Busy Week in the 'Brary

Last week was the end of Preschool and Mother’s Day Out visits for Story Time. Our sweet volunteers are taking time off to visit their own kids and grandchildren. They are always a little wistful that they won’t get to sit down once a week and read delightful stories to our adorable preschoolers. But some of the volunteers will be here for the six-week Mother’s Day Out session in June, when we will again offer Story Time on Tuesdays and Thursdays. And there are only a couple of months till we start again in September.

Summer Reading Club, another great event for kids, doesn’t kick off till next week, June 1. Be sure to read the blog next week, or you can go to our web page and see some of the details now.

You might think this week would be quiet and restful. You’d be mistaken.

On Tuesday, we bundled up all the donated children’s books we received and sent them on their way. Martha Stowe, the executive director of the Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation, came over in her SUV expecting a few boxes of books. We actually had about 18 boxes to give her. She was thrilled. We were thrilled. The kids who receive books—as a way to keep their reading skills sharp over the summer—and their parents will be thrilled.

Phil and Martha, with
18 boxes of books for Vickery Meadow!

 

We are all so grateful to anyone who took the time to box up their children’s books and bring them to PCBC. Rest assured that the books your children loved will find wonderful new homes with young, appreciative readers.

On Tuesday evening, we hosted the Illuminated Bible Journaling workshop taught by Jann Gray. More than 30 people came to Ellis Parlor that evening, all ready to experience Jann’s new way of interacting with the Bible. As we learned, it was “all about the heART, not the art.” More than just putting pretty graphics in your Bible or journal, illuminated Bible journaling is a technique for engaging one’s creativity, tarrying in God’s Word, and adding graphics that help us to “see and remember.”

The workshop was so much fun! We sat at round tables so it was easy to interact. Some of the attendees were semi-pros, bringing their own watercolors, pens, and other supplies. Some demurred that they don’t have any idea how to do this, and can’t draw. Yet, every person walked away with something pretty, some new knowledge and techniques, and, hopefully, the inspiration to keep going.

We have a copy of Jann’s book, Illuminated Journaling, in our collection. We also have several copies for sale. If you’re intrigued with this idea, or if you’re looking for a kick-start to your personal devotions and Bible study, come check it out! Also, due to the enthusiastic response to this event, we will be on the alert for Jann’s future visits to Dallas and perhaps facilitating small groups to engage in illuminated journaling.

So it’s been a busy week! We hope to make it a busy summer. Check back soon and often for more about what’s going on in the ’Brary.

And if you have some extra hours on your hands this summer, think about coming to VOLUNTEER!

With All Your Mind

Last week, we talked about our upcoming Illuminated Bible Journaling workshop with Jann Gray on Tuesday, May 24 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. in Ellis Parlor.



Chances are you haven’t taken the time to sign up yet. Here’s the LINK to sign up and pay the $15 fee with a credit card. If you prefer, you can telephone or email your reservation, and pay by cash or check at the door. That would be elmartin@pcbc.org or 214-860-3993.

We’ll wait while you take the two minutes to do so.

You’re back? Good. Let’s keep moving.

We’ve been reading Illuminated Journaling and we love the way Jann Gray leads readers to engage with God’s Word in a new, creative and profound way. We are planning to accept Jann’s 21-day challenge as a way to grow familiar with the concept of illuminated Bible journaling. She points out that most of us rely on our old, tried and true methods of Bible study and devotions. Yet, the Bible tells us to love the Lord with all our mind (and heart and soul). Firing up some of those neurons that deal with creativity might be a wonderful new method. And that’s what illuminated journaling is about.

Of course, there are lots of ways to go deeper into personal Bible study. Every Sunday, our worship services are built on Scripture, and the connect groups and other small classes are designed to develop our Bible understanding and application skills.

We have books and Bible study kits in the PCBC Library, too. Many of them delve into one particular book of the Bible or into a particular topic that Scripture addresses. We also have books that teach Bible study techniques that can be applied broadly.



One of our newest of these books is How to Read the Bible Like a Seminary Professor, by Mark M. Yarbrough. Dr. Yarbrough is vice president for academic affairs, academic dean, and a professor of Bible exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary, so he writes from experience. The book includes lots of helpful resources and a generous helping of humorous anecdotes that will keep the reader turning the pages, and coming back to the text for future reference.

There are lots of ways to engage with the Bible. You can do it alone, in small groups, in worship, in music, with books, and with illuminated journaling. The choice is yours. Along with Jann Gray, we’d encourage you to explore as many ways as you can. What better way to love the Lord your God.

Illuminated Bible Journaling Workshop May 24

We are so excited! The PCBC Library is hosting an Illuminated Journaling Workshop with Jann Gray on Tuesday, May 24, 6:30-9:30 p.m. in Ellis Parlor.



You may ask, “What is illuminated Bible journaling?” A week ago, we would have said it’s a way of responding to God’s Word graphically. That’s kind of a lame explanation.

Someone asked if it meant doodling in your Bible. That’s not right either.

If you Google “Jann Gray,” or view some of her videos on YouTube, you’ll get a clearer picture of what the graphical outcome of illuminated journaling can be. Prepare to have your breath taken away. Jann’s illustrations are magnificent, (although she would be the first to tell you that no one needs to worry that they don’t have an inner Michelangelo to channel).



But the tangible product, these lovely graphics in your journal or your Bible, is not quite what illuminated Bible journaling is about, either.

The real purpose behind Jann Gray’s Illuminated Journaling book and workshop is to challenge Christ Followers to stretch the boundaries of how they have typically studied God’s Word so they might experience a deeper, richer and more personal relationship with God.

We think that’s an excellent reason to get together on a Tuesday evening with some of our friends. We hope YOU will bring a friend or two and come. There is a $15 fee for the workshop that covers the use of supplies that night. You can register online and pay by credit card, or you can contact the PCBC Library to sign up and pay by cash or check at the door. elmartin@pcbc.org or 214-860-3993.

This workshop started as a social event for our Faithfully Yours collaboration with Concord Baptist Church. We want everyone to join the fun, so invite your friends and plan on a splendid evening of responding to God’s Word.

For Mother's Day: Do Something

We in the PCBC Library have a particular interest in Mother’s Day. All of us have a mother, and many of us are mothers. Some of us are grandmothers, too. We therefore respectfully take the liberty of speaking on behalf of most, if not all, mothers with regard to May 8, Mother’s Day.

Here’s what we would say: Do something for your mom for Mother’s Day.
Notice we didn’t say, “Do something huge, or expensive, or wildly creative.” We certainly wouldn’t discourage anyone from making a grand gesture or giving some lovely present, or devising a delightful surprise. If you are so inclined, by all means go for it. Your mom might protest, but, trust us—she will be thrilled.
When we advise people to “do something,” we’re thinking of the little gestures, too. A card or just a note or drawing is great. A phone call might be exactly what your mom wants. Spend a little time on a thoughtful e-mail and we bet even that will warm her heart.
If you’ve been paying attention, your mom might have dropped some hints about something she’d like. Some of us wish our family would figure out meals for this one day of the year. Others crave a day to just chill. Your mom might be hoping for a special gift or experience.
But again, it doesn’t matter what you come up with. The whole point is to let your mom know you think about her fondly from time to time. After all, we can assure you that your mom thinks about you. All. The. Time.
Here are a couple of suggestions of how the PCBC Library might aid you in doing something.

1. Make a donation to dedicate a book in our collection to your mother. We’ll be glad to help you with this. This is especially gratifying if your mother has passed away.
2. Buy a book from our curated selection and make it a gift.
3. Pay for your mom to come to the Illuminated Journaling Workshop with Jann Gray on Tuesday, May 24, 6:30-9:30 p.m. in Ellis Parlor. Even better, come with her. It’s $15 per person. Register online or contact Emily Martin, elmartin@pcbc.org or 214-860-3993 to sign up.
4. Come check out a book your mother would like, and take it to her. You might even read it to her. After all, your presence and attention are most like the number one thing your mom seeks for Mother’s Day and every day.

As you might guess, we have tons of books that would be appropriate for any mother—or any child—on Mother’s Day. If you want a sentimental children’s book, we certainly have you covered. But we picked one that amused us for our Book of the Week, If Mom Had Three Arms, by Karen Kaufman Orloff.