Posted on 25 Jul 2011
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by Deborah Thompson
Welcome to my inaugural column on good books for all readers, especially K-5. In this column, I will recommend exemplary titles that are linked through themes—seasonal, holiday, author or genre.
It is a well-documented fact that children lose educational ground during the summer (the summer brain drain). One of the best ways to stop this decline is through reading nonfiction—the format that all students encounter more and more as they move up in the grades.
I invite parents of young readers to read the books aloud to their children. It is amazing what one can learn from reading a children‘s book- so you older readers out there, do not let the fact that the books listed are for mainly grades 3-5 keep you from picking up one to read. Personal interest, not reading level, is the most important reason for choosing a book. A longer list of recommended summer nonfiction can be found on the church literature table.
Click here to see Deborah’s Bee-Themed List
Posted on 11 Jul 2011 . 12 comments
At their annual meeting on June 11, the Board of Directors of Creative Germantown Initiative (CGI) elected new executive officers. Brian Harris, immediate past vice president, was elected president. Ted Walkenhorst, immediate past president, was elected to vice president. Peter Smith was reelected treasurer. Each position carries a term of two years. The board is excited about these changes and looks forward to the continued dedicated service of these individuals and to the growth of the organization which helps carry out the mission of First Church.
The board wishes to express its deepest thanks to Ted Walkenhorst for his service over the last 3 years. He has been committed to the organization and has guided its direction with passion. Birthing a nonprofit is always a challenge and becomes a labor of love. Ted loves this organization; his past leadership combined with his willingness to continue to serve should be an example to all people of Christ-like passion and service.
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Posted on 04 Jul 2011
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Dear Friends,
There are two new books that came out this spring that caught my attention. One is called The Book of Awesome and the other The Book of Even More Awesome. In these books the author, Neil Pasricha, celebrates the simple pleasures of everyday living. Some awesome things he shares include: Being the first table called up for the dinner buffet at a wedding, the first shower you take after not showering for a really long time, waiters and waitresses who bring free refills without asking, the smell of crayons, when there‘s still time left in the parking meter when you pull up, wearing underwear just out of the dryer, getting gas just before the price goes up, and one of my favorites, waking up before your alarm clock and realizing you’ve got lots of sleep time left.
It is these little things in life . . . things that sometimes we take for granted or don‘t stop long enough to appreciate. . . that are truly awesome.
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Posted on 30 Jun 2011
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An alternative plan for Chelten Plaza
The Germantown Community Connection (GCC) seems to have found itself in the midst of a crisis as it deliberates its position regarding the proposed Chelten Plaza development on the former Fresh Grocer site at Chelten and Pulaski. I’ve been told the word for “crisis” in a particular dialect of Chinese is the combination of the words meaning “danger” and “opportunity.” Although I don’t know if this is true linguistically, I believe it is an accurate description of GCC’s situation.
How GCC got involved
When it was learned the Fresh Grocer would be closing and developer Pat Burns intended to bring the Sav-a-Lot (currently on Wayne Ave.) to Chelten Plaza along with a Dollar Tree, GCC was instrumental in engaging the developer and his partners to voice the opposition of a segment of the community to the proposal.
Read the full article on Newsworks.org here
Posted on 20 Jun 2011
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by Jean Swenson
On Sundays, you will usually find Pernell and Myrtle Jackson sitting in the fourth pew on the west side of the sanctuary. You’ll recognize Pernell Jackson by the twinkle in his eye and his quick wit that keeps you guessing and Myrtle Jackson by her gentle smile.
Myrtle grew up in Bethel Presbyterian Church and Pernell in the Baptist church in Philadelphia. Myrtle and Pernell attended the First Presbyterian Church in Germantown for a number of years before Pernell joined in 1999 and Myrtle in 2000. They credit Viola Bethea for her quiet persistence in encouraging them to become members. For years Pernell was a faithful member of the Sunday morning Bible class.
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