Living Out Our Vision This Week

Worship with your DCPC family at 8:45 am (in Lingle Chapel, traditional), 9:45 am (in the sanctuary, informal), or 11 am (in the sanctuary, traditional).

Youth Music sings in worship regularly and practices on Sundays in the Choir Room at 4:30 pm.

Screen & Scripture is meeting in the Youth Lounge 9:45-10:45 am. We're talking about the new Netflix series Wednesday.

Youth Group is back this Sunday 5:30-7 pm in the Congregation House! More info below.

Coming up on Super Bowl weekend we're offering two great ways to fight hunger in our community and around the world: the 30 Hour Famine (more info below) and the Souper Bowl of Caring (during morning worship on Feb. 12).

THIS SUNDAY:

A CONVERSATION ABOUT SUICIDE

In this second half of our January focus on mental health, we're starting a difficult but necessary conversation. Our curriculum partners put together a great video to explain why this conversation needs to happen in church and at home, plus what parents can be doing to prepare for the conversation:

Additional Resources:

Middle School Parent Cue for this Sunday (ideas on what to say and do for parents of middle schoolers on the topic of suicide)
How to Recognize the Signs of Teen Depression and Suicide
Safe and Effective Messaging for Suicide Prevention
The Suicide Talk
Four Things You Can Do to Start the Conversation on Suicide With Your Middle Schooler
Coping with Suicide Loss
We have a page on dcpcyouth.org that collects these resources as well as resources specific to the Lake Norman area (feel free to share this with other parents)

If you would like a preview of what I'll be saying from the front and the questions that small group leaders will be asking in groups, check out this document. You can highlight areas of text and leave comments if you would like or feel free to hit reply with any thoughts or questions you might have.

JANUARY FOCUS: MENTAL HEALTH

Our focus for the month of January in Youth Group will be on the intersection of faith and mental health, specifically anxiety and suicide. We know that these issues have an incredible impact on today's teenagers and can be scary, but our goal is to hopemonger: create conversations to let students know they are not alone, that they are loved, and that our hearts and minds and souls are designed to heal. Click here to get more info on what we're talking about and resources for parents.

VALENTINE'S DINNER

The Valentine's Dinner is an intergenerational connection point between youth and the SAGES, our congregation's 65+ year old members. It will take place on Sunday February 5th. The actual dinner is 6-7 pm, but we are looking for youth and parents to help us take the lead in the kitchen, decorating, cleaning up, taking pictures, and driving the bus. If you are gifted with hospitality and can help us create a friendly, warm environment where young and old can connect meaningfully, consider signing up for a role.

THE THIRTY HOUR FAMINE

The 30HF is a unique event in our calendar year where we engage the ancient Christian practice of fasting from food in order to connect with God and the experience of hungry people around the world. This is an overnight event we are doing with Davidson United Methodist's youth ministry February 10-11. You can read more about it and register by clicking here.

SUMMER TRIPS UPDATE

Registration is now open for our 3 summer trips and closes on March 15th.

HIGH SCHOOL MISSION TRIP to Memphis, TN July 2-7

MIDDLE SCHOOL MISSION TRIP to Charleston, SC July 23-28

MONTREAT YOUTH CONFERENCE (High Schoolers) July 23-29

JOIN THE KITCHEN TEAM!

Every week a team of parents gathers before Youth Group to make sure we have delicious food and a welcome atmosphere for all the middle and high schoolers who will be showing up for dinner. If you have a gift for hospitality and love creating fun, delicious environments, we would love to have you serve with us! Click here to get more details and pick a Sunday.