July 1 Music and Drama Presentation, 10:00 a.m. 8 Communion Middle School and High School Mission Trip Commissioning, 10:00 a.m.

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1 Valley Community Presbyterian Church July 2018 Sundays at Valley Early Coffee in Library, 9:30 a.m. Worship, 10:00 a.m. Coffee Fellowship, 11:00 a.m. July 1 Music and Drama Presentation, 10:00 a.m. 8 Communion Middle School and High School Mission Trip Commissioning, 10:00 a.m. 15 Dining for Women, 11:30 a.m. 22 Blessing of the Animals, 10:00 a.m. Exploring Presbyterianism Class, 11:15 a.m. 29 Middle School City Camp Begins August 5 Communion Arts Exploration Camp Arts Exploration Camp is coming July from 12:00-3:00 p.m. Rising 1st-6th graders are invited to sign up. Campers will be grouped by age. Each day will be a fun and creative learning adventure as campers rotate through three classes: music, drama, and visual art. Classes are engaging, hands-on, and playful. Cost is just $75 (scholarships available). Visit valleycommunity.org for more information. Vacation Bible School Vacation Bible School - July 23-27, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. This year s Vacation Bible School theme is Game On! Gearing Up for Life s Big Game. Children ages three to rising 5th grade are invited to a week of activities, crafts, and more. VBS is July from 9:00 a.m.-noon. The cost is $50/camper with a maximum of $125/household. Go to valleycommunity.org to register. We are in need of volunteers to help with the Mission station as well as the Bible station. We are also in need of someone who has technical skills to help out with sound and video. These are perfect opportunities for youth! If you are able to help out, please contact Bev Hubbard at bevmahubb@aol.com. Please stop by the Vacation Bible School Wishing Tree located in the front lobby and choose a tag or two to help with much needed supplies for VBS. Please bring the items to coffee fellowship on July 8 or to the church office by July 18. Don t like to shop? Simply make a check out to VCPC for any amount and write VBS on the memo line. All Welcome to Church Picnic July 29 The All Church Picnic is Sunday, July 29 after worship. This year the theme is Game On!, following the adventures that were enjoyed by all during Vacation Bible School the week before. Be ready for good food and refreshing beverages, great fellowship and games for everyone to enjoy. To carry the theme of picnic just a little further, please dust off your favorite picnic basket and decorate it with SPORTS decorations. Everyone will vote on his or her favorite sports themed décor. There will be a prize for the winner. Load that picnic basket up with your own plates, cutlery, napkins and drink containers, so that we can keep our planet green a little longer. (Don t worry! If you forget, there will be disposables available to you.) Both fried and roasted chicken will be provided for everyone, as well as lemonade and cold water. Congregants are being asked to contribute the rest: A through H are asked to bring desserts. I through Z are asked to bring a salad or side dish. Awakening Souls, Sharing Joy, Serving God in Christ - TRANSFORMING LIVES

2 Why Bless Animals? Rev. Jeff Binder With the Blessing of the Animals worship service coming up July 22, I think it s a fair question: Why do we bless animals anyways? Well, there are a few reasons for such a service. First things first: God created ALL of the world GOOD, and so we take time to celebrate such things! Each April we celebrate Earth Day, where we celebrate God s good creation. For this particular day, we wish to pay special attention to our furry, scaly, finned, whatever other sort of covering an animal may have, friends! The second reason for having such a A friendly sheep during my visit to Iona, Scotland. service is a bit more big picture. One of our hopes and dreams for Valley Community Church is that we can truly embrace the COMMUNITY part of our name. The unfortunate truth is that many of our neighbors don t know what goes on inside of our beautiful church each Sunday. So if our neighbors have trouble coming IN the doors, then Christ reminds us that we are called to go OUT the doors to the people! The Blessing of the Animals worship service will be outside (weather permitting), so that everyone who is passing by can see what wonderful things are going on here at Valley. The service will be casual so that as many types of people as possible will feel comfortable joining in the fun. Portland is known for being a pet friendly town, so our hope is that bringing our pets will be a friendly ice breaker for people to interact and enjoy each other s company. This worship will have BLUEGRASS MUSIC, which is a bit more family friendly! Some of us may wonder if this type of worship will make us uncomfortable; the answer is hopefully YES! Christ calls us to be uncomfortable as the Church. We are called to never settle for we always have done it that way. Instead, Christ wants us to ask, What new things is God calling us to be and do in this world? Let s continue to ask such questions as we envision together a new chapter in the life of Valley where we truly embrace the call to be the church for the community. THE MESSENGER VALLEY COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 8060 SW BRENTWOOD ST. PORTLAND, OR FAX valleycommunity.org mail@valleycommunity.org PASTOR JEFF BINDER NEWSLETTER STAFF: ANGELA GRAHAM PLEASE SUBMIT ARTICLES VIA BY JULY 20 FOR THE AUGUST ISSUE: messenger@valleycommunity.org THE NEWSLETTER STAFF RETAINS PERMISSION TO MODIFY SUBMISSIONS FOR CLARITY, SPACE, CONTENT AND STYLE. Valley Night at the HOPS Many thanks to all who organized the event, purchased tickets, and provided strawberry shortcakes at the Hillsboro Hops baseball game. There were many Valley family and friends who were able to attend this fun, annual event. Page 2 valleycommunity.org July 2018

3 Valley s Habitat for Humanity Build Valley s next Habitat build will be on Saturday, July 7, from 8:15 a.m. to noon. Whether we will be working at Allen Estates to finish up the last units or at Denney Garden, where 16 homes will be built, depends on what is needed that day. Those signed up will be informed about this by that week. If you are interested in helping, contact Chuck Falconer, or chuckf@clankeith.com. If you feel you can no longer do the build tasks, another option to help Habitat is to volunteer at the Beaverton ReStore. Go to to find out how and when to volunteer. Earth Care Corner Did you know.. That there is a place that you can recycle all of your Styrofoam? Agilyx is an environmental technology and development company located in Tigard, Oregon that extracts value from difficult-to-recycle mixed waste plastic streams. The Company has developed the first system capable of recycling polystyrene (foam cups, packaging materials, and Styrofoam.) They are located at 7904 SW Hunziker Street and have bins available 24/7 to drop off your Styrofoam and #6 plastic. There is no charge for dropping off these items! If you are interested in learning more about what they are doing their website address is agilyx.com. Dining for Women Meets July 15 Produce Table Up and Running The weather is warming up. Birds and butterflies are all around. Gardens are becoming lush and productive. Valley s Produce Table will be set up each Sunday morning in Davis Hall. On it you will find whatever our green-thumbmembers and friends bring in to share. There might be edible fruits and vegetables, or maybe jars of flowers or herbs. Whatever may grace the top of Valley s Produce Table is available to enhance your next meal or dinner table. Enjoy! There is also a box to receive monetary donations that go to the Oregon Food Bank. Typically, by the end of the summer, a check is sent to them from the weekly donations collected throughout the summer. Most years it is over $300. Dining for Women at Valley will meet on Sunday July 15 to learn about the sensitive topic of Female Genital Cutting in Kenya. Women s Global Education Project believes that education, gender equality, and empowerment of women are critical to a society s development. Its mission is to provide access to education and develop training programs that empower women and girls to build healthy and productive communities. DFW loves their focus on marginalized girls in rural Kenya who are at risk for FGC. They combat this practice by focusing on community sensitization, youth education, and providing a healthy alternative to this harmful practice through its Alternative Rite of Passage program. Come learn more about this interesting subject and one nonprofit s courageous approach to eradicating this practice in TharakaNithi County, Kenya. We will meet at 11:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room for a bountiful potluck lunch, hear an informative and enlightening presentation and have the opportunity to donate our dining out dollars to support their grant request. If you have any questions, please contact Ruthann Marquis or browse the DFW website at diningforwomen.org. Semi-Annual Cents-Ability Report Thanks to all who have contributed so far this year. We are at $1,240.88, up a little more than we were at this time last year. Each month the bowls are passed by the children on the 3rd Sunday to collect the coins we ve set aside. Once counted, half of the monthly amount goes to the Presbyterian Hunger Fund, of the remaining funds, $1, is sent yearly to Care to Share, a local relief agency with an aim to help families through crisis situations. And at the end of the year, the remaining funds are distributed by our Mission Committee to hunger or farming projects offered through the Presbyterian Giving Catalog. Check out the schedule posted by the ADA lift for specific monthly totals. AND SAVE THE DATE: July 15 for the next Cents day. See Andrea Murdoch if you d like a bank for your change. July 2018 valleycommunity.org Page 3

4 Mission Endowment Committee Awards Grants to Ten Recipients The Mission Endowment Committee awarded ten grants to applicants during the Spring 2018 cycle. A total of $10,500 was given to three local, two national, and five international recipients (Ukraine, Kenya, Nicaragua, Bhutan, and Republic of Georgia.) The grants support housing, health, clothing, social services, and mission. Members of the Mission Endowment Committee are: Jan Bellis-Squires, Robert Hayes, Mary Kelly, David Marquis, Gary Nelson, and Elaine Rea. Janet Adkins and Chuck Falconer were the Mission Committee liaisons. Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Second Home Funds for staffing support to match homeless youth in the Beaverton School District with families to provide stable housing. Corvallis Sister Cities Association TOUCH Project Funds to purchase EU-required safety equipment (seat belts, tachograph, tires) for recently-donated new school bus to allow inter-country travel for Hungary trip for lowincome, Roma students from Public School #14 in Uzhgorod. Valley Youth Mission Chaperone support for high school (SLAM Trip - Yakama Reservation in Wapato, WA) and middle school (City Camp in Salem, OR.) Open Arms International Funds to purchase pharmaceutical supplies and drugs for 3 mobile medical camps and a new, permanent clinic servicing Sudanese and Somali refugees in a slum outside Eldoret. Seeds of Learning Funds to support of students in SOL s Nicaragua University Educational Advancement scholarship program to attend universities, graduate, and give back to their communities. Impact Northwest Funds to support Housing Safety Net, an ongoing program providing immediate safe, secure housing as well as client case management and resources leading to long-term, sustainable housing. Interserv Funds for tuition for Sarah Montes to complete counseling education at Royal Thimphu College in Bhutan. Menaul School Scholarship support for Presbyterian boarding school in Albuquerque, NM which provides college -preparatory education to 6-12th graders from economically-disadvantaged homes. Intervarsity Christian Fellowship Funds for travel expenses to lead a week-long training conference for international students in Republic of Georgia. Assistance League of Greater Portland - Funds to purchase at wholesale, clothing for low-income children in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland Public School Districts. CROP Walk 2018 Our fifth year joining others in the Portland area to walk out hunger. Team Valley collected $355.00, both online and through donations given during Coffee Hour in April. A BIG thanks to our walkers: Ruthann Marquis, Connie Brenner and Faith Bridges. CROP Walks, through Church World Services, a multi-faith program, began in the late 1940 s collecting food for war-torn Europe in the wake of WWII...today they bring relief to peoples worldwide. Your Mission Team wishes to thank you for your support. See you in the spring of Thank you for sending your check for $32.00 for the 2018 Per Capita (for wider church expenses) for each Valley member. For more information about what per capita is, and how it helps, go to: oga.pcusa.org/percapita Page 4 valleycommunity.org July 2018

5 Piano and Pie Concert and Fundraiser a Success! On Saturday, June 9, Piano and Pie - a concert and fundraiser, took place. Pianist Thomas Rheingans dazzled the audience with his fast hands and musicality, the Valley Youth Choir sang three pieces, and everybody enjoyed scrumptious pie in the gym. The event generated over $300 toward the fall Youth Musical. Thanks to all who supported Piano and Pie. Valley Book to Discuss Small Great Things The Valley Book will meet on Friday, July 27, 2018, in the Fireside Room at 10:00 a.m. to discuss Small Great Things, by Jody Picoult. This powerful, best-selling novel tells a story from the perspective of the two main characters, a black nurse and a white supremacist. One review states that with incredible empathy, intelligence, and candor, Jodi Picoult tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice, and compassion and doesn t offer easy answers. Small Great Things is a remarkable achievement from a writer at the top of her game. All are welcome to bring their own coffee and to join in the discussion of this thought-provoking book. Exploring Presbyterianism Class July 22 Join us on July 22 in Armitage Hall at 11:15 a.m. for a class entitled Celebrating the last 25 years of Valley Community. We have a lot written down about the beginnings of Valley Community, but what has been part of our more recent history? Join us for a time to share photos, memories, and help tell the ongoing story of the last 25 years, as we look ahead to the future! July 2018 valleycommunity.org Page 5

6 Youth Update BBQs, s mores, baseball, volleyball and sunshine. What more can describe June with the youth? School is out but the fun is just beginning. We are ready for all the adventure to come. Now that it s July, the time for our Youth Missions is here! We ll start off this season July 8 with a commissioning for our students during worship and then our high schoolers will leave that afternoon to go to Wapato, Washington on the Yakima reservation. On this trip we hope to learn and grow as we build lasting relationships with our neighbors. Next, our Middle schoolers will be leaving July 29 to go to City Camp in Salem. We ll get to hear from some great speakers including our own pastor Jeff while we get to help out the parks department and making our capital a cleaner place. Please keep our students in your prayers as we are away. Our hope is for them to learn, grow and find their passion for service while staying safe! You can now continue to support Youth Mission by recycling any cans or bottles through our bottle drop fundraiser! All you need is blue bag, that you can get from the youth at coffee hour, and all the cans bottles that you ve been putting on your curb. Next you simply take the bag to a bottle drop center or bring it to the garage after church on Sundays and now those bottle deposits can help students go on mission! See you soon! Preston Russell Above left: Valley Youth playing beach ball volleyball with Pastor Jeff in the courtyard.. Above and below: Ga Ga Ball is a popular game with the youth. Bottom left: The view from a chocolate bar. Page 6 valleycommunity.org July 2018

7 Valley Scrapbook The children attending Sunday Funday got to check out the new fire escape that was recently installed. Members from Calvary Korean Presbyterian Church provided sweet treats after a recent joint worship service with Valley. Above: The King s Kids Choir sings during the Piano and Pie Concert and Fundraiser. Right: Acolytes carry the gift of water and light at the joint worship service with Calvary Korean Presbyterian Church. July 2018 valleycommunity.org Page 7

8 Valley Notes Congratulations to Valley Family Graduates Sean Sele, grandson of Gene and Donna Sele and son of Vance Sele and Karen Sele, graduated from Taylor University in Indiana with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts. Joshua Tsen, grandson of Terry and Shirley Hercher and son of Ann and Andrew Tsen graduated from University of Washington in Seattle with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Opportunities 75th Anniversary cookbooks are available to purchase for $15 during coffee fellowship on Sundays. Prayers We pray for those with health concerns: Gary Moen, Anne Foster, Ritva Houghton (Wendy Archibald s mother), Megan Sharp, Gary Gilchrist We pray for those who mourn: - Polly Dye and family on the death of her husband, Norm Dye on June 25, Family and friends of Margaret Maves who died on June 23, Family and friends of Judith Hinamon who died on June 24, A memorial service will be held at Wilhelm Portland Memorial at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 5. Pictorial Directory Sign Ups Available Sign up online for our new church pictorial directory! There is no cost to you or the church for the directory or to have your photographs taken. You will receive a complimentary professional 8x10 portrait and a church directory just for participating! After you are photographed, you will be able to view your images immediately. If you so desire, you will have the opportunity to purchase additional portraits. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring along extended family members to have a professional portrait taken even though they will not be in the directory. AND it s even okay to bring a pet to make your photos more meaningful. For optional portraits, there are two great discounts available: Every family will receive both a $10 off coupon and a 20% discount coupon - available when you check in for your appointment. Current dates that are available for sign ups are August This is a great opportunity to have your college student included in your photo while they are home for the summer. Go to: yddqb194/ and sign up today! Contact Glenys Craig or the church office with questions. Session Highlights from June 12 Called a congregational meeting for Sunday, August 12, for the purpose of calling Designated Pastor, Jeff Binder, as Pastor. This recommendation is enthusiastically endorsed by the Personnel Committee, Session, the Presbytery, and Pastor Jeff. The purpose is to remove the designated time period, which was originally two years, from the call. When approved, Jeff's call to be our pastor will be open ended. The call for this meeting also includes an item to elect officers. One position on our session still remains to be filled. Elected the following Session and Corporation officers for a one year term. All three of these officers are continuing in their roles. - Sam Connell, President of the Corporation - Carol Powers, Clerk of Session and Secretary of the Corporation - Frank Powers, Treasurer Elected Connie Brenner and Greg Russell as Valley s commissioners to the June Presbytery meeting in Salem Reviewed and validated ministry assignments and committee chairs: Christian Nurture for Adults, Kristina Kurtz Christian Nurture for Children, Bev Hubbard Christian Nurture for Youth, Carolyn Reed Church Officer Nominating Committee (CONC), Cheryl Rees Communications and Social Media, Glenys Craig Facilities, Roger Rees Fellowship, Cheryl Rees Finance and Stewardship, Eben Jenkins Membership, Glenys Craig Mission, Connie Brenner Personnel, David Jimerson Safety and Security, Phil Miller Worship and Music, Greg Russell Page 8 valleycommunity.org July 2018

9 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 9:30a Early Coffee Fellowship 10:00a Worship-Music & Drama Presentation 11:00a Coffee Fellowship 11:30a Christian Nurture for Children Meeting 12:00p Calvary Korean Worship 1:00p Calvary Korean Fellowship 2 9:00a Personnel Comm. 1:30p Mission Committee 6:00p Girl Scout Troop 7:00p Girl Scout Troop 3 10:00a Staff Meeting 10:15a Tai Chi Class 2:00p Myrna Haftorson Celebration of Life 7:00p Christian Nurture for Youth Meeting 4 Fourth of July - Church Office Closed 8:00a Men s Bible Study 7:00p Calvary Korean Church Bible Study 5 6 Church Office Closed 8:00a Women s Exercise 7 Habitat for Humanity Build 8 9:30a Early Coffee Fellowship 10:00a Worship 10:20a Sunday Funday 11:00a Coffee Fellowship 12:00p Calvary Korean Worship 1:00p Calvary Korean Fellowship 9 6:00p Girl Scout Troop 7:00p Finance Comm. 7:00p Girl Scout Troop 10 10:00a Staff Meeting 10:15a Tai Chi Class 7:00p Session 11 8:00a Men s Bible Study 7:00p Calvary Korean Church Bible Study 12 2:00p West Slope Library Reading Program 13 8:00a Women s Exercise 14 9:00a VBS Volunteer Training 15 9:30a Early Coffee Fellowship 10:00a Worship 11:00a Coffee Fellowship 11:30a Communication Committee 11:30a Dining for Women 12:00p Calvary Korean Worship 1:00p Calvary Korean Fellowship 7:00p Scout Venture Crew 16 10:00a Meals on Wheels 6:00p Girl Scout Troop 7:00p VBS Volunteer Training 7:00p Girl Scout Troop 7:30p Troop 592 Parent Planning Meeting 17 10:00a Staff Meeting 10:15a Tai Chi Class 7:00p Deacons Meeting 18 8:00a Men s Bible Study 7:00p Calvary Korean Church Bible Study 19 8:00a Soup Kitchen 4:00p Worship and Music Committee 5:00p Music Selection Team 20 The Messenger Newsletter Articles Due 8:00a Women s Exercise :30a Early Coffee Fellowship 10:00a Worship Blessing of the Animals 11:00a Coffee Fellowship 11:15a Exploring Presbyterianism 12:00p Calvary Korean Worship 1:00p Calvary Korean Fellowship 23 9:00a Vacation Bible School 6:00p Girl Scout Troop 7:00p Girl Scout Troop 24 9:00a Vacation Bible School 10:00a Staff Meeting 25 8:00a Men s Bible Study 9:00a Vacation Bible School 7:00p Calvary Korean Church Bible Study 26 9:00a Vacation Bible School 27 8:00a Women s Exercise 9:00a Vacation Bible School 10:00a Gamble Library Book Middle School City Camp 9:30a Early Coffee Fellowship 10:00a Worship 11:00a Coffee Fellowship 11:00a All-Church Picnic 11:30a Membership Committee 31 Middle School City Camp 6:00p Girl Scout Troop 7:00p Girl Scout Troop July :00p Calvary Korean Worship 1:00p Calvary Korean Fellowship

10 THE MESSENGER VALLEY COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 8060 SW BRENTWOOD ST. PORTLAND, OR RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED TIME DATED MATERIAL BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS July 22 at 10:00 a.m. on the front lawn Bring your pets and enjoy free fair-trade coffee and snacks! Open to the community! See p. 2