News of the Presbytery of San Jose

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13
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.

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Presbytery Meetings

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 19th Via Zoom

Register in Advance via the Presbytery Website: http://www.sanjosepby.org

Docket Link: 9/19/20 Docket

November 21st

The Mid Council Newsletter may be found here:
From Rev. Nan Swanson and the Peace & Justice Working Group:

If we ever needed an emphasis on Peacemaking, it is now! The theme for this year's Peacemaking and Global Witness Offering that is received on World Communion Sunday, October 6th is from 2 Thessalonians 3:16: "May the God of peace give you peace at all times in all ways." May it be so! 

I invite you all to take this offering in October so that God's peace will have financial support as we all do this work. Remember that 25% stays with your church (be imaginative in how to use that), 25% stays with the Presbytery, the only source of funding for the work of the Peace and Justice Working Group, and 50% goes to the Presbyterian Mission Agency for its ministries around the world. 

Give faithfully and with love.

Online Giving Link: Special Offering

Rev. Nan Swanson
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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
The Mission and Outreach Work Group of the Presbytery of San Jose will sponsor monthly conversations with global and local mission partners.

Thursday September 10th (today) at 5:00 p.m. we will meet with Rev. Martin Kristanto Nugroho who serves as the pastor of an Indonesian church (GKI Bondowoso) in East Java, Indonesia. He's an Indonesian associate from the Presbytery's 2016 mission trip, and was a guest of the Presbytery in 2017.

Pastor Martin and several Indonesian pastors will give a short presentation and there will be time for questions. 

Meeting ID: 839 9551 2464
Passcode: 657106
Call-in: 669-900-6833 or 
253-215-8782
Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church invites you! 

Follow the story of the city’s interaction with the Flint River—from the continued abuse and neglect of both city infrastructure and environmental regulations to the detrimental health impacts on residents.

“Flint” explores the critical question of how this could happen in America and serves as a warning for the rest of the country. Join us for the film screening, followed by a discussion and Q&A with the filmmaker, David Barnhart and other community leaders from Flint, MI.

Film and Zoom Link may be found here on the church's website: Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church
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For a list of upcoming events hosted by our own Presbyterian Women's group click here:

Kaleidoscope 2020

Due to the travel restrictions and impacts of Covid-19, this year's Kaleidoscope conference will be a virtual event. 

The Registration Fee is $45 and will provide access to three weekly online lectures, live question and answer period with the presenter each week, as well as access to the event recordings at the end of the program. 

The Presbytery of San Jose is going to cover  your registration costs for the three-day virtual event. It will be held on three Tuesdays from 11:30 to 1:30 EDT September 22nd, 29th and October 6th.

A link to access the online event will be emailed each week prior to the event itself. The live events will take place on Tuesdays beginning September 22nd, with subsequent events on September 29th, and October 6th.

The online registration link may be found below. A receipt may be submitted to the Presbytery via Diane Case for reimbursement. Diane may be reached at rdtcase@comcast.net.
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:


CORE (Committee on Representation and Empowerment) is offering a three-part book study on My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending our Hearts and Bodie by Resmaa Menakem.

The group will meet every third Saturday at 1:30 pm on Zoom, beginning on September 19 for three sessions. Participants are asked to sign up in advance  and  purchase the book before the first session. Any questions, contact CORE@sanjosepby.org


Your registration receipt will provide you with the appropriate Zoom link information.
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Our very own Rev. Ryan Althaus was recognized by the denomination for his work with mental health and his recent webinar focused on mental illness and the Church. The article may be found here: Presbyterian Mission Agency

We're so proud of you, Ryan!
First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto is looking for a Director of Operations. The Church's webpage with details of the position may be found here:
For those who were not able to attend the BLM Week of Action, our Presbytery's Panel Discussion centered on "Race, Data & Tech" may be found on YouTube here:
In Times Like These - We are living in strange times…the pandemic, politics, and the difficulty of job cuts or even job loss.  A source that can help us manage our feelings is the book of Psalms. I have written a book Psalms for People Like Us: Twice Daily Devotions for Those with Mental Health Challenges.

With the world as it is, this book is for anyone looking for support whether or not you have any connection to mental health concerns. The book (including shipping) is $14.40. Make check payable to Rev. Sharon LeClaire; email her for her mailing address (Sharon.j.leclaire@gmail.com) and she will mail you the book. Take comfort in these troubled times—let the Psalms soothe your soul.
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The Kingdom of God
while Sheltering-in-Place

We are continuing with our new column celebrating how the Church has continued to worship, minister in the community, and care for one another while sheltering-in-place.

Congratulations are in order for Gonzalez Community Presbyterian Church's Una Mesa Food Pantry for receiving the District 12 Non-profit of the Year award. They were nominated by the City of Gonzalez and awarded by State Senator Anna Caballero. We celebrate in this recognition with you and are grateful for the ministry that's happening in Gonzalez through you. Rev. Stephen Knowles, Rev. Paula Kelso, Sarah Sarmento, and many other volunteers and contributors have helped make this outreach possible over the years.
A Message from the Executive Presbyter, Rev. Joey Lee


I am sure that more than one of you has recently joked “What next, locust?”  And who can blame you.  Global pandemic, racial injustice, social unrest, massive wildfires, record heatwave, unhealthy air, a divided body politic, disputed scientific and medical findings, everyone sheltering at home, unless you’re an essential worker and therefore take on great personal risk.  I’m sure I’ve missed something.  Can we even take one more tragedy, disaster, or disruption?  And please, no trite sayings, like “That which doesn’t kill makes you stronger.”  Is that the choice?  

How long, O Lord, how long?

And while I really would not mind Divine intervention right now, and certainly pray for it daily, we still have to deal with all this.  Resilience anyone?  We know resilience as the ability to adapt in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or stress—such as relationships, health problems, school, workplace and financial challenges.  All of us have had, currently have or will have one or all of these.  Our current situation only seems to compound.  And yet, here we are.  And yet, we persevere.

If you Google resilience you will find many lists of building resilience.  Here’s mine:

·       Be connected. Even during COVID, stay connected to loved ones and friends, those who will support and accept you in good and bad times. If you’re reading this, you are already a part of a church community that cares about you.  I have used my cell phone, AS A PHONE, and had many conversations during this time.

·       Remember. Remember how you coped with hardships in the past. What skills and tools helped you through those difficult times? Remember that you got through those times.

·       Things will change. This much is certain.  Accepting and even anticipating change makes it easier to adapt and view new challenges with less anxiety.

·       Take care of yourself. Tend to your own needs and feelings. Pay attention to your body.  Don’t forget physical activity. Get plenty of sleep. Eat healthy. Don’t forget your spiritual practices, yoga, meditation, lectio divina, journaling, quiet time, deep breathing and prayer.  Pray some more.  

My prayer is that each of you finds a way to be resilient in these challenging times.  

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13, NRSV)

Joey Lee
Executive Presbyter


Reminder of Counties Orders

Monterey County

Santa Clara County

Santa Cruz County

CA State Site with County Information: https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/

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