Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC)

Rock Spring News Covering the Dates of:  November 1,2009 – November 14, 2009

Have A Minute

By Hank Fairman

A Teaching Church, A Learning Congregation

About eight months ago, we restarted the practice of welcoming seminary students into our midst to “learn” about active ministry in a local church.  Our historians tell us that Rock Spring has been doing this for about four decades, starting in the mid-1960’s.  Each person who has come to spend time “learning” with us has left their own indelible mark in the folklore of the congregation.  Even more, their use of gifts in ministry has helped us to grow and better understand who we are in our mission and ministry.

This year, we have accepted the call to be partners with Doreen, Mike, and Mollie.  I hope each of us has taken a moment to get to know them personally!  Over the first six weeks of their time with us, they have been “transparent eyeballs,” observing, listening, and reflecting on what ministry is like here at Rock Spring.  During that time, each of the Parish House Interns worked on developing their “Learning Activities,” the active parts of their ministry with us.  These activities were vetted with the Pastoral Team and the Parish House Oversight Team, making sure that they were good goals—accomplishable, relevant to our life together, and spread out through the whole life of the church.

Each week, the three Interns will be working with the preaching pastor to develop the liturgy and prayers for Sunday worship.  They also meet every week with the Tuesday Morning Lectionary Study to delve deeply into the weekly scripture lessons. But that is just the tip of their time with us!  Over the course of the year we’ll be engaged thoroughly by their ministry!

Mike will be co-teaching this year’s Confirmation Class, sharing the insights that he has gained in joining the UCC.  Doreen is working with the VOICE Core Team on bringing us up to speed with their outreach.  Mollie will be evaluating our Annual Giving Campaign, comparing it to other congregations and presenting her findings.

Each of the three will be sharing in the Caring Ministry.  They will be helping us to engage in our care for creation in a special program during Lent.  They will be adding to the Our Whole Lives program, working with the OWL Team to bring the program to our Senior High youth.  They will be painting a picture of the intersection of art and faith expression, broadening our lens of the manifold ways to experience the divine.

Wow!  So many gifts to offer, so many talents to share!    What a blessing to have these three with us!  Maybe it is us who are doing the “learning.”

God is still teaching,

To submit articles to the Rock Spring News or the Sunday Bulletin’s “This Week @Rock Spring” section please send them via email:  publish @rockspringucc.org. (next RSN Deadline 11/4/2009)

News and Notes

Joys and Concerns

Condolences are requested for Flo Otstot, for the loss of her cousin, Lillian Amacher, who died of a stroke on October 17.

Prayers are needed for Walter Bloss, father of Julie Clarke, who is facing serious health challenges and has just moved to Charleston, SC to be near Julie’s sister.

We celebrate the marriage of Jeremy Mayer, son of Margie Mayer, to Naoru Koizumi. They were married on Saturday, October 17 at the C. F. Smith Park in Arlington.  Doug Griffin conducted the ceremony.  Congratulations, Jerry and Naoru!

Rock Spring offers thanks for the life of Marguerite Harris, former member of Rock Spring, who came home to be interred in Memorial Terrace where her husband Miles Fitzgerald Harris was interred earlier.  A service of remembrance and celebration for the life of Marguerite was held on October 17.  Prayers are requested for Marguerite’s daughters, Ann Zuniga and Emily Harris Covert and their families.  Ann is still a member of Rock Spring.

Staff News

Janet Parker will be on study leave attending the American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting in Montreal November 6-10.

When the Frost is on the Pumpkin…

You know it is time to think about the JFFAL Harvest Breakfast!  Join us in Carpenter Hall at any time between 9:30 and 11:00 on Sunday morning, November 22, for pancakes and fellowship.  This annual JFFAL event has become one of the highlights of the autumn season.  You won’t want to miss it!!  A free-will offering will be taken.  Questions??  Contact Barbara Wright or Sarah Ulis.

“Thank you!” from Malawi

Margaret Sessa recently wrote Doug Griffin asking him to express her thanks to all the people of Rock Spring for all the help they’ve been giving me since I came to Malawi.  She said that the bountiful bundle of school supplies provided during the summer when she returned home were a hit!  Many of the supplies, which were priced at nearly half of normal retail value, are normally too expensive for most students there to purchase, or they simply aren’t available where the school is located.

The girls who ran the shop selling the supplies were able to provide for themselves from the proceeds.  One huge need that Margaret witnessed last year was for these girls to have an ample supply of paraffin for their lamps so that they could study at night.  Margaret reported, Even with the discounted rate the girl boarders were able to consistently buy two bottles of paraffin a week for their lamps so they could study at night right up until their exams. The girls were so excited by the success that they have already developed a plan for making money to buy paraffin for next term.

The shop exceeded expectation.  And with remaining supplies the Wildlife Club is able to continue running the shop.  With the money they earned the club is taking a trip to Vwaza National Park.  Margaret said, Most of these children have never been farther than the local town center (about an hour away) so to be able to visit a National Park is amazing. Had they paid for the excursion themselves it would have cost nearly one-half of one month’s average salary there!  So, Margaret writes, I feel pretty confident in saying this trip probably would not have been possible without the church’s donations.  Additionally, since the kids have been running the shop, they feel like they really put this trip together and earned it, which is a great feeling for them.

Thank you, all, who contributed to this great success in Margaret’s service in Malawi!

Change Coming Soon to the Rock Spring News

At the June 29th Church Council meeting, Council approved a proposal to go to a monthly email format for the Rock Spring News, ending the current bimonthly format.

A monthly edition of the Rock Spring News will enable full articles, customary features and possibly the addition of thematic emphases.  It will avoid reduplication of many announcements and information pieces in the weekly bulletin, which diminishes readership of the online Rock Spring News.  A weekly email distribution of “This Week at Rock Spring, ” including the calendar and announcements section of the church bulletin, will be distributed each Monday morning.  Readers will be able to subscribe to “This Week at Rock Spring” on the Rock Spring website.

Boards, Committees, and Writers, please note that the Rock Spring News is going monthly very soon.  The target date for publishing our first monthly edition is November 29, 2009, which coincides with the beginning of Advent.  The deadline for our first issue is Wednesday, November 18, 2009. This issue will cover November 29, 2009 to December 31, 2009

Deadlines thereafter will be the third Wednesday of each calendar month.  The Rock Spring News will be prepared and delivered to the mailing lists on the final Sunday of each month, and will cover the upcoming month.

When submitting your articles please be sure they are drafted in Word format.  Articles must be sent to the following address: publish@rockspringucc.org.

Below are the deadline dates:

November 18 2009            Covering 11/29/09 – 12/31/09

December 16, 2009            Covering January 2010

January 20, 2010                Covering February 2010

February 17, 2010               Covering March 2010

March 17, 2010                    Covering April 2010

April 21, 2010                       Covering May 2010

May 19, 2010                         Covering June 2010

June 16, 2010                        Covering July 2010

July 21, 2010                         Covering August 2010

August 18, 2010                    Covering September 2010

September 15, 2010              Covering October 2010

October 20, 2010                  Covering November 2010

November 17, 2010               Covering December 2010

December 15, 2010               Covering January 2011

Are There Any Skeletons in Your Closet . . .

Or how about some old pillowcases you don’t use anymore?  Please bring your old and well-loved pillowcases (any size, any color) to Rock Spring and place them in the box marked, “PILLOWCASES” outside the Saegmuller Room.  We need your help to collect as many as possible for an upcoming church project (more details soon!)  Think about how great you’ll feel and how clean your linen closet will be!  Questions:  contact Susan Alverson.

Board of Deacon’s News

Sunday Greeters Needed!

A friendly face at the front door makes newcomers and members feel welcome at Rock Spring.  For that reason, we have a cadre of volunteers who each work for 15 minutes one Sunday a month, to greet people as they arrive for our worship services.

A few new volunteers are needed to complete the roster for the coming year.  If you are interested in working before the 9 a.m. service on the third Sunday of each month, or at either the 9 a.m. or 11 a.m. service on the fifth Sundays (just four times a year!), please be in touch.  The job is made easier because we have a great group of substitutes who are willing to fill in when you’re traveling or otherwise unable to be there.  Questions? Contact Claudia Sturges Scott.

Caring Ministry News

An Invitation to Join the Caring Ministry at Rock Spring

Rock Spring’s caring ministry program was formed almost four years ago to be a compassionate presence in the lives of all Rock Springers, with a special focus on the needs of our seniors.  Our caring ministry program is a ministry of the Board of Deacons, with pastoral guidance and support from Janet Parker.  As a new program year gets underway, the Caring Ministry invites you to join this fulfilling and vital program at Rock Spring.

We are drawn into the Rock Spring community for many reasons.   Some of us come to it because we were married here.  Some of us come here as singles or couples, for fellowship and spiritual growth.  Many of us find in it a place to introduce our children to a loving, nurturing atmosphere and to help them develop their own spiritual roots.  As our families and careers grow, the church helps us to keep our bearings and to know ourselves.  When others are in need of support, the church community provides opportunities for us to help comfort them and to show our love.  When we are the ones in need, other members of the congregation show us that same compassion.

The Caring Ministry program has three components:  visitation, cards, and transportation.  Volunteers are needed to send cards to people who are grieving, recuperating from illness, unable to get out much, or celebrating occasions like the birth of a new baby or a special anniversary.  Drivers are needed from time to time to take people to important appointments, or to church events.  Visitation volunteers are needed to visit people in their homes, and in the hospital, to ensure that Rock Spring continues to be experienced as a caring presence in people’s lives, even when they can’t physically be present in church.  If you feel drawn to participating in any of these areas of the Caring Ministry, please contact Janet Parker at the church, or by email, to find out how you can get involved.  We currently have a particular need for new visitation volunteers.  Visitation volunteers receive training and support in a relaxed, informal atmosphere for their ministry of visitation.  Sessions take place on a bimonthly basis, and will be offered this year in November, January, March, and May.

Special Opportunity for New Visitation Volunteers

All visitation volunteers, and especially new volunteers or those considering volunteering, are invited to the first caring ministry resource and sharing session for this year, which will take place on Saturday, November 21, from 9:30 am to noon, in the Saegmuller Room.  An orientation to visitation will be provided for new volunteers, and continuing volunteers will share their experiences and collective wisdom.  Please RSVP to Susan Daniels if you plan to attend.

Senior Pastor Search Committee News

The Search Committee has made tremendous progress since our last update!  The Local Church Profile has been finalized and is available to members of the congregation in the Church office.  Look for instructions on how to access the local church profile on our website in an upcoming weekly bulletin.

Also, the Sr. Pastor position at Rock Spring has been added as an employment opportunity on the www.ucc.org website.  The listing can be seen at http://www.ucc.org/classifieds/pdfs/ucem.pdf .  As of October 20, we have received 15 candidate profiles and have decided to continue pursuit of 4 candidates.  We have also begun to reach out to additional candidates through references provided by Rock Springers and by asking friends of Rock Spring for additional potential candidates.  We strongly encourage the congregation to provide additional names of potential candidates and references.

If you have questions or would like to provide comments, suggestions or names of potential candidates, please feel free to send them to our email.

Women’s Fellowship News

Women’s Fellowship: all women of Rock Spring, of all ages and association with the church, are members of the Fellowship.  We encouraged you to participate as you are able and to share your ideas for activities with the Board – Jacki Brown, Donna Cartwright, Carol George, Peggy Greenwood, Edith Heins, Pam Henriksen, Joyce Mader, Judy McDowell, and Cristine Robles.

Annual Fall Fest and Silent Auction

Saturday, November 7 2009 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Trinkets and Treasures, Beads, Tasty Tidbits (Bake Sale), Silent Auction and Lunch from 11:30 a.m. until food runs out!  We need your Silent Auction donations!

• The Silent Auction’s success depends on the contribution of auction items such as:
• Time at a vacation home;
• Sporting or cultural tickets;
• Services such as handyman, accounting, snow shoveling, babysitting or other;
• Services you would like someone to provide to you (e.g. sidewalk shoveling, house cleaning, grocery shopping, a ride, putting up/taking down your Christmas tree (please indicate how much you will donate and the length of service);
• Art – prints, paintings, photos;
• More valuable new or used items (too good for Treasures);
• Theme baskets;
• Homemade dinners or eatables (at your home or delivered) (past favorites are theme dinners, desserts, cinnamon buns, wine tasting);
• Handcrafted items;
• Collectables or antiques;
• Donations from local businesses.
• Gift certificates to local businesses, restaurants, entertainment

Please make a tax-deductible donation and then come and donate your dollars to the Church by taking advantage of the generosity of the gifts of others!! Remember your donations and your purchases benefit the Church!!

Items may be dropped off at Carpenter Hall on Friday November 6 between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., or on Saturday November 7th before 9:30 a.m. Or, arrange for special pickup by calling Peggy Greenwood.

Forms and questions maybe directed to Peggy Greenwood or Bettie Clark or Donna Cartwright.  The forms maybe left in the Silent Auction box in the Saegmuller Room.  Donation receipts will be provided following the auction.

Please try to get your form/call in by Sunday October 31st so that we can advertise the upcoming opportunities to the congregation! We will, however, accept donation forms through November 12th.

Where do my Silent Auction and Fall Fest monies go?

Proceeds from the annual fall bazaar fund:

• Special Church Projects:  in the recent past: new tables; painting Carpenter Hall, new furniture for the Adult Ed Room, state of the art video equipment, freezer for the kitchen; new commercial refrigeration unit for the kitchen
• Benevolences: Homeless Women’s Dinner Program;AFAC; TACTS;Hoffman Homes; Saw Ministry; Lancaster Seminary; and more.

Fore more information, please visit our page on the Rock Spring Website: 
http://www.rockspringucc.org/church-life/womens-fellowship/

THINK OF THE BAZAAR AS A FUN WAY TO BENEFIT OTHERS AND ROCK SPRING AS WELL!

Women’s Fellowship Annual Meeting

Wednesday November 18, 7:00 p.m., Sagemueller Room

Anne Troy, the new Executive Director of Shaw Ministry, will be the featured speaker at the Women’s Fellowship Annual Meeting. She will share news of Shaw’s exciting new directions.  Women’s Fellowship –all women of all ages– has long contributed to Shaw’s mission. For instance, we provided $1,200 last summer for camperships. Please join the Women’s Fellowship for nibbles (more than cookies for those coming straight from work) from 7-7:30pm. A short business meeting will follow. Anne Troy will speak around 8pm.  Others from the Church are welcome, in particular Social Action and Stewardship members.  If you need childcare, contact Peggy Greenwood by November 12. If you need a ride, contact Donna Cartwright or Peggy. Please come whether you do lots with Women’s Fellowship or have never done anything. This is a wonderful time to connect.

On Wednesday, December 16th, at 10:30 am we gather for our advent coffee.  Join us for socializing and celebration of the season. If you need a ride or childcare, let the contact person know early. Contact Peggy Greenwood.

Sacred Circles are at the core of Women’s Fellowship.  Groups of Rock Spring women meet periodically for fellowship and spiritual refreshment. If you would like to join or form a Sacred Circle, contact Judy McDowell, Edith Heins or Peggy Greenwood.

The annual Spirituality Retreat will be held April 16-17, 2010, at Shepherd’s Springs Outdoor Ministry Center near Sharpsburg, MD. Laura Swett, of the Fairfax Disciples of Christ Church, will be our leader. Put the dates on your calendar. Stay tuned for more announcements in the New Year.

Data Committee News

The Data Committee Needs Your Help!

As many of you know a committee has been working on the Rock Spring database for the last three years.  We are very close to completing this project with the exception of a few people for whom we have absolutely no information despite our best efforts to find contact information.  If you know anything about anyone listed below please contact Diane Smith.  It will be much appreciated.

• Harriet Ahalt

• J. Ahalt

• Cynthia Anderson

• Jeanne Bonynge

• Christine Brady

• Josephine Buresh

• Ruth Eschmeyer

• Gretta Schottman

• Linda Schoumacher

• Elizabeth Warren

• Evart Warren

Eco Justice News

Green Tip:

Being mindful of what goes down the drain will save you and the planet in the long run.  Here are two environmentally-friendly solutions for clearing a clogged drain:  Drainbo is an all-natural solution of bacteria that works to decompose the clog, without any smell.  Visit www.drainbo.com for more details.  Alternatively, you can make your own solution:  Simply pour a 1/2-1 cup of baking soda down the drain and chase it with 1 cup of vinegar. Plug the drain and wait about 30 minutes. Chase that with very hot water.  Try it!  Brought to you by Rock Spring’s Eco-Justice Committee.

Board of Social Action

Congratulations to the Rock Spring Team of CROP walkers!

The weather was terrible, cold and raining, but that did not deter Rock Springers from walking to raise funds for the hungry.  Some of us walked on October 17 on the Arlington route, taking welcome advantage of the stops for hot cider along the way.  Others made their own walk.  Others raised funds.  The end result?  We have raised an interim total of `over $2,000, well over last year’s total.  This is a great achievement in a year where the need for food is so great.  Our goal was $1,500.  To date we have $2,650.00!!!

Don’t worry, you have not been left out.  Contributions will be accepted through October 30.  There is a box in the Saegmuller Room for donations and for the collection envelopes of you who participated.  In terms of online donations, Rock Spring is the leading church for raising funds.  Something to truly be proud of!  We are making a difference.  Cash and checks still need to be counted…but again, you still have a chance to contribute.  I will collect the box on October 30, and tally up the totals.

Thank you Rock Springers for showing your generosity and care of those less fortunate than we are!

Mary Nell Bryant, Team Leader

Meals on Wheels Needs You!

Meals on Wheels is searching for volunteers.  On the first and third Fridays of each month, Rock Springers deliver meals to people in need in the Arlington community.  This is a great opportunity for stay-at-home parents, those between jobs, retirees and anyone else who seeks a fun and rewarding way to give back to their community.  Time commitment is usually no more than 1 1/2 hours.  For more information contact: Karen Barberie.

Christian Education News

Confirmation Class of 2010

The Confirmation Class will gather on November 14 from 5:30-8:30 for our kick-off dinner and first gathering.  Confirmation is open to any youth who is currently in or beyond Ninth Grade.  This year, our class will be co-lead by Pastor Hank and Mike Slagenweit-Coffman, a member of the Parish House Pastoral Intern program.

Confirmation is a year-long group study in personal faith and spiritual discernment.  Classes are usually every-other-week, and focused on teaching the faith and order of the United Church of Christ.  The class will conclude on Pentecost, May 23, 2010, with the Confirmation Sunday service led by the class.

Youth of Rock Spring (YoRS)

November will be a time for us to focus on our fellowship, our blessings, and how we can share them with others!  Come see what we can do for our church, community, and world!  Check out the Weekly Update Email for this Sunday’s information!

Middle High YoRS meets at 4:30-6:30, and Senior High YoRS at 6:30-8:30 every Sunday.  Come share in the fun and fellowship with the Youth of Rock Spring!

MH-YoRS Dates:

11/1/2009            Regular Meeting, 4:30-6:30, Carpenter Hall

11/8/2009            Regular Meeting, 4:30-6:30, Carpenter Hall

11/15/2009            Regular Meeting, 4:30-6:30, Carpenter Hall

11/22/2009            Regular Meeting, 4:30-6:30, Carpenter Hall

11/29/2009            No YoRS Meeting (Thanksgiving Weekend)

SH-YoRS Dates:

11/1/2009            Regular Meeting, 6:30-8:30, Carpenter Hall

11/8/2009            Regular Meeting, 6:30-8:30, Carpenter Hall

11/15/2009            Regular Meeting, 6:30-8:30, Carpenter Hall

11/22/2009            Regular Meeting, 6:30-8:30, Carpenter Hall

11/29/2009            No YoRS Meeting (Thanksgiving Weekend)

Adult Education and Spirituality Programs

Each year, the Board of Christian Education takes on the task of evaluating the depth and breadth of our educational and fellowship ministries.  Partnering with the Board of Deacons, we seek to provide new ways to deepen our life together in faith, spiritual and personal growth.

9:30 New Adult CE Offerings

From the Strategic Planning Study in 2007 to last year’s feedback from the Profile Survey, the strong need for engagement in our life of faith, religious education, and spirituality rang loud.

This Fall, we are pleased to begin a new time to join together in study and fellowship.  These offerings will take place on Sunday mornings, 9:30-10:45 in the Peace Room.  The leadership will vary with partnerships between the Pastoral Team, the Parish House Pastoral Interns, interested Volunteer Leaders, and guest speakers.

These programs will begin in November and continue through the June.  Child care will be provided through out Nurseries and Children’s Music and Fellowship Hour (see above for info!).  Here are the offerings through the New Year (and beyond!):

11/1-11/22            “Sacred Time: Looking at the gift of Time in our lives

Do you find yourself frustrated by lack of time, or by how you use time?  Do you find the right balance between time for yourself and your family and time for other obligations and activities, such as service to church and community?  How do you know when to say “yes” and when to say “no” to the plethora of opportunities and demands life brings to us?  Where is God in all of this?  Join Revs. Hank Fairman and Janet Parker for a four week adult ed. offering on “Sacred Time” and explore these questions with other Rock Springers.  Classes will be held from 9:30-10:45 on Nov. 1, 8, 15, and 22 in the Peace Room.

For Advent: We will take a break to celebrate the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany season with our families.  Check out what’s coming in 2010:

1/10-31            Our Whole Lives (OWL) for the Rest of Us

Four sessions for adults introducing the depth of the “Our Whole Lives / Sexuality and our Faith” program.  These sessions will be lead by our OWL Team and Leaders, to share the program with the adult members, friends, and community of Rock Spring.

Into the Spirit! Returns.  Save These Dates!

12:30 p.m. to 2:00 or 2:30 p.m. Sessions:

Into the Spirit explores traditions of Christian spiritual practice and how they might apply in our congregational setting and in our personal lives.  Led by Dick Metzger and Barbara Kinney.  All meetings are to take place in the Peace Room.

Sunday, November 1:            Spiritual Journey

Sunday, December 6:            Prayers as a Spiritual Practice

Sunday, February 7:               Into the Spirit

Sunday, March 7:                    Into the Spirit

Sunday, May 2:                        Into the Spirit

Sunday, June 6:                       Into the Spirit

Living the Questions Returns to Rock Spring!

12:30 p.m. to 2:00 or 2:30 p.m. Sessions:

The First Light: Jesus and the Kingdom of God program is a series produced by Living the Questions organization and featuring Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan on video and with written material by Crossan.  The program begins by setting Jesus in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context, and works toward addressing Crossan’s four vital questions:  What is the character of your God?, What is the content of your faith?, What is the purpose of your worship?, What is the function of you community?  Led by Dwight Rodgers who can be contacted via e-mail for further information.

Sunday, November 8:            First Light 4:              Collaborative Eschaton

Sunday, November 22:           First Light 5:              The Lake as the World

Sunday, November 29:            Alternative date for The Lake as the World

Friday, December 13:              First Light 6:              Parables as Lurer

Friday, December 27  through 
January 3rd:  No Classes

Sunday, January 10:               First Light 7

Sunday, January 24:               First Light 8:              Substitutionary Atonement

Sunday, January 31:
                Alternative date for Substitutionary Atonement

Sunday, February 14:              First Light 9:              Demonstrations in Jerusalem

Sunday, February 28:             First Light 10:
              The Crowd and the Crucifixion

Sunday, March 14:                   First Light 11:
              Resurrection as Resistance

Sunday, March 28:                   First Light 12

Sunday, April 4th:                    No Classes, Easter

Rock Spring Centennial News

This is one in an occasional series of items about the history of Rock Spring Church as we approach the celebration of the church’s 100th anniversary in 2012.

As we commemorate Veteran’s Day this year, it’s worth noting that during World War I, Rock Spring Church, then known as Vanderwerken Congregational Church, had five members serving overseas in connection with the war. In July 1918, Rev. Frank Greeley and Frank Suter, the church clerk, signed a letter that was sent to those serving overseas. It read, in part:

Dear Comrades and Brothers,

You need no assurance from our church that during these days of absence from us while in the service of your country, you are much in our thoughts and prayers. . . .On the coming Sabbath we plan to hold a special patriotic service in which we will consider the hopes and prayers of representative Americans in this great hour of crisis. . . .We shall be gratified to think of you and pray for you that day with unusual tenderness of a memory that is personal, and with particular gratitude that our little church has its representation in the midst of the conflict. . . . We shall ask the Father to have you in His holy keeping; to enable you to meet, in daily endeavor, the ideals of a true soldier of Jesus Christ; to grant you the victory; and, in His own time, soon, we hope to restore you in health and in holy memories of his never-failing presence to the home circle and to our grateful fellowship.

Be sure to look for this section in following editions of the Rock Spring News to learn more about the history of our church!

Annual Giving Campaign Moment For Mission

Music at Rock Spring Church

As an introvert music is a great medium for me to use to express emotions.  Rock Spring has played a large role in my musical education. Considered somewhat tone deaf, I did not receive any musical instruction in school.  My sister sang, but neither of my parents did.   In public I sang very softly because I could not read music, and I tended to change keys inappropriately.

I am a child of Rock Spring Church.  It has been my spiritual home from infant baptism onward.  In my grade school years I came to dislike Sunday school, the rowdiness of my peers distressed me.  As an alternative to attending Sunday school I joined the Youth Choir. How could that be an alternative you say?  In the late 60′s and early 70′s the Sanctuary Choir sang at the 11 am service every Sunday and also at the 9 am service one Sunday a month. The Youth choir sang at the 9 am service the other Sundays. That was three to four Sundays a Month!!  Additionally, we stayed for the whole service!  I discovered that I preferred Church to Sunday school.  I finally felt a sense of belonging.

As a Junior and Senior in College I sang in the summer instant choirs, and upon graduation from College in 1978 I joined the Sanctuary Choir.  There is something very gratifying in joining with other people in song, and particularly in sacred song, to sing about our joys, our fears, and our deepest yearnings. It is also calming to be a part of a group of people who are joined together in communion to worship God.

Slowly over the years, through my participation in Rock Spring choirs, my musical skills have improved, and I have found my voice, in more ways than one.

I am thankful to the patient choir directors and fellow choir members who accepted my presence and participation in Choir despite my initial handicaps.

By Anita Marx