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

Invitation to Annual February Lecture Series

All are Welcome. Bring a friend!

Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church will welcome Rev. David Gortner as our annual February Lecture Series speaker.

The series is entitled "Engaging Our Neighbors" and Rev. Gortner will discuss outreach and community engagement.



The GPC Lecture Series Agenda:

 

 

Read more about Rev. Gortner at Virginia Theological Seminary.

The February Lecture Series
	The February Lecture Series (FLS) is an annual winter event where Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church invites speakers for the four Sundays in February to enlighten, renew, and revive our spiritual as well as intellectual needs.

    To read more about GPC's FLS... Click Me
 

The Small Voice Urging Me to Help Others

Today's Our Daily Bread, we read about Gary who was waiting for his court case to be called when a despondent woman told her story. He felt the nudge to help her. He didn't really know what that would entail but knew the "nudge" was from God so he'd better listen up and do something. He ended up putting her in contact with folks who helped her save her house.

I was raised to be helpful, mostly to my kid brother. As I grew, it expanded to other people. Sometimes in small ways. Sometimes in medium ways. I don't immediately recall helping someone in what I call a big way - but who knows what they may have thought.

I did ignore it once and I regret it to this day. I was at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in line for an x-ray.  I wasn't feeling well so was concentrating so hard on writing my co-pay check, I didn't catch the fact that the woman in front of me didn't have enough money for her co-pay. The receptionist told her she'd have to reschedule for a time when she'd have the money. The woman left dejected.

I don't know what kind of test the woman was having or if it was something that could wait. But, I realized too late that I could have easily paid her co-pay and helped her out. I ran out of the office, leaving my purse on the counter, but could not find her.

To this day, I regret not thinking of paying for someone else sooner. What came of this experience is that  I will pay more attention in any line I'm in where money is involved. Who knows when $50 could save someone's life by catching a bad test result in time.

"Here I am Lord."

Our Daily Bread: "Here I am"