News of the Presbytery of San Jose

"...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

Hebrews 12:1-2
We want to keep you informed! Below is a list of current events happening in the Presbytery of San Jose. Also remember to check the Presbytery website, particularly the Events page at www.sanjosepby.org.

SJ PBY logo.
Presbytery Meeting
Dates for 2020

With the passing of the new standing rules, the Presbytery is consolidating the annual number of meetings to four in the coming years. The remaining dates for the 2020 meetings are below. Check back in future months or on the Presbytery website for the respective dockets.

September 19: Location TBD

November 21: Covenant (Palo Alto)


The Mid Council Newsletter may be found here:

Peacemaking Program.PC USA
The Peace & Justice Working Group provided us with a very helpful guide at the last Presbytery meeting relating to ways we can help the community during the pandemic. Rev. Nan Swanson's PowerPoint presentation may be found here:


In addition, if you are interested in attending their upcoming Zoom meeting on May 20th at 7:00 pm , the registration page for the Zoom meeting may be found here:

Rev. Edd Breeden and Diane Case are hosting a special training for the treasurers of our Presbytery on Saturday , May 30th @ 10:00 am . They have a lot to share to help your congregation through the financial questions of this pandemic and economic effects of social distancing on our churches . Email Collette Lynner for a copy of the Zoom invitation at [email protected] .
Just a reminder that the Presbytery website is full of useful information on various meetings, resources, and dates; including the online application form for Ministry Funding during this difficult time for our churches. Visit us at http://www.sanjosepby.org .
Safe church Logo
For those who had registered for the upcoming boundary training, the event has been cancelled and other options are being considered. We will update the Presbytery when we have more definite information.
The Presbyterian Association of Musicians ("PAM") has several announcements to share:

1) PAM is offering two separate Worship & Music Conferences this year at the Montreat Conference Center. The first is June 21st - 26th, and the second is June 28th - July 3rd.

Details may be found here:


2) During the June 28th - July 3rd conference, a confirmation class will be offered concurrently.

Details may be found here:


3) Through a generous grant, scholarships to these conferences are available. Scholarship information may be found here:

A lot is happening with Sweaty Sheep and the Presbytery's Hunger Advocate, Rev. Ryan Althaus! To help you stay up-to-date with his ministry, Ryan is working on the creation of his own newsletter. If you would like to receive his specific newsletter and announcements, please submit your email address:

The Mission and Outreach Working Group is planning a mission trip to Peru this coming October.

It's an opportunity to meet ministry partners and to see first-hand what God is doing in Peru.

Contact Rev. Margaret Boles for more information at [email protected] or (650) 494-1760.

Informational Flyer may be found here:

Foothill Community Presbyterian Church is currently looking for a part-time administrator for their in-house concert series. The job would involve working with a committee to locate and book musicians, contract negotiations with the artists, concert scheduling, organizing volunteer crews to work the concerts, maintaining the concert website, printing flyers, programs and other publicity items, and advertising on local event sites and social media. This job could be split into two, an administrator and a publicity person.  

Contact Rev. Andy Wong at [email protected] for more information.  
A Message from the Stated Clerk, Rev. Erica Rader


Dear friends and colleagues in ministry,

I just realized that I am half way through my five-year term as Stated Clerk.  God gave me a clear sense of my calling to serve the Presbytery while I was at a week of Transitional Ministry training at beautiful Zephyr Point.  I determined I wasn’t called to do transitional pastoral ministry, but while gazing out at beautiful Lake Tahoe, I did sense God’s calling to be part of serving our churches and ministry together in times of transition. I sent in my resume and application while looking out at the blue water. 

None of us expected this kind of transition ahead as we have responded to these pandemic times. A Barna Group study from data collected in December 2019 reported that just 2% of practicing Christians attended a church that produces a digitally videotaped or livestreamed service. Here we are less than six months later and everything is different. As we navigate change together I’ve been inspired with hopefulness for the future of the church as I see you all glorify God by being innovative, loving and justice seeking. It remains to be seen whether this is the leading edge of a new reformation of the Church or just a season of necessary creativity. What I do know is that you will continue to be faithful and creative and I will continue to pray for you, cheer you on and work with Joey Lee to resource you as best I can. I will also record in our minutes all about your faithful awesomeness as you run with perseverance the race that is set before us, all for the love of Jesus because it is a story worth telling!  I’m grateful for all of you.

Grace & peace,
Erica Rader
Stated Clerk 


Phone: (408) 279-0220 Website: www.sanjosepby.org