March Valley Vine 2019

the

Valley Vine

March 2019

Volume sixty-four, Number two

Valley Presbyterian Church

IN THIS ISSUE Peter & Liksina

By Chris Woodard

Picking Preschool

By Meghan Gottfredson, Crystal Anderson, Chelsea Neitzig, & Amy Whiteman

A Dinner's Evolution

By Charlee Turner

Senior Pastor

DAVID JOYNT I taught my last Inquirers Class on January 27! I’ve been doing similar classes since 1991, in all three congregations I’ve served, and led my very first one at my home church in 1980. New member classes are one of the most enjoyable parts of ministry.

Hearing the faith stories and learning how God has drawn them to His work at VPC is energizing and encouraging. I will miss it!

So why then am I excited that we are ending these special events?

Because starting right now, we will welcome people into our church in a new and wonderful way.

Every Sunday, at all of our services, we will invite those who want to join to meet with an Elder team. No more delay between feeling God’s direction and waiting weeks or months for a class.

The Elders will listen to these folks express their desire to grow in faith and love at VPC. Each one will be voted in and prayed for on the spot.

A second step will involve a new team of lay leaders—VPC Connectors. They will contact new members within two weeks, meeting with them to answer questions and learn their faith stories, backgrounds, and inquire about their passions, interests, and needs. These connectors will be like guides, helping new members find ways to serve, grow, and make friends. We are currently creating resources for them to share and explain our theology, our ministries, and our missions. Regularly at worship, during announcement time, we will welcome those who’ve joined.

Finally, on a quarterly basis, we will invite new members to a celebration lunch to meet staff and check in on their experience and progress.

While designing this new process, which I call Invitational Incorporation, I discovered a remarkable fact. Before the 1950s, a similar model was used by Presbyterians all over the country, according to Reformed Church Historian Dr. Jim Singleton.

This new approach has several advantages: It expresses our expectant faith that God will teach people and call them to participation in our community. It expresses, in the context of worship, Jesus’ spirit of welcome and invitation. It involves more than Jane Russell and me in the process. The amazing Jane has single-handedly been the welcome and follow-up team for visitors, and I have run the classes, with help from the Outreach Team. Now more of our members can join in the joy of connecting with those God is bringing, helping them find a place in our community, and spreading this ministry more widely among us.

This process will be easier and more personal for new members, allowing us to discover more about them and to help them know more about us—fostering more depth of relationship and involvement.

If you’ve been attending and have been unable to come to class— now is your chance! I’ll miss new member classes, but I can’t wait to see how God will use this new initiative to grow VPC. Yours faithfully,

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Cover Photo by Craig Smith on Unsplash

Highlighte d

EVENTS

Women's Ministry

Sip & Social Justice

Tuesday, March 5, 6:30-8:30PM Camp Social Patio (6107 N. 7th St., Phoenix) Cost:$30, Sign up: vpc.church/women Learn about doing local charity work!

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, March 6 5:15PM- Free dinner, Landes Patio 6:30PM- Worship, Landes Center Reflect on God's salvation story

Parenting the Love & Logic

Way

Wednesdays, March 13-April 10 6-7:30PM, Calvin Center, Cost: $40 Sign up online: vpc.church/oasis Help your kids make responsible choices.

Foundation Dinner Friday, March 29, 6PM Arizona Country Club Tickets: vpf.givesmart.com

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THE FISHERMAN AND THE BLIND ORPHAN

By Chris Woodard Mission Director

Chris: chrisw@vpc.church

I will never forget the first time I met Liksina.

We were driving on endless dirt roads through a very rural area of Malawi. I was riding in a lorry with Daniel Moyo, the Program Director of Ministry of Hope. The back of the lorry was filled with supplies; maize, beans, soya, and firewood. We were making a surprise visit to the orphanage where Liksina lived to deliver left-over supplies from our food security program. Along the way Daniel told me the story of how Ministry of Hope met Liksina.

The Ministry of Hope mobile medical team and a team from America had partnered to provide basic health and wellness needs for people in the rural areas surrounding Lilongwe. Hundreds, if not over a thousand, villagers came out for this medical service. One of the Americans on the trip came over to Daniel and asked him to translate. This American, a fisherman named Peter, had noticed a young girl off to the corner all by herself—she seemed in distress. Peter and Daniel went over to talk to her, and learned that she was an orphan and moreover she was blind. She literally was the least of these, with no one to care for her. She was on her own. Peter, moved by the interaction, wanted to do something. He and Daniel learned of a place that specialized in taking care of blind children. Peter took it upon himself to provide the funds to ensure that Liksina would get the proper care she needed and vowed to return every year to visit with her and make sure she receives proper care.

So there we were, driving a lorry full of supplies heading to the orphanage to meet with Liksina and deliver the surplus of food. A man came to greet us as we arrived at the orphanage, he had an expression I've never seen on a person’s face; it was this mixture of fear and awe.

Daniel had an animated conversation with the other man, with some tears and finished with a hug. I was confused at what was happening and very interested in learning what was going on. Daniel explained that the man was the head of the orphanage. That morning he had called a prayer meeting with his staff because they had run out of food and there was no more support coming from the government. They did not have a plan moving forward other than to ration the few supplies they had remaining. They prayed to God for a miracle. He didn't know we were on our way with enough food and supplies to get them through the entire lean season. It was truly an amazing experience to witness.

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Tiffany Pondelik & Oasis Kids!

I looked over at Peter, the man who had helped Liksina. He simply shrugged and said, "this is what our God does." I was overwhelmed. We visited with the staff and interacted with the children of the orphanage. Peter and Liksina were able to spend time together to continue their improbable relationship.

This entire experience had started because of the relationship between a fisherman from America and a blind girl from Malawi.

Our God is the God of impossible relationships.

Through those relationships, God takes what seems to be simple human efforts and turns them into miracles.

This unconventional relationship, between Peter and Liksina, reminded me of another like it. In the fourth chapter of John we see a tired Jesus taking a break by a well during the mid-day. At the well, Jesus asks a Samaritan woman to draw him some water to drink. The woman is shocked; a Jewish rabbi would never speak to a Samaritan woman in public. This is who God is­­—a God of relationships that breaks any barrier to connect with the marginalized. In this brief conversation, we see Jesus breaking through geographical, ethnic, cultural, gender, socioeconomic, and class barriers to connect with a woman who is in pain and being marginalized. Our God is using what seems like impossible relationships to continue the ministry of reconciliation and redemption to the entire world. Peter and Liksina are living examples of that.

I had the privilege to study under Dr. Bryant Meyer for a semester in Seminary. Dr. Meyer is a leading voice of mission work around the world. In his decades of real world experience, coupled with years of research, he has concluded that the root cause of any marginalized person or group is a fundamental breakdown in a relationship. When the relationship is established people regain their value and place in a society, and this is exactly where God steps in. God is using His people around the world to reach across human barriers to be in authentic relationships with others, to bring value to each other and serve as God’s redemptive purpose. I think Paul says it best in 1 Thessalonians 2:8-

Chris Woodard & Helen Zimba

We were delighted to share with you, not only the Gospel of God, but our very lives as well because you had become so dear to us.

God is using impossible relationships to do amazing works across this world! We were able to celebrate this truth at this year’s Scottsdale & Paradise Valley for Africa’s worship service and festival. What a great morning of worship with the Chancel Choir, Worship Band, Oasis Kids! Choir and Valley Day School singers.

We welcomed special guests Liz Heinzel-Nelson from Villages in Partnership and Helen Zimba from Ministry of Hope. Liz and Helen were able to share with us all that God is doing in Malawi through their ministries and our relationship with them. At the festival, we learned what life is like in Malawi through hands-on stations that taught us about food, water, health and wellness, education, and home life. It was truly an amazing morning of worship and service!

Thank you for being a church of relationships.

Thank you for being a church that believes God uses impossible relationships (like a church in the Valley connecting with the people of Malawi) to participate in His redemptive purposes. Thank you for being a church that opens up your lives to reach across human barriers into the lives of others to live into a full and abundant life. If you would like more information on what God is doing in Malawi please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Liz HeinzelNelson

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THE HIDDEN GEM PRESCHOOL

By Valley Day School Director Meghan Gottfredson, Crystal Anderson, Chelsea Heitzig, & Amy Whiteman

Meghan: meghang@vpc.church

How would you choose the perfect preschool?

It’s the time of year when this question is on the minds of parents around the Valley. Two years ago, Valley Day School parent Crystal Anderson was one of these parents. Here's her story of finding VDS: While sitting at an Einstein’s Bagels, eight months pregnant with my second child, a Mom I hadn’t met before struck up a conversation with me and asked me if my son was enrolled in preschool. I explained that he wasn’t; I had just begun looking for schools but as a first time mom I found the hunt for the perfect preschool overwhelming. She kindly suggested that I check out the preschool where her children went and immediately got my email address and sent me over all the information. Soon after, I contacted Meghan and set up a tour within a few days. Both Meghan and Molly were in the office the day of my tour, and they were so welcoming to my almost three-year-old son and myself. My son, Liam, immediately felt comfortable enough to join some children in a nearby activity while Meghan answered my plethora of questions. I left our tour feeling confident that VDS was where we were supposed to be, and so thankful for a mom who was willing to share this hidden gem of a preschool with me over a bagel.

Fast forward a few weeks, to the first day of school. My family was welcomed with such kindness and love as we navigated this new season of having a preschooler and a newborn. Liam’s teachers immediately loved on him, fostered his sense of independence and helped him navigate his role as a big brother. The transition was seamless; Liam immediately loved going to school. He happily came home after each school day and recounted trips to chapel, sang new songs learned from Ms. Sunshine, shared knowledge learned from his teachers and stories from interactions with his new friends. We immediately felt the blessing of having discovered VDS. Finding VPC’s preschool has also allowed me to discover other programs that have blessed my family during this season of raising young children. MOPS has allowed me to engage in great conversations around parenting and marriage, spiritual enrichment, and develop strong bonds with fellow moms of young children. VBS allowed my child to continue to build his relationship with Christ, while also giving him an opportunity to see friends and his favorite teachers during the summer break.

Valley Day School’s impact reaches far beyond the children enrolled. Parents, siblings, and the surrounding community see and feel the difference that VDS’s staff is making in the lives and hearts of children every day.

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How does a family choose a preschool? It’s difficult.

There are many factors to consider, and each preschool has different things to offer. In almost every situation, families have heard about our school from friends.

Families frequently share that they’ve heard only the most wonderful things about our program.

The Heitzig Family toured numerous preschools in the area before choosing VDS. Here is their story:

Day School parent Amy Whiteman feels grateful that her three boys are able to attend VDS:

Three years ago, when it was time to select a preschool for our daughter, my husband and I toured many preschools in the area. I wanted to give them all a fair look and see what felt right. Ultimately, we ended up choosing Valley Day School, where I went to preschool 30+ years ago.

We couldn't be happier with our experience at Valley Day School. All three of my boys attend and they literally run into their classrooms in the morning. I know that when I drop them off, loving teachers, staff, and other sweet students surround them. I'm thankful my boys get to be in a Christian environment where they learn about God's love while also growing socially and academically. We are so blessed to be a part of this community.

Since then my son has also started, my daughter is now in her third year, and to say that both of my kids are so excited in the mornings for school is an understatement.

Each morning we are greeted by so many smiles, starting with the amazing Ms. Meghan, so many happy friends and their parents (many of which we have become good friends with over the past few years), and the most sweet, kind, loving teachers ever.

VDS takes wonderful care of our children both physically, academically, and spiritually, and they care about our whole family, making sure we feel encouraged, supported, and that we have the tools to navigate this time of raising young children. We are blessed to be a part of this community and cannot thank Ms. Meghan and the wonderful teachers enough.

We still have three months remaining in the current school year, but Valley Day School is busily planning for next August. We’ve enrolled new students and filled new classes. Our preschool is full for the coming 2019-2020 school year, and it’s only February! This has become a trend at Valley Day School- we fill months in advance of the coming school year without hanging a single sign or much advertising. Parents line up at our gate hoping for information and tours. The calls and emails requesting admission pour in throughout the year. The waitlist is long.

Day School Friends

There are churches on most corners all around town, but only a handful of these have preschools. How lucky are we to have such an offering drawing young families to our campus all week long? Families often describe our preschool as a hidden gem, and we believe this to be true.

On February 24 we welcomed VDS students and their families to sing at the Scottsdale and Paradise Valley for Africa worship service. Our families filled the first four rows quickly before spilling into the aisles and finding floor seating right up front. As our preschoolers crowded the top steps, ready to belt out songs led by one of their beloved teachers, our families beamed.

What a special morning! It was the chance to celebrate the work our church does in Malawi as well as the work we’re doing right here in the heart of our campus.

The work at Valley Day School is some of the most important kind. We see our role as one similar to family ministry – supporting and nurturing children and their parents, and we’re grateful that we get to do the kind of work we do each day.

Fun at Chapel

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GOOD TIMES FOR A GOOD CAUSE

By Valley Presbyterian Foundation Administrator Charlee Turner, Linda May Bucher, Mickey Rufenacht, Candy Unruh, George Bosworth, & Matt Voris

Charlee: foundation@vpc.church

Two years ago, as a new VPC employee, I was introduced to a group of strong, opinionated, loving, kind, and hardworking men and women who were tasked with hosting Valley Presbyterian Church’s largest fundraiser event: The Annual Foundation Dinner. For over 13 years, this evolving and growing group has been instrumental in their service to raising funds for VPC’s many ministry areas, funding educational and missional grants, subsidizing the costs of free concerts and events, supporting the costs of property preservation, and more.

The idea for the Annual Foundation Dinner, known at its creation as the Foundation Celebration Banquet, came from longtime VPC member and Board Trustee Sam Kelsall’s push to grow awareness and membership in the Valley Presbyterian Church Foundation’s Legacy Society, which at that time had only six participants. A simple chat with Sam reveals a man who might seem all business, but who is passionate about his volunteer work and busy in those pursuits. He doesn’t hesitate to share a couple of mishaps on the first go-around at this event where trustees acted as both hosts and waiters. He laughs as he remembers when the trustees realized there wasn’t enough food to go around! They had to portion smaller and smaller servings just to feed everyone and ended up sharing bologna sandwiches that evening with each other. That night the Legacy Society grew by 20! That number, now tripled, assisted Foundation’s ability to contribute 5% of annual earnings to VPC, and contribute $1.5 million toward the A New Heart for the Valley Capital Campaign. It was from this foundation that our dinner committee has evolved.

This once small fundraiser, first hosted in the Landes Center, has grown in attendance and in magnitude, offering our congregation a chance to interact and get to know one another better. Four years ago, the dinner introduced the Annual Fund the Need project to focus on and repair capital needs of the church. In 2017, the event paid for new kitchen appliances and upgrades in the Landes Center kitchen and repairs to the Kilgore Chapel stained glass windows.

Just last year, Fund the Need donated $57,000 to VPC mission partner Family Promise of Greater Phoenix. That donation allowed first time homeless families to offset the cost of childcare expenses, providing 800 total days of care to 40 children in 2018, with money remaining for the next few years!

March 29, 2019 marks my third year as a member of the Annual Foundation Dinner committee. I continue to find myself in awe and overwhelmed by how effortless our growing group of volunteers makes planning this event.

Moments that may seem like crisis are taken in stride; it's a beautiful example of the wisdom God gives to those who have walked with Him in his teachings.

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Pictured (left): Fun at the 2018 Foundation Dinner; Roaring Twenties

On behalf of the Foundation Dinner Committee, I hope you will take a moment to register online at vpf.givesmart.com to learn more about this fun-filled event that benefits many worthy causes. Purchase a ticket or just browse and bid on our silent auction items from home! Our goal this year is to give each member the opportunity to participate, even if you can't attend. Our theme this year is Havana Nights. Don’t miss it!

The Foundation has millions of dollars under its care, but the team's biggest asset is its people, not its financial resources. Here are some thoughts from the exceptional group of people I get to work with: Nine years ago I was introduced to VPC and its campus life. I attended my first Foundation Dinner event, themed that year as Mardi Gras. Several of us donned enormous feather headdresses that night … probably 24-inches tall, wore garishly colored dresses, and many, many beads. A group of us trailed one another into the dining room waving handkerchiefs to the tune of When the Saints Go Marching In. I love the atmosphere of our dinner events. Just a great time to live in the moment with one another and enjoy a festive time.

–Linda May Bucher When I think back to my fondest memory of the Foundation Dinner, what stands out most vividly was the decision to theme our dinners. They made the event a place to be and gave us the opportunity to explain to a larger crowd, the importance of the Foundation Dinner and the role it plays within our church. I look forward every year to working with my faithful friends on this event, and am continually amazed by the talent and commitment of new volunteers. It is the best time.

–Mickey Rufenacht

My favorite memories encompass the Foundation Dinners where funds were raised to specifically address a need of our church community. The funds raised were applied to a multitude of projects touching the VPC families across our campus. Funds were used to repair the Chapel roof preventing further water damage from a leaking roof. An irrigation pipe was installed allowing for greater distribution of water for the campus landscape. The Fireside bathrooms received a much-needed renovation. A great event for many worthy causes.

–Candy Unruh Best Memory from Foundation Dinner was when we first introduced the Fund the Need program in 2014. Working closely with the Auctioneer we identified items that represented deferred maintenance such as new Landes Center chairs, Chapel and Crossing roof repair, and water pipe repair. Thanks to early sizeable donations (including $10,000), we surprised ourselves and raised $80,000+!

Providing those kind of tangible improvements helped others understand the critical role VPF plays. Everybody had an opportunity to get dressed up and to have a wonderful time with a good meal, dancing, music, and a fun time with all the auction items available.

–George Bosworth Volunteering gave me an opportunity to meet members of VPC and get better connected to our church. While I enjoyed the Mardi Gras themes being active with the committee for the Roaring Twenties would have to be my favorite year. The Dinner is a great place to meet with members you don’t know well. The atmosphere is fun and energetic, the VPC staff and pastors all attend and are fun to hang out with.

–Matt Voris

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Called

TO LEAD

In a church of our size, it is not possible for the All Church Nominating Committee (ACNC) to know the names and potential of all the members who could be passionate and committed leaders. The ACNC is the team charged with identifying VPC members who feel called to lead in the church. We invite you to prayerfully nominate those members who could serve our church in leadership positions. You are an important part of this process, and we want you to participate in the nominating process!

Nominations are now being accepted for the positions of Deacons, Elders, and Trustees of the Valley Presbyterian Foundation. The term of service is three years beginning February 4, 2020.

How do I nominate someone?

• Email the ACNC: acnc@vpc.church or call Committee Chair Jane Russell: 480-694-1186.

• On the VPC website: vpc.church/lead.

• Fill out a nomination card in worship on Sunday, March 3. Cards are also available in the church office.

What do volunteer leadership positions do?

VPC has a large and talented staff, but much of the work of the church is done through these three areas, which focus on different areas of ministry: Elder • Should have the church’s plans and best interests as their priority • Are responsible for the mission and government of the church • Should be persons of good faith, dedication, and good judgement • Should show a willingness to be a leader Deacon • Serve as leaders of ministry teams • Emphasize relationships over tasks • Should be persons of warm character and sound judgement • Should be willing to serve the church and its community Trustee • Help develop unrestricted and restricted Funds to support the capital needs of the church • Oversee investment opportunities • Distribute the investment income as prioritized

10 If you have any questions about Called to Lead or what the ACNC does, please contact Jane Russell: 480-694-1186

News from

SESSION

Session has co-opted (made official voting members) the following persons for one year: Congregational Care and Fellowship: Elizabeth Weiss, Karen Annis, Lynda Coffelt, Mary Ann Winter, Tom Van Arsdale Discipleship & Spiritual Growth: Mark Nesvig, Stephan Sciacca, Wandie Hulick, Scott Turner Finance and Operations: Dick Lockwood, Vicki Tatum, Fred Fetters Planning and Organization: Dave Winter, David Eaton, Mary Artigue Stewardship: Sarah Brammer, Kirby Kongable, Susan Waschler, Mark Fullerton, Webb Perryman, Carol Dillon

Karen Meyer Clerk of Session 480-368-6567

Session accepted with regret the resignation of Amy Greer. There will be a Congregational Meeting to vote in a new Elder.

The Building Committee is very pleased with the contractor, Robert E. Porter. The company is finalizing bids now on all aspects of the project. The Building Committee will bring a contract for the Session to approve in March.

Construction is scheduled to begin after Easter.

Session approved replacing air conditioning units in Landes Center, Room 411, and Piano Lab. The work will be done before construction starts on the Sanctuary.

VPC will now bring in new members by an invitation at each service. Those moved by God to join will be brought in at the end of the service. Elders will be available to vote them in and Connectors will set up one-on-one meetings with them to discuss activities, offerings, VPC events, and to learn about their faith journey.

Please call me with any questions or concerns.

OPERATIONS IT HAS BEGUN...

Finances &

Getting the campus ready for construction has begun! The staff spent a morning cleaning, packing away, and reorganizing rooms throughout the campus in preparation. We are excited and hope you are too!

Kris Bahr

Finance & Operations Director 480-991-6424 ext. 112 krisb@vpc.church

David Turner, David Joynt, & Chris Woodard

VPC finances year-to-date as of January 31, 2019 Income

Actual $

Budget $

Variance $

Faith Giving Other Income Total Income

225,564 7,232 232,796

240,300 8,550 248,850

-14,736 -1,318 -16,054

Pastoral Ministry Admin & Facility Mission, Outreach, Cong. Care Christian Education Worship & Music Total Expense

39,100 89,527 11,032 29,806 16,758 186,223

39,510 98,242 10,737 31,645 17,063 197,197

410 8,715 -295 1,839 305 10,974

Net Income less Expense

46,573

51,653

-5,080

Expense

John Pelton & a flying broken filing cabinet

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