Dear FIPC Church Family, 

Drugs and Alcohol and Your Child/Teen

In my article last week, I indicated that I would share information this week about misuse of prescription medication and illegal drugs.

I know of one high school student who was known as "the Pharmacist" in his school.  He was able to secure prescription drugs from his parents' home and the homes of his "friends" and sell them to other students.  Prescription drug misuse is a major issue in our community.  Some youth who object to the use of alcohol or illegal drugs, feel perfectly fine with the misuse of prescription medication.

Quick facts about the misuse of prescription medication:

* Every day, 2,500 American teenagers try to get high on prescription drugs for the first time. They usually get these drugs from the "cool" older kids in their school/neighborhood and, of course, they are copying the behavior of the older kids.
* Sixty percent of teens who have abused prescription painkillers did so before age 15.
* Across America, there are as many new kids aged 12 to 17 abusing prescription drugs as there are kids abusing marijuana.
* More kids die from "polydrug" overdoses than from a single drug or alcohol overdose. Kids don't know how dangerous it is to mix alcohol with prescription drugs like painkillers.  http://www.drugfree.org 

As for using illegal drugs, especially Marijuana (aka "weed" or "pot"), in doing research for this article, I found a great article in which I learned a lot about this subject.  The full article "Yes, Your Kid is Smoking Pot, What Every Parent Needs to Know" can be found here:  http://www.empoweringparents.com/marijuana-drug-addiction-and-teens.php# 

Here are the quick facts about illegal drug use as outlined by Katherine Ketcham:

* Chances are, if you think that your child has been smoking pot, he or she probably has.
* The perception that it (Marijuana) is not dangerous is widespread. Even most kids will agree that marijuana is a so-called "gateway drug" because their tolerance increases, leading them to move on to other more powerful drugs for the same "high."
* Because they are using an illicit drug, they are often exposed to harder drugs and to drug dealers which can often lead down a life threatening road.
* Marijuana is stronger than it used to be and we now have research that tells us about the frightening things it does to your personality, your performance in school, sports, and every area of your life. All the neurological wiring is laid down in adolescence for judgment, reason controlling impulses, empathy, compassion, flexibility, all those more mature brain functions that help people grow into responsible adults. You throw drugs into a developing brain and you stop emotional development cold.
* We know from the research that it (Marijuana) is a physiologically addicting drug. Once a child gets hooked on marijuana and combines it with other drugs, the chances of getting addicted, particularly if they start using at an early age, are very high.
* The age that kids first start smoking pot is going down. "In the eight years since I've worked at Juvenile Justice Center, the age of the first high was 13 and 14. Now I'd say it's 11 and 12, and I see kids who are starting in the fourth or fifth grade."
* Marijuana destroys motivation, it screws up memory, and it gradually destroys self-esteem. The kids I work with say that it makes them feel "lazy" or "dumb." Their grades drop, their ambitions disappear, and their friends change. There are emotional changes too - anger and irritability increase and they often become more paranoid. Depression and suicidal thoughts can also be a by-product of smoking marijuana.
* "By the way, if you think your child might be taking drugs, I personally don't think it's unreasonable to search their room. We're afraid to use our power to impinge on their freedom and independence, but if they're in trouble with drugs, they're going to lose their freedom and independence and maybe their life. Check their rooms, and in places you'd never imagine. Check wall sockets, CD covers, and look in their shoes."
* Keep in mind that you are NOT your child's friend, you ARE their parent.  If our kids need anything today is it more parents being "parents" and less parents trying to be their child's "friend."  Having a parent who sets boundaries makes a child feel safe in an already dangerous world.

God is GOOD!  ALL the time!  Your pastor and friend...

Church Work Day Photos

15 people showed up to beautify our campus for Easter! 

Collection Results

The Baby Bottle Boomerang for the First Coast Women's Services, sponsored by the Monday Night Women's Bible Study, collected $306.15.  This was enough money to pay for three cribs with mattresses.

Thank you to all who participated with this worthy mission!

Easter Egg Hunt Planning Meeting

Monday, March 31

6:30 pm

ROCK Room

Palm Sunday, April 13

2:00 pm

Fleming Island Presbyterian Church

Front Lawn

The following donations are needed:  plastic eggs filled with candy or toys (no chocolate) and cookies (homemade or purchased).  Help is needed on the day of the hunt with:  setup, cleanup, parking, hiding eggs, supervision of games, and serving cookies and lemonade.

Please help us serve the hungry in our community by donating the following specific items during each week of the food drive:

March 9 - Macaroni & Cheese

March 16 - Canned Fruit

March 23 - Canned Vegetables

March 30 - Canned or Dry Beans

April 6 - Canned or Boxed Pasta

April 13 - Canned Meats

 "For I was hungry and you gave me food...."

Matthew 25:35

Saturday, April 26

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Fleming Island Presbyterian Church

Don't miss out on this annual event.  Stop by and gaze at all the classic cars you can dream about.  Proceeds for this event are split between the church and the Yellow Ribbon Fund, Inc. (benefiting injured service members when they return home).  Please contact Elder Arlene Bowling, if you have any questions.

Saturday, May 3

11:30 am

The Golf Club at Fleming Island

For more information about the tournament, contact Oz May, Rick Trecida, Tim Hobson, or David Drew.  If you prefer, leave a message and your contact information on the yellow welcome card and we will call you. 

Join Lisa Harper as she journeys with women through this bridge between the Old and New Testaments to get to the heart of the matter: Jesus is our accessible King.  Visit our web site for a more detailed description of Hebrews:  The Nearness of King Jesus or watch the You Tube trailer.  Feel free to contact Shon Brewer for more information.

Women's Weekend:

April 3-6

Men's Weekend:

April 24-27

Don't miss out on this exciting and spiritually moving 72 hour retreat. The retreat is held at Mandarin Presbyterian Church (just over the bridge), and runs from Thursday evening until Sunday afternoon. You will be fed and blessed in over abundance! The Great Banquet seeks to bring people to a deeper and closer connection with Christ through prayer, reflection, and fellowship with others. If you have any questions, please contact Elder Iris Cruice.

We would love for you to join the church and continue your discipleship journey by partaking in one of these classes.  If you are interested in joining the church or attending one of the classes, please contact Director of Membership Sara Dryden. 

The Net Wednesday Nights

Wednesdays

6:30-8:30 pm

Jr. High & Sr. High Youth

Games, music, small groups, and worship!  Invite your friends!

2 New Summer Camp Opportunities!

Sports Camp for K-6

July 21-25

9:00 am-12 noon

$50 early registration

This awesome summer camp will offer various sports activities, such as soccer, basketball, cheerleading, and flag football.  Children will experience team work, while learning about the good news of Jesus Christ.

We need volunteers!

If you are interested in helping out with this camp, please contact Carissa Hogan. 

Mark Your Calendars! 

June 23-27

9:00-11:30 am

$50

Children will enjoy crafts, games, and snacks.

If you are interested in helping out with this camp and love to work with Pre-K children, please contact Sandy May.

The ROCK Wednesday Nights

Wednesdays

5:30-7:00 pm

5th & 6th Graders

Come join us for games, fellowship, snacks, small group time and mission work.

FIPC is a member supported church.

We do not receive any outside funding.  Everything we do is made possible through your faithful giving.

Attendance:  

3/23/14 = 137

Ministry & Buliding Fund Offerings: 

03/23/14 = $4,971.50

(2014 weekly need = $10,048)

Offering envelopes are  available in the church bulletin for cash offerings. The envelopes are not necessary for checks.  If you ever have any questions about FIPC finances, please contact our CFO & Church Administrator, Dawn Vanderpool, at the church office at (904) 269-2412 ext. 701.

God never intended for us to go it alone!

We want to help you find the Small Group where you can you grow in your faith and have some fun doing it!

Thanks to:

The Hospitality Team for Sunday morning refreshments!  

The counting team for your continued service to your church!

Our Awesome Worship Band!

Those who helped usher/greet last Sunday!

Our Children's Ministry Volunteers!

Our Youth Ministry Team!

Announcements for the e-newsletter, power point slide show during worship, and web site should be emailed to Dawn Vanderpool by 9 am on Mondays.  

Announcements for the bulletin should be emailed to Sara Dryden by 10 am on Tuesdays.

A ministry of Fleming Island Presbyterian Church, The Christian Counseling Center of FIPC is an outreach of the church to our community.