-12:30pm. Ben will lead our regular worship service and will preach. Following the service, we will facilitate a short Q&A with Ben and will then hold a congregational meeting to vote on the PNC’s recommendation to extend a formal call to Ben as Mt Baker Park Presbyterian Church’s Pastor. MBPPC’s Session will host Coffee Hour in the fellowship hall afterwards.



Ben grew up in the Chicago region of NW Indiana, born to a family of ministers and educators. He was raised in the Church and began to take hold of his faith as a teen through leadership in his local youth group and as a bass player in the Sunday worship band. These small opportunities for leadership led to his discernment of God’s call on his life as an ordained minister. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry from Indiana Wesleyan University, Ben served for six years in various church staff and pastoral roles including youth ministry in the Chicago suburbs and church planting in Portland, OR. Now, in his final semester of education at Princeton Theological Seminary, he is eager to draw upon his diverse experience in vocational and volunteer ministry as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. As a minister, Ben is passionate about knowing the people who make up a community and collaboratively discovering innovative solutions to problems. In his free time, Ben can usually be found in the woods hiking, running, or cycling, but when resting at home, he is likely mending clothes, cooking up a storm, or playing a board game with friends.

The PNC and Ben feel the Holy Spirit has led us to this partnership. The PNC unanimously voted yes for Ben’s candidacy following virtual and in person interviews, as well as a review of his statement of faith and other written responses, listening to his sermons, and conducting multiple reference checks. Through these various experiences, Ben’s values, ministry philosophy, and cooperative leadership approach stood out as strongly aligned with MBPPC’s identity and mission. Ben demonstrates a genuine commitment to compassionate community engagement, care for marginalized neighbors, and accessible, meaningful engagement with Scripture. Ben’s curiosity, reflective spirituality, and justice-oriented approach also position him as a lifelong learner and thoughtful communicator who can connect with people with diverse perspectives and foster mutual understanding. Most importantly, Ben is drawn to and energized by the very qualities that make MBPPC distinctive—its compassion, community focus, and desire to live out Christ’s call in tangible ways.

During our interactions Ben asked thoughtful questions to learn about our community, values, and history. He explored our expectations for our Pastor, and understood MBPPC’s strengths, such as our priority for service with the community, our music programs, and opportunities, such as building our congregation and youth programs. Ben has been equally reflective about God’s plan for his path and has indicated he feels called to MBPPC to use his talents and strengths to shepherd our congregation.

Ben is a graduating senior at Princeton Theological Seminary and will be completing all coursework by December 2026. The call for Ben will be conditional upon his completion of these steps. Upon being formally called to MBPPC’s Pastor role, Ben would start as a Staff Director on February 1st, 2027. In this role, Ben will lead MBPPC staff, operations, and worship, with an Ordained Pastor present to lead Session and to administer sacraments such as Communion. Following his certification by his home church in Chicago and ordination in the Seattle Presbytery, Ben will convert to the full MBPPC Pastor role.

We encourage you to attend both events on October 17 and 18. If you have questions, please reach out to Craig, Ben, Kat, Linda or Sheryl. Please reach out to Jan via email (jcarroll@mtbakerchurch.org) if you’d like a copy of Ben’s Statement of Faith or a copy of his resume in advance of October 18th.

Are you interested in becoming a part of the MBPPC Family?

A Conversation About MBPPC Membership has been scheduled for November 8th following worship from 11:45a - 12:45p. Join Pastor Andrea in this informative and insightful conversation. All interested persons are welcome to attend. Please email Pastor Andrea at achaumont@mtbakerchurch.org or pastor@mtbakerchurch.org (both are hers) to inform her of your interest in attending.

What does it mean to be a Christian in an age of artificial intelligence?

Drawing on the riches of Scripture and Christian spirituality, this talk invites listeners to understand and engage AI, not with fear, but with theological curiosity, wisdom, and hope.

The presentation will include an engaging question-and-answer and/or discussion session, depending on the size of the audience.

Come ready to explore how our faith speaks with surprising clarity to one of the most pressing questions of our time.

The MBPPC Harvest Luncheon will take place on Sunday, November, 15 after church in the basement Social Hall.

Just like last year, we’ll enjoy each other’s company over good food. We’ll supply turkey and ham, and ask that you bring sides and deserts (think Thanksgiving). Want to help? Contact Mary Gentry at marylentry@comcast.net or Susan Daggett at sedaggett@juno.com. 

Tuesday Morning Bible Study meets via Zoom, 9:00-10:00 AM. This group reviews the previous Sunday's scripture readings and sermon. It's a great time to get to know others and to be encouraged in your faith. To take part, email Ellen McLain for the Zoom invitation.

Men’s Bible Study meets every Wednesday via Zoom at 8:00-9:30 AM. Members select different books of the Bible to read through chapter-by-chapter. Email Howard Strickler for the Zoom invitation.