Be A Part of Something Everlasting 2026 Commitment Campaign
Oasis Wednesdays
Mission Marketplace & Straight From the Heart Art Show
Holiday Prayer Gathering
Chapel Renewal & Preservation Update
Mary: A Christmas Cantata
Pastor Nominating Committee Fall Update
Dr. Phil Eaton & Stephanie DeHaven
Highlighted Events
Finance & Operations: 2025 Highlights
Kris Bahr
August—October 2025 Session Report
Karen Meyer
Senior Pastor DAVID JOYNT
Dear Friends,
I am very excited to update you on the renewal and preservation of our wonderful Chapel: structural reinforcement work will be finished during the first week of November! This will help secure our architectural treasure for another half century. Willet, our stained-glass specialists, have 29 of our precious faceted (stained) glass panels, which will be repaired and reinstalled over the next several months. After their reinstallation the 48-year-old roof will be replaced, and lastly the interior completed.
I am amazed by the immediate and generous response and very grateful for a substantial gift from the Valley Presbyterian Foundation. In just a few short weeks, we have 75% of the total we need to complete the repair and renovation. Every gift, large or small, helps us reach our goal.
Whenever VPC has had a capital campaign for campus improvements, we have always included a mission component. During the A New Heart for the Valley campaign we founded a high school in southern Malawi, a Promise Neighborhood for MentorKids USA, and a breakthrough transitional housing program for Family Promise of Greater Phoenix. Last night Session honored this missional tradition by voting unanimously to include construction of a Chapel at the new Lonjezo University in our current campaign. This unique opportunity will help us not only save a treasure, it will allow us to change a nation.
In Malawi, 87% of students who pass the national exams for college entry do not attend because of a lack of available space and the high cost. This includes many of the youth we help through our partners: Villages in Partnership, Ministry of Hope, and Urban Promise International. Between these partners there are now eight high schools producing hundreds of graduates every year. Training in faith and entrepreneurship can provide a new generation of leaders that are desperately needed in a country struggling to overcome the challenges of poverty.
Lonjezo University's Chapel will cost about half of the price of the restoration of VPC's Chapel, and will be several times larger. Gifts can be designated for this missional opportunity or for the Chapel renewal and preservation.
It has been an incredible blessing to serve this congregation for over 11 years. There may be no way more powerful to honor God's work over these years than by contributing together to this project. Let’s save a treasure and change a nation!
In Memoriam
We remember those in our community who we lost in the past year. They join others who have gone ahead of us to join the communion of saints.
Anderson, Kathleen L
Annis, Karen
Barnes, Virginia
Bennitt, Virginia
Borden, Rev. Dr. John
Brigandi, Dominico (Mimmo)
Burgy, Marilyn
Byrnes, Robert
Chewning, Cheryl
Clark, Thomas
Combs, Robert
Cooper, Linda
Dineen, Claudia
Dwight, James
Geyer, Sally Jo
Gildersleeve, Ellen
Goss, Doris
Hamilton, Steven
Haskell, Marcella
Hassig, Beryl
Hays, Abram
Jenkins, Gregory
Lathrop, Thomas
Lemmer, Elaine
Lorenz, James
Markgraf, Mary (Toni)
Mayne, Kathleen
McGarey, Gladys
Mitchell, Alice (Randy)
Mutschler, Marcia Sue
Nastro, Joan
Richmond, Carolyn
Rons, Jeff
Russell, Jane
Rutherford, Vera
Sandbulte, Wilbur (Web)
Smith, Margaret Lois (Peggy)
Stevenson, Betty Jean
Stewart, Maurice (Stu)
Stewart, Peggy
Stockman, Jennifer
Strommen, Todd
Stump, Theodore (Ted)
Stupp, Anne Freeman
Sumner, Nancy
Sweet, David
Thomas, Carolee
Thomas, Terry
Van Arsdale, Dick
Weber, Heather
Wyatt, Anna
Yockey, Mary
Yockey, Robert
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24
2PM • 4PM • 6PM
SANCTUARY & LIVESTREAM
VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Advent @VPC
SUNDAY MORNINGS
NATIVITY PAGEANT
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 9 & 10:30AM SERVICES
Sign up & rehearsal required: tinag@vpc.church
This event is one of the highlights of the year, and there is a place for your kid to take part! Contact Tina to learn more about this Advent tradition.
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICES
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2*, 4PM*, 6PM
Come worship and celebrate the birth of Jesus. *Childcare (0-35 months) available.
ONE WORSHIP SERVICE
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 9:30AM
Bring 2025 to a joyous close at VPC. No Sunday School or Nursery.
EVENTS
MEAL SERVICE FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
Monday November 10 & December 8, 4:30-6PM, South Scottsdale Community House VPC has joined with South Scottsdale Presbyterian Church to offer support and volunteers to help serve those less fortunate in our local community. Join us as we serve a meal and have fellowship time with them.
ANGEL TREE TOY DRIVE: MENTORKIDS USA & TUBA CITY, AZ
Sunday, November 16—Sunday, December 7
Email Chris Woodard, Pastor of Mission & Engagement with questions: chrisw@vpc.church
Please take a tag from a tree in the Sanctuary or Awaken Cafe and bring back an unwrapped gift. Gifts collected by December 8 (need 300+) go to the MentorKids Christmas Party, additional gifts go to our other mission partners.
ADVENT.URE
Wednesday, December 3, 6-7:30PM, Awaken Café Plaza, Sign up: vpc.church/events
Join us for an evening of fun and fellowship! It’s a great way to kick off the Advent season as a family.
WOMEN’S MINISTRY ORNAMENT EXCHANGE
Sunday, December 7, 5-7PM, Location TBD
Bring a small appetizer or dessert to share, and a wrapped ornament ($15 or less) to play the gift exchange game.
GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY: A CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Tuesday, December 9, 7PM, Sanctuary
Featuring the Canyon Chorale & Critical Mass
WOMEN’S CIRCLES CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON: BARBARA JOHNSON & THE DREAMERS
Wednesday, December 10, Landes Center, 11AM, RSVP for lunch: Ruth Brannan, zrbrannan@q.com
Lunch, music, and holiday cheer. Everyone is welcome!
HOLIDAY PRAYER GATHERING
Wednesday, December 10, 4PM, Memorial Garden
The holidays can be hectic, distracting, and even isolating. Join us if you need to recenter on the reason for the season or if this time is challenging.
MENTORKIDS USA CHRISTMAS PARTY
Saturday, December 13, 10AM—2PM, VPC South Parking Lot
Email Chris Woodard, Pastor of Mission & Engagement to volunteer: chrisw@vpc.church VPC is excited to host another awesome holiday event for MentorKids USA! We need 300+ gifts by December 8. Please take a tag from a tree in the Sanctuary or Awaken Cafe and bring back an unwrapped gift.
MARY: A CHRISTMAS CANTATA
Sunday, December 14, 4PM, Sanctuary, Free Experience the Christmas story through the eyes of Mary. Enjoy new and familiar Christmas tunes including Mary, Did You Know, Joy to the World, Go, Tell it on the Mountain, and Breath of Heaven.
VPC HOSTING FAMILY PROMISE OF GREATER PHOENIX
Sunday, December 14—Sunday, December 21
Email Chris Woodard, Pastor of Mission & Engagement to volunteer: chrisw@vpc.church
Family Promise rescues families from the streets, provides emergency shelter & basic needs, & provides safe overnight shelter, food, and compassion to families in crisis.
vpc.church/give
Online giving makes up over 35% of VPC's giving COMMITMENT SUNDAY Sunday, November 23 9 & 10:30AM, Sanctuary
CONSIDER THIS:
PART OF THE TEAM: VPC's annual average household support is $4,248
Mission Marketplace & Straight from the Heart Art Show
Hosted by Women's Circles & Bridges Reentry
Saturday, November 15, 9AM-3PM
Sunday, November 16, 9AM-1PM Rooms B108, B110, & Awaken Plaza
Unique hand-crafted items & tasty treats! Art show pieces created by someone who was or is currently incarcerated at an Arizona prison. Meet the artists & staff on Saturday!
Holiday Prayer Gathering
A
time of prayer & reflection
Wednesday, December 10, 4PM, Memorial Garden
The holidays can be hectic, distracting, and even isolating. Join us if you need to recenter on the reason for the season or if this time is challenging.
2025 CHAPEL RENEWAL & PRESERVATION UPDATE
Efforts to renew & preserve VPC's Chapel are underway! Learn more about the history of this amazing building, its current state, and the steps being taken to ensure it remains one of the most inspiring structures in the Valley.
The Chapel's past:
• Built in 1984
• Faceted glass designed by Robert McCall, world-renowned & NASA artist
• In 2023/24, Valley Presbyterian Foundation's Fund the Need raised funds to refresh and update decor, lighting, bathrooms, & A/V system
• A strong group of VPC members & outside experts are implementing a plan to address structural issues, repair the faceted glass, & reroof the building
• Restoration work has already begun!
The Chapel's future:
• VPF is contributing financially to help support the Renewal & Preservation
• Several donors have given generously; will you join them?
• "Save a Pane!" $4,000 per faceted glass panel will help preserve this priceless gem for generations to come
Vertical & Horizontal Concrete decay Lobby flooring renovation Organ boxed for protection Faceted glass with panels removed Boxed faceted glass for transport
SUNDAY
Pastor Nominating Committee
FAITHFULLY FOCUSED
FALL UPDATE
Dr. Phil Eaton
PNC Chair
Stephanie
PNC Vice-Chair
As we have said a number of times before, we want the congregation to be fully informed as we search for our new Senior Pastor. In this regular update we will let you know where things stand, understanding, of course, our commitment to maintaining confidence. We are very excited about how the process is progressing.
First, we have been hard at work! You may recall that we, along with our chief search consultant Chris Lawson, conducted three days of listening to our Pastors, staff, Session, and many members of the congregation. That was a very heartening process! We found such excitement for our church and strong anticipation for what lies ahead for a new season of leadership. We completed those three days with an overall profile for the church and for the kind of leader we would like to see. That kicked us into another season of work.
Second, since that time of listening, with Chris Lawson’s help and guidance, we have called, interviewed, and listened to more possible candidate sermons than you can imagine. We are making great progress and are thrilled with the results. Soon we will be able to move into a new and deeper phase of the process. Stay tuned, it won’t be long before we have further news to report.
Lastly, we want to assure you we are keeping this process in regular prayer. We have been seeking God’s presence and guidance all the way. As you may imagine, this decision requires wisdom and discernment. Come alongside us, Lord, we pray, show us the way forward. We encourage you all to pray with us as well.
The Pastor Nominating Committee wants to thank you for the privilege and honor we have to serve our great church in this unique capacity. We have a great team: skilled, smart, and devoted to this task. We look forward to connecting again quite soon.
Highlighted EVENTS
Laurie & Scot Gilbreath's Home
Sunday, November 23 4-6PM vpc.church/opendoor
Wednesday, December 3, 6-7:30PM, Awaken Plaza Start the Advent season in style!
GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Featuring Canyon Chorale & Critical Mass
Tuesday, December 9 7PM, Sanctuary, Free
MENTORKIDS USA CHRISTMAS PARTY
Saturday, December 13
10AM-2PM, VPC South Parking Lot
Toys needed! Take a tag from tree in worship centers.
Volunteer: Chris Woodard: chrisw@vpc.church
Finance & OPERATIONS
Kris Bahr Finance & Operations Director 480-991-6424
ext. 0112
krisb@vpc.church
Finance & Operations: 2025 Highlights
Without a doubt, the top story of 2025 from both a finance and facilities perspective is the Renewal and Preservation of the Chapel. In this edition of the Valley Vine you will notice an emphasis on this project, and a way that you can help.
Finance
As you can see from the financial recap, faith giving contributions are slightly above budget at September 30. Expenses in several areas are actually under budget, primarily due to staff transitions in pastoral ministry and administrative, while at the same time providing for enhanced staffing in student ministry. At this time, we are projecting to break even at year end.
Facilities
In addition to the Chapel, the Property Committee and Facilities team manage the ongoing repairs and maintenance for our 10 acres, 80,000 square feet of buildings campus. You’ve heard it mentioned many times before, but it seems like there is always something to be addressed with the Sanctuary chiller and boiler and the 60 A/C units on campus. Special thanks to one of our member families who has made a generous donation to that specific need as it arises over the coming years.
Security
In the fall of 2024, VPC applied for the federal Nonprofit Security Grant National Security Supplemental, made available to nonprofits impacted by the conflict in the Middle East. Due to our proximity to Temple Solel, we applied and were recently notified that we were granted $104,000. This grant will provide for (1) addition of ballistic resistant film to the Chapel main entry doors as well as the entrance to the Nave, and to the Sanctuary north doors and the glass panes in the east wood doors, and (2) access controls at the Chapel main entrance and west door, and the Sanctuary north door. Given the scope of work still to be done on the overall Chapel project, this work will likely not begin until sometime in 2026.
News from SESSION
Karen Gill Meyer Clerk of Session
602-568-2196
kgmeyer@cox.net
Session has been busy since its return from summer break!
In August, Session hired Pastor Ron Hawkins as interim Assistant Pastor. Ron is responsible for most of David Turner’s previous Congregational Care duties and is being very well received.
Session contracted to repair the Chapel structural issues. At the start of the previously planned Chapel refresh and revitalization project, major deterioration of concrete on the majority of the eight columns supporting the faceted (stained) glass and nave was discovered. The Chapel is closed until repairs have been completed.
Two part-time assistants were hired to assist Next Generation Ministry Director Wes Cates with VPC's robust Middle and High School Student Ministry program: Shay Jennings, Nursery Coordinator & Next Generation Ministry Coordinator and Olivia Holliday, Next Generation Ministry Assistant Director. Olivia was born and raised at VPC!
In September, the All-Chruch Nominating Committee (ACNC), chaired by Sarah Brammer, completed the nomination procedure for Elders, Deacons, and Valley Presbyterian Foundation Trustees and read the list to Session. Nominees were voted on by the congregation at the October 19 Congregational Meeting.
The next ECO National Gathering will be in February 2026. VPC will send heads of staff and three Elders, including Mary Artigue and Beth Allen.
The Security Task Team, which was dissolved this year, received another $104,000 grant for Chapel security.
Session approved motions to replace the Room C202 A/C unit and the Administrative Office lobby compressor.
Expenses to disassemble, protect, and reassemble the Rosales Organ during the Chapel renewal and preservation will be covered by VPF's Annis Organ Fund.
Session approved purchasing a spare sanctuary projector. An extra is always important if one of our sanctuary projectors needs repair or replacement.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
