The Messenger - April 2023

THE MESSENGER

FROM HOPE'S HEART

IlovewhenEasterfallsinApril!Andnow,havinggone throughmysecondwinter/spring/winterintheDMV,I loveitevenmore.Marchhasuncertaintimes.Itcouldbe 77degreesoneminuteand32degreesthenext.No wondersomanyofusstruggleinMarch…thereare glimpsesofbetterdays,buttheyarealwaysmetwith skepticism.That’sverysimilartotheLentenseason.It alwaysfeelslikehopeisonthehorizon,butit’snotuntil Resurrectionmorning,whenthetombisempty,thatwe feelthecertaintyofGlory!

Ihopethatyouandyourfamilyhavemadeplanstobea partofallthatVPChastoofferintheweeksahead.From apalmparadeonPalmSunday,toacontemplative Tenebrae(ServiceofShadows)onMaundyThursday,to

theall-ages,hands-on,GoodFridayExperience,totheblow-out,joy-filledcelebrationofEaster,thenext fewweeksarefilledwithsomanypowerfulwaystoengageyourfaith!

Aswesayfarewelltowinterandembracethisnextquarterwehavesomuchtolookforwardtohereat ViennaPresbyterianChurch!Wearemovingtowardsthispublicationbeingaquarterlyoneandthatmeans for“nutsandbolts”detailsofweek-to-weekministry,you’llwanttobesuretocheckoutournewly designedweeklybulletinsandthe weeklye-newsletter Neverhesitatetoreachouttoapastor,staff member,Elder,orDeaconifyouneedmoreinformationaboutanything.We’reheretoserve!

Onapersonalnote–“certainty”seemstobethewordoftheseasonformeandmyfamily.Ihaveofficially purchasedapermanenthomeintheareaandmyfamilyissettoarrivethefirstweekinJuly!Afteralong seasonofback-and-forth,theLeesaresoreadytobeHOME!Thankyouforallofyourprayersandlove duringthepast20months

IhopethatyoufindyourselfinthatsameseasonherewithusatViennaPresbyterianChurch!Christis Risen–HeisRisen,Indeed!Ofthis,wecanbeabsolutelycertainandreadyforanewseasontobegin!

IntheGripofGrace, PastorHope

To learn more about Vienna Presbyterian Church and what to expect on a Sunday morning, scan the QR Code.

We are about people - because God care's for His people

6.6 million peoplehaveinadequateaccesstofoodandwater

Theconditionsaredire,butSimba’seffortsto feed,clotheanddiscipleanentiregenerationof youngChristianleadersinKenyaisbearinggreat fruit!Hehasrecentlylaunchedacampaignto provide$20MercyBasketsofessentialfooditems to1,500families.HavingopenedtheMugumoini communitycenterafewyearsago,thepeopleof Kibrahaveaplacetogoforfood,water(over 1,000familiesgettheirwaterfromthecommunity Centerandseven20,000litertanksare throughouttheslum),jobs,artsinstruction, sports,recreation,BibleStudyandPastor training,thelistgoeson!

Simba’smostrecentadditionwastoopen theSunRiseSchoolforAdults Inaspanof oneyear,teacherswererecruited, studentswereenrolledandtheschool achievedfullaccreditation!Thisyear’s graduatingclasswhoreceivedtheKenya CertificateofPrimaryEducation,and includeda55yearoldgentlemanwhowill nowmovetothehighschooltoattainthe equivalentofhisG.E.D.Anamazingfeat foranuneducatedadultsurvivingina slumfordecades!WepraiseGodforour partnershipwithChristianBestCampsof Kenyaandtheireffortstobuildthe Kingdom!

2.4 million livestockandcropshavebeenlostbyfarmers

CHRISTIAN BEST CAMPS OF KENYA LED BY ERIC SIMBA IS A THRIVING MINISTRY THAT VPC HAS SUPPORTED SINCE ITS INCEPTION! LIFE IS HARD IN THE KIBRA SLUM.

There are reports ofchildrenandfamilieseatingtheirdogstosurvive

Current conditions reflect:

SESSION UPDATE

GreetingsVPC!WeareexcitedtohavethisopportunitytoprovideasnapshotoftheworkofVPC’sSessionby highlightingsomerecentactivitiesandactions.

We’vehitthegroundrunningwithastrongstartinthenewyear. BytheendofFebruary,eightneweldershad beeninstalled,andourrosterofeighteeniscomplete. InadditiontoourmonthlymeetingsandtheAnnual CongregationalmeetinginFebruary,we’vebeenhonoredtocometogethertoreceivealargeclassofnew members,togatherwithour25confirmandsandtheirfamiliesastheypreparedtojointhechurch,andtohear fromlongtimememberandrecentseminarygraduateCourtneyVereide–withjoy,Sessionunanimously endorsedhercandidacyforordinationinthePCUSA Ourcalendarisfull,andsoareourheartsaswecontinue theimportantworkofourchurch!

Bynow,you’velikelynoticedthatournewsletterhaschangedabit,andwe’dliketosharetheprocessthat broughtaboutthosechangestolife. BackinJanuary,weresolvedtoevaluatewhetherthisnewsletterandother communicationsweremeetingourtransformationobjective–toimprovecommunicationacrossthechurch. ThroughtheworkofEldersLindaMansonandKarenMokateengagingwithmembersfromawidespectrumof VPClife,welearnedthatourcommunicationeffortshadimproved.Someadjustmentsdidcometolight, however,inordertoallowustodoabetterjobprovidingcurrentinformationtomeettheneedsofmembersand visitorsalike.

Asaresult,inFebruary,weapprovedthefollowingsteps:

Replace The Monthly Messenger withthisquarterlypublication The Messenger availabledigitallyandinprint. Expandtheweeklybulletintoincludeupcomingeventsinadditiontotheorderofworshipandprayer concerns.

ContinueourpopularVPCweeklye-newsletterwithoutchange,providingtimelyinformationataglance. Reintroduceourvisitorbrochurefullofinformationofinteresttovisitorsandnewmembers.

IncreaseuseoflinksandQRcodestoprovideeasyaccesstoadditionalinformationforthosewhoseekit

Asthisisbeingwritten,wearepreparingforournextStatedSessionmeetingandlookingforwardtoreceivingthe reportsfromthevariouscommitteesandministriesthatformourchurchfamily. Inthisspace,wewillcontinueto highlightsomeofourworkeachquarter. Asalways,ifyouhavequestionsorfeedback,pleasereachouttoanyof theelders,orcontactusbyemailat session@viennapres.org.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

FirstQuarterFinancialReport(March31,2023)

VICKI SUMNER DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY

Vicki comes to us from Gainesville, Florida where she has been leading both children’s and youth ministry for over a decade. She holds a Bachelor of Music Ministry degree from Warner University and a Certification in Youth and Theology from the Princeton Theological Seminary’s Institute for Youth Ministry. She brings a contagious joy for the Lord and is a champion for young people! Vicki and her family (husband Matt and two boys) will join the VPC family in June.

STEPHANIE SECKINGER ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR OUTREACH, CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH MINISTRIES

Stephanie and her husband, Ryan, joined VPC in 2011 Their three children, Elizabeth, Ruth and James, were all baptized at VPC and have participated in many youth and children’s ministries. The Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group first drew Stephanie to VPC back in 2009. From there, the whole family started attending. Stephanie served for several years on the leadership team of MOPS and then MomsNext, and also has been active in teaching Sunday School for elementary ages and serving at VBS. Stephanie cannot speak highly enough about the impact three years in Growing Your Soul had on deepening her faith. Stephanie begins April 17.

STACILYNNE SMITH WELCOME, FELLOWSHIP AND VOLUNTEER MANAGER

Staci brings a heart of service to VPC and delights in helping others know the joy of Christ.She has a passion for people and has served in churches and the Northern Virginia Community for over ten years. Staci has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Administration.

Staci is the proud mother of three adult daughters, and she enjoys making jewelry and cooking. She spends much of her free time enjoying family, participating in vendor events, providing home care to the elderly, and catering small parties. Staci joins the staff on April 10.

CLAIRE MCCRACKEN DIRECTOR OF PRESCHOOL

Claire enjoys being involved in the life of the church in many ways (Women’s Seasonal Brunch Series and Children’s Ministries) and volunteering in her community. Her time is also devoted to family, reading, traveling, exploring culinary arts, and challenging her green thumb in the garden.

Claire is delighted to bring her expertise in education, managing programs for non-profit organizations and state agencies to the Preschool at VPC. She previously worked as an elementary school teacher and a Program Manager for a pediatric therapeutic learning center. She has a Masters in Education from George Mason University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Claire joins the VPC family on June 26.

LifeTogether

"I really enjoyed how the group (Been There, Done That) brought in a panel of experts to talk about mental health and communication strategies I also appreciate how the group is so respectful of different experiences and perspectives " --AparentfromFirstSundays

"I'm so appreciative to have such a welcoming, safe, and supportive space to connect with other parents (Been There, Done That) who are going through similar situations The panelists and group discussions have broadened my perspective in many ways, and I've learned a lot from them "

EncouragementinFaithAbounds

100 Women

gatheredinMarchforablendofgreatcompany, comfortfood,andinspiringmessages.Thetopic? God’sunfailingfaithfulness.Theresult?Wonderful memoriesanddeeplyfeltencouragement.

MeaningfulRelationships

EachSundayinourWonderLabeveryonegatherstogethertoexperienceGod’s BigStory.Weweren’tsurehowhaving4–12yearoldsinthesameroomwould go.Butthroughthisopportunitywehaveseenmeaningfulrelationshipsform betweenouryoungerandolderkids.WhenwepullouttheBiblestoread,our “bigkids”arerighttheretohelpfindthepassageandreadtheScripturewiththe youngerones.OneSunday,oneofouryoungerkidsshared“Idon’tknowmuch abouttheBible”andanolderkidsatbesidehimandsaid,“That’sok,you’ll learn.”Anothertime,weoverheardoneofourolderkidsexplaining,“Matthewis intheNewTestament.That’swhereJesusis.”Ithasbeenbeautifultoseehow ourbigkidsstepup,encourage,andinvestinouryoungerkidsjustbybeing giventheopportunity.

HAPPENINGS AROUND VPC

WelcometoVPC.Thelifeofourchurchisveryactive. Wehavemanypaths tohelpyougetconnected,learnmore aboutGod,andserveothersregardlessofyourage.AtVPC,youwillmakefriends,findencouragement,and receivecareandsupport.Weencourageeveryonetofindasmallgroup,aclass,aBiblestudy,achoir,amom's grouporotherlifegroups.

NewGroupSeriesStartingAfterEaster

FromSundaymorningclasses,toweekdaylifegroups, toonlinegatherings,there'sagroupforyoutogrow closertoChristandcommunityatVPC.Getmoreinfo aboutgroupsatwww.viennapres.org/adultsorin thegroupfinderbookletattheWelcomeCenter.

60sPlusFellowship

April11|11:30am-1:30pm

Atimeforour60sPlusgrouptogatherfor fellowship,potlucklunch,devotionalandamonthly program.Thismonth'stopicwillfeaturelovingand caringforthosewithdementia.

PlaygroundPlaydates

April14&22|9:30-11:00am

Atimeforparentsandtheirchildren,infantstoage5 andexpectingparentstoenjoytimetogetheronthe VPCplayground.Formoreinformation,contact HeatherBoehmatheather.boehm@viennapres.org

Let'sRideTogether

April15|9:30am

VPCBicyclistsjoinusforbikingtheW&ODTrailwith lunchatCarolinaBBQinAshburn(milemarker27.5) Bringyourbikeandparkatthechurch.No registration,but emailCharlesGeschiereat charles.geshiere@viennapres.orgtolethimknow youarecoming.

EarthDayShreddingEvent

April22|9:00am-12:00pm

ThisFREEeventisagreatwaytoshredoldtax documentswhilesavingtrees,gallonsofoil,landfill spaceandwater!VPCParkingLot.

YouthSunday

April23|9:00amand11:15am

ThisspecialandlivelySundayisledbytheyouthof VPC.

FirstSundays

May7|5:00-7:00pm

JoinusforfamilystyledinnerfollowedbyClub(4th6thgrade);YouthGroup(7th-12thgrade);and“Been There,DoneThat”forparents.

BeOurGuest

May6|6:00pm

VPC’sfirstPromeventforourbrothersandsisters withDevelopmentalDifferences!Wewillentertain65 guests,theirbuddies,parentsandcaregiversforan eveningtheywon’tforget.Theeveningwillinclude dinner,dancing,andkaraoke.Formoreinformation contact,Susan.kenney@viennapres.orgor Sue.hamblen@viennapres.org

EstatePlanningWorkshop

May7|10:15am

Everyoneneedsawilloralivingtrust,regardlessof ageorphaseoflife,butmanyofuspostponecreating (orupdating)ourestateplan.VPCisonceagain offeringafreeestateplanningin-personseminar. Registeratwww.viennapres.org/estate-planning

Global6KForWaterWalk

May20|9:00am

OnSaturday,May20,thousandsofparticipantsfrom aroundtheglobewillwalkorrun6kilometersto bringlife-changingcleanwatertocommunitiesin need.Registeratwww.viennapres.org/missions

Children'sMusical

May21|3:00pm

TheVPCChildren'sChoirpresents Danny and the Shacks. AmusicalretellingofthestoryofDanielinthe Lions'Denandfieryfurnace.

Women’sMissionTrip!

May31-June2

Thisspecialmissiontripwilltakeustooneofthe largestmigrantfarmworkercommunitiesinthe country.LocatedoutsideofTampa,we’llvisitBeth-El FarmWorkersMinistrywithspecialemphasisonthe womenandchildreninthecommunity.Wewilloffer traininginfemininehygieneincludinghealthy relationshipsandboundaries,aVBSforthechildren, fooddistributionthroughtheministry,andthe specialencouragementofwoman-to-womanpraying, listeningandcaring!Formoreinformation,contact Sue.hamblen@viennapres.org

www.viennapres.org/calendar