NEWS & EVENTS
Valley Crier Goes Paperless!
In an effort to reduce paper wast, helping protect the environmen and save money, the Valley Crier is going paperless. Your Crier will be available online instead of in your mailbox. With the paperless Crier you can sign up to receive monthly emails notifying you when your Crier is ready to view online. For more information and to sign up, visit www.valleycommunity.cc/Crier.
Prayer Support
Mondays (ongoing) / 6:30 – 7 p.m. / Room 206
Pastor Steve Johnson will be in Room 206 to meet with those individuals who might want someone to pray or talk to regarding their life situation. No appointment is necessary. All are welcome.
Keep in Touch!
Valley gives you the ability to update your contact information online. If you would like to change your address, phone numbers, update your email address or donate online, simply go to valleycommunity.cc/myvalley for directions.
Join Our 24/7 Prayer Network
We have launched our virtual Prayer Wall with the goal that Valley attendees are praying for the needs of our community 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please visit valley.liftprayer.net/wall to create your own Lift Prayer login and pick an hour on the wall to pray through the online Prayer Requests each week.
Giving As an Act of Worship
While it is true that giving is an act of worship, online giving makes it possible to support ministry at Valley even while you are away this summer. For those who value the convenience, consistency and speed of online giving, please see the Online Giving link in the lower left corner of our Web site.
Your Giving Information
To access your personal contribution history visit valleycommunity.cc/myvalley, also located under the Resources heading on the homepage. Sign in with your ID number and password. Don’t have a login? Complete the required fields on the My Valley page. You will receive the information by email within a few days.
Thanksgiving Basket Donations
Place donations in boxes outside the Sanctuary and Multipurpose Room, weekends in November.
Deacons are planning to assemble Thanksgiving baskets to be distributed to people in our church family, in our community, and in Hartford. They need you to make donations to fill those baskets. Items being collected are:
pie filling pie crust mix coffee juice stuffing fresh apples 5 lb. bag of potatoes
You may also make a cash donation to purchase turkeys and perishable food. Indicate "Thanksgiving Baskets" on your check made payable to VCBC. Helpers are needed to assemble and/or deliver baskets on Tuesday, November 24. To volunteer, call Linda Carmon, 673.6892.
Women’s Christmas Outreach
Christmas in the Valley 2009 / November 18, 19 or 20
This women’s event is designed for you to invite a friend to hear the message of Christ. Buy tickets now. Only Wednesday, November 18 is available. For more information, check out valleycommunity.cc/civ.
--Extended Work Sessions: Sunday noon – evening,; Monday and Tuesday, all day and evening.
--Event: ARRIVE TOGETHER AS A GROUP. CIV FoodShare items will be collected in the Multipurpose Room. You and your guests are encouraged to bring one non-perishable food item. (Note: The need is great! In Avon, 22% more families have a need this year over last year.)
Tickets for the Gift Now Available
Tickets for our Christmas musical are now available online at valleycommunity.cc/gift and in the Welcome Center after the worship services. All tickets are $7 and they are going fast. So don't delay. Get yours today!
Block 2: The Church in History Continues
Tuesdays / 6 p.m. / Room 337 Come for the second half of The Church in History, taught by Don Minnich. Block 2 will cover the Protestant Reformation, the General Baptist history, and the history of other Protestant denominations.
New Membership Class Starting
November 15 / 10:30 a.m. / Room 337
Do you want a deeper commitment here at Valley, but don’t know how to get started? Join us for our next Membership Class! As Jonathan Luiz said: It’s a wonderful way of connecting and growing with other believers.
Bringing Home the Prodigals
Saturday, November 21 / 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. / Wellspring Church, Berlin, CT
The prodigals are on the Father's heart. He is still looking, longing, waiting for their return. This day-long, interactive experience is for anyone who carries a prodigal in their heart — a child, a sibling, a parent, a friend. Pastor Jay and Liz Abramson will be speaking. For more information, go to wellspring.net.
Moms In Touch News
Looking to Pray With Other Moms for your children and their schools? Moms in the towns of West Hartford, Bristol, Farmington and Barkhamsted can contact Pat Kenney, MIT Area Coordinator, patkenney7@aol.com or 673.0177.
Men’s Fraternity: The Quest for Authentic Manhood
Tuesdays / 6 – 7:30 a.m.
Connect with God and with other men in life-changing ways through this powerful series led by Pastor Jay Abramson. We are coming together to honestly examine our lives and take the courageous steps necessary to embrace authentic manhood on a journey to become who God intends us to be. Learn more and register.
Ladies’ Precept Bible Study: James — A Faith That’s Real
Tuesdays / 9:30 a.m. / Room 206
What is true faith? How should you live the Christian life? Learn God's principles for dealing with trials, temptations, the tongue, and the pull of the world. Join us for this 15-week study using Kay Arthur study materials. For more information, contact LuAnn Turbiak at 693.2798.
Moms' Bible Study
Alternating Wednesdays / 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. / Room 206
We invite moms with children of any age to come learn about who God is and his purpose for motherhood in a group discussion format. If you are looking to be challenged and encouraged in your faith and in motherhood, this class is for you! Email mbs@valleycommunity.cc for more information.
Community Bible Study
Thursdays / 9:15 – 11:15 a.m.
Join us at Community Bible Study as we explore the Gospel of Luke. A class for preschoolers with an age appropriate program of study and music is available. For information, contact Anne Silk, 674.0735, or communitybiblestudy.org or hartfordwestcbs.org.
Find Fitness and Fellowship with the Valley Runners
Are you training for a running event, or just want to run for fitness? Do you want to connect with other runners at Valley? Exercise your physical and spiritual muscles by joining the Valley Runners, a new group for runners of all levels. Stop by the information table in the Welcome Center or contact Alan Fosberry at 284.0074 or valleyrunners@valleycommunity.cc for more information.
Khalil Missionary Luncheon
Sunday, November 22 / 12 p.m. / Room 209
Join us as we welcome our missionary working with AWM in North Africa. Come for lunch and learn how he is reaching Arab Muslims through the creation of evangelistic media and training nationals, and learn how you can support him in prayer. No reservations are necessary. Childcare is provided.
Additional Prayer Callers Needed
The Care and Counseling Ministry team is looking for more people that have a heart for praying with others. You will be asked to set aside two hours per month to make prayer calls by telephone to Valley attendees. Calls can be made from home. Contact Pastor Steve Johnson, 673.6826 x108.
Opportunities to Serve
> Children's Ministry
This ministry needs people on their Welcome Team. This involves standing behind the desk to
answer parents’ questions or being a greeter. It could be a weekly commitment or on a rotating
basis with others. If you are interested, please call 673.6826 x117.
> Dorcus Ministry
Are you interested in assisting others in the congregation who might need some temporary help
with meals, light errands, grocery shopping or picking up prescriptions? If you would be interested
in volunteering in this ministry, please contact Lynne Gucwa at 673.6826 x108.
> Stephen Ministery
A new Stephen Ministers training class will be held Thursdays, January 7 through April 22,
7– 9 p.m. If you would like to work one-on-one with individuals in need, to listen, pray, and
support them, contact Lynne Gucwa at 673.6826 for an application. Interviews will begin in
mid-November.
> Reception Assistants
A couple of volunteers will work on a very occasional basis to organize receptions at the church
following funerals. They would meet briefly with the family of the deceased to discuss
arrangements. No prep would be involved. If interested, contact Pastor Steve Johnson at
673.6826.
Interested in Media and Technology?
Current Worship in the Multipurpose Room is looking for media and technology volunteers to help with lights, video and worship presentation on Sunday mornings. Want more information? Contact Kelly DeCesare in the Young Adult Office, 673.6826x132.
Stephen Ministers Available
A Stephen Minister is a lay person who has completed 50 hours of training. There are a small number of them available. Currently we can accept female care-receivers only. If you are interested, please call Pastor Steve Johnson at 673.6826.
Support Groups
> Men’s Grief Group / First Monday of the month (ongoing) / 7 – 9:30 p.m. / Room 206
The Men's Grief Group is a support group for men grieving the loss of a child. To register for the
group, contact Lynne Gucwa, 673.6826 x108.
> Family and Friends of GLBT Support Group / Meets third Monday of the month
7 – 8:30 p.m. / Room 208
This is a Christian support group for family and friends of those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual,
or transgendered. Call Pastor Steve Johnson, 673.6826 x106 for information.
> Grief Share / Mondays / 1 – 2:30 p.m. / Room 209
Grief Share will be offered as an eight-week support group for those who are grieving the loss of
someone close. To register, contact Lynne Gucwa at 673.6826 x108.
> Divorce Care / Mondays / 7 – 8:30 p.m. / Room 203
This group is a thirteen-week support group for those getting divorced (legally separated, or
where there has been infidelity or failure to financially support) or those who are divorced.
> An optional prayer session will be offered for all support groups from 6:30 – 7 p.m. in Room 206.
Contact Pastor Steve Johnson, 673.6826 x106.
NAMI Family to Family Class
Thursdays / 7 – 9:30 p.m. / Room 305
Does someone you love have a mental illness? A free twelve-week NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Family to Family class is starting on Thursday, September 17. Come learn about your loved one's illness and how to help everyone involved. Call Janet at 860.620.7717 to register as class fills up quickly.
Care Ministry Opportunities
If you would like to receive periodic email updates on opportunities to serve the poor in the Farmington Valley, contact Pastor Steve Johnson.
Student Ministry Events
>Revolve Tickets Available Moms and daughters wishing to go together to the Revolve Tour (presented by Women of Faith), in Hartford on December 4-5, can purchase tickets in the Student Ministries office at a reduced rate. A limited number of tickets are available and will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
>Middle School Huddle Service Project / Wednesday, November 18 Huddles will meet offsite this evening to do various acts of service. Contact your huddle leader for details.
Worship Job Opening
There is an opening for a part-time administrative assistant in the worship department. The duties include assisting with the worship service coordination. Contact Kevin Haskins, Church Administrator, 673.6826.
Would You Like to Play with Us?
The
Valley Orchestra is looking for instrumentalists. Trumpet and cello are
particularly needed at this time. An audition is required. Contact Nate
Brown at 523.0301 or nate.keira@gmail.com.
Operation Christmas Child
Wednesday, November 18
There is still time to pack a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child! Send a child a reminder that they have not been forgotten. Pick up a brochure from your child’s classroom, the Children’s Welcome Desk or visit samaritanspurse.org for more details. Boxes must be turned in to the Children’s Welcome Desk no later than Wednesday.
Special Needs Ministry Opportunities
Special
Buddies support a child in a children's Community, enabling them to
participate with their peers. Comfort Room Friends attend to children
with special needs so that their parents can participate in church and
Communities. There are openings for people to serve on Saturdays and
Sundays. Training is provided. Contact Barb Zachs at 651.7127.
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)
Alternating Mondays / 9:30 – 11:30 a.m./ Room 206
This is an
encouraging time to connect with other moms over a light breakfast, and
your birth to kindergarten-aged children, the MOPPETS, can benefit,
too, with their own activities. Pre-register at valleycommunity.cc/MOPS.
The Valley Children’s Library will be open on Saturdays from 5 – 5:30 p.m. or Sundays between services from 10 – 10:45 a.m. Check out the new materials!
