RSN April 2012

Rock Spring CongregationalUnited Church of Christ

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

www.rockspringucc.org

The Rock Spring NewsApril 2012 Vol. 08 No.04

Down

EarthMark your calendar for our next 5th Sundays day of service, when we will be getting “Down to Earth.”

Events, including a potluck lunch, will begin following the 11:00 a.m. worship service.

The day will focus on ways to be better stewards of God’s earth through removing invasive plants, planting native plant species, and growing our own food.

We will use the Rock Spring campus and nearby Rock Spring Park as a “laboratory,” demonstrating these practices so that we can take our experience home and put it to use in our own yards and neighborhoods.

As usual, there will be activities for people of all ages and abilities. Rock Spring’s Eco-Justice Committee is providing leadership for this event, in conjunction with the 5th Sundays Task Force.

Sunday, april 29, 2012

to

down to Earth: a 5th Sunday EvEnt

Rock Spring News April 2012 2

Activities:

• Removing English Ivy and other invasive plants from the Rock Spring campus and Rock Spring Park (across the street from the church)

• Planting 100 native plants on the Rock Spring campus

• Planting 100 beans in our AFAC Plot Against Hunger garden

• Creating “3 Sisters” seed packets so that Rock Springers and AFAC clients can “grow a row” for themselves and AFAC

• Making drip irrigation systems from recycled 1- and 2-liter soda bottles

• Planting a new tree on Memorial Terrace

• Writing thank you notes and making stakes to label our new plants

• Learning about native species, invasive species, and gardening techniques that are good for the Earth

Many (but not all) of the activities will be messy, so please feel free to come to worship dressed casually! If you have gardening gloves and/or hand trowels, please bring those along as well. It is possible that we could encounter poison ivy in some of our projects – you may wish to wear long sleeves/pants. Even the smallest hands will be able to contribute, and we will encourage families to work together on the projects.

Adopt-a-PlantIf you would like to contribute to purchasing the 100 native plants that we will be planting, we are offering an “adopt-a-plant” opportunity. On April 15 and 22, we will be in the Saegmuller Room accepting donations (in any amount) and dedications. Contributors will be acknowledged in a display.

LunchTo fuel our bodies for our work, we will begin with a potluck lunch. Please bring a dish to share. In keeping with our theme, we encourage you to use ingredients that are grown locally and/or organically.

Watch your email and the bulletin for more details about Down to Earth activities.

Questions or ideas? Contact Ashley Martinage or email [email protected].

Down to Earth: A 5th Sunday Event

GoinG dEEpEr throuGh holy wEEk


Sermon in Song and Holy WeekOn Palm Sunday, the Sanctuary Choir with soloists will be presenting Schubert’s beautiful Mass in G Major. This work is a wonderful way to hear some of the standard mass texts, such as Sanctus, Kyrie and the Agnus Dei. We hope that this music will bring you into the mood for Holy Week and that it leaves you ready for our musical offerings to come.

On Maundy Thursday we will again be bringing some moving music for our service led by soloists.

Good Friday brings us another reflective and meditative Taizé service led by Nancy Kamens.

A very big THANK YOU to all who helped to support our Rock Spring Recital Series this 2012 season! We had three lovely and very well attended concerts! Special thanks go to Betsy Fulton, Daena Kluegel, and Anita Marx for publicity and reception assistance!

Going Deeper Through Holy Week

Palm SundaySunday, April 1

9:00 and 11:00 a.m.The Sanctuary Choir will present the “Sermon in Song,” Franz Schubert’s Mass in G. There will also be the traditional children’s Palm processional.

Maundy Thursday“Service of Shadows”Thursday, April 5, 7:30 p.m.

Good FridayCandlelight Evening Prayerwith Music in the Style of TaizéFriday, April 6, 6:30 p.m.

Easter SundaySunday, April 8

6:30 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service

9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Worship with the Clarion Brass


rEflEctionS

Many of you have kindly shared that this Lenten sermon series, At the Core of Our Community, has helped you think more deeply about Rock Spring’s core values. The process of creating the sermons in conversation with the values identified this fall and with scripture has also helped me think more deeply about the values and what they might mean for us as a congregation. This sermon series, as well as the guide to Conversations in Community, was in response to the Council’s request that we use the Lenten season to explore these values and “try them on” to see if these really are what we believe to be the values we hold most dearly. Please be in touch by phoning or emailing me or Sarah Gilmour, Council President, if you have insights, concerns, or suggestions about these values.

As I write, we are ending the season of Lent and preparing to head into Holy Week. When I look at Jesus’ life, I see a person who knew exactly what was important to him. Because he was so clear about his values, he did not bend to the pressure of those who wanted him to be something he was not. That clarity led Jesus to his crucifixion, but it also led us to Easter. For centuries we have been asking questions about what the Easter event means. Those who were close to Jesus also asked, “Given what we know, what does this mean for our lives now?”

We are still asking that question today. Given what is most important to us as a congregation, what is God calling us to do in this time and place? Once we are able to affirm our core values, we will be on our way to answering this question. Perhaps, like those who lived through the Easter event, we, too, will experience new life and a sense of new meaning and purpose.

With Easter joy,

-Kathy

Rev. Kathy Dwyer

Given what is most important to us as a congregation, what is God calling us to do in this time and place?

from thE council prESidEnt


Ahh…the beauty and spirit of Spring!

I’ve been amazed and in awe of the great power that an early Spring has brought to our area this year. The extended series of warm days has lifted the blanket of cold, bare Winter from the Earth and an extraordinary abundance of Springtime signs have burst forth in quick succession… daffodils, forsythia, cherry blossoms, dogwoods, azaleas and, alas, leaves on trees. My heart goes out to all of you who are plagued by the pollen associated with this series of events…hopefully the silver lining is that it is all coming and going much more quickly?

Not only is there a great sense of rebirth evident around us in Nature, I’ve witnessed it in the faces, voices, and general demeanor of the people in the area. There is a lightness, sense of hope, and general happiness that this early Spring has brought to our community.

Spring at Rock Spring is also full of new and fresh activity. While formed in January, springtime has shown evidence of the 2012 Boards and Council are bursting with activity. We have the obvious work of the Property board to renew our HVAC in Carpenter Hall and Neighborhood House. True to form, the Youth of Rock Spring are exploring new ideas and adopting mission to caring forward in their own way such as with Shirlington Education and Employment Center and even some ideas around prison ministries.

As each board is engaging in the key activities that have traditionally defined their board, the Constitution Task Force has asked the boards to take a fresh look at their mission and document their operating policies as a step towards a revised Constitution. The Constitution Task Force has gener-ated new thought, conversation, and exploration around the possibility of a new board for Congregational Life. This stirs many questions…is this the time for new structure? What is happening with Women’s Fellowship? What does the Alban Institute have to say? We are also exploring new or renewed questions about our relationships from a global, interfaith and community basis as our activities associ-ated with VOICE, Global Mission, and 5th Sundays allow us to explore options for engaging a broader mission. The opportunities are endless and fill me with a great hope for our journey ahead.

Finally, as Lent comes to a close, we are anticipating the renewal and hope brought into our lives by Easter. We all have our own journeys and my hope for each of you is that you are finding moments to experience the beauty of the season and gain the renewal you need on your journey.

With peace and hope,

Sarah GilmourCouncil President

Sarah Gilmour

childrEn, youth, & familiES


Rev. Hank Fairman

continuinG our lEntEn JournEy:April Flowers and Easter Joy!

As we celebrate Palm Sunday, and come to the meaningful worship of Holy Week, our hearts cannot help but turn to Easter’s sun-filled joy. Christ, thought to be gone, has returned and called us to respond and to put our faith into action.

During April, we will see many different ways to serve the needs of God’s creation. With Earth Day on April 22 and our 5th Sunday “Down to Earth” Sunday on April 29, we will be paying special attention to our role in care for creation, and love for all of nature.

Godly PlayOur 9:00 a.m. Multi-age and 11:00 a.m. Pre-K classes will share in a special set of Godly Play lessons, sharing the stories of Jesus’ life and ministry, leading up to the Easter story at the Easter Event on April 8. These lessons focus on the Faces of Easter, recounting the stories of those people who knew Jesus well:

April 1Jesus and his Friends Celebrate Passover

April 8Easter Sunday:The story of the Three Women

and the Great StoneApril 15

The Good Shepherd: A Story of World Connections

April 22The Synagogue and the Upper Room:

Connecting Communion to our daily livesApril 29

5th Sunday/Earth Sunday:Special Programs that focus on how we are

getting “Down to Earth!”

Come with us to Babylon this summer! We’ll be traveling there in late July – Save the dates! Wednesday, July 18 through Sunday,

July 22.

Seasons of the SpiritSeasons of the Spirit is a lectionary-based curriculum. This means that the scripture lessons each week come from the “Revised Common Lectionary,” a three-year cycle of scripture readings. Each year focuses on one telling of the story of Jesus. This year, Year B, is a combination of the Gospels of Mark and John (a fun combination of viewpoints on the story of Jesus!).

For information on the lectionary, and how it helps us tell the Christian story, check out this resource provided by the Vanderbilt Divinity School Library:http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

Staying ConnectedParents, our weekly “Sunday School Update” emails come to your inbox every Monday. This will share the Sunday school lesson for the week, the scripture stories that were shared, and a way to continue the practice with your family through the week. If you are not yet receiving the FP @ Home emails, please send a note to [email protected], and we will get you on the list immediately!


Youth of Rock Spring (YoRS)Lent has led us to some amazing places! Our Middle High YoRS have challenged themselves to bring drink to the thirsty by understanding the issue of accessibility to fresh water in our world. Our Senior High YoRS have taken on the mantle to help feed the hungry by committing to support the SEEC lunch program in the odd-months for the next year. Which part of Matthew 25 will you take up in your walk of faith?

Each week, our two groups gather for fun, fellowship, and investigating where God is calling. Middle High YoRS gathers from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Senior High YoRS gathers from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. For the most up-to-date information, please sign up for the YoRS Weekly Update Email, by sending a note to [email protected].

YoRS Dates

April 1 No YoRS (Spring Break)April 8 No YoRS (Easter Sunday)April 15 YoRS Fun DayApril 22 Finding our place in the world on Earth DayApril 29 5th Sunday/Earth Sunday:Special Programs that focus on how we are getting “Down to Earth!” (No regular meeting)


Confirmation Class of 2012Our Confirmation Class is half way to Confirmation Sunday! We have studied five different “ways” that people have ap-proached God, and now turn our attention to our own faith and beliefs. Each member of the class is also meeting with their Mentor in an intentional walk, seeking to understand each other and how they experience God in their lives. Have no doubt—this is heavy thinking, feeling, praying, and living! But, our youth (and their families and mentors) are up to the challenge!



Annual Seder Dinner

More than 75 friends gathered around the table to celebrate the Seder this year. Special thanks go to Michael Mandel, who shared his faith traditions with us and led the meal.

Cantor Michael Mandel, a native of Havana Cuba, was ordained as Cantor from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York in 1997. He served as a full-time cantor in congregations in Redondo Beach, California, and Wilmington, Delaware.

Before leaving Washington to begin his seminary studies, Cantor Mandel taught Spanish, French, and ESOL-HILT in Northern Virginia and DC. Upon returning to the DC area, Cantor Mandel resumed teaching.

He currently teaches Spanish at H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program in Arlington, and performs in several musical groups. Big thanks to Julie Calvert for inviting Cantor Mandel to share the meal with us!



conGrEGational lifE


Another New Members’ Class?

While we will be receiving a class of new members in worship on Sunday, April 15, there are several people who have indicated an interest in joining Rock Spring who were not able to attend the last set of classes. We have tentatively set Wednesday evenings, 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. on May 9, 16, and 23 as the date for the next new members’ classes. If, by May 1, we hear from five or more people who would like to attend this series we will hold the class in May; otherwise, we will hold off until fall for the next offering of new members classes.

If you have been visiting Rock Spring and would like to know more about the United Church of Christ in general, or Rock Spring specifically, please consider participating. Please indicate your interest by emailing [email protected].

Love to knit? Come join the Handmade Ministry!

The Handmade Ministry will meet the fourth Sunday of the month, (this month, April 22) in the Saegmuller Room from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. We make prayer shawls, lap blankets, baby blankets, and chemo caps for the ministers to give to members/friends of Rock Spring who need our prayers and thoughts for better health or comfort. These items may be made by knitting, crocheting, quilting, sewing, weaving -- whatever you like to do. We have yarn and needles for anyone who wants to try knitting. Or, bring your own yarn and needles. We have some patterns and welcome more. And, if you hate meetings, use your time at home to create and then drop off your donation at the church any time. Come meet with us for 15 minutes or 2 hours to learn, socialize, or progress with your project. All is very informal. Questions? Donna Cartwright at 703-532-3305 or Joan Yocum at 703- 525-5205 or Peggy Greenwood at 703-941-7303.The Rock Spring Riders Ride Again!

The Rock Spring Riders will begin the spring biking season Saturday, March 31 at the Lyon Village Shopping Center at 9:00 a.m. Our next ride will be April 28. We will ride the approximately 18-mile Arlington Loop, returning to the shopping center by 11:00 a.m. We bike at a moderate pace but there are some hills. All bikers are welcome. If you have any questions, contact Don Manning at [email protected] or John Morland at [email protected].

Spiritual Growth & lEarninG


Rock Spring Offers Healing Service in May

One of the gifts of the Worship Task Force has been to introduce a special service of worship on the first Friday evening of every month. Many people have been enjoying the Taizé services, which have been running since November. April will be the last Taizé service for this program year. Healing services will be held on the first Friday in May and in October, and special summer outdoor worship services will be held from June through September. All are invited to the first healing service developed under this new model. Seeking Shalom: A Service for Healing and Wholeness will be offered on Friday, May 4, at 6:30 p.m. Like the Taizé services, the service will be 30 minutes in duration.

Worship services of healing and wholeness are increasingly being offered in congregations of the United Church of Christ. Rock Spring is no stranger to these services, which were first introduced by Rev. Linda Carder and intern Matt Emery in 2005, and have been held several times since. These services seek to honestly present our brokenness and suffering before God to receive God’s abiding care, compassion, healing, and reconciliation.

Persons bring a range of needs to such services. Some bring bodies ravaged by disease or injury. Some courageously long to be healed from the deep wounds of abuse. Others present themselves weary of the cycle of addictions. Others desire to give over the torment of psychological depression, emptiness, and fear to God. Longing for forgiveness, many no longer can bear a wrong or broken relationship. We come to such services seeking healing in our bodies, our lives, but also wholeness in our families, our congregations, our communities, and our world. We seek God’s shalom, justice, healing, peace, and compassion. Come and join us on May 4. Come and receive God’s shalom.*

*Portions of this article are taken from “All Shall Be Well: Conducting Worship Services for Heal-ing and Wholeness,” from UCC Worship Ways, Copyright 2004, Worship and Education Ministries Team, Local Church Ministries, UCC, Cleveland

Save the Date Announcement: "Bringing the Word to Life"Set aside Sunday, April 22 for a special, "one time only" biblical literacy offering. After each service Janice Langholz will share a technique she developed from her storytelling training to assist individuals read scripture more personally and meaningfully. She calls this technique, "Walking With Mark." During the one-hour class (10:30 a.m., Bead Room, 12:45 p.m., Peace Room) participants will study the actual scripture to be used the next Sunday. In the process, they will learn how to bring their individual Bible reading to life, using about 5 minutes a day. For more information, you can reach Janice at [email protected].

Global miSSion taSk forcE cornEr


Being global: A southern African experience

Susan Peters and Charles Spencer of Rock Spring joined a UCC Central Atlantic Conference (CAC) team visiting southern Africa to renew ties between the CAC and the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA). Visit the website to read fascinating accounts written by both Charles and Susan (http://bit.ly/HgxTnw). Learn more about their visit, and its significance for the work of the Global Mission Task Force, by attending discussion sessions after EACH of the services on April 15..

Their visit, blessed during worship on February 26, was to travel, enter dialogue with church leaders and members in the region, learn of the strengths and needs of the churches, and assess whether there was potential for Rock Spring to join in part-nership with organizations in the region. We also hoped we might learn from existing partnerships what works and what does not.

Their visit took them to Johannesburg, Durban, Kuruman, and Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa; Maputo in Mozambique; and Gabarone and Kanye in Botswana. Charles and Susan tell of a moving and sobering visit to the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, the celebration in Kanye of a wedding with both church and tribal traditions, and worship in many different settings, cultures, and languages.


Global miSSion taSk forcE cornEr

They also speak of inspiring leadership training, whether in the tiny Ricatla Seminary in Maputo, or the Inanda Seminary, a boarding high school for girls founded in 1816 by American Congregationalist missionaries, and still turn-ing out strong, Christ-centered young women ready for leadership in today’s South Africa. They note the challenges that the United Church of Christ Southern Africa (UCCSA) confronts, as a church seeking justice in a country emerging from a history of racism and struggling with the issues of the 21st century.

Many of the partnership ideas involved the training and development of church leadership, with a particular focus on women and youth. The ideas usually require the exchange of people rather than money. And, the conversations often revealed that North American churches have much to learn from Southern Africa.

The Global Mission Task Force views the information and insights gained as an input to its continuing work, not as the basis for an immediate recommendation about a specific partnership. Other options are under review including a possible focal points centered on the Middle East and Islam, as well as on Latin America (Colombia). We continue to welcome feedback from members and friends of Rock Spring.

worShip taSk forcE cornErThe IMAGINE Worship Task Force…Is no more. We took what the Imagine neighborhood meetings gave us and then dreamed, learned, created, designed and even imagined further. Then we began to try out some of our imagining last fall by offering Taizé worship on the first Fridays of each month and introducing the colors of the liturgical season into our worship, inviting some of our artists to create our worship bulletins and adding visuals that fit the season and or the worship theme. Our task force recruited a team to facilitate the Taizé services while we did the Sunday Worship Services. We have received many positive comments from the congregation and the number of people who have attended the Taizé worship has astounded us.

In order for these and others of our new ministries to continue, we are recruiting a team for each activity to share the work, the fun, the rewards, and the joy. So far, this is where we are:

First Friday Contemplative Worship • Taizé will be offered from October through April with Jerry and Nancy Kamens as chairpersons, Dick Metzger the Deacon’s representative, or support, and 10 or so team members. The pastoral staff member is Kathy Dwyer. • Healing Services will be offered in May and in October with Hamilton Brown and Janet Parker. • Summer Outdoor Worship, a contemplative summer church camp-style worship will be offered in June, July, and August. Barb Brueggemann, Julie Hawkins, Kathy Krogh, and Jason Henderson make up that team. The pastoral staff member is Kathy Dwyer.

Worship and the Arts Seasonal Teams • Advent: Donna Cartwright, Susan Peters, and Lucy Carlson • Christmas: Linda Carder and Susan Limberg • Epiphany: Youth of Rock Spring (YoRS) and Susan Peters • Lent: Eileen Jinks, Heather Barbour, and Stuart Scott • Easter: Lucy Carlson • Pentecost: Betsy Thomassen and Carrie Hessler-Radelet • Ordinary Time: Still to be recruited. Since this goes for several months, we will recruit two teams.

There will be a training opportunity this summer for all these team members and others, such as the Board of Deacons, led by those who attended the Worship Design Event at Lake Tahoe last fall.

Special thanks to the Overholts, Yocums, Johnsons, Carlsons, and Susan Peters and Richard Lee for installing and taking down and storing all the decorations.

Intergenerational Worship OpportunitiesThere will be two each year at special times during the church year. This year we did the Burying of the Alleluia Worship on Shrove Tuesday, and we will do a service near or on All Saints Day. Janice Langholtz will be coordinating these.

If you have been touched by some of our ministries and would like to be a part of them, please contact Linda Carder at [email protected].



Social JuSticE

Social action & miSSion nEwS

Kairos: An International Christian MinistryThe board of Social Action and Mission recently had the pleasure to learn more about an important ministry. Kairos is a body of International Christian Ministries which works in 9 countries. This ministry is focused on addressing the spiritual needs of incarcerated men, women, children, their families, and those who work in the prison environment. To do this they provide three, half-day programs at the prisons, and establish “prayer and share” groups within the prison. The goal of Kairos is to share God’s love, and to do as Christ asks of us: visit the prisoner on His behalf. There are many ways to participate in this ministry. Prayer is a fundamental. You can always pray for the inmates, the volunteers, and the work they do. Also, volunteers routinely bring cookies, personal letters of love, posters and place mats that remind inmates of God’s love, and, of course, financial support. Kairos does not try to convert inmates to Christianity, but rather to be the “face of Christ” to all. The next weekend Kairos event is April 12-15 at Fluvanna Women’s Correctional Facility in Troy, Virginia. If you have any interest in participating or contributing cookies, letters, posters, etc., please contact Iris Gibson at [email protected]

Grants for our Community PartnersDo you know an organization committed to pursuing social justice that could use financial support and fits the criteria listed below?

The Social Action and Mission Board welcomes applications for grants from Rock Spring’s Wider Mission budget for 2012. In a new approach, adopted last year, the Board extended grants to 24 community partners based on applications from the organizations.

The new system has already helped us to know our partners, and how they use our donations, better than in the past.

Applications are invited, no later than June 15, from organizations for purposes that are consistent with Rock Spring’s identity as a Just Peace and an Open and Affirming |Congregation, and that promote ecumenical and interfaith witness. We will consider applications from any of the following:

•“Local” organizations within the Metropolitan Washington DC area (primarily in Arlington and Northern Virginia) that provide assistance to those within our communities least able to help themselves.

•National and international organizations that provide assistance to those least able to help themselves and have a particular relationship with our congregation or its members.

•Organizations, particularly those associated with the UCC, working to fulfill our church’s wider mission.

More information about the process and how to apply will be available under Special Info on the home page of www.rockspringucc.org . A full list of 2011 grants can be found on pages 49-50 of the 2011 Annual Report.

If you have a recommendation or a question please contact co-chairs of the Grants Committee, Howard Hjort ([email protected]) or Michael Bell ([email protected]).


Social JuSticE

Dar Al-Hijrah Friendship Luncheon a Great Success!

Over 40 Rock Springers traveled to the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center for a delightful and delicious friendship luncheon on Sunday, March 18. We were greeted by smiles, color-ful tents, henna-painting, Eritrean coffee, an opportunity to try on and purchase beautiful scarves, and mouth-watering food. Most im-portantly, we were greeted with open arms of friendship by the many members of Dar Al-Hijrah who joined us in prayer, fellowship, and breaking bread together.

Our journey with Dar Al-Hijrah began when the World Peace Sunday committee ap-proached Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, at the urging of Takako Dickinson, with the idea of developing a joint, interfaith worship service for the tenth anniversary of September 11. The service, which was powerfully moving and wonderfully received by both communities, was followed by a series on understanding Islam. Subsequently, a small “friendship committee” comprised of members of both Rock Spring and Dar Al-Hijrah has been meeting to strengthen our partnership.

The purpose of the gathering on March 18 was for our congregations to get to know one another better. Participants learned about the history and development of both congregations through remarks offered by Imam Johari Abdul-Malik and Rev. Janet Parker. Rock Springers fumbled with unfamiliar headscarves (for the women), and experienced gender-segregated prayers. The folks from Dar Al-Hijrah were introduced gently to the Open and Affirming identity of Rock Spring, with the permission of their mufti. Small steps toward mutual understanding! New friendships were begun. It was a powerful next step in our ongoing journey towards mutual understanding and peace with our Muslim brothers and sisters. Stay tuned for news on other opportunities to enjoy our budding friendship with this community.

community & SociEty


community & SociEty


voicE nEwS

Rock Springers Join VOICE Public Action on Affordable Housing

Twenty Rock Spring members and attendees participated in a public action event of 300 people on affordable housing in Arlington County on March 24. The action was organized by Arlington-based congregations of Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE ) in northern Virginia, which have made affordable housing their highest priority issue in the county in 2012. Since 2000, Arlington has lost over 9,000 affordable housing units.

For every 100 renters with incomes less than 50 percent of the county’s median income, there are only 60 affordable and physically adequate units; For every 100 residents with income of less than 30 percent of the county’s median, the number of these units available drops to only 32%. VOICE Arlington is concerned that many of the county’s workers and professionals – nurses, teachers, child-care providers, custodians, service-sector workers, etc. – can no longer afford to live in Arlington and that the county is becoming less racially and economically diverse.

VOICE Arlington invited to the action the three candidates in Arlington’s special election for the County Board seat vacated by Barbara Favola, who won a seat in the Virginia Senate: Audrey Clement (of the Green party), Libby Garvey (of the Democratic party) and Mark Kelly (of the Re-publican party). VOICE Arlington shared with the candidates its research on the affects of the diminishing availability of affordable housing in the county and asked them each to make three specific commitments to improving access to affordable housing in Arlington, should they be elected to the Board. Three Arlington County residents – a small-business owner, a teacher and an Arlington employer -- spoke of the personal struggle of being unable to find an affordable and decent place to live and the cost passed on to the local employers. Each of the three candidates expressed their amazement at the event’s turnout and publicly committed to:

1) work with VOICE over the next six months to identify at least three parcels of public land or air space that could be developed as affordable housing.

2) create a stream of significant revenue that would at least double the funds dedicated to af-fordable housing rental assistance in Arlington.

3) come back to a larger VOICE action in the fall of 2012.

The candidates asked for VOICE’s continued help with and dedication to finding solutions to this growing challenge in the county.

community & SociEty


Eco-JuSticE nEwS

Interfaith Moral Action on Climate (IMAC): Call to Action Earth Week 2012

Interfaith Moral Action on Climate is a collaborative initiative of religious and faith-based groups and individuals that wants to re-focus attention on climate change. Seeing it as the gravest moral challenge of our time, it also believes that positive change is possible, especially by showing that a collective con-science exists on the issue.

During Earth Week 2012, there will be five consecutive days (April 22-26) of ac-tivities in Washington, DC. An action is being organized on April 24 that begins with a sunrise vigil at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, a multifaith service at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, a religious procession down Pennsylvania Avenue to Capitol Hill and meetings with Obama Administration agencies and members of Congress. Local interfaith vigils during this week are also being called for. For the Call to Action, all the endorsers and more information go to http://www.interfaithactiononclimatechange.org

Rock Springers are invited to participate in Earth Week activities, and a special effort will be made to encourage people to join the events of April 24. Volunteers will also be needed to help support these events. Look for more information in the weeks ahead about how we at Rock Spring can respond to this call. More information can be obtained from Janet Parker or Michael Bell.

rock SprinG rEviEw


markErS & milEStonES

We celebrate with Becci Hufford and Tai Troung who were joined in marriage at Rock Spring on March 24, 2012.

rock SprinG rEviEw

Rock Spring Women Celebrate the Gifts of Women at the 16th Annual Retreat

Nearly 50 Rock Spring women gathered in Carpenter Hall March 17 for the 16th Annual Rock Spring Women’s Retreat. This year’s retreat, “In Memory of Her: Celebrating the Gifts of Women,” was led by Rev. Dr. Barbara Brown Zikmund (BBZ), an eminent United Church of Christ historian and former president of Hartford Seminary. “BBZ” guided participants through a consideration of women in Biblical scriptures, in the history of Rock Spring and in the wider church, and joined Revs. Kathy Dwyer and Janet Parker in leading the group in a closing communion service. The retreat served as a good springboard for the church’s Centennial celebration weekend, May 18-20; at one point, BBZ interviewed longtime Rock Spring member “Marion Suter,” played by Jan Langholz , who had played important roles in the Franklin Noble Club, in organizing the church archives and in directing the library. After seeing a photo for which the Rock Spring “Ladies Guild” posed in 1947 on the occasion of its 35th Anniversary, BBZ organized a photo shoot of this year’s retreat participants, shown here.

rock SprinG rEviEw


propErty board updatES

Gutter Theft and ReplacementOn Tuesday March 12, it was discovered that the bronze downspouts connected to the gutters on Neighborhood House and the Sanctuary had been stolen. Property Board has filed a report with the Arlington County Police, and the UCC Insurance Board, and will be working to assess the best system of replacement. Gutterman Services, who did the installation of the gutters and roof repair following the snowstorm on 2009, has again given us great service, responding with an emergency replacement in less than 48 hours.

In light of several instances of vandalism over the past few years, we will also be considering the security needs of our campus. If you have any questions, please contact Geoff Lindsay, Chair of the Property Board.

Carpenter Hall HVAC UpdateThe Property Board has been hard at work requesting quotes, reviewing bids, and doing their homework to best address the significant repairs needed to the Carpenter Hall HVAC. Following the work of the Church Council and Endowment Fund Trustees, the Property Board has moved swiftly to negotiate the final contract and initiate the complete replacement of the HVAC systems that serves Carpenter Hall and Neighborhood House. The installation of the new systems will be completed prior to our Centennial celebration in May. For a full description of the bid process and the selection of the technology chosen, please contact Geoff Lindsay or Hank Fairman.

Opening Doorways for Others:The powerful story of the founder, Anna Barber

Anna was one of Rock Spring members who made an im-pact on social improvements in Arlington.Read the article here: http://bit.ly/GYhOVP

From the Bookshelf:Greetings from the workers who “mind” the Rohrer Library. We would you like you to know about the most recent additions, selected and processed for your reading pleasure.

A Love Song for India, by Ruth Jhabvola;Watergate: A Novel, by Thomas Mallon;

The Confession, Inspector Rutledge Mystery, by Charles Todd;All Cry Chaos, by Leonard Rosen;

Betrayal of Trust, by Susan Hill;An Available Man, H. Wolitzer;

Fear Index, by Robert Harris;The World We Found, T. Umrigar;

Revelations: Visions, Politics, and Prophecy... by Elaine PagelsDelicacy, by David Foenkinos;

and, the 2012 edition of How to Talk So Kids Will Listen, Faber and Mazlish.

rock SprinG rEviEw


SpEcial EvEntS calEndar

Sunday, April 1 Palm Sunday 5:30 p.m. The Wisdom Jesus- Saegmuller Room

Thursday, April 5 Maundy Thursday 7:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service - Sanctuary

Friday, April 6 Good Friday 9:00 a.m. Sanctuary open for Good Friday visitation 12:00 p.m. Men’s Monthly Lunch - Mylo’s Grill 6:30 p.m. Taizé Service - Sanctuary

Saturday, April 7 Holy Saturday

Sunday, April 8 Easter Sunday 6:30 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service - Atrium Courtyard 9:00 a.m. Easter Sunday Service - Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Easter Sunday Service - Sanctuary 12:00 p.m. 20’s/30’s Easter Brunch Saturday, April 14 4:00 p.m. Kid’s Night Out - Carpenter Hall

Sunday, April 15 11:00 a.m. New Members Reception - Sanctuary

Sunday, April 22 10:15 a.m. Bringing New Life to the World - Archives Room 2:00 p.m. Handmade Ministry - Saegmuller Room

Sunday, April 29 5th Sunday “Down to Earth” events

Save the Date for these Important Events!

Sunday, April 8:20’s - 30’s Easter Sunday Brunch

after the 11:00 a.m. worship service

The 20s30s Easter Brunch is a growing tradition at Rock Spring, and may get even

bigger with all of the new and returning members and friends “our age” at Rock Spring

this past year. Kids are welcome as well.

We will decide on a location by Monday, April 2 and ask for RSVPs by Wednesday, April 4. Please contact

Jason Henderson at [email protected] for more information, to RSVP

or to receive an Evite.

Saturday, April 14:Kids Night Out

Sunday, April 29:5th Sunday “Down to Earth”

For all the details on all the fun and varied events that will be happening on this

5th Sunday, go to page 2.

cEntEnnial homEcominG wEEkEnd: may 18 – may 20


Sunday:Worship Together at 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

Premier of Centennial AnthemStrawberry Festival Reunion

after the 11:00 a.m. service, featuring food and fun for the whole family

Friday:Centennial Dinner*

Roslyn Holiday Inn, 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.With special guests:

Rev. Sid Lovett, Joanne Booth and Rev. Chuck and Anne Wildman

*invitations are in the mail

Saturday:Tales from our Past: A Centennial TeaRock Spring UCC

2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Palm SundaySunday, April 1 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.The Sanctuary Choir will present the “Sermon in Song,” Franz Schubert’s Mass in G. There will also be the traditional children’s Palm processional.

Maundy Thursday: “Service of Shadows”Thursday, April 5, 7:30 p.m.

Good FridayFriday, April 6, 6:30 p.m. Candlelight Evening Prayer with Music in the Style of Taizé

Easter SundaySunday, April 8 6:30 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Easter Service Worship with the Clarion Brass

Join us during Holy Week:

Documents

RSN April 2012