 |
First Presbyterian Church of Honeoye Falls 27 North Main Street, P.O. Box 568, Honeoye Falls, New York 14472 (585) 624-2160 |
 |
|
Dr. Reverend Val Fowler
Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Honeoye Falls
On May 19, Dr. Val Fowler became pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Honeoye Falls. He came to us from the First Presbyterian Church of Chili, NY, where he had served as pastor for 12 years. Among the things that excite "Reverend Val" about the ministry are (1) preaching and worship leadership, (2) sharing in the spiritual growth and spiritual journey of individuals and groups, especially children and youth, (3) empowering and encouraging leaders in the church. Val would list "encouragement," "wisdom," and "faithfulness" as among his strongest gifts for ministry…along with a heavy dose of joy.
Reverend Val grew up in Amarillo, Texas where almost all of his immediate family still reside. After graduating high school, he spent one year at Amarillo Community College, then transferred to Brown University where he graduated with a degree in New Testament Studies. He then went to Princeton Theological Seminary. Following his first year of seminary, he was invited to spend a summer doing youth ministry and Christian education at the Lancaster (NY) Presbyterian Church. At the congregation's invitation he stayed for fifteen months, completing a full-time internship. During his time in Lancaster, he directed four camps, participated in three wilderness canoe trips, managed a youth ministry program involving over 120 children and youth, supported the educational ministry of the church, and fell in love with Western New York.
After graduating seminary in 1975, Val became pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Quanah, Texas (a congregation of 48 members in rural West Texas). During his five years in Quanah, the congregation provided a Moderator of Presbytery, a youth delegate to General Assembly, the chairs of several presbytery committees, members of two synod committees, youth and adult conference leaders, and a candidate for the ministry. The congregation also co-hosted an overnight meeting of presbytery, in partnership with a Presbyterian Church 30 miles down the road.
While at Quanah, Val enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program through McCormick Theological Seminary, and was awarded the degree in 1982. By that time, he had become pastor of The Presbyterian Church of Pryor, Oklahoma. Some high points of his ministry in Pryor were the congregation's founding of a Meals on Wheels program, the development of a community food bank, and an adult education program that involved over 50 adults (in a church of 110 members).
In 1983, Val was called as pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Denton, Texas, where he served until coming to Chili in 1990. The congregation was known for its involvement in the life of the community, for its adult education ministries, for its music ministry, and for its partnership in a strong joint youth ministry program with the two other Presbyterian Churches. In 1988, Val began work toward a Certificate in Spiritual Formation through Perkins Theological Seminary, thus beginning his training in spiritual direction.
Reverend Val is a folk guitarist and singer. Music has been a part of his ministry from the beginning. Over the past five years, he has gained great enjoyment from providing local congregations and helping agencies with benefit concerts. By February 2003, he has assisted in raising almost $4000 and several volunteers for outreach ministries. He is a member and former president of the Golden Link Folk singing Society, and until recently was a member of the Golden Eagle String Band.
Val's spiritual "mentors" are Rembrandt van Rijn (the most amazing artist in depicting the tension between light and dark), Ludwig van Beethoven (who teaches us that it is OK to struggle deeply in the process of creating incredible beauty, and in spite of great odds), C.S. Lewis (for his wonderful gift of analogy, and his ability to help the very young understand deep matters of faith), and Dietrich Bonhoeffer (for his courage, integrity, and intellect).
Val serves the Presbytery of Genesee Valley as Stated Clerk, and teaches the Presbyterian Polity and Confessions courses at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.
He is married to Carol, and their two grown children are Brendan and Mandy.
Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Honeoye Falls
On May 19, Dr. Val Fowler became pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Honeoye Falls. He came to us from the First Presbyterian Church of Chili, NY, where he had served as pastor for 12 years. Among the things that excite "Reverend Val" about the ministry are (1) preaching and worship leadership, (2) sharing in the spiritual growth and spiritual journey of individuals and groups, especially children and youth, (3) empowering and encouraging leaders in the church. Val would list "encouragement," "wisdom," and "faithfulness" as among his strongest gifts for ministry…along with a heavy dose of joy.
Reverend Val grew up in Amarillo, Texas where almost all of his immediate family still reside. After graduating high school, he spent one year at Amarillo Community College, then transferred to Brown University where he graduated with a degree in New Testament Studies. He then went to Princeton Theological Seminary. Following his first year of seminary, he was invited to spend a summer doing youth ministry and Christian education at the Lancaster (NY) Presbyterian Church. At the congregation's invitation he stayed for fifteen months, completing a full-time internship. During his time in Lancaster, he directed four camps, participated in three wilderness canoe trips, managed a youth ministry program involving over 120 children and youth, supported the educational ministry of the church, and fell in love with Western New York.
After graduating seminary in 1975, Val became pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Quanah, Texas (a congregation of 48 members in rural West Texas). During his five years in Quanah, the congregation provided a Moderator of Presbytery, a youth delegate to General Assembly, the chairs of several presbytery committees, members of two synod committees, youth and adult conference leaders, and a candidate for the ministry. The congregation also co-hosted an overnight meeting of presbytery, in partnership with a Presbyterian Church 30 miles down the road.
While at Quanah, Val enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program through McCormick Theological Seminary, and was awarded the degree in 1982. By that time, he had become pastor of The Presbyterian Church of Pryor, Oklahoma. Some high points of his ministry in Pryor were the congregation's founding of a Meals on Wheels program, the development of a community food bank, and an adult education program that involved over 50 adults (in a church of 110 members).
In 1983, Val was called as pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Denton, Texas, where he served until coming to Chili in 1990. The congregation was known for its involvement in the life of the community, for its adult education ministries, for its music ministry, and for its partnership in a strong joint youth ministry program with the two other Presbyterian Churches. In 1988, Val began work toward a Certificate in Spiritual Formation through Perkins Theological Seminary, thus beginning his training in spiritual direction.
Reverend Val is a folk guitarist and singer. Music has been a part of his ministry from the beginning. Over the past five years, he has gained great enjoyment from providing local congregations and helping agencies with benefit concerts. By February 2003, he has assisted in raising almost $4000 and several volunteers for outreach ministries. He is a member and former president of the Golden Link Folk singing Society, and until recently was a member of the Golden Eagle String Band.
Val's spiritual "mentors" are Rembrandt van Rijn (the most amazing artist in depicting the tension between light and dark), Ludwig van Beethoven (who teaches us that it is OK to struggle deeply in the process of creating incredible beauty, and in spite of great odds), C.S. Lewis (for his wonderful gift of analogy, and his ability to help the very young understand deep matters of faith), and Dietrich Bonhoeffer (for his courage, integrity, and intellect).
Val serves the Presbytery of Genesee Valley as Stated Clerk, and teaches the Presbyterian Polity and Confessions courses at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.
He is married to Carol, and their two grown children are Brendan and Mandy.