rsn july 2012

Rock Spring CongregationalUnited Church of Christ

5010 Little Falls Rd. Arlington, VA703-538-4886

www.rockspringucc.org

The Rock Spring NewsJuly 2012 Vol. 08 No.07

Building Friends in Faith:

Sunday, July 29, 2012

a 5th sundays event

Building Friends in Faith

Rock Spring News July 2012 2

On Sunday, July 29 we will embark upon our next 5th Sundays event, “Building Friends in Faith,” a partnership with Shaw Community Ministry and Lincoln Temple UCC, located within a few blocks of each other in the Shaw neighborhood of NW Washington, DC.

Rock Spring has long been involved with Shaw Community Ministry. We buy Secret Santa gifts, contribute to the Summer Camp fund, and provide Thanksgiving din-ners. With “Building Friends in Faith” we are looking to deepen Rock Spring’s relationship with this community, as well as with the historic Lincoln Temple UCC, where some of Shaw’s programs are held.

We will begin our day with a joint intergenerational worship service held AT LINCOLN TEMPLE UCC at 11:00 a.m. Nursery care will be provided.

Bus transportation to and from Rock Spring will be provided (see Transportation be-low for details). There will be no worship service at Rock Spring on July 29; everyone is invited to worship at Lincoln Temple.

Lincoln Temple is an ONA church, and it is the “home church” of Rev. Doug Griffin, our interim senior pastor from 2009-2010.


a 5th sundays event


a 5th sundays event

2) A second group will remain at Shaw and Lincoln Temple to do extensive work, including more than 5000 square feet of painting, furniture repairs and assembly, general clean-up, reorganizing the Shaw Library, and other tasks. We will need at least 100 people to complete the work, which is best suited to people age 10 and older.

TRANSPORTATION: We will provide bus transportation from Rock Spring to Lincoln Temple, leaving Rock Spring at 10:10 a.m. Buses will return at two times: once immediately following the worship service, and again at the conclusion of the day (around 4:00 p.m.). Shaw and Lincoln are also Metro accessible, and there is some street parking.

This is going to be an incredible day of “Building Friends in Faith.” To ensure that we have adequate transportation and can organize the different groups, please sign up for this event as soon as possible. Email [email protected] or contact Taryn Roman or Joe Kelly with any questions.

FOllOwing wOrShip, we will enJOy lunch tOgether and then OFFer twO diStinct SetS OF activitieS:

1) Folks in the Shaw community do not often have the opportunity to get out of their neighborhood, so one group will take Shaw and Rock Spring children, youth, and families on an ex-cursion to the Tidal Basin to visit the MLK and FDR memorials. Rock Springers of all ages are invited to participate in the outing and serve as escorts/chaperones.


reFlections

Rev. Kathy Dwyer

I wrote my first book review on Amazon last week. This is certainly not because I haven’t had opinions about other books, but this one is different. I ordered Scattering Seeds by Stephen Chapin Garner and Jerry Nowell after reading an article about the book. It is incredibly refreshing to see a liberal congregation taking witness and growth seriously. That alone might have prompted me to write the review, but there is more. The book shares the story of another UCC congregation that has wrestled with many of the questions we are asking at Rock Spring:

o What is an organizational structure that empowers ministry without being overly burdensome? o How can our work at the church be life-giving? o What is our mission? o How can we cultivate the life of the community and deepen our faith?

Once I opened the book, I couldn’t put it down until I finished. Once I hit page 87, I found myself with a steady finger on the highlighter feature in iBooks. I appreciated the practicality and honesty with which the book is written. Peppered amongst the pages are notes from members of the congregation sharing their experience of the congregational changes UCC Norwell has implemented over the past decade. In addition, Rev. Garner is very honest about the challenges they faced, and continue to face, with the new things they have tried.

Building on the Core Values process, the Council has recently begun work on clearly articulating Rock Spring’s mission. While this is still in progress, one thing that has emerged is clear: there is a hunger at Rock Spring for deepening our spiritual life as individuals and as a community.

In Scattering Seeds, Rev. Garner described a similar longing being present at UCC Norwell. Building Christian community became the first priority of the congregation; task accomplishment became a distant second. Garner writes, “This came to mean that the how of our gatherings was more important than the what of our time together. The way we gathered was of greater importance than what we did when we gathered.” What would it look like at Rock Spring if the how of our board meetings, task forces, and committees were more important than the what of our time together? Grace and peace,

-KathyP.S. As you might expect, I ordered copies of this book for the staff and our leadership team. I have also ordered a few extra for those of you who may be interested in reading about another congregation’s journey and witness.

“It is incredibly refreshing to see a liberal congregation taking

witness and growth seriously.”

come visit BaBylon


It’s Time for a Family Vacation!

(and it won’t cost you a penny!)

Destination: BabylonAttraction: Daniel’s courage in captivityDuration: July 18-21, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. (with a special worship service on Sunday July 22!)

This could be the family vacation of a lifetime!

Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Bring your whole family back in time without going farther

than Rock Spring! Come and experience what it was like to live in Ancient Babylon.

Learn about the art, music, and culture of this fabled city. We will have games to play, music to dance to, and food to eat!

Come join Daniel and your friends for four great nights!

We will kick off every night in Babylon with a dinner at 6:00 p.m.!

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for VBE, July 18-21!

To Register, Visit:bit.ly/rockspringvbe2012

children, youth & Families


Seeking Summer Sunday School Teachers!

Would you be interested in teaching Summer Sunday School? It’s a fun way to get to know more of the children at the church without making a long-term commitment. The summer session runs from June 10 through August 26 (12 weeks).

Volunteer teachers can sign up for as few or as many weeks as their schedule allows. Curriculum is provided, continuing our year with Seasons of the Spirit.

Classes are offered for Pre-K-1st grade and 2nd-5th grades at the 10:00 a.m. summer service.

There are just a few weeks left in late July and late August to share yourself and your gifts with our children!

Please let us know your availability, best means of communication (home/work/cell phone, email, etc.), and which age group you would prefer to teach by signing up in the Saegmuller Room or by sending us an email at [email protected] or [email protected].

Many thanks for considering this opportunity.

Molly McCracken and Kathy Hale, Sunday School Coordinators

Annual Sunday School Survey is OnlineWe have had a tremendous year of fun and fellowship in our Sunday School programs. As we come to the end of this school year, we are looking for your feedback on your child’s or youth’s experience of the Sunday school program this year. Please take a moment, click on the link mentioned below and fill out the survey.

We thank you in advance for your feedback, and know that what you have to say will be heard and used to make next year’s Sunday school even stronger!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012SSSurvey

Youth of Rock SpringWell, here we are! Summer is upon us, and our weekly YoRS meetings are taking the an-nual hiatus until September. Thank you all for a wonderful YoRS year, and just wait for all that’s coming up in the fall!

Rev. Hank Fairman

children, youth, & Families


Senior High YoRS Summer Mission ExperienceOn Sunday, July 1, our intrepid Missioners will head out for the annual Senior High Summer Mission Experience. This year, we’re returning to Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity with our friends from the Potomac Association.

Like last year, a coalition from seven churches will join together: Cleveland Park Congregational UCC-Washington, DC; First Congregational UCC-Washington, DC; Westmoreland Congregational UCC-Bethesda, MD; Little River UCC-Annandale, VA; Christ Congregational UCC-Silver Spring, MD; United Christian Parish, Reston, VA; and, of course, Rock Spring.

This year, there will be 68 youth and adults, all working in a special week of mission. Last year, we shared in a “Blitz build,” raising a home for one partner family in just five days. This year, we will share in a “Cleanup Blitz,” picking up where a crew like ours finished. Pray for us and for Almost Heaven! Look for our report when we get back!

Rock Spring’s Youth Participate At Lunch Program at ShirlingtonRock Spring youth volunteers have prepared lunch on the second Wednesday of the month for the day laborers at Shirlington Employment and Education Center (SEEC) at S. Four Mile Run Drive and Shirlington Road in Arlington. There are approximately 60 people, and this is usually their only meal of the day. Senior High YoRS have commited to provide lunch on every odd month of the year.



It’s A Play Date!


rock spring new memBers class

meet the new memBers class oF summer 2012Andrea TisiAndrea, a lawyer with the US Department of Justice, found her way to Rock Spring through the invitation of a friend and quickly found a home in our Sanctuary Choir. Andrea will tell everyone, “you should join the choir” because she enjoys it so much. She is drawn to the spirituality mixed with intellect at Rock Spring, the sermons, and the simplicity of the church sanctuary. In her spare time, Andrea likes to cook, read, lounge by the pool, and hang outside to enjoy the beauty of nature. She is always hap-py to speak in German, and is searching for some cooking buddies and people who need to be fed.

Michael RappMichael has attended Rock Spring for many years with his wife, Carolyn, but recently decided he would like to formally become a member of the congregation. A physician, Michael also is an attorney who plays the trumpet, piano, and guitar. He loves to exercise, travel, and learn new things. Currently, Michael is serving on Rock Spring’s Finance Board. He and Carolyn have three adult children.

Janelle and Bob SwenssonJanelle is a preschool teacher and Bob is an engineer consultant. They love the United Church of Christ and were drawn to Rock Spring because of the sermons and the health and vibrancy they witness at Rock Spring. Janelle loves singing and is a member of the Reston Chorale. She is an avid gardener and knitter. Bob describes himself as an introvert and willingly shares that he is a re-covering alcoholic (22 years sober) who is willing to help anyone impacted by alcohol. Together, they have four children and six grandchildren whom they adore.

Sarah and Mike GurgoSarah and Mike, along with children McKenna and Michael, have been attending Rock Spring for the past three years and enjoy the church and the congregation. They are ready to become more involved in the church and want to raise their children at Rock Spring. Together, they love to travel and explore new areas. They love outdoor activities and for the past seven years have competed in various 10 mile, half mara-thon, and marathon races. Sarah is a high school Art teacher in Fairfax County. Her background is in Graphic Design and Sales but when she had children she wanted to changes careers to better serve the com-munity. Michael works for the General Services Adminstration, Office of Congressional Affairs.


rock spring new memBers class

T.J. FarrenT.J. comes from a family of Marines, Soldiers, and Sailors, which is why she joined the Air Force, serving in most of the Unified Commands as a Communicator for 21 years. Presently, she is with the DOD Education Activity, at the Mark Center. TJ’s educational experience encompasses social psychology (emphases counseling), education (adult training and Pre K through 8th grade), ministry (emphasis in missions) and some sub-disciplines. Her time is spent with family and friends, studying his-tory, geeking around with electronic toys, hanging around in museums, coffee houses, farmers markets and enjoys an assortment of outdoor activities. When asked a question, she is apt to say yes, if the question comes with green tea ice cream and a large cup of Starbucks coffee.

Julie WarrenJulie has been married 34 years and has two adult stepchildren (who she loves dearly), three grandchildren, and a daughter. Her youngest daughter is almost 30! Julie has been a graphic designer and is now a writer/editor for an association. She loves old movies (mostly from the 40s). She has been known to watch the same movie twenty times! She enjoys art galleries, live music, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. When no one is looking – she enjoys dancing! Julie has been active in church life in the past and knew that she wanted and needed to be a part of a faith-based community again. After attending only a few weeks, Julie sensed that Rock Spring was the right fit!

Susan OlsonA “husky” from Nebraska, Susan is a lifelong UCC member who has lived in many parts of the country (and participated in the life of many UCC churches) including Miami, Florida; Louisville, Kentucky; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Columbus, Ohio. Professionally, Susan is the Managing Regional Director for the Natixis Global Asset Management Group and moved to Arlington, Virginia this spring. While Susan still spends time on the road, she is looking forward to settling in and putting down roots in Arlington. She is a fan of the “Living the Questions” video series and looks forward to participating with small groups and adult educational opportunities at Rock Spring. Susan is also drawn to the concept of our 5th Sundays program and has jumped into the planning process for our July effort, “Building Friends in Faith,” a partnership effort with Lincoln Temple and Shaw Community Ministries. In her free time, Susan enjoys reading, cooking, working out, and exploring Arlington and D.C.


social Justice

social action & mission updates

2012 Gay Pride ParadeThis year a record number of Rock Springers came together to march in the gay pride parade in D.C. We had 36 marchers, including many kids! Together we voiced our support for equal rights, including marriage equality, for all. Our group, and other church groups, may not be among the most “flashy,” but we’re definitely among the most appreciated. “Thank you!” was a common refrain as we walked along. God is still speaking.

eco Justice news

Cash Rebates to Arlington Homeowners for Making Home Energy Efficiency Improve-mentsArlington homeowners, did you know you there is an ENERGY STAR program for your existing house? Did you know you can get special cash rebates to lower the cost of making energy improvements through this program? Find out more information by visiting http://bit.ly/MsjzMn. From one homeowner to another, “Completing the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR process has dramatically improved my home on several levels. I began with an interest in saving energy and lowering monthly bills, but didn’t appreciate how much it would improve the comfort of my home. Having more consistent temperatures room-to-room and increased air quality has simply made the house a more pleasant place to be.” -Allen H.


social Justice

Stop the Frack Attack! Lobby Day on July 26 and Rally on July 28!

What: The Eco-Justice Committee invites Rock Springers to help tell the President and Congress to end the rush to drill for oil and gas through insufficiently regulated new technologies like hydraulic fracturing (“hydrofracking,” or “fracking”) that are

threatening clean water supplies and human health across the country. “Fracking” also means a new “pipeline” to pump more and more carbon into our atmosphere, accelerating climate change when we can least afford it, and provides disincentives to move to cleaner forms of energy. Join a large coalition of community members and organizations from across the nation in D.C. at the end of July to tell our government to stop the frack attack and to remove special subsidies and exemptions from the oil and gas industry.

When and Where: Lobby day is 9:00 a.m.-5:00p.m. on Thursday, July 26; Rally is at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 28 on the West Lawn of the Capitol. Trainings will be provided on July 27.

Stay tuned for more details. To sign up or get more information, visit www.stopthefrackattack.org

garden news How Does Your Garden Grow? If you have extra produce, please bring it Sunday mornings. There will be a cooler to collect produce near the “Church Office” entrance. All produce donations will go to the Arlington Food Assistance Center as part of our Plot Against Hunger efforts. Thank you for your donations!

Raspberry Sales a Success!The Plot Against Hunger garden at the Hansons is producing a bountiful crop of beautiful raspberries (over 20 pints picked, so far!). Due to their freshness and fragility, we opted to sell most of them and donate the money to AFAC (though several pints did go to AFAC clients). Thanks to those who bought pints last week, we raised $118 for AFAC. Thank you very much!

Help WantedHave you walked by the lovely pollinator and native plant garden that so many hands planted at our “Down to Earth” 5th Sunday event? Have you seen the new Redbud tree on Memorial Terrace? Lovely, aren’t they? Help us keep them that way by signing up to tend the beds and plants. The main duties are watering, weeding, and filling the “tree gator” water bag. Contact Becky Halbe for more information [email protected].


Central Atlantic Conference Holds 2012 Annual Meeting

Kathy Dwyer, Hank Fairman, Lori Keasel, and I were each in attendance for some or all of the Central Atlantic Conference held in Newark, Delaware from June 8-10. The meeting began with a fascinating presentation by John Dominic Crossan, who co-chaired The Jesus Seminar from 1985 to 1996 and has written many books exploring the nature of early Christianity. The major item of business for the meeting was approval of changes to the UCC’s Constitution and Bylaws that are designed to improve the governance of the national offices of the church by replacing five boards that have almost 350 members with a single United Church Board with 52 members. Thirty-six of these will be “at-large” members and the rest, ex-officio, with voice and vote. It is hoped that the new structure will promote better strategic planning, more nimbleness, and greater efficiencies and cost-savings. The plan was approved by General Synod in summer 2011, and needs to be ratified by two-thirds of the UCC’s conferences. The Central Atlantic Conference voted to approve the plan by a vote of 117 to 54, with one abstention; with several conferences meeting this month, the new structure was expected to reach the total necessary for ratification very soon. While the changes must be approved a second time at General Synod in 2013, church officers will begin moving forward to implement the new structure, including the consolidation of some staffs, once the changes are ratified by the requisite number of conferences.

community & society

Annual meeting delegates also voted to adopt resolutions opposing bullying in schools, oppos-ing mountaintop removal coal mining in Appalachia, and supporting the Healthy Maryland Initiative. More information about these resolutions can be found at http://www.cacucc.org/pages/detail/2477. The annual meeting was an emotional one as it marked the retirements of Associate Conference Minister Richard Vaught and Associate Conference Minister Sherry Mason Taylor who had served the Conference for nearly two decades. These staff retirements are providing the conference with an oppor-tunity to rethink and revise job descriptions to best meet the conference’s needs and its available budget. I was also pleased that the closing worship service included the singing of “When We Loose the Bonds of Injustice,” the hymn that was commissioned for Rock Spring’s Centennial, giving us the opportunity to share it with a wider audience. If you have questions about the annual meeting or wider church activities, please feel free to ask one of your representatives for more information. --Sara Fitzgerald

CAC Launches Initiative to Promote Congregational Vitality and New Church StartsAt this year’s Central Atlantic Conference annual meeting, the conference formally launched an initiative called “New Visions: A Campaign for Church Growth and Vitality.” The goal of the campaign is to raise funds specifically to support congregational vitality programs and new church starts. (Continued on next page)

centennial news


centennial news

The Centennial Concert, Celebrating the Gift of Music

July 22 at 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Music Ministry has been an important part of the life of Rock Spring over the last century. In honor of this heritage, two talented solo artists, Elizabeth Kluegel Niblock and Ed Roberts, have offered to share their gifts with our congregation in a classical concert program featuring vocal and piano music of Bach, Handel, Schubert, Rachmaninoff and Debussy. Elizabeth has been our Director of Music since 1999, and Ed has been Assistant Director of Music since 2000. The dedication of these two artists to our music ministry has created a vibrant environment for worship and fostered the musical talents of our children and adults over the years.

Please honor our centennial of music ministry at Rock Spring and mark your calendars for an extraordinary afternoon of music and a reception with Elizabeth and Ed after their performance.

-Gail Howell, for the Centennial Planning Committee.

Elizabeth Kluegel NiblockDirector of Music

(Continued from previous page)

Over the past 50 years, the conference has declined in size from 206 congregations to approximately 170 churches today. The loss would have been much worse without the many successful new church starts that have been achieved—for instance, nearly one-third of the churches in the Potomac Association have been started since 1958. The campaign is seeking initially to raise $300,000 to support church growth efforts and then, by 2015, to increase ongoing support for Our Church’s Wider Mission so that the program can be sustained. The retirements of two long-time members of the conference ministry team will provide the conference with the opportunity to reorganize its staff to better support these particular goals. The campaign is chaired by the Rev. Michael Murphy, senior pastor at People’s Congregational United Church of Christ in the District and the Rev. Rob Peters, a former interim associate minister at Rock Spring, has also been involved. The campaign will be seeking gifts from both congregations and individuals. The conference is also seeking individuals who would be willing to share their particular talents as part of support teams for “new church planters.” These solo pastors often can make use of help from persons with marketing, communications, web design, graphics, legal, financial, real estate, worship leadership, musical, Christian Education, and fund-raising skills. The Rev. Dr. Doug Griffin, Rock Spring’s former interim senior pastor, now chairs the conference committee that supports new church starts. For more information on how you might share your skills, contact Marge Royle at [email protected] or sign up at http://CACspecialists.questionpro.com.

Ed RobertsAssistant Director of Music


rock spring review

markers & milestones

Congratulations to Meghan Radelet and Brian Hatt who were married in Shawnee on Dela-ware, PA on June 30. Janet Parker officiated at the ceremony. Meghan is the daughter of Carrie Hessler Radelet and Steve Radelet. Meghan and Brian live in Denver, CO.

Congratulations to Cristina (Robles) and David Bahm who were joined in marriage on May 5 in Pittsburgh, PA with Rev. Hank Fairman officiat-ing.

Leah Coyle Tysse, daughter of James and Kathleen, was baptized on June 24.

news & notes

Staff SchedulesKathy Dwyer:Vacation: July 15- 28Study leave: July 7 – July 14

Hank Fairman:Vacation: July 30-August 12Study Leave: August 13-19

Janet Parker:Study leave and vacation from July 15 - August 12. Much of this time will be spent working on her book, Becoming Human Again.

music notes:

A “Thank You” presentation to the Howells in honor of their generous gift of the Centennial Hymn and the Centennial Anthem was made on Sunday, June 6.

Janet Parker speaks at Yale Symposium on Religion and the EnvironmentOn June 5-7, Janet traveled to Yale University to attend a Symposium on Religion and the Environment sponsored by the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology, a collaboration between Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and Yale Divinity School. Over 100 people attended and heard speakers ranging from climate scientists and biologists to Christian theologians and ethicists, to pastors and practitioners from religious communities. Many other UCC folks were there, including Rev. Jim Antal, Conference Minister for the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ, who also spoke on the program. Janet spoke on a panel on religious responses to climate change and focused on the opportunities and challenges of working on climate change at the congregational level. You may read her remarks on the website using this link: http://bit.ly/MAE4EF


rock spring review

From the Bookshelf

New books are not purchased in June, July, and August. This gives a break to our devoted helpers and to our library budget.

Our most current books of all types are on the shelf close to the bulletin board. Mysteries are around the corner on the other side of the bul-letin board. The spin around racks hold paper-back books that are available to borrow freely; if you want to keep one, the suggestion is that you donate one in its place.

We have a LARGE biography section, near the windows; you might tempt yourself to read one this summer.

We are a non-electronic library. Our borrowing term is three weeks, from the nearest Sunday when you borrow it. And yes, you need to write (not stamp) the due date in two places: in the back of the book and on the card.

Finally, keep on enjoying our books!

Anita Cline

special events calendarJuly 1 - July 7: YoRS Mission Trip

Wednesday, July 4Church Office Closed

Thursday, July 5 12:00 p.m. People of Faith Equality In Virginia - Carpenter Hall

Friday, July 6 12:00 p.m. Men’s Monthly Lunch - Mylo’s Grill 6:30 p.m. Outdoor Worship Service - Rock Spring Lawn

Wednesday, July 11 11:30 a.m. Shirlington Employment Education Center Lunch

Wednesday, July 18 6:00 p.m. VBE - RS Lawn/ Carpenter Hall

Thursday, July 19 6:00 p.m. VBE - RS Lawn/ Carpenter Hall

Friday, July 20 6:00 p.m. VBE - RS Lawn/ Carpenter Hall

Saturday, July 21 6:00 p.m. VBE - RS Lawn/ Carpenter Hall

Sunday, July 22 10:00 a.m. VBE Closing Worship Service- Sanctuary 2:00 p.m. Knitting Ministry - Saegmuller Room 3:00 p.m. Centennial Concert - Sanctuary

Sunday, July 29 11:00 a.m. 5th Sunday Worship Service at Lincoln Temple UCC5 (5th Sundays events to follow worship activities)

Summer Evening Outdoor Worship

First Fridays Goes Outside!

Join us for song, music and prayer designed to deepen our wonder and appreciation for all of creation

July 6August 3

6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.


rock spring review


sunday, July 29, 2012

a 5th sundays event

rock spring review


Rock Spring Congregational5010 Little Falls RoadArlington, VA 22207

It’s Time for a Family Vacation!Destination: BabylonAttraction: Daniel’s courage in captivityDuration: July 18-21, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. (with a special worship service on Sunday July 22!)

Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Learn about the art, music, and culture of this fabled city. We will have games to play, music to

dance to, and food to eat!

Come join Daniel and your friends for four great nights!

We will kick off every night in Babylon with a dinner at 6:00 p.m.!

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for VBE, July 18-21!

To Register, Visit:bit.ly/rockspringvbe2012

rsn july 2012

Documents

rock spring children

rock spring newsjuly

rock springers

faithrock spring news

historic lincoln temple

sundays eventrock spring

shaw community ministry

shaw library