October was a busy month spent listening to the congregation. It started with Pastor Rick introducing four key priorities for SOTV based on his listening over the past few years, and the congregation voting for their top choice during worship services. That was followed by paper and electronic surveys, thirteen focus groups, and lots of conversations. After getting through the month, we have 705 surveys, about 40 pages of focus group notes, and lots of charts and graphs to study. We will be diving into the data over the coming weeks and months, but here are some interesting observations from the data that I look forward to exploring and testing…

Thank you to everyone who came & supported the Christmas & Craft Boutique! We raised $7,316! Proceeds benefit the kitchen & hospitality ministry, children & youth ministry scholarships, & worship ministry visual arts.

Sometimes Advent is understood simply as the season that sprints to Christmas, a season to get through in order to get to the good stuff. But there is more to this season than that. Advent begins in darkness. It tells the honest truth about the human condition. It calls us to face some hard realities. And to wait.

Steve Edmondson Linda Frey Ron Johnson Linda Lund Luz Orozco Ethan, Bethany, & Pearl Peterson Neal, Julie, Ella, John, and baby boy

Thank you to the Shepherd of the Valley volunteers who put food in students’ lockers for the Sheridan Story. This program has been very helpful to students. We are fortunate to have these volunteers!

By donating to the Shepherd of the Valley Endowment fund in honor of your loved one, you can support Christian Education, Outreach Ministries, or General Mission in perpetuity. Your gift will be invested permanently, and the income from those investments support projects selected by the Endowment Leadership Team.