Our Pastors
Transitional Pastor Janet Russell
The Rev. Janet Russell is the part-time Transitional Pastor for West Valley Presbyterian Church. She was born in Richland, Washington and raised as a Unitarian. She graduated from Reed College with a degree in organic chemistry, and worked for 11 years as a chemist. Along with her husband and children, she was baptized at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, VA. Soon afterwards she began seminary study at what was then called Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA (now called Union Presbyterian Seminary), and graduated in 1992 with many honors including the year's preaching prize. She served in churches large and small, urban and rural, in Virginia and California, for nearly 30 years before retiring in 2019. She has now returned to serving the church in response to God's call.
Rev. Russell particularly loves to help people grow in their faith, whether that be through explaining and applying Scriptures, leading in worship, prayer, or individual conversations. She regards it as a great privilege to witness and support what God can do in people's lives.
Rev. Russell and her husband have two children and three grandchildren - and she'll be very glad to tell you all about them! She is also being trained as a Master Gardener; sings in the Santa Clara Chorale; plays classical piano; and walks her dogs all over Japantown, where she and her husband live.
The Rev. Janet Russell is the part-time Transitional Pastor for West Valley Presbyterian Church. She was born in Richland, Washington and raised as a Unitarian. She graduated from Reed College with a degree in organic chemistry, and worked for 11 years as a chemist. Along with her husband and children, she was baptized at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, VA. Soon afterwards she began seminary study at what was then called Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA (now called Union Presbyterian Seminary), and graduated in 1992 with many honors including the year's preaching prize. She served in churches large and small, urban and rural, in Virginia and California, for nearly 30 years before retiring in 2019. She has now returned to serving the church in response to God's call.
Rev. Russell particularly loves to help people grow in their faith, whether that be through explaining and applying Scriptures, leading in worship, prayer, or individual conversations. She regards it as a great privilege to witness and support what God can do in people's lives.
Rev. Russell and her husband have two children and three grandchildren - and she'll be very glad to tell you all about them! She is also being trained as a Master Gardener; sings in the Santa Clara Chorale; plays classical piano; and walks her dogs all over Japantown, where she and her husband live.
Assistant Pastor Bob Harrison
(408) 252-1365
Bob Harrison has been a familiar face at WVPC for many years. He is a gifted tenor and is involved in musical worship as well as guiding the worship service on Sunday mornings. Originally an ordained pastor in the Nazarene church, he now serves as WVPC's ECO Assistant Pastor.
(408) 252-1365
Bob Harrison has been a familiar face at WVPC for many years. He is a gifted tenor and is involved in musical worship as well as guiding the worship service on Sunday mornings. Originally an ordained pastor in the Nazarene church, he now serves as WVPC's ECO Assistant Pastor.
Church Staff
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Lidia Fernandez
Facilities / Maintenance |
Our Session
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Jeff Stanish - Administration Commission
Terri Dias - Christian Education |
Nancy Hobbs - Worship
Brenda Gips - Outreach & Nominating |
Rev. Janet Russell - Moderator
Doug Gips - Clerk For more information about the role of Session and the governance of our church please visit our FAQ page.
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Our Deacons
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Maggie Day - Moderator
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Debbi Dunkley
Judy McDowell Janet Shaw Sharon Steller |
