In this Issue:
Vol. 3 No. 2
Covering 1/14/07 - 1/27/2007
THE NEXT TWO ROCK SPRING NEWS DEADLINES ARE TUESDAY JANUARY 16 & MONDAY JANUARY 30
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11
Sunday January 21, 2007
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
I Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21
ARE WE A FRIENDLY CONGREGATION
Help us to make a good impression on our visitors. According to Barna Research, it is estimated that 40% of
visitors make up their mind about a church before they even see the pastor. Within two minutes of the beginning of a service visitors have formed an
opinion about whether the congregation is friendly. We hope everyone will extend a hand to someone they don't recognize as well as those they
do.
From the newsletter of First Christian Church, Falls Church VA
CALLING ALL LAY CAREGIVERS!
Come to our next Caring Ministry Resource and Sharing Session on Tuesday, January 30, from 7-9 pm in the Saegmuller Room. Our own Don Britton,
and Kathy Garrison, Director of the Art of Pastoral Care program, will lead us in a discussion of how to use the resources of our faith--scripture,
prayer, conversation about faith--in our visitation and caregiving. Please RSVP to Ellen Swain at ellenswain@verizon.net
HOLIDAY DINNER FOR THE HOMELESS RECAP
The Holiday Dinner for the Homeless was held on Dec 25 with 60 people.
Many thanks to the Community Church of God, Resurrection Lutheran and
Rock Spring Congregational Church of Christ for providing gifts, to Fred
Jones and Monica Shumann for distributing flyers and to Carol George,
Jane Sessa and Barbara Roberts for cooking the turkeys. You all helped
to make Christmas meaningful for those who have so little and might have
spend this day without friends.
Ann Rudd
HELP NEEDED
Professional woman, married to a long-term Rock Springer, Walter Burns, is returning to Washington to assume a
fund raising position at a local university. Malve Burns is seeking temporary quarters for three to four months while she settles back in and
explores
the condominium market to buy. A one bedroom apartment would be great, but she would also consider a spacious room with private bath. She expects to
work 9 to 10 hour days, does not smoke, would rarely entertain, and her cooking needs would range from making coffee or tea to warming up the
occasional soup. She is in good
health, an energetic grandmother whose grandkids are unfortunately hundreds
of miles away. She has a medium-sized pooch, Lissy, but is prepared to forego Lissy's
companionship for this interim period (thank God for animal-loving friends
in Ithaca, New York) until she finds a permanent place of her own. If you have a temporary place to offer
or know someone who does, please e-mail Malve at mslocumb@twcny.rr.com or call her on her cell at
607 351-4403.
WOMEN'S SUNDAY
is February 11, 2007 -- This is an annual tradition at Rock Spring where the women of the church create a special worship service for the whole
congregation.
We need your help and beautiful voices. Please consider signing up
to sing in our ad hoc women only choir or to read different
passages throughout the program at either the
9 a.m. or 11 a.m.
service.
To participate in the February 11th service you can sign up in the
Saegmuller Room after Sunday services starting January 7th, 2007
or email Laura Hahn at hwfam@msn.com or Eileen Jinks at
ejinks@comcast.net to let us know what you would be interested in doing.
If participating in the program is not your thing then make sure
you put the date on your calendar and come be part of the experience.
Ladies Lunch Out
Start the new year at lunch with some friendly folks at an interesting restaurant. We will be going to
Four Sisters/Huong Que in the Eden Center in Falls Church on Wed., Jan 17 at noon. Sign up in the Saegmuller Room after services on Jan.7 &
Jan. 14. Contact Marcia Johnson at 703-243-7050 for more information.
Beads
The beading sessions resume in January on Wednesday, January 10 at 10:00 a.m. and Monday, January 15th at 7:30 p.m.
Back to Top
FROM THE
NOMINATING
COMMITTEE:
The nominating committee needs people willing to serve on all the boards of
the church.
These include:
Deacons
Christian Education
Stewardship
Finance
Social Action
Music
Property
Please contact any of the following members of the nominating committee....
Jeff Dale dalej@ici-llc.com
703 534
6288
Ann Divecha Divecha@cavtel.net
703 532
4921
Robin Overholt overholj@yahoo.com
703 527
9190
Blair Reischer blair@reischer.org
703 241
7864
GREEN ACTION:
Instead of throwing away styrofoam packing peanuts in the trash, take them to one of several local mailbox/packaging
businesses that are glad to accept and reuse them. The following businesses accept packing peanuts: Crystal City Copy Center (2341
Jefferson Davis Hwy #113, Arlington, 703-415-1733), Pak Mail (1001 N. Fillmore St., Arlington, 703-351-7777), Mail Boxes Etc. (4201 Wilson Blvd.
#110, 703-522-4000), UPS Store (2200 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 102, 703-358-9500), and Mailbox Extra (201 W. Broad St. (Route 7), Falls Church City,
703-534-9377). You also can find a participating business near you by going to the following website: http://www.loosefillpackag
ing.com/search/default.asp
Try it! Brought to you by Rock Spring's Eco-Justice Committee.
How green was your Christmas?
The Ecojustice Committee would like to know if the Going Green for Christmas tips were useful to you. We'd like to collect stories of what you
did and how it worked, and gather more Green Christmas ideas to share next year. Please contact Carolyn Rapp at cfrapp@att.net or 703-597-4062
with stories, tips, and feedback.
UNITED COLLEGE MINISTRIES
Saturday February 10, 2007 from 9:45-4:15 United College Ministries and NOVAM (Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry) are sponsoring "Lighten the Burden: A
Day of Healing for those Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS." The location is Fairlington United Methodist Church, 3900 King St., Alexandria, VA
22302.
The cost is $20. Scholarship assistance is available. Please call 703-820-4295 or email wilsanne@gmail.com
to request assistance. The registration deadline is January 26. Please make checks payable to Fairlington UMC and mail to address
above. Space for this event is limited. We encourage early registration.
PETER REISCHER SINGING AT NATIONAL CATHEDRAL
by Blair Reischer
Peter Reischer is concluding his career as a treble in the Washington National Cathedral Choir of Men & Boys in
January.
Remaining services he will participate in are as follows:
January 14.
11 AM Eucharist
(about 80-90 minutes),
4 PM Evensong
(about 60 minutes)
January 28.
4 PM Evensong with a special "Valediction" for Peter and his choirmate Alex.
For casual visitors with a UCC point of reference we suggest attending one of the evensongs-- they have more music and less ceremony. You can
also sit in the great choir.
Webcasts of the Christmas services are at: http://www.cathedral.org
/cathedral/worship/webca
st.shtml
LEARN ABOUT
OUR
POTOMAC
ASSOCIATION
Visit the new association website: www.potomacucc.org. Thanks to our own Sara Fitzgerald, who serves on the CAC Conference Board of Directors, for
arranging this wonderful convenience.
THE HUMOR CORNER
A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the
Bible...Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the verse. Little Bobby was excited about the task, but he
just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line. On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite
Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Bobby was so nervous. When it was his turn, He stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my
shepherd...and that's all I need to know!"
|
HAVE A MINUTE?
by Janet Parker
New Year, New Beginnings
A New Year has begun. 2007. It's hard to believe that we are now well into the second half of the first decade of the third
Millennium. Wasn't it just yesterday that we were celebrating the year 2000? Do you remember the feeling of anticipation and promise that
we collectively felt entering a new Millennium. It felt like a global turning point, like we were all collectively turning over a new leaf,
full
of possibilities for creating a better future for humankind as we left behind the old Millennium. So much has happened since then that has tarnished
that bright hope, so much has transpired that has dimmed our dreams in the seven years since we entered this new era. And yet...and yet...somehow,
our old world goes on. People fall in love, babies are born, new treatments are found for terrible diseases, compassion is poured out upon
victims of disastrous storms, the seasons continue to turn, even if their warming trend is worrisome, and we here at Rock Spring, individually and as
a church, are moving forward in many positive ways.
In the midst of the daily drone of bad news, it's important to remember, and celebrate, where we are and where we are going. As a church, this
new year finds us moving forward on important initiatives like the caring ministry program, eco-justice, marriage equality, and the exciting addition
to our pastoral staff of the Rev. Hank Fairman, who together with our CE Board and lay leadership, will bring new vitality and stability to our
Christian Education and Youth programs. We are adding new members, baptizing babies, confirming youth, serving the spiritual needs of our
congregation AND continuing our service and witness to the wider world. We have much to be thankful for as 2007 begins.
As 2007 offers new opportunities to our church, it also beckons us as individuals to grasp new possibilities for reshaping our own lives in positive
ways. The new year is a time to pause and reflect, to ask yourself, what do I want to be and do in the time God has given me on this
earth? I close with a quote from Anne McConney's book Our December Hearts...food for thought as we launch ourselves into the gift of
this new
year:
"The future, whatever it may be, will be shaped by acts of God, by other human beings, and -not least--by ourselves....God has given us an enormous
gift, the gift of being co-creators, and what we create is the one person each of us was meant to be."
My wish for each of you in 2007 is that you may have the courage, the heart, the dedication, and the willingness to work with God on the unfolding
project of becoming the best person you can be, the person God is calling you to be, the person that in your heart of hearts you desire to be. May
God bless each of us and Rock Spring richly in the new year.
Janet Parker
Back to top
SAVE THE DATE: Mark your calendars now, The Annual
Meeting will
be held on Sunday January 28, 2006. The meeting will begin with lunch at 12:15 pm, childcare will be available.
Keep in prayer those who struggle with health issues, and their loved ones who support them, including:...
Prayers for Donna Cartwright, Caroline Hufford-Anderson, recovering from a broken leg...Catherine Carlston,
recovering at
Renaissance Gardens, Greenspring Village, from a broken leg...Earl Graffam, at home after a long hospitalization recovering from hip
surgery....Bob
Vandivier, now in rehab recovering from lung surgery in Pittsburgh...Donn Henriksen, son of Pam and
Soren, undergoing cancer treatments...Paul
Barrett, spouse of Mary Barrett, undergoing weekly treatments for cancer...Burt Ludy, recovering from
health concerns...Ryan Frederick, grandson of
Rosemary Frederick, who is serving in Iraq...Nettie Wesselink at Cherrydale Nursing Home undergoing rehab after a
minor stroke...Wayne Limberg's
brother who recently underwent surgery...
We offer condolences and prayers to Dick Norland and his family on the sudden loss of Dick's father, Don
Norland.
ROCK SPRING
FAMILY LIFE RETREAT 2007
WHEN: February 2nd through 4th 2007
WHERE: Cacapon Resort State Park, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.
COST: 1 Person - $60, 2 people - $100, 3 people- $130, 4 people - $160, 5 people - $190, 6 + -
$220 Single family cabins MUST be requested at registration.
CONTACT: Elizabeth Ravesteijn, 703-532-5532 or meisjes3@comcast.net
Loads of fun is waiting for you and your family at this year's Family Life Retreat at Cacapon Resort State Park located
in picturesque Berkeley Springs 105 miles west of D.C. The retreat is a great week-end for Rock Spring Families to spend time together outside
our normal church interactions. We stay in multi-family cabins (some lodge rooms may be available if needed) The cabins are modern, comfortable, and
equipped with everything you need for the week-end bedding, towels, minimal kitchen gear and warm, cozy fireplaces. Meals are generally arranged
ahead of time with other families in your cabin, while the Saturday evening appetizers/dinner is a potluck. A sing along follows in the main host
cabin where desserts are served.
The week-end belongs to you with a plethora of activities available. Cacapon offers opportunities for hiking trails,
golf,
and if the weather is wintry sledding, ice fishing and snow ball fights. There will also be children's crafts, games, the annual capture the flag
event and Friday night marshmallow roasting. Spots are filling up quickly, so sign up soon. See you there!
back to top
MARRIAGE EQUALITY UPDATE:
Invitation to Congregational Discussion Sessions on the Proposed Revision of our Open and
Affirming Statement
Background: At its December meeting, Church Council set March 18, 2007 as the target date for a Congregational Meeting to take up the
proposed amendment to Rock Spring's Open and Affirming Statement to reflect marriage equality. The Council voted in November to recommend to
the Congregation that the O&A statement be revised to read (in the relevant part): "We invite all people to share fully in our life together; in
worship and service, in employment, in lay and professional leadership and in affirmation of personal life passages, including marriage
ceremonies
for all couples regardless of gender." The words in bold would replace "ceremonies of traditional marriage and committed
unions." In
addition, the O&A statement would include an acknowledgement that we had given "prayerful consideration" to the marriage equality resolution from the
2005 UCC General Synod.
On January 21, February 18, and March 11 there will be discussion sessions after both services at which congregation members can express their views
on the proposal and learn more about the process that led up to it and its implications for the life of Rock Spring. The first session on
Jan. 21 will take place in the sanctuary after both services and will last a maximum of 30 minutes! An additional session on February 11
after both services will be led by Chuck Wildman only for those who wish to have a more confidential discussion in a private setting.
We encourage everyone to come to at least one of these sessions, even if you made up your mind about the subject of marriage equality a long time ago
(pro or con), and whether or not you attended the forums in the fall. We believe that the process we are undergoing here is as important as the
outcome, and it is vital that as many people as possible participate in the discussion before we vote on whether or not to amend our Open and
Affirming statement to reflect a commitment to marriage equality. From the beginning, we have been committed to making this a fair, open, and
respectful process. To fully achieve that goal, we need YOU. Come not only to express your own views but to listen respectfully to the
views of others. Come to be a part of this historic moment in the life of our church. Come to simply be present to one another as we
"hear each other into speech" on this issue.
In preparation for those discussion sessions and the Congregational Meeting, copies of background materials will be available in several
locations: in the Saegmuller Room under a display entitled "Marriage Equality", in a binder in the Library on a shelf with other marriage
equality resources next to the door that leads up to the sanctuary, and at the Open and Affirming section of the www.rockspringucc.org web
site. Those materials include the current O&A statement and the proposed amendment, the 2005 General Synod Resolution on marriage equality,
sermons by Rock Spring pastors on O&A and marriage equality, statements from this fall's Forum series, and relevant books and book reviews.
Tapes of the presentations at the Forum series are also available for borrowing, and may be found in the same place as sermon tapes in the Saegmuller
Room (please note that only the formal presentations were recorded; general discussions following the presentations were not recorded in order to
provide a sense of confidentiality and safe space so that participants would feel as comfortable as possible in asking questions and making
comments). In addition, wherever materials are available you will also find a Comment Box where you can register a concern or question,
anonymously if you like.
The Pastors and the Members of the Marriage Equality Study Committee welcome anyone to contact them to discuss this process, to ask questions, to
offer feedback, or to express any concerns you may have. Members include: Kelly Hamilton-Bracy, John and Cherie Bottum, Sam
Cline, Libby Culver, Howard Hjort, Masami Kojima, Susan Nelson Johnson, Peter Moll, Carrie Hessler Radelet, Wade Sharp, Rebecca Womeldorf, Cynthia
Young
Back to Top
FROM THE WOMEN'S
SPIRITUALITY COORDINATING COMMITTEE
"Draw the Circle Wide"
on Sunday January 21
All Rock Spring women are invited to a time for sharing, spiritual renewal and light refreshments on Sunday January 21 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in
Carpenter Hall. This event is designed to give women a chance to gather, talk and share a spiritual time together. The event will also provide an
opportunity for members of Rock Spring's Sacred Circles to share information and resources, and for women to learn more about the circles and the
fellowship they offer. Whether or not you have any interest in joining a Sacred Circle, we invite you to take this opportunity to get to know more
Rock Spring women. Light refreshments will be provided, as will child care, if we receive advance notice that you would use it. Contact Judy McDowell
(703-536-6152) or JudyKMcDowell@verizon.net or Janice Langholz (703-534-7037) jlangholz@msn.com for more information.
Future Dates of Note:
Rock Spring Women's Sunday: February 11, 2007
Rock Spring Women's All-Day Spring Retreat (in town, led by Rev. Anne Holmes)--Saturday May 12, Carpenter Hall
Washington National Cathedral's "Sacred Circles: A Celebration of Women's Spirituality 2007"--February 16-17, National Cathedral. See www.nationalcathedral.org/sacredcircles for more
information.
BI-WEEKLY
CHURCH CALENDAR
Sunday, January 14
Worship
|
Sanctuary
|
9:00 &
11:00 am |
Church School
|
Hunter Bldg
|
9:00 & 11:00am
|
Fellowship
Hour
|
Saegmuller
Room
|
10:15 am & noon
|
Adult Bible
Study
|
Peace Room
|
10:00 am |
Choristers
|
Bell Choir
Room
|
10:15 am
|
Youth Choir |
Choir Room
|
12:30 pm
|
Children's
Bells |
Bell Choir
Room
|
12:30 pm
|
Prayer Circle
|
Peace Room
|
12:30 pm
|
YORS
|
Carpenter
Hall
|
6:30 pm
|
Monday, January 15
Martin Luther King Jr.Day
Offices Closed
Board of
Finance
|
Library
|
7:30 pm
|
Beads
Workshop
|
Archives Room
|
7:30 pm
|
Board of Deacons
|
Saegmuller Room
|
7:30 pm
|
Tuesday, January 16
Lectionary
Study |
Saegmuller
Room |
10:00 am |
Brass
Ensemble
|
Sanctuary
|
11:00 am
|
Board of Music
|
Choir Room
|
7:15 pm |
Boy Scouts
|
Neighborhood House
|
7:30 pm
|
Wednesday, January 17
Ladies Lunch
Out
|
|
12:00 pm
|
Balalaika Society
|
Carpenter Hall |
7:30 pm
|
Eco-Justice Committee
|
Peace Room
|
7:30 pm |
Adult
Handbells
|
Sanctuary
|
7:45 pm
|
Thursday, January 18
Thurs. Night
Supper
|
Carpenter
Hall
|
6:30 pm
|
Men's Choir
|
Choir Room
|
7:00 pm
|
Sanctuary
Choir
|
Choir Room
|
7:30 pm
|
Saturday, January 20
Parent's Night Out
|
At Church
|
4:00 pm
|
Sunday, January 21
Worship
|
Sanctuary
|
9:00 &
11:00 am |
Church School
|
Hunter Bldg
|
9:00 & 11:00am
|
Fellowship
Hour
|
Saegmuller
Room
|
10:15 am & noon
|
Adult Bible
Study
|
Peace Room
|
10:00 am |
Choristers
|
Bell Choir
Room
|
10:15 am
|
Youth Choir |
Choir Room
|
12:30 pm
|
Children's
Bells |
Bell Choir
Room
|
12:30 pm
|
Draw the Circle Wide
|
Carpenter Hall
|
3:00 to 5:30 pm |
YORS
|
Carpenter
Hall
|
6:30 pm
|
Monday, January 22
|
Tai Chi
|
Carpenter Hall
|
5:45 pm |
Church Council
|
Saegmuller Room
|
7:30 pm |
Tuesday, January 23
Lectionary
Study |
Saegmuller
Room |
10:00 am |
Brass
Ensemble
|
Sanctuary
|
11:00 am
|
Boy Scouts
|
Neighborhood
House
|
7:30 pm |
| |
|
|
Wednesday January 24
Library Work
Day
|
Library
|
10:00am
|
Balalaika
|
Carpenter Hall
|
7:30 pm
|
Adult
Handbells
|
Sanctuary
|
7:45 pm
|
Thursday, January 25
Thurs. Night Supper
|
Carpenter
Hall
|
6:30 pm
|
Men's Choir
|
Choir Room
|
7:00 pm
|
Sanctuary Choir
|
Choir room
|
7:30 pm |
| |
|
|
The Church Staff
| Senior
Pastor |
Charles L. Wildman |
|
Pastor for Parish Life
|
Janet L. Parker |
| Pastor for Children, Youth & Families |
Henry E Fairman |
| Director of Music |
Elizabeth Kluegel Niblock |
| Asst. Director of Music |
Edward Roberts |
|
Children's Music Ed. Director
|
Amy McDowell
|
| Office Administrator |
Ben Eckman |
| Administrative Assistant |
Lisa Mikell |
| Bookkeeper |
Lisa Mikell
|
| Property
Manager |
Don Bauman |
| Nursery
Supervisor |
Fern Lawrence |
| Infant Care
Supervisor |
Maria Elena Cortez |
|
Custodians
|
Willis Gardner &
Vicki Morales
|
| Bus Driver |
Rico Picarriello |
|
