SEPTEMBER 2016 UPDATE

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HENSON VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ) 1900 Tucker Road Fort Washington, MD 20744 www.hensonvalleychristianchurch.

1 HENSON VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ) 1900 Tucker Road Fort Washington, MD SEPTEMBER 2016 UPDATE DEVOTIONAL No Outsiders Most of us, most of the time, feel left out misfits. We don t belong. Others seem to be so confident, so sure of themselves, insiders who know the ropes, old hands in a club from which we are excluded. One of the ways we have of responding to this is to form our own club, or join one that will have us. Here is at least one place where we are in and the others are out. The clubs range from informal to formal in gatherings that are variously political, social, cultural, and economic. But the one thing they have in common is the principle of exclusion. Identity or worth is achieved by excluding all but the chosen. The terrible price we pay for keeping all those other people out so that we can savor the sweetness of being insiders is a reduction of reality, a shrinkage of life. Nowhere is this price more terrible than when it is paid in the cause of religion. But religion has a long history of doing just that, of reducing the huge mysteries of God to the respectability of club rules, of shrinking the vast human community to a membership. But with God there are no outsiders. God is the God of outsider non-jews as well as insider Jews. How could it be otherwise since there is only one God? God sets right all who welcome his action and enter into it, both those who follow our religious system and those who have never heard of our religion. Romans 3: 29b 30 Living the Message: Daily Reflections with Eugene Peterson HarpersCollins

2 FOR YOUR INFORMATION, PRAYERFUL REFLECTION, FAITHFUL ACTION Ministry to the Differently-abled and Their Families Thanks are extended to all who helped to make the August Birthday Party a fun event for both the congregation and our guests. Joseph Swann led participants in chair yoga exercises, demonstrated individual strengthening exercises with the help of volunteers from among those present, and closed his portion of the party with a meditation based on gratitude. Our guests, a family of four, expressed their appreciation for being invited and said they not only felt welcomed by Henson Valley, they were also inspired to return to their home church and explore possibilities for ministry to the differentlyabled. This family has three daughters, two of whom are differently-abled. Young adults who are differently-abled meet each Tuesday at Henson Valley from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. They work on individual and group projects and take care to clean their workspace at the conclusion of each session. They also provide assistance to Henson Valley by emptying trash and taking it to the dumpster, setting-up the Fellowship Hall for worship at the end of their sessions, and assisting with cleaning projects as needed. This gathering is jointly sponsored by The Arc of Prince George s County, the University of Maryland Extension Program, and Henson Valley Christian Church. In its infancy, the program is still being developed and based on the feedback from the participants and staff, adjustments will be made so that the outcomes of the sessions meet the expressed needs of the young people being served. A carload of school supplies was delivered to James Ryder Randall Elementary School in mid-august: pens, markers, composition books, glue sticks and glue, book bags, folders, hand sanitizer, paper towels, diapers, baby wipes, cleaning wipes, storage bags, facial tissue, and Box Tops for Education. Mr. Richard Baird, Coordinator of the Special Education Program at the school expressed gratitude and appreciation to Henson Valley for providing the supplies and for being such faithful partners with the school. He says that this year there is less a need for diapers and a greater need for cleaning wipes. As additional supplies are contributed, please take note of this expressed need. Mr. Baird will let Pastor Martha know of future needs as the school year progresses. Thanks to all who contributed to the school supply drive and thanks to all who will yet contribute. School supply lists are available on the James Ryder Randall Elementary School table in the narthex of the building. 2

3 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 your friends and neighbors to save the coupons as well the more coupons we collect, the more support we can offer. Consider inviting friends and neighbors to join us in this effort, both with the school supplies and the BoxTops for Education. 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. A congregation meeting is scheduled for Sunday, 11 September immediately following worship. There are two agenda items: Next Steps in the Preparation for the Retirement of Pastor Martha and A Journey through the Book of Galatians. Both items will be in the form of proposals to which congregational response is requested. The desire is that thoughtful reflection and feedback be given to the two proposals once they are presented. The Leadership Team will receive initial feedback given at this meeting and then incorporate it into the planning of the Next Steps and the Journey An update will be given to the congregation prior to the next congregation meeting which is scheduled for Sunday, 23 October. The next Leadership Team meeting will be held on Saturday, 17 September at 2:00 p.m. The October Leadership Team meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, 22 October Members of the Henson Valley Christian Church Leadership Team are: Carolyn Holland, Bessie Bradford, Marilyn Miles, Rev. Mel Larson, Ellen Azu, and Pastor Martha. OUT-AND-ABOUT IN THE REGION (The Christian Church Capital Area) Commission for Congregational Life Seeks Your Ideas: Two requests have come from the Commission for Congregational Life: 1. We are creating a Joint Task Force to explore the future of the Bradley Christian Mission Center and need nominations for folks to be on this Joint Task Force (working with the Bradley Christian Mission Center Management Committee). Nominees should be passionate about mission and serving God's people. It would be beneficial, but not necessary, if they have some experience/acquaintance with food-oriented ministries. Please send your nominations to the Rev. Lisa Kay Comingore Smith, Director of the Commission for Congregational Life: hytcc@comcast.net 2. We are also seeking "People of Passion" for the following aspects of Congregational Life in order to more effectively support, equip, and empower these 3

4 ministries throughout the congregations and institutions of our Capital Area Region. Who do you know that has a passion for: Campus Ministries Young Adult Ministries Children & Youth Ministries Congregational Transformation New Congregation Establishment Congregation Seeking Affiliation Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism Ministries Outreach Ministries Missionaries/Overseas Ministries Justice/Advocacy Ministries Please send your nominations to the Rev. Lisa Kay Comingore Smith, Director of the Commission for Congregational Life: hytcc@comcast.net September 6-9, Senior Adult Fall Weekend, Rev. Fred Harris, presenter, Bob Perry, Registrar, Christian Church Conference Center at Bethany Beach, DE September 23-25, 2016 NIRF (Northeast Inter-Regional Fellowship) Women's Ministry Event, Bethany Beach, DE October 6 (Thursday) 10:30 am Commission for Ministry Meeting, North Chevy Chase Christian Church October 9 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. Commission for Congregational Life Committee Meeting, CCCA Offices October (Friday Saturday), The 2016 Regional Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Capital Area will be held at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Register at either: or Registration materials are also on the table in the Fellowship Hall where the Orders of Worship are placed. October Health Conference on Organ Donations/Transplants Dear Faith Leader, LifeNet Health invites you to our Institute of Regenerative Medicine, an important conference for leaders in the faith community to be held October 19th- 20th, The theme of the conference is "Life, Death and Donation: Theological and ethical considerations." Registration begins in June! We encourage you to save the dates and consider attending. You'll find more information below and at: 4

5 General Purpose: To increase faith leaders' understanding of the organ, tissue and eye donation process and the life-giving benefits of transplantation. The goal is to create a dialogue between the faith communities and the transplant organizations to better equip participants in becoming informed resources for their faith community. Program highlights: Keynote addresses from prominent leaders Panel topic discussions on: The theology of faith traditions Ethics and spiritual care Donation registration and eligibility, and Donor family and transplant recipient perspectives Sincerely, Robin L. Cowherd Donor Family Services LifeNet_Health Transplant Services Division 1864 Concert Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia October 21-23, Closing Work Weekend, Christian Church Conference Center at Bethany Beach, MD October (Friday to Sunday), Young Adult Fall Retreat, Christian Church Conference Center at Bethany Beach, DE November 3 (Thursday) 10:30 am Commission for Ministry Meeting, North Chevy Chase Christian Church November 5 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. Regional Board Meeting, Christian Temple Christian Church, Baltimore, MD. November (Thursday evening to Saturday afternoon) CCCA Pro- Reconciliation/Anti-Racism Training, (place TBD) June 30 - July 4, 2017 Central Atlantic Conference, United Church of Christ, General Synod, Baltimore, Maryland. For more info: July 8-12, 2017 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Indianapolis, Indiana. For more info: 5

6 REMINDERS FROM THE GENERAL CHURCH (The Christian Church Disciples of Christ in the United States and Canada) 25 September 2 October: Reconciliation Emphasis. Reconciliation Mission provides resources for the discussion of systemic racism and race relations in your congregation. Reconciliation Special Day Offering supports this vital ministry. Contact supplies@disciples.org or go to Disciples Women s Endowment Fund grant application deadline is October 15. The next opportunity is March 15 contact Remit DMF and Special Day offering contributions for August by September 1. Plan now to celebrate the saints of your congregation on All Saints Sunday November 6. Contact Christian Church Foundation for resources. ( 6

IN THE LIFE OF THE CONGREGATION Upcoming Events and Programs September 4 Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost ( Rev. Dr. Martha A.

September 6 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. September 6 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program 10:00 a.

Dr. Martha A. Brown, Preaching ) 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 12:30 a.m. Chime Choir Practice 1:00 p.m. Congregational Meeting 7

7 IN THE LIFE OF THE CONGREGATION Upcoming Events and Programs September 4 Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost ( Rev. Dr. Martha A. Brown, Preaching ) 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 12:30 p.m. Chime Choir Practice 1:15 p.m. Monthly Birthday Party September 5 Church Office Closed! September 6 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. September 6 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program 10:00 a.m. at OH Library September 7 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice September 11 Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost ( Rev. Dr. Martha A. Brown, Preaching ) 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 12:30 a.m. Chime Choir Practice 1:00 p.m. Congregational Meeting 7

8 September 13 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. September 13 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program 10:00 a.m. at HVCC September 14 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice September 17 Leadership Team Meeting 2:00 p.m. September 18 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost ( Rev. Dr. Martha A. Brown, Preaching ) Joshua Griffin, Baptism 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 12:30 a.m. Chime Choir Practice September 20 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. September 20 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program 10:00 a.m. at HVCC September 21 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice September 25 Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost ( Ms. Ellen Azu, Preaching ) Reconciliation Special Offering 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 12:30 a.m. Chime Choir Practice The Arc of 8

9 September 27 Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. September 27 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program 10:00 a.m. at HVCC September 28 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 pm. Choir Practice 9

FOR YOUR INFORMATION, PRAYERFUL REFLECTION, FAITHFUL ACTION

FOR YOUR INFORMATION, PRAYERFUL REFLECTION, FAITHFUL ACTION HENSON VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH ( Disciples of Christ ) 1900 Tucker Road Fort Washington, MD 20744 www.hensonvalleychristianchurch.org JULY 2017 UPDATE DEVOTIONAL A Mirror People look into mirrors to see