October 2023 Newsletter

News of the Presbytery of San José

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

“May they prosper who love you.

Peace be within your walls

and security within your towers.”

For the sake of my relatives and friends

I will say, “Peace be within you.”

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,

I will seek your good.

Psalm 122:6-9

You are invited

Reception for

Executive Presbyter

the Rev. Joey Lee

November 4, 2023,

2pm-4pm

Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church

728 W. Fremont Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94087

Refreshments and light fare

The Presbytery will honor our Executive Presbyter's decades of faithful leadership and celebrate his retirement in style.

Click here to RSVP:

RSVP Link

Final Presbytery Meeting

of 2023

November 18th

To list an event that is supported by your church or committee, and that is open to the entire Presbytery, go to

https://sanjosepby.org/submit-an-event

Remember to visit the Presbytery's Online Events Calendar for information on upcoming meetings and events.

The link may be found here:

Calendar

The most current copy of the Mid-Council Newsletter may be found here:

Newsletter

Peacemaking Advocate Presbytery Position

If you're interested in the details of the Prebytery's Peacemaking Advocate position, please contact the Executive Presbyter, Rev. Joey Lee at [email protected].

Virtual gathering with

Brian McLaren

Westhope Presbyterian Church is pleased to offer "Contemplation Across Stages of Faith" with speaker and writer Brian McLaren on October 14th from 9:00 am to 11:30 am PST.

More information about the event and registration may be found here:

Information and Registration Page

NOMINATIONS FOR 226^th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The Presbytery of San Jose is seeking minister and young adult delegate applicants to serve as commissioners to the 226th General Assembly.

This is an opportunity to help the larger church learn, discern and engage in the mission Christ is calling us to do together.

Submit nominations by Nov. 10 th by mail to the Stated Clerk at the Presbytery office or email [email protected] to be considered for election at the November Presbytery meeting.

More information may be found here:

Information Sheet

Given that our Executive Presbyter, the Rev. Joey Lee is retiring at the end of the year, the Presbytery of San Jose is beginning the search for our next EP.

Information on the position and application process may be found here:

EP Position Posting

Open Positions in the Presbytery

Due to the number of open positions right now in our Presbytery, we've created a dedicated page on our website for all of them, both pastoral and administrative. Click here: (Presbytery Website Link) for a listing of all the current open Presbytery positions.

Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church

Evensong Gatherings

Every third Wednesday from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church is offering an Evensong gathering in the church sanctuary. All are welcome for this Taizé-style meditative worship experience.

More information may be found here:

Evensong Page

Pastoral Reflection

In light of the current war and violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip, a poem (imho) in the tradition of the Psalms, crying out to God and asking the question "Where are you in the midst of the suffering?":

"The Diameter of the Bomb"

by Yehuda Amichal

The diameter of the bomb was thirty centimeters

and the diameter of its effective range about seven meters,

with four dead and eleven wounded.

And around these, in a larger circle

of pain and time, two hospitals are scattered

and one graveyard. But the young woman

who was buried in the city she came from,

at a distance of more than a hundred kilometers,

enlarges the circle considerably,

and the solitary man mourning her death

at the distant shores of a country far across

the sea

includes the entire world in the circle.

And I won't even mention the crying of orphans

that reaches up to the throne of God and

beyond, making a circle with no end and no

God.

Rev. Dr. Jennifer Bales

Communications Director

Presbytery of San Jose

(408) 279-0220

[email protected]

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