Hi Catherine - Thanks a ton for entering our logo tournament. I am compelled by the blue, green, red fluorish on the left and the fonts chosen. The fluorish also hints at the waters which really connect our two bodies (North Puget Sound and SE Alaska). This has a very welcoming yet stable feel to it. Regarding your questions. The Presbyterian Church USA logo can be found here:
http://www.pcusa.org/ in the upper left corner. We can use the whole logo without permission. The original has red flames, blue cross/dove with white background. Your design does not come close enough to the PCUSA logo to warrant concern about copyright.
Here's a brainstorm. If you take a look at the coastal areas that connect our two regions (see the map on this page
http://www.angelfire.com/sk3/totempoles/), the style/angle of the flames/fluorish could easily hint at that magnificent Northwest coastline.