Pinnacle Vistas - Fall 2022

TRACINGS

A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR, WES AVRAM

Dear friends,

On World Communion Sunday, October 1, our special guest and mission partner from Bethlehem, Dr. Mitri Raheb, talked to us about the new program and Dar al Kalima University of Arts and Culture. The University has just received a USAID grant to build a beautiful facility to teach culinary arts, hospitality management, and related subjects. Seeing the value of such a program, Pinnacle hopes to help them put in place. During his talk, Dr. Raheb linked this work to a key theme of Christian faith: hospitality. Not only will this program help develop skills in young people and do the practical work of building hope, it will embody a theme right at the core of Christ’s vision of the Kingdom (or the Realm) of God: gathering, feasting, hospitality, welcome. “This is Christ’s witness!” he told us.

This issue of Vistas echoes that theme with a current running through it of welcome, decoration, feeding, and hospitality. You’ll learn about and help welcome our Associate Pastor for Family Ministries and Congregational Life, Rev. Leah Quarles. You’ll learn about and help welcome our new Associate Director of Music and Organist, Dr. Valerie Harris. From the writing of Mike Conklin you’ll learn about new leadership and

new opportunities as we support Andre House in Phoenix, which is a program that in the name of Christ welcomes and feeds hundreds of persons experiencing homelessness or food insecurity in the Valley every day. You’ll learn all about liturgical decoration and the meaning of the colors we use at different times of the year from Rev. Erik Khoobyarian. And you will read about ways we’re welcoming young people into adult Christian commitment in our confirmation program from Dr. Mike Hegeman.

Welcome. Hospitality. Gathering. From East, and West, and North and South. To sit at Table, to find Hope, to experience Christ in the Realm of Heaven.

Maybe a little foretaste here. Welcome.

In Christ’s service, Wes

DR. WESLEY AVRAM has served as Pastor at Pinnacle since 2009.

Welcome REV. LEAH QUARLES

This Fall Pinnacle will celebrate and welcome the Reverend Leah Quarles as Associate Pastor for Family Ministries & Congregational Life.

For the past decade, Leah served as the solo Pastor of The Anchor Presbyterian Church in Wrightstown, Pennsylvania.

Before entering seminary, Leah served as a missionary with Foundation for Peace in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

A native of Pennsylvania, Leah who is from Yardley, comes from a large family with two older sisters and two younger brothers. She earned a BS in Science Education from Temple University and her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. She and her husband, Justin, will celebrate their third wedding anniversary in late October, and the couple have one daughter, Christine, who they call “Teenie” and an adorable Boxer named Evie.

In early July, Leah and Justin flew into Phoenix to spend a few days touring the area, visiting the campus, meeting with members of the search committee, Session, pastors and, of course, staff.

Throughout those busy agendapacked days, visiting candidates ask many questions to help them learn more about this ministry and answer countless questions to help others understand more about them, their

background and how they envision serving at Pinnacle.

The author of this article often asks three questions of visiting candidates; Are you a dog or cat person? Do you prefer Mac or PC? And what are you currently reading? They may seem like odd questions, and they certainly aren’t your typical inquiries, but they actually do give some insight into the individual.

As Leah and her family prepared for their cross-country move to Arizona, she agreed to sit down for a brief electronic interview to help us all get to know her a little bit better.

At what age did you feel called into ministry?

I first felt the call to ministry in the form of youth ministry while in college, so probably around 21/22.

What is one of your favorite things about being a pastor?

I love living life with people! Watching them grow deeper in their relationship with Christ, branch out to serve with God's love and encounter the life giving presence of the Holy Spirit.

Tell us a little about your missionary experience in the Dominican Republic.

I started short term missions with my church at 15 years old to the DR through the Foundation for Peace. In college I recognized the call to become a missionary in the DR so I would go there and Haiti during the summer breaks. I then moved to the DR following graduation from Temple University (BS in Secondary Science Ed.) with the intention of helping to create a science curriculum for the school the FFP would

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build, staff and support. Shortly after my arrival, the earthquake in Haiti occurred and shifted my focus entirely. I ended up going to the border and working in what would become the largest field hospital post-earthquake, then moving to a rehab/PT tent city for amputees, and finally shifting once more towards working on mobile medical clinics and a construction project for a vocational school.

Any special hobbies?

Well, post Christine I'm not sure what my hobbies are! lol I love cooking and find it a stress reliever. As a family, we love hiking and camping, but I personally am afraid to do so in Arizona with all the new creatures (rattlesnakes, scorpions, poisonous frogs, etc.). If anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears!!! Justin and I also really enjoy flipping old furniture into something new and are very excited to finally have a garage with space to do so!

Fun Fact about yourself?

I come from a long history of aviators. I grew up spending most weekends playing on grassfield airports running the wings of gliders or doing my homework from an air traffic control tower where my mom still works today. Also, I own a Triumph Bonneville T-100 and look forward to riding in AZ. I hear it's a great place for riders!

Please share your personal feelings regarding this call and moving to the Southwest.

Never would have I imagined leaving both our families and our hometowns to move to the desert but God’s call is incredibly clear Pinnacle is where I am supposed to serve. I am most drawn to the warm and hospitable people I had the chance to meet through phone calls and on my visit to Pinnacle in addition to the work I will get to do – indeed the work I feel most gifted and spiritually

enlivened to do. I am excited to get to know everyone and serve Jesus alongside each of you!

Leah will serve in all aspects of ministry at Pinnacle along with our other pastors through worship leadership, preaching, and pastoral care. In addition, she will work closely with our staff and volunteers working with children, youth, and their families. Leah will also walk alongside our Deacons and Congregational Life Committee in fostering community at Pinnacle.

PHOTOS Page 4, Rev. Leah Quarles with her husband, Justin, daughter Christine and the family pup, Evie. Page 5, Leah performing a baptism at her former church. Page 6, top left, Christine and Evie and top right, Leah leading youngsters in prayer at The Anchor Presbyterian Church.

SHIRLEY NORRIS is Director of Communications. She is a dog person, nothing but Mac and at the time of this writing, was reading First Impressions by Charlie Lovett.

SPECIAL OFFERINGS

In gratitude, many in our family of faith wisely use this time of the year to evaluate what they might still do for ministry. The need remains great. Special offerings like Christmas Joy, Angel Tree, Alternative Gift Market, and support of our community partners through the Arizona Charitable and Public School Tax Credits all touch the lives of others in need.

CHRISTMAS ANGEL TREE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13 - 30 SANCTUARY NARTHEX

For the last 29 years Pinnacle has helped make Christmas morning a little brighter for many children and families. This years program will benefit clients of our mission partners, Vista Del Camino, Noah Webster Schools and Open Table. To participate, look for the Christmas Tree in the Sanctuary narthex, choose an angel from the tree and record your name and the angel number with a volunteer. Alternatively, you can select a virtual Angel here: https://bit.ly/ AngelTree2022

ALTERNATIVE GIFT MARKET SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20 & 27 11:15 AM | SANCTUARY PATIO

More than a gift extending farther than our borders, Pinnacle’s Alternative Gift Market is an opportunity to participate in feeding the hungry, providing education to students who are disenfranchised, being a caring heart for seniors, and much more. These gifts are available for purchase until December 31. Your tokens of love come with cards for you to give to your family and friends as recognition of gifts made in their honor. In addition, we will have hand-made Christmas ornaments from Haiti (available only at the in-person markets on November 20 & 27).

TAX CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES

DEADLINE: DECEMBER 19

The state of Arizona offers a wonderful opportunity to receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for donating to a qualified organization. It’s a win for our Pinnacle mission partners and you!

CHRISTMAS JOY

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18

The Christmas Joy Offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930s, opening doors of opportunity for our leaders who are shaped and supported through your gifts—doors that lead to hopeful futures for young people at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. Your gifts open doors that lead to relief for church workers and their families when critical financial needs arise. Find the Christmas Joy remittance envelope in the pew racks on Sundays, December 11 & 18, or you may make your donation online at pinnaclepres.org/specialofferings.

For more information about these offerings, watch for the “Joy to the World” Special Offerings booklet available in the Chapel and Sanctuary narthex, Church office and online at pinnaclepres.org beginning November 13.

ANDRE HOUSE

I was hungry and you gave me food,

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.

Pinnacle Presbyterian Church’s connection with Andre House in Phoenix, one of its longest-running missions, has new blood.

Christine Schild is Pinnacle's new point person now organizing volunteers to work the shelter’s soup kitchen in the Capital Mall District. Her appointment in August ends a nearly year-long search to find a replacement for Stephanie Webster, who has tirelessly served Pinnacle and Andre House for many years.

For nearly 20 years, the church has helped Andre House prepare and serve meals to greater Phoenix’s homeless and poor populations. Christine recruits volunteers from Pinnacle and maps out monthly visits on scheduled trips.

“Volunteers are vital to our operation,” said Elizabeth Wunsch, Volunteer Engagement & Communication Director for the iconic nonprofit agency. “We’ve had to make major adjustments because of the Pandemic.”

Pinnacle and Andre House have a long, collaborative history providing relief for Phoenix homeless. The church was founded in 1989. The first service October 1 was held on World Communion Sunday. Starting in a temporary location, step-bystep, it has grown into the current, bountiful campus.

For Andre House, it was Christmas night in 1984 when its first meal turkey stew – was served in a city shelter. Then, the base was a house in a working-class neighborhood rented by two Holy Cross Catholic priests from Notre Dame. The food line would expand, with vital help from volunteers, up to 600 plates six nights per week.

Additional Andre House services and resources sprang up in response to guest needs, including a house to welcome homeless women, emergency food box distribution to neighbors, free clothing distribution, and education and recreation programs for neighborhood children.

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In August, Pinnacle initiated an illuminating re-boot in the relationship when church staffers paid a working visit, making and serving meals. “The increase in need over what I saw when last there a few years ago was startling— from the encampment of persons experiencing homelessness on the streets all around Andre House to the numbers being served,” noted Senior Pastor Dr. Wesley Avram.

“I was also struck, again, by the extraordinary dedication of volunteers across all ages and the spirit of love with which they participated,” he added. “I look forward to Pinnacle redoubling its commitment to that ministry and remain touched by the number of Pinnacle members who regularly volunteer.”

While there, the Pinnacle group toured non-dining service areas. This included a clothing closet organized to provide Andre House clients dignified space to shop. This means providing the opportunity to choose suitable clothing for job interviews and/or cooler weather.

“When our staff returned, they realized that there was so much opportunity for Pinnacle to partner with the wonderful ministry at Andre House,” said Executive Associate Pastor Erik Khoobyarian.

Rev. Avram suggested asking congregants to donate shoes – a suggestion made from the pulpit the Sunday following the visit. In

Be the hands that feed the hungry.

First Tuesday, Second Sunday, and Fourth Saturday

subsequent weeks, dozens of pairs were delivered, both gently used and brand new, along with socks and underwear.

As it turns out, Christine’s new role as mission point person comes at the same time Andre House has a new Executive Director in John Delaney II, who assumed this position Sept. 1. He is the first lay person to hold the post, but faces a familiar challenge: Strengthening the volunteer network.

Kelly McGinn, of Pinnacle's Park Center who was on the staff visit, called it an “emotional” experience. “Until you go there and see for yourself the gratitude expressed by all walks of life, it’s hard to explain.”

To learn more about how you can make a difference and serve those experiencing homelessness in our community, please contact Christine at andrehouse@pinnaclepres.org.

PHOTOS - Page 10, top, Pinnacle Staff, Kelly McGinn, Ilona KubiaczykAdler, and Erik Khoobyarian; bottom, Brandon Huenemann and Wes Avram.

MIKE CONKLIN, a member of Pinnacle since 2013 with his wife, Diane, was a long-time Chicago Tribune journalist. He left the Tribune to join the DePaul University faculty, where he taught and helped found its journalism department. Now he teaches part-time, writes, volunteers and hikes a lot.

What is the Sing for Life Chorus?

Recently, Jim Gray and Warner Davidson shared during worship about their experiences with Sing for Life. Here are some excerpts from their Ministry Moments:

Jim Gray: Sing for Life is a community chorus designed primarily for seniors who have early or minor memory loss, to provide a friendly, relaxed environment where they can express themselves through singing. Sing for Life is patterned after the very successful Giving Voice Chorus of Minneapolis that has helped launch 48 such choruses across the US, Canada, UK and Australia. The chorus is led by specially trained music professionals, rehearses weekly, and performs public concerts several times a year.

Participants sing familiar and new music with adaptive methods and structured direction. Dementiacapable volunteers are available to assist. Sing for Life Chorus

rehearsals include social time, refreshments, and a supportive environment that builds a caring community. Persons with dementia and care partners can experience joy, love, understanding, and meaning through music.

Once assembled, we start with a simple question of everyone such as “As a child, what did you dream of being as an adult?” The responses are interesting. My particular response to that is, “I dreamed of being an entertainer and singing and dancing with Annette Funicello.”

We then move on to a variety of light exercises and simple voice exercises, then sing a few familiar warm-up songs. And once warmed up, we sing a variety of songs: folk songs, patriotic songs, show tunes, or popular songs; often songs from when many of us were growing up or as young adults.

Warner Davidson: If you have researched the benefits of singing, you know that music and especially singing has comforting and healing powers. And while one musical instrument is helpful, a whole orchestra works even better at exciting endorphins or feeding the soul.

A recent Facebook post reminded us of a statement by the philosopher Goethe, that states We don’t sing because we are happy. We are happy because we sing. I would never argue with Mahalia Jackson who has sung so well “I sing because I’m happy” - but this is another way of thinking about it. Each time Ruth my wife, Ruth and I travel home after a “Sing for Life” session, they say, “That was really fun, wasn’t it?” We feel happy, uplifted and a bit renewed.

To learn more, visit us online at singforlifeaz.org or email Ilona at singforlife@pinnaclepres.org.

the Colors of the Liturgical Year

There are so many meaningful symbols that are a part of the Christian tradition. At the start of confirmation, I know that our leaders took the students to the Sanctuary to look at all of the symbols and discuss them. We have done this with the children of the church as well. We talk about the beautiful cross, deep and rich with symbolism unique to Pinnacle but connecting us to the church throughout the world. We talk about the Bible, and the Table, and the presence of water which reminds us of baptism. Indeed, throughout our worship space we have symbols to remind us and to point us. These symbols remind us of God’s great acts through time and point us toward living in a way that lives out God’s faithfulness to us and to the world.

There’s another, more subtle, set of imagery that changes throughout the calendar year. Have you ever noticed the colors of the fabric stoles worn by our pastors? The colors represented on our vestments are symbolic of the seasons of the church year or special holidays within the church year. I have always enjoyed the liturgical colors as they are another way that we are able to signal to one another and remain connected with Christians worshipping throughout the world. One other added bonus is that when we see a new color, or when our colors change for just

one day or a few days, it makes us ask the question – what is different about today? This can lead to an educational moment and add to our worship experience.

Pinnacle is a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA) denomination, and our denomination and the Presbyterian denominations that came before it have encouraged the use of liturgical colors since at least 1970. It isn’t totally clear when liturgical colors originated, although there are some historical documents showing the use of colors corresponding to seasons and holidays going back to the 9th century! It was not until the 16th century, though, that uniformity came to the use of the colors. By that time, colors were regularly associated with events in the church year. During the Protestant Reformation, colors were abandoned in favor of black gowns. This was part of a more consistent movement away from the Roman Catholic tradition. But in the past 200 years there has been a resurgence of liturgical colors in Reformed churches.

I, for one, am glad for this! In fact, a few years ago I was so very blessed to receive six original mixed-media art pieces depicting the liturgical colors. A dear friend, artist Beth Bordelon, created these pieces, and you can see images of them throughout this article. These

abstract art pieces are intended to evoke the emotions and experiences of the various holidays and seasons of the church. While the images in these pages are wonderful, I encourage you to stop by my office to see the originals.

Beth and I served together as elders at the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos where I was a member before being ordained as a minister. (Beth’s artwork can be found on her Etsy page by searching for Bordelon Artworks.)

So, let’s talk about the church year as a way of introducing the colors that are currently utilized by our denomination and at Pinnacle!

Our church year starts with the First Sunday of Advent. Advent is a season with some color options. Both purple and blue are used as liturgical colors during Advent. I asked Beth to create a blue piece as I love the use of blue for Advent. It evokes newness of life, and the depth of blue which can reflect long

nights of waiting and the anxious mystery of the depths of sea and sky. Advent is a time of preparation and wonder, and the star and celestial imagery on this artwork are particularly inspiring for me. As much as Advent is about waiting, it is also about ushering in the birth of Jesus and the Incarnation of God at Christmas.

On Christmas we transition to either white or gold as our liturgical color. Gold is a special color and points us toward the gifts that will be brought to Jesus by the wise ones who visited him shortly after his birth. Gold is of great value and was reserved for important people and things. The season of Christmas, which continues for us until Epiphany (January 6th), remains either white or gold.

On the first Sunday after Epiphany, we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus and we utilize the color white. White is the color of baptism. In the art piece, you can see threads of the

other colors of the liturgical year – threads of life all woven against the backdrop of baptism. There’s something quite powerful about this reminder that the Sacrament of Baptism is not just one day, but it is a moment that marks God’s claim on our lives throughout the year and years.

After Epiphany, our liturgical color is green until the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday (I’ll get to that one in a moment). The two periods where there’s no season are often referred to as “Ordinary Time.” I used to think this meant that they were ordinary as opposed to extraordinary! Rather, the term ordinary in this context is related to the numbering of the Sundays. We count them and identify them using ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.). These stretches of green are long, but they provide us with the reminder that God is present in all of creation. Green is a color of life and brings us hope. I also think there’s great value in celebrating

God’s presence even (or perhaps especially) in those times in between the major seasons of celebration.

Just before Lent we celebrate the Transfiguration of Jesus on the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday. White is the color of the day for this service because when Jesus took his disciples up to a high space he was transfigured and his clothes were dazzling white.

Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent. From Ash Wednesday through Maundy Thursday our color is purple. Purple evokes the sense of sorrow and penitence during Lent. We are drawn into the season by acknowledging our mortality on Ash Wednesday and through the final moments in the earthly life of Christ. Purple is a color of royalty as well, and there’s some power in our acknowledgment that we follow a royal one who will be put to death. Indeed, we follow a king like no other. I appreciate the various shades of purple as well as the different patterns on the art piece. We can find ourselves in various shades and patterns throughout Lent, and particularly so when we allow ourselves to experience Lent more fully.

Traditionally, no colors are used on Good Friday and Holy Saturday leading up to Easter. After the close of the Maundy Thursday worship service or as part of a Good Friday service, the colors and symbols are

all stripped from the sanctuary to signify the time that Jesus spent in the tomb.

On Easter we celebrate the Resurrection joy with either white or gold and this continues through the season of Easter until Pentecost (June 5th in 2023).

On Pentecost we wear red. The red on Pentecost symbolizes the flames of fire that were appearing above the heads of the people as they experienced the Holy Spirit in a new and different way. If you look at this art image, you’ll see invocation of the flames and the mysterious dance between the Spirit and creation. Red is also used for celebrations in the church (like ordinations and installations).

Ordinary Time begins again after Pentecost which means that our color is once again green. There are two exceptions, however! The first Sunday after Pentecost is Trinity Sunday and the color of the day is white. The last Sunday of Ordinary Time, which is also the last Sunday of the liturgical year, is Reign of Christ Sunday, which is also white. After Reign of Christ Sunday, our year begins again and anew with Advent and purple or blue!

Like the other symbols of the church, the colors of our vestments and other liturgical cloths help to tell the story of our faith and our life together.

About the Artist

Artist Beth Bordelon lives in San Jose, California, with her husband Malcolm. After a career as an advertising agency art director followed by a career as a stayat-home mom of two, Beth has been having fun making art. She believes we all are blessed with gifts from God, and that creativity has allowed her to be of service in all walks of her life. She was honored to have been asked by Erik to create these liturgical color abstracts. If interested, Beth currently sells some of her art on Etsy. Scan QR code below or visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/ BordelonArtworks

THE REV. ERIK KHOOBYARIAN

is our Executive Associate Pastor. A life-long Presbyterian, he loves things decent and in order, especially when it comes to liturgical colors and practices!

Among the many educational programs that start each fall here at Pinnacle, confirmation stands out as a distinct rite of passage. It’s a big step in one’s faith journey, even though the full impact of one going through the confirmation process may not be felt immediately. It is a process

So, what is confirmation all about? It has a very long history. In those Christian denominations that practice the baptizing of infants, confirmation is understood as the ‘sealing of the covenant created in baptism through the Holy Spirit.’

For Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians confirmation is understood as a sacrament, a holy act that brings one fully into God’s grace. In many Protestant denominations, where in baptism one is already seen as a full member of God Family and Christ’s Church, confirmation is a process of learning about the faith into which one has been baptized, but often includes, most significantly, the claiming and profession of faith, and signals entering into full membership in the individual church, taking on the rights and responsibilities of membership.

Here at Pinnacle we traditionally ask eighth graders, but any youth who wishes, to come to weekly classes for about eight months to explore topics such as: the Bible as God’s Word, the Sovereignty of God, the Dialogue of Worship, the Life of Prayer, the Common Mission of the Church or the relation of Faith and Science. The goal of the class is exploration, each confirmand discovering for themselves the possibilities of belief in relation to the basic teachings of the church. The goal is personal development in faith and the creation of a statement of faith that encompasses one’s

personal convictions with regard to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Church.

One of my favorite topics to cover in confirmation is theological anthropology. Now I know this sounds daunting, but it’s all about ‘what it means to be human from God’s perspective.’ The world has many ways to define what it means to be human, and these definitions usually surround our being social and rational beings with the ability to use symbolic language to communicate. The first source we have on this as a church is the Bible itself. And so, when working with confirmands, we start with Genesis, where we hear that God created humanity (adam) out of the earth (adamah) in God’s

who live responsibly as made in the image of God and conformed to the image of Jesus Christ himself: beloved and called ones who “in life and death belong to God.”

Along the way, we learn not only about ourselves, we learn a little Hebrew, we learn a little Greek, and most of all we learn what it means to be part of the community of the faithful: the Church. Confirmation mentors play a key role in this. These adults from the congregation walk alongside the confirmands, learning along with them, supporting them in this journey of development and discovery. The mentors assist the confirmands in exploring each topic of faith and life to shape what they want to say as a way of public

deeply into the world of faith. This book is both an extended statement of faith (over 300 pages long in the version I read) and a sustained hymn of praise. Augustine begins the Confessions with these words, “You stir human beings to take pleasure in praising you, Lord, because you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

As we work through our year of confirmation, it is not our goal to write a 300-page treatise on faith. Rather, we look at building a statement of faith as an act of devotion, a living document of one’s praise, joining the church’s historic task of expressing in every generation how individuals respond in the midst of community to the direct and personal address God makes through love incarnate, Jesus Christ.

PHOTO - Page 17, right; 2022 confirmands; (l-r) Chloe Mobley, Brianna Mobley, Ciana Mattingly, Morgan Harris, Caroline Johnson, Audrey Bush, Julia Matura, Taylor Mobley, Audrey Hart, and Ryan Glodowski.

own image, breathing the breath (neshamah, spirit) into them, creating them male and female, so that they become living, breathing beings (nefesh). We also explore what Jesus says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” These component parts are only fully realized in relation to God through love. What we want confirmands to discover is that they are body-mind-spirit-heart creatures

proclamation what they have come to believe, trust, and have faith in.

Sixteen hundred years ago, Augustine of Hippo (North Africa) wrote a book, Confessions. This book isn’t a tell-all of Augustine’s personal misdeeds (although he does tell us some of his youthful wayward ways). Rather, in the Confessions Augustine tells us what he came to believe as he became a Christian and delved

THE REV. MIKE HEGEMAN is Associate Pastor for Education here at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church. Along with assisting with the confirmands, he is teaching an adult version of the class called Christianity 101.

PEEPS MINISTRY Highlight

Meet Pinnacles new Associate Director of Music/Organist

Q. Where did you grow up?

A. Pittsburgh, PA

Q. Are you a dog or cat person?

A. Dog - I have a 14-year-old beagle

Q. What is your best-loved book or movie and why?

A. Charles Dickens’

A Christmas Carol because I love the idea that we can always change

Q. What is your favorite Christmas memory?

A. Watching the wonder and joy of my kids performing the Nativity Pageant

Q. What piece of music you couldn’t live without?

A. Too many favorites to choose from; I just can’t live without music.

THE SOUL of WINE

Several years ago I attended a seminar and wine tasting with Dr. Gisela Kreglinger who grew up on a family-owned farm in Franconia, Germany. Dr. Kreglinger then obtained a PhD in theology from the University of St. Andrews. She has a wonderful way of bringing to life the biblical connection between wine and our spiritual lives.

Recently Dr. Kreglinger wrote a new book called The Soul of Wine – Savoring the Goodness of God. In this book, she invites us to use wine as part of our spiritual journey. You’re invited to join us in reading this very approachable book and spend four evenings together discussing the book and also tasting and discussing wines.

You are welcome to join us for any or all of these gatherings: Thursdays | October 13 & 20 and November 3 & 10 | 6-7:30 pm

The Soul of Wine is readily available online and we have a few copies available at the church office ($20). We will be gathering off campus and each session will be in a different home, so you do need to register beforehand by emailing me at erik@pinnaclepres.org and I’ll provide all of the details you need! The participation cost is $60 per person which includes a Pinnacle wine glass and the wines for each session. For those wishing to participate in the program without the wine tasting component, there will be no charge, but registration is still necessary.

The topics we’ll discuss will be Wine as a Gift from God (chapters 1-4 on October 13), Coming Home – Sensing Salvation (chapters 5-7 on October 20), Wine and Everyday Spirituality (chapters 8-11 on November 3), and The Freedom to Enjoy Wine and Sensual Worship (chapters 12-14 on November 10).

I look forward to journeying with you as we explore God’s goodness together!

Pinnacle Concert Series

2022- 2023 Season Calendar

Sunday, October 16, 2022 | 3 pm Discovering Eastern Europe

Saturday, October 29, 2022 | 7 pm Phantom of the Organ

Friday, November 11, 2022 | 7 pm Veterans Day Tribute

Sunday, December 11, 2022 4:00 & 7:00 pm Celebration of Christmas

Saturday, January 7, 2023 | 3 pm

My Favorite Things with Melissa Trafficante and Guests

Monday, January 16, 2023 | 7 pm

A Mighty Stream

Celebrating the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. in Song

Saturday, March 4, 2023 | 7 pm Soundscape To Humanity

Hosted Concerts

Sunday, November 6, 2022 | 3 pm Eclipse with Phoenix Chorale

Friday, December 16, 2022 | 7:30 pm Navidad with Phoenix Chorale

Saturday, December 17, 2022 | 7:30 pm

Sunday, December 18, 2022 | 3 pm Messiah with Phoenix Symphony

Sunday, February 5, 2023 | 2 pm Haydn’s The Creation with Arizona Musicfest

Sunday, March 26, 2023 | 3 pm

Song and Dance with organist Katelyn Emerson

Good Friday, April 7, 2023 | 7 pm

Requiem by John Rutter

Saturday, May 20, 2023 | 7 pm Worlds Colliding with Crossing 32nd Street Ensemble

Sunday, March 19 | 2 pm

Zukerman Trio with Arizona Musicfest

Sunday, May 7 | 3 pm Soundtrack with Phoenix Chorale

Time Out for the Arts

Saturday, February 18, 2023 | 10 am Musforum

Saturday, March 25, 2023 | 10 am Playing for a Lifetime Workshop with Katelyn Emerson