Jan. 28- Annual Meeting Sunday
"Living Love"
Chuck Wildman, preaching
Annual Meeting of the Congregation
Begins with lunch at 12:15 in Carpenter Hall
Child Care during the meeting
***
Feb. 4- Racial Justice Sunday
Communion in the Pews
"Am I a Racist?"
Chuck Wildman, preaching
THE NEXT TWO ROCK SPRING NEWS DEADLINES ARE MONDAY JANUARY 29 & MONDAY FEBRUARY 12
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Luke 4:21-30
Sunday February 4, 2007
Isaiah 6:1-8, (9-13) Psalm 138
I Corinthians 15:1-11 Luke 5:1-11
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.
Women's choir practices are:
Thur., Jan. 25
7-7:30 pm
Thur., Feb. 1 7-7:30 pm
----In Sanctuary
Thur., Feb. 8 7:30-9 pm
---In Choir Room
PROPERTY BOARD SEEKS NIGHTLY LOCK-UP VOLUNTEERS
FOR 2007
To help ensure that the Church is fully locked-up on a nightly basis given all the activities that occur
on the grounds, the Property Board seeks the assistance of volunteers that can routinely lock-up on a weekly basis. If you are able to help
with this recurring and important task, or are able to continue your current duties for another year, please contact Bill Wiggins at
wfbmawiggins@verizon.net or (703) 486-3631.
GREEN ACTION:
This week, visit a FEMA website that has
information on household hazardous materials. The website includes a
1-to-3 hour online course and describes steps you can take to protect
yourself, your family, and the environment from hazardous materials in
your
home. The website is:
http://www.training.fema.
gov/emiweb/Is/is55.asp Try it! Brought to you by Rock Spring's Eco-Justice Committee.
LEARN ABOUT
OUR
POTOMAC
ASSOCIATION
Visit the new association website: www.potomacucc.org. Thanks to our own Sara Fitzgerald, who serves as the President of the CAC Conference Board of
Directors.
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CALL TO THE ANNUAL MEETING
All members of Rock Spring Congregational UCC are hereby called to the Annual Meeting of the
Congregation: Sunday, January 28, 2007
Agnes Carpenter Memorial Fellowship Hall
Lunch by the Women's Fellowship, 12:15 pm
Meeting convenes 12:45 pm
Child care provided during the business meeting.
Meeting materials available from the Church Office and in the back of the Sanctuary
Agenda:
1. Receive and act upon minutes of prior congregational meetings.
2. Receive, review and act upon the Annual Report of the Congregation's ministries and programs for the Year 2006.
3. Receive and act upon membership reclassifications as recommended by the Board of Deacons.
4. Receive and act upon the recommendation of Council for the 2007 Church budget.
5.Receive and act upon the report of the Nominating Committee.
6. Receive and act upon any other business appropriate to come before the meeting.
-Denise Calvert, Clerk of the Church
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STAFF DOINGS
Happy Birthday, Hank Fairman, Jan. 28...Janet Parker and Hank Fairman will be away at the Family Life Retreat, Feb.
2-4.
Keep in prayer those who struggle with
health issues, and their loved ones who support them, including:
...Caroline Hufford-Anderson, recovering from a broken leg...Del Anderson,
facing more surgery...Cartherine Carlston, recovering from hip
surgery...Donna Cartwright, facing new health challenges...Netty Wesselink, back at Cherrydale Nursing Home, 523.
SPECIAL THANK-YOU FROM
NETTY
Heartfelt thanks to Netty's friends at Rock Spring for their prayers
and visits to my mother Netty Wesselink and kind words and thoughts for
me. Netty had a series of three strokes this past month, and is now
once again at Cherrydale Nursing Home in room 523. Although she is
currently very weak and impaired, she is alert and understands what is
going on. Your continued visits are appreciated. I can be reached
at my home e-mail: h.kellum@verizon.net if anyone would like to send a message to
Netty.
Regards, Henriette Kellum (youngest daughter).
MEMBERSHIP INQUIRY SESSIONS SET
Join Chuck Wildman for three sessions to learn about Rock Spring
Church, the United Church of Christ and the development of the New
Testament Church. Included will be core Rock Spring beliefs, practices,
programs and opportunities, and the meaning of membership. Laughs,
food, child care, too! Sundays, 3:00-5:00 pm. Feb. 25, March 4, &
11 in the Saegmuller Room. Let Chuck know if you plan to attend:
chuck@rockspringucc.org
SOCIAL ACTION BOARD SPONSORS: Souper Bowl of Caring on Super Bowl
Sunday
Help fight hunger before the big football game. On Sunday, February
4th, congregations and organizations all over the country will
participate
in the annual Souper Bowl of Caring. On that Sunday, members of the
congregation are asked to contribute a can of soup or $1 to help fight hunger in Arlington. All contributions go to the Arlington Food
Assistance Center. Souper Bowl Sunday reminds us that people living in
our
community have the most basic needs (food) on a day when many
game-related activities focus on expensive product advertising and big
money sports. To
learn more check out the Souper Bowl web site at http://www.souperbowl.org/. Marti Weston has more information atr2mweston@mind
spring.com.
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CONGREGATION DISCUSSES MARRIAGE
EQUALITY
Soliciting Contributions for "This I Believe ... About
Marriage Equality"
Would
you like to share your views in the Rock Spring News about marriage
equality-- whatever they may be--and/or the journey that brought you
there?
The Marriage Equality Study Committee is soliciting concise, personal
statements (target of about 150-250 words each) leading up to the March
18
Congregational Meeting. The Committee hopes to get diverse views.
Contact Susan Johnson susan.nelson@do.treas.gov for more information or with a
submission.
This I Believe...About Marriage Equality by Tom
Johnson
In a church that already has crossed the O&A threshold, the
marriage-equality debate is a debate over a word: What shall we call
ceremonies that we
perform for committed same-sex couples? While I recognized that many
same-sex couples attach importance to the word chosen, I had trouble
understanding why. My trouble was never Biblical, it was rather
definitional. A heterosexual relationship has always been part of the
definition of
marriage, and the General Synod isn't some American version of the
Academie Francaise, empowered to redefine words as it sees fit. I came
to
understand how the word "marriage" could be important to same-sex
couples, however, when I considered that I never refer to parents who
adopted their
children as "adoptive parents," even though I am sure that there is a
biological element to the standard definition of "parent." The essence
of being
a parent is the same, regardless of how parent and child came together.
The essence of being married is the same, regardless of the sex of
one's
partner. Why not use the word that conforms to the essence of the
relationship, particularly if that word is preferred by those in the
relationship?
I frankly continue to view this as a relatively unimportant issue. The
important question, in my mind, is: How do we most effectively approach
the
task of changing the law so that committed same-sex couples can enjoy
the same legal rights as married heterosexual couples? We cannot change
the law
of Virginia by a congregational vote (which probably is just as well,
all things considered). But we can change the word we use to describe
our
commitment ceremonies for same-sex couples. The fact that many people
whom I know and respect wish to have this congregation recognize their
relationships as marriages is enough reason for me to support making
that change.
Marriage Equality Listening and Discussion Sessions on
February 11, 18, and March 11
Following the first session on January 21, there will be three more opportunities to exchange views: February 11 (following both services for a
meeting facilitated by Chuck Wildman only. This session is designed for those who would like to have a conversation with Chuck to ask
questions, share their feelings, or air concerns in a more private and confidential setting), February 18 (time and place to be decided), and March
11 (in the sanctuary immediately following both services).
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GOT YORS?
Senior High YORS has voted to change meeting times. We'll meet on Sundays, from 1:00-3:00 beginning 1/21/07.
We'll share in a fun lunch, a fun time, and some fun planning on what is fun! Look to the E-News for the upcoming "cultural immersion"
menu!
Upcoming Dates:
1/28 - Congregational Annual Meeting (We'll meet afterward)
2/4 - Family Life Retreat (time TBD)
2/11 - Journey to Casablanca
2/18 - Parlez-vous Francais?
2-25 - How about some Breakfast?
BI-WEEKLY
CHURCH CALENDAR
Sunday, January 28
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
|
Senior High
YORS
|
At Church
|
1:00 pm
|
Middle School YORS
Confirmation
|
Carpenter
Hall
Saegmuller
Room
|
6:30 pm
7:30 pm
|
Monday, January 29
Tai Chi
|
Carpenter Hall
|
5:45 pm
|
Tuesday, January 30
| Lectionary
Study |
Saegmuller
Room |
10:00 am |
Brass
Ensemble
|
Sanctuary
|
11:00 am
|
Caring Ministry
Training
|
Saegmuller Room
|
7:00 to 9:00 pm
|
Boy Scouts
|
Neighborhood
House
|
7:30 pm
|
Thursday, February 1
Thursday Night Supper
|
Carpenter
Hall
|
6:45 pm
|
Men's Choir
|
Choir Room
|
7:00 pm
|
Sanctuary Choir
|
Choir Room
|
7:30 pm |
Family Life Retreat
Friday Feb. 2 through Sunday Feb. 4
Sunday, February 4
Normal Sunday Schedule, See January 28th
Monday, February 5
Tai Chi
|
Carpenter
Hall
|
5:45 pm |
Tuesday, February 6
Lectionary
Study |
Saegmuller
Room |
10:00 am |
Brass
Ensemble
|
Sanctuary
|
11:00 am
|
Boy Scouts
|
Neighborhood
House
|
7:30 pm |
Women's Fellowship Board
|
Library
|
7:30 to
9:00 pm
|
Wednesday February 7
Staff Meeting
|
Saegmuller
Room
|
10:00 am
|
Thursday, February 8
Thursday Night Supper
|
Carpenter Hall
|
6:45 pm
|
Men's Choir
|
Choir Room
|
7:00 pm
|
|
Sanctuary
Choir
|
Choir Room
|
7:30 pm
|
Confirmation
|
Saegmuller 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 |
|
