Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Albuquerque, NM

Shepherd of the Valley is a gathering of all kinds of people.

People seeking God's love, grace, and strength for daily living. Ordinary people of all ages and stages of life, with all kinds of backgrounds, families, needs, and problems. People at various stages of faith and doubt.

We come from a variety of cultural and ethnic and racial heritages. We do all kinds of things for a living. We live in all kinds of neighborhoods.

The center of our life together is vital, life-transforming worship.We gather each week in eagerness and expectancy, to be met by the gracious God who continually seeks us out in purpose, presence, and power.

What brings us together is our common need for the grace and love of the God we've come to know in Jesus Christ. As this God meets us where we are,we begin to receive what we lack in this healing community of faith. Moved by deep, heartfelt gratitude, we follow the call of that same Christ, who sends us out in self-sacrificial mission and service to our neighborhoods, communities, and world in the power of the Holy Spirit.

There's a place for you in this extended family of faith we call Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church.

Come as you are. You will be loved. Vengan como son, y serán amados.

Supporting and encouraging children, youth and adults to become responsible members of the church, able to understand what is means to be God's people in the world in which they live. This growth helps them think critically and act responsibly in their interaction with the world which is guided and informed by the good news of Jesus Christ.

While specific learning objectives are important in program development, they are not an end in themselves, rather means to an end. Our Christian Growth Committee is comprised of the Christian Growth Elder, Congregational Ministries Coordinator, Staff Liaison, Nursery Administrator, Preschool Elder, SonCatcher Superintendent, Adult Christian Growth Liaison, Librarian and Praiser Administrator.

Our Mission Committee is busy serving God and helping members of our congregation find ways to serve God. Our committee has grown in number, and we hope to continue this growth.

One of the responsibilities of the committee is the administration of special offerings, which are done in conjunction with the Presbytery.

The committee is also responsible for administering the Mission budget. Ten percent of all pledges are earmarked for mission projects. Some of the local agencies receiving financial support were Albuquerque Rescue Mission, All Faith's Receiving Home, Albuquerque Literacy Project, Samaritan Counseling Center, Rio Grande Food Project, Martineztown House of Neighborly Service, ARTA, and Joy Junction. In addition, funds are allocated to provide food and presents for families from Mission Elementary School for Christmas.

Our desire is for every youth involved to have a dynamic, personal relationship with Jesus Christ; for our student and adult leaders to model the love and servanthood of Jesus; for our ministry to promote relationships and communication between youth and all other members of the Shepherd of the Valley congregation; and for our ministry to help create an atmosphere within the church of safety, service, and loving acceptance for all youth.