News from Pastor Karin

Dear Kris,

You heard this summer from our CARAVAN students about their learning and service trip to Paradise, California with the Boys’ & Girls’ Club. With gratitude for and inspired by their experience, Mission & Service has further invested in the ministry of that organization.

But we want to take it a step further. Stay posted for details that will be upcoming for a weekend trip to Paradise (how can one resist that!) to continue the work begun by our youth.

I’m grateful for the many ways this church takes stewardship seriously, giving of our resources, our time, our prayers, and our skills. Thanks for being such a caring community! 

Peace,

Karin

Silicon Valley Sponsoring Committee

Wednesday, October 18 • 6:30–8 pm • Soulé Hall

God calls us to serve our community — including those who are beyond our own church walls. Partnerships with outside networks can be essential to us fulfilling God’s vision for spreading grace and love. That’s why I’m so excited that our community is part of a growing interfaith community organization called the Silicon Valley Sponsoring Committee.

The committee describes itself in this way: “We are a non-partisan network of civic associations, faith-based organizations and nonprofits that come together to effect change on a larger scale than we could alone…. We help regular people have a seat at the decision-making tables of Silicon Valley.” This committee is connected to the largest and oldest national coalition of community organizations — the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF).

You have an opportunity to be part of this important community effort! Sunnyvale Pres is hosting a Sponsoring Committee event on October 18. Learn about the committee’s current efforts, the other folks in the network, and the tools and methods that IAF-affiliated organizations use. Come join your neighbors from across Silicon Valley as we all work together to make our area a better place to live for all people!

Windy Hill Open Space Preserve Hike

This Saturday, October 14 • 9 am • RSVP

Join us for a 6-mile hike with fantastic views and an elevation gain of 1300 ft. We'll meet near the Alpine Trailhead; allow time to find parking nearby. Please RSVP if you're coming!

This is Linda's last hike before moving to Sweden, but the hiking group will continue! Marilyn Beck will manage the emails and members will take turns leading. We have suggested routes, or you can lead the group on your favorite hike. 

Youth Pumpkin Patch

& Sailing in Santa Cruz

This Sunday, October 15

11:30 am–6:30 pm • RSVP

This coming Sunday, the youth group (all grades 6–12) will be heading to Santa Cruz for an afternoon of pumpkin patching and sailing on a 39-foot catamaran! We’ll meet at Trinity Court at 11:30 am to drive down to Santa Cruz. We should return to church by 6:30 pm. Please RSVP as soon as you can to youth@sunnyvalepres.com. 

Free Library Book Give-Away!

Sunday, October 22 • 9–10 am & 11 am–noon • Trinity Court

Help us make room on our church library shelves! Stop by our book give-away table and pick some free books to take home. This one-day-only opportunity will be open before and after the 10 am service on Sunday, October 22. Come see us in Trinity Court outside the church library to find children’s books, theology study guides, and more! 

Volunteers Needed: Be a Trunk!

Saturday, October 28

Be a trunk for Trunk or Treat! Decorate the trunk of your car for a fun-filled night at the church, and pass out candy to trick or treaters. Trunks are asked to bring approximately 400 pieces of candy and expect to be at church from 6:15–8:30 pm. Sign up online or check out the examples of past trunks! For questions, please email Jenna.

Retirement Reception for

Executive Presbyter Rev. Joey Lee

Saturday, November 4 • 2–4 pm

SVPC Gym • RSVP

Join us for refreshments and light fare as the San Jose Presbytery honors our Executive Presbyter’s decades of faithful leadership and celebrates his retirement in style. 

Reimagining Possibilities for

Adults with Disabilities in Higher Education

Sunday, November 5 • 11:30 am–12:30 pm • Soulé Hall & Zoom

Learn how the College of Adaptive Arts at West Valley College in Saratoga is transforming the lives and perception of adults with disabilities. It’s the only college in the US that provides this equitable, lifelong collegiate experience to adults with special needs. Co-founder & Executive Director DeAnna Pursai was named a 2022 CNN Hero. See these videos for more about the CAA’s purpose and impact.

Save the Date: Women’s Retreat

April 5–7, 2024

Save the date! The 2024 Women’s Retreat will be held at Vallombrosa Retreat Center in Menlo Park. Rev. Marci Glass from Calvary Presbyterian Church will be our speaker. All who identify as women or nonbinary are invited to attend this year’s retreat. Stay tuned for more details!

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group

4th Tuesdays of the month • 11:30 am–1 pm • Over Zoom

Join other caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia in a group led by Diane Currier of the Alzheimer’s Association. The group that previously met at Sunnyvale Pres is currently meeting virtually over Zoom. Please contact 1-800-272-3900 to register for this group or any of the Alzheimer’s Association’s caregiver support groups now meeting over Zoom or in-person.

What is the Memorial Garden?

Did you know? Sunnyvale Pres has a garden to the northeast of the sanctuary where the cremated remains of members can be inurned. It’s a lovely grassy area and each person inurned has a brass plaque on the memorial wall. It has become a beloved place for friends and family to come and remember loved ones. If you want more information about costs and procedures, email karlee@sunnyvalepres.com.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers...

• Maggie Burklund
• Nancy Tousignant
• Joan Latimer
• Mildred Prasad 
• Fran Lusk
• Paula White
• Beth Pole
• Cille Emery
• Betty MacDonald
• The loved ones of Kathie Yaggi, who died

Camino de Santiago

Oct. 15

Senior Zoom Coffee

Oct. 26

CircleSongs

Nov. 1



Save the date...

• Grief Share: Surviving the Holidays • Nov. 12
• Advent wreath making • Nov. 19
• Speaker: PC(USA) Mission Co-Worker Karla Koll • Nov. 26
• Christmas Angel Tea • Dec. 14

Sunday Mornings

• Bible Study • 8:30–9:30 am • Email
• Worship • 10 am • Nursery (child care) available for ages 6 months through kindergarten
• Children’s Church + STARS (3 yrs–5th grade) • 10 am • Register
• Youth Group • Times vary, check the website
• Children’s Ministry Bake Sale • 1st Sunday • After worship • Trinity Court or donate online • Supports Children’s Ministry service projects
• DipJar • 1st Sunday • Trinity Court or donate online • Supports Sunnyvale Community Services
• Family Meals • 2nd Sunday • 11:30 am–1 pm • Phoenix Center • Info
• Grief Support Group • 1st Sunday • 1 pm • Zoom • Email

Wednesday Evenings

• OASIS (Grades 1–5) • Wednesdays • 6:15–7:30 pm • Email • Register
• Modern Worship Collective • 2nd & 4th Wednesdays • 6:30–7:30 pm • Sanctuary
• Evensong: Contemplative Worship • 3rd Wednesdays • 6:30–7:30 pm • Sanctuary

Prayer & Bible Study Groups

• Virtual Small Group for Grades 4–6 • Mondays • 6:15–7 pm • Email
• Men’s Bible Study • Tuesdays • 6:30–7:30 am • Email

Social & Support Groups

• LGBTQ+ Family and Friends Group • 1st Monday • 7 pm • Email
• Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group • 4th Tuesday • 11:30 am • Over Zoom • Call 1-800-272-3900
• Parents Together: In-Person • 1st Wednesday • 9–11 am • Patio outside the gym • Info
• Support Group for Parents of Neurodiverse Kids • 2nd Wednesday • 10–11 am • Coleman Room 702 • Info • Email
• Prayer Shawl Knitters • 3rd Wednesday • 7:30–9 pm • Over Zoom • Email
• Spice Dinner (50+ singles) • 2nd Thursday • 6–8 pm • Email
• Queer Fellowship Group • Monthly get-togethers • Email

Outdoors

• Hiking Group • 2nd Saturday • 9 am • Email
• Cycling Group • Most Saturday mornings • 9 am • Email

Helpful Links

• Subscribe to e-newsletters for children, youth, and/or weekly worship focus.
• Like us on Facebook.
• Follow Sunnyvale Pres and Youth Ministry on Instagram.
• Re-read past articles in our newsletter archives.