rock spring news august 2011

A Summer of Mission

Mission Trip Review 2Hometown Nazareth Review 65th Sundays Review 8Reflections 10 Task Force Updates 13

YoRS Mission Tr ip | Vacat ion Bible Experience | 5th Sundays

August 2011 Vol. 07 No. 08

Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ

Centennial News 15Children, Youth, & Families 16 Rock Spring Review 17World Peace Sunday 18Shaw Community Ministry Update 19

! ! 5010 Little Falls Rd. Arlington, VA 22207 (703) 538-4886

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The Rock Spring News

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ROCK SPRING NEWS VOL. 07NO. 08 AUGUST 2011

A Retelling of this year’s work

Something amazing happened in Franklin, WV. When a group of fifty-three people come together to share in fellowship and mission, the most amazing things can (and do!) happen. There is nothing that can tell the story of this year’s Summer Mission Experience better than the pictures (but we’ll try!).

Like last year, the Youth of Rock Spring joined with fellow travelers from our sister congregations in the Potomac Association-UCC. Rock Spring UCC-Arlington, VA; Christ Congregational UCC-Silver Spring, MD; Westmoreland Congregational UCC-Bethesda, MD; and United Christian Parish-Reston, VA, came together as one church, taking on the name Potomac Youth. We came to the Volunteer Center as four churches, and left as one body in Christ.

We again partnered with Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity in Franklin, WV. AHHFH was established in 1988 to meet the housing needs of the residents of three counties in West Virginia, all of which border the George Washington and Monongahela National Forests: Pendleton County, Greenbrier County, and Pocahontas County.

Potomac Youth Mission Trip

season. This decision was one that meant a lot of community building, fund raising, and work by all the congregations in the off-season. After the initial decision was covenanted, each congregation headed home to figure out how to accomplish the goals:

- It takes 60 people to do a blitz build. In 2010, thirty youth and adults joined in the trip. The goal for 2011 was to add at least two other youth groups to join in the trip, for a total of 50 youth/18 adults.

Their work continues to increase, providing simple, decent, affordable housing for these communities. As you read on, we’ll talk about our continuing relationship with their work and the Potomac Youth.

Building into our Future

Last year, we had the honor of laying the foundation on the 100th house built by AHHFH and preparing and completing work on two other home sites. From that powerful witness and work, the Youth of the Potomac voted to take on an amazing task: to sponsor the building of one home for the 2011

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- The cost of a half-house sponsorship is $20,000, plus our expenses for the week. The estimated budget for the trip would be approximately $38,000.

We shared this information at both the Spring and Fall Potomac Association Meetings, and began a calling campaign with each congregation in the Association to achieve our dream.

In a simple sentence: We Did It.

Two congregations joined last year’s participants, while one

partner congregation was unable to join in this year’s trip. Each congregation raised funds in excess of the participant fees, and we accomplished the fund raising needed to make the mission a reality.

With all the logistics in place, all that was left was to gather and go!

As we said before, nothing can tell the story of this week—nothing better than the pictures!

And just wait—we’re working on a video that shows the whole week’s work in 5-10

minutes!

Take a look at the pictures here, and check out the YoRS Bulletin Board by the Saegmuller Room for more of the whole story.

What we’ve got planned for the future

This was YoRS’ third year (and the Potomac Youth’s second year) helping at Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity. It is the hope of the trip leaders that we can maintain the relationship with AHHFH for years to come. Their work in affordable housing is amazing and working with them a blessing. On the Sunday after our return, two of our youth said, “Okay, I’m showered and rested. Can we go back today?”

We’ll be back, that’s for certain! The Potomac Youth leaders have already secured our week for next year’s Summer Mission Experience for the week of July 1-8, 2012. Like this year, we will be raising funds to support a half-house sponsorship between the partner congregations ($20,000). However, we’ve taken on a different challenge.

This year’s Blitz Build left AHHFH with a weather-tight house, with a whole lot of work left for the homeowner, Karen Hinkel, to move in. Like all Habitat homeowners, Karen put in all of the necessary sweat


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Potomac Youth Mission Tripequity hours to “pay forward” her home.

Unlike most, Karen (pictured right, center) already owned the land on which her house was built. In an interesting turn, the construction crew hit bedrock when laying her foundation. Good for a firm base, bad for digging!

Our task was to build on that firm foundation, and to get Karen’s new home ready for the next stage. While the structure we built was complete, it needed drywall, electrical wiring, plumbing, etc. We left those tasks for a future group to do. Next summer, we will return to do a “Finishing Blitz,” picking up where a group like us left off. It will be our task to take the weather-tight house and make it ready for the partner family to move in. In a way, we’re finishing what we started this year.

You all helped us do our part this year (thanks for helping us raise our share and then some!). We’ll be back telling our story again this coming year, and hope our Rock Spring family will share in this amazing experience again—and for years to come. Our fund raising will start this fall!

Finally, we all want to say thank you to all the leaders from the churches:Bethel UCC—Kristen and Ben Curlee and Ward and Bekah (our amazing food crew!), Christ Congregational UCC—John Enagonio, Nicole Wilson

Westmoreland UCC—Jessica Petersen, Richard Bertaut, Judy NewmanUnited Christian Parish—Billie Sutter, Paul Traunero (Mr. T), Greg Indrisano.

And of course, John Overholt, Robin Overholt, Warren Overholt, Greg Henry, Rachel Kinney, and Pastor Hank from Rock Spring. Without you, we’d never have gotten over the first mountain (…and the bus wouldn’t have made it back down the last one!). We look forward to seeing y’all back next summer!

Please, do keep your eyes on the lookout for more information

from the Senior High YoRS on next year. We’re taking a break for the rest of the summer, but we’ll be here in September, ready to start working with you all on our plans for next summer’s trip!

Thanks and Blessings,The Youth of Rock SpringElena Parcell, Paige Rinker, Ryan Whitesides, Ben Foster, Spencer Calvert, Julie Calvert, Devin Divecha, Evan Waffle, Grace Henry, Gordon Hart, and Christian Volz

P.S. We hear rumors of adult mission trips to Franklin! Keep your ears open! It’s an awesome place. Y’all should go!

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We departed Franklin, WV on a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning. With the traditional debate on whose iPod to listen to on the way home, we settled into our caravan: one gear van, six SUVs, and the Rock Spring Bus in the lead.

We enjoyed the rolling hills outside of Franklin, the early Appalachian foothills near Brandywine, and then began our journey up South Mountain towards Harrisonburg, VA. And after three turns…

Pastor Hank was piloting the bus, and thinking about where to stop for lunch. Focusing on safely navigating the many twists and turns of the cutbacks up South Mountain, he slowed the bus to take the third switchback. Pointed up the hill, looking toward the rise to the fourth turn, he applied the gas pedal… and the bus slowed down.

Without warning, noise, or complaint, the bus lost its speed. Quickly the convoy was notified, “Get out from behind the bus. No power from the engine! Pull ahead, and stay clear!”

After some attempts to turn the nose down the mountain (photos included!), we held up traffic for a good half hour. With the help of a passing friend, we were able to get the bus safely off the road.

The caravan continued on to lunch, while the Gear Van, with Pastor Hank and Warren, went down the mountain to arrange for a tow. Good news, we’re all home safe. Bad news, the Bus isn’t yet. Big thanks to Bowers Garage in Brandywine for their help with the tow and repairs to the transmission!…to be continued.


PS - The Bus

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tribe visited the marketplace where Stephanie Corrao, Dye Shopkeeper, helped tribe members to dye a kaffiyeh headdress. Tribe members learned about the weaving process and even helped to weave the altar cloth for Sunday, taking home cardboard looms and bringing back their creations the next day to Wool Shopkeepers Donna Cartwright and Marcia Johnson. A visit to the Oil Shop delighted the mouth with the taste of olives and oils and soothed the skin of tribe members who created their

own olive oil scrub under the direction of Olive Oil Shopkeeper Sara Fitzgerald. The sounds of hammers and hand drills filled the air in the Carpenter Shop as lead Carpenter Eric Wenberg and helper Wayne Limberg instructed children and adults in making their own toy wooden sheep. Tribe members ground corn and mustard seeds with a rock and planted basil seeds to take home under the direction of Farmer Becky Halbe. In the Bead Shop, Shopkeepers Edith Heins and Flo Otstot helped tribe

members make clay and paper beads to add to their necklaces. Finally, students of all ages learned about the Torah, made tzedakah boxes and even wrote their names in Hebrew on parchment - all under the tutelage of Rabbi Peter Moll. The evening began and ended in Carpenter Hall learning scripture and singing songs, all accompanied by Biff (aka Pastor Hank) and his guitar. !

" The lyrics from this feature VBE song clearly described what happened at Rock Spring July 14-17th. Those who participated had the opportunity to visit Mary's House and learn about Jesus' early life through an i n t e r a c t i v e d r a m a t i c presentation by Mary and Eunice (aka Martha Jolkovski and Janice Langholz). Each tribe participated in fun community-building games organized by our Fun and Games Organizer, Courtney Klamar, and her helpers, Karin Croft and Ann Parcell. Each

"Great things happen when we get together. Great things happen when we praise Our Savior. We sang, we served, we laughed, we

learned. Great things . . . happened here!!!"

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Sunday's church service was outside and visitors to Nazareth flocked from near and far to sing, hear scripture from the Rabbi and hear Bible stories from Mary and Eunice. Following the service, the marketplace opened and visitors to Nazareth filled the shops. Later, everyone shared food and fellowship in Carpenter Hall with food from Lebanese Taverna. Ashley Martinage captured all of the excitement through the lens of her camera and created a slide show for viewing during lunch on Sunday.

It took many other volunteers to create Nazareth. Laura Graves, Decorations Organizer, collected donations and transformed Rock Spring into the Nazareth marketplace, while Pastor Hank and his building crew (Robin, John, and Warren Overholt; John, Elena, and Jack Parcell; Rachel Kinney; Sarah, Jimmy, and Johnny Alverson) created Mary's House and the stone gates leading to Nazareth.

And of course many hands helped to prepare and serve dinner each evening and lunch after church on Sunday under the direction of Food

Organizer Catherine Gahres. Shopkeepers and tribe members were encouraged to dress in Nazareth appropriate attire - all handmade by Martha Jolkovski, Susan Peters, Gail Briggs, and Gina Dale. Registration Staff Lisa Wenger and Julie Clarke greeted the participants as they registered and signed in. Many volunteers helped set up and clean up before and after each day's activities as well as before and after Sunday's church service.

And of course none of this would have been possible without the families and friends of church members who attended and made all of the efforts worthwhile. So a great big, heart felt THANK YOU to ALL the volunteers and participants who filled Nazareth. An extra THANK YOU to the VBE Planning Committee - Pastor Hank, Susan Alverson, and Amy Mireku, who also served as Publicity Organizer and made sure that everyone knew about Rock Spring's Vacation Bible Experience. And finally, lots of hugs and kisses to the families of the volunteers including Jim, Sarah, Jimmy, and Johnny Alverson who provided lots of support, patience, and help during the past 8 months of VBE planning.

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On July 31st, Rock Springers participated in our second 5th Sunday event. Our initial estimate is that we had close to 100 volunteers help St. Thomas More school in Anacostia get ready for the fall. Rock Springers were also joined by St. Thomas More students. It was another successful and truly intergenerational event.

Our service to St. Thomas More began long before we showed up on Sunday with a campaign to donate backpacks. Many parents of St. Thomas More students are stretched to afford the long list of school supplies for students at the start of school. Our goal was to donate backpacks covering 75% of the student population. We set that target understanding that 75% of the students receive DC Opportunity Scholarships which signifies they fall below the poverty line for a family of four.

Rock Springers responded. At last count we had 80 backpacks with supplies and we will continue to collect backpacks until August 31st. So, if you would like to make a donation (backpack or monetary), you still have time. You can write a check to Rock Spring with “5th Sundays” in the memo line. Your amazing generosity will truly make a difference to the students and families of St. Thomas More.

School supplies were just the beginning, though. We were told St. Thomas More really could use new bookshelves for the classrooms.

In conjunction with VBE, we initiated the process of ordering, reinforcing, and adding casters to allow short bookshelves to be moved as needed. This was a huge task and Rock Springers responded by constructing and delivering 17 bookshelves to the classrooms.

Many Rock Springers also helped by painting doors and doorways, scrubbing bathrooms (and fixing faucets!), washing windows, sorting uniforms

(200 of them), helping organize the library books, and creating welcome signs for the classrooms and treat jars for rewarding good academic performance and positive behavior.

In addition, several of the classrooms (pre-K, K, and 1st grade) will be receiving new rugs!

Rock Spring also provided many supplies that the school will need throughout the year such as: Hangers,

Helping St. Thomas More School

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including Emily Owen, Lenny Babus, the Krewer family, Kaitlyn Coogan, Leah-Michelle Nebbia, Jon Hultine, ; our pastoral team of Kathy Dwyer, Janet Parker, and Hank Fairman; Jessica and Ellen from our office; the 5th Sundays Task Force including Julie Clarke, Iris Gibson, Sarah Gilmour (Chair), Courtney Klamar, Hope Schutte, and Laura Tuell; and several Rock Springers who served in a capacity above and beyond the task for the day including Chris Healey (Site Manager), Julie Calvert (photographer), Susan Alverson, David Clarke, Tim Gibson, Charlie Gilmour, Jason Henderson, Joe & Joanne Kelly, Richard Lee, Ashley Martinage, Will Martyn, Claire McCarthy,

Marya Myslinski, John & Robin Overholt, Ann Parcell, Susan Peters, Ann Rudd, Kent & Betsey Withycombe, and Rebecca Womeldorf. Hats off to all for the work that was accomplished. If you'd like to do more in partnership with St. Thomas More, please let us know. We will remain in touch with them to support activities throughout the school year such as guest readers and other small projects. Also, if you'd like to learn more about the ways St. Thomas More students are supported, check out the following links:

http://www.catholicacademies.org/

http://www.washingtonscholarshipfund.o

rg/programs/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_voucher

tissues, paper, and hand sanitizer.

So many from our church were doing as John asked of us in his first letter, “Dear children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth (1 John, 3:18).” We know many of you feel as we do, truly blessed to have the opportunity to serve others and to live out our faith in deed.

There are so many people to thank!

Above all we must thank Elizabeth Ross, Director of Development, who met with us many times to coordinate our tasks, transported backpacks, picked up supplies, coordinated volunteers and much more. We couldn’t have done it without her!

We also must thank others from the Consortium of Catholic Academies including Bridget Coates, Principal of St. Thomas More and Hugo and Willie from the facilities team; external volunteers





http://www.washingtonscholarshipfund.org/programs/index.html










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Travel TalesAfter travels of the body, mind, and spirit far and wide, I am happy to be back home in Arlington and back at work at Rock Spring. What a journey it has been. It would be hard to capture in a short article the breadth and scope of my sabbatical, so I refer folks to my blog"" "

for a fuller sense of my experiences. My journeys took me to visit with environmental justice advocates, faith leaders, and academics in NYC; to “green sisters” on an organic farm in Brewster, NY; up to the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation on the border of New York and Canada, and to New Haven, CT, for research at Yale. I capped off a glorious three months with time in New Mexico andTexas, where I taught for a week at Ghost Ranch, spent a few days with colleagues and friends in Santa Fe, and then enjoyed vacation with family and friends in Houston and Austin, TX. In the midst of all this moving about, I did manage to get some writing done on my book! I confess that at a certain point in those last few weeks of sabbatical and vacation, I began to feel a bit disoriented--now, which bed am I sleeping in tonight? After three and a half months of moving around and sleeping in many different, more and less comfortable, beds, it is good to be back home and in my own bed at night.

Teaching at Ghost Ranch was an extraordinary capstone to an extraordinary sabbatical. For those of you unfamiliar with it, Ghost Ranch is a Presbyterian retreat and conference center (and working ranch) near Abiquiu, NM. It is the very same Ghost Ranch where Georgia O'Keefe lived and painted her landscapes. Here's just a glimpse into the high desert beauty of this place: "

"I was at Ghost Ranch to serve as one of the faculty members for the course, "This Planet as Paradise: Beauty and Ecological Restoration," the fourth in the "Earth-Honoring Faith" series organized by my former doctoral advisor, Larry Rasmussen. Next year, the topic will be "Food, Glorious Food!" The course is always held the fourth week in June. Maybe next year will be the year when someone from Rock Spring attends with me. " " " "

Rev. Dr. Janet Parker

http://

becominghumanjourney

.blogspot.com

Happy to Be

Home!

http://becominghumanjourney.blogspot.com






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Sharing What I Have Learned

In addition to offering glimpses into my sabbatical in some upcoming sermons, I will teach a course this fall to share more with the congregation. Here’s what will be offered:

At Home in the Circle of Life: Christian and Native American perspectives on the path to human and ecological wholeness

Where is home for you? Who counts as your family? How do you relate to the natural world, and is it part of your spirituality and faith journey? An old Christian hymn asks, “Will the circle be unbroken?” Today, the circle of life is broken. Injustice, violence, and ecological devastation tear at the fabric of the community of creation. Come for this 5 week series and learn from Native American as well as Christian perspectives on how we might learn to find our way back home to the circle of life, and help restore its wholeness. Wednesday evenings: October 5, 12, 19 and November 9 and 16. More details to come.

" Remaining Human!

When I left for my sabbatical, a couple of folks joked that they hoped I would learn how to "become human again," in a riff on the tentative title of my

book. I laughed along with them, but also knew that this was a very real prayer for me. Not that I had become dehumanized, or that I was suffering from the dreaded clergy burnout--I felt that I was in pretty good shape as a human being when I began my sabbatical. But ... on the other hand, I knew that my life was not as balanced as I wished between the personal and the professional, between the outer and inner journey, the intellectual and the spiritual. I knew that I deeply needed and craved sabbath time, time to get reacquainted with my soul, time to rediscover the Divine Spirit at the heart of my life. Many people who are not clergy (or married to a clergyperson) may find it a bit shocking that a pastor would need a sabbatical to refresh their soul and spiritual life, but as with all professions, it is too easy for pastors to get mired in administrative detai ls , overloaded work schedules, and meetings. It is too easy to become fragmented, and to lose one's grounding in the inner center, where the Spirit who is the Source and Home of our spirits resides. And so the occasional sabbatical is crucially important to revive the life and ministry of clergypersons from time to time.

Did I become more human as a result of my sabbatical? Yes, I emphatically believe that I did. I return to my ministry deeply refreshed, at peace, connected to God, and, as importantly perhaps, reconnected to many of my closest friends and family members. I return having accomplished as much of what I set out to accomplish on my book project as was reasonable to expect. I return with energy for what comes next in my vocational and personal life. And yet, I know that without ongoing sabbath and spiritual practices, all of these gains could be quickly lost. And so ... I commit myself to continuing this journey. I commit myself to taking time every day for prayer and meditation, to spending time with friends, to honoring sabbath time, to exercise and care of my body, and to being more focused and less fragmented in my ministry. I commit myself to continue to live into the lessons I have begun to learn about how to live an authentically human life. For all that has been, I say "thanks." For all that is yet to be, I say, "I'm ready!"

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Last fall, we welcomed Kathy Dwyer and set about IMAGINEing what we might do together as a congregation. After a discernment process that included 18 house parties, a Council Retreat, and congregational feedback, we moved to “Set the Table” for our future together, launching six task forces and implementing new ideas.

But have we given much thought to the table itself? When choosing the menu and the place settings, we can easily overlook the foundation on which our meal will be laid: the table. Often, it has become such a part of our lives that we never give it a second thought, taking the support it gives for granted.

For us, the table is a metaphor for the core values that make us Rock Spring. We already have them, and they undergird everything we have done so far. But as we take the next steps, it is important to really focus on our table -- to name our shared core values.

Doing so will help ensure we are making decisions that truly reflect who we are as a congregation. For example, it will guide the Neighborhood House Task Force, as it discerns a vision for this historic building that will make it an expression of our mission. It will

guide the Constitution Task Force as they discern the most effective governance structure to carry us into the future.

Most importantly, it will help each of us to grow more fully into this community and to share it with others. Being able to articulate our church’s core values will remind us what makes this congregation, and this relationship with God and the larger community, so special. It will also hold us accountable for making decisions that uphold those values.

Finding just the right table isn't always easy. In fact, the exact same description can mean different things to different people. That is why, over an eight-week period this fall, we will be engaging each other in honest conversation, working prayerfully together to find just the right fit. Look for more information coming soon.

" See you around the table," Ashley Martinage

Ashley Martinage

Council President

FROM THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT

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Why reinvent the wheel? The Global Mission Task Force decided early on to work within a framework developed by Global Ministries, the joint mission and outreach agency of the United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ.

We have assessed how we stand relative to seven “marks” of a Global Mission congregation (one that prays, learns, seeks justice, receives, gives, sends, and grows). We have observed that:

• Our congregation displays all these marks to a degree, but we are not active consistently and frequently. Nor do we have a focus for our identity and activities. We want and need to do more.

• Growing as a Global Mission congregation would mean developing the concept of partnership to bring focus and a sense of purpose to our outreach.

• Global Ministries offers approaches that avoid the pitfalls of traditional “overseas mission” work. But there are still challenges in the models of partnership in today’s

mission work that we can learn from.

• Our outreach should be appropriate: mission should be WITH, not FOR, our partners. Any partnership should bring real mutual benefit to our partner(s) and our congregation—in other words to God’s work globally.

• Any partnership should tap the actual interests and skills of our congregation.

How do we identify a suitable form of partnership and a specific partnership? Should we be issue- or action-oriented? Which region or country should we focus on? Are models of church-to-church or people-to-people partnership appropriate and right for us? And how do we zoom in on a specific proposal? Again, why reinvent the wheel? There are many organizations already active in mission situations, and we are concentrating on finding some options that would fit Rock Spring.

We are increasingly conscious of the need for input from the congregation. A first chance will be the IMAGINEative survey that is being

conducted August (see your email and the weekly bulletin for details). Please use that to let us know of your interests. A second opportunity may be a short study series later this year. And third, we would welcome new input to the Task Force, either as a full member or just to let us have your ideas on these questions. Please contact Task Force chair, Michael Bell at [email protected].

*******

The UCC and Disciples of Christ covenanted to be Global Mission churches in 2009 and, in doing so, encouraged all settings of their denominations—such as associations, conferences, congregations, youth groups—to follow suit. The covenant for congregations may be viewed at http://globalministries.org/a b o u t - u s / b e - a - g l o b a l -mission-church/BAGMC-Congregations.pdf. The seven marks of a Global Mission church are elaborated in a booklet at http://globalministries.org/a b o u t - u s / b e - a - g l o b a l -m i s s i o n - c h u r c h /GM_UCC_Booklet_05-10_Final_pages.pdf.

A GLOBAL MISSION CONGREGATION?

mailto:[email protected]


http://globalministries.org/about-us/be-a-global-mission-church/BAGMC-Congregations.pdf








http://globalministries.org/about-us/be-a-global-mission-church/GM_UCC_Booklet_05-10_Final_pages.pdf










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Given our task, it seemed appropriate to begin our meetings with creative, imaginative, and hopefully meaningful worship. And so, that is always our stepping off point.

Then we began our task by reading through the pages upon pages (repeat as many times as you care to) of the ideas and imaginings gathered from the IMAGINE parties. We were quite surprised to find that it was fairly easy to identify several hopes, dreams, and imaginings for our area. Here is what we came up with:

Expanded worship opportunitiesContemplation/meditative/quiet

Intergenerational - where children can participate authentically

Unified worship where the message or theme carries through the service

Reaching out beyond usDifferent mediums and formats More, bigger, and better music

We then began to study the liturgical calendar and the colors of the church year. Each liturgical season has a color that signifies and makes visible the nature or feeling of the season. When in use, these colors can enrich the meaning of the worship and bring some unity to it. It also provides opportunity for different mediums and format. We verbally walked through a church year sharing ideas and activities for each season as well as how we, of a Congregational Church background, might use those colors. We also began to discuss how we might begin to put some of this in place. We shared this with the Deacons and brought them in on the discussion and asked them for a color decision.

We have also begun to research and think about contemplative and meditative worship

IMAGINING WORSHIP TASK FORCE UPDATE

opportunities. We are considering recommending that we offer one each month on a day other than Sunday. And we like the idea of having the summer ones outside. Over the summer we will be visiting other churches in order to experience such services.

We have also begun to learn how worship is put together, and what impacts worship planning here at Rock Spring, so that we can work toward unifying and enriching the worship. Something that did not show up on our list but we are aware of is that folks here like lay participation. We hope to keep that in mind while we continue our work. " " " " --Linda Carder, Chair

Green TipEvery year, paper checks use more than 674 million gallons of fuel and add 3.6 million tons of carbon dioxide to the environment. By switching to electronic bills, statements, and payments, the average household can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 171 pounds annually -- a savings equivalent to planting and growing two trees for ten years. Try it! Brought to you by Rock Spring Eco-Justice. Save the Date: Four Mile Run CleanupJoin Rock Springers and others in our community on Saturday, September 17, as we help clean up Four Mile Run stream from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Barcroft Park, 4200 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington. This event will be held in conjunction with the International Coastal Cleanup and Clean Virginia Waterways Day, and is being organized by Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE). To sign up, please contact Jim Alverson at [email protected]. Brought to you by Rock Spring Eco-Justice.

ECO JUSTICE UPDATES



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Logo created by

Caroline Hufford-

Anderson

It Takes a Village To…

Did you know that a group of Rock Springers is writing and producing the history of the church for its Centennial year in 2012? Unlike many church histories that have been crafted by one principal author, our Centennial history has been built over the last two years by a team of vibrant voices. Pictured below are some of those involved: Carolyn Hufford Anderson, Daena Kluegel, Dwight Rodgers, Priscilla Taylor, Cherie Bottum, Martha Jolkovski, and Gail Howell. Other members of the Centennial History Project are Sara Fitzgerald, Walt Wurfel, Marti Weston, Judy Johnson, Caroline Rapp, Marjie Meyer, Flo Otstot, Donna Cartwright, and Barbara Wright. John Heins, Ellen Bozman, and Maury Flagg also contributed to this effort before their passing.

What new or startling factoids have they turned up in the Church Archives? Do you know the story about how the church came to be a Congregational affiliate because the meeting about the choice of the denomination was held on a cold and snowy night and the majority vote came from the hardy New Englanders attending? Sara discovered the truth about this story…a myth or fact?

“On Foundations Firmly Laid” has the answer, as well as many other interesting stories about life at Rock Spring over the last century. We will be starting pre-orders in September in order to cover the cost of the printing of our Centennial history, so you will hear more soon on this effort. Daena Kluegel and Gail Howell, for the Centennial History Project.

CENTENNIAL NEWS

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CHILDREN, YOUTH, & FAMILIES

Sunday School is Summer School!

As summer approaches, our thoughts turn to play. Our summertime Sunday School unit is all about “Playing and Living Joyfully.” Children are experts at play, but there is much that all of us – children, youth, and adults – can learn about how to incorporate God into our play. Our exploration of “Playing and Living Joyfully” will help our young people examine new ways to practice our faith in our community and the world.

The Board of Christian Education continues to welcome volunteers to teach this summer. Signs up are week-to-week, so you can sign up for whatever your schedule allows! Preschool – Fifth Grade Curriculum is provided. (cont. on next page)

No experience is necessary, but a willingness to spend time with the children of Rock Spring and have FUN is a must! Please email the Christian Ed. board at [email protected] or Ann Parcell if you feel called to help out!

Safe Church is for all

In keeping with the Congregational vote in June 2010 to implement a Safe Church policy, the Board of Christian Education is deeply committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment in each of our classrooms. The policy requires that every classroom from PreK to K through High School has at least two adults in the room –including the teacher — for each Sunday School session."To that end, we are requesting parents sign up to serve as an additional adult in any classroom during the summer session. Sign-ups will be posted on classroom doors. Additionally, you may sign up by emailing [email protected].

More information about the Safe Church policy can be found at: http://www.rockspringucc.org/church-life/christian-education/safe-church/

Registration for Kid’s Night Out

Registration is beginning for Kid’s Night Out (KNO), a new program for children of the church from infants through 8th grade. Kid’s Night Out aims to provide a safe, fun environment for Rock Spring kids to spend time with their “church friends,” give parents a well-deserved break, and cultivate relationships in the Rock Spring community. Sign your children up now to reserve space in the program and give yourself four free Saturday nights this fall.Who: Rock Spring Kids, infant through 5th gradeWho else: Older Rock Spring kids - 6th, 7th, and 8th graders with younger siblings may attend to help out and earn back their registration feeWhen: Saturdays September 17, October 15, and November 19 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. AND December 10 with extended hours TBDFee: $10 per child per sessionParents may participate in a volunteer option – volunteer to help out with one session of KNO and receive complimentary enrollment for your children at a second session.Registration: Register now to reserve your space. Registration will close on Sunday, August 28. Registration forms are available in the Saegmuller Room or from Amy Mireku at [email protected] or Courtney Klamar at [email protected].

Contact Amy or Courtney with any questions, interest in volunteering for the program, or recommendations for care providers for the children during KNO.





http://www.rockspringucc.org/church-life/christian-education/safe-church/








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Attention Rock Springers!In order to publish your announcements, articles, calendar requests, and general communications, please send your items to

[email protected] your requests to the Publish address ensures that both members of the Office Staff have received your communication. Thank you for your cooperation!

A Note From our Financial Secretary…The giving records are now being recorded using different software. Because of the transition, quarterly reports for the period ending June 30, 2011, will not be issued. If you need a report, one can be generated manually. Please contact Diane S m i t h , F i n a n c i a l S e c r e t a r y , at [email protected] or at 703-528-4334, to make that request.

Meals on Wheels Needs HelpRock Spring Church provides volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels on the first and third Friday of each month. We need 20 volunteers to take care of 5 MOW routes on both of those days. (Some of our dedicated volunteers take both days.) Volunteers gather at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church near Ballston and spend about 1.5 hours delivering meals to people who are unable to get out to purchase groceries or prepared meals. Clients pay for their meals in accord with their financial circumstances. The delivery of meals is provided entirely by volunteers. We now have 12 regular volunteers and 15 substitute volunteers who are on call to replace regulars when needed. We need six

additional regular volunteers and an equal number of substitute volunteers. If you are interested in hearing more about this volunteer opportunity please call or email Bill Bozman at [email protected].

Men's Group LunchThe Men's Group Lunch is on the first Friday of each month. The next lunch is on August 5th. We meet at Mylo's Grill in Chesterbrook. The time is noon, except some of the guys arrive earlier. This is an opportunity each month for the men to escape their normal routines, ponder and recharge their batteries, talk, share, and develop stronger relationships with other Rock Spring men. Meetings are free format with each finding its own common ground. There is no requirement to bring or contribute but everybody finds something interesting. Each pays for their own lunch. For further information or to coordinate a ride, call Emory Hackman at 703-288-2941.

ROCK SPRING REVIEW







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“Our faith in Jesus Christ teaches us to love our neighbors as

ourselves and to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

We affirm the decency and humanity of Muslims around the globe and in our nation who strive

to live out the ideals of their religion peacefully and

nonviolently.”

So said our pastors in the context of the surge of anti-Islam sentiment that dominated the headlines in September 2010 h t t p : / /w w w. r o c k s p r i n g u c c . o r g /2 0 1 0 / 0 9 / r o c k - s p r i n g%E2%80%99s-pastors-call-for-interreligious-understanding-and-respect-for-islam. The issues have not gone away, and this year’s choice of a theme for our congregation’s observance of a Sunday for World Peace reflects the need for greater understanding of Islam, whether it be theology, practices or cultures.

We felt the need to reach out tangibly to our Muslim neighbors and have done so by

developing a relationship with the Dar al Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church. http://www.daralhijrah.net/ns We have found willing partners, who have actively worked with our small planning committee to develop an experience that was designed to enrich both congregations and deepen mutual understanding.As the planning for this Sunday proceeded, it became increasingly obvious that we should utilize the symbolism of the tenth anniversary of the attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001. Eventually, we lighted upon Sunday, September 11, 2011, as the day on which we observe World Peace Sunday. On that day, members of Dar al Hijrah will join us for an interfaith act of worship.

This will be more than a one-day affair. On July 10, Dar al-Hijrah welcomed some 40 Rock Springers at the Islamic Center to learn and to share in worship. And for three weeks, on Wednesday evenings in

September, we will share an educational experience at Rock Spring, which will again include members of the Dar al-Hijrah community. Events will start at 6:30 p.m. with light appetizers and fellowship, with the organized program starting at 7:00 p.m. and running through 8:30 p.m. The tentative themes will be:

September 14: Islam: History and beliefs

September 21: Contemporary issues in the Muslim world

September 28: What our faiths call us to do

"More details will become available in the weeks ahead. Please mark these dates in your calendar for participation in this potentially ground-breaking series. Please direct your questions to Takako Dickinson, Hope Schutte, Michael Bell, any of the pastors, or the mailbox [email protected].

WORLD PEACE SUNDAY

September 11, 2011

http://www.rockspringucc.org/2010/09/rock-spring%E2%80%99s-pastors-call-for-interreligious-understanding-and-respect-for-islam












http://www.daralhijrah.net/ns








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Annual Scholarship DinnerOn June 14, ten Shaw-area high school seniors were honored as winners of $1000 SCM college scholarships. Many of the winners have faced daunting challenges growing up – the father of one young man has been in prison most of his son’s life; one young woman battled family abuse in her home country of Liberia and after her arrival in the U.S., became a legal independent student; one saw her mother lose three children in childbirth in Ethiopia which has inspired her to become a nurse; another young man’s father brought the family to the U.S. for a better life only to himself die a few years later, leaving his teenage son the mainstay of the family. For many of the winners, family and a deep appreciation for the importance of education has spurred them on. Two of the winners were “home grown” products of SCM’s college counseling program and one is a member of Plymouth UCC. Most of the winners worked themselves into the top ten of their graduating classes. Among the colleges they will attend in the fall are Barry University in FL, Penn State, Pepperdine University in CA, Trinity University in DC, Towson University in MD, the University of Maryland, and the University of Wisconsin. On July 23, previous scholarship winners with GPAs of 2.5 or better will be interviewed for possible continuation scholarships. All these scholarships are made possible by contributions from generous local UCC congregations, including Rock Spring. Thank you!

Civil Rights Pilgrimage For a week in June, eight SCM youth and six adults were treated to an eye-opening trip to major locations of the civil rights era. The children (ages 9 – 16) had earned the trip through good grades,

good behavior, and good attendance throughout the year at school and at SCM. They had also prepared for the trip by studying about the civil rights movement, including by writing and performing skits about five major historical events for SCM’s Celebrate Your Heritage Day in February. The trip was generously sponsored by Rev. Jeff Stinehelfer, a retired UCC pastor, mentor to Executive Director Anne Troy, and tireless driver of the 15-passenger van. The travelers covered 2000 miles, including stops in Atlanta, GA at the MLK Center and Ebenezer Baptist Church; in Birmingham, AL at the 16th Street Baptist Church; at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, AL; at the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the National Voting Rights Museum in Selma, AL; at the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, AL; and at the Woolworth lunch counter in Greensboro, NC.

Camp Shining StarRunning from June 27 through August 5, SCM’s on-site day camp is serving 30+ bouncing Shaw youngsters, ages 5 – 14, and employing five SCM teens as counselors. After an academically focused morning, the afternoon follows a different theme each week – Xtreme Sportz, the Magical Digital World, Super Soakin’, Around the World, Camp Spirit Week (ending with a talent show and an SCM Idol competition), with the final week Back to Basics in preparation for the start of school, closing with a finale of a trip to Six Flags and picnic at a local park. Each week also sees a trip to the local pool. After DC budget woes kept SCM from receiving a grant for this undertaking, UCC churches (including Rock Spring) came through with enough funding for a successful program. Again, many thanks!

SUMMER UPDATE ON SHAW COMMUNITY MINISTRY

THE SUMMER OF 2011 HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE TIME AT SHAW COMMUNITY MINISTRY!

THE ROCK SPRING NEWSFOR THE PERIOD OF 08/01/11

Published 08/01/11

Potomac Youth Mission Group, 2011

Rock Spring CongregationalUnited Church of Christ5010 Little Falls RoadArlington, VA 22207 (703) 538-4886

rock spring news august 2011

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