"THE EDGE" GARDEN

If you've traveled past Walla Walla Valley Academy (WWVA) during the past three summers, you've probably seen it. Once an underused thorn patch, the field on the corner of 4th and Academy Way is now bearing fruit in abundance!

Pastor Troy Fitzgerald and a team of high school and college students have tilled and tended the land to bless the community. The project was inspired by a passage from Leviticus 19:

"When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. You shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I Am the LORD your God."

"When I saw the unused ground in front of WWVA," says Pastor Troy, "I thought of community gardens where people work, share produce, and experiences with each other. Work. Stories. Sharing. If I could cultivate moments in our culture today, I top the list with the things that develop in a garden."

But "The Edge" is a little different. Young students work the garden to pay for Christian education. These workers receive not only wages, but matching scholarships. It is all funded by generous private contributions from people who value the mission and method of this garden.

As "The Edge" yields a harvest, students and community members share it in town. The produce is strictly not for sale, but rather free for those who need better food. This means it doesn't just go to the poor. "In our communities, there are many who are separated and disconnected relationally from

others," says Troy, "So sharing this food becomes a way to be gracious and kind. It’s an easy way to start a conversation."

If you resonate with students working hard and learning great skills all while blessing their neighborhoods, please consider supporting "The Edge."

Over the summer, you will have a number of opportunities to take produce from "The Edge" and give it away to your neighbors. Together, we will use it to build relationships, to fill needs, and to make connections in our spheres of influence. Feel free to stop by the garden any time and cheer on the young farmers hard at work.

TOUCHES OF INTEREST

Summer Light will begin on Sabbath, June 23, and continue through Sabbath, September 8. Each week, Sabbath Schools will begin at 10am and our worship service will be at 11:15am.

The church office will have modified office hours for the week of June 25‒29: Monday‒Thursday, 9am‒3pm and Friday, 9am‒12pm. Jaimie Derting, the office manager, will also be available by email: church@wallawalla.edu.

The church board has formed a senior pastor search. Pam Cress has agreed to chair the group which includes representatives from the following constituencies: Alyssa Dybdahl and Katie Wagner, WWU students; Patience Taruwinga, WWU faculty, Kim Strobel, WWU staff; Holly Carpenter, Sergio Hernandez, and Sue Willard, church members at-large; Holley Bryant, K‒12 schools; and Minner Labrador, Upper Columbia Conference. The committee met formally for the first time on June 18 and has outlined a three phase process going forward: (1) Information gathering, listening to stakeholders, identifying prospective candidate names, communicating vacancy and search process; (2) Establishing criteria for candidates, communicating with candidates, refining candidate list, establishing interview protocol for candidates; (3) Interviews and receptions, recommendation to the Upper Columbia Conference Executive Committee, church-wide welcoming event for new senior pastor. The committee is currently in Phase I of this process and is actively inviting all University Church members to share their hopes and dreams regarding a new senior pastor. You can do this by talking directly with a committee member or by emailing your thoughts to: pastoralsearch@wallawalla.edu.

Mental Health First Aid is planned for Sunday, July 1, 8:30a-5pm. This is a University Church sponsored training that is welcome to the first 30 people to register. WWU Social Work Professors Susan Smith and Emily Tillotson will teach the course in the Fellowship Hall. The $15 fee includes all materials and lunch. Register by contacting the church office: church@wallawalla.edu or 509.527.2800.

The University Church will host the Global Leadership Summit for the third consecutive year this summer, Thursday and Friday, August 9-10. University Church members and regular attenders can register for $89 until June 26. Visit wwuchurch.com/gls2018 for more information!

Walla Walla University is hiring!  Please visit jobs.wallawalla.edu for current job openings and to apply.

Stay up to date with the University Church’s texting service. To receive important information about events, schedule changes, and emergencies, opt-in by texting “WWUCINFO” to 84576.

Membership Transfers (June, first reading)
(IN) Sherrick S. Hiscock II, College Place Village Church Amelia Messervy, College Place Village Church Margaret Tilstra, Collegedale, Tenn.
Dave Wheeler, Sandpoint, Idaho
Kate Wheeler, Milton-Freewater, Ore.
(AWAY) Mark Ulric, Agat-Santa Rita, Guam Laurie Wade, Morton, Wash.

The Christian Aid Center is an important ministry partner of the University Church. They are currently in need of the following volunteers: Chapel Speakers (6:30‒7pm, various dates available); Childcare Providers (daily 9-11am shifts, and Tues. and Thurs. shifts from 1:30‒3:30pm); Receptionist (various shifts available); Kitchen Host (morning and evening shifts available); Hair Stylist; Registered Nurses. Please contact Jeannette Regalado, Volunteer & Donor Relations at 525-7153 ext. 114 for more information.

Former Walla Walla General Hospital employees, physicians, AHMG and Clinic employees, and volunteers are invited to a one-year post closure reunion potluck Sunday, July 29, at the Fort Walla Walla picnic shelter at 4pm. Bring food for 6-8 people, table service for your family, and lawn chairs. Water and drinks provided. Go to wwghlegacy.com for more information or contact Miki Uren at 509-525-1026.

FoundationONE is hosting a “Circle of Friends” brunch for alumni and friends of Upper Columbia Academy on Sunday, July 8, 10am. The event will be held at Todd & Teri Wagner’s home in Walla Walla. All alumni, former faculty, family, and friends are invited. Come connect with your UCA family, enjoy a complimentary brunch, and hear current miracle stories from Upper Columbia Academy. For more information or to RSVP contact Linda Klinger 509.939.1716 or linda.klinger@foundationoneuca.org.

Call to Service: Are you a physician or dentist with an earnest longing for souls?   Then the AMEN conference is for you!  Join us Thursday October 25 – Sunday October 28, 2018 in Indian Wells, CA.  The 2018 AMEN conference Call to Service will call each of us to a deeper level of service that goes beyond our comfort zone, challenging us to examine the significance of Christ’s sacrifice, instilling a desire to share Him on a daily basis. Speakers include:  Pastor John Bradshaw of It Is Written, and Pastor Wes Peppers; Dentists Stephen Wright and Ken Pierson; Physicians Brian Schwartz, Tash Ching, and Dapne Moretta and many others.  All physicians, dentists, healthcare professionals, and pastors are encouraged to attend.  This year a special symposium for young professionals (especially residents & fellows) will be held Friday and Sabbath afternoons called: God’s Call, My Work.  We hope you will join us as hundreds of physicians and dentists from across America, and around the world, gather to answer God’s Call to Service.  For more information go to amensda.org/conferences/ or email admin@amensda.org.

Vacation Bible Camp  at the University  Church is scheduled for July 9-13. Full day and half day options are available. Find out more and register at: wwuchurch.com/church-forms/

SonBridge Thrift & Gift Store is recruiting volunteers to sort donated goods, help haul items, or maintain the facility. If interested, please call 509.529.3100.

Singles Campout, July 27-29, at Kaner Flats Campground.   More information and registration forms can be found at http://www.villageadventist.org/connect/singles

Discovery Preschool is now enrolling children 3-5 years of age. It is the goal of our staff to work closely together with each family to provide a solid foundation for intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual growth of the child. Children are encouraged to explore their world through self-expression in a natural, playful, social environment. Contact information: stacy.maxted@wallawalla.edu or 509.527.2252. Visit: wallawalla.edu/preschool

FaithCamp West 2018:  Jesus for Asia will again be hosting FaithCamp West at Upper Columbia Academy in Spangle, WA from July 11-15. Register now at faithcamponline.org to attend. Lodging and meal information available on the website. You will hear Jon Wood, Martin Kim, Jonathan and Hannah Hill, Gayle Haberkam, and other exciting missionary speakers. Plan now to attend, and bring your friends and family! We look forward to seeing you there!