Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC)

Our community is firmly committed to demonstrating God’s love in action. Rock Spring contributes a significant portion of its budget to mission and social justice.

The Board is guided by Rock Spring’s Just Peace Statement and Open & Affirming Statement and has three purposes:

• To build awareness by educating our congregation and community on social issues of Christian concern and sharing knowledge about events and activities that will enable us to serve the community and promote social justice;
• To engage our congregation by taking steps for advocacy on progressive social issues of Christian concern and providing the congregation with options for individual action.
• To oversee the benevolence contributions of our congregation, which are used to support local and national charities.

Social Justice and Mission in 2010

At its retreat on February 27, 2010 the SAM Board discussed how to draw together the work previously performed by two Boards: Social Action and Stewardship. The combined board has begun to organize its work under five broad themes, and these, together with the key organizations or issues associated with each, are listed below:

• Participation in the church’s Annual Giving Campaign and providing information and advice about Our Church’s Wider Mission
• Direct service and action in our local community:  Hearts and Hammers, Adopt-a-Family, Secret Santa, Meal Program, Souperbowl, Meals on wheels, refugee family
• Interaction with organizations providing services for those in need in Northern Virginia:  Organizations devoted to Health and Substance Abuse; Food Banks/Shelters, Housing, Offender Support, Interfaith
• National and global issues, including the Special Offerings:  Peace Sunday, CROP walk, Fair Trade goods
• Support for United Church of Christ organizations:   Potomac Association, Lancaster Seminary, Howard Divinity School, Shaw Community, Hoffman Homes, UCC coalition for LGBT concerns

In addition, the Board for Social Action and Mission supports the work of three other committees or groups dealing with cross-cutting issues:

• Eco-Justice Committee
• Open and Affirming Committee
• Core team for Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement

Finally, the Board is aware that a good flow of information and communication within the congregation is essential to good stewardship, whether it is the church’s financial resources, or giving by individual members and friends. Communication is a two-way street. If you have ideas about social justice issues, benevolences, or adding new activities, or if you would like to work on any of the activities of the Board please e-mail socialactionandmission@rockspringucc.org or talk to Michael Bell or Martha Huelsbeck.

The Board of Social Action and Mission meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm in the Saegmuller Room. Any member or friend of the Congregation is welcome to attend.