Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC)

Covering July 12, 2009 to July 25, 2009

Have A Minute?

by Douglas L. Griffin

Across the street from our home, a path winds its way through the woods to a delightful lake that bustles with life.  The path through the woods playfully follows a creek that empties into the lake.  It meanders along side the creek then crosses it, meandering a little further until it jumps across again.  It repeats this criss-cross several more times.  That creek discloses its own life.  Some days the waters rush through its channels carving out soil beneath the roots of trees, exposing the promise that one day the trees will yield to the relentless waters of the creek.  Some days, the creek laughs as the waters dance over rocks, stones, and branches as it courses to the lake beyond.  Then, some days the creek trickles and creeps ever so slightly in reply to a dry summer’s spell.

It is a dynamic life, that creek of mine.  I call it mine, but I know that it belongs to no one.  Over the years that creek has claimed the bridges we build across it.  It floods the paths, so arduously carved by humans’ hands and sweat.  Even in the driest of days, when all else languishes from a long summer thirst, the creek exposes its promise.  Its trickles are the quiet, relentless motion of hope.  When the current seems stopped, exposing dry sands and stones, the creek holds a secret.  If I creep into the creek’s bed and peer beneath the surface sands I can see its waters still trickling, the creek still making its irresistible journey to the lake beyond.  Where there is water there is current.

A miracle?  Well, it’s a wonder to me, even though it’s wonderfully natural.  I think that hope is like the creek.  Hope, like the creek, is natural to us.  It is wonderful. And it is irresistible.  In the driest of times if we creep into the sands and stones of our arid moments we can discern stirrings beneath the obstructions.  Hope trickles its way through the barren sands relentlessly carrying us forward.  The lake lies beyond.  Nevertheless, it is not the lake, which lies beyond, that causes the waters to flow.  From the bends in the creek the lake is yet unknown.  Nevertheless, the creek flows and moves no matter what shape the lake beyond will take.  So, no matter what images hope may inspire of that which lies beyond us, hope stirs within us and moves us forward.  It is the inspiration; it is the stirring toward our lakes, which lie beyond, that move us along as relentlessly and irresistibly as the creek’s waters.

Where there is hope there is life.

Peace,

Doug

What’s Happening in our Interim Time?

Search Committee’s Local Church Profile draft ready for congregation’s feedback

The Senior Pastor Search Committee has completed a draft of the Local Church Profile for review by the Congregation.  The information which it contains comes from the recent survey of the congregation from the Interim Committee, a survey performed in connection with the strategic planning process, meetings with the congregation, annual reports of the past ten years, county and regional statistics, and the collective memories of the committee.  The profile has been made available electronically via an e-blast to the congregation and in hard copy in the office for those who are not “on-line”.  The committee would very much appreciate comments from the congregation.  Comments can be sent electronically tosearchcommittee@rockspringucc.org or on paper (you can mark your comments directly into your copy of the Profile draft) and left in the Search Committee box in the Saegmuller Room.  Comments received by August 3 will be reviewed for possible incorporation in the revised version which will go to the Church Council.

News & Notes

Joys and Concerns:

We celebrate the return of our YORS participants in the Habitat for Humanity project in West Virginia.  Thank you for serving on our behalf!

We offer prayers of thanks for Bill Clarke and his father.  The kidney transplant was successful.  We pray for their recovery of strength and health.  John Heins had surgery on July 2 for a recurrence of tongue cancer.  We hold both John and Edith in prayer for a complete recovery.  Also, please keep Dick and Elva Merrell in prayer while Dick goes through medical treatment.  Prayers of healing and support are also sought for Dane Griffin, who has learned that he has cancer again. Dane is Doug Griffin’s brother.  Please pray also for Mary Schwarzwalder, who is struggling with some serious health concerns.  Finally, please hold Lou Per-Lee and family in prayer.  Her health is declining.

How many Sunday Services?  and other questions or considerations about the services.  Come and be heard!

The Worship Committee (Jason Henderson, Chair) has been listening for your feedback regarding all aspects of our Sunday services.  We would like to engage the Congregation in an open discussion about some of the feedback we’ve received, and hear more about your thoughts and feelings about our Worship Service(s):  what do you like about our Worship service?  What determines which service you attend (9 or 11)?  Should Rock Spring be considering one Sunday service or two, or two very different Sunday services, or another option for a different kind of service?

During the summer, the Worship Committee is sponsoring two all-church listening sessions about our Sunday services:  The first session, Sunday, July 26, will focus more on the one vs. two service question.  The second session on Sunday, August 16, will be more about other specifics in the worship service.  Both sessions will be held in Carpenter Hall at 11:30 (after the 10:00 service).  The committee plans to use an open discussion format to better understand what Rock Springers find important about Worship.  Coffee will be available.

If you want to be heard, plan to attend one of these listening sessions, or email Jason Henderson at jhenderson@alum.rpi.edu.

Report back from Ghost Ranch:  Sunday, July 19 after worship

Janet Parker will share insights and experiences from her study leave at Ghost Ranch in June, from the course “Change We Believe In:  Ritual and Loving the Earth Fiercely.”  This course is part of a ten-year series called “Earth-Honoring Faith:  A  Song of Songs” that is being offered by her former doctoral advisor, Larry Rasmussen.  Part of the intent of the series is to help develop a core of leaders within faith communities that can nurture earth-honoring theology, spirituality and worship appropriate to greening congregations.  Janet is interested in taking people with her to next year’s offering at Ghost Ranch, entitled, “Water and a Baptized Life.”  Grab a cup of coffee and join Janet in the adult education area of Carpenter Hall for this conversation after worship on July 19.

AFAC Awards Distinguished Rock Springers

Numerous Rock Springers were recognized at the Arlington Food Assistance Center’s Volunteer Appreciation Picnic on June 14.  Robin, John and Warren Overholt were recognized as the Volunteer Family of the Year. The Overholts have volunteered at AFAC for over 15 years.  They have participated in packing Emergency Food Kits, the regular bagging shifts for Rock Spring Church, all the large food drives for AFAC, as well as being members of the Chicken Bagging Team.  Robin is also a member of the Tuesday morning distribution team.  A Distinguished Service Award was presented to Don and Sharon Hall.    Don and Sharon are two of AFAC’s three ”oldest volunteers.” They have volunteered at AFAC for over 20 years, since the early years when food was donated by area churches and brought to Little Falls Presbyterian Church.  The Halls have been the long-time coordinators for the Rock Spring Church bagging shifts.

Caring Ministry News:

Caring Ministry visitation volunteers are invited to attend the final “resource and sharing” session for this year’s program cycle on Wednesday, July 15, from 7:00-8:30.  The focus of the session will be evaluating the new peer learning model we used this year, informal sharing, and a look forward to next year’s caring ministry program.  The session will be held in the Saegmuller Room.

Green Tip:

When purchasing appliances, remember to look for appliances marked with the EPA’s “Energy Star” seal of approval.  In 2008, Americans saved $19 billion on utility bills by purchasing these energy-efficient appliances.  Try it!  Brought to you by Rock Spring’s Eco-Justice Committee.

Save The Date…September 6th…4PM to 7PM

JFFAL All Church Picnic

This year it will be in Falls Church, so please save the date!

Thanks, Susan Alverson and Donna Cartwright

Free Yoga Classes at Rock Spring

Rock Spring is pleased to host free yoga classes!  Hatha yoga is an invitation to move the body, deepen the breath and quiet the mind. Yoga is not a religious practice but can provide a venue for individual spiritual connection and an opportunity to retreat from the business of everyday life.

Classes are open to all, regardless of age, physical ability or experience with yoga. Classes will be focused at the beginner level and options and variations will be provided. Participants are asked to bring a towel or mat and wear comfortable clothing.  Classes will be held each Sunday throughout the Summer from 12:30-1:30 pm in the Saegmuller Room.  Session began on June 28th.

Registration is not required and participants may begin at any time. Questions?  Contact Leigh Ann Slonka at LSlonka@hotmail.com.

Sunday School News and Notes

“The Big Move”

Because of the HVAC renovation project, the Hunter Education Building will be “offline” from June 22-August 31.  This means that our Child Care and Sunday School programs have moved for the summer to Agnes Carpenter Hall.  Parents of infants and toddlers, please drop your child off with Fern and Janine at the “Green Room.”  All Adult Ed and Sunday School programs will meet in Carpenter Hall.

Welcome to Summer Sunday School

Summer Sunday School runs from June 1 to August 30.  Classes take place during the 10 AM service, after the children’s moment. Two multi-age classes will be offered, Pre K-1^st Grade and 2^nd-5^th grade

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.

Our Whole Lives

New Class Forming For This Fall

A new Our Whole Lives / Sexuality and Our Faith (OWL) class is forming for fall 2009.  The class is open to all students who will be entering 6th or 7th grade in the fall.  Participants do NOT need to be members of Rock Spring, so feel free to pass this information on to friends, relatives or classmates who might be interested in participating.  There is a $60 fee for the class, which includes the course curriculum (yours to keep!), as well as materials for the class.  Scholarships are available by contacting the OWL Leaders; all scholarship requests will be kept confidential.  If you are planning to enroll siblings, please talk to the OWL Leaders about a reduced fee.

Course leaders will be Ashley Martinage and Allen Moore.  Ashley and Allen are both certified OWL Leaders and were part of the team that taught Rock Spring’s first OWL class in 2008.  The class will be ten sessions long and attendance is expected at all sessions.  Based on responses to the OWL survey, classes will be held on Sunday mornings.  The schedule is as follows:

9/20/09 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Parents’ Meeting

9/27/09 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Parent/Child Orientation

10/4/09, 10/11/09, 10/18/09, 10/25/09, 11/1/09, 11/8/09, 11/15/09 and 11/22/09 11:00 AM-12:30 PM: class sessions

If you have any questions about the OWL Grades 5-7 program in general or about the Fall 2009 Grades 6-7 class, please contact owl567@rockspringucc.org.

Our Whole Lives Leader Training Event Hosted at Rock Spring

The OWL Team at Rock Spring is hosting an OWL Leader Training Event for Grades 7-9/10-12.  The event is will take place September 25-27 in Neighborhood House/Carpenter Hall.  If you are interested in becoming a Grades 7-9/10-12 OWL Leader at Rock Spring, please contactowl@rockspringucc.org.  We are still looking for at least one more leader for our OWL Grades 10-12 class (coming in Spring 2010!).

If you are interested in helping with the training event, let us know!  We’re looking for people who can be available to help transport participants to and from the airport, be available to open their homes to participants requesting home hospitality, and/or who help provide meals during the event.  Can you help?  Email owl@rockspringucc.org and tells us what you’d like to do.  We look forward to talking to you!

Youth of Rock Spring (YoRS)

2009 CAC Youth Event Canceled

Sadly, the CAC Youth Event has been canceled for this summer.  More information on future Youth Events for the Potomac Association and Central Atlantic Conference will be coming in the fall.

Y oRS Dates

7/17-19            Rock-in the Woods Church Camping Trip

In Support of Marriage Equality – Report on 2009 Capital Pride Events

Rock Springers participated in three events associated with Capital Pride as a public expression of our commitment to being an Open and Affirming congregation.

Interfaith Service: “Claiming the Promise: A Celebration of Marriage Equality”

Several Rock Springers attended the third annual Northern Virginia Pride Interfaith Service on June 5 at Clarendon Presbyterian Church. Clergy from several denominations and many same-sex couples and their families, friends, and allies filled the sanctuary. The service focused on the dual themes of celebrating the promises couples make to one another, and our conviction that all loving relationships are equal in the sight of God and that legal marriage should be available to all. The Rev. Dr. Janet Parker of Rock Spring was among the ministers who led the service, and several lay persons-including a Rock Spring parent-spoke movingly about their personal experiences with same-sex holy unions and marriage. Finally, every person or couple present had the opportunity to receive a blessing on their partnerships and their families from one of the clergy present.

Capital Pride Parade

A group of nineteen Rock Springers and their friends marched for the ninth year in a row in the Capital Pride Parade on June 13. This year for the first time, we had a shiny red Mustang convertible with red and black balloons to enable those who cannot walk the entire distance to join the parade. The crowd clapped-and some danced-with appreciation upon seeing our banner, “We Support Marriage Equality,” and signs proclaiming “God is Still Speaking,” “A Just Peace and Open and Affirming Church,” and “Rock Spring Welcomes You.” Many walked up to the banner to take a photo, a portion from our ONA statement was read aloud through a speaker twice along the parade route, and there were shouts of “Thank you, Grandma!” (to Caroline Hufford-Anderson, who was riding the Mustang) and “Marriage equality, yes, that’s right! Love you all!”

Capital Pride Festival

Rock Spring shared a booth at the festival on June 14 with Hope, Bethel, and Little River UCC. We distributed postcards with the names of all ONA churches in the area, our ONA statement, God-is-still-speaking magnets from UCC, Janet’s award-winning sermon “The Ties that Bind,” and her congressional briefing (available at the ONA Web Page on our website). Together with the march, the booth at the festival was an important outreach for Rock Spring.

45th CAC Annual Meeting Focuses on Environmental Stewardship

Nearly 300 people attended the Central Atlantic Conference’s 45th annual meeting June 12-14, organized around the theme “Save the Rock: Lord Lead Us to Greener Pastures.”

Rock Spring was represented by Revs. Doug Griffin, Janet Parker and Hank Fairman, as well as Sara Fitzgerald, Carol George and Laura Graves.

The keynote speaker for the meeting was Janet’s doctoral dissertation adviser, Rev. Dr. Larry Rasmussen, a retired professor of ethics at Union Theological Seminary and Wesley Seminary and the author of “Earth Community, Earth Ethics and Earth Habitat: Eco-Injustice and the Church’s Response.” In an address, he demonstrated how dramatically the ecology of Planet Earth has worsened since the advent of the Industrial Revolution. Copies of Dr. Rasmussen’s speech are available for individual use by contacting the CAC office by email (amegna@cacucc.org). Janet introduced her mentor to the annual meeting, and also participated with Conference Minister John Deckenback in an opening question-and-answer session with Dr. Rasmussen

Conference delegates approved a budget for calendar 2010 that will result in the elimination of two part-time positions on the Conference Ministry team. Delegates also affirmed Clergy Compensation Guidelines for 2009-10, and elected new officers and members of the board of directors. The meeting marked the end of Sara Fitzgerald’s term as president of the CAC Board of Directors; Rev. Dr. Jim Bundy, of Sojourners UCC in Charlottesville, VA, in the Shenandoah Association, will serve as the new president of the CAC Board. Some Rock Springers may remember Jim from when he delivered a stewardship sermon to us in the fall of 2007.

Two resolutions related to a proposed restructuring of the national setting of the United Church of Christ, one approved by the Catoctin Association and the other by the Potomac Association at their respective spring meetings, were subject to several hours of respectful debate and discussion. In the end, delegates voted to table both resolutions. Both will be the subject of discussion at General Synod, along with a number of similar resolutions submitted by other conferences. Materials related to General Synod can be reviewed at www.ucc.org. (As moderator of the Potomac Association, Hank had helped the resolution’s proponents guide it to the point of consideration by the conference.)

The CAC meeting also celebrated the 40 years of ordained ministry of Rev. Dr. Jerry Foltz. Jerry served in all five associations of the CAC over the course of his career, including service as the founding pastor of Wellspring UCC in Centreville, VA, and later as the associate conference minister with prime responsibility for the Catoctin Association, where he was born.

Church Staff

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