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"Happiness grows less from the passive experience of desirable circumstances
than from involvement in valued activities and progress toward one's goals."
-David Myers and Ed Diener, research psychologists
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"The joy of the Lord is our strength."
-Nehemiah, Hebrew prophet, 5th century BCE
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What makes people happy? Why do some people generally seem to be happy while others do not? These kinds of questions have been around as long as people have thought about the human condition. Down through the centuries artist, poets, philosophers, theologians have all offered different kinds of definitions and prescriptions when it comes to being happy. And yet, happiness is one of those elusive terms which is hard to define and understand because it touches upon such a wide range of feelings and experiences. If I were pressed to offer a working definition, I would say that happiness is something like "a durable sense of well-being." This would entail a combination of both pleasure and meaning in life. In helping me to understand the phenomenon of happiness better, I am indebted to the work of Tal Ben-Shahar among others in what has become the Positive Psychology movement. In 2006, Ben-Shahar taught the largest class of students at Harvard University, about 900 in a large lecture hall. Basically, it was a class about happiness, and in it, students were challenged not simply to master the academic material but to focus on transforming their lives toward the positive virtues of joy, integrity, optimism and generosity. This class is only the most public face of a growing body of research literature pointing to the fact that most people can become happier, and that happier people live better, more connected, more generous lives.
The myths about what makes us happy abound in our culture. Most of them reflect the belief that our external circumstances will largely determine our happiness. This is what is known as the "if I could win the lottery" myth. People tend to believe that something good happening, like winning the lottery, will make them happier. And it is true . . . for a little while. But research now shows that lottery winners typically go back to their original baseline of happiness or unhappiness, whether the money runs out or not. By the way, this also works the other way where people who have bad things happen to them also often go back to their original baseline after a period of time. The point is that happiness, except for extreme situations, does not come from wealth or being a certain age or place of residence or physical appearance. The indicators for genuine happiness are almost all internal to each person, reflected by our commitments, attitudes and activities.
This is why I offered the two quotes above. The first one is the result of the latest research by two social psychologists. The second is the conviction of one faithful leader who inspired the rebuilding of the walls around the city of Jerusalem centuries ago. An enduring faith in God gives us the chance for the happiest kind of life, not a passive faith, but one that is actively in pursuit of God's best with others.
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Our Church Family
 Emmy Carter, had her stitches removed from recent skin cancer surgery and received good news about other possibly cancerous spots.
Barbara Carver,continues to make progress with physical therapy.
Tom Lawrey, is struggling with health issues.
Nancy Lindinha's cousin, Casey and son,Casey's son had a hole in his heart and recently underwent successful surgery to correct it.
Carroll Matthews,resumes chemotherapy on Oct. 10.
Linda McNish's mother,who is struggling with several health issues and undergoing rehab.
Win Puglia,is recovering after a recent stay at the hospital with breathing complications from pneumonia.
* * * * *
We rejoice with new parents Jonathan and Clarrissa Matthews, and grandparents Judy and Carroll, in the birth of Emma Grace Matthews on Friday, Sept. 14 at Reston Town Ctr. Hospital. She weighed 6 lbs, 2 oz. and is doing well.
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NEW CHILDCARE DURING WORSHIP
We have hired a new child care worker to be in the nursery during worship. Tiffany McClellan will be filling this important role for us, and she has experience in this area, serving presently as a professional day care worker. So if you have a child who is kindergarten age or younger, feel free to use this opportunity. The child may go down to the nursery either at the beginning of worship or at the time marked in the bulletin. If you signed up for working in the nursery and your day comes up, then please check downstairs to see if Tiffany needs any help with a large group. If not, you may stay in the worship service upstairs.
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COFFEE HOUR SURVEY
If you have not filled out the brief Coffee Hour survey presented by the Fellowship Team at church during the last couple of weeks, there are extra copies on the table in the main hallway (or we can send you one through the office). It only takes a few minutes to fill this out. When you have completed it, please give your survey to Lois Harris or turn it into the church office
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KAY AND HARRY
Kay Krekow, our former music minister, and Harry Dunstan are performing "La boheme" on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 8:00pm, at the First Christian Church of Alexandria, VA. More info. can be found on a brochure located on the table in the main hallway. Also, Harry's church (same as above) will be hosting a lecture and worshops on "The Parables of Jesus," by noted New Testament scholars, including Bernard Brandon Scott. This event will be on a Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9-10. For costs and more information, see the brochure on the table in the main hallway.
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DID YOU KNOW?
-that the synagogue and high school use our parking lot for special events (making sure they check with us for availability)
-that the Aspen Hill Nursery School gave $1700 toward the cost of our new windows for the building
-that we have been using the new cross and candles, together with the older ones, in creative ways for worship
-that Julie Phifer is helping the church office with recycling our used paper
-that the church office will be getting a new copy machine in the coming weeks
-that Community Ministries of Rockville will be moving and is looking for a new space to house all of their offices
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CMR BENEFIT
Carey Creed (whose new CD is entitled "Peace of Wild Things") will be performing at St. Mark Presbyterian Church on 10701 Old Georgetown Rd on Oct. 13 at 7:30pm. For more info. see the church bulletin board or go to www.cmrocks.org
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CHURCH WEB SITE
If you have not seen the church web site lately, then you have not seen the church web site. We are adding items to it all the time, from new sermons to pictures taken at recent events to copies of the monthly newsletter. Stop by and check it out, and let us know what you think. We are always looking for ways to improve it. The address is: www.twinbrookbaptist.com
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UPCOMING DATES
Nov. 11 - Pledge Sunday
Nov. 14 - Thanksgiving Dinner
Nov. 18 - Thanksgiving Sunday and Annual Congregational Meeting after Worship
Dec. 2 -1st Sunday in Advent
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Upcoming Events/Dates
OCT. 5 - M&Ms
M&Ms will be going to O'Donnells on Friday, Oct. 5. We will meet at the church at 11:30am, unless you plan to meet us there. Please let Marge Haire know by this Tuesday if you can go, so that she can make reservations
OCT. 7 - YOUTH SUNDAY
On Sunday, Oct. 7, our youth will be leading the worship service. The Sunday morning youth class has been planning and preparing this for several weeks. Youth have made decisions about what will be in the service and what roles they will play-from singing to dancing to sermon. Join us on this day to celebrate and participate in Youth Sunday.
OCT. 7 - OPEN BUDGET MEETING
Also on Oct. 7, after worship, there will be an open meeting for those interested in discussing the budget issues of the church in regard to decisions about next year's budget. If you would like to be part of this discussion, we will meet in the multi-purpose room.
OCT. 9 - BOOK CLUB
Our Book Club will meet October 9th to discuss the best seller A Thousand Splended Suns by Khaled Hosseini - who also wrote The Kite Runner. Upcoming books: November - Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilber; December - Gravediggers Daughter by Joyce Carol Oates.
OCT. 11 - LOP FALL SESSION BEGINS
On Thursday, Oct. 11. the Latino Outreach Program will begin its Fall classes at our church. Most of the rooms in the church will be used during this evening as immigrants learn English, job skills, study for citizenship, and other meaningful goals.
OCT. 17 - CHURCH DINNER AND PROGRAM
It seems almost everyone these days wrestles with managing time and schedules. After a delicious potluck meal together, the pastor will lead us in a discussion of "The Time of Our Lives" as we think about the uses of our time both in and out of church. The potluck dinner will begin at 6:30pm (a sign-up sheet is available on the hallway table), and the program will follow after the meal.
OCT. 20 - CHASE HOUSE FOOD SUPPORT
Team C, led by Evelyn Smith, will be providing dinner for the residents of Chase House on Sat., Oct. 20th.
OCT. 21, 28 - PASTORAL EVALUATION
We have a Pastoral Evaluation survey which we would like you to take some time to fill out. If you have not been to church in the last couple of weeks, extra copies are available on the main hallway table, or contact the office, and Sonia will send you one. When you complete it please turn it in to the Pastor/Parish leadership-Elaine Tiller or John Harris (or to the church office). The deadline for turning this in is Sunday, Oct. 21. We will have an pastor/parish meeting to discuss the evaluation and other related matters on Sunday, Oct. 28, after worship. This meeting is open to anyone who is interested in being part of this important discussion.
OCT. 22-23 - DCBC CONVENTION
The Annual DCBC Convention will be held this year at Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church in D.C. on a Monday and Tuesday. If you would like to go as a representative from TBC, please contact the church office and let us know.
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Birthdays
OCTOBER
01 Jim Fenton,Amy Lindinha
02 Yotamu Gondwe
03 Cynthia Cabaņas, James Parris
05 Mike Russ
06 Henri Makembe
15 Mae Parsons
19 Kay Fenton
24 Hannah Carter
26 Lois Frick
29 Win Puglia
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NOVEMBER
06 Gail Leeds
10 Laura Williams
12 Melanie Bradley
16 Gerry Frick
18 Deirdre Alpaugh, Kay Krekow
21 Anne Laney
30 Hank Hawksford
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Anniversaries
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OCTOBER
02 Peter and Susan Puglia
12 Bill and Cheryl Shores
14 Yung and Mun Ryeom
26 Don and Sandi Reed
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NOVEMBER
20 Nettie and Tom Lawrey
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