Green Lake Church

I believe the official name is Green Lake Church. While Seventh Day Adventist is omitted in their name the website (
) alludes to it. I went here over a month ago on one of my monthly visits to neighborhood churches. In this case I was prompted to visit because of the great warmth and fellowship of the congregation I experienced over a decade ago with one single visit at an Adventist church in Southern California. I ventured out this time to Green Lake with those fond memories hope for a similar response, Unfortunately, this was one of the driest churches I’ve ever been to. I did not see one happy face! I wore my best black upscale casual jeans thinking they might be in blue jeans like many west coast congregations. Well, they were I guess a bit more old-​school traditional not just in dress but other ways as well. While it was a clearly family heavy congregation. Not one person greeted me other than the Pastor John McLarty. And his was less than two seconds in duration. I ventured into the after service meeting room where surprise there was food! I would have normally partaken but I still did not feel any warmth or interest from others towards me an obvious newcomer by my lack of traditional attire.
Two important writings come to mind that are in stark contrast to the way I was treated (not treated):
THE BIBLE: James 2:2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
MISSION STATEMENT: Green Lake Church is a loving spiritual community, providing ‘safe territory’ for all people through the compassion of Jesus. Our openness creates a healing environment where people worship, study, play, and celebrate each person’s individuality and unique expression of Divine grace.
Wow!!! I’m still traumatized by that visit. I see why Seattle is considered hard to grow churches in. What does this church offer of value in the eyes of the «unsaved» when said church demonstrates the hypocrisy listed so often in the bible and as «the world” – in this case – rightly accuses.

Mom’s Church
SITREP
So when I am committed to a full weekend with the mom, it sometimes means a Sabbath morning excursion to the church where her official SDA membership is registered. I make no pretense to being a fan of organized religion anymore. However, having said that, there is a lot of positive interaction that can be achieved through community with different churches, including this one.
THE SETUP
Ironically, my exposure to this particular church predates my mother’s in fact. I first came to this church back in 1988 when it hosted the Association of Adventist Forums (AAF) meetings. AAF is a philosophically more progressive element of the SDA Church, though it doesn’t really engender any official status with the SDA Church.
Shortly around this time, I moved to California with my then-​wife, but humorously enough, my mother then maintained her SDA membership in this church.
CHURCHY FUNCTIONS
The church structure itself is really quite elegant. It has a lot of beautiful rooms and space, including the large sanctuary where the worship services take place as well as the subterranean level where a lot of Sabbath School classes (before the main service at 11am) transpire.
They have some pretty kick-​ass potlucks, I must say, and when it was my mom’s time (since she is a deaconess) to help with the organization, she really puts on a great spread of food for all the members.
VISITORS
Since I grew up in the SDA Church and went to SDA Academy and College, I have a lot of visitors from both these phases in my life whom will pay a visit to our family in Seattle. This is the church we will are most inclined to bring our guests with our mom to.
THE LOWDOWN
A pleasant church experience if your interests run this direction.