We are a Church that "Shines Christ's Light"
Valley CRC has a long tradition of community outreach, especially through our youth oriented programs. Valley first became 'notorious' for our outstanding Summer Bible School program, which ran every summer through the decades of the 1970's and 1980's. In the 1990's, due to changing social demographics, the Summer Bible School was changed over to a once-a-month program called "Parent's Night Out", which has proven to be very popular. The focus on youth extends to our Sunday School, Children's Church, Youth Services, and Youth Group activities. Our annual Fall Festival in September draws a large number of youth (and their parents) to the church for the free games, bounce houses, and food. Our Live Nativity will celebrate it's 10th year in 2011, and is a glorious celebration of Christ's birth, with lights, music, and narration. It has become a community tradition.
Our outreach also extends to other areas of the community. Valley has hosted a local food pantry for several years, and has many volunteers that work with the Meals on Wheels program. In addition, we have also been long time supporters of other community missions such as holiday outreaches, and the clothing bank.
Our unique, A-framed building is distinctive in design, and is also an easily recognizable sight for the community. The church building is opened for use by many local groups, including the Boy Scouts, youth sports leagues, the Senior Citizens club, and other community groups. In addition, the building is frequently used by Chenango Forks schools, which sits just across the street, for various staff meetings as well as to host standardized tests and final exams. Our building is handicap accessible.
We have Sunday School classes for all ages, including an adult class, which meet Sunday mornings from September to June. Our worship service is blended, mixing traditional hymns with contemporary praise songs, and with an occasional mix of drama or special music included. We have several special services, including an annual youth service, an Easter 'sunrise service', and a very popular Christmas Eve service.
We are known to be a very open and welcoming church, and have many members with strong gifts of welcoming and enfolding. We are proud that people feel very welcome from the minute they enter the front door. Take a tour around our website for additional info and pictures of our church and activities.
