|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Story contributed by VPC elder Chris Preimesberger.
Sixty years ago a group of friends planted a seed in the redwoods. On Sept. 29 and 30, old friends, new friends and former pastors alike will gather to celebrate the founding of Valley Presbyterian Church with two events, both to be held on the church campus at 945 Portola Road in Portola Valley.
The anniversary celebration is expected to attract a large crowd of current and former parishioners, staff members and residents. It starts with a party at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, that will feature musical performances by church-based singers and musicians; a live and silent auction; a collection of historic photos; videos depicting church history; and food and wine catered by resident Margie MacKenzie of Nutmeg Kitchens.
The second event is a special Sunday morning worship service at 10:45 a.m. on Sept. 30. Former pastors Lloyd D. Auchard (1971-85) and Mark and Cheryl Goodman-Morris (1987-2016) will join the current pastor, Jenny Warner, who has served in her role since 2017. Longtime elder Chris Preimesberger will moderate a lively and reflective discussion among the pastors during the service that morning.
Valley Presbyterian’s roots
Chartered in 1958, VPC began as a new ministry project of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, now Menlo Church, under the leadership of the late George Vorsheim. The current VPC sanctuary in the redwoods was designed and built in the early 1960s and opened in 1964. Until then, congregation members met for worship in private homes as well as the Portola Valley Town Center.
Vorsheim served as the founding pastor until 1967, and was followed by the late Rev. Donald Peterson (1967-71).
Next, Auchard served with the associate pastor, Keith Wintermute, until 1985, when John Snyder from Fresno became interim pastor.
The Goodman-Morrises, both ordained ministers, came to the church in 1987 from Santa Ana and served 29 years until their retirement in 2016.
Warner, a Bay Area native who was serving as associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Bend, Oregon, is the current pastor.
VPC has been an integral part of the Portola Valley culture for nearly three generations. Not only has it been a creative and inspirational home for its congregation, but the redwood sanctuary is a beloved wedding venue that has hosted thousands of weddings to date.
The natural beauty of the sanctuary is a fitting backdrop for VPC’s authentic, open and inclusive spirit. This comes through each Sunday, accentuated with music that includes handbells, a harp, keyboards, drums and a talented chancel choir.
A home for the community
The VPC campus has long been home to community groups and yoga and exercise classes. A labyrinth walk in the redwood grove provides a space of peace and reflection, and its memorial garden is a resting place for beloved VPC friends and members.
VPC has extended beyond its walls through a 30-year partnership with a sister church in Tekax, Mexico; by helping to build homes with Habitat for Humanity in the greater Bay Area; and by supporting multiple local and international organizations.
The VPC campus also serves as home base for the Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory, a nonprofit founded in the mid-1990s by Cheryl Goodman-Morris and board chair Tom Kelley, in partnership with VPC leadership. The vision was to open the church doors as an outreach to the greater community to provide a quality, transformational, supportive theater arts program for both young people and adults.
In addition to building a thriving year-round Children’s Conservatory with 150 students, PVTC created a theater that has presented a long list of intergenerational musicals and dramatic or comedic plays during its tenure. These include “Les Miserables,” “The Little Mermaid,” “The Music Man,” “Our Town,” “Nunsense,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Oklahoma!” Noelle GM Gibbs has been an integral part of the conservatory since its inception and has served as artistic director since 2016, taking the reins from her mother, Cheryl Goodman-Morris.
All performances are held in Lane Family Hall, named for one of Portola Valley’s pioneering families. The hall also has been the setting for many other VPC community activities, including the annual Crossroads & Friends Coffee House talent show, since its opening in 1992.
All friends and neighbors are invited to join VPC for the 60th anniversary celebration. Tickets for the Sept. 29 anniversary party are $50 per person and are available at 650-851-8282.
