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Sunday April 22, 2007
Genesis 1, selected verses
Genesis 2: 4b-9, 15-24 Romans 8:18-27

Sunday April 29, 2007
Psalm 23
Acts 9:36-43
Rev 7:9-17
John 10:22-30

EARTH DAY EVENT: The Eco-Justice Committee is planning a special worship service for Earth Day. After each service, come by tables set up in the Narthex and Saegmuller room to pick up literature on the Arlington Green Living Challenge, other information on "going green" and some advocacy materials. Also, sign up to be part of our eco-justice committee at Rock Spring! Original plans to offer a demonstration of rainbarrels and to give away garden seedlings have had to be postponed due to unavailability of rainbarrels and a cold spring! But please plan to stay a while after each service and learn more about eco-justice at Rock Spring and what you can do to promote care of God's creation.

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
Save the date of May 19 from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm for dinner and strawberries! Jacki Brown will be auctioneer at the live auction to be held during the festival. We need fabulous white elephant items for Jacki to auction. Something funny, unique, beautiful--antique or not--that you don't know what to do with, but another Rock Springer needs. Look for donation logistics in the next edition of the Rock Spring News.

WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP BOARD
The date of the May Board meeting is Tuesday, May 1 at 7:30 pm in the Library. All Rock Spring Women are welcome.

WORSHIP COMMITTEE SEEKS INPUT
The Worship Committee is a subcommittee of the Board of Deacons. Its role is to discuss the ways in which worship meets the needs of the congregation. The pastoral staff are ex-officio members. Other members are Mike Laub, Chair; Becky Halbe, Margie Mayer, Cheryl Ramp, Jay Fellows, Hamilton Brown. We would appreciate your feedback and input. - Mike Laub, pmlaub@aol.com 703-536-5468.

SUNDAY 10:00
ADULT ED:
NEW GENESIS SERIES!
The 10:00 Adult Ed class meeting upstairs in the Hunter Education Wing (in the last classroom on the left) is beginning a new series featuring Professor Gary Rendsburg, Chair of Jewish Studies at Rutgers, on the Book of Genesis. Each week the class will view a 30 minute video and discuss. Professor Rendsburg is addressing questions of original authors' intent, understanding of the text by the original audience, interpretations of the text by Jewish and Christian communities, and meanings of the text today. He addresses literary, historical, theological, and archeological perspectives. The Genesis series will last through August. Coffee is served. Questions? Call Dwight Rodgers at 703-534-8879.

SAVE THE DATE: WRRCAT
News from the Washington Region Religious Campaign Against Torture (WRRCAT): The Senate Armed Services Committee is holding a hearing on the Military Commissions Act on Thursday, April 26, at 9:30 AM in SH (Senate Hart) 216. PLEASE SAVE THIS DATE. Churches are encouraged to send people to this hearing. This is a very big hearing room and it would be wonderful for us to be able to fill it up. You can find the witness list on the committee website at: http://www.armed-
services.senate.gov/e_
witnesslist.cfm?id=2674
#witness This is a date we should be working towards, to get as many people as we can to attend this hearing, because the Senate Armed Services Committee has jurisdiction over these issues and, if any reform is made, it will be on the Department of Defense Authorization bill.
Also, mark your calendars for the Faith and Freedom Convocation: An Inquiry on Torture and Just Treatment, to be held May 5, 2007 at the All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington, DC. Rock Spring member Steve Xenakis will be one of the speakers. More information forthcoming.

GREEN ACTION: Many of you soon will be commencing your annual battle to keep crabgrass from conquering your lawn. This year, instead of using herbicides -- which harm our streams, and some of which are possible human carcinogens -- try applying corn gluten meal, a natural fertilizer and crabgrass preventer. Visit www.GreenerChoices.org
/lawn-care for more "green" lawn care tips. Try it! Brought to you by Rock Spring's Eco-Justice Committee.

AHS/AIC MEETING
Please plan to attend the joint AHS/AIC 2nd Annual Faith Community Meeting to discuss "The Affordable Housing Crisis and How Your Congregation Can Help".

Saturday, April 28 from 9:00 am to 11:30 am at the First Baptist Church of Clarendon
1210 North Highland Street, Arlington, VA 22201

Father Gerry Creedon will deliver the opening remarks followed by Maureen Markham of Arlington County Housing, Rev. David Bowers, local Wash DC office Director for Enterprise Community Partners, Rev. Douglas Smith of the Richmond-based VA Interfaith Center and The Hon. Barbara Favola, Arlington County Board Member.

Coffee and pastries will be available beginning at 8:30 am

MOVING OUT

by Hank Fairman

When I was thirteen, my mom and dad took me to church one evening. When we got there, I found that my whole Sunday school class was there (even the folks who only came a couple times a year). They fed us copious amounts of pizza, topped off with far too much ice cream and sprinkles. We sat together, and shared a bit about who we were, where we went to school, and what we liked to do. After several moments, I discovered that there was an ulterior motive to this moment of culinary sharing.

Confirmation.

Nobody told me that I was signing up for a class that night. Nobody told me that I'd actually have to read the Bible, study church history, and eventually, affirm my baptismal promises. I was there for the ice cream sundae!

Nine months later, after a good bit of discussion and questioning, I came to affirm my faith before the congregation. This was on Palm Sunday, and it became our task, the newest members, to lead the service of Maundy Thursday. My part in the service still echoes in my heart:
"As often as you do this, do it in remembrance of me."

That Sunday was not the end of Confirmation class. No, no, no. In order that we "more fully" accept the promises of our baptism, we were significantly persuaded to join in the "Confirmation Summer Trip." We loaded our gear in a 22-passenger minibus, and headed to St. Louis, MO--to Eden Seminary. We spent time there learning about the school. More, we spent time learning about the seminary's outreach ministries, most notably a two-day mission stay at Emmaus Homes. Emmaus is a place for adults with developmental disabilities to grow and flourish. It was the first time that I had encountered people with severe disability, and I came to find that the visit changed my life.

This trip was the first of a now annual ritual to find a place to serve in mission. Now, eighteen years later, I find myself again on the road with a group of strong, passionate youth. This summer, our Senior High YoRS Youth Group will journey to Harlan, Kentucky for a week of mission with Christian Outreach to the Appalachian People (COAP). COAP helps build and repair homes for those in need (and in Harlan, there are many in need). As the date of the trip nears, be watchful, keep awake for announcements of how you can support these our youth who go to serve in the name of Rock Spring. Currently, fourteen youth are preparing to serve this summer. My prayer for each of these youth is that they can find a clearer vision and purpose in their life of faith, and that they too might remember, "As often as you do this, do it in remembrance of me."

May God continue to bless our works of peace, of love, and of compassion for all God's people.

Pastor Hank.

IN REMEMBRANCE - Earl Graffam
We give thanks for Earl Graffam and his life with us at Rock Spring. Earl died of A.L.S. April 10 at his home in Arlington which he and Olive had shared since Earl retired from a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy. A memorial service is being planned for Rock Spring Church, June 21, with interment at Arlington Cemetery. Our prayers are with Olive, son Skip, and the family.

NEWS & NOTES

Please keep these people in special prayers...Regarding Health Concerns: Larry Woodward...Donna Cartwright...Charles Per-Lee & his wife Lou...Kerry Green Zobor recovering from orthopedic surgery. Prayers and condolences for Charlly Enroth and his family, for the loss of Charlly's father, Bud (L.G.) Enroth, on March 17.

STAFF DOINGS
Farewell and thanks to Maria Elena Cortez, who has served as one of our child care coordinators for several years. Maria will be missed by our youngest children and their parents. Hank Fairman will be out of town at a family wedding, May 3-6, in Cleveland, OH. Ask him about "Friar Tuck." Janet Parker will be attending a conference at UCC headquarters in Cleveland for LGBT ministers in the UCC on April 27-29, entitled "Called Out for Good: Ministering in the UCC." On May 5, Janet will complete the fourth and final UCC Polity Institute in preparation for transferring her ministry credentials from the Presbyterian Church (USA) to the UCC. The topic of this Institute is "UCC History".

BEADS! BEADS! BEADS!
by Flo Otstot

COME! Be inspired by the colors of Spring or our colorful bulletin covers and create! Our workshops are for everyone - no experience needed - come and learn. Join the fellowship that grows in our gatherings.

The Strawberry Festival will soon be upon us- Sat. may 19th. Come and help build up our inventory for sale at that time. Workshops in the Archives Room:

Wed. May 9th 10:00 am to 2:30 pm

Mon. May 14th 7:30pm to 9:00 pm
(note this is a change from our normal time)

SOCIAL ACTION BOARD ANNOUNCEMENT:

Permanent Supportive Housing Presentation and Panel Discussion
DATE: Wednesday, April 25, 2007
TIME: 6:00-8:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Arlington County Parks and Recreation Operations Building Conference Center (look for the balloons). 2700 S.
Taylor Street, Arlington, VA.

Background: Co-sponsored by the Arlington Community Services Board (CSB), the Commission on Aging, ASPAN.Come watch an inspiring ½ hour PBS program called "Home At Last?" which gives a look inside the Housing
First program of moving the homeless to homes. Program begins with snacks and refreshments and concludes with a panel discussion and Q & A.

JFFAL - What is it?
JFFAL - Just For Fun And Laughter - is a Rock Spring group which sponsors social occasions with the purpose of providing times for our community to gather to share fun & fellowship. These events include: Progressive Dinner, Harvest Breakfast, Pumpkin Carving party, theater events and more. For more information or to join JFFAL contact Barbara Wright BWright@nea.org; Robin Overholt overholj@yahoo.com or Donna Cartwright dvogt@earthlink.net

PROGRESSIVE DINNER
SATURDAY MAY 5TH
Come join us for one of the social highlights of the Rock Spring year. JFFAL is sponsoring this annual event on Saturday May 5th.
What is a progressive dinner?
•    A fun adult social event
•    Social hour at one home
•    Dinner at another house - each person

contributes to the dinner
• Everyone gathers at Carpenter Hall for

     dessert and further socializing.
•    Cost: $5 / person
•    Evening begins at 5:30 pm and ends by

9:30pm.

Sign-ups will be taken after church on April 15th, 22nd & 29th. Don't be left out, April 29 at church is the last day to sign up. Hosts needed for Social hours and Dinners.

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WOMEN'S RETREAT 2007
Making Sacred Time; Making Time Sacred
Saturday, May 12, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Reserve your spot now for this year's Rock Spring women's retreat, on Saturday May 12, in Carpenter Hall. This year we'll explore different ways to carve out "sacred time" in our busy lives through prayer, meditation and other spiritual practices, and how to make everyday life more sacred by walking attentively and intentionally with the Spirit.

This year's retreat leader will be the Rev. Anne Holmes, a United Church of Christ minister from Northern Virginia. Anne is a clinically trained minister, having worked in psychiatric, VA, general medical and trauma hospitals. She currently works with churches and clergy in the Potomac Association and is a retreat leader and consultant to churches. A graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School, Anne is the first open lesbian to be ordained in any denomination. She was ordained by the UCC (Potomac Association) in 1982.

As always, the retreat will feature small group discussions and opportunities to get to know Rock Spring women of all ages better. The registration fee of $40 includes lunch.

You may pick up a printed registration flyer in the Saegmuller Room. Or simply include the information below in a note with your check for $40 made payable to Women's Fellowship of Rock Spring Church and send it to:
Eileen Jinks, 4628 38th St., N., Arlington, 22207.

When sending in your registration fee, please give us the following information:

•   Name/Address/Phone/E-mail (if available)
•   Please indicate if you prefer a vegetarian option for lunch or have other special food requirements.
•   Also let us know if you need transportation assistance.

Registration closes May 1. After that date, we cannot provide a refund, but you may find a substitute to take your place. Hope to see you there!

Questions? Contact Eileen Jinks (703.532.7472) ejinks@comcast.net or Judy McDowell (703.536.6152) judykmcd@verizon.net.

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

ROCK SPRING CONGREGATIONAL UCC
5010 LITTLE FALLS RD
ARLINGTON, VA 22207
703-538-4886
www.rockspringcongucc.org