When we look around our world these days, it is sometimes hard to feel joyful. Yet joy inherently embraces optimism. Joy is the companion of faith and hope. In our polarized world torn by war, famine, and marginalization of the poor and disenfranchised, we are in desperate need of joyful and brave people who are willing to ask the hard questions and live the difficult solutions that make peace possible. The organizations supported by the annual Peace and Global Witness Offering are exactly such people.

Our contributions to the Peace and Global Witness Offering are shared for the mission work of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the local Presbytery. Fifty percent of this special offering supports the work for peace and reconciliation being done by Presbyterians across the globe, and 25% supports work of the Presbytery of San Jose’s Peace and Justice Work Group. (The other 25% goes to the two local organizations selected by our church, as described in our previous newsletter.)

Check out the church website to give online or to learn more about how this offering will be used.

If you prefer to write a check, please write “P&GW” on the memo line. Checks can be placed in a Peace & Global Witness Offering envelope found in the pew racks or mailed to Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church, 728 W Fremont Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94087.

This PDF has even more information 

It is with bittersweet emotions that we announce Emily Ralph’s departure from the church staff. Emily has worked for over four years as our front desk receptionist and has been the heart and soul of the office, helping with innumerable tasks for both the staff and the congregation. Emily has been considering going back to school for quite a while and she felt this was the right time. The good news is that Emily is a member of our church and plans to continue attending and worshiping with us. Emily, we wish you all the best as you pursue your dreams!

This Sunday, September 25 • After worship • Onsite and online

There will be a congregational meeting this Sunday immediately following the 11 am service. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend either in person or on Zoom. The purpose of the meeting is the election of church officers and the approval of the updated Terms of Call for Pastors. (The Zoom link can also be found on the church website.)

During the COVID pandemic, Sunnyvale Pres was grateful to receive two PPP loans from the federal government thanks to the work of Tavie Armfield and Timblin Kelleher, our comptrollers. We used the money appropriately and the loans were forgiven. Due to wise planning and oversight, these forgiven loans resulted in a one-time surplus of $744K.

The Ministry Resources team, with input from session, decided to distribute these funds this way:

We want our pastors to participate in the increase. Therefore, at the Congregational Meeting this Sunday, we will be asking the congregation to vote on adjusting the Pastors’ Terms of Call to reflect that increase.

Sundays, September 25–October 16 • 1–2 pm • Zoom

by Rev. Kira Schlesinger, Westminster John Knox Press

This very timely book study will be led by Rev. Leah Akers-Bell, MDiv, MSN, CNM, and Presbyterian minister who graduated in 2000 with a Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University. She worked in reproductive health for twenty years with Planned Parenthood. With her guidance, and using the Schlesinger book as background, we will explore the complicated issues surrounding reproductive justice.

You’re invited to attend all four weeks for a thorough exploration of this important topic, but you are welcome to join any or all sessions as you are able. You don’t have to have read the book ahead of time.

This book study is sponsored by Presbyterian Women in Sunnyvale and Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of San Jose. Questions? Email PWP Moderator Rosaleen Zisch.

New Group Forming: Inquiring Minds

1st & 3rd Wednesdays • 7–8:30 pm • Zoom

Come join this newly forming group of inquiring minds as we boldly seek to evolve our faith by being curious, asking questions, and engaging in brave conversations. During our gatherings we will watch videos, movies, or other media and then have a discussion together. No need to prepare. If you have been looking for a small group experience but haven’t been connected yet or are unable to make that kind of commitment, this could be a great place to start. Every session will be different, so you’re welcome to join us every time or just drop in when you can. Come enjoy this group and find community and a safe space to learn and grow together. All are invited!

Questions? Email Amy McLeod.

Have you been attending Sunnyvale Pres for a little while? You are invited to join us for a light brunch after worship on October 9 and meet other people who have recently started attending Sunnyvale Pres. Come and learn more ways to connect, meet the pastors and other members, and enjoy a short time of fellowship.

(If you are a regular attender or member and know someone newer to the church, please extend an invitation to them for this event.)

Walk in or make an appointment • Volunteer to help

Boosters (including the new bivalent booster) will be available in addition to first and second doses of the vaccine. The clinic is be open to all members of the community, including children, families, and staff. Walk-ins are welcome, or to sign up in advance, please go to the MyTurn website. Volunteers are needed; if you are available for a 2-hour shift, please sign up on the church website.

Save the date! Saturday, October 16 • 11 am–1 pm

Location TBD. All those 20–40 years old are invited to join a day at the pumpkin patch. More info to come but mark your calendars now!

Looking for ways to serve with your time and hands? Sunnyvale Pres is having a service event at Pie Ranch in Pescadero. We’ll meet at church at 12:30 to drive over and be back by 6 pm, having worked from 2–5 pm.

At Pie Ranch, we’ll do outdoor, physical work caring for the earth as we help this great organization in their efforts to heal food insecurity and restore the land to native plants while helping young people learn traditional ways of land management. Read more about what to expect and what to bring. Come and join us!

Wednesday, October 26 • 7–8:30 pm • Over Zoom • Register

Everyone is invited to learn about protecting older members of the community by increasing awareness of elder abuse — how to recognize it and how to know when and how to intervene. Resources will be included. The training will be taught by Sunnyvale Pres member Cindy Thorp who is the co-chairperson of the Elder Abuse Task Force of Santa Clara County.

Registration is required. To sign up, please fill out this form.

If you were unable to attend last week’s event that featured Amber Cantorna’s story, please consider viewing the event recording. We had over 40 people attend and everyone agreed that it was an impactful, beautiful, vulnerable, and admittedly hard story to hear. But what we all came away with was the feeling of deep gratitude that our church made the decision to be an affirming church where LGBTQ+ folks are not only welcomed, but are considered full-fledged members of this community. Thank you to Amber for her willingness to share her story!

Wait, Wait... Don’t Tell Me! Book Quiz

Be the first person to answer two of the three questions correctly and win Rev. Hardy Kim’s voice on your answering machine.

1. Gary Chapman’s popular self-help book series (available on the Book Sale Cart) is called

(A) The Four Love Languages 

(B) The Five Love Languages

(C) The Universal Love Languages

2. In The Shack by Wm. Paul Young (available on the Book Sale Cart), God is

(A) a white man

(B) a black woman

(C) a unisex spirit

3. The Book Sale Cart in Trinity Court

(A) was constructed as an Eagle Scout project

(B) promotes a book currently banned in more than 50 countries

(C) needs three volunteers to join the team and rotate as booksellers on Sunday mornings

How’d you do? (The correct answer for questions one and two is B. All answers are correct for question three.) Talk to Hardy to claim your first-place prize. We really do need you to join the Book Sale ministry team; stop by the Book Sale Cart to volunteer. Help promote the world’s best-selling banned book — the Bible!

To learn more about events for children and youth subscribe to their e-newsletters. Also, check out the Children’s Ministry Facebook page or Youth Ministry’s Instagram or Linktree, or text ‘FLASH’ (Middle School) or ‘CLUE’ (High School) to 51400 for live updates.

Aug. 2022 (month 5).$K   

Church Income.......$513

Church Expenses.....$608

Church Deficit......$(95)

Outreach Surplus....$.14

Combined Deficit....$(81)

Church income of $513K was offset by $608K of church expenses year-to-date, resulting in a year-to-date church deficit of $(95)K. Church income is trending lower than last year, and spending is also lower. The outreach groups (PELC and The Music School) are contributing a surplus of $14K year-to-date. Their fall enrollment is strong and we should see continued improvement in their performance, which will help offset some of the church deficit. The combined organizational deficit through August is $(81)K.

In place of the blue prayer cards you filled out on Sundays, please send your prayer requests anytime to prayer@sunnyvalepres.com. Be sure to include whether your request should/can be:

Look for the red banner at the top of our new website (SunnyvalePres.com). Click the white button, “Join online worship & events.”