While this pandemic has been difficult, I remain grateful that my loved ones have not been too adversely impacted by economic or health crises. I pray for those whose livelihoods and health may have been affected, and for those who have experienced loss related to COVID-19.

As a special education teacher, the transition to virtual learning has kept me very busy during this time. While I have struggled with isolation and loneliness away from friends, work, and my students, this pandemic has allowed for great self reflection and definition of my values and building a life worth living, in line with my faith and morals. It has also highlighted how deeply connected we all are despite our isolation, as we are collectively impacted by this global crisis, and coping in our own ways. While we may be isolated from one another, and our loneliness may impede our happiness, we are united through our illuminated vulnerabilities and humanity.

It is in these times I am reminded of the importance of mindfulness and appreciating all of the beauty in the world God has provided. I find it in small moments, during frequent runs among the almond blossoms near my mother’s home in Newman, California, or in socially-distanced visits with my grandmother, who is in the final stages of congestive heart failure. While this is a trying time, I have found my personal appreciation for all I took for granted has greatly increased during quarantine. My hope is this time for you can be spiritually rich, healing, safe, and regenerative. Blessings.

We have all heard the phrase, “You can’t choose your family,” but we do select our church family. I belong to a small group that is an important piece of that church family. Our small group recently (remotely) celebrated ten years together. We have celebrated weddings and births, mourned losses, consumed many delicious meals, prayed regularly for one another and explored together what it means to follow Jesus. I believe our shared experiences and vulnerability are an important part of our spiritual growth, and with it our ongoing transformation as God’s beloved.

I have been blessed to be part of small groups for most of the last 40 years. Those relationships are my spiritual family and I am thankful for the sisters and brothers whose faith journey walked alongside my own through those groups. I encourage you all to find a small group and expand your family!

If you are interested in learning more about how to be a part of a small group, please contact the Director of Community Life, Carol Heath.

Zoom Registration

Maturing adults concerned about congregate care in light of the current pandemic are considering remaining in their homes. In this seminar you will learn about the principles and resources, transportation, medical and ambulatory issues, along with legal matters, protection and prevention of abuse, and preparing your home for safe living.

This seminar will be taught by Rev. Dr. Libby Boatwright, palliative and hospice specialist, Cindy Thorp, an attorney who specializes in assisting senior adults, and Tiffany Mikles who has provided training and coaching for family caregivers for over 32 years.

March 13 • 9:30–4:30 • Zoom • Register Here

All women are invited! Join us as we find unique ways to connect during the day including music, a speaker, small groups, and afternoon activity groups. Choose from baking, crafts, knitting, yoga, wine tasting and more. We will offer breaks and movement throughout the day to help avoid screen fatigue. Our time together will culminate with a short worship service and communion. Retreat cost will be just $10 to go towards our speaker’s honoraria.

Jasmine Epps is a Womanist Minister and Assistant Director of Youth Ministry at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church. She holds an MA from Claremont School of Theology and Union Theological Seminary specializing in Womanist Social Ethics. She is a mother, a writer, poet, and lover of trees.

For more information, contact womens_retreat@svpc.us.

Sunday, March 14 • Noon (immediately following worship) • Zoom

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. Topics will include 2020–21 budget information and presentation of the terms of call for the pastors.

Sunday, March 14 • 7–8:30 p.m. • Zoom (Password: COLLEGE)

Keyla Zorzella and Marsha Dyslin have assembled a wonderful group of parents and students from SVPC who have “survived” the college selection and admittance process. Each will bring their unique experience and perspective as they’ve decided what was next after high school and are willing to share their stories and knowledge with students and families that will go through this process soon. Open to students, parents, and friends of SVPC. No RSVP required.

at 10:55 a.m. • Register

FLASH is invited to an online “Service Lock-In.” We'll be “locked-in” to the FLASH youth room in digital form on our GatherTown map, and will join up on Zoom for discussions around service. We’ll be highlighting a few local organizations around our community, and even partnering with Children’s ministry for a service project.

You’re invited to the Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church Spring Choir Concert Watch Party! Since we are not able to be together in person this spring, let’s gather online to watch a vintage Spring Choir Concert. We’re bringing back 2007’s Godspell concert (originally recorded April 29, 2007) including choir, Intersections Band, and guest soloists. Godspell is a musical about the last days of a modern-day Jesus who attracts a group of clown-like followers. This musical by John-Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz was based on passages from the gospels of Matthew and Luke.

As we watch together, Conductor Andrew Aron and Accompanist Valerie Sterk will be in the chat window, answering questions and providing some running commentary about the concert. YouTube Premiere is a platform that allows us to host this virtual watch party at no cost—there’s no need to download any software or join a premium service. Just connect using the link on our website. You can also access the concert program to read in advance or follow along during the concert on YouTube. The concert program PDF will be available soon.

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

You may download the March These Days devotional PDF free from the PC(USA) Store.

Please apply for a matching employer donation if your workplace offers this option. If you’ve tried unsuccessfully in the past, please try again because recent changes have made SVPC an eligible charity for more employers.

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

Watch the live stream broadcast of our weekly worship service. No Facebook account is required to watch on SVPC’s public Facebook page. Or you can watch on the SVPC website.