Weekly Newsletter, Vol. 1 - Iss. 2 - March 24, 2010

Coming Events
In the News
Weekly Devotional
Our Ministry
Programs
Being of Service
CARE Groups
Contact Us

Find Us:

Valley Ministries
4118 Coronado Ave
Stockton, CA

(209) 810-9500

Visit our Website

Newsletter Archive:

March 14, 2010

A message from your Stewardship Coordinator: Our church needs to financially be supported by our Tithes and Offerings. Unfortunately the month of February resulted in a $173 shortfall. I am encouraging everyone in the congregation to stretch financially, grab an envelope, add money to it (checks or credit cards), and note: For February shortfall. As we all pray to God for guidance our budget will be met by each one of us truly tithing to God's work.

This Week's Question:

The Cross Question: Am I Not to Drink the Cup? - John 13:31-38

Coming Events:

Wednesdays during Lent - 7 pm Service, "Would Jesus Discriminate?"

March 28 - Take soup out to the homeless. See the Ministries section for more info.

April 4 - Easter! This year instead of Baskets we will give out Easter Boxes filled with candy and goodies. We invite you to bring school supplies like pens, rulers, pencils, note pads etc as well as candy and Easter Goodies. We will be delivering these before Easter. You can put your supplies up near the Altar.

Easter Here at Valley Ministries: We will have an Easter Egg hunt for our kids ... and we need some people to make Hard Boiled Easter Eggs! If you would like to help out, there is a sign-up sheet in the foyer.

April 10 - "Would Jesus Discriminate?" workshop. 9 am - 4 pm. Lunch will be provided. Come together and ask the question "Would Jesus discriminate?" This is preparation for our Community wide campaign. All Valley Ministries members and non-members are highly encouraged to clear the day, mark your calendars, and attend! Encourage friends, extended family and other community members to attend with you.

This will be a day of lively discussion, lots of information to think about, and planning for the our Community campaign. If you are planning to attend please RSVP by signing up on the list in the church foyer. This way we can make sure we have enough resources for everyone.

April 11 - Valley Ministries 11th Anniversary. This year's theme is "Transitions: Remembering the past, but looking toward the future."

April 18 - Board of Directors meeting after service. Board meetings are open to everyone!

April 24 - Spring Fling dance, 7 pm - 11 pm in the church. Enjoy dancing, food, hourly raffle drawing, and memory photographs. Cost will be $10 per person, or $15 per couple. If you have Facebook, please RSVP here, otherwise please email Dena.

May 16 - Board of Directors meeting after service. Board meetings are open to everyone!

May 22 - Valley Bay Area, Region 1, Cluster Gathering. Come join our Cluster Team Leader Sharon as we work together to help Valley Ministries and the Bay Area Valley Cluster grow and thrive. Click here to register. Registration is $30 per person. Please see our Cluster Team Leader Sharon with any questions. Further info to be announced as it is released.

In the News:

Fighting LGBT discrimination in schools
Teenage lesbian Constance McMillen has a story to tell, and she will not stop until everyone understands the importance of equal rights for LGBT students.

US gay soldiers will face trial over White House protest
Two out gay soldiers who chained themselves to the White House fence in a protest against the military gay ban will go on trial next month.

Lesbian elected bishop in Los Angeles
The Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool, a clergy member in a committed lesbian relationship, has been elected the next bishop for the Diocese of Los Angeles. She becomes only the second openly gay partnered priest to be elected a bishop in the Episcopal Church.

Children rejected from US Catholic school for having lesbian parents
A Catholic school in Colorado, US, has barred two children from re-enrolling because their parents are lesbians.

Jamaica's gay underground Christians
Every Sunday Philbert and his friends have to worship in a different space. The risk is too high if it's discovered that they're queer.

Weekly Devotional:

This week the Daily Devotional focuses on the theme of Prayer.

With everything going on in the world today, life can become hectic. Often times we try to do too many things and forget to invest in spending some quality time with God. In my Christian journey I have found God to be the best investment and financial advisor there is. If you are willing to invest the time to pray, worship, and study God's Word, God will keep you focused and give you ideas to do things better and more efficiently.

Early in my life my mom instilled in me to pray until something happens (P.U.S.H) and to always set time aside to meditate with God. No broker is needed. You only have to have a sincere heart. If you have tried everything but God, I invite you to start spending time with God in prayer. Spending time with God will be the best investment you could ever make with guaranteed dividends. God always answers prayer. Remember that time is God's gift to us; however, what you do with your time is your gift to God.

Remember to turn in your hidden message slip each week in the basket at the front of church for your chance to win a Starbucks gift card! If you don't yet have a Daily Devotional, please see Marilyn.

Our Ministry:

During the month of March, we will be collecting women's and men's new socks and underwear for St. Mary's Interfaith homeless shelter. There is a box in the entry way for you to drop in your items.

We need your help to take soup out to the homeless on March 28th. Helpers are needed to warm up soup and fill cups immediately after church service on 3/28. Drivers are also needed to deliver the soup to the homeless. You will be blessed as you serve. See Beth to sign up or circle #4 on the Attendance form.

EMI International: EMI is in the business of training Christians to bring an understandable Gospel so that the nations can choose Open Churches where people can come to inquire about God, study God's Word, act on God's Word, and find friendship and fun!

Safe Passage: Safe Passage works with the poorest at-risk children of families working in the Guatemala City garbage dump. Within a safe and caring environment, we provide a comprehensive and integrated program that fosters hope, good health, educational achievement, self-sufficiency, self esteem and confidence.

Mother of Peace: The Mother of Peace Orphanage houses and nurtures 210 children ranging in ages from new born to 18 yrs of age. Each child has been infected or affected/impacted by HIV/AIDS. Mother of Peace is both a farm and orphanage based on strong Christian family life in Mutoko, Zimbabwe with a vision of becoming self-sustaining.

Asia Pacific International: One of every three persons on earth is Asian. UFMCC's Region One includes all of mainland Asia, yet before 2008 we had no presence there. The API was established in 2008 for the purpose of introducing MCC to Asia.

MCC Haiti Disaster Relief: Help us help them! Thousands are suffering. Thousands are mobilized. Share your resources. Build up hope!

Programs:

Check Out This Amazing Opportunity!!
Now you can help send Rev. Terri and our lay delegate, Pam, to general conference AND spend an amazing week in Kauai, Hawaii. To find out how click here.

Homeless backpack needs: Toothpaste, pens, backpacks, hard candy, bibles, washcloths, stamps, lotion, and shampoo. Place your donated items in the box in the entry way.

Cook Book Fundraiser: This week we are focusing on recipes for Meats, Poultry, and Seafood. Send in three of your favorite recipes to keloja@att.net. Let's help this cookbook happen!

Sermons on CD: Did you know if you miss a sermon you can purchase a CD copy for only $5? If you would like to purchase a CD copy, circle D on the yellow sign in card in church and place it in the offering basket. Please be specific on the date you are looking for.

Valley Ministries on YouTube: You can now view a video of each weeks sermon on YouTube. Join us as we spread the word of God's love online and let people know that Valley Ministries and MCC is there for them. Find us on our YouTube channel.

Being of Service:

Have you ever felt called to be of service at Valley Ministries? Have you seen people reading scripture or doing Candle of Hope and said to yourself "I would like to do that"? If so, then you are reading the right article! At Valley Ministries we offer several opportunities to provide service each Sunday, they are:

In Charge
Candle of Hope
Celebration of Giving
Scripture Reader
Sunday School Teachers
Acolyte Server
Welcome/Greeter
Security
Ushers

Starting this month we will have training sessions with Pastor and myself on some of the above service duties. This month on 3/28 at 12:30 pm (directly after service) we will start with "In Charge" training to go over the expectations and requirements of this duty. Training will last no more than 15 minutes, so please I encourage you to attend if you feel called. If you would like more information on any of the above service duties, please see me Sunday before or after church.

Dena Carver,
Valley Ministries Scheduler

CARE Groups:

CARE groups meet the 2nd and 4th Sundays at 5 pm. Contact the CARE Group Leader in your area for more information. CARE groups are a small group ministry for four distinct purposes:

Connecting with each other
Accepting & being accepted
Realizing God's Word
Encouraging with prayer and fellowship

Connect with your CARE Group Leaders now: Stockton - Phyllis Moore, Loretta Woodbury, and Billy Moss. Sacramento - Erica Retzer and Diana Kline. Tracy - Dena Carver and Nancy Baca.

CARE Groups will not be running on April 11th so groups can enjoy our Anniversary Celebration.

General questions/comments/concerns? Email valleyministries@valleyministries.com

Want to submit an announcement for Sunday service? Email communications@valleyministries.com

Need to make contact with your local CARE group? Email care@valleyministries.com

Senior Pastor - Rev. Terri Miller
revtlm@valleyministries.com

Minister of Music and CARE Groups, Cluster Team Lead - Sharon Henry
shenry@valleyministries.com

Lay Delegate - Pam Osborne
pam@valleyministries.com

Our Board of Directors:
board@valleyministries.com

Stewardship Coordinator - Nancy Baca
Facility Manager - Leslie Vaughn
Financial Administrator - Annette Novotny
Fundraising Coordinator - Thelma Carver
Communications Administrator - Princess Uribe