News from Pastor Hardy

Dear Kris,

September brings many shifts in the rhythms of our lives. Along the way, I hope your to-do list leaves room for the most important things — connecting in community; checking in with your spirit; feeling God’s presence; using your gifts to serve others. Although it’s easy to lose our sense of direction, this core truth remains: we’re here to experience God’s love and to share it with each other.

I trust you’ll see this truth reflected at Sunnyvale Pres. Family Ministries provide grounding and support. Adult programs offer spiritual enrichment. Community gatherings bring us together. Wednesday gatherings help you catch your breath and find your center.

Sunnyvale Pres seeks to support you in every season of your life — through struggle and confusion, or celebration and thanksgiving. I invite you to check out what’s happening this season, and to invest in building up yourself and others as part of this community.

With hope,

Hardy

SVPC’s 40-Year History of Peacemaking

Peace & Global Witness

Sunnyvale Pres joined PC(USA)’s call to God’s covenant by committing to peacemaking in 1983. Twenty years later, session renewed that commitment. Now in 2023 — the 40th anniversary of this covenant — Sunnyvale Pres will, as we do each year, continue our role in creating a peaceful world by receiving the Peace and Global Witness Offering on World Communion Sunday, October 1. The recipient of this year’s offering will be revealed during worship on September 17.

Shoreline Bay Trail Hike

This Saturday, September 9 • 9 am • RSVP

Join us for an easy 5-mile hike along the Bay Trail at Shoreline in Mountain View. Meet at 9 am in front of the American Bistro Cafe at Shoreline Lake, 3160 N. Shoreline Blvd. Please allow time to find parking nearby. RSVP if you’re coming so we can look for you (leave no hiker behind) and know whom to contact if a hike is canceled for any reason. We’re excited to see you there!

PW Book Study:

Contemporary Topics in

Kids’ Books

Tuesdays, September 19–October 10

7 pm • Zoom

This book study for adults explores kids’ books addressing four challenging topics: body image and eating disorders, sexual abuse of children, queer families, and racial stereotypes. You don’t have to sign up in advance or attend every week. You don’t have to purchase the books, but they would make great gifts for children in your life or a local charity.

This study is in conjunction with October’s PW workshop, “Kids Today: A Changing World.”

Congregational Meeting

Sunday, September 24 • After Worship • Onsite and online

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend, either in person or on Zoom. The purpose of the meeting is the election of church officers. Find more information on the church website.

Slate of Church Officers

The Nominating Committee is grateful to the congregation for the many suggestions submitted during last spring’s officer recommendation period. We spent the summer reaching out to those individuals to discern who felt God’s call to serve in these roles. As a result we are excited to announce the following names to be placed into nomination at the congregational meeting on September 24:

• Elders (Class of 2026) — Jonathan Dix, Roger Elrod, Marilyn Kunz, Barbara McClellan, Ansel Misfeldt, Marissa Moffett, Scotty VanSickle, and Irene Yang
• Deacons (Class of 2026) — Diana Aldrich, Mary Boyle, Lydia Coolidge, Debbie Haughey, Coleen Hausler, and Bob Stoddard
• Nominating Committee 2024 Members-at-Large — Sue Ahn and Joanne Papoulias

The Nominating Committee extends our sincere thanks to these members of our congregation who answered yes to the call!

Fall Fest

Sunday, October 1 • 2–4 pm

Phoenix Center (700 bldg.)

Everyone is invited to an afternoon of fun including a live band, lots of games, and pumpkin painting for the kids. Bring a dessert to share and enjoy an afternoon of community fun on the patio. Questions? Contact Carol Heath.

New Member Class

Sunday, October 8 • After Worship • Hybrid • RSVP

New and wanting to learn more about us? Been with us a while and ready to consider membership? Come join Pastor Karin for our New Member class on October 8 right after worship (in person or online) to learn more! Please RSVP online or by emailing karlee@sunnyvalepres.com.

Volunteers Needed: Phoenix Center Patio Pergola Renovation

Date TBD

If you would like to assist in renovating the pergola on the Phoenix Center, please contact Rich Pak. Work dates and times will be coordinated with participants’ schedules.

Welcome to the Sunnyvale Pres Library!

Shannon Reilly, Todd Compton, Wesley Compton and Donna Dillard are working and learning together to help keep the Sunnyvale Pres Library vibrant, current, and relevant! As we do so, we witness the many gifts Julie Reilly generously gave to the library through her time, knowledge, organization and professionalism. As we honor her good work, we happily welcome you to enjoy the library. The library will be open for half an hour after church most Sundays.

Memorial Services

Dorothy Davidson

Thursday, September 14

10 am

All are invited to a memorial service in the Memorial Garden on Thursday, September 14 at 10 am for Dorothy Davidson. A reception with tea will follow the service.

Scott Brittle

Friday, September 15

10 am

All are invited to the celebration of life for Scott Brittle on September 15 at 10 am. At Scott’s request, if you are able, ride your bike to the service; if you are a baker, wear your apron; bright colors and Hawaiian shirts requested. A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall/Trinity Court.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers...

• Maggie Burklund
• Nancy Tousignant
• Joan Latimer
• Mildred Prasad
• Fran Lusk
• The Harps

Discipleship Class

Sept. 10–Oct. 1

Circle Songs

Oct. 4 & Nov. 1

PW Workshop:

Kids Today

October 14

Trunk or Treat

Oct. 28



Save the date...

• The Camino de Santigo: Experiences from a Modern Day Pilgrimage • Sunday, October 15
• Youth Family Fall Party • Saturday, October 21

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
• Grief Support Group • 1st Sunday • 1 pm • Zoom • Email

Wednesday Evenings

• OASIS (Grades 1–5) • Restarting October 4 • 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Wednesdays • 6:30–7:30 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 • 9:30–11 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.