FOR YOUR INFORMATION, PRAYERFUL REFLECTION, FAITHFUL ACTION

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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 JULY 2017 UPDATE DEVOTIONAL A Mirror People look into mirrors to see how they look; they look into the Psalms to find out who they are. A mirror is an excellent way to learn about our appearance; the Psalms are the biblical way to discover ourselves. With a mirror we detect a new wrinkle here, an old wart there. We use a mirror when shaving or applying make-up to improve, if we can, the face we present to the world. With the Psalms we bring into awareness an ancient sorrow, release a latent joy. We use the Psalms to present ourselves before God as honestly and thoroughly as we are able. A mirror shows us the shape of our nose and the curve of our chin, things we otherwise know only through the reports of others. The Psalms show us the shape of our souls and the curve of our sin, realities deep within us, hidden and obscured, for which we need focus and names. Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I m about Psalm 139: 23 Living the Message: Daily Reflections with Eugene Peterson HarperCollins 1996 FOR YOUR INFORMATION, PRAYERFUL REFLECTION, FAITHFUL ACTION Update on the Pastoral Transition Process On Sunday, 25 June, during a luncheon work session following worship, a major portion of the Congregational Profile was completed. The fully completed Profile will be submitted to the Regional Office of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Capital Area as part of the process for calling a new minister. The process for completing the Profile was created and led by members of the Leadership Team. Appreciation is extended to these and all persons who participated in responding to the items on the Profile. 1

2 The Search Committee for the next pastor is being formed. The Committee s responsibility 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 congregation recently donated color ink cartridges to James Ryder Randall Elementary School to support the special education program for Infants and Toddlers who are transitioning to Kindergarten. The learning process for these students is enhanced when their instructional program includes colored ink as opposed to just black and white. 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. The Infants and Toddlers Play Group which meets at Henson Valley Christian Church will continue through July, be on hiatus in August, and reconvene in September. Thanks are extended to all who helped to make the June Birthday Party special for our celebrants and guests. The next party is scheduled for Sunday, 2 July. 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. 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 2

3 - 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 If the congregation is interested in a presentation on solar energy, its impact on the environment compared to other energy sources, and savings on utility bills that can accrue from the use of solar energy, please let Pastor Martha or any member of the Leadership Team know. An educational presentation can be arranged for a Sunday after worship during Coffee Hour. The focus of this presentation would be directed toward individual homeowners and those who hear the presentation and wish to know how the information applies specifically to their homes can speak with the presenter to set up a one-on-one appointment. If there are other environmental topics that would be of interest to the congregation, efforts can be made for engage speakers on these topics as well. 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 22 July OUT-AND-ABOUT IN THE REGION ( The Christian Church Capital Area ) 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 12 (Wednesday) 2:00 pm Fire Prevention and Protection for Churches 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. 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 3

4 July (Sunday - Saturday) Created to Be Me Camp (rising 8th graders) Conference Center at Bethany Beach July (Sunday - Saturday) Older Elementary (Junior) Camp, Camp Mary Mac, Sharpsburg, MD July 30 - August 5 (Sunday - Saturday) High School (CYF) Conference II, Christian Church Conference Center at Bethany Beach, DE 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. August 6-12 (Sunday - Saturday) Family Camp II, Bethany Beach, DE August 19 (Saturday) Corn Roast, Camp Mary Mac, Sharpsburg, MD 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 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 4

5 REMINDERS FROM THE GENERAL CHURCH (The Christian Church Disciples of Christ in the United States and Canada) Special Dates - 4 July: Independence Day July: General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis Reminders - How is your congregation called to serve the least of these? Visit discipleshomemissions.org for resources on refugee and immigration issues, environmental justice, advocacy for children, disaster response, and more. - Could your congregation be more engaged in God s Global Mission? The Global Mission Church process helps congregations to evaluate their current involvement and discern new directions. Globalministries.org/be_a_global_mission_church - Disciples Women are Just Women creating circles. Join at facebook.com/discipleswomen. - The deadline for the 2017 National Benevolent Association (NBA) incubate SENT Seminar for social entrepreneurs is next month. If you are starting a new health and social service ministry, or considering starting one, apply to attend this year s seminar, taking place September 13 16, Learn more and apply at nbacares.org/incubate - Apply for Holy Places Grants for initial place by September 15. disciplescef.org/plan IN THE LIFE OF THE CONGREGATION Upcoming Events and Programs 5

6 July 2 Fourth Sunday ( Rev. Dr. Martha A. Brown, Preaching ) 1:15 p.m. Monthly Birthday Party July 4 Independence Day! Church Office Closed! July 4 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) NO Session Today July 4 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program NO Session Today July 5 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice July 8 July 12 General Assembly of the Christian Church ( Disciples of Christ ) Indianapolis, IN July 9 Fifth Sunday ( Ms. Ellen Azu, Preaching ) July 11 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. July 11 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program 10:00 a.m. at HVCC 6

7 July 12 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice July 16 Sixth Sunday ( Rev. Dr. Marcus Leathers, Preaching ) July 18 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. July 18 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program 10:00 a.m. at HVCC July 19 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice July 22 Leadership Team Meeting ( Conference Call ) 2:00 p.m. July 23 Seventh Sunday ( Rev. Dr. Martha A. Brown, Preaching ) July 25 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. July 25 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program 7 10:00 a.m at HVCC

8 July 26 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice July 30 Seventh Sunday ( Rev. Dr. Martha A. Brown, Preaching ) 8

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

MAY 2017 UPDATE FOR YOUR INFORMATION, PRAYERFUL REFLECTION, FAITHFUL ACTION HENSON VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH ( Disciples of Christ ) 1900 Tucker Road Fort Washington, MD 20744 www.hensonvalleychristianchurch.org MAY 2017 UPDATE DEVOTIONAL Lives Lived Well Our lives are only lived