"the friendly church"

4229 Fassett Lane;  Wellsville, New York 14895

Pastor- Rev. Dr. Carl Knitter  585-610-0893     church office 585-593-3274

New Christmas photos. Click on "Photos of Activities"

    The Rev. John A. Kroschel , assistant to the Bishop, was here on Sunday August the 8th in 2004 to assist in dedicating the 7 beautiful and meaningful tapestries that several women here at Shepherd of the Valley have created. The concept for the tapestries was suggested by Interim Pastor Lotta Cohen.

“To God Be the Glory”

Tapestry #1, beginning July 1993

    Twelve couples began the journey to start a new ELCA Lutheran Congregation in Wellsville, N.Y.  Shortly,  thereafter,  the Reverends Groskhophs and the parishioners at St. John’s Episcopal Church invited us to use their sanctuary for worship and parsonage for Sunday School. In September, 1993 we had our first worship service.  We right away felt like family and quite at home and blessed.

    This tapestry shows our beginnings – as a “soon to be” congregation meeting at  St. John’s Episcopal Church.  The Holy Spirit is in the form of a dove and is soaring through the red church doors that are in the shape of the doors at St. John's Episcopal Church, much like the Holy Spirit within each of us was soaring.  The doors are also shaped like the miter headpiece worn by the bishops in the Episcopal Church. The Baptismal Shell depicts our first baptism - Kristyn Naylor. The ELCA symbol is shown in the lower right hand corner.  We chose our formal name - Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church ELCA.

 “Joy”

Tapestry #2, 1994-1995

    This tapestry depicts the time when we traversed from a formulated group of Believing Christian Lutherans, filled with the Holy Spirit, beginning their journey with ELCA Synod and working on developing a Mission Church.

    Pastor Almleaf played a key role in our lives and so too Bishop Miller and Pastor Preisinger.  Pastor Bruce Gamache came to lead us in December 1993 and stayed for the next few years as Mission Developer.  My, but his gift for song was wonderful and it is detected here with the benediction.  Linda Gamache had a gift for music and it is depicted in the guitar.  The Lutheran symbol is depicted for strength.   

    We had joy in our hearts.  Bishop Miller encouraged us to follow the ways of the Joy Conferences and some of us were very encouraged in this area.  We sponsored a Youth Concert Ecumenically for the public called Potter’s Clay which was a great success.  We backed and have always been involved in AA.

“Spring Time”

Tapestry #3, 1996-1997

 In 1996  Shepherd of the Valley moved to the Worth Smith Hardware Store Building.  As usual, our group of stalwart men went to work remodeling creating a beautiful sanctuary.  Norm Miller, Dale Vossler, Marvin Wood, to name a few.  This would be home for several years.  Our young people were off to the islands with mission work – Zak and Tim.  Pastor Gamache left, thus depicted in the end of the benediction.  The spring color of the banner depicts spring and new beginnings.

The flowers depict a spring theme and the wheat promise of growth and harvest with a new pastor coming who is Pastor Paula Roulette.  Pastor Paula is a fresh young woman just out of seminary and is here as an intern and is chosen to stay.  The clay pot was given to her by Betsy Allen at her ordination here at Shepherd of the Valley – Jars of Clay.  The butterflies depict new life and resurrection flying up to the large butterfly which shows the names of all those for whom we have buried recently here at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church – many losses, one especially dear to our hearts is Betsy’s brother, Zak.  

“God’s Hands Outstretched”

Tapestry #4, 1998-1999

  Here you see the Holy Spirit coming forth from God as rivulets of water -- working through the members of the congregation at Shepherd of the Valley –cascading down into different areas as support, as mission, as LOVE, as caring, as compassion.  All things the people of Shepherd have always had an abundance of and always will.  All of these activities allow these characteristics put into action.

Shown in the rivulets are: Lutheran Brotherhood; Aid Association for Lutherans, Habitat for Humanity; Youth for Christ; St. Mary’s Lutheran, Sister Church; Temple Lutheran, Sister Church; WIGIAT (Where is God in all of this?).

We had Groundbreaking for our NEW Church Building!

“What a vibrant time it is!”

Tapestry #5, 2000-2002

  Our church is built!  Many people helped with building the church behind the scenes but Norm Miller is our key man here.  He must be given full credit for steering the ship for designing and building the church.  Marvin Wood, Dale Vossler and Karlton Brandes are three men who were the main helpers. What blessings they have been to us all.  What a gift they have given generations.   Donna Leonard has made our stained glass window – how beautiful! Betty’s beautiful woodworking skills is evident in the sanctuary.  Shepherd of the Valley is on the move!   

    We are having baptisms and weddings.  The church family is developing vibrant Vacation Bible School and Sunday School Programs.  Music ABOUNDS and RESOUNDS throughout the sanctuary! Our church is building in so many ways!

Sad to say Pastor Paula Roulette has chosen to leave Shepherd of the Valley just before the Christmas celebration.  

We will begin a new church year with the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ!

“Transitioning”

Tapestry #6, 2003

  This tapestry also is one of transitioning from Pastor Paula’s leaving.  While Pastor Paula was here we worked with the Soup Kitchen and the Women of the Church had the Bug Safari  Vacation Bible School.  WELCA is a vital group within the church – women based.  Then Pastor Lotta Cohen came as interim Pastor.  We had been very active in the lunch program for children and their parents who had very little money for lunch and worked fervently with other churches in the area to see that children would not go hungry over the summer months. 

Pastor Lotta had three interactive services which are depicted in the center of this tapestry…..Shepherd’s Sunday:  We had an outdoor service where we experienced herbs, foods in Jesus’ time, sheep, etc.  Joseph’s Carpentry Shop:  Joseph “the dreamer” – stalwart father to a son and woodworking, planning, graphing, instrumentation, getting a job well done.  Lydia’s House:  the purple dye lady of wealth:  what her house was like and what it meant to the people in Jesus time and the lessons to be had and her reaching out to others.

Finally, last, but not in the least we have Emily who is another one of our blessings – a young lady who has a gift of dance – who is depicted here.

“The Future”

Tapestry #7

This is our plain tapestry – a tapestry of the future.  It is a blank slate except for the glorious uplifting of color.  The colors go from the deep rich purple which can depict depth, richness, wisdom, and, growing into richer reds and oranges and, behold we are coming into the light and glowing into the future.  The embroidered saying:

                                “For I know the plans I have for you

                                 Plans to prosper you

                                 And not to harm you

                                 Plans to give you hope and a future!”

                                Jeremiah 29:1