The Messenger, January 2024

THE MESSENGER

VIENNA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH |

January is Missions Month at VPC

JANUARY 2024

FROM HOPE'S HEART

In the history of the world, there has never been a year like the one that is ahead of us! In fact, we’ve never seen a year like it before. That’s because each year is a unique gift from God --- a unique opportunity for God’s church to embody the grace and love of Jesus Christ! It’s energizing to think about all the things, old and new, that God might give us the opportunity to be about in 2024!

Traditionally, I use this space to tell stories, but for this issue I want to use it to share some really important news that is going to shape our lives together over this next year.

As I begin my 3rd year at VPC, it is a blessing to find us on solid ground and in a place where we can move forward without so many moving transitional pieces.

One of the issues that has been waiting in the wings to be addressed is our Sunday morning worship and the overall experience of Sunday mornings at VPC. This is not simply about the times or styles of services, but a comprehensive teaching on the purpose of worship and how worship shapes and forms the rest of our life together. Knowing this was coming, we called Pastor Robert who did his doctoral work specifically in the practice and theology of worship so that we’d have a resident expert assisting us in the conversation moving forward. But the church is not just the pastors. It is all of us. And so the Session has commissioned a Worship Transformation Team that will function very similarly to the Transformation Teams that served when I first arrived, who navigated us through the changes that put us on solid ground for the work of today. Pastor Robert and I, along with 8 members of the congregation: Denise Ralston, Courtney McCreesh, Bill Ichord, Larry Parthum, Jeff Hallett, Mark Richards, Kaitlyn McCarley (youth) will begin work in early January with a goal of submitting actionable recommendations to the Session by June. In early January, we will kick off a sermon series for the entire congregation called, “Why We Worship.” By early spring, this transformation team will be actively seeking congregational input and I want to urge you to begin praying now about how God might use you in that effort. And, in the end, we believe this deeply intentional work will bear fruit by the time we kick-off the fall season of worship.

There is also a second team that was commissioned by the Session to address the digital ministry strategy of VPC. Digital Ministry is so much more than just streaming worship services on Sunday morning. It is a significant outreach, discipleship, and pastoral care opportunity --- IF it is employed correctly and presented in high quality ways. This team, led by Elder, Ted Davies, includes Felicia Faragasso, RJ Clarke, Anna Lee, and Gina Florence, all of whom represent a broad spectrum of our church and includes a “digital native” (someone who was born into the digital world and has never known life apart from it). It is staff-assisted by Pastor Robert. The goal of this team is to develop our digital ministry strategy from the ground up and set the course for years to come. Their target date for recommendations to the Session will be in June.

This important work will be running in tandem with the many ministries already in full swing at VPC --ministries like Confirmation, Sacraments class, mission trips, pastoral care groups, fellowship opportunities, and adult Bible studies, with our mission of being a caring fellowship, bringing Christ into our diverse community, through discipleship and service, ever before us.

What I love about 2024 already is that we are embracing the present, but anticipating the future. And a future that is filled with Christ, is one that holds endless opportunities for abundant life! We’ve got a lot of living to do in this new year and, together, we will discover how unique and wonderful God has created this year to be!

In the Grip of Grace,

www.viennapres.org

JANUARY IS MISSIONS MONTH AT VPC ABOUT VPC MISSIONS Did you know that VPC invests over $450,000 supporting Kingdom workers in the field? From our own backyard to Colombia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Kenya, Uganda, El Salvador, Haiti, Mexico and many other areas in the world, our partners tirelessly work to provide disaster relief, humanitarian aid, development of sustainable leadership, and most importantly, salvation through meeting and knowing Jesus.

Our Mission Team is blessed to hear firsthand accounts of their successes, challenges, and prayer requests as we rejoice in their praises and lament the inevitable sadness that comes with serving those in such dire need.

The month of January is your opportunity to meet our mission partners in person and learn more about the amazing work they are doing as Christ’s hands and feet in the world. Each Sunday in January, the VPC family will meet a few members of your Missionary family. We invite all to the Fellowship Hall at 10:10 am to meet the spotlight partners of the week.

Every Sunday, following the 11:15 am worship service, everyone is invited to the Fellowship Hall for a light lunch and an extended time of conversation with our visiting mission partners.

SPOTLIGHT PARTNERS JANUARY 7: COMMUNITY COALITION FOR HAITI & THE SHEPHERD CENTER JANUARY 14: ACCION MINISTRIES & RESET180 JANUARY 21: CHRISTIAN BEST CAMPS OF KENYA & LIGONIER CAMP & THE LAMB CENTER JANUARY 28: NEW HOPE BULGARIA & NEW HOPE UKRAINE & DAYS FOR GIRLS

www.viennapres.org/missions

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HAPPENINGS AROUND VPC in January and February Welcome to VPC! The life of our church is very active. We have many paths to help you get connected, learn more about God, and serve others regardless of your age. At VPC, you will make friends, find encouragement, and receive care and support. We encourage everyone to find a small group, a class, a Bible study, a choir, a mom’s group or other life groups.

Mom’s Morning Meetup January 6 | 8:30 am Leave the kids at home and take a break to connect with other moms who are also in the thick of parenting. Saturday, January 6, 8:30 am, Caboose Tavern. For more information, contact Heather Boehm at heather.boehm@viennapres.org Confirmation January 7 | 10:10 am All 8th graders and above are invited to join us beginning Sunday, January 7 at 10:10 am to process, discern and confirm their faith in Jesus Christ as they become members of the church. For more information, contact Vicki Sumner at vicki.sumner@viennapres.org Dementia Care Ministry January 8 & February 12 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm This ministry is designed for both those caring and those suffering. Our time is divided between thoughtful whole group time and a break-out session. Lunch included. Please pre-register: lara.ferreira@viennapres.org. Meets monthly from 11 am – 12:30 pm.

Men's BBQ Dinner January 8 | 7:00 pm Guys, this is an open invite from the Monday Night Men’s Group for anyone who wants to join in on savoring some of the best BBQ around, make new acquaintances, and learn how a relationship with God can impact your life. Monday, January 8, 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Register and get more info at viennapres.org/mnm.

Women’s Gatherings January 8 | 7:00 pm & January 9 | 9:30 am Ladies, this is an open invite from the Monday Night and Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Studies to get to know women at VPC. Join us on either date for cozy sips, hors d’oeuvres, and a meaningful time connecting in Christ at VPC’s Lower Level. RSVP and get more info at viennapres.org/wbs.

60s Plus January 9 & February 13 | 11:30 am - 1:00 pm A time of fellowship for our 60s Plus group to gather for a potluck lunch, devotional and a monthly program.

Playground Playdates January 12 & 20, February 9 & 17 | 10:00 - 11:00 am A time for parents and their children, infants to age 5 and expecting parents to enjoy time together on the VPC playground. For more information, contact Heather Boehm at heather.boehm@viennapres.org CLUB January 21 & February 18 | 5:00 - 7:00 pm CLUB for 4th & 5th graders meets once a month on Sunday evening to provide a space for our preteens to learn about God and faith while building community.

Kids are invited to join us in the Upper Deck for pizza, games, and a message. Ligonier Camp will join us at CLUB! Family Mental Health January 22 | 6:00 pm If your loved one(s) suffers from mental health challenges, we invite you to come to a warm, supportive, weekly gathering in Christian community.

We will discuss the new book, “A Christian’s Guide to Mental Illness,” provide a supportive community, and pray for our loved ones. Additional information about topics can be found on our website at viennapres.org.

Questions? Contact Pastor Connie Jordan-Haas.

GriefShare February 4 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm The GriefShare community will walk with you on the path through grief toward healing and hope for the future. GriefShare meets weekly. You’ll find it to be a warm and caring environment. Participants may join the classes at any time during the 13-week series.

Classes are held in person and online via Zoom.

Ben Glenn, The Chalk Guy February 24 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm Vienna Presbyterian Church is hosting Ben Glenn and Youth Conference Ministries for an inspiring event.

Come hear The Chalk Guy’s testimony and see his incredible art performance. You will also have an opportunity to partner with YCM by making a donation to support their mission to share the gospel with middle and high school students. Sign up at viennapres.org

www.viennapres.org/calendar

GENEROSITY UPDATE THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Because of God’s grace and your joyful giving, we finished 2023 strong! We exceeded our $4 million giving goal which gives us great momentum as we move into a new year. We’re excited about what lies ahead and we are so grateful for your ongoing support. Thank you for choosing to live a life of overflowing generosity so that God’s kingdom may flourish.

SESSION UPDATE Membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is a joy and a privilege. It is also a commitment to participate in Christ’s mission. ~Book of Order (G-1.0304) In practical terms, what does it mean to be a member of VPC? Among many things, a member takes part in the life and worship here, studies Scripture, supports our mutual ministry, responds to God’s activity in the community and the world by serving others, participates in the governing responsibilities of the church, and is regularly considering ways in which their participation in worship and service can continually grow. There are many ways as a member to be active in the life and ministries at VPC -- it is a joyous and intentional commitment.

This year, Session has had the privilege to receive 71 new members through our new member and confirmation classes. In addition to the joy of welcoming those that join, it is Session’s responsibility also to maintain the church roll, which is a record of all our baptized, active, and affiliate members. In some cases, such as when members join VPC, we add names to the roll. In other cases, names are removed, such as when a member makes that request or moves out of the area and transfers membership to a new church.

Another circumstance where members may be removed from our roll occurs when members cease to participate in the life of the church for at least two years. This step is not taken lightly and only occurs after efforts are made to contact each of these members to express our desire to reconnect while offering each the opportunity to confirm their desire to remain on the active roll.

Last fall, our Session conducted a thorough evaluation of our membership roll, something that had not happened since well before the pandemic. After several months of work and outreach, we have concluded that our membership now stands at 1,561 members.

Through this process, we were blessed by quite a number of people who assured us that they indeed wished to reconnect and continue as members. Also, we found that those who contacted us to say they wished to be removed from the roll were people who had moved from the area and in many cases were joining or attending churches in their new hometowns.

We feel that we now have a current, accurate understanding of VPC’s membership. We are excited to see how God continues to grow the VPC family in 2024 with joy and hope!

www.viennapres.org

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

A Caring Fellowship Bringing Christ Into Our Diverse Community Through Discipleship And Service Vienna Presbyterian Church | 124 Park Street, NE, Vienna, VA 22180 | www.viennapres.org | 703.938.9050