Faith and Families Newsletter
August 9, 2019

In this Issue:
Letter from Robert
Heavy Hearts

Dear Friends,
              This past week has been a painful one for many in our country. There has been a great deal of heaviness as people have grieved the tragic loss of life from gun violence in El Paso, Dayton, and other places. Mixed with that are other losses from car accidents, boating accidents, disease, overdose, and suicide. These losses can have a variety of effects on those left behind. They can create great sadness, they can create anger and frustration. They can create fear and anxiety. In one news account, a young person ran to their parent and shared their fear that just because of the color of their skin they would be gunned down while out shopping. Friends – this should not be.
              At staff meeting this week we passed out small stones for our staff to carry to remember the heavy hearts that people have in these days. We remembered the invitation and the promise from 1 Peter 5:7 – “ Cast all your anxiety on the Lord because he cares for you. ” We read from Psalm 143: 7-8 “ Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me, or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul .” We were reminded that God hears our cries for help, knows our pain and our sorrow, and responds with love and compassion.
              Our children carry these burdens just as we do. They may not be able to verbalize their feelings.  Take time to hold them and be the presence of God for them through your love. Remind them that they can talk to you and to God and that God will ease their pain and lift their spirits. Consider spending some time with them either in spoken or silent prayer. Light a candle to remember those for whom we grieve. Light a candle to remember the presence of God and the light that shines in the darkness.

 To God be the Glory!

Robert
Mission Opportunities

SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
On August 19 th from 5-7 pm dozens of happy children will stream into Huntersville Elementary School for the Amigos Back-to-School Event. As a part of this celebration children will be able to pick out a backpack for the year and fill it with school supplies. This year, we are inviting our members to buy a backpack and any supplies that they can and bring those to the church by August 18 th in time for our School Supply dedication at the 11 a.m. worship service. So – please don’t fill the backpacks this year – just bring them empty along with lots of supplies from the list below. Contact Rosemary Klein or Robert Alexander if you have any questions. Thanks.
SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST:
  • Tissues
  • Ear phones
  • Binders - All Sizes
  • Clorox Wipes
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Freezer bags - Gallon and Quart
  • Post it notes
  • Composition Notebooks
  • Two Prong Pocket Folders
  • Scissors
  • Copy Paper
  • Band Aids
  • Dry Eraser Markers
Blythe Elementary Project Update
Our five projects for 5-Years summer mission is going well. Here is a specific request from one of our project leaders. Please assist as able. Thank you.
The BEST committee is developing a sensory room as one of our summer projects celebrating our fifth year of partnership with Blythe Elementary School. We are planning to purchase the following items. If you’d like to purchase and/or donate any of the following it would help defray our costs. Feel free to email me with any questions! Thank you, Holly Ridgway. Hridgway@msn.com
CD player - CDs with calming music/sounds - Bean bag chairs - Camping chairs (adult and child) - Kinetic sand
Gallon zip lock baggies - Books (hard back or board books) - Bookcase 

Joys & Concerns

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 .

Linda (Kendrick) Heckman, the mother of Kendrick Anderson, who is under Hospice care following a recent stroke.

The family and friends of Claire Miley following her recent and tragic death on Lake Norman.

Barbara Regen, mother of William Regen and Suzanne Grzeszczak, who is under care of hospice.

Dan Schubert and family following the death of Dan’s mother, Janet Schubert.

The family and friends of Gavin Sharpe following his recent death in Mooresville.

Andrea Cruz-Solano and family as she faces a new phase in her cancer treatment.

Laurin Titus and family following the death of Laurin’s mother, Anne Calhoun Gentry.

Davidson College Presbyterian Church
PO Box 337
Davidson, NC 28036
704-892-5641 www.dcpc.org