What’s an extended Advent observance?
In an extended Advent observance, the season of Advent is longer than the usual four weeks. A typical extended Advent season is seven weeks long, beginning on the Sunday after the congregation observes the feast of All Saints (in 2026, November 1).

Where does the idea of an extended Advent observance come from?
In the early centuries of church history, the length of Advent varied; sometimes it was three weeks, sometimes six or seven, sometimes forty days. The forty-day tradition intentionally positioned Advent as a corollary of the Lenten season. The longer Advent was sometimes called St. Martin’s Lent because it began with St. Martin’s feast day on November 11, forty-five days before Christmas.

Why have an extended Advent observance?
None of us are surprised when stores stock the shelves with Christmas decorations the moment Halloween is over or when carols play on the radio the day after Thanksgiving. Churches often face an uphill battle to keep the chrismon ornaments in their tissue paper and the Christmas carols out of the Advent bulletins. Playing the Advent Grinch is hardly conducive to our own spiritual welfare and not always the best pastoral approach: sometimes, people just need a little early Christmas joy.

Saturday, November 7,
9 a.m. – noon, at
North Presbyterian Church

This gathering is part of Mission in Common, an ongoing conversation and learning community for people who care about local mission. Rooted in Pentecost, we will explore how God gathers people across differences; how mission moves beyond charity toward mutuality; and how every person is an equal member of the body of Christ. Together, we will consider practices that build Christian community within a mixed ecology of ministry.

by Dr. Carmen Joy Imes

I was recently introduced to the deep theological insights and scholarship of the author during my study leave seminar at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship in Michigan. Her book is insightful, but easy-to-read, and includes suggested scripture readings and discussion questions for each chapter. Weekly sessions will last 60-75 minutes and include an accompanying video from The Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/videos/all.

Eleven weekly sessions – Mondays at 7:00 p.m. (September 21 – December 7) in the Church Library. Books are available in the Church office for $15.

Inviting all folks from 12-100 years of age, who like to knit or who would like to learn, to be a part of Valley’s Knitting Group.

The group will meet on Sunday, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.:
November 8 & 22

This group has been busy knitting prayer blankets and shawls for members of our congregation. It takes a lot of yarn to knit or crochet these items. Many of us have made items in the past but have not used quite all the yarn. Knitting for Others can use the leftover yarn to make items to share with others. We are currently making items for babies and young children. If you have any size-3 or 4 yarn that you will not be using and could share with Knitting for Others, we certainly would appreciate your donation. Yarn can be left in the box marked “yarn” in the Library. Thank you so much for your help.

For questions, please call one of our Co-Chairs, Beverly or Bev:

Beverly Wahl

502-553-7255

Bev Keough

330-888-5385

We’d love to have you join us!

The next meeting for 2026-27 will be:
Tuesday, November 10

Our study this year:
United Through Christ, Bound to Each Other —
Paul’s First Letter to Corinthians

Meet September – May the second Tuesday of each month, 10:30 a.m. – noon, in the Church Library. For more information, please contact Glenna Pool at 419-789-9446 or e-mail gpool205@yahoo.com.

All are welcome to gather for lunch together at Buckeye Café (located across from the church in Tanglewood Square) at noon on the second Tuesday of each month (November 10, December 8, January 12, etc.) for a time of good food, great coffee, and even better conversations.

Each Christmas season, Valley has an Angel Tree project. This year, we will be supporting Geauga County Family Services.

We are collecting gift cards. The suggested gift cards are Giant Eagle, Walmart, Aldi, Amazon. There will be a box for the gift cards in the Narthex starting Sunday, November 22. Please return the gift cards by Sunday, December 13.

A new Church directory is available for pickup in the Narthex. If you would like to have a copy e-mailed to you, please contact the church office at 440-543-1071 or e-mail valleypc@netlink.net.

Please consider donating the following items to help stock the shelves at Chagrin Falls Park Community Center:

Any meat, fresh fruit / vegetables, milk, eggs, lunch meat, bread, snacks, or anything you would like to donate.

CFPCC is receiving donations at your car.  Someone will come out and retrieve donations.  You can, also, leave them in the blue donation bin in the Narthex.