pam January 15th, 2010
Brethren Disaster Services has asked that we respond to victims of this week’s earthquake immediately with hygiene kits, even as longer term coordination of responses is being addressed. (More information will be forthcoming.)
We’d like to collect items over the next two weeks to create these kits, which will be assembled by our children during the children’s church time the next two Sundays. To contribute to the project, bring 3-5 of the following items on Jan. 17 or 24:
If your last name begins with:
A-F – hand towels (approximately 16″ x 28″ (no fingertip or bath towels) and washcloths
G-K – wide-tooth combs; bundles of bandaids (6 in a bundle); a box of gallon ziplock plastic bags
L-Q — nail clippers and bars of soap (bath size, in wrapper)
R-Z – toothbrushes (in original packaging)
Thank You!

pam January 15th, 2010
Get ready for a candlelight dinner and the tunes of the Stoney Run Band!
Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, and dessert will be served in our fellowship-hall-turned-Italian-restaurant between 5 and 8 p.m.
No reservations are necessary. Donations will benefit youth attending National Youth Conference and other projects of the congregation.
We’re looking for volunteers to help shop, decorate, cook, serve, and cleanup– come join us to work and/or eat, and bring your friends!

pam January 15th, 2010
Come out of the cold…
Learn to know some new people…
Share a meal around the table…
On the evening of the 24th, small groups of folks from both our congregation and Hyattsville Mennonite will be meeting for supper in homes around the D.C. region.
To sign up to host or be a guest, go to www.hyattsvillemennonite.org, and register your preferences by January 15. You’ll be assigned a group to host or to join for dinner, and can look forward to getting acquainted better with folks who value table fellowship!
pam December 23rd, 2009
Join us for the Christmas eve service, December 24th at 7:30pm. The drama, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, will be presented by the children and youth. This heart warming story will be a wonderful way to welcome Christ this Christmas season.
We will also still continue receiving dry and canned goods for the Help By Phone food pantry. Canned goods, boxed goods, beans, rice, cereals, and other items that will remain usable for some time are welcome. Simply place your goods under the Christmas tree in the back of the sanctuary.

pam December 19th, 2009
Sunday school and worship services on December 20, 2009 are cancelled due to the snow. Please enjoy God’s revealing beauty in the snow and stay home and off the roads.
Please watch this website to find out more information regarding the scheduled Christmas Eve service for Thursday, Dec. 24th at 7:30pm
kim November 4th, 2009
From the worship service on November 1, whose theme was “Overflowing with thankfulness…”

There is a Buddhist tradition of wearing a thin red cord that has had knots tied in it as signs of protection and blessing. The knots are tied by a religious leader, and the cord is a reminder of the blessings offered the wearer. Reminders are often what we need. Sometimes it is work to be thankful. It takes effort to achieve gratitude. Yet when time and attention are taken, there is much for which to be grateful every day.
Anne Lamott (in Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith) talks about a red cord she wears around her wrist, which was given her by a Buddhist friend and was blessed by the Dalai Lama. Though she’s a Presbyterian, she wears this reminder as a sign to herself. She remembers other red cords that speak of connection and of the protection of God: the umbilical cord that, in our earliest days, connects us to life; and the scarlet rope hung from the window of Rahab (in the story of Joshua and the taking of Jericho,) which stood as a signal that this woman and her family were to be protected.
Take a piece of red string (which will be distributed) today. Call to mind some of the things you’re thankful for — people or experiences or an awareness — and as you think of each, tie a knot in the red cord. Then, each day this week, add a knot or two as you recall things for which you’re grateful during the day. You may want to wear the cord around your wrist, to put it in a pocket or wallet, or simply to keep it nearby. Let it be for you a reminder of the blessings you know and of the connection to God that is yours. Let it be an emblem of the ways your life overflows with thankfulness.
pam September 18th, 2009
World Communion Sunday & Love Feast - Sunday, October 4, during the 10:50 am Worship
During worship, we’ll be re-affirming our connections to all God’s people, engaging in a symbolic act of service, receiving the bread and cup, and sharing a common meal. We hope to include those who might not be able to come in the evening, and plan to end by about 12:30 p.m. More details will come soon.
pam September 18th, 2009
The Sabbath Economics study group will begin meeting again NEXT SUNDAY, September 27 immediately following the service in the library with a brown bag lunch, so please come join us and bring a lunch - especially if you weren’t able to attend the first series because of the early hour. During the first series of meetings we had a Bible study on the theology of economics, or, simply put, God’s economics. Now we will explore how we can begin to live out that theology by interpreting these teachings for our own times and lives. See you then!
pam September 18th, 2009
Join Us September 27, 2009 10:50 a.m.
“Calling the elders,” James 5: 13-20
Anointing for wholeness will be part of the morning service
pam September 18th, 2009
Next Sunday, September 27 9:30 a.m.
Over the next four weeks, we’ll be hearing from a number of constituencies about needs and perspectives on the current health care situation. The first session, next week, will focus on sharing of our personal experiences with the health care system, and how they shape our attitudes toward what reforms are needed. Steve Seitz facilitates