July 21, 2024 | The Life-Changing Magic of Showing Up | Rev. Jim Cochrane

Click the "Prayer Request" button to: 1) fill out our Virtual Friendship Pad (this lets us know who is joining us online) and 2) let us know if you have a joy or concern to share with the congregation and/or Pastor Jim.

Our partnership with Mission Partner Community Emergency Assistance Programs (CEAP) is an important one to both our congregation and community. Would you like to get involved? Valley members deliver meals on the 3rd and 4th Thursdays of the month! Call the Valley Office to get more details or reach out to Gail Smith or Marge Thurston!

Summer is finally here which means it is time to start loading up on school supplies for the PRISM Back to School Success Drive! | We have weekly supply categories to help guide your shopping, but obviously all donations are welcome anytime! | When you are at Target this week, make sure to pick up a few extra school supplies to donate. Bring them by Valley this weekend to make sure our entryway is overflowing by Sunday, August 4!

Are you a parent or caregiver of a child aged 10-14? Allina Health wants to hear from you and your child! Allina Health is partnering with Annex Teen Clinic to host community dialogues in the Robbinsdale/Golden Valley area on Wednesday, July 30th. We are hoping to hear from middle schoolers and their caregivers about their questions, concerns and resource needs related to substance use. In addition to the dialogue, there will be a brief education session about substances. Additionally, each family will receive a $50 gift card, dinner, and some fidgets to thank them for their participation. It’s a good opportunity for folks to learn a little about substance use among teens and to provide feedback which we will use to develop content for our teen-focused programs. | Check out the flyer outside the Fellowship Hall or email Sheila Sheldon for info on how to sign up!

Make meals, not waste. Join us in taking an in-depth look at what happens to the food we buy. Take practical actions to prevent food from going to waste and make the most of your resources. Stop by the sign up table outside the Fellowship Hall to learn more and sign up!

Help sort school supplies for PRISM’s Back to School Supply Drive! Youth entering 5th grade & older are invited to volunteer. | Carpool from VCPC leaves at 10:45 AM | To sign up contact Sheila at: Sheila.sheldon@valleychurch.net

Dinner - 5:30pm -- Show - 7:00pm | We're grilling dinner and hosting a performance of Open Eye Theater's MOLLY AND THE MAGIC BOOT! | We have had so much fun the past two summers hosting Open Eye Theater artists and their puppet friends in the Valley parking lot. So Valley Night Out is back again! | Grab you friends, family, and neighbors! Come for a potluck dinner (we'll grill, you bring a side or dessert to share) and stay for the show. All are welcome!

Most of us either have an LGBTQ+ person in our family or know someone who is gender ‘nonconforming’ or transgender. Nevertheless, fear and hatred towards the transgender and gender nonconforming community is at an all-time high in the United States. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), roughly 515 anti-LGBTQ bills have been proposed across the US in 2024, with many specifically targeting transgender and gender nonconforming people and their existence. | Join the third session of the Hate Has No Home Here on Transphobia in the United States to learn more about this issue. Our speakers for this event will lead us in an understanding of what it means to be gender ‘nonconforming’ or transgender and how we can be more welcoming and inclusive in our community. We will also hear and discuss the barriers faced by people in the LGBTQ+ community. | RSVP to Ruth Paradise (rparadise@goldenvalleymn.gov) *RSVP appreciated but not required

This year's Clearwater Chrysalis Summer Women's Retreat is quickly approaching! Mark your calendar for August 15-18 (with an optional service day on August 14). | *Visit https://clearwaterforest.org/clearwater-chrysalis/ for more information and to register.* | Registration is open now and spots fill quickly, so don't wait! Scholarships are available. | The theme this year is 'There's No Place Like...' and we'll be joined by Guest Speaker Tina Haroldson.

It's time for a summer golf outing at Brightwood Hills Golf Course in New Brighton (1975 Silver Lake Rd NW, New Brighton, MN 55112)! Join Valley friends of all ages for an afternoon of golfing followed by a pizza dinner! | Tee times start at 3:00 PM. Golfers of all skill levels are welcome, and non-golfers should also attend to cheer on the putters! After having some fun on the green, we'll head to Adagio's Pizza Factory (2052 Silver Lake Rd., New Brighton) for dinner sponsored by Family Ministries. | TICKETS: $20 for Adults, $15 for Kids 12 & Under Tickets include golfing and dinner. A portion of each ticket supports the Youth Education Scholarship (Y.E.S.) Fund | Sign up in the Fellowship Hall or contact the Valley Office to sign up.

Mark your calendar for a worship service you won't want to miss on Sunday, August 25 at 9:30 AM! Our Valley kids will share what they learned during this year's VBC and Valley Youth will share about their Youth Mission Week experience. See you there!

Join other Valley men for a weekend away at the beautiful Presbyterian Clearwater Forest Camp & Retreat Center. Participants will enjoy time for fellowship and many different activities. There will also be time to explore topics related to the Presbyterian faith and spirituality through study and discussion. | If you are new to Valley or have never attended a Men's Retreat before, now is the perfect time! | Please call the Valley Office with questions! You can sign up in the Fellowship Hall.