FOR YOUR INFORMATION, PRAYERFUL REFLECTION, FAITHFUL ACTION

Transcription

1 HENSON VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH ( Disciples of Christ ) 1900 Tucker Road Fort Washington, MD AUGUST 2017 UPDATE DEVOTIONAL Help! Psalm 3 is the first prayer in the Psalter. Psalms 1 and 2 prepared us for prayer; Psalm 3 prays. Prayer begins in a realization that we cannot help ourselves, so we must reach out to God. Help! is the basic prayer. We are in trouble, deep trouble. If God cannot get us out, we are lost; if God can get us out, we are saved. If we don t know that we need help, prayer will always be peripheral to our lives, a matter of mood and good manners. But the moment we know we are in trouble, prayer is a life-or-death matter. Up God! My God, help me! Psalm 3: 7a Living the Message: Daily Reflections with Eugene Peterson HarperCollins 1996 FOR YOUR INFORMATION, PRAYERFUL REFLECTION, FAITHFUL ACTION The General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada The General Assembly was held from Saturday, 8 July through Wednesday, 12 July in Indianapolis, Indiana. The theme: UNO / YOUNN / 하나 / UN / ONE - based on I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. John 17: 20-21a Speakers at worship services - Saturday: Rev. José Morales, Disciples Seminary Foundation, Claremont, CA 1

2 - Sunday: Henry Brewer-Calvert, Brite Seminary, Fort Worth, TX; Rev. Dr. Jen Garbin, Disciples of Christ in Canada, Guelph, ON; Rev. Jae Young Rhee, North American Pacific/Asian Disciples, Ghent, OH - Monday: Rev. Dr. Serena Jones, Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY - Tuesday: Rev. Virzola Law, Lindenwood Christian Church, Memphis, TN - Wednesday: Rev. Teresa Terri Hord Owens, New General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada (read a short bio on the last pages of this UPDATE) Learning Community Core Lectures - Justice: Rev. Sandhya Jha, Oakland Peace Center - Stewardship and Resources: Rev. Dr. Eric Lee, Kaleidoscope Institute - Worship: Dr. Marcia McFee, Worship Design Studio - Transformative Leadership and Innovation: Rev. Yvonne Gilmore, Disciples Divinity House, University of Chicago Mission Opportunities - Onsite: Habitat for Humanity panel build; Peyton Manning Children s Hospital; Indiana Blood Center donations - Offsite: Gleaners Food Bank; Growing Places Indy community gardens - Youth Council: Weaving blankets and travel-size toiletry collection for clients at Horizon House, a day center with supportive services for people experiencing homelessness Studies - Study 1: Enfolded, Unfolded, Made One: Unity in the Holy Spirit José Francisco Morales, Jr., Director of Pastoral Formation, Disciples Seminary Foundation - Study 2: United in Our Multiplicity: The Immigrant Body and the Politics of Oneness in John 17: Dr. Sharon Jacob, Assistant Professor of New Testament, Phillips Theological Seminary - Study 3: Sharing Food and Sharing Life Dr. Kristine A. Culp, Dean, Disciples Divinity House of the University of Chicago, Associate Professor of Theology, The Divinity School, The University of Chicago - Study 4: Let Us Cooperate for One: A Lesson in Polity from Alexander Campbell Dr. Timothy S. Lee, Associate Professor of the History of Christianity, Brite Divinity School 2

3 - Study 5: Staying Together with One Mind and One Heart Dr. Delores Carpenter, Professor of Religious Education, Howard University - Study 6: We Are One What? Dr. Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder - Study 7: Oneness in Purpose and Works Dr. Warren Carter, Professor of New Testament, Brite Divinity School - Study 8: A Meditation on One Mark Miller-McLemore, Dean, Disciples Divinity House at Vanderbilt This Assembly congratulated and gave thanks to Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins for her service as General Minister and President for the past twelve (12) years. She has provided inspired and steadfast leadership to the denomination and blessings were bestowed upon her as she moves forward to the next phase of her ministry. God be with her. Update on the Pastoral Transition Process Members of the Search Committee are Alexis Holland (Chair), Bessie Bradford, Marilyn Miles, and Terri Lee. The Congregational Profile has been completed using the input from those who participated in the congregation work session on 25 June. The Search Committee distributed the completed Profile to the congregation on Sunday, 23 July and discussed it on Sunday, 30 July. A final draft that incorporates any feedback received at the 30 July congregation meeting will be shared with both the congregation and the Regional Minister of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Capital Area. The primary responsibility of The Search Committee is to identify and present to the congregation the person it believes God has called to serve as the next pastor of Henson Valley Christian Church. The process the Committee will use in its work is the Executive Search Process of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. Ministry to the Differently-abled and Their Families The Arc of Prince George s County, The Infants and Toddlers Program of the Prince George s County Public School System, James Ryder Randall Elementary School, and special education students from Surrattsville High School are partners with Henson Valley in providing support and encouragement to differently-abled children, youth, young adults, and older adults. We are sharing God s love and demonstrating our care for others by sharing our space so that beneficial programs and work experiences can be provided. Please remember to purchase food and household items that carry the official BoxTops for Education coupon so that Henson Valley can continue to meaningfully support the James Ryder Randall Elementary School 3

4 Special Education Program. Consider inviting friends and neighbors to join us in this effort. Tell them about this ministry and extend the invitation for them to participate. There are people who would be willing to help if only they were asked. The Infants and Toddlers Play Group which meets at Henson Valley Christian Church is on hiatus during the month of August. The Play Group will reconvene in September. Special education students from Surrattsville High School will return in September as well. Henson Valley CC serves as a site where these students can learn and develop work-related skills that will prepare them for employment. Thanks are extended to all who helped to make the July Birthday Party special for our celebrants and guests. The next party is scheduled for Sunday, 6 August. Joseph Swann will return to demonstrate chair exercises as part of the entertainment. Taylor Brown will continue to entertain with her puppet presentations. Green Chalice Program The congregation is invited to share examples of what it is doing in its effort to continue to be good stewards of God s creation. - Recycling Sunday Orders of Worship and other paper products: the papers are collected and taken home by several members to be placed in their recycling bins - Collecting and recycling empty ink cartridges: the empty cartridges are returned to a vendor for future discounts on supplies - Cleaning and repairing the HVAC system and embarking on a maintenance program Visit to learn more about how to save money and reduce power consumption. Members of the Henson Valley Christian Church Leadership Team are: Carolyn Holland, Bessie Bradford, Marilyn Miles, Rev. Mel Larson, Ellen Azu, and Pastor Martha. The next Leadership meeting will be held on 19 August OUT-AND-ABOUT IN THE REGION ( The Christian Church Capital Area ) August 3 (Thursday) 10:00 a.m. Commission for Ministry Meeting, North Chevy Chase Christian Church, Chevy Chase, MD August 4-8 (Friday - Tuesday) Regional Minister on vacation. 4

5 August 6-12 (Sunday - Saturday) Family Camp II, Bethany Beach, DE August 19 (Saturday) Corn Roast, Camp Mary Mac, Sharpsburg, MD August 22 (Tuesday) 7:00 p.m. Regional Pastoral Relations Committee Meeting, CCCA Offices September 5-8 (Tuesday - Friday) Senior Adult Fall Conference, Christian Church Conference Center at Bethany Beach, DE September 13 (Wednesday) 2:00 pm Keeping Ministries Safe: 5 Things You Can Do to Prevent Abuse Free Webinar sponsored by the Insurance Board. To register, go to Click on Online Learning in the light blue box at the top of the screen. On the screen, Essential Training and Information for Church Leaders, click on Insurance Board Webinars in the orange box to register. All webinars are recorded and can be viewed at a later date. Peruse previous webinars at the bottom of the Essential Training and Information for Church Leaders screen. September 17 (Sunday) 3:00 pm Ordination of Chaim Abramowitz Rodriguez, National City Christian Church, Washington, DC September 24 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. Salt and Light Planning Meeting, National City Christian Church September 29 - October 1 (Friday - Sunday) EcuMENtors Men's Retreat, Christian Church Conference Center at Bethany Beach, DE October 14 (Saturday) Salt & Light Leadership Training Event, National City Christian Church October (Friday - Sunday) Closing Weekend (Volunteers Needed!) Christian Church Conference Center at Bethany Beach, DE October (Friday - Sunday) Young Adult Fall Retreat, Christian Church Conference Center at Bethany Beach, DE REMINDERS FROM THE GENERAL CHURCH (The Christian Church Disciples of Christ in the United States and Canada) Reminders Light a Candle for Children is an annual advocacy and prayer vigil for five weeks leading up to Children s Sabbath each October. Subscribe to updates and view resources for this year s theme at or 5

6 Disciples Home Missions wants to hear about you and your congregation! Share photos and stories with us for inclusion in the next issue of the Disciples Advocate. View submission guidelines and previous issues at Community of Prayer by Bruce Barkhauer will help your congregation think differently about stewardship and see new ways God calls us to serve each other. Use this 29-day devotional during your stewardship campaign. Weekly reflections and discussion questions empower you to share stories with your community and grow in your generosity. See Is your church ready for transformation? Join hundreds of congregations who ve begun the process. Visit or call for more information. Whether you have two weeks, two months, or two years, you can volunteer to work internationally with Global Ministries. Contact the Mission Personnel Office at Themed and seasonal women s programs are available at Subscription order deadline to receive the Just Woman fall issue is September 1. Visit the online store at Meet the cohort of NBA XPLOR Residents, young adults serving in congregations and community sites across the country. Learn more at: Does back-to-school time feel like back-to-crazy schedules time? Maybe the families in your congregation could use a break, a Sabbath break. Check out Sabbath in the Suburbs at REV. TERESA TERRI HORD OWENS Rev. Terri Hord Owens is a native of Terre Haute, IN, and a descendant of one of Indiana s oldest African-American free settlements. She earned her bachelor s degree in Government with a minor in Afro-American Studies from Harvard University. Terri began her professional career in the area of information technology, spending 23 years in the area of management consulting, data management and data warehousing. She previously held senior management positions with IBM, Ernst & Young, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and SBC, consistently earning recognition for excellence and 6

7 leadership. An active lay leader throughout her youth and adult life, Terri has worked with children and youth ministries, taught Sunday School and Bible study in Christian Education departments, and worked to create drama ministries in several congregations. Despite professional success, she felt God had another assignment, and she accepted her call to ministry under the pastorate of Dr. T. Garrott Benjamin, Jr. at Light of the World Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN. Rev. Owens earned the Master of Divinity degree at the University of Chicago Divinity School, where she was a Disciples Divinity House Scholar, and recipient of the John Gray Rhind Award, given to the top M.Div graduate at the Divinity School. She was ordained at Light of the World Christian Church, wearing the robe of her paternal grandfather, the late Rev. Noel Hord. In August of 2005, she was appointed Dean of Students at the University of Chicago Divinity School, where she is responsible for administration and development of academic policy, student advising on personal matters, students academic progress, admissions, and financial aid, recruiting, and PhD student professionalization and placement. She is a member of the Divinity School s Diversity Committee, and the University s Diversity Leadership Council. She manages the programming of diversity and inclusion events within the Divinity School and is regularly engaged in this work across campus. Because of her previous professional experience, she also serves on the Student Health Insurance Policy Oversight Committee, and the Data Stewardship Committee. She also represents the Divinity School on the boards of both the Hispanic Summer Program and the Hispanic Theological Initiative, programs focused on providing support for Hispanic students in master s and doctoral theological education. Alongside her work at the Divinity School, Terri serves as Senior Minister at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Downers Grove, IL. She is the first person of color to serve as pastor of this predominantly white congregation. A small congregation with a large heart to serve and give, FCCDG s ministry reaches to the homeless in DuPage County, as well as families with children in the surrounding area. Each year, the church hosts a Back-to-School Fair, serving nearly 800 people each year. In addition to school supplies, the church offers a fun afternoon of food, games, haircuts, health assessments all at no cost to needy families. The church also supports the Isle of Hope Camp and orphanage in Belarus, which ministers to children affected by the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. FCCDG also supports local service ministries such as LOVE Christian Clearinghouse, Hope s Front Door, FISH food pantry, and its members are active across the Chicagoland area in a variety of service agencies/ministries. Unity, liberty, and love are the core values of this congregation that seeks to be the presence of Christ in the community. Under Rev. Owens leadership, FCCDG is now an open and affirming, anti-racism, pro-reconciliation congregation. FCCDG also nests an independent Hispanic congregation, Fe Y Esperanza, with whom they share in a variety of ministries throughout the year. Rev. Owens is a member of the Board of Trustees at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis and serves as Secretary of the Board. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM) of the 7

8 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She is a founding member of the Advisory Board for the Center for the Study of Black Faith and Life at Chicago Theological Seminary in Chicago. She is also active in denominational work at the regional and national level of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Over the years, she has leveraged her executive management experience as an initial screener of applications for several executive searches for general units of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) nd two regional minister searches. She served on the IT Advisory Committee for the Pension Fund during its recent systems upgrade to provide online member access. Rev. Owens was honored to be the preacher for the opening worship service at the 2015 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in July Rev. Owens is widely sought after as a preacher, speaker, and workshop facilitator. Her ministry and intellectual interests include a theology of reconciliation, cultural intelligence, developing inclusive and multi-cultural congregations, and the mentoring of youth and young adults. She is married to Walter Owens, Jr., with whom she will soon celebrate 30 years of marriage. They are the proud parents of an adult son, W. Mitchell Owens, III. 8

9 IN THE LIFE OF THE CONGREGATION Upcoming Events and Programs 9

10 August 1 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. August 1 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program NO Sessions in August August 2 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice August 5 Search Committee Meeting 10:00 a.m. at HVCC August 6 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost ( The Rev. Dr. Martha A. Brown, Preaching ) 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 1:15 p.m. Monthly Birthday Party August 8 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. August 9 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice August 13 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost ( Rev. Dr. Clara Guyton, Preaching ) 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 12:30 p.m. Balloon Creations by Agnes Bikie August 15 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.

11 August 16 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice August 19 Leadership Team Meeting ( Conference Call ) 2:00 p.m. August 20 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost ( Rev. Dr. Martha A. Brown, Preaching ) 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship August 22 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. August 23 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice August 27 Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost ( Rev. Dr. Martha A. Brown, Preaching ) 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 12:00 p.m. Solar Energy presented by Elroy Murray August 29 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. August 30 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 11 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice

12 September 4 Labor Day Church Office Closed! 12