On March 16, 2022, I informed the Session (church governing body) of First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto, that I would be leaving at the end of April. Below is the letter shared with the congregation the next morning. As I share in my letter with the larger community, I…

Our well of creativity has not run dry, we’ve just been taught that the life that it provides is not worth drinking. Dear Pastors and Church Leaders — I feel you. It’s been a time. As I take a breath to reflect on these past 18 months, it has become abundantly clear that, in attempting to faithfully lead a congregation during this pandemic, my creativity has been ever so slowly withering away…

June 1, 2021 Dear LGBTQIA+ Siblings, My name is Bruce Reyes-Chow, I am the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto, and I write to you today to reaffirm what I am sure you already know — YOU ARE LOVED. Oh, and Happy Pride 2021! I write to you…

I wrote this litany in response to the massacre of eight people, includes six Asian American women in Atlanta on March 16, 2021. I come out of the Christian tradition and I wrote this especially for my AAPI siblings for whom this spirituality is part of their journey. ONE: The history…

This is the Good Friday service from Friday, April 2, 2021, hosted by First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto. The service was lead by Moderators and Vice Moderators from around the country. …

For as long as I can remember I have used the following Charge & Benediction when leading worship (The things said at the end of a church service, kind of a sending and blessing as we go into the world). Go forth into the world with compassion and justice in…

Being new to Palo Alto, I am just now getting involved with some local politics. Not only is my new city grappling with ongoing conversations about housing, open spaces, etc, but they are now making some efforts towards addressing institutional racism, policing, and #BlackLivesMatter. Here are the 10 City Council…

From Past Moderators, Co-moderators, and Vice Moderators of The General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Predecessor Church Dear Siblings and Friends of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Grace and peace in the name of Jesus Christ our Brother, Savior, and Lord! …