Presbytery of San Jose: Notice of Stated Meeting

Presbytery of San Jose: Notice of Stated Meeting

Saturday June 1, 2013, 9:00 AM

St. Andrew Presbyterian Church,

9850 Monroe, Ave., Aptos, CA 95003 (831) 688-4211

Map and Directions:

If coming from the North: exit Highway 1 at Rio Del Mar, turn left across the highway, then turn right at Soquel Ave and immediately turn right to continue on Soquel.

Turn Left up the hill at Monroe.

From the South: exit at Freedom Blvd. Take right ramp onto Freedom and immediately prepare to turn left onto Soquel at the first light.

Turn right up the hill at Monroe.

Childcare by Appointment

DOCKET:

9:00 ​Moderator Elder Don Choi: Presbytery convenes with joyful worship and the celebration of Holy Communion.

10:00​ Stated Clerk​: The Rev. John Kelso:​

Welcome; general information; quorum call; seating of Corresponding Members; introduction of first time attendees; introduction of host pastor – special information for the day; approval of the minutes of the April 6, 2013 stated meeting.

10:04​ Consent Docket:

10:05 Nominating:The Rev. Nan Swanson

10:10Safe Church:​ Elder ​​​​​Jane Odell

10:20 Board of PensionsThe Rev. Mark Frey

10:30Church Health & Growth:The Rev. Jack Longley

10:35Committee on Preparation for Ministry: Elder Judi Johnson

10:40 ​ Committee on Ministry: ​​​​Elder Erik Khoobyarian(last page)

11:00 Financial Affairs​​​​​​​​ Committee: Elder Paul Jones (p.10)

11:05 Presbytery Council: Elder Charlotte Powers

Polity & Government sub-CommitteeThe Rev. Ben Daniel

11:15Presbyterian WomenElder Claudia Hamm

11:25Peace and Justice ResolutionThe Rev. Geoff Browning

11:35Mission Co-WorkerChristi Van Norton

11:50Youth Triennium CommissioningModerator, Don Choi

12:00Presbytery advocates:Pat Plant; Elsa Amboy & Melissa Kreisa

12:10Stated Clerk​​​: John Kelso
(Acknowledgements and Adjournment with Prayer)

12:11Adjournment with prayer

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Presbytery of San JoseMinutes of Stated Meeting

April 6, 2013First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto, CA

Presbytery opened with worship led by the Reverend Rob Martin, with a message based on II Corinthians 5:16-19. Service participants were Arden Ratcliff, Director of Children and Youth Ministries; Abby Mohaupt, Pastoral Intern; and Andrew Chislett, Director of Music. Rob Martin authored the words to several hymns sung during the worship service.

At 9:45 AM Presbytery Moderator, Elder Don Choi called the meeting to order with prayer.

Presbytery Stated Clerk, the Rev. John Kelso declared that a quorum was present. First-time attendees were introduced and Host Pastor Rob Martin welcomed commissioners and guests.

Teaching Elders Present

BalesGrover, SLadraRodriguez

BolesHahnLee, ESnedeker

BreedenHammondLee, JSohn, YS

BrowningHarbert, LLutz-AllenSteele, E

BurkeHarbert, MMartinSteele, S

CoopHareMatusiewicz, STirone

DanielHarrington, SMoisoTumney

DuncanHoggMooreWatermulder

Eschen-PipesHudsonNortonWilliams, C

FoxInouyeOlsonWinterlin

FranzenKelso, JWoodsmall

GarnerKelso, PPennington

GibsonKimballPerson

Teaching Elders Not Present

BennettGardnerJoy, JRausch

BoyerGoughKim, YRRoberts

Choi, SJWHarrington, NLai-ChangSchmidt

CrockerHeimanowskiLindstromSu, R

DoyalHenryMacwaySwanson, E

DrescherHoffmanMcAnellyTsai, A

EngelmannHolmesMinerva

HR Teaching Elders Present

BartowKwon, YBRawlings

BowlesLongleySchell

BraceyMcCreathSpencer

CarrNewcomerYeaney

HR Teaching Elders Not Present

AhnHyattLykeSolis

BlandIgnacioMasquelierTakarabe

ButzigerJenksMomrowVenecia

Choi, YKKim, DKNelsonWilson, G

DoskerKim, KJPalmer, MZuverink

EricksonKim, YHPalmer, W

HarveyKoopmanRowlison

Hsieh, SLewisSmith, K

Elder Commissioners Present

AptosMilpitasSalinas FirstTaiwanese-Amer.

Burk, GBoyd, SBass, JSevn, Pei

Odell, JHohl, DBurkes, JTrinity, SJ

CarmelJackson, DCarlson, JBriggs, G

Chadwick, PMaxwell, KDe La Rosa, RKuhn, G

Ludeman, CMitchell, PDuffos, EWestminster, SJ

Masten, LSmith, AKameln, ELee, J

Masten, RReed, KLokkesmoe, BFrost, K

CupertinoEl EsteroMassa, SSan Martin

Snyder-Orr, KMonterey FirstMcCreight, JSta. Clara First

Yuon, DLoboda, APhillips, MFitch, R

FeltonProwell, WPomo, ABonny Doon, Sta. Crz

GilroyMorgan HillPretanus, MTrinity, Sta. Cruz

GonzalesMarkham, MRose, KStock, J

Rutledge, KTyler, GTannahill, DVintage Faith

Hollister FirstQuaday, LTaylor, SBarnes, F

Espeseth, JMt. View FirstLincoln Av. Sal.Gibson, B

Fisher, EForeman, KNorthminsterSaratoga

Giacomazzi, AMayflower, PGSt. Philip’sBranch, A

Mayer, JBuell, TEvergreen, SJCiraule, A

Terry, RMcClenahan, JSan Jose FirstNoel, B

Los AltosCovenant, PAPowers, CSchlotzhauer, R

Brown, FBernstein, FFoothill, SJWesthope

Brown, TReynolds, LOnnuri, SJSunnyvale

Gutshall, TVan Camp, WSta. Teresa HillsMattison, J

Los GatosPalo Alto FirstStone, SJWilcox, P

Caselli, GEllison, GLakatos, RDaesung

Fong, RKinen-Brooks, MLim, DWatsonville United

Heath, RLeith, DLudwig, MMorrison, M

Panighetti, CMerkle-Raymon, KMcCreath, RRogers, B

Smith, AThornton, DRoby, BWatsonville Westview

Other Members/Commissioners Present: The Rev. Joey Lee, Executive Presbyter; Elder Don Choi, Moderator, Elder Jane Odell, Safe Church; Elder Erik Khoobyarian, COM; Elder Lela Noble, Council; Elder Judi Johnson, Council; Elder Paul Jones, Financial Affairs; Elsa Amboy, Refugee Advocate; Elder Pat Plant, Hunger Action Advocate.

Minutes of January 26, 2013 stated meeting were Approved.

Consent Docket Approved

1. COM recommends that consistent with Policy PS-1 of the Presbytery of San Jose, the new minimum terms of call for 2013 be changed in Appendix B of Policy PS-1 to the following figures based on the new HUD income figures: Monterey County; $50,000; San Benito County, $55,000; Santa Clara County, $71,000; and Santa Cruz County, $64,000.
2. Lease. Financial Affairs recommends approval of a shared equity agreement between Watsonville United Church and Rev. Robert E. Olson for the purchase of a manse.
3. Loan. Financial Affairs recommends presbytery approval of a Synod loan to Trinity Church in the amount of $90,000 to complete renovations that are under way.

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Committee Reports

Safe ChurchElder Jane Odell

Jane has developed a refresher course to the Safe Church training program.

Thirteen churches are now offering the mandatory training in their own churches.

The Rev. Sherri Grover of Morgan Hill PC is using Safe Church resources to train church volunteers. Online Safe Church training is now also available, and Jane (Presbytery office) has fliers available with information on how to set up online training.

Cupertino West Valley PC is field-testing a class on domestic violence.

The presbytery website has additional information on all Safe Church programs and training.

Church Health and GrowthThe Rev. Jack Longley

In March of this year, the Presbytery received the Latino fellowship meeting at Westminster PC (San Jose) as a Church in Development.

The Rev. Brian Franzen reported on the 1001 New Worshipping Communities program (OneThousandandOne.org).

Committee on MinistryElder Erik Khoobyarian

Erik reported his commitment to bring something positive to each meeting of presbytery. Specifically, he is excited about the Pastoral Residency Program Palo Alto First PC, designed to provide supervised practical pastoral experience for new seminary graduates in order to strengthen their skills before they seek formal calls.

Elder David Leith of Palo Alto First PC and Rev. Ellen Steele of Saratoga PC shared their experience of the benefits of meeting weekly to talk and pray with a diverse group within the presbytery. David appreciated the group’s ability to have honest exchange, and to listen carefully, facing disagreement with mutual respect. Ellen initially had concerns about meeting with the prayer group since she is in a church that is exploring dismissal from the PC(USA). What she found was acceptance and love. Her experience has shown that within the presbytery there is love for the Lord and respect for one another.

Elder Khoobyarian stated that meeting regularly to pray and share as this group has done could benefit the entire presbytery.

Financial AffairsElder Paul Jones

Paul gave a brief history of the Immanuel House project, including the development of the idea by the members and Session of Immanuel PC (San Jose) before its closing of acquiring a house for the purpose of serving the transitional needs of unconnected refugees as they acclimate to a new culture. Rev. Stephanie Lutz-Allen serves as Director of the Immanuel House project, and the task force has raised sufficient funds to purchase a house appropriate for the need. As the project continues to fruition a Board of Directors serving under the presbytery’s 501c3 corporation will continue to raise donations for operating expenses exceeding projected income.

FA Committee Motions:

Financial Affairs recommends:

1. that presbytery approve the Immanuel House Business Plan included in the day’s docket. Approved
2. that presbytery authorize Financial Affairs to spend up to $1,000,000 for the purchase and renovation of a refugee transition house to be called Immanuel House.

Approved

Nominating CommitteeThe Rev. Nan Swanson

Nominating Committee Motion: The Rev. Margaret Boles, Covenant Presbyterian Church Palo Alto, as 2013 Vice-Moderator, 2014 Moderator-Elect & The Rev. Ben Daniel, Foothill Presbyterian Church San Jose, for Council At Large Member, Class of 2014

Peace and JusticeThe Rev. Darrel Yeaney

Kristi Van Nostran who is Presbyterian Church (USA) Hunger Advocate in El Salvador, will be in our presbytery June 1-10 and is willing to speak at local congregations. To schedule Kristi, contact Geo Bunch at or 831-600-8338.

Presbytery AdvocatesElder Pat Plant

Hunger Action Advocate Pat Plant is promoting an “offering of letters” for the purpose of encouraging government officials to take action to alleviate hunger in the nation.

Presbytery CouncilElder Charlotte Powers

Elder Powers asked the Presbytery to recognize The Rev. Ed Lee for his previous service as the Chair of Presbytery Council and thanked Elder Don Choi for moderating the last meeting of Presbytery Council.

Executive Presbyter The Rev. Joey Lee reported that Cornerstone Church of Silicon Valley (CCSV) unanimously voted on Feb. 10, 2013 to request that they be organized and constituted as a congregation of the Presbytery of San Jose and the PC(USA).

Presbytery CouncilMotions:

1. Council recommends that Cornerstone Church of Silicon Valley be constituted as the 42nd congregation of the Presbytery of San Jose.
2. NCD Pastor Joseph Sohn be ordained as pastor to CCSV.

Approved

Ordination and installation date of the pastor, elders and deacons of the new member congregation will be announced later.

Moderator Don Choi offered a prayer of thanksgiving and praise.

Gracious Dismissal PolicyElder Erik Khoobyarian

Elder Khoobyarian explained that Presbytery Council consulted with various persons within the presbytery on ways to bring the existing GDP into compliance with the Tom v. Presbytery of San Francisco ruling and order of the GAPJC which requires that presbyteries consider the value of church property when negotiating terms of dismissal from the presbytery and PC(USA).

Motion: (seconded)

Adopt the Gracious Dismissal Policy as proposed on the presbytery website dated March 14, 2013.

Motion to Amend: (seconded)

Retain the language of the policy approved on June 02, 2012, lines 108-112 “The session of each church seeking dismissal shall elect two elders (at least one of whom is a ruling elder) to serve on its PET with the four members elected by the Presbytery Council.” Lines 248-250 “The COM may then elect members of a new PET and instruct the session to also replace the PET members from the congregation;”

The Moderator called for vote by written ballot.

Initial written ballot was ruled invalid due to complaints about misunderstood instructions.

Second written ballot: amendment passed 77 yes; 72 no.

At request of The Reverends Rob Martin and Geoff Browning, their votes “No” are noted.

Vote on Main Motion as amended: Approved

Heidelberg ConfessionStated Clerk John Kelso

Reference the Handbook on the proposed new translation of the Heidelberg Confession.

Motion from the General Assembly: Shall The Book of Confessions be amended to include the proposed new translation of the Heidelberg Catechism, with accompanying Scriptural references?

Motion failed. 67 yes; 69 no.

At request of The Reverends Rob Martin and Geoff Browning, their votes “Yes” are noted.

Stated Clerk: John Kelso thanked Palo Alto First PC for hosting the meeting, and thanked the commissioners for their patience. Congratulations were extended to Rev. Karen Peterson-Iyer and Rev. Vincent Arishvara upon their ordinations as pastors serving within the Presbytery of San Jose. The Stated Clerk suggested that the Pastoral Residency Program at Palo Alto First PC is an example for other churches to follow, that the presbytery should celebrate the launching of Immanuel House and the status of Cornerstone Church of Silicon Valley as the newest addition to San Jose Presbytery.

The Rev. Robby Olson closed the meeting with prayer at 12:55PM.

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Nominating Report to Presbytery

June 1, 2013

Nominating Committee of Presbytery places these names in nomination for Presbytery Engagement Teams (PETs):

Teaching Elders:

Rev. Jay Bartow, HR

Rev. Jenni Bales, Chaplain

Rev. Jim Bennett, Santa Clara University

Rev. Tim Boyer, Mountain View

Rev. John Burke, Bonny Doon

Rev. Karen Peterson-Iyer, Santa Clara University

Rev. Jim Tirone, Milpitas

Ruling Elders:

Frank Bernstein, Covenant

David Burgess, Westminster

Bill Coates, Hollister

John Fukasawa, First, San Jose

Chris Hawagawa, El Estero

Judy Lococo, First, San Jose

Jim Lathrop, First, San Jose

Jim Peterson, Sunnyvale

Lizanne Reynolds, Covenant

Ted Swift, Sunnyvale

Financial Affairs Report to Presbytery

June 1, 2013

Action Item

With Council approval, Financial Affairs recommends that Presbytery guarantee repayment of a Mayflower Church rollover of its $110,285.33 Synod line of credit into a 15 year Muzzy amortized loan at 4.375 % interest.

Information Items

Financial affairs approved a one year lease between Westminster Church and Santa Clara County Gay Men’s Chorus for use of Church facilities.

Financial Affairs approved a one year lease between Trinity Church, Santa Cruz and Krishanie and Senaka Weerasekara for the operation of a pre-school on Church premises.

Foothill Church is discussing with Rocketship Education the leasing of land for the construction and operation of a charter elementary school.

Immanuel House Project is proceeding smoothly with the purchase of the house at 68 South 11th Street, San Jose. Escrow should be complete by early June. Inspections have turned up problems, but nothing major. The 501 c 3 application is proceeding as is the agreement with Catholic Charities on the use of the building.

Resolution Commending Gradye Parsons,
Stated Clerk of the PC(USA)

The Peace and Justice Task Force of the Presbytery of San Jose submits the followingResolution to the Presbytery, asking that Presbytery concur and that the Presbytery Stated Clerk send it to the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC (USA), President Barack Obama, Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein and U.S. House Representatives Anna Eshoo, Sam Farr, Mike Honda and Zoe Lofgren:

Whereas the Presbytery of San Jose regularly elects commissioners to each General Assembly of the PC(USA)to represent us in considering all items before that body and

Whereas the General Assemblies in 2010* and 2012** directed the Stated Clerk to communicate to our elected officials a desire to hold Israel accountable to the same standards as other nations receiving military aid;

Therefore the Presbytery of San Jose commends Gradye Parsons, the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA),for joining with leaders of other Christian organizations in writing aletter on October 5, 2012*** urging members of the U.S. Congress to have military aid to Israel subject to the same oversight and regulation as aid sent to other countries.

*2010 action:

“1. Express its enduring and heartfelt commitment to security, justice and lasting peace for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.

2. Express its support for the U.S. government policy of carefully vetting the funds distributed to foreign countries in ways that ensure peaceful development and are consistent with international law, human rights protections, and U.S. foreign policy, namely:

a. the US Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 which prohibits giving assistance to the government of any country which engages in a consistent pattern of human rights violations;

b. the U.S. Arms Export Control Act of 1976 which prohibits using U.S. weapons against civilians and civilian infrastructure, and

c. the U.S. foreign policy insofar as it pertains to recommendations for steps toward peace, in this instance, between Israelis and Palestinians.

3. Call for the allocation of U.S. military aid funds to be contingent on compliance with the above-mentioned statutes and/or to the peace process.

4. Express its extreme disappointment with the U.S. government that while the State of Israel has been found not to comply with the above statutes, it continues to be the recipient of U.S. military aid.

5. Direct the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA) to communicate these recommendations to all members of the U.S. Congress, in particular the chairs of the Foreign Relations Committees for the House and Senate and to all appropriate members of the U.S. administration, including the president

**2012 GAAction:

“Calls on the U.S. government to give a thorough accounting to its citizenry as to the amounts of its foreign aid to countries in the Middle East that have been used by the recipient nations to finance human rights violations, breaches of international law and UN Security Council Resolutions; and to redirect adequate allocations of aid toward (1) the rebuilding of Gaza and humanitarian assistance for its people; and, (2) Palestinian reuse or dismantling of the remaining settlement infrastructure following the establishment of a Palestinian state.”

***The full text of the letter, dated Oct. 5:

Dear Member of Congress,

We write to you as Christian leaders representing U.S. churches and religious organizations committed to seeking a just peace for Israelis and Palestinians. Our organizations have been deeply involved in this pursuit for decades, inspired by the call and promise of Jesus Christ who said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

In response to our Christian call to be peacemakers, we have worked for decades to support both Israelis and Palestinians in their desire to live in peace and well-being. We have worked alongside our Palestinian Christian sisters and brothers to help build a peaceful and resilient Palestinian civil society by supporting hospitals, schools, clinics, and social service agencies. These ministries include cooperative efforts with Israelis and Palestinians as well as with Jews, Muslims, and other neighbors here in the United States. Through our presence in the region, and regular visits to our partners there, we see first-hand the impacts of the conflict on both Palestinians and Israelis and hear from them directly about the reality of their lives.