News from Pastor Hardy

Dear Kris,

Whatever life brings, we're never alone. We're supported by the Spirit, by each other, and by our connection to the broader Church through PC(USA).

One blessing of that connection is Rev. Laura Mariko Cheifetz, our new Transitional Associate Pastor from PC(USA). I'm so excited for you all to meet her and experience the amazing gifts she brings!

Join us this Sunday for a powerful CARAVAN Sunday worship. Then stay to greet Pastor Laura afterward!

Peace,

Hardy

Greetings from Pastor Laura

Greetings, Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church! I am Rev. Laura M. Cheifetz (pronounced “high-fets,” pronouns she/her) and I am delighted to have the honor of serving as your Transitional Associate Pastor, following the wonderful Rev. Karin Kennedy Hejmanowski. 

While I was born in California, I am coming to you most recently from Nashville, TN. I served previously in theological education, religious publishing, and social justice advocacy, and will be moving to join you with my partner Jessica and our rescue pup Magpie. I look forward to the privilege of worshiping, praying, and learning with you, and maybe trading cute pet photos. 

Church and community matter deeply as we enter into this new and different time with the impending election, the beginning of another school year, and as we prepare to send Pastor Hardy on his sabbatical. This gives us a marvelous opportunity to be Sunnyvale Pres together in refreshed ways!

Special Performance from The Music School

Tonight, Friday, July 26 • 7 pm • Bldg. 700 • Tickets

Looking for a memorable Friday night activity? Join us for The Music School’s annual Summer Theater Workshop musical performance! Movie Night is written and directed by Chantelle Urbina, with music that will be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. The show opens with a movie medley performed by TMS alumni, faculty, students, family members, and supporters. Tickets are $8. 

Young Adult Event — Pizza Making

Tomorrow, Saturday, July 27 • 4–8 pm

Phoenix Center Patio & Fellowship Hall

Mark your calendar for a fun evening of making (or attempting to make) our own personal pizzas from scratch in the church kitchen. Afterward, maybe a game or two will even break out! 

We’ll provide the dough, sauce, and cheese. Please bring your favorite topping to share and a favorite drink. (Also bring your own specialty/allergy-friendly dough or cheese if applicable.)

RSVP to Jonathan Dix.

Hello from CARAVAN

Our CARAVAN students and adult volunteers are hard at work in Paradise, CA! Among other things, we’re helping build shower facilities at a local campground which has been a shelter for many Camp Fire evacuees since 2018 and other neighbors experiencing homelessness.

We also visited Oroville Dam and heard the Trinity Pres members’ evacuation stories from the recent nearby fire. Thank you for your prayers as we all continue this amazing experience together.

Check out our online photo album.

Community Learning

Pastor Hardy’s Sabbatical Plans

Sunday, August 4 • 11:30 am • Soulé Hall and online

Pastor Hardy and our congregation were awarded a 2024 Clergy Renewal Grant that will fund his travel and study during his sabbatical, which will take place this fall. Come hear him share about his plans and what he hopes to be able to learn and share with us upon his return.

Community Learning

Northern Ireland Peacemaking Trip Participant Panel

Sunday, August 11 • 11:30 am • Soulé Hall and online

Members of our recent intergenerational peacemaking mission-study trip to Northern Ireland will be sharing reflections on their experiences. Join us to learn more about the history of conflict and the struggle for civil rights in a divided society. Hear what members of our church learned about how faith and community can help us work for peace.

Pride Season Continues!

This summer we’ve already seen some fantastic Pride-related events and speakers, and there’s still more to come! We’re especially excited to have you join us for: 

• Sunday, August 18 — Queer-Led Worship
• Sunday, August 18 — Affirming Church series #3 after worship (Note the date change!)
• Sunday, August 25 — Silicon Valley Pride
• Thursday, August 29 — Sunnyvale Pride (Note the date change!)

You can still get your Sunnyvale Pres Pride shirt with our rainbow logo! It’s a great way to represent our open and affirming community at these events and throughout the year. You can buy yours in Trinity Court after church this Sunday after worship, or pick yours up if you pre-ordered. Email Carol with questions.

Memorial Service for Al Mendoza

Saturday, August 3 • 10 am • Sanctuary

Everyone is invited to the memorial service for Alfred Mendoza at 10 am on Saturday, August 3. There will be a reception in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers...

Continued Prayers

• Dave Bentley - Health Challenges
• Pat Wolff — cancer treatment
• Maggie Burklund — healing and strength
• Joan Latimer — cancer journey
• Mildred Prasad — dementia

Save the Dates

• Safe Church Training • August 4
• The Music School Open House • August 24

Sunday Mornings

• Bible Study • 8:30–9:30 am (not meeting in July) • Email
• Worship • 10 am • Nursery (child care) available for ages 6 months through kindergarten
• Children’s Church + STARS (3 yrs–5th grade) • July 21–September 1 will be All-Ages Worship; Children’s Church and STARS resume September 8. • 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
• Prayer Stations • 2nd Sunday • After worship
• Family Meals • 2nd Sunday (not happening in August) • 11:30 am–1 pm • Phoenix Center • Info

Wednesday Evenings

• Sunnyvale CircleSongs • 1st Wednesdays (not meeting in July or August) • 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 • Zoom • 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.

2024–2025 Fiscal YTD Results

June 2024 (month 3)

................. ..$K   

Church Income...... $453

Church Expenses.... $442

Church Surplus..... $ 11

Outreach Surplus... $ .7

Combined Surplus....$ 18

Fiscal year-to-date through June, both the church and the outreach groups are reporting a surplus. The church has income of $453K and expenses of $442K, resulting in a church surplus of $11K year-to-date. The outreach groups (PELC and The Music School) have contributed $7K year-to-date. Within this, TMS has a deficit of $(33)K while PELC reports a surplus of $40K. The combined organization is reporting a surplus of $18K year-to-date. June is the third month of our fiscal year.

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.”