From the

Alliance for Children's Enrichment in Newnan:

"November

is the start of the season of hustle and bustle. In a

Norman Rockwell painting, it is family and friends coming

together, giving and sharing. It is happiness and

lovingkindness.

For many

people, the season becomes traffic congestion, long

lines, overspending, rudeness, lack of patience,

overextended schedules and many hours in shopping malls.

Nationally, This is the season when depression is at its

peak. Suicide rates climb and more child abuse occurs.

In our

already busy world, with all the extra activities this

season brings, there is even less time to give to the

children. Before the final rush begins, let us take the

week before Thanksgiving, Nov. 14-20, and celebrate the

fifth annual `Week of the Family.' This year, let us

truly start the season off with `Peace on earth, good

will to all people.' Each day will focus on a specific

challenge. They are outlined below:

Sunday,

Nov. 14 - Prayer and Worship

Let us

start the week by asking our Creator to open our minds

and hearts to acceptance and appreciation of our

differences, first with family members and those of our

extended families, then within our workplace and our

community.

Monday,

Nov. 15 - Fireside Family Relationship Building

In the

warmth and comfort of your home, open a discussion with

your family about your values and what you truly believe

in. Listen to them when they tell you what they believe

in. At work or in your community, make a point of really

talking to a co-worker or community member that you do

not know well.

Tuesday,

Nov. 16 - Show Affection for Each Other

Put a note

on your refrigerator or in your child's book bag or lunch

box to tell them you love them. Take a moment when each

member of your household wakes up, reach out and hug

them. At work, send a note to a co-worker or your boss

telling them how much you appreciate them.

Wednesday,

Nov. 17 - Read a Book About Someone Different From You

and Look for Things You Have in Common

Visit your

local library. Have your child bring home a book from

school about someone from another culture. Read the book

together and concentrate on the things you have in

common. At work or in your community, talk to a co-worker

from a different culture about their family background

and traditions. Look for common ground.

Thursday,

Nov. 18 - Cook a Dinner Together from a Different Culture

Try cooking

a simple dinner from another culture. Involve the

children in this fun night by allowing them to decorate

the table or dress for the occasion. If you feel brave,

invite someone to dinner. At work, talk about trying

different things; talk of a success you had when you

stepped outside your comfort zone.

Friday,

Nov. 19 - Family Fun Night

You don't

have to spend money to have fun. Pull out the board

games, play Twister, pop corn, make hot chocolate. Most

importantly, laugh together. Talk to a co-worker or

community member who is different from you about what

your family does together for fun and ask them what they

do together for fun. If it is different from what your

family does, try it, if possible.

Saturday,

Nov. 20 - Community Service: Do Something for Someone

Else as a Family

There are

several nursing homes in this area. The holiday season

sometimes is a sad time for many of those residents who

do not have close family. Visit one. Volunteer to rake

leaves from the yard of a neighbor who is unable to do

it. Work with a youth group from a different culture.

Then talk with your family about the experience.

This entire

week's focus is on building family and community. This

agenda is designed to go beyond tolerance to acceptance

and appreciation of all of God's people, beginning with

our own families."

Bible

verse for the week...

"Then

the King will answer, `I tell you the truth, anything you

did for even the least of my people here, you also did

for me.'" Matthew 25:40 (NCV)

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