Tim Parmentier named first Commissioned Ruling Elder of the Presbytery of San Jose

by Rev. Dr. Neal Presa

Monday June 9, COM approved Tim Parmentier (bottom square on the zoom screenshot, above) as the presbytery’s first Commissioned Ruling Elder. He will begin this week serving Trinity Presbyterian Church-San José as CRE for the next three years alongside The Rev. Dr. Vincent Arishvara, providing various pastoral duties such as preaching, officiating sacraments and weddings/funerals, pastoral care, and occasionally moderating Session in Rev. Arishvara’s absence. We congratulate CRE Tim Parmentier! A commissioning service of CRE Parmentier as part of the worship service at the NEAR Gathering II on Saturday, September 6 at First Presbyterian Church, Mountain View.

The COM has enrolled three other candidates for CRE, with two more expected this summer. Let us pray for CRE candidates Wayne Shen (Monterey-El Estero), Chrystopher Sahgal (Santa Clara-First), and Kit Chatsinchai (provisional status, San José-First Thai Fellowship) and their pastor supervisor/mentors as they complete the requirements of the newly adopted policy and process.

Sunday, June 15: the Presbytery's Unity Candle will be at Westhope Presbyterian Church in Saratoga.

We're asking all churches and worshiping communities to pray for the host of the Unity Candle each week, including mention in their worship bulletins and pastoral prayer/congregational prayers.

Above: 2025 Easter Sunday Worship. Photo from westhope.org.

Westhope Presbyterian Church's contemplative worship style incorporates sung prayers and live congregational response immediately after each sermon. Pastor Erik Swanson leads Sunday Worship at 10:00 am in person and by zoom, and Morning Centering Prayer Mon-Thurs 9:00am by zoom.

The grounds of Westhope Pres are maintained by volunteers.

Westhope is known for:

Public support of anti-racism and human rights, ie Justice Cafe, Antiracism Book Group, Rapid Responder trainings and other PACT events, a 2025 social justice film series, gun safety advocacy.
A monthly Taizé service, on break for summer.
The Spiral Garden, and its superbloom every Spring. "There's a beautiful poem on a plaque at the entrance," wrote Elder Beth Wylie.
A labyrinth with quarterly candlelight tours.
Being powered by solar energy, generating approx 3,000 KWH/mo. onsite.
The Contemplative Center of Silicon Valley, a ministry for Spiritual Directors.
Justice Cafe, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 3:00pm, to share, collaborate and initiate actions as we enjoy fellowship with like-minded people. PC(USA) Mission Elders and mission-driven laypersons are especially welcomed!

Westhope's Community Partners:

Life Services Alternatives (community living and programs for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD))
Saratoga French Cultural Preschool
Westhope Community Garden
The Muwekma Ohlone People

Follow the path of the Unity Candle.

Non-profits affiliated with the Presbytery of San José

Coordinating Council, at its May 7 meeting, adopted this document: Establishing a Task Force to Review the Affiliated Non-Profit Entities Related to and the Properties Owned by the Presbytery of San Jos e. The action creates a six-member task force of 3 ruling elders and 3 teaching elders selected by Moderator Libby Boatwright in consultation with EP Neal Presa and Stated Clerk Erica Rader.

Here are descriptions of the Presbytery's affiliated non-profits recognized by Coordinating Council. Learn how to support them and get involved.

Immanuel House Refugee Project

Immanuel House was established in 2015 to provide transitional housing for refugees and refugee families. Link to the organization's history on their website. Chair: Martha Wills, PCLG; House Manager: Atilla.

https://www.immanuelhousesj.org/

Urban Works of Santa Cruz

This 501(c)3 was created to support various "ministry of play" programs developed by Rev. Capt. Ryan Althaus. Sweaty Sheep, Salty Sheep (sailing ministry), ally Common Roots Farm and other work to bring together differently-abled people in fun and fellowship.

Chair: David Heacock, PCLG; Executive: Katie Gentile

https://www.urbanworks-sc.org

Pastor-Brewer Robby Olson is a feature at Watsonville-area faires. In 2025 WPH introduced a Czech-style pilsner "El Luchador"

Instagram: @watsonville.pub

facebook.com/watsonville.pub

Watsonville Public House

When Watsonville UPC closed January 2020 their Administrative Commission invested in Pastor-Brewer Robby Olson's dream. "We are working hard to reach out to our community to make connections with those folks who honestly, have no interest in going to a church" Robby explains in a virtual tour of the pub shown at May 2024 Presbytery Meeting, shortly after WPH's soft opening. "But, to come down to a pub, to have a beer, to get to know the brewer/beertender and, turns out, Pastor, has been a really interesting way to begin to bridge those relationships."

WPH Chair: Cory Piña, Gonzales. Stated Clerk Erica Rader is on the board as well.

http://watsonville.pub

Julie hosts PWP on their 2024 Mission Trip

somoswatsonville.com

Instagram: @somoswatsonville

Facebook Page

Somos Café

Somos opened a community space and non-profit coffee shop that serves primarily farm workers and their children. Everything Somos does is bilingual. They've created a thriving community of highschoolers, community college students, and members of the local community that gather for various events, and provide resource navigation to our most marginalized members of Pajaro Valley.

Led by Rev. Julie Center, Somos has partnerships with Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, the Natural History Museum, the Diversity Center of Santa Cruz and other nonprofits.

Summer Breaks

The Presbytery has named Rev. Edd Breeden as Temporary Stated Clerk until Sept 1, when Rev. Erica Rader returns from Sabbatical. Please send correspondence to eddbreeden@gmail.com cc: Neal@sanjosepby.org.
Office Manager Collette Lynner is out of the office June 9 - June 23. In case of emergency please call or text EP Neal Presa (408) 763-5004 or email Neal@sanjosepby.org.
Executive Presbyter Neal Presa remains available by email, text or cellphone throughout most of the summer.

www.sanjosepby.org

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