HENSON VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ) 1900 Tucker Road Fort Washington, MD 20744 www.hensonvalleychristianchurch.org DECEMBER 2017 UPDATE DEVOTIONAL Anointing Work is our Spirit-anointed participation in God s work. When Jesus stood up in the Nazareth synagogue to announce that he was going to work and how he was going to go about it, he said, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me (Luke 4:18). In our biblical texts, anointing means being given a job by God. It means employment. We are, in effect, told that there is a job to be done and that we are assigned to do it, and that we can do it. Anointing is the sacramental connection linking God s work with our work. God is a worker, a maker. God does things. [God] is, of course, but [God] also acts. And it is in [God s] acts that we know who [God] is. [Jesus said,] I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I ve been doing. John 14:12b Living the Message: Daily Reflections with Eugene Peterson HarperCollins 1996 FOR YOUR INFORMATION, PRAYERFUL REFLECTION, FAITHFUL ACTION Maryland International Day School (MIDS) School will be dismissed early on 15 December (12 noon) after the celebration of Fiesta. The Fiesta is a celebration that marks the end of one year and the beginning of another. The students and guests participate in highlighting various celebrations around the world. School will be closed for the Winter Break 18 29 December. Parent Teacher conferences will be scheduled during this time. Classes will resume on 2 January 2018. 1
Update on the Pastoral Transition Process The Search Committee continues to review and discuss the profiles of persons who have expressed interest in serving as the next pastor of Henson Valley Christian Church. Please keep the members and their process in your prayers as they faithfully respond to the work that God has already done. Alexis Holland serves as the Chair of the Search Committee. Other members are Bessie Bradford, Terri Lee, and Marilyn Miles. Congregation Meeting on 12 November The following persons expressed a call to serve in the following capacities: - Worship: Toni Johnson, Ellen Azu, Mel Larson, Taylor Brown - Mission: Lorna Larson - Leadership Development: Ellen Azu - Congregational Care: Mel Larson - Building and Property: Lorna Larson, Marilyn Miles Leaders are needed in the following positions: - Administration - Finance Ministry to the Differently-abled and Their Families The next monthly birthday party is scheduled for Sunday, 3 December. Please feel welcome to invite any families who care for a person who is differently-abled. James Ryder Randall Elementary School identified families in need of financial support for the holiday seasons and asked community partners to assist with providing gift cards for groceries and toys to help make Thanksgiving and Christmas special for these families. Gift cards for groceries that totaled $600 were delivered to James Ryder Randall Elementary School in support of the Thanksgiving holiday request. A huge THANK YOU to Henson Valley and MIDS for this generous expression of care and compassion. Gift cards for both groceries and toys will also be provided for the Christmas holiday season to the identified families at James Ryder Randall Elementary School. Henson Valley is asked again to be generous in donating to this cause. MIDS has again agreed to partner in this missional effort. 2
Ms. Terri Lee of Henson Valley is now an official volunteer with the Pre- K/Kindergarten class at the Maryland International Day School. She is assisting Mrs. Peabody, the classroom teacher, in supporting the educational program of these young people. The partnership with Prince George s County Public Schools continues with Henson Valley hosting two Infants and Toddlers groups each Tuesday. Plans remain in place to continue the partnership with Surrattsville High School in the new year, though its form may be different from that of last year. The Arc of Prince George s County continues to meet weekly at Henson Valley CC for social opportunities and interactive activities. Annual Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Essay/Art Contest and Gen ers Panel to Focus on The Future Each year, the Capital Area Region honors the civil rights leader during the MLK, Jr. holiday weekend. In 2018, our MLK Jr. Day Tribute will be held on Sunday January 14, from 2:00 p.m.to 4:00 p.m. at United Christian Parish in Reston, Virginia. (11508 North Shore Dr., Reston, VA 20190). Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, the newly called and elected General Minister & President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada will be our guest preacher. New this year is an essay/art contest for youth and young adults and a panel of "Gen'ers" will reflect on the theme: Inspired by a Dream: Where Do We Go from Here? Youth & young adults 30 & under are invited to participate in our first Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day scholarship contest! Contest winners will receive $100.00 and will have their work displayed at the Tribute. Get all the details on the contest from the Regional Events table in the church narthex or go to the Capital Area Website to download the information. To download information about the Youth/Young Adult Essay & Art Contest, click HERE or cut and paste the address to your browser: http://www.cccadisciples.org/s/2018-mlk-day-contest- Appealpdf Please invite your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and other students to attend this exciting event. To download a poster for your church, school, or community center, click HERE or paste the address to your browser: http://www.cccadisciplesorg/s/ccca-poster-for-2018-mlk-event.pdf Please use the hashtags #MLKCCCA17 and #MLKInspiredByADream to promote this event on your social media platforms and follow @CCCADisciples on Twitter and https://www.facebook.com/cccadisciple/ on Facebook for up-to-date information. 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 a date to be determined after the next congregation meeting. OUT-AND-ABOUT IN THE REGION (The Christian Church Capital Area) December 7 (Thursday) Commission for Ministry Meeting, 10:00 a.m., North Chevy Chase Christian Church December 9 (Saturday) Commission for Congregational Life Meeting December 10 & 17 (Sundays) Congregations Receive Disciples Christmas Special Day Offering for The Christian Church Capital Area December 16-17 Youth Lock In (TBA) December 24 (Sunday) Christmas Eve December 25 (Monday) Christmas Day Looking Ahead: January 4 (Thursday), 10:00 a.m., Commission for Ministry Meeting, North Chevy Chase Christian Church Sunday, January 14 Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration, the Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, preaching! Hosted by United Christian Parish, Reston, VA. February 1 (Thursday), 10:00 a.m., Commission for Ministry Meeting, North Chevy Chase Christian Church February 3 (Saturday), 10:00 a.m., Commission for Congregational Life meeting, CCCA Regional Offices February 9-10 (Friday & Saturday) Clergy Spiritual Renewal Retreat (TBD) July 12, 2018 - July 14, 2018: Hispanic Bilingual Assembly, Phoenix, Arizona https://www.obrahispana.org/ July 19-22, 2018: National Convocation 25th Biennial Session Birmingham, AL https://nationalconvocation.org/biennial-session/ August 8, 2018 - August 11, 2018: North American Pacific/Asian Disciples Convocation, Portland, Oregon http://www.napad.net/ 4
October 12-13 - Christian Church Capital Area Regional Assembly, Largo Community Church, Mitchellville, MD REMINDERS FROM THE GENERAL CHURCH (The Christian Church Disciples of Christ in the United States and Canada) Christmas special offering supports your regional ministry. Find out more at disciplesmissionfund.org and support the Christmas offering this month. Kwanzaa resource packet available from Disciples Home Missions at discipleshomemissions.org/african-american-congregational-nurture. This holiday celebrates African and African American culture. Don t miss out on the exciting work of Global Partners; receive weekly prayers and resources from Global Ministries. globalministries.org/news_from_global_partners. The NBA XPLOR Cornerstone Deadline is next month. Invite interested young people, ages 21 30, to learn more and apply at nbacares.org/xplor. To what new ministry is God calling you for 2018 and beyond? Coming Home by Zachary Moon will guide you into welcoming military members home and supporting their families while the loved one is deployed. Blessed are the Crazy can jumpstart conversations about mental illness. Those and many other smallgroup resources are available at ChalicePress.com and CBPBooks.com. Would a day camp ministry help the families in your community? See churchcampresources.com for information about a day camp curriculum. Thinking about a new children s program at your church? Check out Children s Worship and Wonder at docfamiliesandchildren.org for more information about the program and to register for upcoming storyteller trainings. Ash Wednesday is February 14. Order Fellowship of Prayer for your congregation now so that everyone has a copy for Lent. See Chalice Press.com. 5
Upcoming Events and Programs IN THE LIFE OF THE CONGREGATION December 3 First Sunday of Advent Peace Sunday ( Rev. Dr. Martha A. Brown, 11:00 a.m. Worship 1:15 p.m. Monthly Birthday Party December 5 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. December 5 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program 10:00 a.m. at OHL December 6 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice December 10 Second Sunday of Advent ( Rev. Dr. Martha A. Brown, Christmas Special Offering 11:00 a.m. Worship December 12 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 6 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.
December 12 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program 10:00 a.m. 2:30 p.m. at HVCC December 13 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice December 17 Third Sunday of Advent ( The Rev. Martha A. Brown, Christmas Special Offering 11:00 a.m. Worship / Recognition of Graduates December 19 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. December 19 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program 10:00 a.m. 2:30 p.m. at HVCC December 20 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice December 24 Fourth Sunday of Advent ( Rev. Dr. Martha A. Brown, 11:00 a.m. Worship 12:30 p.m. Wassail Fellowship December 25 Church Office Closed! December 26 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. 7
December 26 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program 10:00 a.m. 2:30 p.m. at HVCC December 27 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice December 31 First Sunday after Christmas ( Rev. Dr. Martha A. Brown, 11:00 a.m. Worship January 1 Happy & Heathly New Year! Church Office Closed! 8