The Monarch Messenger The Newsletter of The Presbytery of San Jose Serving Presbyterians in San Benito, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Counties

The Monarch butterfly is the symbol of the

Presbytery of San Jose 888 No. First St., Suite 320, San Jose CA 95112 ● (408) 279-0220 ● www.sanjosepby.org ● Vol. 34 ● Issue 4 ● September, 2013

Attention Clerks of Session and Church

Treasurers!

Clerk of Session and Church Treasurer Training Oct. 5 and Oct. 12, 9:30 to 12pm

This training event is sponsored by The Presbytery Polity and Government sub-committee, and Financial Affairs Committee. There will be two training sessions in convenient locations for Clerks of Session and church Treasurers on each date. 1. Saturday, October 5 at Northminster Presbyterian

Church, Salinas

2. Saturday, October 12 at West Valley Presbyterian

Church, Cupertino

Please RSVP that you are attending to Natasha Jackson at

the Presbytery: natasha@sanjosepby.org or (408) 279-0220.

All Clerks of Session should attend one of these trainings to gain useful information about taking minutes, completing statistical report, keeping historical records and registers. Clerks who have been in the office for a long time are a valuable resource for those who are just starting. Please bring your minutes or registers for use as examples. At each of the training dates Church Treasur-ers will review best practices for church financial matters. For further information contact the Rev. John Kelso, Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of San Jose: johnekelso@gmail.com, 650-678-3241.

“The sermons are fascinating and on the way home we analyze what the sermon was about,” commented deaf

member Julie Kraemer.

Deaf Community Finds Stone Church

San Jose’s deaf commu-nity has found a home at Stone Church of Willow Glen. They recently ap-

plied and were approved for a

$5,000 Presbytery Vision Grant. The seed money has gone toward paying sign language interpreters to come on Sunday mornings to interpret the worship service in sign language. At a recent Stone session meeting,$500 was designated from memorial funds to en-hance this project. This funding has helped Stone Church provide two interpreters for the four deaf members who attend services there and have recently be-came members.

Representatives from the deaf community not only ex-pressed their interest in becoming members at Stone, but who would like to promote Stone Church as a place where deaf believers are welcomed to come and worship God in an inclusive and progressive community of faith. “Up to this point, the leadership of Stone Church has not imagined working with the deaf community to explore mutu-ally meaningful ways for these folks to participate in church life and worship. But perhaps this was God’s way of getting Stone’s attention and the vision grant certainly assisted in discerning how to make this area of ministry flourish and grow,” said Stone elder Rhonda Lakatos.

Having an ASL interpreter at each worship service has been even more wonderful for Stone than the members would have hoped it to be. Bill Raby, one of the four deaf attendees, stated, “At Stone they accept us for what we are.” Bill has also started using Facebook as well as other avenues of communication to let deaf believers in San Jose know that Stone Church is welcoming and accepting of all peo-ple seeking a relationship with God. “Stone Church has very friendly people” said Fran Basso. The four members have also taught the children at Vacation Church School signs to go along with a song they were learning. This Christmas Eve Bill, Mike, Fran and Julia have volunteered to sign a Christmas Carol as part of the services. Soon Stone hopes to offer an ASL signing class so hearing members can learn to communicate better with their new deaf friends.

JOIN US for the NEXT Presbytery Meeting

Sat., September 28, 9 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Northminster Church, Salinas 315 E. Alvin Drive, Salinas, CA 93906; (831) 449-2717

DIRECTIONS: www.northminster.org/Directions

DOCKET: Go to the Presbytery website after 9/20 at

www.sanjosepby.org

Child Care is available IF reservations are made by

contacting the church office by Tuesday, Sept. 24th

call (831) 449-2717, or email: micki@northminster.org

Please plan to stay for lunch and fellowship after the

Presbytery meeting.

Mark your calendars! 2013 Presbytery Meeting dates:

Sat, Nov. 23 at the Daesung Church,

Sunnyvale. 9 a.m.—1 p.m.

ASL interpreter listens to Ken Henry’s sermon and

translates the words into American Sign Language

From Presbytery Moderator, Don Choi

I have heard – correct me if I am wrong – that this is the biggest ever mobilization of resources in the presbytery after the COLA effort in 2008. I’m talking about the

PET’s! OK, this is hardly a reason for celebration. But, really?

Ten PET’s have been formed, trained and set in mo-tion. That’s sixty plus people, accounting for those in the pool who are “on-call” – sixty plus of the best and brightest from our congregations. They have an-swered the call. They have made time. They have committed their intelligence, energy, imagination and love… for grace’s sake.

As the August clergy letter so unambiguously af-firmed, it breaks our hearts that some of us are think-ing of leaving the fellowship. We do not want that. It is this body’s desire to “continue to be one” in sub-stance and appearance. Let nobody be deceived: the sixty plus came together not to facilitate dismissal. They are, on the contrary, the expression of our mu-tual “forbearance” and “sticky” love. Because we re-spect differences and take them seriously, even when they go against the one desire of our hearts.

So I thank God for the record mobilization of re-sources. We ought to celebrate it. It is our love for the sisters and brothers. It feels warm and wet as it drips out of our aching hearts. Tears mingled with praise.

I love you all and hope to see all of you in Septem-

ber.~ Don

Trinity Santa Cruz Turns 75

Trinity Presbyterian Church of Santa Cruz will be cele-brating the 75th anniversary of the congregation's founding, September 21-22, 1938. The festivities will begin with a reception, dinner and program the evening of Saturday September 21. A special worship service will follow Sunday morning. Presbytery friends are welcome to join in the festivities. If you would like more information call (831) 423-8995, visit the church website at www.trinitypressc.org or email trinitysc@sbcglobal.net.

Trinity Santa Cruz Congregation in 1938

Immanuel House has been purchased and it is perfect! It’s currently an 11-bedroom boarding house near San Jose State University. We are working with the current residents to help them relocate as well as with the City of San Jose to get the appropriate paperwork approved. As soon as this happens we will be asking our

churches for volunteers to help move around a few walls, build some decking, work on landscaping the property, and paint. Our hope is that the building will be vacant and the paperwork will be approved by the end of 2013 and we will be able to begin the new year welcoming new Immanuel House refugee residents!

Overture for Divestment from Fossil Fuel Companies

The Session at First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto (FPCPA) has voted unanimously to bring forward an overture calling on the PC(USA) to divest from the fossil fuel industry. In November San Jose

Presbytery will decide whether to bring the overture to General Assembly 2014. To learn more about the overture, see www.fprespa.org/cpt_news/council-approves-overture-to-general-assembly-2014-on-fossil-fuel-divestment/

The Cool Planet Group from FPCPA, which developed the overture and has been networking with other congregations around the country on the divestment issue, has found it extremely helpful to raise the issue of divestment within our congrega-tion, as the topic generates rich discussion about climate change and the morality and urgency of addressing it. By passing this overture, we will bring these discus-sions to the national level.

In preparation for these discussions at the Presbytery and national level, the Cool Planet Group would love to share our experience with other congregations. We can talk with small groups at your church or help you plan a Study Session. For more information, please contact Susan Chamberlain, suschamberlain@gmail.com, or

visit http://fprespa.org/coolplanet .

Take a Prayerful Walk Visit the Contemplative Center of Silicon Valley Labyrinth at Westhope Church, 12850 Sara-toga Ave., Saratoga. St. Augustine once said, “Solvitaur Ambu-lando.” (It is solved by walking. ) How much is solved in me after a thoughtful walk? In our increasingly busy and complicated world finding time for quiet reflection is becoming necessary, but what activities we engage in for refreshment, renewal, and connec-

tion with our imagination and creativity? What is it that deeply refreshes our mind, body and soul? The labyrinth is an ancient walking meditation tool for prayerful reflec-tion. As you begin your walk Releasing may involve a slowing down of breathing, be-coming conscious of your pace and attending to thoughts that may arise. This may include the surrender of expectations for the walk, and concerns whether the walk is being done correctly. Receiving begins with arrival at the center, a time to pause as long as you like in whatever posture feels comfortable. This is a place to pray or deeply listen and surrender to God. Walking out of the center you will be Returning to the opening of the Labyrinth taking the same path. During this time consider how you will take to the world what you have thought or heard within, perhaps a new project or a deep sense of peace. As we live out our days in this part of the liturgical calendar – Ordinary Time – may you find some space for a three-part walk - whether on a laby-rinth, or in your neighborhood, you will grow through the simple act of walking. ~ Susan Rowland, Contemplative Center of Silicon Valley, a ministry of Westhope PC.

Two Upcoming Safe Church Trainings:

Refresher Course for people who have taken Safe Church Training in the past: September 21 from 10am to 12 noon at Watsonville

United Church 112 Beach St., Watsonville 95076

October 19 from 10am –3pm at First Church of San Jose, 49 North Fourth St., San Jose 95112

David McCreath and Habitat for Humanity Friends... You are aware of my commitment to working with Habitat for Humanity. I have a special op-portunity this fall, when the Carter Work Project comes to San Jose during the first week of October. Each year Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter sponsor a "blitz-build" week, with volunteers coming from around the coun-try to spend a week preparing homes for low income new owners. The Carter Work Projects alternate annually between USA and international sites. I have been asked to be a "team leader" this year. That means I will lead a team of 3-4 volunteers, probably doing some major

renovation in a house on the southeast side of San Jose. . ~ David McCreath

Safe Church Practices

Jane Odell, Coordinator, Safe Church Practices

Presbytery Youth Loved Triennium This past summer, San Jose Presbytery sent a delegation of 24 youth representing 4 different churches along with 4 adult leaders to the Pres-byterian Youth Triennium in Indiana. Triennium is a large Presbyterian youth conference held every 3 years. This year, over 5,000 youth from all over the country and world swarmed to Purdue University for this event.

After canceled flights and a much longer travel day that we imagined, we missed the first worship service and finally made it to Purdue a little bit past midnight. It took us almost 20 hours to get to Indiana. We did not have air conditioning in our dorms. It was hot.

But it was amazing. Why?

Because after over 13 hours of travel and delays and little going right the first day, all the youth still had a positive attitude.

Because even though we were exhausted and hot, worshiping with over 5,000 youth and adults from all over the country and

world sustained us.

Because in the midst of a denomination that seems to be in fear of all the changes happening, the church might not look the

same in the future, we witnessed that it is still VERY much alive.

Because on the way home, all the youth were sad to leave and couldn’t stop singing and talking about what they had experi-

enced…

Because God is truly the I AM, the everlasting presence that was there in the hearts of all the youth that attended this Trien-

nium…

It was SO WORTH IT. If you run into any of the youth that went to this Triennium, ask them about it! Listen to their stories. And be encouraged. The light of faith still burns in the hearts of this generation.

Thank you for your prayers and support, San Jose Presbytery! Here is a link to a YouTube clip of pictures: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnI5kcvhc0I

~ The Rev. Irene Pak, Stone Church of Willow Glen

The Mission and Vision of the Presbytery of San Jose

Called by God as a governing body of the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Presbytery of San José exists to serve and be a re-

source for the health and growth of the Presbyterian congregations within our four counties. We call upon God’s grace and help

for the fulfillment of this vision: To support our congregations in reaching out to all people in the name of Jesus Christ; to chal-

lenge a diverse community to hold fast to the foundations of our faith and to build a diverse community unified by the unique gifts of

the Holy Spirit for the great works of the church.

Presbytery of San José 888 N. First St., Suite 320

San José, CA 95112

Office: 408 279 0220

Fax: 408 279 5261

Website: www.sanjosepby.org

STAFF: Joey Lee

Executive Presbyter

John Kelso

Stated Clerk

Diane Case

Staff Accountant

Natasha Jackson

Program Support

Jane Odell

Safe Church Practices Coordinator

(408) 279-0220

Geoff Browning

Peace and Justice Advocate

(650) 365-9720

Elsa Amboy

Refugee Ministry Advocate

(408) 733-9828

Coleen Hausler

Refugee Ministry Advocate

(408) 245-3515

The Monarch Messenger, the newsletter of the Presbytery of San Jose, is published 5 times each year: January, March, June, September, and Novem-ber, for the 43 congregations located in this four-county area.

NEXT DEADLINE: The dead-line for submission of articles for the NEXT issue (Nov., 2013) of the Monarch Mes-senger newsletter is Mon.,

Nov. 4, 2013.

Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of San Jose

~ Claudia Hamm, Moderator

From the Peacemaking Advocate,

The Rev. Geoff Browning

Happy Anniversary, Presbyterian Women!

In 1988, Presbyterian Women was created, bringing together women’s organizations from the two denominations that had merged to become the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Prac-tices, programs and faithful women from both United Presbyterian Women (United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.) and Women of the Church (Presbyterian Church in the United States) were joined to form Presbyterian Women.

For 25 years now, our beloved organization has been witnessing to the promise of God’s kingdom and transforming lives around the world. And, of course, this young group is carrying on the more-than-200-year tradition of Presbyterian women meeting, praying and acting together in shared love of God! Happy Anniversary to us all!

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S FALL GATHERING

“Abide in Hope: Creating Beauty”

Rachel Clark, a contemporary folk artist, teacher and lecturer, has been creating wearable art for over 30 years. She will be sharing her creations with us. Rachel lives in Watsonville and is a member of Watsonville United Presbyterian Church. We’ll also create together several fabric wall hangings for Immanuel House. (More details to come soon.) Join us on Saturday, October 5,

2013 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church as we enjoy and create beauty!

~ Claudia Hamm

Mosaic of Peace Responding to a Call For Peace And Wholeness In A Land Called “Holy”

A Presbyterian Peacemaking Conference In Israel/Palestine

April 24 – May 10, 2014 This is a kairos moment for the church, a time of urgency and opportunity to hear and heed the call for peace coming from the Holy Land. In faithful and hope-filled response, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program’s Mosaic of Peace conference invites Presbyterians to experience this remarkable and troubled region, encounter its diverse people, explore its rich history and com-plex current situation, and engage with those who seek its peace. As participants in the conference, individuals will be:

INSPIRED by the stories of Christian peacemakers in the Holy Land, walk in the footsteps of

the Prince of Peace and encounter contemporary Palestinians and Israelis;

EQUIPPED by engagement with Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders, experience contex-

tual theology and study peacemaking practices within the framework of PCUSA policy;

CONNECTED with global and local partners to take meaningful action for a just and lasting

peace in the region. This has the potential to be a life changing experiences. If you are interested in participating in the conference in Israel/Palestine, applications are due October 1st which is just around the cor-ner. For more information: www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/peacemaking/mosaic-peace/, or call or email Geoff Browning at: (650) 868-4241, geoffb2@stanford.edu

Pat Plant is Moving On… After nine years as the Administrative Assistant at the Presbytery Office (producing 45 of these Monarch Messengers!), and also serving as the Hunger Action Advocate, Pat is retiring on Sept.30. Hearing a new call, Pat and husband Greg will become fulltime volunteer managers at the Catholic Charities Refugee Resettle-ment house in Sunnyvale, and then move into our new Immanuel House when it is complete and serve as its first Resident Manag-ers.

Stay in touch! Pat’s phone: (408) 702-0785, pat.plant@gmail.com

Rahwa Aftay, a recent refugee from Eretrea, East Africa, and new friends, Pat and Greg

Plant

”But the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kind-ness, goodness, faith-fulness, gentleness, and

self control.”

~ Galatians 5: 22-23