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Mission Yearbook Organized by Church Name

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
January 4 - Theology and Worship & Presbyterian Women
January 11 - Goodyear Village
January 18 - PAADA
January 25 - Cook College & Theological School

February 1 - Mesa, First
February 8 - Horizon
February 15 - Desert Palms
February 22 - Bethany
February 29 - Crosswinds

March 7 - Wellton
March 14 - Memorial
March 21 - Palo Cristi
March 28 - Sun City, Faith

April 4 - Verde Valley
April 11 - Canyon, Chinle
April 18 - Valley
April 25 - Sunnyslope

May 2 - Yuma, First
May 9 - Pinnacle
May 16 - Betania
May 23 - Alpine
May 30 - Winslow

June 6 - Fort McDowell
June 13 - University
June 20 - Sierra Vista
June 27 - Central

July 4 - Historic First
July 11 - Kayenta
July 18 - Maricopa Indian First
July 25 - Desert Hills

August 1 - Flagstaff Federated
August 8 - Westminster
August 15 - Sun City, First
August 22 - Lake Havasu
August 29 - Sacaton

September 5 - Sky Harbor Chaplaincy
September 12 - Peoria, First
September 19 - Celebration of Life
September 26 - Fountain Hills

October 3 - Chandler
October 10 - Mission del Sol
October 17 - Presbytery Endowment Fund
October 24 - Mingus View
October 30 - Guadalupe

November 7 - Gilbert
November 14 - Scottsdale
November 21 - Orangewood
November 28 - SMCD Committee

December 5 - Payson Community
December 12 - Christ
December 19 - Salt River/Lehi
December 26 - Mountain View


Introduction
The Presbytery's Council and Stewardship Mission & Communications (SM&C) Committee is pleased to present the 2004 edition of the Presbytery of Grand Canyon Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study.

Each year, this Yearbook is developed to help individuals and groups become familiar with the congregations and other forms of ministry in which we are engaged. It is modeled as a supplement to the Presbyterian Church (USA) Mission Yearbook for Study and Prayer, and encourages the use of both resources. Congregations, specialized ministries and committees of the presbytery were requested to submit short entries sharing:

Who they are

What they d

o

How they do it

By highlighting ministries within the presbytery each week, it is hoped that all the "family members" will be learning more about each other's ministry. The entries are intentionally short. The Presbytery's Directory is a good resource to find names, address and phone numbers to contact a ministry directly to learn more about it.

I continue to encourage its use during the Lord's Day as the community of faith gathers to worship. Some congregations do a highlight of each entry, others read it, and still others print it as a bulletin insert. In some congregations, committees use it as part of the devotions in their meetings. Which ever way is chosen, it is hoped that prayers are offered for those ministries and congregations.

"Paz"

José Olagues
Associate for Congregational Resourcing

January 4
Theology and Worship Committee
          The Theology and Worship Committee of the Presbytery faithfully serves to enrich our life of heart and mind while also seeking to promote dialogue and unity of faith amongst Presbyterians in Arizona. This relatively small committee of the presbytery ordinarily offers two workshops each year that highlight current issues in the fields of worship and theology. In addition, it is responsible for the worship life of the presbytery.
          As our denomination wrestles with a wide range of theological issues and as churches in general seek to make worship intelligible for our changing age, this committee is often called upon by the presbytery to address a variety of issues of concern or dissent. Your prayers for wisdom and creativity are appreciated as this group of believers works to enrich and inform.

          Presbyterian Women (PW) is made up of women in congregations, presbyteries, synods and church-wide who commit themselves to its stated purpose of nurturing our faith through prayer and Bible study, supporting the mission of the church worldwide, working for justice and peace, and building an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA) and witnesses to the promise of God's kingdom.

Presbyterian Women
          PW-Churchwide relates to the General Assembly through a covenant made in the summer of 2001 which clarifies, enhances and strengthens the relationship between PW and the national church structure. PW is a mission entity in the PC(USA), reporting annually to the National Ministries Division on its programs and policies. It is an autonomous organization, self-determining at every governing body level in its leadership, budget and program. PW's mission giving appears in the General Mission Budget of the PC(USA).
          In our presbytery, the PW coordinating team (CT) plans two presbytery-wide gatherings each year, and at least one leadership training event. On the CT are six PW Enablers who provide program resources and guidance to the PWs in the churches of the presbytery and who may be called upon by any woman in any church in the presbytery. The moderator has voice and vote on Presbytery Council and is a member of presbytery during her term of leadership.

January 11
Goodyear Village Presbyterian Church
          Goodyear Village Presbyterian Church is the newest church in the Presbytery of Grand Canyon. We were organized by the Presbytery in January 2002! For approximately 60 years, Goodyear Village was a Chapel of the Vah-Ki Parish. A number of years ago the building in which the people of Goodyear Village Chapel worshipped was condemned by the Building Safety Inspection Division of the Gila River Indian Community tribe for failing to meet the minimum Health Standards, Life Safety Standards and American Disability Act. Funds for rebuilding were not readily available initially. With the help of the Vah-Ki session, Gila River Indian Community, and neighboring Presbyterian church, the congregation has built a new sanctuary building, a place for worship and a gathering place for the community.
          Average attendance in Sunday morning worship is 35. There is an active Thursday night Bible Study and the church witnesses in the growing community of Goodyear Village. We are learning to be a responsible member of Grand Canyon Presbytery as we expand the witness of Jesus Christ in Goodyear Village, the Gila River Indian Community, and to the ends of the earth.

January 18
Presbyterian Alliance on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
          The Presbyterian Alliance on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (PAADA) was organized in the name of Jesus Christ to develop an awareness and recognition of the disease of alcoholism and drug addiction within the Presbyterian Church and to act as a bridge between the church and the recovery process for victims and their families. To that end, we provide worship services, information and educational programs, confidential counseling, and pastoral support. PAADA has conducted programs for more than half of the churches in Grand Canyon Presbytery over the last 20 years. We have brought national leadership here for seminars for pastors, and have utilized local experts for Big Event workshops on varied areas of addiction. We participate in Mission and Health Fairs with our professional exhibit and make available to congregations a wide variety of informative material.
          Scholarships are available for Pastors, Youth, and Lay Leaders to attend the outstanding School on Alcoholism and Drug Dependencies at the University of Utah. The 2004 school will be held the week of June 14.
          PAADA is a sub-group of the Social Justice and Peacemaking Committee of the Presbytery of Grand Canyon and an affiliate of Presbyterians for Addiction Action (PAA) of the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA).
pnaoda

January 25
Cook College & Theological School
          For the glory and honor of God in Jesus Christ, Cook College & Theological School (CCTS) is an ecumenical Christian institution of higher education. As one of the Racial/Ethnic Schools of the Presbyterian Church (USA), CCTS has held close to its mission of educating and empowering Native Americans, Alaska Natives and other indigenous peoples since 1911. Cook College is proud to be a part of the Presbytery of Grand Canyon.
          Located in the heart of Tempe, Cook College & Theological School has served students from over 90 different tribes. Students coming to Cook arrive from as far away as Alaska, the Marshall Islands of the South Pacific, and as near as the Salt River and Gila River Reservations. They represent many different cultures. AT CCTS they find a caring, nurturing community with respect for native culture and where classes are taught using Native American learning styles, methods and curriculum.
          Cook College & Theological School fulfills unique needs for the Native American communities we serve. The college provides a quality education with Christian leadership development through an associate degree program in Christian Ministry and with the University of Dubuque Also offered are certificate programs in Lay Leadership along with classes taught throughout the U.S. and Canada through the Theological Education by Extension program.
          The history of Cook College began in the home of the Rev. Charles Cook at the First Presbyterian Church at Sacaton, Arizona in 1890. CCTS continues to provide a holistic education that includes spiritual, intellectual, social and physical development. Cook College challenges its students in their academic, personal and spiritual growth to serve others effectively within intertribal, multicultural, Christian communities, programs in American Indian Studies and Liberal Studies.

February 1
First Presbyterian Church of Mesa
          First Presbyterian Church of Mesa is a vibrant church growing in Spirit and number. The church meets for vibrant blended worship, and has an active outreach to the immediate neighborhood and beyond. Each day scores of children are served through a weekday PreSchool, a Headstart program, and the Mesa Early Learning Program. Each week dozens of people learn to read or develop computer literacy through the Laubach program, while others receive nourishment of body and soul through Meals on Wheels.
          In the past year the church has started an Alpha program, a partnership with a nearby at-risk elementary school, and been on mission trips to northern Arizona and Sitka, Alaska. Women's ministries have been revitalized through a dozen or so Grace Groups, and Empty Nesters now have a small group to call their own.
          Growing edges for the congregation include mixing old and new, young and old, in-reach and out-reach, propriety and celebration, God's transcendence and Christ's immanence. Members, officers, and staff of the church would welcome prayers for guidance to become more and more the disciple-makers Christ calls us to be.

February 8
Horizon Presbyterian Church
          Horizon Presbyterian Church is located in the Ahwatukee-Foothills area of Phoenix. Horizon started meeting in 1990 and presently has 160 members. Growth has been a priority for us but we have not been able to break the 200 member barrier.
          Our members are mostly professionals working in the high tech or white collar professions. We have a lot of young, growing families. Consequently, Horizon's members believe that children's and youth ministries are a vital part of our purpose. For a church our size, we provide extensive church programs and undertake local, regional and international mission efforts. God's Garden Child Development Center, our own Christian preschool was started as an outreach to our community.
          We have recently returned to one Sunday service. We have a "blended" service, traditional and contemporary combined. Our choir is growing and our praise band has a lot of youth participation. We are blessed with dedicated members who share their talents. We are a church community who rejoice together, bear one another's burdens, share responsibility for encouraging one another in faith, and reach out together to the world around us.

February 15
Desert Palms Presbyterian Church
          Desert Hills Presbyterian Church is a suburban congregation in far North Scottsdale with a membership of 595. Our original congregational base drew from the retirement community of Carefree. In recent years, however, our congregation has developed into an intergenerational community. This is due in part to the many family housing developments that have sprung up and the church's intentional to minister to all people: young, old and in between. At this point in time, we have one of the largest youth programs in Grand Canyon Presbytery.
          DHPC is very mission-minded and supports mission locally, nationally and globally. We currently have two significant partnerships with sister churches. One is with the First Presbyterian Church of Leupp, a rural Navajo congregation and the other with Historic First Church of Phoenix, an urban congregation. The partnership with the Leupp congregation is over 20 years old. Each fall, the Leupp congregation leads our Sunday morning services and we reciprocate in the spring. The partnership with Historic First Church began in 1995 with the DUCK program (Downtown Urban Community Kids). Since then, DHPC has provided volunteers, board members, fundraisers, and mentors for the children in the program.
          DHPC begins a transitional year in 2004 with the retirement of our pastor of 12 years, Dave Philips. Stan Burtless will be our interim pastor and the congregation is looking forward to new beginnings and opportunities. Our vision is to continue to provide ministry and programs for all ages and to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to our community.

February 22
BethanyPresbyterian Church
          Bethany Presbyterian Church began as a Sunday School Mission at the Washington School, in 1913. The church was a community activity center for decades. In 1942, the Rev. Claud Morton, a Presbyterian Sunday School Missionary, began visiting regularly.
          Seventeen Washington Township residents requested the Presbytery of Phoenix to organize a church. The first congregation met March4, 1945. The first building program, at 27th Ave and Lane began with a $10,000 Board of National Missions grant. In 1963, services returned to Washington School while a new campus was built at 35th Ave and Frier, where Bethany has remained since.
          Begun as a mission effort, served by missionaries, funded by the Board of National Missions, it's no wonder Bethany has a strong sense of responsibility to serve others, even as we have been served. Over the years, emphasis has ranged from major efforts in global ministries in India, Malawi, Pakistan and Mexico, to hands-on involvement in local food banks, shelters, food kitchens, child care centers, store-front missions and back-to-school uniform drives.
          Over the past 60 years the people have never lost the zeal to be in mission, to find hurting places and people and offer ourselves and our resources, in the name of Jesus, to be His hands.

February 29
Crosswinds Presbyterian Church
          Crosswinds Presbyterian Church, chartered November 14, 1992, has an active, loving congregation of 125 members. Located in a rapidly growing community within Phoenix, we are dedicated to attracting, developing, nurturing and deploying joyful informed disciples of Jesus Christ.
          Crosswinds is committed to local mission work that centers around the homeless and others in need of food, clothing and care. Supporting that commitment, volunteers serve once per month at the Chris Becker Dining Room, a kitchen for the homeless. We provide birthday gifts, ice cream, cake, and treats for special occasions. At Christmas we collect Angel Tree presents and food for Desert Mission and Chris Becker families. We have a program to collect and distribute food and clothing to the needy and victims of domestic violence through several food banks and shelters in the area. Working with local churches, the Lend-A-Hand group collects "We Care" hygiene packages for the homeless. Assistance in providing medical care is given through support of the Las Fuentes Clinic.
          Beginning this year we will embark on an adventure in faith by participating in the Greater Phoenix Interfaith Hospitality Network. We will open our church to the homeless. Crosswinds accepts challenges!

March 7
Wellton Presbyterian Church
          Wellton Community Presbyterian Church has just celebrated 50 years of service and mission in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Mission statement says that we are a family of Christian faith who commit ourselves to worship, study, pray, serve God and care for all people. We invite and encourage other people to a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and to grow in the spirit as we live the Christian life together.
          We trust God will guide us and lead us as the spirit works in and through us.
          As part of this mission, we give to Crossroads Mission in Yuma. We make up a special Christmas gift for someone in the community that might not otherwise be able to enjoy the season very much, and we serve as a place of worship and fellowship for many of whom we call our "winter family."

March 14
Memorial Presbyterian Church
          Memorial is a church in the process of transformation; it has gone from being a large suburban church to being a small urban congregation in its fifty years of existence in the same location. The city has moved out away from it and the neighborhood has changed around it. Where once the surrounding area was filled with two-parent Anglo families, it now has many single-parent homes, apartments, and young families just starting out many being Hispanic and/or Asian.
          In moving into its second half-century, Memorial is changing its leadership structure from one with committees to one utilizing ministry teams. The five areas of ministry are mission, outreach, nurture, worship, and resources. The goal is to have every member involved in one of these ministries. In its annual stewardship campaign, members were encouraged to prioritize his or her choice of where their spiritual gifts would be used.
          "Hands-on" mission has become an important part of the transformation efforts. Currently, Memorial is part of the Greater Phoenix Interfaith Hospitality Network; four times a year, up to fifteen people (in family units) are fed and housed overnight. We are the home of two AA groups and the site of the neighborhood association office. For over two years, the church facilities have been used during the week by a private school. The plans for the coming year include introducing a new program in each of the ministry areas. God has blessed Memorial and it seeks to share this Love with others.

March 21
Palo Cristi Presbyterian Church
          Palo Cristi Presbyterian Church is a place where you are more than just a face in the crowd. In our particular place in Paradise Valley we seek to live so God can use us in a variety of ways. One of those ways is through the Interfaith Hospitality Network which provides shelter and services to homeless families with children through the cooperative efforts of faith-based organizations and the community. For one week each quarter, volunteers provide meals and shelter for up to 16 people here on our church grounds. Cooking dinner or reading a book to a child or spending the night to assist the families provides wonderful opportunities for all ages to do justice and walk humbly with others in need. This is just one way that God calls us into service at Palo Cristi and we are grateful to share our faith in action. Other Presbyterian churches in the Presbytery which are involved in this ministry are: Crosswinds, Emmanuel, Mission Del Sol, Orangewood, Memorial and University.

March 28
Faith Presbyterian Church in Sun City
          Faith Presbyterian Church, located in Sun City, has 1200 members who have been actively involved in mission through the denomination and in the community for over 25 years.
          Five years ago Faith Church joined with Habitat for Humanity of the West Valley. Through generous contributions a three-bedroom home was completed in 1999. On September 16, 2000, the second house sponsored by Faith Church was started. The church proves faithful discipleship to Jesus by providing deserving families with quality housing.
          Our church has launched into parish nursing. Our Parish Nurse, a ministerial team member, promotes wholeness within our community. She acts as a spiritual caregiver through close assessment of, and intervention with spiritual needs. She offers many health, wellness, and prevention education screenings. And she provides our parishioners with that extra attention they may need so that they can be more active in their own health care management. In today's confusing environment of health care, our parish nurse provides a list of resources available within our church and community so that our parishioners may find appropriate assistance. Through all these activities, our Parish Nurse helps us understand that health care is part of responsible stewardship of one's life.

April 4
Verde Valley Presbyterian Church
          Verde Valley Presbyterian Church serves the people of Cottonwood and the surrounding Verde Valley. We started as a Mission Church in this faster growing small town/rural, non-farm area with low rates of religious affiliation. Our neighbors have been in the 55-85 age group. However, we are enjoying an increase in the number of young families with children.

Our Vision for 2004 reaches out to the community.
• We nurture new attendees, visitors and members. Our challenge includes transportation for those who no longer drive.
• We respond to the need for a Columbarium/Memorial Garden.
• We encourage increased membership. Our challenge includes meeting the needs of a New Generation through:
  "Glow", a Christian women's group, "…meets with the intent of making ourselves the best that we can be, for it is only then that we can give of our best to our Master, our families, and our community;"
  "Praise and Fellowship" services which are held to provide flexibility in worship through different and varied expressions of our faith.
  
• We recognize our strengths as we participate individually in community activities. Our challenge is to participate in interdenominational opportunities

We humbly ask for your prayers as we try to live what we say we believe.

April 11
Trinity Presbyterian Church in Chinle
          The first Sunday morning that religious services were held was October 31, 1954. Rev. Joseph Gray, a missionary from Chinle, conducted the Sunday service and about 30 people of all ages attended the services which were held in a school classroom.
          The Sunday service attendance increased to approximately 200 by May 26, 1955 and averaged about 50-61 people each Sunday. It was a good indication that a church was needed in the community. The salvage lumber from the old church at Chinle, transported up to Canyon Chapel with two teams of horses and wagons, was reconstructed into a church by local church members.
          A ground-breaking ceremony for Canyon Presbyterian Church was held on November 21, 1955.
          The church is served by a part-time Commissioned Lay Pastor who works within the context of Navajo culture. Outreach to the community includes sensitivity to the seasonal dynamics that affect Navajo life and an ability to communicate in both English and Navajo. Singspirations, revival events, community food distribution, and use of Navajo language Bibles are some of the ways in which the church is sharing Christ's love in their corner of the Navajo Nation.
          The church hosts a number of mission work groups each summer from as far away as Sarasota, Florida. The mission groups might assist the church with maintenance and repair of the church facility, help with vacation Bible School, or perhaps even provide much needed music lessons for a future church accompanist. Sisters and brothers in Christ travel across country to spend time at Canyon Presbyterian Church learning what God is doing among Navajo people.

April 18
Valley Presbyterian Church
          In the space of forty-five years, Valley Presbyterian Church has grown from a "field" of the Board of National Missions to a church of over 2100 members who, in turn, support new churches in the presbytery and mission causes around the world. It has developed into a ten-acre campus, recently rebuilt to serve a new generation of children, youth and adults. A new day school and Christian education facility, a family life center featuring a gymnasium and drama center and an administration building were included in the project.
          With a staff including three associate pastors, Valley maintains a strong regimen of Reformed worship. This is supplemented with educational classes such as Christcare and Alpha, support groups including a Counseling Center and Stephen Ministry, fellowship activities for all ages, especially a Prime Time daytime program for senior adults and the Catch the Wave intergenerational dinner program with 5-6 evening educational choices. Its strong mission outreach efforts include hands on projects and financial assistance from the 20% of the annual Faith Giving income allocated to Mission Outreach. Four services, including a contemporary Celebration of Life service, make this campus a busy place on Sunday morning.
          With the retirement of the Rev. Thomas Erickson, Valley is now deeply involved in the pastor search process. Poised for a vital twenty-first century, they anticipate the new leadership.

April 25
Sunnyslope Presbyterian Church
          Realizing the need, looking for an opportunity and entering into Christian service . . .. this is how Desert Mission was started in 1927. The pressure of the human need to attend tuberculosis patients from all over the United States and gathering in North Phoenix, challenged the faithful to establish and build McCahan Chapel, which was dedicated October 2, 1927.
          On March 20, 1949, Sunnyslope Presbyterian Church, founded by Desert Mission, celebrated the laying of the cornerstone at its present location of Hatcher and 2nd Street. The Church has maintained a history reaching out to others. During the 80s and into the mid 90s, Sunnyslope provided shelter, food and other assistance to people in need.
          Today Sunnyslope houses The Orchard, a program dedicated to helping troubled teens, Parents Anonymous, and Phoenix Police Probation Department.
          Sunnyslope is still a congregation with a HEART for mission, HANDS willing to work, and abundant HOPE in the Lord Jesus Christ. Please pray for our faithfulness and wisdom to always love and serve Jesus in joyful community.

May 2
First Presbyterian Church in Yuma
          First Presbyterian Church, Yuma, is a 75-year-old, mostly Anglo congregation. Attendance fluctuates dramatically with the seasons, from about 45-60 in the summer to an average of 130-150 in the winter. Our church is located in an older part of town which has seen an influx of minorities, primarily Hispanic, many of whom are recent immigrants.

Three years ago, we started an outreach ministry to these new neighbors. We offer:
• Sunday Spanish-language worship services, including lunch;
• Bilingual Sunday school;
• Wednesday bilingual after-school program with supper;
• Free counseling/therapy sessions for families and individuals;
• Home, hospital, and jail visits with Bible study and prayer;
• Emergency food, transportation and clothing aid;
• Support for the Presbyterian seminary in Mexicali, Mexico.

          These efforts have produced modest but encouraging results. A total of 78 children have been served through the after-school program, which currently averages 18 children (9-12 years old). We have recorded two baptisms. Approximately 30 to 35 people, representing about ten families, gather for the weekly worship in Spanish. Many of the children participate in our regular Sunday school Classes.
          As our commitment to this ministry deepens and grows, we are being vitally challenged and transformed as a congregation. Thanks be to God!

May 9
Pinnacle Presbyterian Church
          Entering into its fourteenth year, Pinnacle Presbyterian Church has risen from the north Scottsdale desert as one of the fastest growing Presbyterian churches in the country, yet surprisingly is able to keep the warmth and closeness of a much smaller congregation.
          Pinnacle offers vital worship in its new sanctuary, an innovative weekday preschool, exciting Christian education opportunities for all ages, and an outstanding music program for ages 3 years and up.
          Growing together in faith, understanding, wisdom, love, and commitment to Christ our Lord, the congregation aims to put their faith into action by reaching out into the community. Through Habitat for Humanity, the Volunteer Interfaith Caregivers Program (VICaP), the Shoebox ministry to the homeless, Vista del Camino Back to School clothing drives, and musical concert series for local neighboring school districts, the church's outreach extends beyond traditional Presbyterian global mission.
          The Mission of Pinnacle is to be the center for worship of Christ, service to the community, and spiritual nurture of the highest standard. We will strive to share our blessings, teach what we know, learn of the Christian faith and practice, support fine arts, and apply our faith in helpful ways to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ.

May 16
Betania Presbyterian Church
          Betania Presbyterian Church, located in Phoenix, has a bilingual multicultural and intergenerational congregation. The theme or motto of the church comes simply from the Gospel: "Love God - Love your neighbor."
          Worship is the center of spiritual and social life in the community. In 1989, in partnership with Orangewood in Phoenix, First in Peoria, and Faith in Sun City, Betania session incorporated a Betania Community Center. Though there is a goal to prepare youth, the Center serves a number of adults as well. The numerous classes offered include English as a Second Language, Citizenship, Job Preparation, health-related issues, and support networks. Offices from the former Covenant Presbyterian Church and rooms from P.O. Coe Public School are used to house different programs given that more space was needed at Betania. A new social hall built this year will serve different needs of the church and the neighborhood.

May 23
Alpine Community Church
          Alpine Community Presbyterian Church worships and serves God in the White Mountains (Reserve, Luna, NM; Springerville, Blue, AZ). Our worship building is two miles east of Alpine. We are a place to belong and a place to become. Our mission is to bring people to Jesus Christ, nurture our church family, promote social righteousness in order to glorify and enjoy God, and rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.
          We serve God by caring for our members, community, and world. We open our hearts to many summer residents who worship and serve with us. We help two local women's abuse shelters. In 1999 we ranked 7th in the nation in per capita giving of blankets through Church World Service. In addition to other mission work, in 2000 our congregation helped a church in Nogales by providing 42 kits. We sponsor a free community Thanksgiving meal.
          With God's help, we work together. Our annual yard sale, which involves 300-500 people, raises cash for special efforts and clothing for local and world mission. We have raised over $100,000 toward our $150,000 goal for a new worship building.

May 30
Winslow Presbyterian Church
          Winslow Presbyterian Church was organized 45 years ago, as the only Reformed church in the Winslow area. A unique history with the Navajo people led to structuring a Northern Area Ministry with three churches, Leupp, Indian Wells, and Winslow. This relationship nurtured and strengthened strong Christian fellowship with mutual trust and support. We look forward to continuing Christ's work with our Navajo friends, although we function as three separate congregations now.

We extend our mission work to:

• Transporting clothing and other contributions collected by Arizona churches to the reservation churches:
• On-going work with the local Ministerial Assoc. who provide sleeping accommodations, gas or repair assistance, food, and occasional medical help to stranded families:
• Contributions to "Angel Tree" program sponsored by the Chuck Colson Prison Fellowship
• Assistance to the Sr. High School graduating classes for year-end activities
• Madonna House - continual giving of food collected for needy families
• We make available our Fellowship Hall and other facilities for church youth groups traveling through; for other youth groups gathering in Winslow, for overnight and/or day use, such as the Olympic athletes.

          Our Pastor Search Committee has progressed to having the CIF on the Call Referral Service web site. A "Tent Maker" model of ministry could easily be adapted and compatible. Until we call a Pastor we continue to be blessed with excellent Pulpit Supplies. Our congregation is aging and searching for ways to reach out to all cultures and ages. Our fellowship remains very strong spiritually, deeply embedded in Biblical teachings, with total commitment to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
          We have six active and committed members on our session. We ask for your prayers in this difficult time. However, we realize that man's power is limited and we pray for a discerning spirit as we wait on our Sovereign Lord to guide us to new goals.

June 6
Fort McDowell Presbyterian Church
          Fort McDowell Presbyterian Church is one of the oldest in the community. To understand its history, we need to look back at the history of Fort McDowell.
          In the 1800s, white settlers from the East were arriving rapidly. In response to heightened tensions between the Indians and settlers, the U.S. Military built Fort McDowell in 1865. The Yavapai people were among the tribes squeezed by the soldiers and settlers. In the 1870s, Yavapais were rounded up and forced to march to the San Carlos Reservation, leaving behind the weak and the sick. In 1902 the Yavapais were given 40 square miles as a "reservation." The first superintendent of Fort McDowell and Yavapais living on the new reservation built the Presbyterian Church in 1906. The superintendent had stone masons split common metamorphic rock mined from local sand pits to make the high walls for the rectangular shaped church. Its strong walls have needed only minimal structural repairs since 1906. In 1929, the brush arbor was built behind the church for outdoor services and camp meetings.
          Today the church stands tall, beautiful, and ageless within the community.

June 13
University Presbyterian Church
          University Presbyterian Church in Tempe, founded in 1952, seeks to be an open, inviting Christian community that glorifies God and strives to live His will as expressed in Jesus Christ.
          Founded on the campus of Arizona State University, the 475-member church is marked by its quest to engender mature faith in members. Strong emphasis is placed on a compelling Christian education program that instills values and challenges believers to apply scripture and teaching to their daily lives. Intentional about offering a rich Sunday worship experience of music, message, meditation and sharing, the church strengthens believers for a world yearning for help and love. University is defined by social ministries, grounded in an extra-ordinary reliance on volunteers who direct and lead programs and are involved in dozens of community outreaches and non-profit programs. A team monthly prepares and serves a meal at Paz de Cristo food kitchen for the homeless and low income in Mesa. Lunches are packed regularly and delivered to the East Valley Transitional and Training Living Center, a Mesa men's shelter.
          Recently, University welcomed Mission of Mercy-a mobile medical clinic which sets up twice monthly to provide a full range of medical treatment for the uninsured and working poor.

June 20
Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church
          Offering two worship services in both contemporary and traditional styles, Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church is a growing church in south central Yuma. Our Evangelism focuses on "Showing God's Love in Practical Ways." Washing windshields at Wal-Mart; wrapping Christmas presents (for free); giving away 9-volt batteries for smoke detectors; or putting money in washer-dryers at the Laundromat are some of the ways that we reach out to the community with God's grace and love. In addition to Sunday School and Youth Group, our Christian Education includes "CBS on WWN". That is Children's Bible Study on Wonderful Wednesday Night. Each week the anchor desk is manned by a different child who has memorized their Bible verses. Children then choose from four different activities and the night ends with Children's Choir. Adults attend Bible Study groups and the Jr. and Sr. High meet with the Pastor.
          Other CE opportunities include: Monday Women's Bible Study; Monday Night Bible Study; Women's Circles; High Sierra's; Friday Men's Breakfast; Dinner for Eight; and Promise Keepers.
          Remember in your Prayers Brita Hamitt - Director of Christian Education; Brian Claar -Director of Music and Evangelism; and Darren C Hawkins - Sr. Pastor.

June 27
Central Presbyterian Church
          Central Presbyterian Church, located in the center of the greater Phoenix area, has existed on the southwest corner of 2nd Street and Indian School Road for the past 85 years serving the surrounding Native American community. Ministry that began along side Cook Christian Training School reaches out to include many different tribal affiliations, from Hopi to Tohono O'Odham, Mohave to Choctaw. Central's ministry is unique in that it is the only Native American congregation in an urban setting.
          Throughout the years as the corner around Central has developed so has Central's ministry to reach out to their neighbors. Lunchtime devotions are held during Holy Week and during Advent with invitations sent to the neighboring offices. Still reaching out to the Native American community, but not limited to Native Americans, the deacons provide sack lunches and hygiene kits to the homeless.
Central's choir is another part of the church's ministry. Not only do they provide music during the Sunday morning worship, but they also provide a music ministry to those who are homebound as well as to other Native American churches who hold camp meetings or evening services.
          Central - small in number but mighty in God's love.

July 4
Historic First Presbyterian Church
          "Loving and sharing Christ from the heart of Phoenix" is our mission and the purpose behind all the ministries of Historic First Church. By God's Spirit, we are a multi-cultural, multi-economic, multi-generational, loving and praying Christian community embracing people from throughout the Valley, especially those not actively involved in a church. We encourage a transforming relationship with Christ to empower one another for service to the world God loves and emphasize concern for the city's needs.
          "Historic First church ministers to the needs of its members through worship, discipleship, and fellowship We endeavor to provide new opportunities for all to foster spiritual growth and maturity, equipping the congregation to use their skills and talents for God. The church ministers to the needs of the homeless through the Ecumenical Chaplaincy for the Homeless, offering practical assistance such as food, clothing, identifications, and help in obtaining employment. In 1995 Historic First Church started the DUCK Program (Downtown Urban Community Kids), designed to provide intervention, mentoring, and support to elementary school-aged children in the inner-city. We now minister to children K-12. The DUCK program is holistic in nature, focusing not only on education needs, but spiritual, physical and emotional needs as well.

July 11
Kayenta Presbyterian Church
          The Shared Ministry of Kayenta Presbyterian and the United Methodist Churches officially began its work June 30, 1998. In this cooperative ministry setting we have worked toward revitalizing the congregation and recruiting new members. New programs include Children/Youth Program, with a paid Youth Director, Sunday School, and a remodeled Thrift Shop. The Wednesday evening Prayer Service continues with Navajo Bible study. A song and praise session follows the prayer service. During this time the congregation learns new songs both in Navajo and English.
          We serve the Kayenta and the surrounding areas of Chilchinbeto, Shonto, Big Mountain. Pastoral services are provided to members who live in Chilchinbeto. The Ministry, through the United Methodist Desert Southwest Conference has been providing hay and feed for livestock on the Navajo/Hopi lands. Livestock, impounded due to restrictions by the US Government, had to be fed. We also provide good used clothing to the community and layette sets to new mothers and infants. We have Mission Teams every summer. They have completed many projects for the church, its membership and the community. The Shared Ministry also provides regular Sunday Worship Service in a bi-lingual setting.

July 18
Maricopa Indian First Presbyterian Church
          One of several Native American churches on the Gila River Indian Community's far west side of the reservation is the Maricopa Indian First Presbyterian Church. Dr. Cook started this church 100 years ago. Most members live close to the church and walk to its various activities while others.
          Worship is led every Sunday by a Commissioned Lay Pastor. 20 to 50 people attend worship and an average of 50 are involved in the Sunday School which includes all ages. An active choir sings at sister churches on occasion. There are six active session members. On Wednesday, a bible study & prayer service is conducted. Several members minister monthly at a care center for the elderly.
          Every year MIFPC enjoys fellowship with sister churches in a revival. Being partners with other Presbyterian Churches is a joy because we help each other while engaging in fellowship and worship. Our sanctuary is old and difficult to keep repaired. Our fellowship building, also hard to maintain, was an internment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II.
          Pray for needs of our congregation as we continue our dedicated ministry.

July 25
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church
          Desert Hills Presbyterian Church is a suburban congregation in far North Scottsdale with a membership of 595. Our original congregational base drew from the retirement community of Carefree. In recent years, however, our congregation has developed into an intergenerational community. This is due in part to the many family housing developments that have sprung up and the church's intentional to minister to all people: young, old and in between. At this point in time, we have one of the largest youth programs in Grand Canyon Presbytery.
          DHPC is very mission-minded and supports mission locally, nationally and globally. We currently have two significant partnerships with sister churches. One is with the First Presbyterian Church of Leupp, a rural Navajo congregation and the other with Historic First Church of Phoenix, an urban congregation. The partnership with the Leupp congregation is over 20 years old. Each fall, the Leupp congregation leads our Sunday morning services and we reciprocate in the spring. The partnership with Historic First Church began in 1995 with the DUCK program (Downtown Urban Community Kids). Since then, DHPC has provided volunteers, board members, fundraisers, and mentors for the children in the program.
          DHPC begins a transitional year in 2004 with the retirement of our pastor of 12 years, Dave Philips. Stan Burtless will be our interim pastor and the congregation is looking forward to new beginnings and opportunities. Our vision is to continue to provide ministry and programs for all ages and to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to our community.

August 1
Flagstaff Federated Presbyterian Church
          The Presbyterians in Flagstaff organized a church in the 1880's. It served as a place of respite for missionaries working on the reservation. In 1916 they joined with the Methodists and other Protestants to form Federated Community Church. Over the years it has been a central hub of community activities.
This past year Federated has seen its youth group go on its third mission project, this year working on the Hopi reservation. The church is active in supporting local ministries such as the Flagstaff Food Kitchen, which provides a meal every evening to any person who shows up. Its director is a member of the congregation. Worship this year has been enhanced by creative input from the worship commission. The combining of our choirs has met with great success as our choir director leads it and the congregation with great energy!
          Our church continues to reach outward. We formed a sister relationship with the church in Kayenta. We became a member of "Flagstaff Christians in Mission" and we also took on several projects with Catholic Social Service, one of which involved providing bedding for a new home for homeless boys 15 to 18 years old.

August 8
Westminster Presbyterian Church
          Our church seeks to be "a house of prayer for all peoples" (Isaiah 56:7). We have a prayer room that is used exclusively for prayer by groups and individuals. We also have "prayer circles" that meet at different times throughout the week. Through these groups, friendships have deepened and lives have been changed. One step at a time, we are learning what it means to be a church that prays.
          We reach out to the people around us in several ways. Each month, our Board of Deacons brings lunch to the children at the nearby "Kidstreet Park." We give food, clothing, and hygiene items to Interfaith Cooperative Ministry (ICM) in downtown Phoenix. We make financial contributions to ICM, Ecumenical Chaplaincy for the Homeless, and the DUCK after-school program at Historic First Presbyterian Church.
          We are located in a part of Phoenix that was "the edge of town" when we were chartered in the 1950s, but is now a diverse urban community. There are people from many nations nearby, with the largest number coming from Mexico. It is difficult for a traditional congregation such as ours to serve in a changing environment. While we are spiritually and relationally healthy, we are still an aging and shrinking congregation. Please pray that we would have wisdom and hope.

August 15
First Presbyterian Church in Sun City
          We maintain a direct mission relationship with the following organizations through prayer, monetary donations and on-site work.

• Each week church members work at the Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank, and monthly at the West Side Food Bank.
• We hold food drives twice a year
• The Presbyterian Border Ministry _PBM) at Douglas/Agua Prieta (Mexico) makes suggestions to which we respond with gifts and money each year in December
• Cook College and Theological School
• Glendale Family Center
• Coalition of Presbyterian Churches for Habitat for Humanity, West Valley
• Montlure Camping Council
• Nogales Presbyterian Border Ministry
• Olive Branch, Sun City Senior Center
• Interfaith Community Care
• Sheldon Jackson College, Sitka, Alaska
• We contribute to our Presbytery's New Church Developments: "Morning Star" in Surprise, and "Dios es Amor" in Phoenix
• University of Dubuque Theological Seminary for Native American Studies
• We are beginning a "Just Coffee" project to benefit Chiapas Mexican farmers and Frontera de Christo PBM in Aqua Prieta, Mexico

"Continuing Education Classes with various Mission and Bible Study emphases bring community interest as does the weekly Men's Breakfast program."

August 22
Lake Havasu Presbyterian Church
          Community Presbyterian Church, located on the western edge of Arizona in Lake Havasu City, was organized 36 years ago. We believe we are called to glorify God by nurturing each other as we answer God's call to promote acceptance, forgiveness and reconciliation in our families, our community and the world.
          We are a mission minded congregation and use our mission dollars locally as well as nationally and internationally. We are committed to our community and offer our facilities for use by many local groups and organizations. Many individuals in our congregation volunteer in meaningful ministries throughout Lake Havasu as a way to spread the gospel through action and assistance.
          This year we have been blessed with a new pastor who brings new ideas and opportunities for mission. As we follow Christ's call into new territory, we go with excitement and the desire for your prayers.

August 29
Sacaton Presbyterian Church
          We consider ourselves parish ministry congregations composed of the Upper Santan, Lower Santan, Sacaton Flats and the Sacaton church. We serve the communities where we're located. Sacaton Flats is about four miles east of Sacaton and Upper/Lower Santan is three to six miles north of Sacaton.
          We have a lay pastor rotation system for the most part that covers Upper and Lower Santan chapels and one that works the Sacaton and Sacaton Flats area.
          Our Ministry touches the local adult detention center along with the youth. Several of the people have been attending church since their release. We also have a time of devotions one Sunday a month at the hospital for the patients. The other chapels have their turn as well. We thank God for His goodness and His mercy which endures forever. The Sacaton church and its neighboring chapels have been here since the latter part of the 1800s. When Dr. C.H. Cook came to Sacaton in December 23, 1870, he labored twelve years before his first convert. Nineteen years later he organized the First Presbyterian Church of Sacaton in April 3, 1889. Again, we thank God for His goodness and His mercy which endures forever!

September 5
Sky Harbor Interfaith Chaplaincy
          The chapel at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is one of 140 in airports around the world (36 in the U.S. alone). Ministry to the aviation world began over 50 years ago when a Presbyterian layman, Edwin Hogg, an Eastern Airlines employee, was instrumental in establishing a chapel at Logan Airport in Boston. Hogg's first concern was for flight crews who were often absent from their home churches for extended periods of time. But soon it became apparent that air travelers also needed more than ticket agents and flight crews for peaceful, secure travel. As workers and travelers made use of that chapel, word began to spread to other communities about its presence. Additional chapels were soon opening.
          Sky Harbor Chaplaincy began its work over 16 years ago with an office in Terminal Two. Now the chapel, office and conference room are located in Terminal Four. Entries in the Chapel Log tell the stories of those who come there for a few moments before meeting an arriving passenger or catching a flight. The most frequent comment left there is similar to this one from Sly, a California traveler,
"Thank you for this wonderful place of solitude and prayer."
          In the midst of the terminal's noise and activity the comparative quiet of the chapel is an oasis of peace that brings refreshment when it is most needed.
          The ministry is directed by the Rev. Al Young and staffed by a corps of over 40 volunteers. These volunteers perform many services, and we are always in need of additional persons. If you would like information about volunteering please call 602-244-1346.

September 12
First Presbyterian Church in Peoria
          We are a people dedicated to manifesting the Word of God and to welcoming everyone into a sphere of spiritual awareness and learning. Our first pastor, Rev. Henry Thompson, set the pattern over 100 years ago for a heritage of Christian Education. Considered one of the spiritual giants of the land, he was Arizona's State Secretary for the Christian Endeavor Union founded in 1881.
          We pledge ten percent of our offerings to charitable causes, and we support local, national and international missions. Our visibility in the community stands out, not only because of our beautiful historic sanctuary but because of programs we sponsor. A Pre-School, founded in 1983 is directed by a long time member. Our facility also houses the Adult Day Program for the mentally challenged. We are one of four churches who form the BUMP (Betania Urban Ministry Partnership) Committee, having recently built a community service facility on the Betania property. We pilot a community Vacation Bible School. The Board of Deacons supplies the Pastor's Pantry with food for local families or transients. Monthly we donate $105 to the West Side Food Bank which provides seven families with food for a month.

September 19
Celebration of Life Presbyterian Church
          Located in Mesa near the Tempe-Chandler border, Celebration of Life Presbyterian Church (CoL) is a mission-oriented, social justice-conscious, inclusive congregation. Formed in 1973 as an alternative to traditional worship, CoL's worship is informal and contemporary, mixing new songs with old hymns and striving for creative, meaningful worship. Inclusive language is used in scripture readings, sermons, prayers, and songs.
          CoL maintains long-standing relationships with Guadalupe Presbyterian Church and with My Sisters' Place, a shelter for victims of domestic violence. Another emphasis, born of love for people and God's creation, is responsible stewardship for our earth. CoL strives to reflect the unconditional love God has for everyone, without exception. As the first More Light Church in the Synod of the Southwest, CoL welcomes ALL God's children, regardless their sexual orientation, to serve according to God's call. CoL believes that Christ's communion table is open to ALL who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
          Through study, service, and worship, Celebration of Life lives up to its name, celebrating the joy that can only be found in the community of faith. In the words of one of CoL's members: "This congregation embraces all people, and puts Christ's dictate to practice God's love into action. Love is a verb in this church."

September 26
Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church
At Fountain Hills Presbyterian, the Mission and Youth Ministries currently engage in numerous mission projects both independently and together including:

• Collecting Campbell's Soup labels for Cook College and Theological School
• Collecting clothing, seasonal items, house wares and "magic pennies" for the Glendale Family Development Center.
• Collections for St. Dominic's Food Bank.
• Collecting toiletries for the Scottsdale Chrysalis Shelter.
• Building homes in Rocky Point, Mexico in partnership with Orangewood Presbyterian and Amore Ministries.
• Christmas 2003 collection of clothing for 35 Navajo children in the Four-Corners area in partnership with Ft. McDowell Presbyterian.
• Monetary and guest pastor support of Goodyear Village Presbyterian.
• Volunteer work at St. Dominic's Food Bank, including painting the KFHX radio station, sponsoring a dog and car wash to raise funds, collecting over 1000 pounds of frozen turkey, and helping to assemble and deliver care packages.
• Participation in the Compassion International Program.
• Volunteering at Glendale Family Development Center with at risk children.
• Serving meals at a St. Vincent de Paul's Soup Kitchen and the Andre House in Phoenix.
• Participation in the "Adopt a Family program through the Phoenix Rescue Mission.
• Sponsoring special offerings including: One Great Hour of Sharing, Tools of hope and Blankets, Peacemaking, and Christmas Joy.

October 3
Chandler Presbyterian Church
          Now in our 54th year as the Presbyterian Church in Chandler, we are continuing to grow and enjoy our new building! We are grateful to have a fully operational facility for our worship, education events, fellowship gatherings and for our outreach to the community. Located at 1500 W. Germann Rd, we are in a good location to serve the larger Chandler community.
          Our primary ministry focus is to serve our families with children, and to continue support and care for the many Seniors who are part of our church. We recently sponsored a Care Fair, where seniors could learn about options for living as their situation changes. At the same time, we assist in getting kids to camp and youth retreats. We have people coming from Chandler to West Gilbert, Sun Lakes, Sunbird, Springfield, and even into Tempe and Mesa.
          Worship is a significant emphasis as we seek to be contemporary and reformed. We have a growing adult choir, a small brass ensemble, as well as a children's choir. We use contemporary songs and have guests who provide music from the jazz/blues background. A second emphasis is our outreach to others through mission work. We are strong supporters of the special offerings of the church, as well as the mission of the GA, Presbytery, and Synod. Mission includes groups like the Chandler Christian Community Center, My Sister's Place , (a domestic violence shelter), Hospice of the Valley, the Aqua Fria Food Bank, and the day labor center in Chandler. Our building is also available for community group use.
          We thank God for the new ministries that are emerging for us in our new home. Our planning team is in the process of developing a new action plan to implement our goals. We look forward to a continued rich and valuable ministry.

October 10
Mission del Sol Presbyterian Church
          This past year we approved a new mission statement around which our Session has been reorganized and our church programming is centered. Our mission statement reads:
          Mission del Sol Presbyterian Church (USA) is a faith community that receives, proclaims, and extends God's love through word and deed, builds disciples through creative worship and exploration of Biblical truth and fosters justice in all God's creation.
          Our Social Justice commission has decided to focus for the coming year on the issues related to local day workers that we all see in our communities. Working with a Latino congregation in Chandler that has recently opened a Day Labor Center, we are eager to learn about the issues involved and assist in appropriate ways to address current needs as well as root causes.
          We offer traditional worship at 8 & 10:30 and a contemporary service at 10:30 in the "Upper Room" or our educational wing from September through May. Traditional worship from June-August is at 9 AM with contemporary worship at 10:30, both in Mission Hall.

October 17
Presbytery of Grand Canyon Endowment Fund
          The Endowment Fund was created in 2000, in an effort to provide long term support for the financial needs of the presbytery. The aim of this fund is to receive and hold contributions and bequests with only the generated income being used for these purposes:

• Native American, Hispanic, African American and Asian Ministries
• New Church Development and Church Redevelopment
• Presbytery Resources for Congregations
• Other Appropriate Mission and Ministry

          As a result of ever reducing financial support from Synod and General Assembly our presbytery is attempting to become financially self-sustaining. As a result we need to generate more funds to offset this shortage of monies to manage our ministry and mission.
          If we are to meet the ever increasing challenges for how we as a denomination shall engage in answering these needs in meaningful ways, we must create new sources of income to respond faithfully.
          Each of us is asked to seriously consider how we shall make our personal contribution to the ongoing work which the Presbytery of Grand Canyon is called upon to fulfill.

October 24
Mingus View Presbyterian Church
          Mingus View Presbyterian Church was chartered in 1990 in Prescott Valley and has a membership of 118. Since the arrival in April 2001 of the Rev. Rick Kargard and his wife, Linda, we have received 57 new members.
          Our church is involved in community projects and opens the building for community use to organizations such as Al-Anon, AA, quilters, TOPS, and the Association for the Blind. We support the church at Kayenta with used clothing, household items, and new toys and gifts at Christmas time. Presbyterian Women support the Cook College and Theological School's request for coupons. Our sewing group works all year to supply clothing for "Dress-a-Child," Head Start, and the new born nursery at Yavapai Regional Medical Center. We have an on-going drive for food for a local food bank. We actively support One Great Hour of Sharing.
          We keep in touch with our missionaries in Honduras with regular correspondence and a monthly "Minute for Mission" to report to the congregation. The Board of Deacons corresponds monthly with another missionary family.
Individual members donate time to many groups such as the library, Elks, Kiwanis, Del Webb Medical Center, Habitat for Humanity, Yavapai Regional Medical Center, Lions' Club, and Neighbor to Neighbor. Community service in one of tour ways to spread the Word of God.

October 30
Guadalupe Presbyterian Church
          Our church in Arizona is located in the heart of the Valley of the Sun, surrounded by Phoenix on the west and Tempe on the East side.
          We are a small congregation of Yaquy Indians, Hispanics and Anglos in a predominantly poor catholic Yaqui/Hispanic town of around 6,000 people. Despite our size, we have a major impact on social, health and educational issues in our community.
          Founded in the mid-1920s by Jenny Biehn, a Presbyterian missionary, our church continues to be a guiding light, not only for religious but also for social needs. Sunday Service is the center of all the activities of the church, guided by the reformed tradition with prayers, songs of adoration, forgiveness, thanksgiving and Bible reading and preaching. On Sundays, early in the morning, members of the church serve coffee and donuts to the homeless and transients.
          An aid-receiving church, we continue to struggle financially, but our Christ and our Faith in Him will continue to grow. Pray for us.

November 7
Gilbert Presbyterian Church
          Gilbert Presbyterian Church is beginning its second twenty years as a congregation, and we are excited about what we see God doing here! Members are catching a vision of the mission of GPC and are in anticipation of what God is going to do next.
          During the last 12 months, congregation members have continued their involvement in area ministry projects. These have included serving at Paz de Cristo where over 200 homeless and needy people receive a hot meal, prepared by volunteers. Members are also involved in a similar ministry at the East Valley Men's Center which offers transitional training for men. Other mission projects included offerings of food and clothing to the Gilbert Community Assistance Program, involvement in Heifer Project, International, and a Wishmas Tree for needy children at Christmas time.
          The youth of GPC are also catching a vision for mission. Each Sunday their loose change offering is received, and this goes to provide food for the needy. Offerings were received during summer Vacation Bible School to support the work of Joni Earekson Tada, providing wheelchairs for children in under-developed countries. And two of our senior high youth were delegates to the New Wilmington Missionary Conference in Pennsylvania in July. This is a gathering of high school and college students which offers an opportunity to come to a deeper understanding of the mission of the Presbyterian Church through Bible study and interaction with missionaries home on furlough. In October, almost 20 of our junior and senior high youth participated in a local CROP Walk.
          In November, the congregation took a step in faith and increased our ministry staff to include a part time leader for youth ministry. We are excited about the possibilities for growth this promises in youth groups.
          God has done wonderful things through the mission and ministry of Gilbert Presbyterian Church over the last twenty years. God only knows what is planned for us in the next twenty!!! But we are eager to find out!!

November 14
Scottsdale Presbyterian Church
          Since 1958, Scottsdale Presbyterian Church has led a variety of ministries to serve the needs our community. Young men and women learn about the love of Jesus Christ through our Sunday School, Youth Group, Boy Scout and Vacation Bible School programs. Our S.P.A.R.K. after school program is now in its third year of operation. SPARK, which stands for Scottsdale Presbyterian Arts and Recreation Kids, is a Christian program emphasizing the arts enrichment. The church has also become recognized a leader in redevelopment efforts in the Scottsdale. Bible Studies and intercessory prayer meetings gather during the week. Both contemporary and traditional worship service each Sunday. The church hosts various community groups from the local homeowners' association to a Ballroom Dancing class for college students. Last October, a "Pumpkin Patch" was created in the church parking lot. This "bridge event" was as a way for church members to meet more people in our neighborhood. Our members are involved in cooperative local mission through a variety of groups including Mobile Meals, ViCap, Chrysalis Women's Shelter and Vista del Camino Community Center.
          Today, the people of Scottsdale Presbyterian Church continue our grand tradition of loving each other, loving our city and loving Jesus Christ most of all.

November 21
Orangewood Presbyterian Church
          Orangewood Presbyterian Church, founded in 1953, is a Christ centered and Phoenix focused church. Our mission is to serve as the body of Christ in today's world. To fulfill this mission, we are committed to:

Glorify and enjoy God with our worship;

Serve as bridge builders of peace, justice and reconciliation in the world;

Grow in faith and in understanding of God's Word;

Tend our resources as faithful stewards of God's gifts;

Welcome and nurture all to share in our mission.

          Orangewood serves a cross section of people who live primarily in North Central Phoenix. We are mid-sized, urban residential church set within a pleasant city neighborhood. One of the highest ranked elementary schools in the state is our next-door neighbor.
          Our congregation has long been marked by creativity and excellence in worship. We have continued a strong emphasis on youth ministry. As the builders of our congregation have aged, we have developed a variety of ministries that enrich the lives of our seniors. There has been a marked increase in baptisms as more young families have joined our creative ministries of Christian education in recent years. Mission is emphasized with our hands, our vocations, and our financial commitment.

November 28 -
The Presbytery Committee on Stewardship, Mission and Communications Development (SMCD)
          Stewardship-mission-communications are what the church is all about. Without stewardship there would be no mission. Without communication neither mission nor stewardship would flourish.
          As a committee, Stewardship, Mission and Communications Development (SMCD) serves congregations and the presbytery by providing information, workshops, ideas and other resources in each area-stewardship, mission and communications.

Stewardship

• Assists sessions with commitment of the whole self to God-time, talent and treasure-and the giver's need to give;
• Assists sessions understand and interpret how their mission efforts fit into the larger picture of the Presbytery of Grand Canyon, the Synod of the Southwest and the Presbyterian Church (USA) around the world.

Mission

• Provides information to churches about opportunities for mission activities at different levels of the PC (USA);
• Offers ideas about how and in what areas churches may increase their mission support.

Communications

• Sponsors Focus, a quarterly presbytery newsletter, and The Presbytery Mission Yearbook;
• Helps churches get to know their sister churches through modern technology;
• Assists sessions with stewardship and mission material developed by the presbytery, synod and/or General Assembly;
• Consults with the presbytery regarding communication strategies.

December 5
Payson Community Church
          The community of Payson and our church has grown up together. Originally, we held meetings in Payson's first schoolhouse, whenever a traveling minister visited town. In 1935, we officially organized as Community Presbyterian Church, Payson's first church. We soon constructed a log building to serve as our sanctuary. In 1980, our current sanctuary was completed and we are now in the process of developing a master plan for expansion.
          Our name truly tells others what we are about; a church that serves, reaching out to the community in many ways. Community Presbyterian Child Learning Center has provided Christian education and daycare to more than 13,000 children over the last 25 years. We are partners to Payson Helping Payson, an organization that provides assistance to those in need. Our Mariners group is recognized as the best chapter in the state and is in the top 20 nationally. We host monthly community jazz concerts presented by local and regional professional musicians. We offer divorce recovery workshops. We partner with our local Methodist and Lutheran (ELCA) churches for four ecumenical services per year, an ecumenical youth group, and vacation bible school. This is a worshiping community.

December 12
Christ Presbyterian Church
          Since its founding in 1958, Christ Presbyterian Church in Phoenix's west valley had developed programs that center around worship, education, outreach, and nurture.
          The congregation serves a community that is becoming multi-cultural. Outreach programs have to be particularly creative. The fastest growing group in the community is Asian, but the largest group is Hispanic. So to serve these people the congregation has recently provided meeting space for an Hispanic new church development and a Korean Presbyterian Church. Some Sunday school classes and fellowship times are held jointly.
          The Deacons' Food program and a gently-used clothing and household items shop (Delightful Discards) reach out into the community as well. And the membership/outreach committee reaches new home-owners in the local zip codes with information about the church and its ministry.
          Christ Church sponsors a monthly ecumenical healing service. It also provides a site for probationers to work their community service hours.
          In these ways and others the congregation is trying to meet the challenge of touching people with the gospel and helping to build them into life-time followers of Jesus Christ.

December 19
Salt River Presbyterian Church
          Salt River Presbyterian Church is located in the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community on the east side of Scottsdale. The church celebrated its centennial in 2000. It is historically known as the Pima 5^th Church. It is the result of the Charles Cook's early mission work.
          The current sanctuary and manse were built in the 1970s. The sanctuary is a 12-sided building, effectively making the worship space circular. This design resulted from the architect collaborating with the elders of the church to incorporate Pima culture.
          Plans have been drawn for a new social hall and Christian education building to meet the needs of a growing Sunday school and community.

Lehi Presbyterian Church

          Lehi Presbyterian Church is located south of the Salt River in the historically Maricopa district of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community. The church is one of the historically Maricopa congregations. The Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community is a unique combination of two tribes-the Maricopa and the Pima. These two communities, with separate languages and governments, have lived together for several hundred years.
          Lehi Church consists of a small rectangular worship space and a nice social hall and Christian education space and maintains a weekly schedule of services and education. We work with the Indian Community's Department of Health and Human Services in distributing food weekly to the Maricopa community.

December 26
Mountain View Presbyterian Church
          The Mountain View Presbyterian Church sanctuary was dedicated to the Word of God on November 24, 1984. The church had been chartered four years earlier on November 30, 1980. As a church community of 1200 families, we care for and about each other. Our church reaches out into the community with a strong mission concerned with the basic needs of people in the Valley as well as around the world.
          We support the Southwest Mission, the Ecumenical Chaplaincy, Vista del Camino Social Services Center in Scottsdale, Frontera de Cristo, UMOM/New Day Center for the homeless, Residential Programs for Chidren, the Glendale Family Development Center, Las Fuentes Health Clinic in Guadalupe, Bikes for Success, Cook College and Theological School scholarship program, and DUCK (Downtown Urban Community Kids), to name several local programs.
          In other countries we support Emmanuel Church in Ramla, the Theodor Schneller School in Jordan, the Evangelical Home for Girls in Ramallah, the Riamakurwe Parish School sponsored by the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, and students at Daystar University in Kenya.