This Weekend at DPC

Aesop's Fables:
Saturday, January 28, 2pm.
This is a FREE event for ALL AGES. Nashville Ballet at Belmont University's Massey Concert Hall. They will perform "The Tortoise and the Hare, The Fox and the Crow, The Wind and the Sun, and The Ants and the Grasshopper" are woven together with an original narrative. These stories creatively depict Aesop winning his freedom from slavery through his cautionary storytelling."
For this event, we will meet at the concert hall.
**Please let Lenae know ASAP if you are interested in meeting there**



Ages 2-5 Sunday School Lesson, 29 January

"God's love is for all people everywhere"

• We will discuss the idea behind John 3:16, God loves us all.
• We are all very different, yet all loved by God
• Talk with your child about his/her likes and dislikes (food, colors, textures, sounds, etc.)

Elementary Age Sunday School Lesson, 29 January

"Who Is My Neighbor?"

• Luke 10:25-37
• Discuss the traditions we have that could prevent us from loving our neighbor
• Discuss your own Samaritan Stories. Who in your family or circle of friends helped someone who was in need?

Book Club

Middle School Girls--Lenae's house (Sunday, 6-7:30pm)

• Last week we read all of No Girls Allowed, a fantastic graphic novel highlighting seven women through history who changed their appearance in order to do something only men were allowed to do.
• This week, we will choose a new book. We will also look at a few more amazing women.
  

Elementary School Boys--Darks' House (Sunday, 6-7:30pm)

• The Buddha saga continues...

***Nursery News***

There is a new DPC Nursery Handbook available in the nursery or on the information table of the church. Please be familiar with this book if you have a child (or two) in the nursery. This addresses our Sick Policy, Age Policy, and suggestions to provide a better experience for your child.

This Weekend at DPC

We had lots of fun at our last outing to the origami club at Plaza. Please join us for our next activity this Saturday. We will meet around 12:30 to carpool down to the Wilderness Station. There we will have an Animal Encounter (1:30-2pm). If it's warm outside, we may take time to use the playground. We should arrive back in Nashville around 3:30.
http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/default.aspx?ekmenu=126&id=3286

This week, the elementary students will learn about Jesus announcing Good News to the poor.
At home, you may

• Look at the text, Luke 4:14-30
• Discuss the Year of Jubilee (check out www.jewishencyclopedia.com for further information)
• Wonder together what a world or community of equally shared resources would be like

Middle School and High School will continue with their series (the lectionary and women of the Bible, respectively).

Sunday

BOOK CLUB
*time change--Sunday 6-7:30pm
For boys and girls (ages 6-18)
Boys meet the Dark's home
Girls meet at Ben & Lenae's home

PARENTS...

...of elementary-aged kids
This week in Sunday School (01/15/2012) your child will learn about John preparing the way for his cousin Jesus. To expand on what your child will hear on Sunday, you might...

• discuss the many uses of water
• wonder together why water is the chosen element for baptism
• discuss the baptisms you and your children have seen
• text: Luke 3:1-22

PARENTS...

...of nursery-aged kids (2-5)
This week in Sunday School (01/15/2012) your child will learn about God's love for us and how God takes care of animals. To expand on what your child will hear on Sunday, you might...

• discuss God's creation of your child's favorite animal
• wonder together how God takes care of wild animals
  
• Go with us Saturday, Jan. 21 to visit the Wilderness Station for "Animal Encounters"
  
• text: Psalm 104:14-23

PARENTS...

...of middle school-aged kids
This week in Sunday School your child will read the appropriate text from the lectionary. To expand on what your child will read, you might...

• ask about the skit they created and performed
  
• ask which reading was her favorite

PARENTS...

...of high school-aged "kids"
This week in Sunday School your child will be starting a new series on women of the Bible. Ask to hear the CD they are studying. The songwriter's website has additional information. You can check it out at www.sherrycothran.com

Upcoming Events--January

Happy New Year!

We are getting back into the swing of things with Sunday School and Book Club this month.

I need to change the day and time of book club to Sundays, 6-7:30.
**Please let Lenae know if this time will not work for you.**

This Sunday ages 2-10 will be discussing Epiphany. The following link will take you to a wonderful children's sermon explaining Epiphany and the journey of the wise men, suitable for ALL AGES.
http://childrenssermonstoday.blogspot.com/2011/12/epiphany-sunday.html

Special Events this month:

Animal Encounters:
Saturday, January 21
This is a FREE event for ALL AGES at The Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park in Murfreesboro. This is what they have to say about it: "What is that crawling, slithering, sliding, flying, and hopping across the trail or even in your backyard? Each week we will look at one of our resident education animals for a mini lesson of animals that call Tennessee home. Come out and meet the best teachers we have – the animals!" 1:30-2pm.
We can tailor this event to include time at the two playgrounds, a short hike on a trail, or getting lunch before-hand. At least one parent volunteer will be needed, and all parents are welcome. We can carpool for this event.
**Please let Lenae know ASAP if you are interested**

Aesop's Fables:
Saturday, January 28, 2pm.
This is a FREE event for ALL AGES. Nashville Ballet at Belmont University's Massey Concert Hall. They will perform "The Tortoise and the Hare, The Fox and the Crow, The Wind and the Sun, and The Ants and the Grasshopper are woven together with an original narrative. These stories creatively depict Aesop winning his freedom from slavery through his cautionary storytelling."
For this event, we will meet at the concert hall.
**Please let Lenae know ASAP if you are intereseted**

If your child is playing sports, acting in a play, performing in any type of recital or production, etc. this semester **please send the date, time and location to Lenae. I would love to attend.**

See you soon!

December Happenings

We have made our fair share of sugar cookies, decorated beautiful bags to sell those cookies in, and Waffle Shop has come and gone. Thank you, Everyone, for your help this year.

We are also now approaching the second week of Advent. I hope, by Christmas or before, all the kids will know that Advent is for watching and waiting. It is for preparing for the birth of baby Jesus.

Christmas Schedule:

Book Club is POSTPONED until January.

Saturday, Dec. 17 @ 1pm-- ALL KIDS meet at DPC in the fellowship hall to assemble gift bags for the Homeless Breakfast (12/18). We really need your help for this. Come join the fun!

Sunday, Dec. 18 Homeless/Congregational Breakfast and bag hand-out. **The JuveNiles will also be singing**

After church (12/18)--CHRISTMAS ACTIVITY--William and Lenae will take ALL KIDS (ages 6+) to Plaza Art store for FREE ORIGAMI making. We will eat pizza in the fellowship hall directly following worship. **Parents please pick up your child at Plaza no later than 3:45pm.**

Sunday, Dec. 25-- NO SUNDAY SCHOOL for any age. Nursery care will still be provided during worship.

Wait, Wait, Wait

A couple photos from our last book club. The boys intrigued by Buddha.
Dorothy started The Scarlet Letter.

On Sunday I handed out (as many as I could remember) calendars for upcoming events. If you didn't get one, they will be available at the classrooms again.
The main points to note are the following:

Sugar cookie decorating (Sunday 11/27)
Pizza eating and Origami making (Sunday 12/18)
Book club is canceled until after Thanksgiving
Advent (11/27-12/18)

Here, I will expand what is on the Calendar for Advent. I believe all ages will enjoy this Advent season as we joyfully look forward to the coming birth of Baby Jesus.
The High School girls will be reading Watch for the Light with Jewly. Authors range from C.S. Lewis to Thomas Merton to T.S. Eliot.
Even the 2-5 year olds will begin to look forward to Christmas as we learning about the quiet, waiting colors of Advent. They will learn about the shepherds, farm animals, Mary, Joseph, and the little baby Jesus.

Their experience will only be enhanced through family participation. If you would like to participate, suggestions are on the calendar. You can find simple instructions online for making an Advent wreath or paper chain calendar together.
Luke 1:26-45 is the suggested reading because this is the "before story." It tells about Mary and Mary's pregnancy with Jesus.
I hope your families are able to embrace this church season of quiet and waiting while we wait, wait, wait for the birth of Jesus.

Oz, Buddha, Cookies, and Waffles

A photo from the archives. Sweet sisters.

There are some strange things a-brewin' for the kids at DPC.

Book Club this week will be at the Dark's House for boys and girls. There may or may not be Halloween snacks. There will definitely be the reading of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (manga version) for the girls, and probably some trading cards made by the boys. Costumes are definitely welcome.

Only two weeks remain for the Experiencing Homelessness Curriculum. We will then be moving into the Season of Advent.

Sugar Cookie making/decorating will be Saturday 11/26 and Sunday 11/27. These delectable morsels will be sold at Waffle Shop. Adult volunteers are needed for both. Please let Lenae know if you would like to help.

Gift tag crafting is also coming up for the middle school and high school students. The date is not set. What date works for you? Parents and other adults are welcome. These tags will also be sold at Waffle Shop.

Happy Halloween! (almost)