July/August 2026 Vol. 71, No. 4
IN THIS ISSUE:
One of My Favorite Weeks
Pastor Chris Woodard
Highlighted Events
Report from Black Mesa High School Mission Trip Stories
Valley Presbyterian Foundation Scholarship Recipients
Session Report by Mary Artigue
Finance Update by Kris Bahr
I am writing this during one of my favorite weeks of the year at VPC: Vacation Bible School! It is a joy to spend the week with kids from VPC and the community in worship, discipleship, and fun. They might be small but these kids have big personalities, they worship large, and they have deep questions.
It is my privilege to share the bible lessons with the upper elementary students: six twenty-minute lessons, five days a week, for a total of 30 bible lessons. Every year I am amazed at the conversations I have with them. This week I have been asked about the formation of the world and planets. Is Jesus or God more famous? Do I have any pets? Why did my friend have to move? Can I come back next year? Just like us, these kids want to understand how this world works and where they fit into it.
These young theologians are asking old questions. And the good news? They get it. They get it not because I am a gifted teacher of children (I'm not), but rather the children get it because that is who our God is. God is constantly and continually moving into our lives in real and knowable ways. God in Jesus—the Creator of all, the One through whom all our questions are answered—stepped into this reality, into our very lives so that we could know and be in a relationship with the Lord of Lords, our Good and Great God. The reality of God moving into our lives, to be with us through times of joy and suffering, hope and doubt, faith and fear, is lived out at VPC everyday.
VPC is a community of people shaped in worship, formed through discipleship, and released in service. How good it is to do life together where Jesus is Lord and grace is experienced? As the summer comes to an end and a new year begins, continue to do life with us; Life Happens Here.
In the beginning, the Word was already there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were made through him. Nothing that has been made was made without him. Life was in him, and that life was the light for all people. The light shines in the darkness. But the darkness has not overcome the light. The Word became a human being. He made his home with us. We have seen his glory. It is the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father. And the Word was full of grace and truth.
-John 1:1-5; 14
Summer Hours
M-F: 8AM-2PM
Sunday: 8AM-Noon
Closed June 29-July 4
Return supplies by Sunday, July 26. Support Title 1 schools in Scottsdale Unified School District!
VPC HOSTING FAMILY PROMISE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 3-10
Volunteers needed! Email Pastor Chris: chrisw@vpc.church
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
9 & 10:30AM WORSHIP
Send students, teachers, staff, & parents into the school year knowing God is with them!
JULY 5 & AUGUST 2, 9:30AM SANCTUARY & LIVESTREAM Brunch following worship, 10:30AM, Landes Center
This year’s High School Mission Trip was an adventure that had great connection, growth and purpose! On the first day, we bonded as we made our way to the Navajo Nation, where we received a warm welcome upon arriving at the church. The next day half of the high school students had the opportunity to repair Evelyn’s ceiling, who lived near the church where we were staying. Though the drywall was challenging at first, we bonded into a good team. On the third day we were confident with our drywall skills thanks to the perseverance on the day before. Later that evening, we were privileged to assist in a VBS where children grew in joy and faith.
After VBS we took part in worship at our host church, with a sermon about unity. It was very special to be gathered all under Christ in a different culture. The next day our team worked together to gather gravel and prepare the foundation for a bathroom for our friend, “Jumpy,” whose house did not have plumbing. After these morning projects we had VBS; it was a privilege and great joy to see God’s light in the kids.
On our last day we poured the foundation for the bathroom and shared a final night of deep gratitude to serve alongside one another. This trip was a great reminder that God is at work in each act of service and each relationship that was formed throughout the week. From drywall, VBS, or concrete, we saw that the Kingdom of God is built through faithfulness.
The mission trip to Black Mesa, Arizona was a great experience which strengthened my relationship with God. Although Black Mesa is a few hours from the Valley, at times it felt completely foreign. Being thrown into this entirely new environment opened my eyes to the many different ways people live and experience life. This was evident at House of Joy, the church we stayed at during the trip. Although I and many of the students from VPC seemingly had little in common with the local community, I felt a genuine connection to those around me —a strong reminder how every single one of us is united under Christ despite our different backgrounds.
Attending this mission trip also helped me better learn what it means to practice discipleship. Discipleship came in different forms: expanding the foundation of a community member's house, running a kids' camp for the local children, and simply sitting and listening to people's stories. I came into this trip expecting to serve purely through labor and work, but ended up learning that giving people space and making them feel heard was just as important. And that is what God truly called us to do in Black Mesa.
I constantly see God at work in my life and the lives of people around me, but especially on this trip! I had the opportunity to serve others alongside some of my favorite people, which made it such an amazing experience. We did this by leading kids’ clubs and helping the kids learn about God while doing fun crafts. We helped pour cement and put up drywall... and although that doesn't sound like the most fun, some of these projects have been ongoing for three years or more. Making progress on these projects means so much to the people who live there. Most importantly, we connected with the locals more and more every day. We learned about how they live their lives to the fullest with what they have.
I think I speak for the whole team when I say that we learned to be more grateful for the little things in our lives. I definitely gained a greater appreciation for the experiences and culture of the Dinè people. I often feel close to God when I’m listening to worship music, reading my Bible, listening in service, or spending time in prayer. But on this trip I felt closer to the Lord than I ever have before because I got to act and serve like the Lord by leading my group and community with kindness, compassion, and respect. This trip opened my eyes and reminded me that you do not have to leave the country or even the state you live in to make a difference; there are people right in your backyard that you can help. I will continue to serve and help even my closest neighbors after returning home.
Our time on Black Mesa was as enlightening as it was encouraging. Tse-Ee-Gai, translated “House of Joy” Church was our host; a church that has served its community for 55 years. Our trip overlapped with their 51st annual June tent revival. We were impressed both by the hospitality and friendliness of the congregation and the scale of their vision for ministry activity. They have developed a food distribution center and worked to construct a warehouse with hopes to deliver into other remote areas of the reservation. All of this has been accomplished without running water on the property.
God is alive and well in the Navajo Nation, but he certainly was at work in the lives of our students as well! I’m happy to report that our students are incredibly hard workersour only frustrations stemmed from our collective desire to accomplish even more. I was beyond proud at how these young people allowed God to interrupt and redirect their plans each day. They embraced hanging drywall, harvesting sand and gravel, pouring concrete, running a VBS and getting to know people with open arms. It is clear that they understand Jesus's teaching in the parable of the good Samaritan. Neighbors are not limited by geography, socioeconomic status, or nationality. And as Paul says in Ephesians 2:13&14:
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.
My hope is that this trip will yield more than warm memories and work projects. We are grateful for the generosity of our community that make trips like this possible and help students more deeply integrate their faith into their daily lives.
If you have been around VPC for any length of time, you've watched our children inspire us in worship through the Nativity Pageant and Palm Sunday Processional. You've seen our campus filled to capacity during Vacation Bible School and full of costumes at Trunk or Treat. As they have grown, you have sent students off on Middle and High School mission trips and Forest Home summer camp to serve others and grow in their faith. We have seen these young people grow up right before our eyes!
And we continue to support them after high School. As Sunday School and Next Gen numbers continue to increase, so do the number of applicants for the Valley Presbyterian Foundation scholarships.
In 2026 we received a record number of applicants! VPF's Scholarship Committee (Trustees Anne Trauter and Peter MacIlvaine, Elder Jeff Fassett, and Staff Wes Cates and Kris Bahr) carefully reviewed each application. This year a tiered approach was developed, giving priority to undergraduate students who are members of VPC. Many of our students are pursuing postgraduate studies, with a number of future doctors, lawyers, scientists, and engineers in our midst. We are proud of these young people who have grown up in the church and are now reflecting the church’s values into the wider community.
Carter Bitticks
Rolani Byron
Finley Chappell
Autumn Cochran
Brady Cochran
Danny Cronin
Isabella
Detorrice-Wynn
Evangeline Dunckley
Gabriel Dunckley
Nathaniel Dunckley
Amanda Higgins
Hailey Holliday
Olivia Holliday
Cade Huseth
Jack MacDougall
Rachel Parker
Alexander Preston
Elizabeth Preston
Brooke Pryor
Kate Radonich
Mark Radonich
Grace Richie
Jacob Thomas
Presleigh Voris
Isabella Will
Sophia Will
The amount of scholarships money available is limited to an annual distribution on the principal invested by VPF, which totals about $15,000 per year. If you have a passion for the next generation and their continuing education, you are invited to donate to a special fund which can be added dollar for dollar to the annual distribution. Contact Kris Bahr at krisb@vpc.church for further information, or go to vpc.church/give and select “Foundation.”
Contact Kris Bahr at krisb@vpc.church for further information or go to vpc.church/give and select “Foundation.”
Mary Artigue
Clerk of Session
602-677-7080
artiguemary@gmail.com
In March, Session received an update from Pastor Chris about VPC’s Outreach, Mission, and Discipleship and Spiritual Growth ministries. Session approved a project to enhance the landscape lighting and water fixture in the Memorial Garden. Tina Gilbreath was approved as a Commissioned Lay Pastor and a Deacon, and was commissioned as such before the congregation on April 19. A Dissolution Agreement with Pastor David Joynt was approved, dissolving his call as Senior Pastor effective April 30, 2026.
April's Session meeting was special because it was the last one moderated by Pastor David. Meghan Gottfredson shared an update about Valley Day School, which is in its 62nd year. VDS continues to thrive and remains one of the most affordable preschool options in the community. Thanks to a generous donation for the current school year and the addition of an annual security fee, VDS has an off-duty police officer present on school days. The parents consider this a very welcome addition. At the end of the Session meeting, the Elders and Pastors laid hands upon Pastor Joynt, and gave prayers of thanks, and blessing for David and Julia.
In May, Session approved a Letter of Understanding for Pastor Chris to serve as Acting Head of Staff until the congregation approves a call to a permanent Head of Staff. Session approved both a raise of base compensation plus a temporary stipend to reflect his increased responsibilities and duties as Acting Head of Staff. Session approved a raise in base compensation for Pastor Gilbreath to reflect her status as a Commissioned Lay Pastor and increased responsibilities. Elder Mark Fullerton was added to the All-Church Nominating Committee and funds were approved to repair the Landes stage.
We thank God for His faithfulness and for the privilege of serving together as a church family. Please continue to keep your Session, staff, and ministries in your prayers.
Mary Artigue, Clerk of Session
480-991-6424 ext. 0112 krisb@vpc.church
