Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC)

covering March 22, 2009 to April 4, 2009

Have a Minute?

By Douglas L. Griffin

I get excited in this phase of the interim process. It’s one of those points when stuff is coming together but a lot is still unknown and unformed. That’s where we are: we’ve done a lot of work together pondering and talking about Rock Spring Church, past and present. We’ve anticipated and wondered about Rock Spring, future. The Interim Team has gathered a lot of information. It has enough to begin compiling the Local Church Profile. The Council is identifying volunteers for the Senior Pastor Search Committee and will likely have the Search Committee formed or nearly formed within the next month. When the Search Committee is formed, it and the Interim Team will complete the Draft of the “Local Church Profile” for the congregation’s review. And when the Profile has been reviewed and approved by the Council, the Search begins.

We’re well along. And yet much is unknown and unformed. One huge temptation during an interim time is to latch onto little completions as big answers. Completion of a Profile is a doorway into discernment more than a snapshot showing us, “Here’s what we need in our next Senior Pastor.” Another temptation is to wish the whole process would go away and stop distracting us from our work. That’s especially acute in a larger, multi-staff congregation. It is very tempting for the congregation, boards, and committees to feel distracted by the search process. “If only we could get back to our business without all this redirection of energies into the search process.” In short it’s tempting–and human nature–to dispense as quickly as possible with the conditions of “unknown and unformed”.

Unknown, after all, is an English counterpart to the Greek derivative: agnostic! Unformed, after all, is Genesis 1’s interpretation of “chaos.” Agnostics in chaos? Frankly, some Rock Springers would take to that like ducks to water! However, for others, that’s not how we’d describe our notion of being church right now. Nevertheless, that’s where we are as we enter into the search for a Senior Pastor. We have addressed a lot of questions. We have done a lot of self-reflection. We have articulated visions and images for the future. But now, what lies ahead of us is an opportunity for discernment. The priorities and ministries that Rock Spring and the Senior Pastor will covenant to address together are still unknown and unformed in.

The Search Committee can lead the congregation in discovering opportunities for new directions as it dialogues with a score of candidates. The Search Committee can discover new opportunities for leadership and new possibilities for service from its interactions and its deliberations together. We can share in the Search Committee’s formative work and appropriate its coming-to-know different vistas for ministry. Yes, we can; IF we can allow our Lenten discipline to transcend the neat boundaries that end at Easter. If we engage our Lenten discipline to await the spiritual opportunities pulsing in remaining “unknown and unformed.”

Peace,
Doug

Church Calendar

Please click here to view the current Rock Spring calendar.

News and Notes

Joys and Concerns

Prayers for healing are requested for Brent Cline, son of Sam and Anita Cline, who suffers from kidney disease. Please pray also for Mandy Ellis, as she recovers from a serious health crisis and hospitalization. Please note that Mandy is staying with her son and daughter-in-law in Vermont. If you would like to send mail to Mandy, please contact the church office for her address. Her home phone is now forwarding to her cell phone, so she is also receiving phone calls. Prayers of thanks, as well as continued prayers for healing, are requested for Daniella Schirmer, friend of Gina and Jeff Dale, who is gaining strength in her upper arms after being paralyzed due to a fall.

Ellen Bozman Memorial Service available online

If you missed Ellen’s service, or want to view it again, use this link: http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/Communications/PressReleases/67764.aspx

If you click on the link for the Video of Memorial Service on this page, you can watch the entire 73 minute service.

Wesley Theological Seminary offers “Equipping Lay Ministry” courses:

Wesley has a special program for people interested in lay ministry. Courses may be taken for credit or audited. Some spring courses are still available. To see what they have to offer, go to http://www.wesleyseminary.edu/academics/id.24/detail.asp.

Fill the Red Barrel for AFAC

Cereal is the ‘Food of the Month’ for the Arlington Food Assistance Center.
It takes nearly 1200 boxes a week to give one to each family receiving food. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of families requesting assistance.

There is a red barrel in the corner outside the office to collect non-perishable foods for AFAC. Preferred foods: cereal, canned fruit; canned vegetables, canned beans; canned tuna or chicken; canned tomato products & peanut butter. There is a chronic shortage of all of the above food types.

Keep up the good work – last week the Red barrels sent 146 pounds of food to AFAC.

AFAC also welcomes monetary donations to buy eggs, milk, meat and to fill in other foods when needed.

Arlington Food Assistance Center
2708 South Nelson Street
Arlington, Virginia 22206

Contact: Robin Overholt

Church Council News

At the Congregational Meeting in January, the Council was charged to study whether the current volunteer structure of the Church remains compatible with the volunteer resources that are available. Council approved the formation of a sub-committee for the study. Between March and May the sub-committee will be gathering ideas and data and thinking in and out-of-the-box about our church jobs and their structure. The sub-committee owes its report to the Council in June. Anyone interested in sharing thoughts and suggestions on ways to create a better balance between the Church’s needs and its volunteer capacity should contact one of the committee members. The committee includes Donna Moss (chair), Gina Dale, Sara Fitzgerald, and Peggy Greenwood.

Women’s Fellowship News

Reminder: Funds are available for scholarships to the Women’s Fellowship Retreat in May. The deadline for applying, however, is April 1. Please speak to Rev. Janet Parker if you would like to apply for a scholarship.

One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering March 22

The United Church of Christ annually channels more than $3 million dollars through One Great Hour of Sharing to humanitarian needs in the world. The UCC unites with Christians in eight other Protestant denominations and Church World Service in One Great Hour of Sharing, thus multiplying the effectiveness and extent of our witness many times over.  The partnership we share with nearly 6,000 United Church of Christ congregations across the United States and Puerto Rico is where this remarkable miracle connecting UCC members to the world truly begins.   The One Great Hour of Sharing offering is administered through Wider Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ.

Easter Flowers for Sanctuary

A Rock Spring tradition is to decorate the sanctuary with spring flowers for Easter Sunday. Please come by the Saegmuller Room after the 9:30 or 11 o’clock service March 22 or 29 to make a donation (any amount) and a dedication. The dedications will be printed in the Easter Sunday worship program. Checks should be made out to Rock Spring Congregational UCC and “Easter Flowers” should be written on the memo line. Donors may take the flowers after the Easter Sunday service; otherwise, the flowers will be delivered to Rock Spring members or friends who were not able to attend the service. Please contact Judy Johnson with questions.

Rock Spring Changes the Bus Routes

Because Yorktown HS is about to go through a massive rebuilding and the normal pick up spots have already been fenced off, we have revamped our bus routes. We will now pick up and drop off at the East Falls Church Metro stop. Parking in the Kiss and Ride lot is free on Sunday and our bus will begin pick ups and drop offs only at this location on March 22. We will provide pick up and drop off service for both our 9 and 11 am services. Anyone who wants to ride the bus can use it. Therefore we invite you to:

Come and Park to ride the bus
Ride the Metro and Use the bus
Toddle over from the Neighborhood and Ride the bus

Our bus program supports the concept that we want to reduce the impact of the crush of cars that park on the neighborhood streets. We encourage everyone to try us out. Our driver, Rico, is friendly and professional. Get to know others by riding the bus.

Potomac Association News

Program on UCC History Scheduled for April 4

The next in the regular series of Potomac Association-sponsored United Church of Christ Polity Institutes, this one on UCC history, will be held on Saturday April 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bethel UCC, 4347 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203. The instructors for the History Institute are Barbara Brown Zikmund and Janet Parker. These institutes are enrichment opportunities for all members of the UCC who want to learn more about the history, polity, theology and ministry of the UCC. No fees and pre-registration are required; however, if you come, bring a lunch and make the commitment to stay the whole time. For more information, see http://www.potomacucc.org/History2009.html.

UCMNV Seeks Hosts for Easter Holidays

United College Ministries in Northern Virginia invites individuals and families from area congregations to host international students in their homes for Easter April 12, 2009.  Over the years, UCMNV has arranged for 466 students to be hosted in 231 homes for an American family holiday.  If you have questions or would like more information, contact UCMNV Office Administrator Claudia Newhart at 703-426-1939 or ucmnv@aol.com.  Deadline is March 27.

Preparing for Rock Spring’s Centennial Celebration

In May 2012, Rock Spring Church will celebrate its 100th anniversary. While that date is still some years away, a number of Rock Springers are already working on some projects to have them ready in time for the celebration.

In 1987, when Rock Spring marked its 75th anniversary, a dedicated group of volunteers produced Making History, the story of the church’s first 75 years. Now another group of equally dedicated writers are working on a new volume, which is expected to include essays on major themes in the life and history of the church, and profiles of some of the people who were important in its past. Priscilla Taylor is serving as editor of this book, and Martha Jolkovski as its graphic designer. As always, if you have church memorabilia or old photos, they may be of interest to our church archivists (Marjie Mayer, Don and Sharon Hall and Flo Otstot).

Thanks to a gift designated for that purpose, the music staff is also pursuing the commissioning of a special anthem to mark the 100th anniversary.

More specific ideas and plans will be developed as the date draws closer. Because Gail Howell has now moved up to become Church Council president, she asked me to step in as coordinator of the celebration. While we don’t anticipate doing detailed planning in the short term, if you have ideas or are interested in helping out, please let me know.
–Sara Fitzgerald

The New Rock Spring Website Launch Is Near and We Need Your Help!

The Web Development Team is seeking five to ten volunteers to help move text from the current website to the new website under development. No coding skills necessary — this is a simple copying, pasting and formatting job that can be done at your convenience on your own computer. We’re aiming to launch the new site on May 1. There are a lot of pages, sermons and newsletter issues to move over to the new site before then. Many hands make light work! If interested, please email webteam@rockspringucc.org. And thanks for your patience and for your help!

A Legacy of Children’s Music at Rock Spring

“100 Percent Chance of Rain” was last performed at Rock Spring on March 26-27, 1982—27 years ago!—under the direction of Gene Schultheis and Cindy Cook, who recently retired to Olympia, Washington. Cindy recalls that her aunt, Agnes Quinlan, provided the accompaniment and Barbara Cullicott helped with the make-up, props and costumes. (Cicely Angleton, Pam Henriksen and Daena Kluegel served on the Board of Music at the time.) It was just one of a number of musical plays that Rock Spring young people (including some of our current group of young parents) performed in decades past. (Other productions included “From the Beginning,” “You Can’t Run Away from the Lord,”  The Great Adventour,” “Welcome the King,” and “The Wise Guys,” among others.)

Among the young people who participated in church music programs and choirs were several young Rock Springers who went on to pursue professional music careers. They include bassoonist Christin Phelps, clarinetist Ben Bowers (now performing with the U.S. Air Force Concert Band in Washington), cellist Greta Schottman, performing and teaching in the Pittsburgh area ,and one Beth Kluegel, who went on to perform at the Kennedy Center and be recognized as a national finalist in the National Council Auditions of the Metropolitan Opera. We lift up all of those who have supported our children’s music programs now and in the past!

Sunday School News and Notes

During the 9:00 hour, we offer professional care in our Infant and Toddler Nurseries, and a multi-age classes for Pre-K-2nd Grade . At 11:00, we offer professional care in our Infant and Toddler Nurseries, and classes for Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten-1st Grades, 2nd-3rd Grades, and 4th-5th Grades. Classes for the upper grades will meet during the 11:00 hour for 6th-8th Grades and 9th-12th Grades. The goal is to provide a more age-relevant encounter with the Bible and faith, and provide an experiential time for all of our youth to examine their faith.

Special information for Palm Sunday and Easter:
On Palm Sunday (4/5), we will have a special activity in Saegmuller Room for our PreK-5th Grade classes.
On Easter (4/12), all grades will gather in Carpenter Hall for an Easter Celebration, with Egg Hunt and crafts, 9:00 & 11:00. We will return to regular classes on 4/19

Interested in sharing your gifts?
As the seasons change, several of our volunteer teachers and leaders in Sunday School will be cycling out of classes. We do have substitutes for the short term, but are in need of regular teachers for the remaining weeks of regular programming. Most notably, we need teachers for our Middle High class at 11:00. Thank you to Deborah Duffy for leading this class for the first semester!

Also, thanks to Suzanne Boothby for her leadership with the 2nd-3rd Grade class, and to Meghan Radelet for coming on to help teach that class.

Our Sunday School uses the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum. For more information on the scope and sequence, the foundations, and the specifics of the curriculum, please visit www.spiritseasons.com.

Youth of Rock Spring (YoRS)

Middle High YoRS

During the 40 Days of Lent
We’ll be sharing in a time of reflection on the many faces of God. Last year, we learned about several faith traditions outside of our own. Last year, we encountered Hindu traditions, Muslim traditions, and Jewish traditions. This year, we’ll add a few more to the mix!

Coming Up: A Correction!–ASPAN Street Feed 3/22
Last fall, we shared in a special time of bringing our thanks-giving to others.  This Spring we’ll share our blessings again with those who are hungry in Arlington.  Maja Lee has set up a time for us to share in ASPAN (Arlington Street Peoples Assistance Network).  We’ll be taking prepared meals to two distribution locations, helping those who are hungry. We’ll meet at an earlier time, and wrap up early.  We’ll gather at Carpenter Hall at 5:00, and learn about who we are going to serve. We’ll be back around 7:30-7:45.

MH-YoRS Dates:

3/22/2009 ASPAN Street Feed—Gather @ 5:00, Carpenter Hall
3/29/2009 Many Faces of God—6:30-8:30, Carpenter Hall
4/5/2009 Spring Break—No Regular Meeting
4/12/2009 Easter Sunday—No Regular Meeting

Senior High YoRS

Summer Mission Experience Update

In support of our youth and their mission with Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity, we’ll be holding several fund raisers in the coming months. The first was “Car Wash and Hot Dogs” on Sunday, 3/8. Thanks to all who came out to support the event. Your generosity was wonderful! We collected over $1,100 for the Mission Experience!

Hey younger Youth of Rock Spring (Grades K-5), tell your parents that there’s something cool coming on 3/28! The Senior High YoRS welcome you to Kids’ Night Out, a night of fun activities and a movie! From 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., we’ll hang out, play games, and catch a movie on the Big Screen in Neighborhood House! Snacks will be provided; parents, please have dinner before you come. Questions? Contact Carol Foster and Deborah Duffy.

SH-YoRS Dates:

3/22/2009 Regular Meeting—1:00-3:00, Carpenter Hall
3/28/2009 Kids’ Night Out—6:00-9:00, Carpenter Hall/Neighborhood House
4/5/2009 Spring Break—No Regular Meeting
4/12/2009 Easter Sunday—No Regular Meeting

Confirmation Class

The Confirmation Class of 2009 met for their organizational meeting on December 4. This year’s class will again meet on Sunday mornings, 9:00-10:30. We will be using the latest UCC curriculum, Affirming Faith. For those who would like to see what we’re studying (or refresh on your church history, theology, and polity!) copies of the texts are available for your review. In addition to the “usual” classes, we will also take part in the Spring New Members classes (since we are joining the church!).

A big thanks to the class who elected to do their make-up class on the Family Life Retreat!

Class Schedule:
Wednesdays in March—Take part in the Lenten Vespers and New Members Class, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Organizing Meeting for V.O.I.C.E. at Rock Spring

You’ve heard the buzz about VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement).  If you are interested in getting involved in this vibrant new community organization working for a new dominion of peace and justice in Northern Virginia, come to our organizing core team meeting on Thursday, March 26.  The meeting will take place from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the Saegmuller room.  Robert Buckman, one of the key lay leaders in VOICE, will be present to orient us to VOICE and answer questions.

News from the ONA Committee

The Open and Affirming (ONA) Standing Committee is happy to report that six Rock Springers participated on February 12 at the Arlington County Court House in an interfaith witness for marriage equality. February 12 was National Freedom to Marry Day. The witness was sponsored by People of Faith for Equality Virginia and was coordinated with similar events across the country. The group prayed together in front of the Court House, dialogued on marriage equality with the Arlington Clerk of Court, watched while a same-sex couple from Rock Spring applied for a Virginia marriage license, and disbanded peacefully after the license was refused. The Rev. Janet Parker and five lay members of Rock Spring were the largest single contingent at the Arlington witness.

(In 2007, the congregation approved a change in Rock Spring’s ONA Statement that commits us “to witness to full civil rights for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, including access to the rights, responsibilities and protections of legally recognized marriage, in broader public and political arenas.”)

The Committee is currently laying plans for a congregation-wide educational opportunity this spring about the “T” in LGBT — what it means to be a transgender person in American society and in faith communities today. Even persons well-informed on gay and lesbian issues frequently are uninformed about “gender identity.” Watch for an announcement soon of the dates for this important program, and please participate if you can.

The ONA Standing Committee is sponsored by the Social Action Board. Its purpose is to make the congregation aware of issues in the wider LGBT community, and to provide opportunities for Rock Spring Church to minister to the needs of that community. Committee meetings are arranged as needed, and membership is open to all members and friends of the congregation. Several new members are needed now. If you would like to work on these issues, please e-mail the committee (socialaction@rockspringucc.org) or speak to Masami Kojima, Charles Spencer or Susan Nelson Johnson.

Eco-Justice News

Discover the “green” way to observe Lent!

Tired of giving up chocolate for 40 days?  Give up some carbon, instead!  This Lent, the Eco-Justice Committee invites you to focus on caring for the Earth.  We have prepared a calendar that suggests a different action you can take on each day of Lent.  Through performing these daily activities, you will proceed on a journey of self-examination, greater awareness of how our daily habits impact God’s creation, and discovery of ways you can reduce carbon output (and save money, too!)  The calendar can be found in the sanctuary pews and on Rock Spring’s website, http://www.rockspringcongucc.org/

Green Tip:

This week, there is no separate Green Tip — instead, we encourage you to try the Carbon Fast for Lent.  The calendar can be found on Rock Spring’s website, or in the Saegmuller Room.  If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s not too late — just begin with today’s date.  Try it!  Brought to you by Rock Spring’s Eco-Justice Committee.

Pillars of Faith Awards Luncheon

The Howard University School of Divinity and United Church of Christ
Friends of Howard University School of Divinity

Cordially invite you to attend the

2009 James F. Jenkins Pillar of Faith Awards Luncheon in support of the American Missionary Association Endowed Chair  & the Ph.D. Program in Religious Studies
Honoring the following outstanding Christian leaders as a “Pillar of Faith”:

Dr. Clinton Austin, Senior Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church
Ms. Barbara Ferguson Kamara, Ret. Administrator, DC Early Care & Ed. Adm.
Dr. Evans E. Crawford, Dean Emeritus, HU Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel
Rev. Peter J. Ortiz, Prison and Hospital Ministries
Mrs. Marilyn Silvey, Community Volunteer
Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington, Senior Pastor, Reed Temple AMC Church
Rev. Otis L. Williams, Jr. Senior Pastor, Trinity Missionary Baptist Church

Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 12 Noon
The Martin’s Crosswinds
7400 Greenway Center DR, Greenbelt, MD

Donation $75 per person

FOR RESERVATIONS, please contact:
Ms. Vivian B. Ortiz – Development Assistant
202-806-0757
202-635-4904 (fax)
vortiz@howard.edu
Development Office
Howard University School of Divinity, Room 295

Last year, Rev. Charles L. Wildman was honored with this award.  Rock Spring supports the Howard University School of Divinity through our benevolences.  Please consider attending this event, and adding your personal support.

If you would like to go with other Rock Springers, contact Bill Wooten.

Church Staff

Rock Spring News is published bi-weekly by
Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ
5010 Little Falls Road, Arlington, Virginia 22207-1810
tel: 703-538-4886

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