Michelle Meals
FREE Summer Day Camp
FREE Summer Day Camp
Michelle Meals
Register Today for M.A.D. Camp 2025!
Register Today for M.A.D. Camp 2025!
Michelle Meals
Save the Date: Summer Camp
Save the Date: Summer Camp
Michelle Meals
Next Sermon Series: Faith in Action
Next Sermon Series: Faith in Action
Michelle Meals
Mardi Gras: Fat Sunday Pancakes & Jazz
Mardi Gras: Fat Sunday Pancakes & Jazz

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Coming October 23rd, the Wednesday morning Bible study will begin the study of Hebrews by David DeSilva. This six-week study will run through December 4th, with a break during Thanksgiving week.

Pastor Frank will be preaching a sermon series on Hebrews during November and December, and this study allows us to prepare to listen more deeply to his messages.

Hebrews gives us a bold perspective on who Jesus is and what he has done for us.

When: Wednesday mornings, 9:30 – 11:00

Where: Dining room

Facilitator: Pat Christley

Book: Hebrews: Grace and Gratitude.

To reserve your book, call 9214-498-5806) or email Pat by Wednesday, October 9. The cost is $13.00.

Annual Craft Fair and Bake Sale

Annual Craft Fair and Bake Sale
(benefitting the Mission Projects of the United Women of Faith)

When: Sunday, October 13th from 8:30am-Noon
Where: Wesley Hall

Come one, come all to the Annual UWF Craft Fair and Bake Sale! There will be handmade gifts, holiday decorations, delicious baked goods, and edible treats, such as cakes, cookies, pies, jams, jellies, and candies. We need Bakers! Please bring your delicious goodies to Wesley Hall before 8:30 am.



Buyers, bakers, and browsers, please help support our United Women of Faith!

New Ministry at SVUMC

New Community Ministry coming to Spring Valley. Introducing Parents of Addicted Loved Ones for parents with adult children dealing with substance use disorder involving either drugs or alcohol. This is a place to find hope and support.

Meetings will be Thursdays, 6pm-7:30pm, beginning September 12th in the Tony Holiday Room. Meetings are available all over the country, and lives are being changed every day. It's not an easy journey, but you don't have to go it alone.

More info: palgroup.org

United Women in Faith

United Women in Faith begins their new year on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. in Asbury Hall. Bring a sack lunch; beverages and desserts will be provided.

Our Program: Alice McElroy will tell us about the “Mission U” program, put on by the North Texas Conference of United Women in Faith, which she recently attended.

Our Collection: We will also be collecting new baby items such as onesies, receiving blankets, etc. (size premie through 3 months) for our annual Parkland Hospital Baby Shower, which benefits the Parkland Hospital Nursery’s newborn babies.

Hope to see you there!

Network of Community Ministries Golf Tournament

Network of Community Ministries 27th Annual Golf Event

IT'S BACK AGAIN!
Friday, September 13, 2024
Sherrill Park Golf Course | 2001 E. Lookout Drive | Richardson, TX 75082

Join us for Network of Community Ministries (NETWORK) 27th Annual Golf Outing!

1pm Shotgun Start
4 Person Scramble
Afterparty and Awards hosted by Bryan and Mauri Marsh
Beer and Margaritas Available
$125 per Player | $500 per Foursome
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

For more information or to sponsor the outing, visit thenetwork.org/golf-outing/.

September Worship Series: Game of Thrones

In September, our worship series will shift. We will jump into a time machine and explore the early days of the monarchy of ancient Israel. You thought “Game of Thrones” was a fantasy TV show; oh no, it’s the real deal, featuring larger than life characters like Samuel, Saul, David and Solomon. The Israelite monarchy, the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital of the unified kingdom, the Ark of the Covenant… all this and more will be discussed each week. These are some of the most riveting, and controversial, narratives of the Hebrew Bible. Here is an outline:

Sept 1: 1 Samuel 8:4-20, 11:14-15

Sept 8: 1 Samuel 15:34-16:14

Sept 15: 2 Samuel 11:1-15

Sept 22: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33

Sept 29: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14

Spring Valley Recognized at RISD School Board

Spring Valley recognized at Richardson ISD School Board!

Maeson Bryant, our new Director of Community Engagement and Family Ministries, David Smith, Lay Leader and Missions Chair, and Pastor Frank received recognition on the church's behalf last Thursday. We participated in the Backpack Bash, raising $7500 to donate 375 backpacks filled with school supplies to families at Northwood Hills Elementary. Many thanks to David Smith for making this happen!

Pastor Frank's Silence Retreat

A couple of weeks ago I participated in a four day silence retreat at St Francis Springs, North Carolina (near Greensboro). This was for my continuing education for this appointive year. The Big Silence retreat is hosted twice a year by two Spiritual Directors, both of whom are elders in the Western North Carolina Conference.

I was the only person from Texas; there was one from Georgia, and the rest were from North Carolina.

After dinner Monday night, we began 3 1/2 days of silence: no phones, no side reading, no distractions. I spent a couple of hours Monday evening laying in the grass, listening to nature around me. The next couple of days there were opportunities to walk trails, while walking a prayer labyrinth, and spend time at grottos or stations of the cross.

I had never done anything like this before, and I suspect that is this case for many of us. When I shared my experiences, more than one person has said: there is no way I could do that! I bet you could if you tried. Like any worthwhile practice, it takes determination and focus.

Some of the prayer practices we observed were breath prayers, centering prayer, and Lectio Divina, a practice of reading scripture for prayer, rather than seeking knowledge. So for example, look up Ephesians 4:25-5:2, my scripture from last Sunday’s sermon. You would read the text aloud, and listen for any particular word or phrase that speaks to you. Say, “imitate,” or “one body.” Then read the scripture again, paying attention for your particular chosen word. When you hear it again: Why is this particular word standing out to you? What special meaning is God conveying to you?

The retreat was a very meaningful way to remember that prayer, scripture reading, time alone in nature are all ways God speaks to us- as long as we are focused and paying attention.

- Pastor Frank

World Communion Sunday & Parade of Nations

Join us on October 6th at 10am! World Communion Sunday is a denomination-wide celebration emphasizing the value of education and training. We commemorate this day by giving generously to support young adults and make a global impact for Christ. Half of the offering benefits World Communion scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students from the U.S. and other countries. The remainder provides grants to support training for worldwide inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.

Your gift is a practical expression of care, equipping students to shape a hopeful future. Supporting United Methodist students offers both financial and spiritual encouragement, demonstrating the church's confidence in their potential. On World Communion Sunday, we join ecumenically in acknowledging our unity in Christ as we gather around His table.

Hiring: Director of Community Engagement and Family Ministries

Spring Valley UMC: Director of Community Engagement and Family Ministries

Job Description

SVUMC seeks a passionate and dedicated individual to serve as the Director of Community Engagement and Family Ministries. The Director will actively engage with community organizations, including schools, building partnerships and opportunities for ministry. The Director will also provide leadership and support to existing programs for children and students in the congregation.

This role is instrumental in fostering a vibrant and inclusive community, building needs-based ministry in the neighborhood, and facilitating spiritual growth and support for families within the church.

Reports To: Lead Pastor 

Responsibilities

Community Engagement

  • Develop and implement strategies to engage with the local community and build meaningful relationships.

  • Coordinate outreach events, service projects, and initiatives to address the needs of the community.

  • Collaborate with local organizations and partners to leverage resources and maximize impact.

Family Ministries

  • Oversee all aspects of family ministries, including children, youth, and parents.

  • Plan and execute age-appropriate programs, events, and activities to nurture spiritual growth and development.

  • Provide support and resources for parents to strengthen family bonds and deepen their faith.

Volunteer Management

  • Recruit, train, and support volunteers to serve in various capacities within community engagement and family ministries.

  • Foster a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and servant leadership among volunteers.

Pastoral Care

  • Offer pastoral care and support to individuals and families in times of need, crisis, or transition.

  • Provide guidance and counseling to address spiritual, emotional, and relational concerns.

Communication and Promotion

  • Effectively communicate program offerings, events, and opportunities through various channels, including social media, newsletters, and announcements.

  • Promote a culture of inclusivity and hospitality that welcomes individuals and families from diverse backgrounds.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in theology, ministry, social work, communications, non-profit, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).

  • Experience working in a pastoral or ministry role, preferably in a United Methodist Church or a non-profit setting is a plus.

  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to connect and relate to people of all ages and backgrounds.

  • Excellent organizational and leadership abilities, with a passion for empowering others to serve.

  • Commitment to the values and mission of the United Methodist Church.

  • Ability to communicate in Spanish and English is a plus.

Spring Valley United Methodist Church is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. 

How to Apply

Email your resume and a a cover letter detailing your relevant experience to Rev. Dr. Frank Drenner. Please include “Director of Community Engagement and Family Ministries and Application - [Your Name]" in the subject line.
Contact Email: fdrenner@svumc.org
Contact Phone: 972-233-7671

General Conference Update

General Conference Update

“Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

“Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad.

“Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth.

“Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full.

“Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy.

“Happy are people who have pure hearts, because they will see God.

“Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.

“Happy are people whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

“Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me. Be full of joy and be glad, because you have a great reward in heaven. In the same way, people harassed the prophets who came before you.”

-The Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount

I appreciate everyone who came to hear me share about General Conference during the Sunday school hour last week. Thanks for the many positive comments and feedback! It was so well received that I’ve been invited back May 5 to give a recap!

If you missed the morning and have no idea what I am talking about: General Conference is the legislative body of the United Methodist Church. It meets every four years and is the only entity authorized to speak on behalf of the UMC. The Conference started this past Tuesday in Charlotte, NC and will run through next week. One hoped-for change for this Conference came to fruition yesterday: regionalization. This, if ratified by the annual conferences, will allow for regions like the US to make certain decisions based on a more localized understanding of cultural norms, while still maintaining the connectional nature of the UMC. I will say more about this and other developments on May 5.

Remember to check for official updates on General Conference at resourceumc.org. And here are a couple of prayer guides: https://www.resourceumc.org/.../guidetoprayer_gc24...

https://ntcumc.org/Prayer_Guide_for_GC_final_v2.pdf

I’ve been thinking about Brian McLaren’s take on Jesus’ beatitudes from Matthew 5, quoted above. In his book WE MAKE THE WAY BY WALKING, McLaren reinterprets the classic text and offers this commentary:

“[Jesus’] words no doubt surprise everyone, because we normally play by these rules of the game: Do everything you can to be rich and powerful. Toughen up and harden yourself against all feelings of loss. Measure your success by how much of the time you are thinking only of yourself and your own happiness. Be independent and aggressive, hungry and thirsty for higher status in the social pecking order. Strike back quickly when others strike you, and guard your image so you’ll always be popular.

But Jesus defines success and well-being in a profoundly different way. Who are blessed? What kinds of people should we seek to be identified with?

The poor and those in solidarity with them.

Those who mourn, who feel grief and loss.

The nonviolent and gentle.

Those who hunger and thirst for the common good and aren’t satisfied with the status quo.

The merciful and compassionate.

Those characterized by openness, sincerity, and unadulterated motives.

Those who work for peace and reconciliation.

Those who keep seeking justice even when they’re misunderstood and misjudged.

Those who stand for justice as the prophets did, who refuse to back down or quiet down when they are slandered, mocked, misrepresented, threatened, and harmed.”

This should be the work of the United Methodist Church- from the General Conference to the local church. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide and govern our thoughts and actions.

-Pastor Frank

Food Packing Day - Children's Hunger Fund

Children’s Hunger Fund – Food Packing Day

Sunday, April 28th 11:15-12:15 PM

 Everyone is invited to join us after worship to put together food packs for Children’s Hunger Fund.

 Children’s Hunger Fund is a local Christian non-profit that serves families in the DFW area and worldwide. Church and other organizations provide the food needed to fill the food packs.

 Each food pack feeds one child for one week.

 Once all the food packs are ready to go, they will be pick up and sent to their headquarters for distribution.

 Saturday, May 5th 10-12 PM our Youth Group would like to invite anyone who’s interested to join them at Children’s Hunger Fund. That morning the volunteers will be creating, sorting, and filling more boxes.

 

*Volunteer age cut off is Kindergarten. A parent(s) of elementary aged students (K-6th grade) must attend with their child.

 

Please RSVP to Shea Wilkins if you are interested in attending Saturday, May 5th.