February 2022 Valley Vine

the

Valley Vine

February 2022 Vol. 66, No. 12 Valley Presbyterian Church

IN THIS ISSUE: Message from Pastor David Joynt Highlighted Events Doing Life Together Ed Glady Sarah Burnette An Event Three Years in the Making Gloria Gabler Time Generosity Candy Unruh Finish Strong—Start Stronger!

Kris Bahr January Session Report Karen Meyer

Senior Pastor

DAVID JOYNT Dear friends, In 2007, the Canyon Fire ravaged Malibu, California, destroying 21 structures, including Malibu Presbyterian Church, which sits onabluovertheoceanandacrossfromPepperdineUniversity.

News of the disaster reached the students of the inner city CamdenForwardSchoolinNewJersey.Studentsandmembers fromMalibuhadbeenvolunteersandinternsattheUrban PromiseMinistryforanumberofyears.Theelementarystudents were shocked to see the charred ruins of the sanctuary, and one boyhadasuggestion.

Joséaskedhisteacheriftheclasscoulddonatetotherebuilding ofthechurch.' We$ veraisedmoneyforourclasstrip,Mr. Musack,sellingpretzels.Let$sgiveour50to 1$ helpourfriends inCalifornia."Theseventeenstudentsintheclassvoted, unanimously,todonatetheirtripmoney.

BruceMaindescribestheirony:'Kidsfromthepoorestzipcodein theUSweresendingmoneytooneofthewealthiestcommunities inthecountry.Moviestarslivearoundthecorner.Thecontrast couldnotbegreater.Richandpoor.Blackandwhite.Beautyand despair.Powerfulandweak.Whatwould50bucks 1 buyina0 1 milliondollarbuilding?Afewbricks,acouplehymnals,acanof paint.Butchildrensimplysawaneed,weremoved,andacted."

Brucedeliveredthe50to 1$ GregHughes,Malibu$spastor.When Gregtoldthecongregation,membersfundedtheclasstripto HerseyPark.Whenonefatherheardthestoryandtoldhissix th yearold,thelittleguygavehisentirepiggyback grade tothe6 class,2$.He$dwantedtoreplaceall5.His 0 1$ motherrelayedher son$sdesiretoafriend,whosehusbandhadleftthefamily.This newlysinglemomhadjustsoldherweddingringtosupporther children.Shetitheditsvalueanditcameoutto28.With 1$ the littleboy$s50went 1 2$ , backtotheclassinCamden.

Eachactofgenerosityinspiresanother,andoutoftragedy andstruggleemergesacircleofgraceandgoodness.am amazedandinspiredbytheremarkablegenerosityofourVPC congregationoverthelastnumberofyears:buildingspaces, startingministries,supportingsta,andchangingthework andtrajectoriesofourmissionpartners.Aswemoveintothe opportunitiesof20,can$twaittoseehowGodmovesusto createnewcirclesofgrace.

Yours faithfully,

P.S.BruceMainiscomingtopreachatVPConApril4!2 P.S.S.TheMalibucongregationrebuilttheirsanctuaryandare nowoneoftheleadingECOchurchesinCalifornia.

2

Cover art by Mãlina Sîrbu, Pexels.

Highlighte d

EVENTS

The Beatitudes: Living with Christ Part 2 with Pastor David Turner Wednesdays February 2—23

6-7PM, Chapel Register: vpc.church/classes

Annual

Congregational Meeting Sunday, February 6

10AM (following 9AM service), Landes Center Looking back at 2021 and ahead to 2022

Beyond the Broken Heart

A Journey Through Grief

by Julie Harbrough

Grief Class Thursdays, February 10—April 7 10-11:30AM, Chapel

(need minimum 6 people to proceed)

Register email: tammyg@vpc.church February 25 8AM-2PM, Landes Center Schedule appointment: RedCrossBlood.org Info: tammyg@vpc.church Calling All Donors Every donation is critical and you canmakealifesavingdierence.

JoinVPCandhelpsavelivesatour Deacon-sponsoredcommunity blooddrive.

3

DOING LIFE TOGETHER: Kaleidoscope Community Group

Everyone is a part of different communities.Fromcities tochurches,familiestofriends,constituentstocowo wearepartofbroadergroupsofpeople.Communities establishbondsofconnectionandcommonality.And, whenwearelucky,somecommunitiesestablishbondsof aection,caring,support,andfellowship.

Ed & Beth Glady

Ed Glady

KaleidoscopeChair

VPC'sKaleidoscopeCommunityGroupstrivestobea Christ-basedcommunitythatdoesmorethanholda weeklyclassoramonthlysocialjusticeorfellowshipe itseekstofollowChrist$smodelofcaringforitsmember andreachingouttotheworld.OurCommunityfollowsthi guidingprinciple: If you were important enough to God to create, you are important enough to us to cherish.

Weprayforoneanother,supportoneanother,cheerwhen lifebringshappiness,andmournwhenamembersuers.

WeseektogrowasChrist$sfollowersandtoliveinto Christ$scalltocontinueHisMinistrytoallpartsofG world.

AsmembersofVPCsincethe9 01s,mywife,Beth,and I have raised our children and been grateful for the love Kaleidoscopememberspouredonourchildrenand ( we ontheirs).We$ vecelebratedfamilymilestones,grieved thelossofourparents,andcomfortedotherswhenthe havesueredloss.We$ vetraveledtopeachfestivals,hik thefarreachesofArizona,pickedChristmastreesnear theGrandCanyon,andtravelledfarandwidethroughth pagesofScripture.Somefacesandfamiliescomeandgo, yetthestrongbondsofaectionandsupportremain.We continuealifetogetherasaclosecommunity,butnota closedcommunity;allarewelcometojoin,regardlessof age,gender,ormaritalstatus.

AtVPCweareblessedtohavemanyCommunityGroups thatprovidedeeperconnectionandsupporttoourla churchfamily.EachCommunityGrouphasitsownunique characterandpersonality,invitingyoutodetermine foryourselfthebest4tforyourneeds.JustasourLord traveledwithacommunityoftwelvefriendsduringHis Ministry,youtoowill4ndcomfortandsupportonthe discipleshippathaheadofyouwiththebondsyouform withinaVPCCommunityGroup.Aswehaveexperienced intheKaleidoscopeCommunityGroup,lifetogetheras aChrist- centeredcommunityisthebestpreviewoflife togetherinHeaven.

4

COMMUNITY GROUPS Boomer Community Group If you’re looking for a deeper, more personal relationship withChristianfriends,theBoomerCommunityGroupmay betheplaceforyou!

Jerry & Sarah Burnette

Sarah Burnette BoomersChair

Boomersbeganadecadeagowiththreegoals: • Provideclassestohelpyougrowinrelationshipwit theLord; • Fosterfriendshipamongstmembers; • Serveoneanotherandthecommunity.

Friendship:Weenjoyfunandfellowship!Wehavea numberofpartiesthroughouttheyearincludingpotlu ChristmasOpenHouse,andMovieNights.ForMovie Nights,weallwatchthemovieindividually,thengather member$shometounpackthe4lmwithfoodanddrinkto share.OurMovieNightmoderator,JanelWillert,thenhol anentertaining4lmdiscussion.Oursocialeventsare andverywellattended.

Service:Weservethecommunityinmanyways:preparing mealswithFamilyPromisefamilies,volunteeringatVPC eventslikeBunnyBusiness,TrunkorTreat,andFeedMy StarvingChildren.

Why Try Boomers?TheBoomerCommunityGroupwill helpyoupersonalizeyourChristianjourneyatVPCwith anintimategroupofChristianfriends.Joinusforexcell studies,funandfellowship!

Sunday Classes Sundays,AM, 03: 1 RoomC2via ( 04 ZoomuntilFebruary) 3 1 EmailSarahBurnette: sarahswiggins@gmail.com forZoom orclassinformation.

Everyclassbeginswithdelicioustreatsandcoee!

Classesaredesignedsothatyoucandropinanyweekto participate.Nohomeworkrequired!Eachone-hourclass consists of a brief lecture followed by breakout discussion groups.Hereiswhatwearestudyingthissemester: The Sermon on the Mount

ThroughFebruary13,Facilitator:DavidWinter

Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth February 20—March 27 Facilitator:BillMcKee,VPCScholarinResidence

Ethics in the World Today

April3May1 Facilitator:Dr.WarrenPettitt, ArizonaChristianUniversityProfessor

5

AN EVENT THREE YEARS IN THE MAKING

Valley Presby terian

FOUNDATION

Can you believe it’s been three years since the last FoundationDinner?That$srightourlasteventwasin Marchof.The 9 1 02 0event 2 wascancelledatthelast minuteduetoCovid-9and 1 1never 20 evenhadachance.

Sowe$ vegotsomecatchinguptodo!

Thisyear$sevent,onFriday,April,is 1 noAprilFool$sjoke!

We$reexpectingeveryonewhocomeswillhaveagreat time.Whilemanyaspectsofthedinnerwillstaythesame ( greatfood,livemusic,silentandliveauctions),therew alsobesomebigchanges.Forone,theeventwillbeheld onVPC'sAwakenCaféPlaza!Theweathershouldbelovely andasthesungoesdown,we$llenjoythegreatoutdoor atmosphereofourowncampus.

Gloria Gabler

VPFDinnerChair

Anotherbigchangeistheticketprice!Wewanttomake attendingthisgreateventasfeasibleaspossiblewh raisingmoneyforworthcauses.Oneofourcommittee$s primarygoalsistoencourageyoungeradultstoattend oeringasigni4cantlylowerticketpricethaninprevio yearsonlyavailable $5(7 atvpf.givesmart.com).n addition,therewillbemanyfamily-friendlyitemsinclud intheauctionsandpopcornra^e.

Ourtheme,A Night at the Movies,willincludemusicfrom thesilverscreenperformedbyJosielPerezandhisband duringdinner,andVPC'sValleySingers,whowillperforma mini- concertafterdinner.Additionally,weneedyoutoad tothefunbycomingdressedasafavoritecharacterfrom amovie.Welookforwardtoseeingwhatgreatformaland informalout4tswillbeatthisyear'sdinner!

EventhoughatriptoCostaRicaandaweekendatThe Wigwamwillbeontheliveauctionblock;thehighlightof theeveningisalwaystheopportunityto' FundtheNeed.( Thisyear'sFundtheNeedwilladdresssomeneeded workinourupstairsclassroomsandintheadministra buildingnewpaintandcarpetforboth.

AThe New Heart for the Valleycampaigngaveusanexcitingremodeled venueforworshipbutVPC'shardworkingPastorsand staworkinabuildingthathasn' tbeenrefreshedin02 years.Also,theupstairsclassrooms,whichareusedfor SundaySchool,adultclasses,andhostingFamilyPromise, areinneedofsomemuch-neededlove.Let$sjointogether tomatchtheseareaswiththebeautyofourremodeled spaces!

Didmentionthatticketsareavailableatvpf.givesma com?Apreviewofauctionitemscanbefoundthereas well.Joinusforthiscommunity-wideevent.Enjoyold friendsandmakesomenewones.Seeyouthere!

6

Dinner | Silent Auction | Live Auction | Live Music

Presented by

Valley Presbyterian Foundation Friday, April 1, 6PM Valley Presbyterian Church Awaken Café Plaza Tickets on sale at: vpf.givesmart.com

Feel free to dress as your favorite movie character

7

TIME GENEROSITY

Stewardship

COMMITTEE

How will you make 2022 a year for generosity?

Therearemanyfacetstogenerosityitmost oftenislinkedwithtime,talent,andtreasur Theseelementsappliedtogethermakeitposs forVPCtoprovideaplacewhereyoucanserve, where your faith can grow, where you can be loved,andwhereyoucanbelong.

Jim & Candy Unruh

Thinkaboutthegenerosityoftimethatyoucan givetoyourchurch.Thegenerosityoftimeis StewardshipCommitteeChair evidentinmanycornersofourcampus.Sunday morningsareaprimeexample;wearemetby greeters,AwakenCaféisopenbeforeandafter services,andSundaySchoolandprogramleaders oeravarietyofeducationalopportunitiest exploreourfaith,andthelistgoeson.

Candy Unruh

Manyaregenerouswiththeirtimeawayfrom campusatMentorKidsPromisedNeighborhoods, servinginMalawi,travelingtotheNavajoNat orvolunteeringonStudentMinistrymissiont Eachmomentintimeisspent,helpingindividual andfamiliesgrowintheirfaithastheyworkwit otherstoprovideabetterlifeforthosethe Anewyearisbeginning.Thankyoutoallwho generouslygivetheirtimetoVPC.Lookingfora wayto4ndaplacewhereyoucangiveyourtime?

ThenewVPCMobileApphighlightsmanyofour MissionPartnersandserviceevents.

8

What is Open Door?

TheVPCcommunityextendsfarbeyondthewallsof thechurch!Newfriendshipsarebuiltandexistingones arestrengthenedwhenwedolifetogether.OpenDoor existstoconnectpeopleinarelaxedsocialatmosphere, wherewehavethetimeandabilitytogettoknow peoplebetter.

How does Open Door work?

EachOpenDooreventishostedbyaVPCfamily,and youareinvited!fyou$renewtoourcommunityorhave been involved for years, these events will be a great way togetmoreconnected.Checkeacheventforspeci4c details.

This is a great idea! Where do I sign up?

RSVPforeacheventwillgoupamonthpriorat vpc.church/opendoor.Seeyouthere!

Open Door at the Pondelik’s Saturday, February 26, 4-6PM Miles & Tiffany Pondelik’s Home

Open Door at the Turner's Saturday, March 19, 5-7PM David & Stacy Turner’s Home

Open Door at the Keck’s Friday, April 29, 5:30-7:30PM Bill & Kay Keck’s Home

9

FINISH STRONG— OPERATIONS START STRONGER! Finances &

THANK YOU!!

Meet Raymond Peña

Sometimesthose JoiningVPC'sfacilities two little words can staisRaymond seemsoinadequate, Peña. yetsopowerfulall atthesametime.

Raymondisan Therereallyisno Arizonanative.He betterwaytoexpresswas born and raised our gratitude for incentralPhoenixand Kris Bahr youroverwhelming attendedTrevorBrownhighschool.

FinanceOperations & Director 4 80 -916 4ext.

2 21 supportofVPCall krisb@vpc.church throughout last year, RaymondhasworkedatRossDressforLess andespeciallyduringthemonthofDecember. departmentstorefor6years.Hestartedasa cashierbutwasquicklymovedtocustomerservi ntheNovemberValleyVine,wereportedthataand4nallylossprevention. signi4cantamountofthemoniesdedicatedfor ourspeci4cministrieswouldneedtobeusedRaymond to isasinglefatherofan1yearold balancethe1budget.

20 Youwereinvitedtonot daughter.Heenjoyswatchingsports,playing onlymakeyourcommitmentfor20,butalsoto basketball, and bike riding along the canals in the helpus4nish1strong 20 withsomeextrayear centralPhoenixarea. endgivingtohelppreservethededicatedaccounts formaintenance,mission,children,andstudents. fyouhaveanopportunitytoseehimoncampus, pleasegivehimabigwelcome!

Theresponsewasoverwhelmingsomuchsothat none of the dedicated accounts had to be used, andinfact,thereisasmallsurplustocarryoverto .2 0 Youreallydidhelpus FINISH to STRONG—START STRONGER! THANK YOU!!

VPC finances year-to-date as of December 31, 2021: Income

Actual $ Budget $ Variance $ Faith Giving0 8 , 3 8 9 , 1 0 0,0 8,1 Otherncome 0 3 , 9 4 3 0 4,475 Total Income 2,333,100 2,374,400

0 8,381 0 1,52 -

-41,300

Expense

Pastoral Ministry 0 7 , 8 6 4 0 7,374 AdminFacility & 0 8,260,1 0 7,080,1 Mission,Outreach,Cong.Care 91,60 0 5,351 Christian Education 0 2 , 0 2 3 0 0,873 WorshipMusic & 0 7,682 0 5,8 2 Total Expense 2,230,000 2,374,400

10

Net Income less Expense

103,100

0

0 9,71 0 9,16 0 8,75

0 0,5

0 8,1 144,400 103,100

News from

SESSION

JANUARY MEETING REPORT

SessionthankeddepartingElders:JimArner,SarahBurnette,CarmelCou BethGlady,JonKyl,andKayKeck.ncomingElders,whoozciallystartin February,wereinattendanceandintroduced:MaryArtigue,GaryEdens, ElizabethMills,RonNorris,andStephanSciacca.ncomingElderJasenLaFon wasunabletoattend.

JenniferHammgaveareviewofWorship/MusicMinistryforNeedless .12 0 2 tosay,ithasbeenachallengeduringCovid,buttheministrymovedthrough andisstrongerthanever.MutsumiMoriisthenewOrganist.DanyaTillerwas hiredasaMusicAssistant;shemanagestheValleySingers,theAM 8 service,an helpswithadministrativedutiesandchoir.PatrickMileti,VPC'sTechnic Karen Gill Meyer isdoingagreatjobmanagingournewsoundsystem.TheChoirhascontinuedt ClerkofSession 4 8 0 -3 6 8 - 6 5 7 growandismembers 24 strong.OurChristmasConcert,withchoir,fullorchestr andnarrationsoldout.Moreconcertsarescheduled,theCollingsworth SingersarepartofthenextConcertSeries.VPCisveryfortunatetohaveJenniferandtheSessio herforheramazingservice.

Sessionapprovedtransferringthe201surplusofnetincomelessexpense,approximately$10, tothededicatedaccount,SessionReserveFund.Sessionthenadoptedabalancedbudgetfor20w incomeof$2,3750andexpenseof$2,3750(subjecttomodi4cationamonglineitemsbySession, whilemaintainingazerobalancebudget).

TheNegotiatingteamforDisazliationunderJonKylisworkingwiththeAdministrativeCommis thePresbytery.TheAChopestohaveanappraisalbytheendofFebruary.TheCommitteeishopeful processwillbefair,graciousandjust. fyouhaveanyquestionorconcerns,pleasedonothesitatetocontactme.

Blessings,KarenGillMeyer ChurchozcewillbeclosedMonday,February1in 2 observanceofPresidents'Day.

Annual Congregational Meeting Looking back at 2021 and ahead to 2022 Sunday, February 6, 10AM (following the 9AM service) This annual meeting is held to affirm Pastoral Terms of Call, review finances from 2021, present the 2022 budget, and elect the 2022 All-Church Nominating Committee.

Welcome VPC Class of 2024 Elders MaryArtigue GeorgeBosworth GaryEdens JasenLafon ElizabethMills RonNorris StephanSciacca

Deacons SharonArendt Marsha Bohnett MelissaBrammer KatherineHaley Peter MacIlvaine Michelle MacIlvaine JanetO'Connor CaseyRatlief ShirleySimpson TomSimpson AnneTrauter JanelWillert

Trustees E.DavidHetz EdMacDougallSession ( Elder) CurtUllman

Deacon MarbyPruitt) 3 2 0 2 (

11

Valley Presbyterian Church 6947 East McDonald Drive Paradise Valley, AZ 85253, 480-991-6424 vpc.church

12

Pastors: David Joynt, David Turner, Chris Woodard, Travis Kingma