a letter of encouragement, for this season of parenting... | |
From Dave & Joyce Grimes,
We are Dave and Joyce Grimes and have lived in the Lake Norman area for 25 years. We discovered Lake Forest (Storyhill’s planting church) on their third public Sunday at Kate’s Skating Rink. We are honored to share a bit of our story, and what has guided our marriage and our time raising our 3 children and 6 granddaughters.
This past January, we celebrated 55 years of marriage. We have lived a life that was not typical, with many moves. Since marrying, we have lived in 16 cities, including in Japan and Brazil. In each home, we prioritized finding a church for a community of believers and quickly entered into serving God, consistently worshiping, and growing through study together. These priorities were deep for both of us when we met, but we got there very differently.
| | |
Dave was raised in a mobile family. His mother accepted Christ while attending the University of California at Berkeley, where she met Dave’s dad. Most of their dating centered around the First Presbyterian Church. Dave was born in Berkeley and lived in eight cities through high school. With each new city, the first order of business was finding a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. His parents modeled immersing themselves in service in each church and ensured their two boys were involved in kids’ and youth activities. These churches were the center of his family’s faith walk and social life.
Joyce grew up in a small town in rural Ohio. Her father was a tentmaker pastor, and her mother was a school teacher. Together, they delivered worship and teaching every Sunday morning and evening, as well as mid-week—no matter the size of the congregation. Joyce started teaching the young children during Sunday School when she was in seventh grade. Much of her life was centered around church, school, and camps—Youth for Christ, Child Evangelism through neighborhood clubs, music, and teaching with her mother.
| | These growing-up experiences provided the foundation to start our married life and directed how we raised our own family. We encourage all Storyhill families to consider these practices for your own: | | |
Prioritize church activities, as a family.
We both grew up spending much time in the local church from infancy through high school. As a result, we prioritized being present and serving in the church where God led us. We learned this from our parents, and our three children learned it from us.
| | |
Study biblical truths as a family.
Joyce firmly believed that teaching God’s truth and a love for Jesus should begin at birth. With all of our children, including our daughter Mandi Flake, Joyce would sing songs filled with rich Christian truths—a special gift from God that our kids still enjoy today. There are wonderful tools available for every stage of life, easily accessible to any family.
| | |
Find places to serve, as a family.
We were encouraged to serve in the church as children, and as we moved from church to church, we sought out places at each one to serve as a couple. Whether leading youth group, teaching the 2-year-old class, leading worship, teaching Sunday School, or greeting kids and their families—we did it as a family.
| | |
Storyhill Church, remember -- we are being watched by our children. We are not perfect, and our children will not be perfect. Yet how wonderful that we have a Savior who forgives us. We get to be examples to our children in learning how to pray for forgiveness and wisdom.
One final reminder about discipline.
Especially, those times when you feel angry, pray. Children need to know you love them. Pray together before and after a time of discipline.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” —Colossians 3:12–17
| | equipping resources + events, for this season of parenting. | | |
Friday, October 15, 2025 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m at 490 South Main Street.
Davidson Fellows and Storyhill Kids partners to give parents a night out. Dinner, crafts, and games included when you register.
Click to register.
| | |
Tuesday Bible Study for 5th Graders at 490 South Main Street from 6:45 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
September 9th and 30th
October 14th and 28th
November 11th and 25th
December 8th (Christmas Party!)
Led by JP & Sam Whaley, click to email them!
| | |
Dave + Joyce Grimes pulled together three recommended resources for you and your children depending on their age.
For Littles:
-
Stories from the Bible, here
-
A Child’s First Bedtime Prayers, here
-
The Beginner’s Bible, here
For Bigs:
-
1001 Ways to Help Your Child Walk With God, here
-
Go Bible, here
-
Answers to Tough Questions, here
Pst - save the date for the church-wide serve day to serve as a family! Sunday October 12th.
| | |
Preschool
August | “God saw everything he had made. And it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)
September | “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
October | “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid . . . for the Lord your God goes with you.”(Deuteronomy 31:6)
November | “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.” (Psalm 111:1)
Elementary
August | Faith is being sure of what we hope for. It is being sure of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)
September | When I’m afraid, I put my trust in you. (Psalm 56:3)
October | It is much better to get wisdom than gold. It is much better to choose understanding than silver. (Proverbs 16:16)
November | Those who trust in the Lord will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They
will walk and not grow weak. (Isaiah 40:31)
| | |
Join us as we partner with parents in the spiritual formation of their children—loving kids as they discover and live out their place in God’s story. This mission happens when people like you say YES to serving God by loving His kids.
As a volunteer, you might tell stories, sing songs, hold babies, and—most importantly—build life-giving relationships that point kids to the love of Jesus.
Click the date below that works best for you to attend an orientation and join the team!
Sunday, September, 14 at 3:00 p.m. HERE
Sunday, October, 12 at 3:00 p.m. HERE
Sunday, November, 9 at 3:00 p.m. HERE
| | |
When the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, the Town of Davidson comes alive with family-friendly fun. Gather your loved ones and head to Main Street to enjoy seasonal events and make lasting memories.
Click for the events website.
| |
we're here for you, in this season of parenting...
| | | | |
