HENSON VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH



HENSON VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

( Disciples of Christ )

1900 Tucker Road

Fort Washington, MD 20744



DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE

DEVOTIONAL – Our Words

For, somewhere along the lines things went wrong (Genesis tells that story, too) and are in desperate need of fixing. The fixing is all accomplished by speaking – God speaking salvation into being in the person of Jesus. Jesus, in this account, not only speaks the word of God; he is the Word of God.

Keeping company with these words, we begin to realize that our words are more important than we ever supposed. Saying “I believe,” for instance, marks the difference between life and death. Our words accrue dignity and gravity in conversation with Jesus. For Jesus doesn’t impose salvation as a solution; he narrates salvation into being through leisurely conversation, intimate personal relationships, compassionate responses, passionate prayer, and – putting it all together – a sacrificial death. We don’t casually walk away from words like that.

This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by what he says – powerful words!

Hebrews 1:3

“Living the Message:

Daily Reflections with Eugene Peterson”

HarpersCollins 1996

FOR YOUR INFORMATION, PRAYERFUL REFLECTION, FATIHFUL ACTION

• For the acts of terrorism that have highlighted and continue to highlight the best and the worst of humankind, these words are offered in solidarity with those whose lives have been forever changed by the actions of those who operate at the extremes of their ideologies.

God of us all, it is hard to fathom the depth of the brokenness in creation

That causes the kind of destruction of human life that recently occurred in Paris

And, in all the days past, in city after city after city across Planet Earth.

What can we do but turn to you and plead for your mercy and

Pray that wrongs will be made right and

Trust that divine wisdom makes sense of this which makes no sense?

And so we plead.  And we pray.  And we trust.

And we cry. As do you. Again.

• Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation Update

➢ A message recently received regarding Henson Valley’s ministry to the differently-abled and their families:

“Good afternoon. First, I would like to say thank you for all of the updates and the invites I've received.  As a parent of a son who has autism, it is so encouraging to see the community come together to support the individuals and the families. Bringing awareness is key to receiving the needed supports. Our organization, Aaron's Hope incorporate (sic) supports families of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. I appreciate you…”

➢ Expressions of thanksgiving are extended to Heather Couchenour and Keisha Matthews-Berry of Connections Therapy Center for the presentation shared with persons who are differently-abled and their families on Thursday, 17 November. Among a description of the various therapies the Center offers, those who attended received information on how to navigate the insurance system so that needed services can be obtained and covered by those policies. The responses of those who attended were very positive.

➢ Henson Valley Christian Church continues to host classes led by Melissa Ezelle, Director of Community Partnerships for the Arc of Prince George’s County. On Saturday, 5 December, Henson Valley will also host a program co-sponsored by the Arc, the Infants and Toddlers program of Prince George’s County Public Schools, and the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. Approximately 40 families are expected to be in attendance for an experience in therapeutic interventions through the arts.

➢ Plans are in the making for Henson Valley to present a Christmas program at one of the Group Homes in Fort Washington that is sponsored and supported by The Arc. The tentative date is Monday, 21 December. Holiday songs coupled with fellowship and good cheer describe the 7:30 p.m. program. The partnership with the Arc of Prince George’s County is one of reciprocity and it is filled with blessings for both these fine advocates for the differently-abled and Henson Valley Christian Church.

➢ Expressions of thanks are extended to the Coordinator of the Special Education Program at James Ryder Randall Elementary School for passing along information to the parents about programs Henson Valley hosts for the differently-abled and their families. A recent gift to the school from Henson Valley is a yellow ink cartridge that had been requested in support of the educational program. The school had run out of ink in one of the printers that allows the printing of Picture Communication Symbols for the students. Being able to print Picture Communication Symbols is crucial to develop language and literacy.

➢ An invitation will be extended in early December to families who care for young people who are differently-abled, asking if they are interested in helping to form activity clubs, in partnership with the University of Maryland Extension Program. If there is interest, a meeting will be scheduled at Henson Valley where the families can engage in direct conversation with the Faculty Assistant for the Extension’s 4-H programs. Together, it will be determined how to move forward with the creation of the club(s).

➢ An afternoon of activities for the differently-abled is planned for Saturday, 12 December 2015 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the church. Alexis Holland is coordinating this event and Kalonji Griffin is serving as the program consultant. Registration information has been shared with families who care for young people who are differently-abled and Henson Valley is looking forward to hosting this first-time event.

➢ The annual congregation Christmas Dinner will follow worship on Sunday, 20 December. The invitation to those who are differently-abled and their families is extended with the hopes that they will be able to join us for both the worship experience and the dinner.

• The holiday season is approaching and it can be a time when depression can take hold of persons who are in a state of fragile mental health. Untreated, depression can lead to suicidal ideation and, possibly, suicide attempts. Suicide claims the lives of 40,000 people in the United States each year. If a disease was to claim the lives of 40,000 people, there would be a national outcry and a mobilization to eradicate the disease. Clinical depression and suicide ideation should be addressed with the same sense of urgency. Suicide is often associated with clinical depression, accompanied by a sense of hopelessness. Depression can be treated and faith communities are being called upon to provide support to persons who may be exhibiting behaviors associated with this illness. Pastoral support and, if warranted, referral to professional counselors are both resources that can serve as meaningful interventions. Most religious traditions are founded on basic tenets that value lives lived well. Characteristics at the very core of what most faith communities are and do include: promoting hope; building healthy social connections; providing answers to life’s challenging questions; recognizing and celebrating the myriad reasons for living and the God-given value of each member in the community, no matter how young or old, weak or strong, healthy or infirmed; and supporting those who face mental health challenges and/or problems with misuse of alcohol and other drugs, as they seek effective treatment. Supporting their families and loved ones, as well, is a basic characteristic of faith communities.

- Most people feel sad or low at some point in their lives. But clinical depression is marked by a depressed mood most of the day, particularly in the morning, and a loss of interest in normal activities and relationships – symptoms that are present every day for at least 2 weeks. In addition, you may have other symptoms with major depression. Those symptoms might include:

➢ Fatigue or loss of energy almost every day

➢ Feelings of worthlessness or guilt almost every day

➢ Impaired concentration, indecisiveness

➢ Insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) almost every day

➢ Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities nearly every day

➢ Restlessness or feeling slowed down

➢ Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

➢ Significant weight loss or gain (a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month)

- Warning signs that someone may be thinking about or planning to die by suicide include:

➢ Always talking or thinking about death

➢ Clinical depression – deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and eating – that gets worse

➢ Having a "death wish," tempting fate by taking risks that could lead to death, such as driving fast or running red lights

➢ Losing interest in things one used to care about

➢ Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless

➢ Putting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, changing a will

➢ Saying things like "it would be better if I wasn't here" or "I want out"

➢ Sudden, unexpected switch from being very sad to being very calm or appearing to be happy

➢ Talking about suicide or killing one's self

➢ Visiting or calling people to say goodbye

- Here are some things you can do if you are in the presence of someone who is contemplating ending their life:

➢ Stay calm

➢ Take threatening comments seriously

➢ Know how to ask directly: “Are you thinking of killing yourself?”

➢ Know (in advance) the community referral resources available for mental health crisis intervention and firmly connect the member with appropriate resources

➢ Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-8255 (TALK), a free, confidential service available 24/7 that connects callers to local, certified crisis lines

➢ Accompany the individual to the hospital or other clinical professional

➢ Provide support and care to family and friends affected by the crisis

• The next Leadership Team meeting will be held on Saturday, 19 December at 2:00 p.m. 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) –

ITEM #1

• 14 – 15 October 2016 – MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 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.

REMINDERS FROM THE GENERAL CHURCH (The Christian Church Disciples of Christ in the United States and Canada)

• 13, 20 December: The special Christmas Offering will be received for the Disciples Mission Fund

• 26 December – 1 January: KWANZAA is celebrated. It is a unique holiday that celebrates African and African American culture.

• Congregations are invited to share their unique ministry with the rest of the Church by submitting a story to Disciples News Service. Guidelines are available under Disciples News Service on

• Can a family actually observe a day of Sabbath, of no work of any kind, on day a week for a year? MaryAnn McKibben Dana and her family did and wrote about the experience. See Sabbath in the Suburbs at

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IN THE LIFE OF THE CONGREGATION

– Upcoming Events and Programs

| | | |

|December 1 |PGCPS |10:00 a.m. |

| |Infants & Toddlers Program |at Oxon Hill Library |

| | | |

| | | |

|December 2 |The Arc of Prince George’s County in Classroom |11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. |

| | | |

|December 2 |Wednesday Night Bible Study |7:00 p.m. Bible Study |

| |& Choir Practice |8:00 pm. Choir Practice |

| | | |

| |Prince George’s County Infants and Toddlers Interactive | |

|December 5 |Workshop |10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. |

| |in Fellowship Hall | |

| | | |

| |Second Sunday | |

| |of Advent |9:45 a.m. Sunday School |

|December 6 |( Rev. Dr. Martha A. Brown, Preaching ) |11:00 a.m. Worship |

| | |12:30 p.m. Chime Choir Practice |

| | | |

|December 8 |PGCPS |10:00 a.m. |

| |Infants & Toddlers Program |at HVCC |

| | | |

|December 9 |Wednesday Night Bible Study |7:00 p.m. Bible Study |

| |& Choir Practice |8:00 pm. Choir Practice |

| | | |

|December 12 |Activity Day | |

| |for the differently-abled | |

| |here at HVCC |11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |

| |( Alexis Holland | |

| |& Kalonji Griffin ) | |

| | | |

| |Third Sunday | |

| |of Advent |9:45 a.m. Sunday School |

|December 13 |( Rev. Dr. Martha A. Brown, Preaching ) |11:00 a.m. Worship |

| |Christmas Special Offering |12:30 p.m. Chime Choir Practice |

| |for DMF | |

| | | |

|December 15 |PGCPS |10:00 a.m. |

| |Infants & Toddlers Program |at HVCC |

| | | |

|December 16 |The Arc of Prince George’s County in Classroom |11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. |

| | | |

|December 16 |Wednesday Night Bible Study |7:00 p.m. Bible Study |

| |& Choir Practice |8:00 pm. Choir Practice |

| | | |

|December 19 |Leadership Team Meeting |2:00 p.m. |

| | | |

| |Fourth Sunday of Advent |9:45 a.m. Sunday School |

|December 20 |Christmas Sunday |11:00 a.m. Worship |

| |( Rev. Dr. Martha A. Brown, Preaching ) |12:30 a.m. Chime Choir Practice |

| |Christmas Special Offering |1:00 p.m. Congregational |

| |for DMF |Christmas Dinner & |

| | |Presentation of Staff Gifts |

| | | |

|December 21 |Caroling at Group Home |7:30 p.m. |

| | | |

|December 22 |PGCPS |NO Session Today! |

| |Infants & Toddlers Program |“ Happy Holidays ” |

| | | |

|December 23 |The Arc of Prince George’s County in Classroom |11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. |

| | | |

|December 23 |Wednesday Night Bible Study |7:00 p.m. Bible Study |

| |& Choir Practice |8:00 pm. Choir Practice |

| | | |

| | |10:30 p.m. Wassail |

|December 24 |Christmas Eve! |11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve |

| | |Candlelight Service |

| | | |

| |[pic]Christmas Day! | |

| |“ Merry Christmas ” | |

| | | |

| | | |

|December 25 | |Church Office Closed! |

| | | |

| |First Sunday after Christmas |9:45 a.m. Sunday School |

|December 27 |( Rev. Dr. Martha A. Brown, Preaching ) |11:00 a.m. Worship |

| | |12:30 a.m. Chime Choir Practice |

| | | |

|December 29 |PGCPS |NO Session Today! |

| |Infants & Toddlers Program |“ Happy Holidays ” |

| | | |

|December 30 |The Arc of Prince George’s County in Classroom |11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. |

| | | |

|December 30 |Wednesday Night Bible Study |7:00 p.m. Bible Study |

| |& Choir Practice |8:00 pm. Choir Practice |

| | | |

|December 31 |New Year’s Eve ! |Church Office Closed ! |

| | | |

| |Have a Healthy and | |

| |Happy New Year! | |

|January 1, 2016 | |Church Office Closed ! |

| | | |

| | | |

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