A LO N G T H E WAYThe Newsletter of Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church • July 2014

SVPC Youth Ministry is very excited to welcome Kurt Miller to our church as our new Associate Director of Youth Ministry. The search committee looked high and low to ensure that we’d find someone who would be a great fit with the students, parents, congregation, staff, and advisors. We were imme-diately drawn to Kurt’s overt passion for Christ and his easy-going relational style.

Kurt moved from

Michigan and is quickly starting to feel at home in Sunnyvale. He graduated from Taylor University, a Christian College in Indiana, with a major in Psychology and a minor in Biblical Literature. Kurt came to really know Jesus as a teenager at a summer camp. The experience had such a great impact that it also planted a desire in him to stay involved in Youth Ministry for the long term. He went back and volun-teered at that same camp during his college years, and he is eager to continue working with students in a full-time ministry role.

Kurt is gifted with broad musical skills—he plays keyboard and guitar and is an experienced worship leader. He believes

that he can make the most of anyone’s musical ability. (Perhaps this is a challenge…?) He enjoys all types of music, but lately is especially drawn to acoustic and folk styles.

Kurt started his position at SVPC on June 1, and we are so grateful that he has joined in time to accompany the high school students on CARAVAN! There is no doubt that many great bonds will be formed and memories made on that trip to help him kick off his journey with us at SVPC.

Please pray for Kurt as he gets settled here in his new home and ramps up very quickly in his new role. He’s hoping to commute more by bicycle than car if he can find a good bike! Be sure to introduce yourself and welcome Kurt to our wonderful church community.

Welcome, Kurt!By Debbie Wilson, Youth Advisor

Newsletter DeadlinesThe newsletter deadline is Monday, July 14, for the August edition. Articles may be up to 120 words in length. Send your article to newsletter@svpc.us, and, if possible, include a photo with your article.

Go Green!Go green! Consider joining the more than 400 indi-viduals and families that now receive their newsletter electronically. The online edition arrives sooner, contains the same articles plus vivid full-color photos and live links, and can be easily shared with family and friends, all while helping reduce our carbon footprint! Opt-in by sending an e-mail to newsletter@svpc.us with your request.

July1 Sr. High Boys’ Bible Study, Room 752, 5:30 PM Sr. High Tuesday Time Out, Pizza and Frisbee,

Serra Park, 6:30 PM Young Adult Bible Study, Room 750, 7:30 PM2 FLASH/CLUE, Room 752, 7 PM4 Independence Day—Church office closed6 Turning the Tables on Hunger food collection CARAVAN Sunday—All-Church Family Worship No Summer Church School—child care available for

preschool & kindergartners Intersections Summer Dinners, Trinity Court, 6 PM7 Jr. High Monday Madness, Serra Park, 7 PM8 Sr. High Boys’ Bible Study, Room 752, 5:30 PM Sr. High Tuesday Time Out, Shaving Cream,

Room 752, 7 PM Young Adult Bible Study, Room 750, 7:30 PM9 FLASH/CLUE, Room 752, 7 PM13 Jr. High Boys’ Pool Party, 2:30 PM Intersections Summer Dinners, Trinity Court, 6 PM14 Jr. High Monday Madness, Serra Park, 7 PM14–18 San Juan Islands Bicycling and Camping15 Sr. High Boys’ Bible Study, Room 752, 5:30 PM Sr. High Dudes’ Paint Ball, 7 PM Young Adult Bible Study, Room 750, 7:30 PM16 FLASH/CLUE, Room 752, 7 PM18 Jr. High Lock-In, Room 752, 5 PM20 Intersections Summer Dinners, Trinity Court, 6 PM21 Jr. High Monday Madness, Serra Park, 7 PM

July CalendarA quick look at what’s happening at SVPC this month...

22 Sr. High Boy’s Bible Study, Room 752, 5:30 PM Sr. High Tuesday Time Out, Capture the Flag,

Room 752, 7 PM Young Adult Bible Study, Room 750, 7:30 PM23 Sr. High Rock Climbing, 8 AM FLASH/CLUE, Room 752, 7 PM24 10th/11th Grade Girls’ Pool Party, 2 PM25–26 The Music School’s Summer Musical Theater

performance, Phoenix Center26 Habitat for Humanity Workday,

contact miriamekishi@gmail.com27 Intersections Summer Dinners, Trinity Court, 6 PM28 Sr. High Great America Day, 9:30 AM Jr. High Monday Madness, Serra Park, 7 PM29 Sr. High Boys’ Bible Study, Room 752, 5:30 PM Sr. High Dudes’ Laser Tag, 7 PM Young Adult Bible Study, Room 750, 7:30 PM30 FLASH/CLUE, Room 752, 7 PM31 Jr. High Girls’ Pedicure in the Park, Serra Park, 6 PM The Music School’s Summer Stock Musical Theater performance, Phoenix Center

Looking AheadJune 29–August 3 Dinner after Intersections, Trinity Court, Sundays at 6 PMJuly 14–18 San Juan Islands Bicycling and Camping TripAugust 29–September 1 All-Church Camp

who is now living in another state and pursing life and faith there.

Which is all to say that life and ministry is never slow or boring here at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church! In addition to all this, we will be offering our Vacation Bible School to a record number of kids (actually finished by the time you read this!). And we will again provide an enrich-ment camp in partnership with Refugee Transitions for refugee students in our area to help them better adjust to their new homes and circumstances. Service opportunities, study groups, fellowship times and, at the end of summer, our awesome All-Church Camp! It’s just a great place to be moving forward in our journey of faith together!

Grace and peace,

that I will be out and then I’m back for our CARAVAN worship in early July. Then I'll be away another two Sundays leading a new outdoor adventure trip in which a group from our church will be bicycling and camping through the San Juan Islands, studying God’s word and sharing life together.

One of the joys of being in a church long-term is the chance to see our Sunday School children grow up into young adults and come into their own lives of faith and family. And in fact, towards the end of July, I’ll have the privilege of marrying one of these former church kids

As I write this, it’s early June and we are in the midst of many ministry pursuits here at the church. Among them are our preparations for our high school CARAVAN mission trip. As you read this, I will be in Oklahoma with 70+ students and advisers from our church. We will be working to repair the ravages from last year’s

tornadoes and seeking to strengthen our lives of faith and our community with one another.

This trip actually starts some extended times of my being away this summer as I engage in ministry off campus. There will be the two Sundays of CARAVAN

The View From Hereby Rev. Steve Harrington

“Service opportunities, study groups, fellowship times and, at the end of summer, our awesome All-Church Camp! It’s just a great place to be moving forward in our journey of faith together!”

Vacation Bible School— Bigger than Ever!This year’s VBS was bigger than ever! We opened up two more classrooms this year and welcomed 222 children! We all heard how we can be “hooked on Jesus” through Bible stories filled with acts of sharing, trust and faith. Please pray for the children who attended VBS that God would continue to be a part of their lives as they grow and mature in their faith.

July is a Big Month for Children’s MinistryIt is during this month that we hope to fill the many Church School teacher and shepherd volunteer positions for both morning and evening Church School. Some spots have been filled, but many more are empty. Would you consider teaching or shepherding during the next Church School year? MANY are needed, so we hope many will come. Please call or email Carol Heath (carol@svpc.us) for morning volun-teering or Kristin Matthews (kristin@svpc.us) for evening volunteering.

Bring Your Children to CARAVAN Sunday—July 6thBe sure to bring your children to worship on July 6th. This is a special service as our youth lead the entire service and will tell us about their experiences in Oklahoma. This is a great opportunity for our younger students to look forward to their future as Senior High students and the chance they will have to be a part of CARAVAN.

Rooted in Christ...Sunnyvale Presbyterian offers everyone an opportunity to connect with the church community.

Session SummaryIn June 2000 Session approved a foundation called “Beyond These Walls.” It was an opportunity for those with asset wealth to give beyond regular pledging. The suggested projects were based on where people were already putting their time. The families/individuals could select from a list, which included projects such as Life’s Garden, Orchard House, Border Ministries, and the Presbytery in Republic of the Congo with which our church had an on-going relation-ship. There are some remaining monies in this fund, and at the May Session meeting Session took the following actions:

To provide a one-time gift of $35,977 to • Refugee Transitions for language training and support services to Immanuel House

To provide a one-time gift of $19,775 to Immanuel •House for kitchen and living room renovations

To transfer the balance of the Beyond These Walls •Border Ministries account, $16,239, to a Mission & Service Ministry fund account designated for support-ing individual and intergenerational Mission trips to the United States and Mexican border region over a period of not more than three years. After three years, any unspent funds will be gifted to Amor Ministries for use in general border ministries.

Doris Harry, Director of The Music School, met with Session. She spoke of the many programs offered by The Music School including instrumental instruction, choral series, spring musical, summer camp, and summer theater provided for students from early childhood through high school.

www.svpc.us/who/session.php

Congratulations 2014 Graduates!High School GraduatesName High School CollegeKevin Case Wilcox High School Keystone College, PennsylvaniaKelsey Chapman Fremont High School Chapman UniversityEmerald Coupe Castro Valley High School Oregon State UniversityDylan Davidson Fremont High School UC Santa CruzSara Dyslin Lynbrook High School Hendrix College, ArkansasCaitlyn Hanlon Waldorf Academy Ohio Wesleyan UniversityKatelyn Henry Fremont High School De Anza CollegeErik Krogstad Homestead High School University of Arizona, TucsonJames Lawrence Homestead High School San Diego State UniversityMarissa Moffett Wilcox High School Whitworth University, WashingtonAnjali Narula Monte Vista High School University of WashingtonBrett Nelson Homestead High School Cal Poly San Luis ObispoChristine Reilly Wilcox High School University of Colorado, BoulderTabitha Sugumar Homestead High School UCLAEmily Taylor Kings Academy Westmont College, Santa BarbaraKeri Wilson Marblehead High School, Johnson & Wales University, Massachusetts Providence, RI

College GraduatesName College DegreeMonica Allen Seattle University BA PhilosophyMark Annevelink UC Irvine BS Mechanical EngineeringKate Caldwell Emerson College, Washington BA Writing, Literature & PublishingMegan Gilbert Sonoma State University BS NursingMichael Kamradt Washington State University BA CommunicationsJo-Marie Lawrence CSU Long Beach BA Communication StudiesCiara McCaffrey UC San Diego BS Biochemistry & Cell BiologyKatie McCloskey UC Berkeley BA Human GeographyAnne McManis Hope College, Michigan BS BiologyJames Thomas UC Santa Cruz BS Computer ScienceSamantha Ungson University of Washington BA Spanish/History MinorKenneth Wigginton Santa Clara University BS Computer Science

Do Something Good for YourselfTry a Balance for Living exercise class in our own church gymnasium! Jackie Hirsch has taught challenging but safe classes here for more than 20 years, constantly training in and sharing the latest methods. Offering three formats (including conditioning, Pilates and aerobics) four mornings a week, Jackie’s classes provide a great opportu-nity for all ages from our church and community to get in shape and feel better about themselves.

Check out the church website or fliers on the church kiosks for more details. New classes began June 23. You can sign up for one, two or three classes a week or pay $5 to “drop-in” for any class.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers... Clara Auker, whose husband, Donald Auker, died; Jim Moffett, whose mother passed away; the parents of Elsa Amboy who have been hospital-ized; Al Souza, who is recovering from surgery; Milton Gentry and Nancy Ewing, who will have had surgery; Art Bedford, Phil Corneliussen, Chuck Devine, Herb Ebhardt, Thelma Kihneman, Marsh Norris, Bobby Rupp, and Bob Stainton, who continue to receive care.

Thank you! I am so grateful for all the cards, visits, flowers, and thoughtfulness during my recent time of recovery and rehabilitation. It has lifted my spirits to feel all your love and care. Your ongoing concern and prayers will help to minimize the challenges ahead. Thanks, thanks, thanks! — Bobby Rupp

Email NewslettersDo you receive the Children’s or Youth email newsletters each week? This is the best way to stay current with what is happening in Children’s and Youth Ministries. To be added to the Children’s Ministry mailing list contact Kristin at kristin@svpc.us. To be added to the Youth Ministry mailing list contact Dot at dot@svpc.us. Or from the website, www.svpc.us, sign up by selecting “Join Our Email List” at the top of any page.

E-mail — info@svpc.us

Like us on Facebook: SVPC — facebook.com/SunnyvalePres Youth — facebook.com/SVPCYFM Young Adults — facebook.com/SvpcYoungAdultsGroup

In-Depth Bible Study Starting in SeptemberIt’s official! We are starting the Crossways two-year Bible study this fall. Mark your calendars for mid-September through May (or June), on Wednesdays at 7 PM. We have two fantastic leaders, the Rev. Nan Swanson and Maurice Sharp. Nan is a retired Presbyterian minister and Maurice is one of our own, a choir singer who has a great knowledge of the Old Testament.

Sign-ups will start in August, so please be looking for the sign-up table in Trinity Court or on the church website.

For more information, a full study packet is in the church library. The study is 60 weeks over 2 years, matching the school calendar for holidays. The cost is approximately $70 for the study material (scholarships are available, so please don’t let that stop you from participating).

Let the Equipping Elders know if you are interested, need more information, or want to sign up, by contacting Susan Brooksbank, Grant Rozeboom, and Dale Schouten at equipping_elders@svpc.us. Read more at crossways.org.

SVPC Supports Habitat for Humanity with ActionIn addition to Mission funds, we’ve sent four teams of workers from youth earning CARAVAN hours to mothers and daughters, bosses and employees, young adults and folks who could use a senior discount! Some volunteers worked on the roof, pulled up old floorboards or pounded wall boards, while others tore out ivy and built fences.

It’s great that the internationally known Habitat for Humanity program can finally come to Sunnyvale. Habitat is renovating three houses near Murphy Park with mostly volunteer help. New owners, chosen from a great number of applicants, purchase an otherwise unaffordable home in the community where they’re employed.

SVPC’s upcoming workdays are Saturday, July 26 and August 23. You can get into the action! Contact Miriam at miriamekishi@gmail.com or 408-246-4664.

Knit for KidsCalling all knitters! We need your help to expand our dwindling sweater donations. These sweaters go to children all over the world. Consider keeping your hands busy this summer. Patterns are free. This is a very worthwhile mission project. Monetary or yarn donations would be appreciated. For information, contact Jan at 408-733-1220 or janmort@me.com.

Reaching Out In Love.Christ commands us to love one another as He loves us. Here’s how.

One Great Hour of SharingIn April this congregation was asked to give a Gift of Hope to many people in this world through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. This gift enables the Presbyterian Church (USA) to:

Immediately respond to disasters and civil conflicts•Support displaced people •Provide ongoing relief for families after disasters•

We give special thanks to this congregation for contrib-uting $18,000 as our contribution to One Great Hour of Sharing. This money is now on its way to the PC(USA). Your gift is a Gift of Hope—giving hope where there was none, and importantly, continuing to walk alongside long after others leave. As God walks with us, so we walk with others—helping our sisters and brothers in the United States, and in other parts of the world, find hope for a brighter future. We give special thanks for the generosity of this faithful congregation!

Summer Music Fun for ChildrenCatch a wave of summer fun at The Music School! Our morning camps start in July and run through August. Registration is open for the following camps: Rhythm, Rhythm Everywhere (ages 3–6, 7–10), Choir Camp (grades 1–6), Music and Art Camp (ages 4–10), Music Around The World (ages 4–10), and Broadway Babies (ages 4–7). For more information, please stop by The Music School office, email the_music_school@svpc.us, or visit our website at www.themusicschool.org.

Stephen MinistryThink of a time when you really felt cared for. Chances are someone focused on what you had to say, was attentive to your needs, and listened to how you felt instead of telling you how you should feel or what you should do. Listening is one of the most powerful ministry tools at our disposal!

If you have gifts of attentive listening, compassion, or mercy, then being trained as a Stephen Minister may be your next step in ministry. We would love to talk to you about the next training opportunity, and answer any questions you may have about being a Stephen Minister. Please contact Judy Beggs at 650-949-4087 or Joanne Papoulias at 408-737-1749.

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728 West Fremont Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94087408-739-1892 info@svpc.us