Summit Hall Elementary School - Supporting teachers and students

In recent years, our church (Gaithersburg Presbyterian) has revisited its vision and mission statements and one of our primary goals is to engage our neighbors in Montgomery County. (See Our Vision and Mission).

Even though the "news" says Montgomery County Maryland is one of the wealthiest in the nation, we still have thousands who are not wealthy and need loving support. Sometimes this is requires time and talents. Other times, it's goods and finances.One of the things I love about my church (GPC) is its many outreach programs. 

GPC and I have been a long-time supporter of Summit Hall Elementary School (SHES) located at: 101 W Deer Park Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. One of it's successes is being named a Green Ribbon School by the US Department of Education. Congratulations SHES!

There are many ways to help the school. One easy way if you are a Giant Foods customer is to select them for the A+ Bonus Bucks. The school code is: 00802. Another is to collect Box Top$ for Education.

When school is in session, they can always use Classroom help and assistance in promoting outdoor running during recess on their "Move It Mondays" from 10:30 AM to 12:15 PM. What a wonderful way to help others and get to know the community!

Some of the ongoing items needed at SHES are:

• Toiletries – Shampoo, body soap, deodorant, femine products, toothpaste, toothbrushes, diapers, baby wipes, Band Aids, Q-tips
• Laundry products – Detergent, fabric softener, spot remover
• Gift cards - $25 for Target, Giant, etc. to be spend with counselor (leave in GPC church office: 610 South Summit Ave., Gaithersburg, MD)

Sources:
U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools : http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html
Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church: http://gpchurch.org/

Summit Hall Elementary School: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/summithalles/aboutus/

Box Tops for Education: http://www.boxtops4education.com/official-rules

This Week's Bible Challenge - Sticky Faith Week of May 15, 2016

(c) 2016 Turczyn-Toles

Located in America’s #1 most diverse city, Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church is part of a larger initiative started by the Fuller Youth Institute to work on a concept called "Sticky Faith." ("...develop a deep, growing faith in kids that “sticks” and continues to mature long-term.") It involves working to keep those youth active in church still active as they age, passing on one's faith to the next generation.  (See 2 Timothy 1:5.)

As part of the ongoing effort, this week's sticky faith challenge is to:

1. Consider as a family donating one item each to a local shelter or rescue mission that help distribute clothes, toys, and certain necessities to those in need.

2. The challenge is for each family member to choose something that they would actually wear or use.

3. Discuss with your kids why it’s Christian to give away something they value for themselves. Keep in mind, they have permission to say “no”.

4. Hopefully they won’t and instead they’ll start asking questions about what they really need.

5. Focus on the process of dropping off your donations together.

Sources:

• 2015’s Most & Least Ethno-Racially Diverse Cities.  Richie Bernardo. (WalletHub)
• GPC Link for the Week of May 15, 2016.
• Fuller Youth Institute

 

This Week's Bible Challenge - Sticky Faith Week of May 8, 2016

(c) Turczyn-Toles 2016

Located in America’s #1 most diverse city, Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church is part of a larger initiative started by the Fuller Youth Institute to work on a concept called "Sticky Faith." ("...develop a deep, growing faith in kids that “sticks” and continues to mature long-term.") It involves working to keep those youth active in church still active as they age, passing on one's faith to the next generation.  (See 2 Timothy 1:5.))

As part of the ongoing effort, this week's sticky faith challenge is to:

1. Have a family night where everyone unplugs from electronic devices (laptop, cell phone, tablet, computer, television, etc.).
2. Play a board game,  
3. Go out for ice cream.
4. Go for a hike.
5. Keep the activities simple and cost effective.

Sources:

• GPC Link for the Week of May 8, 2016.
• Fuller Youth Institute

This Week's Bible Challenge - Sticky Faith Week of May 1, 2016

(c) 2016 Turczyn-Toles

Located in America’s #1 most diverse city, Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church is part of a larger initiative started by the Fuller Youth Institute to work on a concept called "Sticky Faith." ("...develop a deep, growing faith in kids that “sticks” and continues to mature long-term.") It involves working to keep those youth active in church still active as they age, passing on one's faith to the next generation.  (See 2 Timothy 1:5.))

As part of the ongoing effort, this week's sticky faith challenge is to:

1. Spend one mealtime together as a family this week sharing a simple meal and
2. Then prepare a meal together.
3. Deliver this meal to a someone in your neighborhood.
4. Discuss as a family how simplifying your own lives gives you space, time, and resources to bless others.

Sources:

• GPC Link for the Week of May 1, 2016.
• Fuller Youth Institute

This Week's Bible Challenge - Sticky Faith Week of April 24, 2016

(c) 2016 Turczyn-Toles

Located in America’s #1 most diverse city,* Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church is part of a larger initiative started by the Fuller Youth Institute to work on a concept called "Sticky Faith." ("...develop a deep, growing faith in kids that “sticks” and continues to mature long-term.") It involves working to keep those youth active in church still active as they age, passing on one's faith to the next generation.  (See 2 Timothy 1:5.)

As part of the ongoing effort, this week's sticky faith challenge is to:

1. Read Matthew 6:25–34

2. Then together as a family and invite everyone to share one way that they have seen God provide for themselves or for someone else. 


Source: GPC Link for the Week of April 24, 2016