Twelve years ago, Centerpointe’s elders called the congregation to a season of prayer to discern God’s will for the next 100 years of our congregation. That season of prayer birthed a vision for a new church home and the Walking by Faith capital campaign and ultimately, the move to our current campus. We followed God’s many “nudges” without knowing where we were going. It has been a journey of faith and obedience and God has blessed it. Since the move, the congregation has grown and we’ve founded a highly regarded preschool coupled with an after-school elementary student program. Our leaders have been sensing from God that it’s time to create a long-range strategy for completing our campus master plan. And we want to proceed in the same way that we did over a decade ago, by starting with prayer.

Over the next 3 months, Pastor Mike and the elders are asking every household to be in focused prayer asking God how he wants us to move forward in mission and ministry. Please pray for God to provide vision and the direction to our elders as they engage in this spiritual discernment process. They will be prayerfully considering a range of options based upon God’s direction, from maintaining our current ministry and focus for an extended period without any further campus development, to creative ways to expand ministry and build more of our planned facilities.

During this three-month period, Rian Gamble has been engaged to research the range of options for completing our campus master plan. Rian grew up in this congregation and felt called, after moving back to this area, to serve. He is uniquely qualified, having worked for several years in city administration followed by five years in real estate development. He most recently served as the community liaison officer for the Marine Corps’ mountain warfare training center in Bridgeport, CA. Rian’s modest compensation for this short-term assignment will come from designated funds that were given to move Centerpointe forward in its mission and ministry.

Elder Monthly Update

July 2011

Dear Centerpointe Family,

We thank God for our family of faith and celebrate your involvement in this fellowship.  Thank you for your continuous prayers as God moves in our congregation in new and greater ways.  We are grateful for the opportunity to serve as your Elders.  This update is being provided to let you know about the focus of our ministry work and leadership decisions.

Our Prayers

Reverend Robert S. Vogt passed away on July 16, 2011.  Bob had previously planned his memorial service with Reverend Bill Nebo and other friends.  His service is tentatively planned for August at First Presbyterian Church in Livermore, which has a sanctuary with space for the anticipated attendance.  Reverend Nebo will officiate.

July Action Items

Greg Robitaille was given final approval as Director of Centerpointe Preschool. Communion for next month was moved to August 14^th in order to have an ordained minister present.

Ministry Work in Progress

Tim Hunt reported on the work of the Communications workgroup.  Plans are in motion to incorporate more media, personal stories and witness during Sunday services as well as on the Website and E-News.

Looking Forward

Twelve years ago, Centerpointe’s session called the congregation to a season of prayer to discern God’s will for the next 100 years of our congregation.  That season of prayer birthed the Walking by Faith capital campaign and the move to the current site after we stepped out and followed God’s nudge without knowing where we were going.  After three years at Centerpointe, the session is again calling us to 90 days of focused prayer asking how God wants us to move forward.

During this time, the elders will be engaged in a discernment process asking God what he wants us to do next.  Rian Gamble has been engaged to study a range of options for this site during this time.  Rian grew up in this congregation and felt called, after moving back to this area, to serve.  He is uniquely qualified, having worked for several years in city administration followed by five years in the development business.  He is currently the community liaison officer for the Marine Corps’ mountain warfare training center in Bridgeport, CA.  Rian’s modest compensation for this short-term assignment will come from designated funds that were given to move Centerpointe forward.

Michele Rediger

For the Elders serving on Session at Centerpointe Presbyterian Church

Introducing Greg Robitaille - Director, Centerpointe Christian Preschool

it is with joy and thanksgiving to God that the Centerpointe Preschool Director Search Team, following an extensive search process, has called Greg Robitaille, to serve as the Director of Centerpointe Christian Preschool and School Age Ministry Program.

Greg Robitaille (pronounced, R-oh-bih-tie) brings an extensive background in early childhood education.  He holds a Masters of Arts in human development with specialization in Early Childhood Education, Social Change and Administration/Supervision from Pacific Oaks College in Southern California. His undergraduate degree also from Pacific Oaks College, centers on Early Childhood Education with additional coursework in Biblical studies from Biola University.  Additionally, Greg has over 16 years of educational expertise including a full range of administrative leadership, curriculum development, classroom teaching and training, and staff development.  He has served not only within educational settings, but recently was on the Board of Directors (Treasurer) for the Southern California Association for the Education of Young Children with a focus on men in early childhood education.  Greg demonstrates a keen ability to inspire and empower others, manage and lead change, and provide consistent guidance and support in a professional and Christ-like manner while serving young children and their families.  We are overjoyed and exceedingly grateful to God for providing such an outstanding candidate.

Greg is married to Elizabeth, who also holds a Doctorate in Education from UCLA and is the Vice President for School Achievement Data for the State of California Charter Schools Association.  They have been married for more than 10 years and are parents of two energetic and loving young boys (Connor, age 3 ½ years and Ethan, 1 ½ years).  The Robitaille family recently moved to Pleasanton to be near grandparents and found that God surprisingly was returning them to Elizabeth’s childhood church, Centerpointe. Greg and Elizabeth are devoted followers of Jesus Christ and long-time members of Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Southern California where they served in the high school ministry and the college group leadership team. Greg also served on the Missions board and Elizabeth on the worship team. It is their desire to transfer church membership from Bel Air Presbyterian Church to Centerpointe so as to be fully engaged in our faith community.

As the search process unfolded, it was very clear that Greg, with his strong educational and professional background in early childhood education and his rich faith experience, has been called by Christ and gifted by the Spirit for this role. The Centerpointe Preschool Director Search Team unanimously endorses Greg as our new Director and now shares our enthusiasm for his appointment:

“I am excited by Greg’s strong sense of community and his wanting to join the church where he serves. I am also confident that he will bring many new ideas while always keeping his ministry to the kids and his staff at the top of the list: mind, body and spirit.”    Jenifer McIntyre, Elder on Session

“I value Greg’s commitment to Christ and his devotion to children.  We prayed for a Director who not only loved the Lord, but children too – and God answered our prayers.  Greg is a man of faith, highly qualified as an educator and leader, a visionary and motivator, and someone of great integrity who upholds excellence in leadership.”     Rev. Margaret Gelini, Search Team Moderator

“I am astounded by Greg’s depth of knowledge and his ability to relate to people on all levels. His talents are many, but the thing that really stands out is how he lives his faith.  I am truly excited about the future of Centerpointe Preschool and how he will enrich the faith dimension of the program.”    Ed Meyer, Elder on Session

“Greg is such a motivator and his passion for children and Early Childhood Education is fabulous; he’s got a terrific grasp on it.  He’s a fabulous mentor to teachers and has an exciting vision for the future of Centerpointe Christian Preschool.  We’re thrilled to have his leadership.   Jacque Kirk, Director – Little Bridges Preschool

“I’m excited about Greg’s energy and creativity; his ability to imagine and create playscapes for young children as well as guide the creation of excellent curricula and learning environments is fabulous.  I can picture Greg encouraging our teachers to take their ideas and run with them, and encouraging the children to do the same.  I can sense that we will all be greatly blessed by his presence with us.”   Larry Robinson, Elder & Preschool Volunteer

“As a parent of a preschooler, I am excited as we welcome Greg into his new role as Director.  The children will find that Greg brings a happy, positive, nurturing and fun Christian component to their experience at Centerpointe!”     Lisa Carlson, Centerpointe Member & Sunday School Teacher

“Greg has a strong walk with the Lord.  He’s got an incredible foundation of faith and has outstanding qualifications in early childhood education.   I’ve been so impressed by his love for children and ability to work with them.  Greg’s vision for our preschool closely aligns with our Church’s vision for the future and I’m excited to have him with us.” Sue Tardif, Church Member & Public School Educator

“Greg brings comprehensive skills and experience, an imaginative approach to preschool and school age ministries, and a heart for children and how they learn and grow. He will build rich and rewarding relationships with students, parents, and staff and I am thrilled that he has accepted our call to serve as Director.”
Mike Barris, Pastor

Please join us in celebrating and welcoming Greg Robitaille as our new Director of Centerpointe Christian Preschool, beginning August 1, 2011.  Greg will be available to meet and greet at a special reception for our Preschool children and families during the first week of August (details forthcoming) and we invite you to attend.  Additionally, we will also introduce him to our Centerpointe faith community during one of our Sunday morning worship services in August.

As Greg prepares to assume this leadership position,  we ask that you join us in praying for Greg and his family during the coming weeks while they are away for an extended time of vacation.   We look forward to beginning this new chapter of ministry with Greg as we seek to serve all the children and families of the Tri-Valley Community.

Rejoicing in God’s provision for the gift of Greg Robitaille,

The Centerpointe Preschool Director Search Team

We have a need for volunteer coordinators for each of the following areas: Landscaping, Fire Alarm System, HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Van Maintenance, Event Setup, and Preschool Maintenance. If you would like to help in any of the areas or have any questions, please call the church office.