News from Pastor Hardy

Dear Kris,

I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say how grateful I am for Pastor Karin’s ministry! As we approach the end of her time here, that gratitude naturally mingles with sadness and raises questions about what comes next.

First, we’re celebrating Pastor Karin! She’ll preach her farewell sermon series in June. Then we’ll honor her with a community meal and special worship service in July.

After that, we’ll resume work with our consultant in the deep visioning and discernment work begun last year. That work will help clarify our long-term leadership and pastoral needs, at which point we’ll open the call for a permanent associate pastor.

For the next couple years, a temporary associate pastor will be brought in to oversee the ministry areas and duties Pastor Karin currently supports. We have a couple very qualified candidates, so we hope to have news to share with you early this summer.

Until then, please continue to join me in praying for Pastor Karin, Ken, Josiah, and Hope. Pray also for our church community and leaders — that we might all be open to the leading of God’s Spirit along this loving and miraculous journey of faith.

In Christ’s peace,

Hardy

News from Pastor Karin

Dear Friends,

I’m looking forward to being with you in worship and preaching for the last three Sundays in June. I always love sharing our time together in worship and these weeks we’ll look at scripture and reflect together about God’s work in and among us over the years as followers of Jesus.

I know summer is upon us and many are already coming and going from vacations. But if you’re in town or able to join us online, come and let’s be together as a community of faith.

I’ll see you then! 

Peace,

Karin

Coffees with Karin

Want to connect more directly outside of Sunday worship? Please drop in and say hello over coffee, either in person or online. No RSVP needed!

• Monday, June 17 • 12–1 pm • Enjoy a midday break together at Peet’s in Sunnyvale (144 West El Camino Real).
• Tuesday, June 18 • 8:30–9:30 am • Grab your own coffee and meet up online.

Send-off Celebrations

Please mark your calendars with these special Sundays!

• June 16, 23, and 30 • Pastor Karin’s farewell sermon series
• July 7 • Community lunch in Phoenix Center after church
• July 14 • Pastor Karin’s last Sunday, with a special worship service followed by the required congregational meeting to formally dissolve the pastoral relationship

Susan Pecot Retiring from PELC

Hi, Friends!

It’s been my joy for almost 17 years to work in the PELC office, and I’m writing to say that it’s time for me to retire. I am thankful for our Directors — Grace, Darlene, and Christina — as well as every single one of our teachers and office staff, the PELC families, and the church. I’m so very grateful for this community and I have truly loved being here.

Thank you!

Susan

Celebrate Pride All Summer at Sunnyvale Pres! 

Pride events page

T-shirt pre-orders close this Sunday, June 16

Have you seen the new Pride & Affirming Events page on our website? At Sunnyvale Pres, we’re celebrating Pride all summer long! With so many events, celebrations, and classes, we’ve created a section on our website to help direct you to these opportunities. 

We especially hope you will take a minute now to order a Sunnyvale Pres rainbow logo t-shirt that you can wear with pride. Pre-orders end this Sunday, June 16, so order now to ensure you get the desired size. (We will order extras to sell after the pre-order phase.) These shirts will be perfect to wear at Sunnyvale Pride on August 15 and Silicon Valley Pride on August 25, where our church will be marching together in a Pride parade for the very first time!

Young Adult Event

Picnic and Lawn Games

Saturday, June 22 • 5–8 pm

Santa Clara Central Park

Come join our monthly young adult meet-up for fun and food in the park. Main dish will be provided; please bring a side dish or dessert to share. We especially encourage college students who are home for the summer to join us. RSVP to Jonathan Dix.

Organ Competition • Open to the public!

AGO National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance (NYACOP)

Thursday, June 27 • 10 am–5 pm • Sanctuary

The public is invited to hear some world-class organ music performed by emerging young organists. Nine semi-finalists will compete at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church in this prestigious international competition. Five of them will advance to the finals, held June 30 in San Francisco. The eventual winner will be awarded cash prizes, concert performances, and a recording contract.

Learn more on the American Guild of Organists (AGO)’s website.

Making a Splash at VBS

This week, God enlivened our church campus during VBS (Vacation Bible School) as we hosted 50+ participating children, 20+ youth volunteers, and 10+ adult volunteers. We dove deep into biblical themes of hospitality, compassion, generosity, and service. Joe Don and Carol led the kids in song; Karin, Rich, Jim Bennett, Adam Lee, and Evie Macway performed skits on Bible passages; and Jenna and Abi beautifully conducted the entire operation. Our hope is that our children got a glimpse of God’s vision for wholeness of life and that their faith will be shared all around!

New Church Office Hours

Mon.–Thurs. • 9 am–4 pm

Please note our new regular office hours. If you have an appointment with someone outside regular office hours, please make arrangements by phone, email or text with the person you’re meeting. Occasionally the office might be closed for a short time during our regular hours to accommodate staff schedules and vacation time away. 

Upcoming Vacations & Sabbaticals

Speaking of vacations, Pastor Hardy will be on vacation June 10–30, returning on July 1. The church grants staff members a sabbatical every seven years, so this year Marketing Manager Kris Sheridan will be on sabbatical from June 9–August 18, and Pastor Hardy will take his sabbatical in the fall. Stay tuned to future newsletters for more information about their times of rest and renewal.

Memorial Service for Vernon Hoven 

Thursday, June 20 • 10 am

Sanctuary & Online

Everyone is invited to the memorial service for Vernon Hoven at 10 am on Thursday, June 20. There will be a reception in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. There will be an online option via Zoom.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers...

Continued Prayers

• Young Cheol Yang — prayers for him, his care, and his family
• Pat Wolff — regaining strength
• Maggie Burklund — healing and strength
• Joan Latimer — cancer journey
• Mildred Prasad — dementia

Grief

• Betsy Brittle, after the passing of her mother

Praise Report

• Joseph and Danielle Lyon’s baby, born June 3

SF Pride Run 5K/10K

June 29

Family Movie Night

July 19

Affirming Church Series

July 21 & Aug. 11

Out Loud Choir

June–August

Save the date...

• Macular degeneration support group • June 27
• CARAVAN • July 21–28
• CARAVAN Sunday • July 28
• Sunnyvale Pride • August 15
• Queer-led Worship Service • August 18
• The Music School Open House • August 24
• Silicon Valley Pride Parade • August 25

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 (not happening in July) • 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
• Prayer Stations • 2nd Sunday • After worship
• Family Meals • 2nd Sunday • 11:30 am–1 pm • Phoenix Center • Info

Wednesday Evenings

• Sunnyvale CircleSongs • 1st Wednesdays • 7 pm • Fellowship Hall
• Modern Worship Collective • 2nd & 4th Wednesdays • 6 pm meal, Fellowship Hall • 7 pm service, Sanctuary
• Evensong: Contemplative Worship • 3rd Wednesdays • 7 pm • Sanctuary

Prayer & Bible Study Groups

• 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
• 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
• Senior Zoom Coffee • 2nd Thursday • 10:30 am • Info
• 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.

Join us for weekly worship opportunities!

• Sundays @ 10 am — onsite or online
• Modern Worship Collective — 2nd & 4th Wednesdays @ 7 pm in the sanctuary
• Evensong: Contemplative Worship — 3rd Wednesdays @ 7 pm in the sanctuary

To join online, look for the red banner at the top of our website. Click the white button, “Join online worship & events.”