Rev. Margaret Boles, Interim Pastor

Rev. Dr. Margaret Willis Boles, received her undergraduate degree in music from Western Connecticut State College, a Master of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary with doctoral courses at the Evangelical Seminary of Theology of Matanzas in Cuba and a class at the Presbyterian Office of the United Nations. She is an ordained Minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

In ministry, Margaret has worked in a variety of settings for more than four decades: As Pastor for 25 years in 2 congregations, and as Christian Educator, Camp and Conference Center Director, Campus Minister, Music Director and Youth and Children’s Ministry Director. She retired as Pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto, CA in October of 2022.

Her husband, John is a professional actor and Margaret and John helped to establish theater groups in several of the congregations they called home. Their recent move to New York City was to give John an opportunity to work in his profession.

Margaret’s doctoral work focused on the transformation that takes place when God’s people move out of their comfort zone and travel to see what God is doing around the world. She has taken groups on Mission Explorations to Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Cuba, India, Guatemala, Russia, Scotland, New York City, Hawaii and to Puerto Rico, New Jersey and the US Gulf Coast for hurricane recovery and restoration.

She has served the PCUSA as Commissioner to the General Assembly and as Moderator of the San Jose Presbytery, Moderator of Council for Grace Presbytery and as member of numerous committees. She established and chaired a Mission Work Group for the Presbytery of San Jose. She also served as Trustee for the San Francisco Theological Seminary.

Margaret and John have lived in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Connecticut, Ohio, Texas, California and New York. They have three children, four grandchildren and two adorable and opinionated cats. They enjoy reading, playing board games, going to the theater, exploring museums, attending concerts and travelling. Her motto and advice to all: Don’t Postpone Joy!

Julie Suh, Church Musician

Julie Suh, our organist and pianist, joined us in 2004. She is also on the faculty of the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades Thurnauer School of Music. She was previously on the faculty of the Westminster Conservatory of Music in Princeton, NJ, and the Aaron Copland School of Music in Queens.

A former special scholarship student at Westminster Choir College and the American Conservatory of Music, Julie won the latter's 1986 and 1989 concerto competitions, resulting in performances with the ACM orchestra (Grieg and Mendelssohn piano concertos, respectively). She has also given numerous solo and chamber music recitals in Chicago, New Jersey, and New York. Among her accolades is a Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Performance at the Seventh Annual International Friendship Music Competition and a grand prize in the National Student Music Contest in South Korea.

Julie holds the Bachelor of Music degree from the American Conservatory of Music, and a Suzuki Teaching Certificate in piano. She has also done coursework toward her master's degree at Westminster Choir College. Her former teachers include Ena Bronstein, José Santana, Abraham Stokman, and Sheila Keats. Julie is a member of the Associate Music Teacher League and also teaches piano to students of all ages.

John Drastal, Office Administrator

John joined our staff in March of 2015. He previously worked for 38 years as a Senior Account Executive in the printing industry. His educational background includes a BA in Management and an MBA in Marketing from Adelphi University. John learned organizational skills and a positive approach to solving problems as a Military Policy Company Commander in the US Army.

John loves golf, traveling with his family and playing board games with his grandkids. He has been married to his wife, Sharon Horan, for 58 years. They have two married daughters and four grandchildren, all living within a mile of their home. John feels blessed that they are able to have family gatherings on a regular basis.

The Session

Our Session is composed of six ruling elders, members of the congregation who are elected by the congregation and ordained to lead the church and make decisions about what God is calling us to be and to do together. 

• Laurie Jean Ankersen

• Carol Bombardi

• Elizabeth Handler

• Aleta Saravia

• Rose Ronde, Clerk of Session

The Deacons

The Deacons assist with pastoral care and help coordinate special events for the congregation. They are also elected by the congregation and set apart through ordination for this important work. 

• Mariann Acuna, President

• Elizabeth Ankersen

• Kathy Lenz

• Mary Montgomery

• Annemarie Russo