MAY 2017 UPDATE FOR YOUR INFORMATION, PRAYERFUL REFLECTION, FAITHFUL ACTION

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1 HENSON VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH ( Disciples of Christ ) 1900 Tucker Road Fort Washington, MD MAY 2017 UPDATE DEVOTIONAL Lives Lived Well Our lives are only lived well when they are lived in terms of their creation, with God loving and we being loved, with God making and we being made, with God revealing and we understanding, with God commanding and we responding. Being a Christian means accepting the terms of creation, accepting God as our maker and redeemer, and growing day by day into an increasingly glorious creature in Christ, developing joy, experiencing love, maturing in peace. By the grace of Christ we experience the marvel of being made in the image of God. If we reject this way the only alternative is to attempt the hopelessly fourth-rate, embarrassingly awkward imitation of God made in the image of man. We follow this sequence in Scripture: The First Adam received life, the Last Adam is a life-giving Spirit. Physical life comes first, then spiritual a firm base shaped from the earth, a final completion coming out of heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:45 Living the Message: Daily Reflections with Eugene Peterson HarpersCollins 1996 FOR YOUR INFORMATION, PRAYERFUL REFLECTION, FAITHFUL ACTION Congratulations to Tré Holland on being inducted into the Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society for Business students. Tré is a student at Capitol Technology University, majoring in Management Information Technology. 1

2 Update on the Pastoral Transition Process The Leadership Team invites and encourages the congregation to become familiar with the responsibilities that have been outlined for the pastor and the congregation in the Acts 6 document available on the table at the entrance to the Fellowship Hall. In addition, the congregation is asked to review the summary of the Congregation Meeting held on 26 March 2017 and to share recommendations for decreasing expenses and increasing streams of revenue in support of the operating budget. This document is also available on the table at the entrance to the Fellowship Hall. Ministry to the Differently-abled and Their Families Thanks are extended to all who helped to make the April Birthday Party special for our celebrants and guests. The next party is scheduled for Sunday, 7 May., The Infants and Toddlers Program of the 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. We wish our partners from Surrattsville High School a safe and rest-filled summer. The student s last day for their work experience at Henson Valley was April 27 th. They will return when school reconvenes in September. Each student will receive from Henson Valley a certificate of appreciation and each staff person will receive a letter of commendation. Plans continue for the creation of the Southern Caregivers Network, a support group that is being designed for those who care for the differently-abled. While the aim is to focus efforts on caregivers who live in the southern portion of, all will be welcome. Leadership for this ministry is provided by Toni Johnson (HVCC), Deridra Jones (Reid Temple AME) and Kanzada Douglas (Spirit of Faith Christian Center). 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 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. 2

3 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 13 May OUT-AND-ABOUT IN THE REGION ( The Christian Church Capital Area ) May 4 (Thursday) 10:00 a.m. Commission for Ministry Meeting, North Chevy Chase Christian Church, Chevy Chase, MD May 5 (Friday) Evening - Reception for the Rev. Cynthia G. Lindner, author of "Varieties of Gifts: Multiplicity and the Well-Lived Pastoral Life," TBA May 5-7 (Friday - Sunday) Green Retreat, Camp Mary Mac, Sharpsburg, MD May 6 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. Salt & Light Planning Meeting, CCCA Offices May 6 (TBD) 10 a.m noon - Workshop On "The Well-Lived Pastoral Life" for clergy & lay leaders May 7 (Sunday) 2:00 p.m., Commission for Camp & Conference meeting, CCCA Offices May 13 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. Commission for Congregational Life Committee Meeting, CCCA Offices May (Sunday Wednesday) Senior Adult Spring Conference, Christian Church Conference Center, Bethany Beach, DE May 17 (Wednesday) 8:00 a.m., Ecumenical Leaders Group of Central Maryland, Baltimore, MD May 19 (Friday) 5:00 p.m. Minister's Association Dinner & Meeting, the Rev. Seung Un (Paul) Tche, President of the Disciples Council on Christian Unity will speak, at Columbia United Christian Church, Columbia, MD. More information to follow! May 20 (Saturday) 10 a.m.-12 noon Interfaith Workshop with Rev. Paul Tche, First Christian Church/Corner Community Center, Baltimore, Maryland May (Friday Sunday) Preschool (Discovery) Retreat, Camp Mary Mac, Sharpsburg, MD 3

4 May (Friday Monday) Personal Retreat, Christian Church Conference Center, Bethany Beach, DE June 1 (Thursday) 10:00 a.m. Commission for Ministry Meeting, North Chevy Chase Christian Church, Chevy Chase, MD June 2 4 (Friday Sunday) Disciples Women's Retreat, Christian Church Conference Center, Bethany Beach, DE June 10 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. Regional Board Meeting, Whosoever Will Christian Church, Beltsville, MD June (Saturday Sunday) Retirement Celebration for the Rev. Dr. Wm. Chris Hobgood, Bethany Beach Christian Church & Conference Center at Bethany Beach, DE June (Friday - Sunday) Early Elementary (Pioneer) Camp, Camp Mary Mac, Sharpsburg, MD June 25 - July 1 (Sunday - Saturday) High School 1 (CYF) Camp, Conference Center at Bethany Beach, DE June 30 - July 4, 2017 Central Atlantic Conference, United Church of Christ, General Synod, Baltimore, Maryland. For more info: July 2-8 (Sunday - Saturday) Family Camp 1, Conference Center at Bethany Beach, DE July 8-12, 2017 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Indianapolis, Indiana. For more info: July (Sunday - Saturday) - Middle School/Jr. High (Chi Rho) Camp, Camp Mary Mac, Sharpsburg, MD July (Sunday - Saturday) Older Elementary (Pioneer) Camp, Camp Mary Mac, Sharpsburg, MD July (Sunday - Saturday) Created to Be Me Camp (rising 8th graders) Conference Center at Bethany Beach October 14 (Saturday) Salt & Light conference will be held at National City Christian Church, Washington, DC. REMINDERS FROM THE GENERAL CHURCH (The Christian Church Disciples of Christ in the United States and Canada) Special Dates 4

5 - 8 May: Friendship Day Ecumenical celebration day sponsored by Church Women United. Theme and materials are available from CWU. Call May: Christian Family Week in the United States. Visit docfamiliesandchildren.org for intergenerational faith resources May: Mother s Day - 21 May: Mental Health Sunday - 29 May: Memorial Day (USA) Juneteenth resource packet available from DHM at discipleshomemissions.org/african-american-congregational-nurture. Visit docfamiliesandchildren.org for VBS resources and summer mission ideas. Black Leadership Projects Grant applications accepted 1 January 31 May from individuals and congregations. View application and guidelines at discipleshomemissions.org/black-leadership-grants-projects-grant. Follow Global Ministries on Facebook for photos, stories, and opportunities from around the world. facebook.com/gobalministries.doc.ucc Subscription order deadline to receive Just Women summer issue is 1 June. Visit online store at discipleswomen.org. May is Mental Health Month Awareness Month in the United States. Observe Mental Health Sunday on the third Sunday in May, or any Sunday throughout the year that works for your congregation. Connect with Mental Health and Congregational Care Affinity Group for resources and materials: nbacares.org/mental-health May is Older Americans Month in the United States. Visit the Disciples Care Exchange online directory to find Disciples ministries working with older adults across the country: nbacares.org/directory. The new, updated edition of Handbook for Today s Disciples by D. Duane Cummins is good for new members or longtime congregants interested in details about the denomination. See ChalicePress.com. IN THE LIFE OF THE CONGREGATION Upcoming Events and Programs 5

6 May 2 ( Activities, Music & May 2 10:00 a.m. Oxon Hill Library May 3 May 7 Fourth Sunday of Easter 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 1:15 p.m. Monthly Birthday Party May 9 ( Activities, Music & May 9 NO Session Today May 10 May 13 Leadership Team Meeting ( Conference Call ) 2:00 p.m. May 14 Fifth Sunday of Easter Mother s Day 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship May 16 6

7 ( Activities, Music & May 16 NO Session Today May 17 May 21 Sixth Sunday of Easter 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship May 23 ( Activities, Music & May 23 10:00 a.m. At HVCC May 24 May 28 Seventh Sunday of Easter Pentecost Special Offering for New Churches 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship May 29 Memorial Day Church Office Closed! May 30 ( Activities, Music & 7

8 May 30 10:00 a.m. Outing at Cosca Park May 31 June 4 Pentecost Sunday! Pentecost Special Offering for New Churches Wear Red, Yellow, or Orange 8