In this Issue:
Vol. 3 No. 1
Covering 12/31/06 - 1/13/2007
THE NEXT TWO ROCK SPRING NEWS DEADLINES ARE TUESDAY JANUARY 2 & MONDAY JANUARY 16
ROCK SPRING CHURCH JOINS RELIGIOUS CAMPAIGN AGAINST
TORTURE
Rock Spring's Board of Social Action has been a member of both the National Religious Campaign Against Torture
(NRCAT) and the Washington Region Religious Campaign Against Torture (WRRCAT) since last summer. At the December meeting of the Church Council,
the Council voted to accept the recommendation of the Social Action Board that Rock Spring join these two organizations as a congregation, in keeping
with our commitment to be a Just Peace church. Both groups are comprised of people of faith committed to ensuring that the United States does
not engage in torture or inhumane treatment.
Many of us at Rock Spring are public servants, and we are all patriots. We support our loved ones and
colleagues working for peace and justice in our world, who are putting their lives at risk to promote those ideals we hold dear: democracy and
human rights, the rule of law, and our commitment as a nation not to engage in torture and inhumane treatment. We were instrumental in
promulgating the Geneva Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights after World War II, and ratified the Convention against Torture,
both because we wanted to ensure that those atrocities would never again be permitted and because we wanted to protect our own men and women in
uniform in times of conflict. We learned that torture is not only immoral but ineffective. We have strived to be leaders for our ideals,
and must not allow them to be sacrificed for perceived short-term political gain. In the words of Martin Luther King: "The ultimate
measure of a person is not where one stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where one stands in times of challenge and controversy."
Rock Spring is participating in NRCAT's efforts to obtain 50,000 signatures on its "Torture is a Moral Issue"
petition by January 15. The petition will be a powerful advocacy tool in efforts to abolish torture. To-date the NRCAT has obtained over
12,000 signatures, and Rock Spring has already contributed over 150, but we need to do much more. The petition is available for signing on
NRCAT's website: www.nrcat.org, and copies will be available after all services through January 15th in the Saegmuller room. Please also
spread the word to friends and colleagues. For more information please contact Janet Parker, Steve Xenakis, Wayne Limberg or Mary Hartnett.
In closing, a poem by Peggy Shriver (with an assist from Scripture) read by Janet early in Advent:
Patriot Acts
I was a stranger
and you arrested me.
When I was in prison,
you tortured me.
When I was naked,
you taunted me.
I was sick
and you abused me.
When I was hungry for release,
you force-fed me.
When I was thirsty,
you "water-boarded" me.
Lord, when did I arrest you,
torture you, taunt or abuse, force-feed or water-board
you?
When you have done it to the least of my human family, you have done it to me.
Submitted by Mary Hartnett on behalf of the Social Action Board
LECTURE ON CHILDREN AND THE MEDIA
Tim Gibson, a professor of media studies at George Mason University, will give a talk entilted
"Media Violence, Media Commercialism, and Your Child's Health." The lecture will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 4pm in the Saegmuller
Room. The lecture is free and open to the public.
LECTIONARY TEXTS
Sunday December 31, 2006
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
Sunday January 7, 2007
Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 29
Acts 8:14-17
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN THE NURSERY & TODDLER ROOMS
Love to play with toddlers or hold babies? We need your help in the nursery
and toddler rooms when one of our childcare providers is ill or on vacation.
Don't worry - you'll always have another adult there to help you. If you're
a middle or high school student or an aspiring parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, or just someone who loves being with children, you can help.
Please
call or email Laura Jackson if you are willing to be added to the volunteer list. Laura's phone is 703-312-0541 and email is hempstead@mindspring.com
We're looking for a volunteer for Dec. 31 so volunteer now! Thanks.
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 localuniversity. 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.
High School math tutor for a single mother who is trying to get her G.E.D.
See Chuck Wildman.
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 Reserve Wednesday, January 17th for the next luncheon. The restaurant
will be announced soon.
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:
THere is a tip that also is recommended by housekeeping experts: When cleaning your windows, try using crumpled-up newspaper instead of paper
towels. You will have better results with the newspaper (e.g., no lint from paper towels left on your windows). Plus, when you're
finished, you can recycle the newspaper. Try it! Brought to you by Rock Spring's Eco-Justice Committee.
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.
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 little girl was sitting on her grandfather's lap as he read her a bedtime story. From time to time, she would
take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek. She was alternately stroking her own cheek, then his again.
Finally she spoke up, "Grandpa, did God make you?"
"Yes, sweetheart," he answered, "God made me a long time ago."
"Oh," she paused, "Grandpa, did God make me too?"
"Yes, indeed, honey," he said, "God made you just a little while ago."
Feeling their respective faces again, she observed, "God's getting better at it, isn't he ?"
|
Dec. 31- First Sunday after Christmas
One morning service at 11:00 am
Seasonal Hymn Sing
Jan. 7- Epiphany Sunday
Communion
Chuck Wildman, preaching
STAR SEARCH
-Chuck Wildman
We searched for a new star to shine over our Christmas tree, a star bright, not gaudy, neither large nor small; a dignified, twinkling star-
the best of all. From store to store we wandered, seeking our star but finding only garish creations. Finally, we stepped into a most unlikely
shop there to spy a demure gold, just-right star for our tree top. Now the shy star looks down from its honored place, guiding our Epiphany
journey of worship and renewal.
Scripture tells us that in a long-ago time and place, sages or magi or kings searched for their star, then followed it to Nazareth. There,
these men of the East marveled at the sight of the bright, twinkling star resting over a humble stable of Mother and cradle and Child, humankind's
new home! In the star's light, they paid humble homage and offered gifts most rare- strangers from a distant world worshiped the Child, the One
for all worlds; God's saving Love for all people East and West, even those in the darkest places of every age.
And to us the Star comes to lead this troubled generation to hope and peace. Epiphany assures us that there is such a star in our sky. How
could we have been so blind as not to see God's sacrificial love for all creation, you and me? In the cradle Child and young rabbi, God
with us, given and scorned, crucified and risen, God offers us the way Home.
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STAFF DOINGS: Chuck Wildman will be on leave
Dec. 25 through Jan. 2...Happy Birthday to Vicki Morales Dec. 8...Willis Gardner, Dec. 16...Amy
McDowell, Dec. 21.
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...Catherine Carlston, recovering at
Renaissance Gardens Greenspring Village froma broken leg...Earl Graffam, at home after a long hospitalization recovering from hip
surgery ...Congratulations to
Jim and Susan Alverson on the birth of John Frederick Alverson, not John Franklin as reported in the last RSN...Bob
Vandivier, recovering from lung surgery in Pittsburgh... Soren Henriksen is back at home after a short stay at Arlington
Hospital...
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...Melanie Keister 11-month old daughter of Steve and Wendy Keister, who has been in the
hospital...Ryan Frederick, son of Rosemary Frederick, who is serving in Iraq, Nettie Wesselink is at Cherrydale
Nursing Home undergoing rehab after a minor stroke.
NOTES FROM CHURCH COUNCIL
Saying No To Torture: On Monday December 18th, furthering Rock Spring Church's stance as a Just Peace church, Council voted
favorably upon a
motion from the Social Action Board to become a member of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) and the Washington Region Religious
Campaign Against Torture (WRRCAT).
Target date for Congregational Meeting on amending the Open and Affirming Statement: The Council voted to hold a congregational
meeting on Sunday March 18th to consider amending the language in Rock Spring's Open and Affirming Statement based on the marriage equality issue. In
January, February, and March, there will be several Q&A sessions on marriage equality. All the pastors are open to answering your questions
individually, as well. Should you have concerns or be seeking information please take advantage of these sessions.
Time and Talent Search: The Nominating Committee is looking for four members for the Property Board, two for Finance, and one each
for Deacons, Christian Education, Stewardship, Music, Social Action, and Personnel. Please share your talents....or learn a new one! Let one of the
Committee know if you can serve: Jeff Dale, Robin Overholt, Ann Divechia, or Blair Reischer.
Pledging for 2007: As of December 18th, 226 pledges totaling $632,211.75 have been received toward the goal of $685,000. Members who
have not yet pledged toward the coming year budget are encouraged to do so soon! It would help enormously in evening out the flow of receipts and
guaranteeing our staff their salaries, if members would consider automatic monthly payments.
Council Thanks: Council extends its great appreciation to two staffers. Amy McDowell did a fabulous job with the
youth. We are
lucky that she continues on with the children's choir! Our book keeper, Christine Ammaratti, has decided to step away from part time
work. We really
valued her fast, accurate attention to our financial records and transactions.
Peggy Greenwood, President of Council
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MARRIAGE EQUALITY UPDATE:
Proposed revision of our Open and Affirming Statement
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 of the
proposal and learn more about the process that led up to it and its implications for the life of Rock Spring. 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. Look for information on the time, place and format of the sessions in future issues of the Rock Spring News and Sunday
bulletins.
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 Marriage Equality Committee, the Social Action Board, the Church Council and the Pastors are all committed to making space for all voices to be
heard on this topic. We encourage everyone to participate in these discussions as we consider amending our Open and Affirming Statement to
incorporate a commitment to marriage equality for all couples regardless of gender.
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, December 31
Worship
|
Sanctuary
|
11:00 am
|
Monday, January 1 New Years Day
Offices Closed
Tuesday, January 2
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 pm
|
Wednesday, January 3
|
Staff |
Saegmuller
|
|
Meeting
|
Room
|
10:00 am
|
Book Selection
|
Library
|
10:30 am
|
Balalaika Society
|
Carpenter
Hall
|
7:30 pm
|
|
Adult
Handbells
|
Sanctuary
|
7:45 pm |
Thursday, January 4
Thurs. Night
Supper
|
Carpenter
Hall
|
6:30 pm
|
Men's Choir
|
Choir Room
|
7:00 pm
|
Sanctuary
Choir
|
Choir Room
|
7:30 pm
|
Friday, January 5
Men's Lunch
|
Metro 29 |
12:00 pm
|
Sunday, January 7
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
|
12:15 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 8th
Tai Chi
|
Carpenter
Hall |
5:45 pm |
Tuesday, January 9th
Lectionary
Study |
Saegmuller
Room |
10:00 am |
Brass
Ensemble
|
Sanctuary
|
11:00 am
|
Boy Scouts
|
Neighborhood
House
|
7:30 pm |
Board of
Social Action
|
Library
|
7:30 pm
|
Wednesday January 10th
Beads
Workshop
|
Archives
Room
|
10:00 am
|
Board of
Stewardship
|
Saegmuller
Room
|
7:30 pm
|
Adult
Handbells
|
Sanctuary
|
7:45 pm
|
Thursday, January 11
Thurs. Night Supper
|
Carpenter
Hall
|
6:30 pm
|
Men's Choir
|
Choir Room
|
7:00 pm
|
Sanctuary Choir
|
Choir room
|
7:30 pm |
Board of Personnel
|
Library
|
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 |
|
