^[2]Almost 100 people from Lake Norman Jewish Congregation traded a bit of hard work for lots of fun at the group’s first Mitzvah Day Sunday, May 15. Meanwhile, other news and events below from Davidson College Presbyterian Church, Cornelius Presbyterian Church, UU Lake Norman, Beth Shalom of Lake Norman, and Davidson United Methodist Church.

GOOD DEEDS ON MITZVAH DAY

Almost 100 people from Lake Norman Jewish Congregation traded a bit of hard work for lots of fun on the group’s first Mitzvah Day Sunday, May 15.  The congregation lent a hand to clearing and beautifying the grounds of the Levine & Dickson Hospice House in Huntersville.

While the word “mitzvah” is often translated as a good deed, is actually means “commandment” or the fulfillment of a commandment.

“This was our first congregation-wide justice project,” said LNJC Rabbi Michael Shields. “It sets the bar for our congregation quite high and challenges us to continue such projects because as Jews this is what we are commanded to do.”
 
Almost 100 LNJC congregants pitched in for the day of work, which also marked the end of the religious school year. 

“There is no more meaningful end to our religious school year than this project,” said Rabbi Shields.  “Over the course of the year we have been teaching what it means to be Jewish; that we are called by God to “tzedek tzedek tirdof”, pursue justice.  Our study and our prayer would have been empty had we not engaged in this mitzvah day and other acts of justice and peace throughout the year.” 

Mitzvah Day at LNJC immediately preceded the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. 

Rabbi Shields said, “It was quite appropriate that Mitzvah Day fell around the holiday festival of Shavuot. The work of our hands in helping others affirms our faith and re-dedicates us to that sacred covenant with God, with the Jewish People and with humanity.” 

It is customary to eat a dairy meal at least once during Shavu’ot. It wasn’t hard to get the children of LNJC’s religious school to keep that custom. They took a break from weeding and mulching to make their own ice cream!

COMMUNITY COOKOUT

Come and Meet your neighbors at the Cornelius Presbyterian Church’s Annual Community Cookout on Saturday, June 5, from 5 -8 p.m. on the church lawn. Free for the community. Hamburger, Hot-Dogs, Homemade Ice-cream and more will be served. Bingo, games/prizes will be after dinner. Church is located at the corner of West Catawba and Church Street (21209 Catawba Ave) in Cornelius. For more information, contact the church office at 704-892-5577 or visit us on the web at
www.corneliuspcusa.org ^[3].

Cornelius Presbyterian Church was established in 1909 and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Services are held every Sunday morning at 11:00 AM, with Sunday School commencing at 9:30 AM. Visitors are always welcome! For additional information or to inquire about becoming a member, please contact Reverend Carl Dumford in the church office at 704-892-5577.

UU LAKE NORMAN PICNIC

UU Lake Norman will have a potluck lunch this Sunday, May 30, at Smithville Park, 19710 S. Ferry Street, Cornelius from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enter on the Smith Circle side.

Bring your own ice and beverage. Bring a favorite dish to share. Plates, cups and utensils will be provided .Park rules prohibit glass.

DCPC EVENTS

WELLNESS LUNCHEON. On Friday, June 11, a Wellness Luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. in the Congregation House. This event will feature a nutritionist who will focus on importance of good nutrition and vitamin supplements for those undergoing chemotherapy or with chronic health issues. Everyone is asked to bring a salad to share. Please RSVP to ploner@dcpc.org.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOUSE. Davidson College Presbyterian Church has committed to building its fifth Habitat House. DCPC has supported Our Towns Habitat for Humanity homes since 2000, by building, through contributions and construction efforts, homes within our community. Habitat’s mission is “To build decent affordable housing in partnership with families in need and our communities.” This year we will be participating in Our Towns Habitat’s program by building one of four townhome units in the Mills Avenue Community in Mooresville.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER Davidson College Presbyterian Church holds an intercessory prayer service on Wednesdays in DCPC’s Lingle Chapel at 11:30 a.m. The Chapel is also available for individual prayer and meditation.

DAVIDSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

All Methodist churches in the Lake Norman District will gather for a day of service to our community on Saturday, June 5. Volunteers are asked to meet at either Huntersville or Broad Street United Methodist Church at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast and sending forth. If you have not yet registered, you can do so at www.impactcommunityevent.org/lakenorman ^[4].

BETH SHALOM OF LAKE NORMAN

The June Shabbaton with Rabbi Corey Helfand is scheduled next weekend, June 4-5, at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane. Congregants are asked to bring donations of canned and non-perishable foods to services to help both members of our congregation in need and Jewish Family Services.

Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by Wednesday, June 2. www.bslkn.org ^[5]

Friday, June 4th – Shabbat Services – 6:30 pm, St. Alban’s – Building opens at 6:15 pm. Services begin promptly at 6:30pm, followed by a catered dinner. ($12 members/$15 non-members/$5 children 6-12/children 5 and under free). We will have a Tish after dinner for those who would like to stay and sing songs. You may bring your own wine/spirits. RSVP online by Wednesday June 2nd.

Saturday, June 5th – Shabbat Services – 9:30am, St. Alban’s – Bar Mitzvah of Michael Keller, son of Joe and Marguerite Keller. Building opens at 9:15 am. Morning services begin promptly at 9:30 am. Junior Congregation for grades 4-6 from 9:30-10:30. Tot Shabbat services for Pre-K-3rd grade from 10:00-12:00. Services will be followed by an Oneg lunch sponsored by the Keller family in honor of Michael’s Bar Mitzvah. No charge; RSVP online by Wednesday,June 2nd if you intend to stay for lunch.

Adult Education/Havdalah – Saturday, June 5th, Time and location TBD – The Shul is alive with the Sound of Music—Understanding the role of Musical instruments in Judaism.

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