by Hank Fairman

On New Member's Sunday, one of our folk came to me with a shocked look on their face.  "I just got done talking with our new members.  Do you know why they joined?"

Not wanting to quell this moment, I asked, "No, what did they tell you?

"They told me they did it for their children!" this person responded, shocked. "I have never heard of this before!"  In my heart, I must admit I chuckled a bit "That's a pretty common reason," I said, "Now the question is how do we keep them here."

Membership in any organization requires a give-and-take from each person and the whole body.  In the church, it is not a simple dichotomy between the corporate whole and the individual member.  This exchange balances between the personal, the spiritual, and the divine.  It is a balance between our individual walks of faith, our life's journey, our pain and our joys.  It is also a balance between the manifold experiences of our lives in communities of faith that make Rock Spring the unique faith community that we enjoy.

We are progressive, and traditional.  We honor the historical tenets of faith, while listening to our Still-Speaking God.  We have a population that is diverse in age, national origin, ethnicity, and opinion.  And we all came here for different reasons.  Again, the question is: Why do we keep coming?

At a recent meeting of the Board of Christian Education, we began pondering a different question.  We looked to fill in the following sentence: I believe Christian Education is _________.  The answers that came from the board members brought to my mind that conversation in March, "Do you know why they joined?"

We come for an outlet for our God-given creativity.  We come to build a foundation of faith, to make our daily lives more meaningful.  We come to find a place of community.  We come to find a place to celebrate our differences, while standing in unity.  We come to create a place that is safe; a place to be ourselves; a place to be loved.  We come, because we are called to be one body, with many beautiful reasons for being here.

As this Spring turns to Summer, I ask you to take on a challenge.  Be bold, as this person was bold.  Ask the person sitting next to you why they come to our congregation.  Ask them how they are fed here.  And ask them, experienced member and first-time visitor alike, why they choose to worship God with our congregation.

May this summer be a blessed time of new discoveries for us all!

Peace,
-Rev. Hank


MISSION TRIP MOMENT
Over the week of July 1-7, fourteen Youth of Rock Spring and their chaperones will journey to Harlan County, KY, for a week of mission and cultural immersion with COAP-Christian Outreach to the Appalachian People.  COAP is a 20+ year old organization providing repair, upkeep, and new homes for the residents of Harlan.  Our youth will be working hard, sharing their efforts with five other youth groups.  Please remember these intrepid youth (and their advisors) in your prayers.
Please visit the COAP website for a lot of good information and photos! www.coapinc.com
At the time of this E-News printing, we have a need for additional chaperone/drivers.  If you are able to take part in the trip, please contact Pastor Hank as soon as possible. Look for a report on the trip in mid July!

IN REMEMBRANCE JO SMITH
We give thanks for Jo Smith, another long time member who has passed on to God's eternal love and care.  Jo died peacefully June 4 in her home surrounded by her family.  A Rock Spring memorial service is being planned for the fall.  We pray for daughter Sally Wurtz, who has cared for Jo full time for twelve years, her sister Jean and all of the family.

Please pray for Paul and Mary Barrett as Paul continues his protracted struggle with cancer and related health issues...Charlie and Lou Per-Lee...and others who have health challenges. Congratulations to Eileen Jinks for graduating from the rigorous Art of Pastoral Care program on May 30.  Chuck Wildman and Don Britton were present as her sponsors from Rock Spring, and we are all very  proud of Eileen!

Correction: In the last News & Notes it was listed that Susan Trice had been married at Rock Spring, it was actually Susan's daughter Samantha who was married.

SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED

AN INVITE FROM THE STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE
Sunday June 17th after both services the Strategic planning committee will display the results of its history night where groups of members from a variety of ages will meet and begin to identify significant events in the history of Rock Spring.  This purpose of this is to begin to identify underlying values and mores that undergird the church.  Anyone that wishes to add to the lists is welcome to.  We will have counselors on hand to help explain the process.  After the 11 am service the Choristers will have their year end concert.  We will have people available in the Sagemueller room during and after that concert.  Please remember to come by an look at our progress and give us a hand in making sure everything is included. 

RESOLVE - Secondary Infertility Support Group
 
Our daughter keeps on asking for a sibling...and our hearts break when we think of her, as a twenty some year old, dealing with older parent issues, alone. If you are dealing with these issues, join the new Secondary Infertility Couples Support group starting Thursday June 7th, from 6:30-8:30, and will continue to meet every first Thursday of the month indefinetly, or until all the people in group "graduate." The meeting will be held in the Peace Room. For more information, please contact Bill Clarke and Rose Mary Garcia.

ROCK SPRING TO HOST YOUTH FROM NEW ENGLAND

The New Englanders are coming to the National Capital Region for various mission work projects this summer. The week of June 24 through June 30th, 48 youth and 13 adults from Congregational Church South Glastonbury (South Glastonbury, CT) & led by Karen Ziel, will be lodging here at Rock Spring. During the day they will be working with Habitat for Humanity DC in a 53-home development in Northeast Washington DC. In the evening they will dine in Carpenter Hall and sleep in Hunter Wing's classrooms. They are very excited and very thankful for the housing.

Then on July 20th and 21st a group of 16 youth & adults from Peacedale UCC in Peacedale Rhode Island will be lodging with us. They too will be working in the nation's capital,  but through The Church of the Epiphany Episcopal Church in Washington DC. After finishing a week of work they will be lodging here at Rock Spring with us on Sunday the 21st before catching the train home.