OCTOBER 2024
Welcome New Members
In Jesus Christ, God calls people to faith and to membership in the Church, the body of Christ. The baptism (or reaffirmation of baptism) of those who enter the covenant of membership upon their own profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior witnesses to the truth that God’s gift of grace calls forth a response of faithfulness. (BookofOrder,G-1.0301)
Todaywearewelcomingthesetennewmembersandtheirfamiliesthrough:
Publicprofessionoffaith 1. Certificateoftransfer 2. Reaffirmationoffaith 3.
They were formally received into membership by vote of our Session on October 27, 2024duringacalledmeeting.
How we praise and thank God for choosing to add to the body of Christ gathered as ViennaPresbyterianChurch!
ThewordofGodcontinuedtospread;the numberofthedisciplesincreasedgreatly... Acts6:7
ANDREW HUYNH
AndrewHuynhisexcitedtojoinVPCbyReaffirmationof Faith. Andrew was drawn to VPC by the mission statement's focus on diversity. He also loves the numerous opportunities VPC provides for fellowship, discipleship, and service. Andrew is a high school teacher for Loudoun County Public Schools and looks forward to using his gifts to support the VPC Kids and Youth Ministries. Andrew and his wife, Kasey, have been married for three years and are expecting their first child in May of 2025. One of Andrew's favorite verses is Psalm56:3-4,"WhenIamafraid,Iputmytrustinyou.In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid.Whatcanmeremortalsdotome?"
KASEY HUYNH
Kasey Huynh is looking forward to joining VPC through Reaffirmation of Faith. Kasey has been actively attending VPC with her husband, Andrew, for many years and is excited to take the next step towards church membership. Kasey is grateful for the many opportunities at VPC to serve, grow in understanding of God's word, and be in fellowship with other Christians. Kasey is a speech language pathologist in Loudoun County Public Schools. She is using her passion for children and youth by serving with the youth group during the Sunday School hour. Kasey, along with her husband Andrew, are excited to grow their family by welcomingtheirfirstchildinMay2025.Kasey'sfavoriteverseisRomans15:13,"MaytheGodofhopefillyou with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
CHONG AND KAY LEE
Chong and Kay are delighted to be joining VPC by Reaffirmation of Faith. They have been coming to VPC since October 2022 and are drawn to its diverse community, active ministries, and pastoral leadership. Theyaresearchingtoseeinwhatareatheycanserve.
ChongandKayhavebeenmarriedfor37yearsandhave2 grown children. Their daughter, Kirsten, lives in Vienna with her husband, Daniel, and young daughter, Emma. Their son, Chris, lives in Los Angeles, with his wife, Kalissa.
Their favorite Bible verse is the same coincidentally, Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, ”plans to prosper you and not to harm you,planstogiveyouhopeandafuture.”
ESTHER NECKERE
Esther Neckere is joining VPC by Reaffirmation of Faith. Esther and her husband Joachim moved to Northern VirginiafromMarylandthreeyearsagotobeclosetotheir twodaughters.DuringthattimesheattendedVPCchurch with her daughter Barbara Holmes, and was convinced that the sermons, music, and friendly outreach programs were for her. She was also comforted by the church after thedeathofherhusband.
She graduated from a Presbyterian college in Jamestown, ND, and finished with a master's in English from the University of Chicago. She was a writer for the Iowa Testing Programs and taught English in a number of schools. She is now retired and enjoys VPC’s 60’s Plus group. Her favorite Bible verse is from John 8… “and you shallknowthetruth,andthetruthshallsetyoufree.”
GEORGE MCELWEE
George McElwee is delighted to join VPC by Reaffirmation of Faith, embracing the spiritual growth and sense of belonging of a supportive church community. Drawn to VPC’s Missions Ministry, he is eager to engage in meaningful service through programs like the Hypothermia Prevention Program. George’s career has spanned roles as a congressional staffer,federallobbyist,andNavyReservePublicAffairs Officer, experiences that have deepened his commitment to service. He and his wife, Joy, will celebrate their 17th wedding anniversary in December. They are blessed with two wonderful daughters, Emma and Madeline. Inspired by Psalm 67:1, George feels God’s mercy and love: “God be merciful to us and bless us,andcauseHisfacetoshineuponus,Selah.”
JOY MCELWEE
Joy McElwee is thrilled to join VPC by Reaffirmation of Faith, reconnecting with her roots in the PresbyterianChurch,andfindingatruesenseofhomewithintheVPCcommunity.Withhertalentasan event planner, Joy is incredibly excited to support the Be Our Guest Prom mission. She and her husband, George, will celebrate their 17th wedding anniversary in December. They are blessed with twowonderfuldaughters,EmmaandMadeline.
RACHEL PECK
Rachel Peck is thrilled to be joining Vienna Presbyterian Church by Certificate of Transfer. She was drawn to VPC for its warm community of moms and young families. Married with two young boys, ages 3 and 5, Rachel is actively involved in the early childcare ministry and volunteers on Sunday mornings and during weekly programming. In her free time, she enjoys custom embroidery.
MATT SUMNER
Matt Sumner joins VPC by Certificate of Transfer from First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville FL. Matt enjoys volunteering in the nursery, ringing in the handbell choir, and participating in various mission projects VPC supports. Matt attends VPC regularly with his wife, Vicki Sumner (VPC’s Director of Youth Ministry) and two sons, Shane(11)andSimon(9).
VICKI SUMNER
Vicki Sumner is excited to be joining Vienna Presbyterian Church by Certificate of Transfer from First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville, FL. Vicki was called from Florida to serve as the Director of Youth Ministry at VPC in June 2023 and loves raising her family in such a caring and welcoming church family. She and her husband, Matt, have been married for 15 years and are delighted to call VPC their home church. Vicki loves to dive deeper into Scripture and look at the passages from the perspective of children, youth, and adults as there is always something new to discover and unpack. Her favorite versesfromScriptureareProverbs3:5-6,"TrustintheLordwithallyourheart,andleannotonyourown understanding.Inallyourwaysacknowledgehim,andhewillmakestraightyourpaths."
