News of the Presbytery of San Jose |
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you; so I submit, and I accept consolation for my dust and ashes.”
Job 42:5-6
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2022 Presbytery Meetings
May 7th
September 24th
November 19th
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To list an event that is supported by your church or committee, and that is open to the entire Presbytery, go to
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The latest information from the Board of Pensions, including an update regarding increased grant assistance and a "Care Navigation Flyer" associated with the medical program changes coming in April may be found here:
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On Tuesday, February 15th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm, Covenant Presbyterian Church’s book club is hosting a virtual visit with author Judge LaDoris Hazzard Cordell regarding her book Her Honor: My Life on the Bench . . . What Works, What's Broken, and How to Change It..
For those who would like to attend, please contact Carol Holsinger for the Zoom link at pcusa@holsingerharps.com or 650-326-3146.
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Helpful links and more information may be found here:
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The Struggle is Real!
Webinar Series
Join the Presbyterian Mission Agency on March 20, 2022 from 2:00 - 3:30 pm EST/ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm PST for a dialogue and listening forum related to rural poverty.
More information may be found here:
Registration page may be found here:
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There's a lot of wonderful things happening with Sweaty Sheep and our Presbytery's Hunger Program right now.
Click below on the link for updates on what's happening with Ryan's ministry:
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Be sure to check the
for other announcements and helpful information, including the updated "Ministry Funding Request Form."
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PRESBYTERIAN YOUTH TRIENNIUM 2022
Do you have youth at your church (entering 9th graders - 12th graders) that would like to go to Triennium? The dates next year are July 24-27, 2022 in Indianapolis, and we'd like to send a delegation from the Presbytery of San Jose. We are also looking for adult leaders to help lead this trip.
If you're interested or if you have questions, please contact the official registrar for our Presbytery, the Rev. Irene Pak Lee at Stone Church (pastor.irenepak@gmail.com), and provide her with the number of youth who will be attending.
Registration is $515 for youth and $535 for adult. This does not include housing and travel, but we may have scholarships and grants available to assist with that.
Official registration begins in early February, so we need to know if you're interested!
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For those who were particularly moved by the devotional in last Saturday's Presbytery meeting, a copy of the "Traditional Territory Acknowledgment" slides may be found here:
Thank you, Addie!
Addie's Sources:
• Anglican Council of Indigenous People’s A Disciple’s Prayer Book
• The Christian Reformed Centre for Public Dialogue’s Living the Call to Reconciliation
• Poem by Rebeka Tabobondung, first offered for KAIROS reflection in the Ecumenical Worship Service in “Making it Matter,” KAIROS, 2011, p.9.
• Photo: Janet MacKenzie "Jesus of the People"
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Looking for a unique way to observe Ash Wednesday and begin the Lenten season? Using Mary Button's pandemic interpretation of the "Stations of the Cross" as meditation stations, the Rev. Jenni Bales and Elder Collette Lynner are offering a self-guided walk through a local outdoor prayer labyrinth. Reflection questions tailored for each station will be available for use.
The labyrinth is located at the Community of Christ at 990 Meridian Ave., San Jose (just a couple of blocks away from the Presbytery office). The meditative walk will be open Ash Wednesday, March 2nd, from 11:30 am to 6:00 pm.
Contact Jenni Bales at pastorjennibales@gmail.com for more info.
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Our Presbytery's very own Committee on Representation and Empowerment ("CORE") is offering a Lenten group study this year to help us process the effects and positive surprises we've encountered living within the pandemic.
The group will meet via Zoom on Thursdays 3/6 to 4/3, from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.
More information and the registration QR code may be found here:
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Internet Links for County Information Relating to Covid-19
Monterey County
Santa Clara County
Santa Cruz County
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Pastoral Reflection
In her book Learning to Walk in the Dark, Barbara Brown Taylor talks about the importance of being able to see the stars at night, especially the Milky Way, as it creates room for us to reflect on our place in the universe. Her comment reminded me of the book of Job and the dialogue between God and Job, as they talk out Job's complaint. In this wisdom book, God never provides Job with an answer to his suffering; instead, the Creator takes Job on a tour of Creation, showing Job his "place in the universe."
In 42:6, several modern translations use the word "repent" to translate a particular Hebrew word, seeming to say that Job has done something wrong in challenging God and is now confessing to it. However, one Hebrew scholar points out that the same word is used of God in another Old Testament passage to indicate that God had changed their mind. It's a more nuanced sense of "repent." In this scholar's own translation of Job 42:6, he chooses to use the word "submit." Job has chosen to withdraw the argument, recognizing that he's not going to get an answer and submits to a humble place in the universe where answers to innocent suffering are not always available.
So, as we learn to "walk in the dark," may we take to heart the wisdom that in asking why "bad things happen to good people," answers are not always available, but God is no less present.
Amen
Rev. Dr. Jennifer Bales
Director of Communications
Presbytery of San Jose
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Phone: (408) 279-0220 Website: www.sanjosepby.org |
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