Faith Presbyterian Church of Valley Village

5000 Colfax Avenue • Valley Village • CA • 91601 • (818)766-8103 • Fax: (818)766-2987

Social Events and Fellowship Opportunities
at Faith Pres

There are several venues for members and friends of the church to have fellowship and meet socially outside the regular Sunday worship service and the social hour that follows:

CROP Walkers

Faith Pres Got Talent?

The session approved a fundraiser for the choir. According to Marjorie Sexton, Music Director, “The February family dinner night will be held on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. It will be followed by our first-ever Talent Night (Variety Show) and will be a benefit for our music program at Faith Pres.

Anyone can participate with a performing talent of up to 4 minutes in length. Participants need to contact music director Marjorie Sexton to schedule a preview of their talent submission. Suggested donations for this dinner-show evening will be $25 per couple, or $15 for an individual.”

Faith Pres CROP-Walkers Break Record

For the first time in our memory, a record number of walkers raised an amount which we think is also a record for our congregation. Twenty walkers raised $1,255 in the 34th Annual San Fernando Valley CROP Walk on November 8. Bravo!

Concert in the Chapel
Benefits NoHo Food Pantry

Sunday, July 26, 2009

This fund-raising performance by choir members Amber Erwin, Allen Rascoe, Marjorie Sexton, and their friend Michael Elson, singing hymns, spirituals, and art songs, raised $520, which were donated to the North Hollywood Food Pantry.

Presbyterian Women's Group: Mary/Martha Circle

Presbyterian Women Logo

The women of Faith Presbyterian Church invite all women interested in Bible study to join them on every third Thursday of the month at 10:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room for Bible study, prayer, discussion, and fellowship.

This year the studies are based on the Old Testament book of Genesis, each session dealing with one or several characters from the familiar Genesis narrative. These studies are provided by Horizon magazine for Presbyterian Women.

Mary and Martha Circle meeting

All participants are asked to bring their own lunch, a sandwich or a salad. Coffee and some sort of a dessert will be provided. Men are also welcome to participate!

For over 50 years, the Mary/Martha Circle at First Pres/Faith Pres has been providing monthly Bible study sessions and a rich fellowship opportunity for the women of this congregation. Throughout the year there are times when special offerings are taken such as the Second Mile giving to the Presbyterian Women, the Birthday Offering, the Thanks Offering, and the Least Coin program. These gifts provide helping hands in Christ's name to address those global needs that are otherwise not met.

Earleen Franklin Honored by Presbyterian Women

Sunday, May 10, was Mothers’ Day, but it is also the day that our church recognizes the “Gifts of Women” and women’s contributions to the life of our congregation.

Each year on this Sunday, the Presbyterian Women’s circle has chosen a woman from our congregation and has bestowed upon her an Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women.

Miriam Skarin, Moderator of Presbyterian Women, talked about the history of this day and the women who have been honored in the past, and then Deacon Julie Strutt made the following remarks:

“This year’s honoree joins that distinguished group of women who have committed themselves to the service of God in this congregation. As head usher, with her infectious and welcoming smile, she extends the hand of Christ to each person entering the Chapel. She initiates new members and youth into the role of ushers. Her life illustrates her faith and commitment to Christ.
She has long served on the Deacons Board, ‘ministering to those who are sick, in need, or in distress.’ (Book of Order) She works tirelessly in the Deacons activities, preparing communion, assisting in their bake sales, providing transportation to elderly members whenever it is needed, and always doing all of this with her enthusiastic attitude.
As co-moderator of the Deacons, she assists the Deacon Moderator, Joanne Gallagher, who because of her absence today, wrote: ‘It is an honor for me to serve with you, Earleen, on the Deacon Board. You are a true woman of God, with Jesus as the cornerstone of your faith. You embody the hands and heart of Jesus Christ, while you minister as a Deacon to your grateful church family. You serve unselfishly with great faithfulness, love, joy, care, and compassion.’”

Julie Strutt ended her introduction by saying, “Faith, dedication, devotion, energetic cheerfulness - these are a few of the qualities that describe this lovely lady. Let us recognize this gifted woman, Earleen Franklin.”

Then Julie and Miriam presented a Presbyterian Women’s pin and a plaque to Earleen as she received a rousing, standing ovation from the congregation that lasted several minutes.

Phil, Miriam with Aretha, Russell

Sunday Hikers

On the third Sunday of each month, weather permitting, the group led by veteran hiker Miriam Skarin, walk along some easy and picturesque trails in the Valley. All those interested, please meet in the church parking lot at 1:30 p.m. Wear sturdy but comfortable walking shoes and bring a bottle of water.

A Hike to Mt. Hollywood

March 15 was a balmy spring day, with wildflowers beginning to show their new colors around Griffith Park. This urban parkland provides an opportunity to feel the freedom of the mountains, close to home. The miles of trails provide extended views of the entire Los Angeles area.

The Faithful Sunday Hikers began their ascent together, toward Mt. Hollywood, the highest point in Griffith Park. Captain's Roost, a picnic area one mile up the trail, provided benches for a brief rest before retracing their steps back to the Planetarium Parking lot. The views of Hollywood, Los Angeles, Burbank and other features of the park were interesting. Luckily, David Morehouse helped keep the hikers on the right trail, otherwise we might have had to phone "search and rescue" to get us back to our cars. Thanks, David!

Those enjoying this afternoon outing were David and Maureen Morehouse, Debbie Sloat, Martha Sanders, Joy Sweetnam, Phil's sister, and Miriam Skarin with Wigi, the Skarins' new dog.

What a pleasant way to enjoy God's beautiful creation!