March 27, 2022
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Over the last few years members of Great Exchange Covenant Church (GrX) and West Valley Presbyterian (WVPC) have worshipped with each other, laughed and sung together, read Scripture together, prayed for each other, and pursued ministry together -- a preview of what we hoped would be our lives together as the Body of Christ on the corner of Bollinger and Miller.
As our Transition Team members from each church began working through the many questions we would need to resolve for this vision to come to pass, we discovered there were many obstacles to an agreement which both congregations could embrace without reservation. We wanted an agreement to provide GrX the confidence needed to make such a significant move and allow WVPC to preserve the campus to ultimately give it to the GrX congregation.
In our prayerful and servant-hearted conversations, it became clear to both GrX and WVPC leaders that these revealed obstacles were too large to overcome in the present day given the restraints imposed by the Dismissal Agreement with San Jose Presbytery. Consequently, Session and the GrX leadership team have mutually agreed to end our work to move GrX onto the WVPC campus.
While both sides are disappointed that this long effort has not yielded the hoped-for result, each congregation has gained much by our relationship with one other. We have become friends in Christ and have learned much about each other’s love for Jesus and our desire to see the world come to Him. We appreciate each church’s reverence and reliance on Scripture. We value each other’s devotion to our families and to the family of Christ. We continue to hold up each other to be blessed by our Heavenly Father and desire His best for one another.
In terms of next steps, Session has directed the WVPC Transition Team to shift its focus and explore other options for the future of our congregation. In the meantime, WVPC will continue to serve Christ in the way He created us to do, in worship, fellowship, and service. Pastor Morgan will continue to lead us as our transitional pastor, Hardy Hemphill and our worship team will continue to lead us in music, and WVPC will continue to meet and worship weekly. Our elders and deacons will continue to lead and support us. Our transition team will keep you updated, and we invite both your input and continued prayers. WVPC will continue to live as a people who welcome strangers, create a fellowship of friends and family, and serve as the heart, hands, and feet of God.
In the grace and peace of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Your Transition Team
Mike Clark - Terri Dias - Brenda Gips - Donna Perry - Dan Yuen – Pastor Morgan
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Over the last few years members of Great Exchange Covenant Church (GrX) and West Valley Presbyterian (WVPC) have worshipped with each other, laughed and sung together, read Scripture together, prayed for each other, and pursued ministry together -- a preview of what we hoped would be our lives together as the Body of Christ on the corner of Bollinger and Miller.
As our Transition Team members from each church began working through the many questions we would need to resolve for this vision to come to pass, we discovered there were many obstacles to an agreement which both congregations could embrace without reservation. We wanted an agreement to provide GrX the confidence needed to make such a significant move and allow WVPC to preserve the campus to ultimately give it to the GrX congregation.
In our prayerful and servant-hearted conversations, it became clear to both GrX and WVPC leaders that these revealed obstacles were too large to overcome in the present day given the restraints imposed by the Dismissal Agreement with San Jose Presbytery. Consequently, Session and the GrX leadership team have mutually agreed to end our work to move GrX onto the WVPC campus.
While both sides are disappointed that this long effort has not yielded the hoped-for result, each congregation has gained much by our relationship with one other. We have become friends in Christ and have learned much about each other’s love for Jesus and our desire to see the world come to Him. We appreciate each church’s reverence and reliance on Scripture. We value each other’s devotion to our families and to the family of Christ. We continue to hold up each other to be blessed by our Heavenly Father and desire His best for one another.
In terms of next steps, Session has directed the WVPC Transition Team to shift its focus and explore other options for the future of our congregation. In the meantime, WVPC will continue to serve Christ in the way He created us to do, in worship, fellowship, and service. Pastor Morgan will continue to lead us as our transitional pastor, Hardy Hemphill and our worship team will continue to lead us in music, and WVPC will continue to meet and worship weekly. Our elders and deacons will continue to lead and support us. Our transition team will keep you updated, and we invite both your input and continued prayers. WVPC will continue to live as a people who welcome strangers, create a fellowship of friends and family, and serve as the heart, hands, and feet of God.
In the grace and peace of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Your Transition Team
Mike Clark - Terri Dias - Brenda Gips - Donna Perry - Dan Yuen – Pastor Morgan
