Hello, everyone!

I hope this message finds you all in good spirits. We trust you had a fantastic time during our Stone Bay Day weekend festivities! Today, on September 25th, we mark a special occasion – it's both Stone Bay Day and our 2-year anniversary since Valence opened its doors.

Some of you might be curious about why we went all out with those spectacular events over the very busy weekend we just had. We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who joined us in Parliament and contributed.

Yes, we must admit, the server did experience a few hiccups along the way, but that didn't make it any worse, in fact, I'd say it was one of the best Parliament's we've ever had. The Dodgebolt Tournament was a resounding success, and thanks to those who put in the time and effort to assemble teams and attend practice. It's your dedication that makes events like these truly special. And let's not forget about Scrabble, Jeopardy, and all the other activities that took place. Every moment spent together, every laugh shared, and every challenge overcome - it makes for some unforgettable experiences. So, from the bottom of our hearts, we say thank you.

In moments like these, we find ourselves reflecting on the incredible journey we've undertaken together. I wanted to thank our dedicated and passionate volunteer staff, and, above all, to our vibrant and supportive community. Every day, you grant us the privilege of managing what we believe to be one of the finest Minecraft servers in the world. This journey has been nothing short of crazy, pushing the boundaries of what we thought possible. We've witnessed the power of our server – from helping members secure jobs to providing invaluable resume-worthy experiences. Valence has become a place where thousands find not just a server, but a community to belong to.

Certainly, it hasn't been a smooth road all the way. We've faced challenges and issues, each one teaching us valuable lessons about who we were, who we are, and the kind of server we aspire to be. Yet, amidst the trials and tribulations, we've celebrated glorious victories, cherished good times, and woven epic stories together.

We've proudly hosted two Annual General Meetings (AGMs), an unforgettable IRL meetup in Calgary, AB, Canada. These events have allowed our volunteers to forge real connections, meet the people they work with everyday, and share memorable moments. The planning for our third AGM is already underway, if that tells you how excited I am about it.

Reflecting on our beginnings, it's worth noting that Valence was born during the end of lockdowns in late 2021. We recognize that we live in tumultuous times, marked by economic challenges, political turmoil, and a world that often seems daunting. In the Minecraft server scene, servers come and go, but Valence has stood the test of time. When a small group, including many of our current @Management Team started all this, we couldn't have seen the incredible journey that awaited us – the growth, the success, and, most importantly, all of you. I suppose it may be no secret that those of us that spend every waking minute on Valence may not have a strong and vibrant IRL social life, Valence is what I got, and it's more than enough.

I want to take this moment to express my heartfelt gratitude. I love what I do, and I'm grateful to be able to do it. We're committed to working to make Valence even better. With the momentum we've built, I can confidently say that we'll be celebrating Stone Bay Day 2024 - together.

I love this community, thank you all for being apart of it.

Same time.

Same place.

Next year.

Be sure to check out our new trailer:

Terence / Doc

General Manager

Valence SMP