Letter from Session Dear Brothers and Sisters, As we close the 2021 year, we do so with joy and gratitude in our hearts! We are blessed to be a part of what God is doing at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church, a congregation with a heart for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and a heart for our community. “Dare to be New” was the motto for 2021, a definite challenge during a pandemic! However, as you will discover in the pages of the annual report that follows, a quick look back on DHPC’s ministry happenings in 2021 reveals the incredible faithfulness of our God who led us, equipped us, and empowered us, not to mention gave us much to CELEBRATE! Here are a few ways we are celebrating God’s faithfulness: Family and student ministries are making a joyful noise: Our Children’s Ministry kicked off a new curriculum, “Orange,” in February complete with two beautiful and inviting gathering spaces - The Clubhouse and Studio 15 for ages birth through age 3 and age 4 through sixth grade, respectively. An online companion curriculum piece was also implemented for students to enjoy at home with their parents. Children’s Ministry also initiated Parents’ Night Out, hosted a Fall Faith Festival “bouncy house” and Crafts, and presented the First Annual Jingle Jam, complete with singing, games, drama, and the first ever recorded “snowfall” on our new stage! Our Youth Ministry (The Hangout) experienced similar excitement in 2021 with new and inviting gathering spaces leading to a growing youth group and more activity at the church and in the community! Through the generosity of the church, students participated in the first summer camp experience in quite some time at Forest Home (CA) and fundraised for winter camp in January 2022. Family and Student ministries hired collegeage interns to serve in the children and youth ministries. The boulders are alive with the sound of music: To the delight of our congregation and local community, our Music and Arts committee was able to reinstate the concert series which has seen not only larger crowds as the year progressed, but also a tremendous upswing in financial support from our congregation and community alike! DHPC is now home to The Fountain Hills Saxophone Quartet (featuring DHPC Music Director Jeffrey Anthony) who serve as our “artists in residence” and provided a tremendous church “community outreach” effort by performing 64 concerts in 2021!
The donuts are “tipping the scales” for great fellowship: Our Fellowship Ministry provided a diverse offering of social opportunities for our congregation’s enjoyment in 2021 – ranging from a boat cruise on the Desert Bell (Saguaro Lake) and lunch at the Lake’s Ship Rock Café to an ice cream social for the 4th of July patriotic sing-along to serving a festive feast to 170 guests at the Renaissance Yuletide Feaste. After a long pandemic hiatus, the reintroduction of our beloved coffee and donuts made the patio a favorite hangout place between worship services once again.
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Desert Hills Presbyterian Church • 2021 ANNUAL REPORT
