DCPC
Faith and Families Newsletter
September 1, 2017
In this Issue:
Letter from Robert
Talking About Disaster
Dear Friends,
              All of us can become overwhelmed when looking at the images of the terrible devastation of tragedies like Hurricane Harvey. It is hard to acknowledge the reality of such suffering in our world. Sometimes our bubble seems so protected that we have a hard time relating. But it is important for us to talk about it in our families because it is part of the human story and part of the story of God’s people. The scriptures remind us that we are meant to rejoice together and to cry together. When one part of the Body suffers, Paul tells the Corinthian church, the whole Body suffers.
              We can enter into the suffering of others by trying to imagine their pain and by lifting our prayers for them to God. We can light a candle for them in our homes and pray for their safety and wellbeing. We can find ways to offer support financially or by looking for other avenues to help. I talked with one family today who had discovered a children’s center that was desperate for diapers. The eight year old decided to ask neighbors to help collect diapers that she was planning to ship. You and your children can do your own homework and search online for other opportunities. It is good to put your energy to work for others.
              Children will often have questions. You do not need to have all the answers. Wonder with them and be puzzled with them. If the church staff can offer any support to you in the midst of this wondering and searching please let us know. We are here to support you in your efforts to help shape faithful and loving disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. 


To God be the Glory!
Robert
 
UPCOMING STUFF-SAVE THE DATE!
Wednesday Night Live – Kids Club and
Children’s Choirs Start!!
              Join us this coming Wednesday, September 6th as we kick off Kid’s Club , Children’s Choirs , and Wednesday Night Live Dinners and Devotion ! It is a great way to spend your Wednesday evening. This year, children of all ages can benefit from homework help from Davidson College Students. Call or email the church office ( rboggs@dcpc.org ) to RSVP for dinner! We can’t wait to get started! See you then!
September is Hunger Action Month!
During the month of September the Community & Global Mission Committees want to highlight the importance of our work that seeks to bring an end to hunger and poverty in Jesus’ name. Jesus spent much of his time feeding others and eating with others. He modeled the importance of hospitality and of sharing. Take time to learn about hunger in our community and world over the next month. Here is a helpful calendar you can download and put on your fridge or your table. http://endhunger.org/wp/?enc_dl_action=process&file=pmyva1tQGpX8ZNUW . Discuss this each day and consider the activity that is mentioned. During the month of September we hope you and your family will get involved in helping to end hunger in our communities through one of the following:
1-   Give to 10 cents a meal offering the first Sunday of the month – September 3 rd ! Bring an extra offering on that day to place in the basket!
2-   Bring canned goods to place in our “Loaves and Fishes” carts that are located outside of the church each Sunday morning. Faithful volunteers take these food items to Ada Jenkins Loaves and Fishes food pantry each week to help feed members of our community.
3-   Volunteer to serve at the Mooresville Soup Kitchen or at Angels & Sparrows in Huntersville.
4-   Glean with us and the Society of St. Andrews on September 23 rd . We need 20 people to go with us and help clear a field of its produce for a local food pantry.
5-   Plan to help out with our annual CROP Walk on October 14 th !
6-   Learn about the ways that our Global partnerships in Kenya and Nicaragua help feed others in those communities through our mission funds. Come to one of our upcoming presentations to learn more.
7-   Write a letter to your elected officials encouraging them to support measures that help those who are hungry. Participate in our “Offering of Letters” Sunday on September 24 th and help change policies that will make a positive difference in the lives of those who are most vulnerable.

 
Sunday – September 10 th is RALLY DAY!! Let’s Get This Party Started!
          We are excited to begin a new year of Christian Education and Faith Formation. Don’t miss out on September 10th when we all come together for a Sunday school Kick-Off at 9:45 in various locations and one worship service at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary followed by our delicious Fall BBQ Lunch at the Congregation House. Hope to see you there! The YOUTH BIG BASH will take place later in the day at the Congregation House. Be on the lookout for more information!    
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! Gleaning with Society of St. Andrews 
WILL YOU LET ME KNOW THAT YOU CAN HELP?? Would your family be willing to join us for gleaning in the fields to help those who are hungry? We need a minimum of 20 people to help on the morning of September 23 rd ! It is about 2-3 hours of your time to work in a field (we do not yet know the crop). It is a family friendly event for all ages. Please contact Robert at ralexander@dcpc.org if you are interested and let him know how many people to expect. Thank you.

New Group for Parents of 5th Graders and Down!
Save the Date for the first Connections social gathering on September 23 rd at 6pm. Dinner will be served. BYOB and join the fun! Children are welcome, but the party is focused on providing fun for the parents :) Childcare will not be provided at the social.
DCPC is creating a fellowship group focused on you, parents with children ages zero to fifth grade. The objective of the group is to provide both evening social events and Sunday morning educational outlets for parents to connect and share experiences with raising young families, hence the name "Connections"! During the first social on September 23 rd , the Connections Steering Committee will be looking to find out what YOU would like to get from the group.
Some of the items we've heard from parents include:
·      Interest in a monthly social with fellow parents
·      Interest in a Sunday School class at 9:45am for parents with children in Sunday School/nursery
·      General topics that could be delved into on Sunday mornings might be similar to these:
·      How to navigate technology sharing with your 2 year old
·      How to motivate children to stay involved in church
·      How is the story of X in the Bible relevant to me today?

If this is interesting to you, please join us on September 23 rd @ The Dellingers' Home, 17015 Winged Thistle Court, Davidson, NC 28036. If you have interest in joining the Connections Steering Committee or just want to share ideas for the group before our Social, please reach out to Pastor John Ryan or Lacey Dellinger.

If there are concerns or joys that you would like to have listed here please email me at ralexander@dcpc.org  so that we might keep one another in prayer.

Sarah Nuttall and Family – Sarah’s grandmother passed away this last week. Please keep her in prayer.

Amy Holthouser and Family- Amy's grandmother passed away last week.
Davidson College Presbyterian Church
PO Box 337
Davidson, NC 28036
          704.892.5641   www.dcpc.org -892-5641
.org