February eNews - This Weekend's Snow Impact on Church Events

745 Little Neck Road

Virginia Beach, VA 23452

(757) 340-2840

SNOW UPDATES FOR THIS SUNDAY

With an unpredictable forecast this weekend, we are cancelling some events while continuing others. Here is the latest for each of our Sunday events:

Adult Sunday Morning Faith Formation: Cancelled

Youth Morning Faith Formation: Cancelled

Children Faith Formation: Cancelled

Nursery: Closed

10:00 Worship Service: Being Held In-Person and Online

Music Makers: Cancelled

Confirmation Class: Meeting Via Zoom

Piano Concert with Dr. Ruple: Postponed until February 22nd

Gather Dinner Church: Cancelled

Youth Group: Cancelled

Please use your discretion when coming to events still being held. If it doesn't feel safe to come, don't come. We will see you next week.

Buckling Down, Looking Up

As winter weather settles in and storms approach, many of us instinctively begin to buckle down. We stock up on supplies, adjust our schedules, and prepare to stay close to home. There is something grounding about these moments—when the world slows, routines shift, and we are reminded of our dependence on forces beyond our control. Winter has a way of inviting us to pause, to notice, and to remember that we are not as self-sufficient as we sometimes imagine.

In these quieter, colder days, God often feels especially near. Scripture frequently uses storms, wind, and wilderness seasons as places where God speaks—not always with thunder, but often in stillness. When snow falls or winds howl outside, we are given an invitation to turn inward and upward: to pray, to reflect, and to rest in God’s presence. Buckling down for a storm can become a spiritual practice, a reminder to anchor ourselves in God as our refuge and strength.

Even as winter weather may bring inconvenience or uncertainty, it also offers a gentle lesson in trust. Just as we seek shelter and warmth, we are invited to seek God’s care and provision. The same Lord who watches over us through the seasons remains faithful in every kind of storm. May these winter days help us slow our pace, deepen our faith, and recognize the quiet ways God meets us right where we are, even as the winds blow outside.

While the church doors will be open this Sunday morning for our 10:00 worship service, we strongly encourage you to make the choices that are safest for your family, which may mean gathering on the couch in your pajamas and livestreaming worship from the comfort and safety of your home instead. Confirmation will take place via Zoom. All other church events for this Sunday are cancelled. Please prioritize your safety, and stay warm, friends! May we all hold each other in prayer through this weather until we are all together again and be assured that God will find each of us wherever we are this Sunday.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Kailey

Hello KGPC!

January has been cold outside, but warm in church, and I want to thank all the musicians and other volunteers who were involved in welcoming the PEVA folks to our campus last Saturday. They truly received a warm welcome and a worshipful experience. You all went over and above the usual call and it's such a privilege to share God's work with you.

🎹Last week we had to postpone Dr. Ruple's piano recital to this Sunday Feb. 1st, and now we are facing snow again! What a mess! But we are postponing one more time to Sunday Feb. 22^nd at 2:00pm. Third time's a charm (I hope)!

Looking ahead, February, March & April usher in the season of Lent & Easter and we have a couple very special programs to put on your calendar. My friend and colleague Julia Verba will come sing a Lenten Recital, Friday March 6th at 12:00 Noon. Her rich vocal tone and heart for the Lord will resonate with all who attend. Our Chancel Choir is also beginning work on a cantata-like Tenebrae program for Maundy Thursday April 2nd. It is beautiful music with narration entitled "The Shadow of the Cross" by Lloyd Larson. This beautiful and poignant work offers a gentle meditation on Christ's journey to His crucifixion, and the "magnitude of God's love; a love so great that it continues through all time and eternity. For shadows to exist, there must be light." If you are interested in singing with the choir for Easter or Maundy Thursday, please connect with me... t.holland@kgpc.org or 757-544-7138. Ages 15 and up are welcome.

The Praise Team, Handbell groups, and children's Music Makers are all working on special music to inspire your walk with Christ and comfort your soul during this Cross-Walk to the resurrection. May God be with you in your daily journey and bring you peace and joy... even in the shadow. Here is a great song with beautiful scenery to encourage you along the way: Jesus Paid It All | Celtic Worship ft. Steph Macleod

Tonya

The 144th stated meeting of the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia (PEVA) is officially in the books. It took place right here at KGPC as scheduled on Saturday, 1/24/2026 despite the weather forecast calling for everything from bitter cold to a foot of snow!!!

PEVA represents the 44 PCUSA churches in the greater Tidewater area. Over 100 people from the PEVA office as well as the member PCUSA churches braved the weather to attend. Many others chose the Zoom option. The number of KGPC folks that volunteered to help make this meeting a success was truly a blessing.

John Tamm, the PEVA Stated Clerk, summarized it best in a note to KGPC this week, “The day went well as we worshipped together, socialized, did the business of the Presbytery, and managed to accomplish all the requirements of the Presbytery in a compressed meeting.”

John requested that we “express our special thanks to all those that participated in the serving of refreshments and lunch, in registering the attendees, the information technology, Zoom and audio-visual support, and to those doing behind the scene tasks that made this meeting a success.” The behind the scene tasks included those who braved the cold to help park cars, those who greeted our guests to point them in the right direction, those that ushered and counted the offering, as well as those that prepared the communion. The PEVA community experienced communion around the lunch tables in the fellowship hall in the same manner that it is done at KGPC’s Gather Church.

Not only did our volunteers make an impression; our staff shone bright on this day. Tonya led the Praise Team, the choir, and the Bell Team. Wonderful and meaningful music was provided not only for the worship service in the sanctuary but also during lunch in the fellowship hall. Kailey being new to KGPC means she is also new to PEVA. Even so, her skills leading the worship service were apparent. Chris presented her sermon with amazing passion, and her message was well received. After a year of being the PEVA moderator, Chris passed the gavel on at this meeting.

KGPC is truly blessed to have such an amazing staff but even more importantly, we are blessed to have each other and the opportunities to share God’s love together as well as with those outside of our 4 walls. Thanks to each of you for that and a special thanks to those that helped make the 144th stated meeting of PEVA a success.

Saturday morning, as Katie and I walked up the steps of PIN ministry for a morning of sorting mounds of donated clothes, we were greeted by a cheerful man sitting on a bench sorting through his belongings. We noticed that he had a very thin, silvery space blanket and asked if it really helped to keep him warm. He replied “It does and when the sun is out it keeps you toasty warm!”. The temperature that morning was in the 20s, & it was overcast, threatening snow and freezing rain. This man had no place to go but that bench outside PIN ministry, waiting for the opportunity to go inside to get warm and have a hot meal. I know I would be miserable, grumbly and grumpy if that was me. Yet this man was pleasant, upbeat and content. A “God wink” to find joy despite in all situations, even in the bitter cold.

At the end of our sorting time, Katie encountered a man named Carlos, standing out in the cold, with no gloves. Knowing that there were countless pairs in the sorting area Katie brought out a brand new pair of insulated gloves, a neck gator and hat to offer Carlos. He was so happy to receive the gloves and gator. He didn’t take the hat because he already had one and he suggested we could pass it on to someone who really needs it. His joy at receiving those simple essentials was humbling; a “God wink” to appreciate what one is offered and take only what you can use.

“God winks” at PIN ministry each and every day! Thanks to this ministry God shows up in and for the “clients” that are served, in the staff that provide countless hours of support to the clients, and in the many volunteers who do seemingly minimal jobs that enable the staff members to focus on the endless challenges of those clients. “God winks” infuse this ministry and its facility with a spirit of joy that feeds the soul of everyone who is served and everyone who is serving!

We are starting a new section in our weekly email to share a short story of how you have experienced God at work. “God winks” are those coincidences we know aren’t coincidences. They are celebrations for what God is doing in us and through us.

If you’ve seen God at work in this church or in your life, write a short paragraph and send it to the church office (office@kgpc.org). Anonymous stories are accepted as well as those who don’t mind their name being known

JANUARY 2026 SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

1. Session gathered for scripture and contemplation reading John 15:4-8. Jesus tells us that He is the true vine and we are the branches. We must remain in Him for without Jesus we can do nothing!

2. We scheduled a Session retreat to take place on March 21 from 9-3 here at the church. This is a time where your Session meets to set goals for the year, to unite as God’s servants in prayer and contemplation for His Will for our church.

3. We approved our 2025 Church Statistical Report. We currently have 326 active members at KGPC. Previously there were 333 members, 4 transferred out by certificate, we had 8 deaths and we gained 5 new members.

4. We approved a portion of our Associate Pastor, Kailey Stephen’s salary to be designated as her housing allowance.

5. We elected two Session members, Jenn Baden and Bob Larose, to serve on the Nominating Committee to elect new Elders, and scheduled a Congregational Meeting for February 8th following the 10:00 worship service for the purpose of electing 3 members of the congregation for the Nominating Committee, to approve Pastor Chris and Pastor Kailey’s terms of call and for the Annual Report by the Clerk of Session.

6. The Finance Ministry made recommendations for the budgeted surplus of $20,371. After discussion, Session approved that of this surplus 10% to go to Serve Ministry in the amount of $2,000, as is our practice when there is a surplus; $2,000 to go to Grow to contribute to the Youth Faith Formation Fund to help cover Montreat expenses for this summer; and for 3% to go to bonuses for our salaried staff (in lieu of a cost of living raise) for the total amount of $7,638. The remaining amount of $8,733 will go into the General Fund. Finance also shared the substantial amount of spending from various fund accounts and their concern about our financial picture if this spending continues.

7. Session members expressed thoughts and made comments regarding a decision to hire the architect firm for pre-design services to study and create a design concept resolving KGPC’s building limitations in the areas of entry, greeting and gathering, security and handicapped accessibility. After everyone was given the chance to comment, a vote was taken and we agreed that it is God’s Will that we move forward with this pre-design proposal. The fee of $38,700 (w/contingency not to exceed $46,500) will come from the Future Project Fund.

We would like to share our rationale for this decision in the following points:

Building Needs: The church building has many needs and like all things requires updates as time passes. This project could give us ideas to address multiple needs including security and accessibility.

Hospitality Concerns: Reports from multiple visitors, congregation members, and ministry teams reflect the logistical ways that our space is hindering ministry and making it difficult to provide opportunities for welcome and connection. Once we have established relationships, this is less of an issue, but it is truly a hurdle for newcomers.

Time: Session has prayed and reflected on this for over a year, considering financial impacts and the impacts on the life of our church and working to discern God’s will. We have watched ministries try many other options for increasing hospitality and utilizing what we have without making much progress.

Church Legacy: We reflected on the legacy of those who built this church in a way that truly served the community of that time, stepping out in faith that God would provide. We believe that we must now adapt to the modern ways in which today’s community engages with churches and assess how our physical space can continue to provide for our community and congregation.

Financial considerations: While we understand the financial concerns of engaging in a large-scale project, we have been blessed by steady giving in recent years. We believe God is leading us to take a step of faith to invest in our church’s future. While we have some concerns about our future financial outlook this is a risk that we feel the Holy Spirit is leading us to take.

Session has created a new team of people to work with the architect and oversee this process. Team members include: Mel Allmond, Shannon Bronaugh, Roger Crider, Rebekah Kerr-Montoya, Bob Larose, Suzanne Long, Al Mayo, Chuck Sandford, Danny Taylor, Mickey Walker, ex-officio Rev. Chris Carrasco and Rev. Kailey Stephens. Feel free to ask questions of our team members anytime. We want this to be an open process. We hope to kick off the process in mid-February when calendars can be coordinated.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT KGPC

Sunday, February 1

10:00 AM – Worship

11:15 AM - Confirmation Class (Moved to Zoom)

Adult Faith Formation - Cancelled

Youth Donuts & Discussion - Cancelled

King's Kids - Cancelled
Gather Dinner Church - Cancelled

Youth Group - Cancelled

Monday, February 2

11:00 AM - Joyful Bells

12:30 PM - Lunch Bunch

12:30 PM - Quilters

7:00 PM - Eve Circle

Tuesday, February 3

6:30 PM - Tuesday Bells

Wednesday, February 4

7:00 AM - Prayer Breakfast

1:00 PM - Faith Walkers LIFE Group

5:30 PM - Best LIFE Group

5:45 PM - Praise Team Rehearsal

7:00 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, February 5

2:00 PM - Caregivers Support Group

7:00 PM - AA Meeting

7:00 PM - Chancel Bells

Friday, February 6

No Contemplative Prayer Group

Saturday, February 7

Click HERE for the Full Calendar

Click HERE for February Birthdays

Upcoming Special Events!

PC(USA) Action Alert Emails

The Office of Public Witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA) periodically sends “Action Alert” emails to those who sign up to receive them. These Action Alerts speak to national and global crises from a faith perspective and give specific steps that people can take to respond to these various situations. The link below is the latest PC(USA) Action Alert. If you’d like to receive these emails you may sign up for them from this link as well. May our faith inform our action as we live in a beautiful and broken world.

Click HERE for the Action Alert

Coffee with Serve

Serve invites you to come to "Coffee with Serve" after church on February 8th to enjoy fellowship time with your church family, learn about the Kairos ministry and how you can support our men who bring the love of Christ into Greenville Correctional Center, and even write an agape note to one of the men who will be a participant in the next Kairos weekend!

Join us for a Valentine’s-themed Parent’s Night Out on Friday, February 13, from 6:00–8:30 p.m. for children ages 3–11. Registration is free and now open on the KGPC website (limited spots available). A love offering will be collected to support our youth group’s summer conferences. Volunteers are also needed—sign up on your Connect Card or through the SignUpGenius link in the Weekly Highlights email.

Click HERE to Register

Click HERE to Volunteer

Need-Share-Help Board

Serve is sponsoring a "Need-Share-Help" board in the Connection Point, with the goal of fostering help and connections between members and between members and the community, as well as providing information about where items can be donated. This is a board where members can post needs such as when they need a ride somewhere, someone to watch a pet, or a specific item. This could be an item they would need to keep or an item they would like to borrow. Serve may also post needs of organizations we work with or individuals served by those organizations. This is also a board where members can post what they have to share, for example if they have an item to give away. Whether you have a "need" or something to "share," if you see a post on the board that matches with you (someone has what you need or who needs what you have), please reach out to them to connect!

Steinway Artist Eric Ruple is on the piano faculty at James Madison University. He enjoys an active career as a solo and chamber musician, including several performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and Steinway Hall in New York. For a number of years, he was pianist for the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, including several “Harry Potter Live” shows and pianist for Bernstein’s “Prelude, Fugue and Riffs” with the VSO Jazz Ensemble. His recording “Musica Incognito” with hornist Ian Zook has earned unanimously positive reviews from several national and international publications. A second CD with violinist Maureen Yuen was released in 2023. He has most recently performed with violinist Brendon Elliott, both in Virginia and on WQXR: National Public Radio, New York City.

He is a member of the American Liszt Society and has been a regular adjudicator in Hong Kong. He twice served as Interim Director for the JMU School of Music. He received his doctoral degree from the University of Michigan.

YARD SALE!!!!!

Save the Date!!!

Our annual charity benefit yard sale will be June 13! Start cleaning out your closets now!

10 AM Worship Information

The fourth season of the series, The Chosen, depicts the major events that lead up to Jesus’ final entrance into Jerusalem where he knows death awaits. His teachings become more controversial as he confronts the religious leaders while his popularity continues to grow. In this series we will better understand what led to Jesus’ death and what was at the heart of his teaching and life. Come journey with Jesus toward Jerusalem through the eyes of The Chosen.

February 1 Hope and Anxiety

Luke 22:39-45, Matthew 6:25-34

Rev. Kailey Stephens Preaching - This week we will center on the assurance that God meets us in the full range of human emotion—not only in joy and gratitude, but also in anxiety, sorrow, and fear. Rather than being signs of weak faith, these struggles are places where God’s presence is real and active, holding us as both sad and loved. Through the humanity of Jesus, we are reminded that God understands our pressures and pain and walks with us faithfully, calling us beloved in every season of life.

February 8 Martha and Mary Memorable Moments

Luke 10:38-42; John 12:1-9

Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, who are siblings, have many encounters with their good friend, Jesus. On one occasion, when Jesus and his disciples stop by for a visit, Martha learns what’s really important. On another visit, Mary pours out her love for Jesus in the form of expensive perfume. How might you live more like Martha and Mary in these two stories?

Reflection Questions: What is the one important lesson that Jesus teaches Martha? How can you incorporate both “Mary times” and “Martha times” in your life? In what way have you witnessed an extravagant outpouring of love? How are you pouring out your love for Jesus in big and small ways?

(Based on Episodes 5 and 8 of Season 4 of The Chosen.)

February 15 A Foretaste of What Is to Come
John 11:1-44 (select verses)

Jesus intentionally sets up his greatest miracle not long before his entrance into Jerusalem. Although he gets word of Lazarus’ illness several days earlier, he waits until he knows Lazarus is dead before making the journey to Bethany. He grieves with Lazarus’s sisters upon arrival as they both question why he didn’t arrive earlier. Once all his disciples, family members, and grieving friends gather at the grave, Jesus brings Lazarus back to life. He provides a foretaste of what is to come in Jerusalem.

Reflection Questions: When have been instances in your life that you didn’t understand God’s timing? What are the parts of your life you would like Jesus to “breathe new life into”?

(Based on Episode 7 of Season 4 of The Chosen)

Gather Dinner Church Worship Information

Due to Winter Weather This Weekend,

Gather Dinner Church has been cancelled this week.

Jesus’ Parables of Grace, Kingdom, and Judgment

A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. The Bible says that in addition to the 50 or so parables recorded, Jesus used many other parables, and he would not speak to the people without using a parable. The parables revolved around one of three central themes: Grace, Kingdom, Judgment. We will explore several of Jesus’ parables and learn the deeper truths he shared through these stories.

Parables of Judgement (with a Little Grace)

February 8 The Sheep and the Goats--Matthew 25:31-46

February 15 The Seed, Soil, and Sower--Matthew 13:1-9,18-23

This Week's Menu:

Click HERE For the Sign Up Genius

Eve Circle will meet on Monday,February 2nd at 7:00 pm in the Parlor. Contact Pam Ponce (pnp.virginia@gmail.com) for information.

Lydia Circle will meet on Tuesday, February 10th at 10:30 am in the Connection Point. . For more information, please Contact Claudia Hudgens (claudiakhudgens@gmail.com).

BOOK CLUB

How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley

February 24th 7:00pm

(Julie Seipel has a copy for those who would like to borrow it)

As always, ALL are welcome!

For more info contact Julie Seipel at jseipel57@gmail.com

Our Book Club meets on the last Tuesday of the month

at 7:00 p.m. in the Parlor.

Need a book, contact Julie Seipel for information.

KGPC FINANCIAL REPORT

PERIOD ENDING: DECEMBER 2025

MONTH OF DECEMBER

Cash Income--------- $66,900

Cash Expenses -------($40,433)

Surplus(Deficit)------- $26,466

YEAR-TO-DATE COMPARISON

ACTUAL INCOME:-------

ACTUAL EXPENSES:--

DIFFERENCE:----------- -

2024

$660,027

($604,803)

$ 55,224

2025

$657,329

($636,958)

$20,371

Click HERE for Financial Summary

Grow In Your Faith!

Our Livestream is available Sundays on YouTube and also on Facebook! Use the links below. The links will also be in the Sunday Morning Worship email.

Click HERE for our 10:00 AM Worship Service

Click HERE for this week's Worship Guide

Those Serving our Church This Sunday:

Head Usher: Gay Aridas

Greeter: Julie Seipel

Tech Team: Cameras - David Scholefield ; Slides - Lisa Hemmrich; Soundboard -Mandi Powell; Livestream - Matthew Montoya

Time and Talents

Here is all our current lists looking for volunteers!

Parent's Night Out

Gather Dinner Church

Faith Formation Information!

DUE TO WINTER WEATHER, FAITH FORMATION HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR THIS WEEK. BELOW IS OUR USUAL FAITH FORMATION INFORMATION.

The adult faith formation class is doing a study of First and Second Samuel which will continue through June 7th.

All are welcome! No preparation is required and Bibles are provided. We meet Sundays at 8:45 in room 115 (Parlor).

February 8 Ch. 14-15 TBD

February 15 Ch. 16-17 Pat Bowling

February 22 Ch. 18-20 Louise Fox

Youth Faith Formation

Youth Discussion and Donuts will be in room 102. Join us at 9:00 am in room 102 for lively, faith-filled discussions... and donuts!

King's Kids

King's Kids (children's faith formation classes) meets Sunday at 10:00. Kindergarten through grade 5 meet in room 104 and preschool meets in room 117. Please register your children on our website or at the classroom

Youth Group

Youth Group has been cancelled this week due to Winter Weather.

Stay safe, stay warm.

Sabbath Life Sunday Morning Group

The Sabbath Life Group meets Sunday mornings before worship. We will be studying the book of Matthew starting in January and would love to have you join us!

Spring ‘26 “LIFE” Groups

(“LIFE” L=Love God, I=Impact Others, F=Find time together, E=Engage authentically)

Join a LIFE group this Spring!

Prayerfully consider where you might spend “LIFE“ at KGPC!

There is a place for you in this small group experience. And there is always room for more… more members & more groups.

For more information, contact Julie Seipel (jseipel57@gmail.com).

Please contact the LIFE facilitator for details on the LIFE group you would like to be a part of.

Sunday:

Sabbath LIFE, 8:45-9:45 a.m. @ church, Suzy Farley (suzyfarley@yahoo.com)

Monday:

Lunch Bunch LIFE, 12:30-2pm @ church Connection Point, bring a lunch, Julie Seipel (jseipel57@gmail.com)

Tuesday:

Porch LIFE, 6:30 p.m., every other Tuesday @ Chuck & Pam Sandford’s home (chuck_sandford@yahoo.com)

Wednesday:

Prayer Breakfast LIFE, 7 a.m. @ church Fellowship Hall, Don Bradway (bradway.don@gmail.com)

Faith Walkers LIFE, 1 p.m., @ church in the Parlor, Sue Mooney (susannemooney@gmail.com)

Best LIFE group, 5:30 p.m., various restaurants, Jenn Baden (jennifer.baden@gmail.com)

Thursday:

Biscuit Bunch LIFE group, 8:30 a.m., 3rd Thursday of the month, @ church, Daryl Mitchell (darylwmitch@gmail.com)

Zoom LIFE Group, 7 p.m., every other week, online, in the comfort of your home, Karen Pleas (pleask.2@verizon.net)

Monthly LIFE groups:

Book Club, 7 p.m., last Tuesday of each month @ church, Julie Seipel (jseipel57@gmail.com

Home Communion

Are you unable to make it to worship on a regular basis? Would you like to still participate in the sacrament of Communion? Every Communion Sunday, we have several elders willing to bring Communion to you in your home.

If you would like to receive home Communion, please notify Miriam Callahan or the Church Office. (757-340-2840)

We would like to remind everyone that from Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:45 AM and 12:30 PM, the doors by Trinity Preschool are designated for preschool use only.

This measure is in place to ensure the safety and security of our wonderful students. Thank you for being an integral part of our efforts to maintain a secure and supportive atmosphere for all.

Session Members

The Members of Session are always open to have conversations about what is happening in the church. Let's Talk!

Class of 2026