June 2013 Rock Spring Newsletter

Rock Spring News JUNE 2013 1

Rock Spring CongregationalUnited Church of Christ

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

www.rockspringucc.org

The Rock Spring NewsJune 2013 Vol. 13 No.06

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

JUNE 2013 Rock Spring News Rock Spring News JUNE 20132

Sunday, June 211:00 a.m. Congregational Picnic

We will be firing up the grill for hamburgers and hot dogs and other traditional picnic fare will be provided. In addition, we will have a Moon Bounce and Water Slide on the campus for the children and the Kids Night Out staff will be on hand to provide supervision for children of all ages.

Noon – 1:30 p.m. Congregational Conversation

By the time this newsletter is in print a draft mission and vision statement, as well as several different proposals (re: Neighborhood House, Organ, and staffing), will be posted to a blog, and we will have sent out a link via email for your review. The mission and vision statement were prepared by Council, reviewed by each board, and modified to incor-porate many suggestions. We will use these “working documents” to guide our conversation on June 2.

The purpose of the conversation on that day will be to provide an opportunity to have a conversation about the Neighborhood House, Organ, and staffing with regard to how they relate to our working mission and vision.

We have recently received Linda Carder’s resignation (as of November, 2013) as Director of Children’s Ministries. This is actually an extension of the time that Linda had originally agreed to serve in this position, and we are grateful to her for her ministry with us and this generous notice. Linda is not leaving Rock Spring, but would like to concentrate her energies on other things. Because of this, we will need to make some staffing decisions over the summer. The conver-sation on June 2 will be an opportunity for you to share your thoughts about what you would like to see regarding our staffing configuration.

We will not be making any decisions about the Neighborhood House, the Organ, or a possible Capital Campaign over the summer, and we will not make a decision about a capital campaign or major renovation without congregational approval. We do hope that the conversation on June 2 sheds some light on the congregation’s priorities and gener-ates further questions and, perhaps research, that need to be done over the summer.

Cover Story

Next Step for Congregational Planning and Visioning

CONGREGATIONALPICNIC AND CONVERSATION:


ServiCeS and SundayS in June at roCk Spring

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

SUNDAY, JUNE 9

SUNDAY, JUNE 16

FRIDAY, JUNE 21

SUNDAY, JUNE 23

SUNDAY, JUNE 30

10:00 a.m. worship/communion

“Finding Our Place” Psalm 96, Luke 7:1-10

Following worship: Congregational Picnic and Conversation

(see cover story for details)

10:00 a.m. worship/baptism

“The Wisdom of the Widows” 1 Kings 17:8-16, Luke 7:11-17

10:00 a.m. worship/Father’s Day

“Not as Simon Says” Psalm 5:1-8, Luke 7:36-8:3

6:30 – 7:00 p.m. Summer Solstice Outdoor Service

“Not as Simon Says” Psalm 5:1-8, Luke 7:36-8:3

10:00 a.m. worship/recognition of graduates

“Where is Your God?” Psalm 42:1-3, I Kings 19:9-13

11:30 a.m. Scottish Dancing (see page 15 for details)

Fifth Sunday/Commissioning of Youth Mission Trip

“A New Freedom” Psalm 77:1-2, 11-15, Galatians 5:1, 13-14

Following worship: Fifth Sunday activities to benefit

ASPAN: Arlington Street People’s Assistant Network –

Ending Homeless in Arlington (see article on page 12)


refleCtionS

REV. KATHY DWYERa complete answer. The discernment of what God wants of us is never done. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a need for plans and goals. There is a continual tension between discernment and planning, between set-ting goals and working to achieve them, and for looking for what is next.

When I first arrived we began the IMAGINE process, and within a couple of months we were getting to know one another and had generated over 800 ideas for our future together. I was often asked, “What is the next step? Where is all this headed?” I had to answer, “I don’t know. We are making this up as we go along!” I will confess I found this process both exciting and scary. The energy and excitement about all of the possibili-ties in front of us were exciting. I was scared, though, that we might not be able to figure out the next steps that would harness the energy and move us forward in a positive way. Together, though, we determined our next steps.

We created Task Forces that immediately began doing incredible work, and then came the core values process. Now we are working on mission and vision, and we are receiving a variety of proposals from several groups of the church who have faithfully and generously worked on bringing several ideas to life. At each juncture I am always asked, “What is the next step? Where is all this headed?” And I often still have to answer “I don’t know.”

In the book of Hebrews, Paul writes about how our ancestors Abraham, Moses, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and more took a step in faith, not sure where it would lead. As Paul writes,

“faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Through our time together, my faith that God is leading us on a wonderful journey has grown. We may not know exactly where it will take us, but together I know we will always be able to figure out the next step.

Our next step in this journey is the Congregational Conversation on June 2.

I hope you are able to join us.

Grace and peace,

– Kathy

“What is the next step?Where is all this headed ?”

Since arriving at Rock Spring in 2010 I have been asked these questions many times, and

often I have had to respond with the answer, “I don’t know.” Before arriving, and through-

out our time together, you have heard me often talk about the need to ask the question,

“Who is God calling us to be, and what is God calling us to do in this place and time?”

I see this as the core question of our ministry together and one for which we will never have


“What is the next step?Where is all this headed ?”

refleCtionS

REV. MARK SURIANOWhen I interviewed for the position of Transitional Associate here at Rock Spring I remember answering questions regarding children and youth and how I thought they fit in to the life of the congregation. I remember telling the committee that I did not see the children and youth as the “future” of the church, but an active and vital part of its present, equally contributing to and receiving from the life of the Spirit in this place and people. Happily, nobody on the committee felt otherwise, and I have been gratified that the congregation has embraced and supported the gifts of our young people as an important part of our life.

In my five months with Rock Spring I have seen the great contributions of our children and youth to the mission life of the church through food drives, cooking for SEEC, engaging in na-ture walks, and learning about responsible care for the earth, all the while being led by adults who shared a passion for all those same things and for the education and formation of our young members. I am grateful to the many Rock Springers who have given of themselves and their passion to engage in Sunday school, YoRS, mission trips and learning opportunities.

As the summer nears there will be much conversation about the programs for the children and youth for the 2013-2014 school year. Already, the Christian Education Board, Linda Carder, and I have been strategizing around new possibilities for our programming and looking for ways to make these times with our young people even more engaging, informative, and uplifting. In order to do this well we will be asking for your input as various possibilities come forward and relying on your participation so that we can continue to honor our call to as we move into God’s future together.

Summer blessings,

.

– Mark


On April 28, Rock Spring welcomed six new members to the congregation. As we continue to welcome our new friends into our community here are a few interesting tidbits of information about each to help us get to know them a bit better and jumpstart conversations:

LISA TRANGSRUD Lisa Trangsrud is a homebound teacher with the Fairfax Co. Public Schools. When she’s not expanding the minds of our youth, you may find Lisa in her gardenor tending to her orchids which are two of her favorite ways to spend “down” time.

She has been attending Rock Spring for over a year and appreciates Rock Spring’scommitment to inclusion and social action.

ERIC RASMUSSEN Eric Rasmussen and his wife, Betsy, have attended Rock Spring for over twenty years. Eric has served on the Finance Board and is a frequent participant of the Men’s Lunch groupand the 10:00 am. Adult Sunday School class.

When asked what prompted him to want to join the church after all of these years,Eric said “the time just felt right.”

Retired from the Department of Energy, he and his wife Betsyhave two grown daughters, Meghan and Hallie.

BRAD HOPEWELL AND MEGAN TETRICK joined Rock Spring and a week later became engaged! Both Brad and Megan are Foreign Service Officers with the State Departmentand actually met while on assignment in Pakistan.

They share a love of music – you may recognize Megan from Rock Spring’s Handbell Choir.

She also plays the bassoon and bag pipes. Brad loves baking and spending time outdoors.

Brad has a son, Julian, who will be 7 years old this fall.

HUGH AND LEILA CARNEY Hugh and Leila Carney have been attending Rock Spring on and offand decided they wanted to join as a family to nurture their own faith,as well as to provide a community faith for their children: Kai, Cole, and Reid.

Hugh is General Counsel for the American Bankers Association,

and Leila is currently at home with all three children.

When asked what they like to do in their spare time, the answer was “Go to the playground!”

Welcome New Members


Confirmation Class Leads a Spirit-FilledService on Pentecost Sunday when many of them became members of Rock Spring

“What Fills Your Cup?” was the name of the sermon and the theme for worship on Pentecost/Confirmation Sunday May 19. Inspired by Acts 2 and God’s promise to “fill us,” the confirmation class planned every aspect of the worship service on May 19. Of this worship service, several people said, “I will never look at a Red Solo Cup the same way again.”

Pictured from left to right: Matt Tornquist, Jack Parcell, Conor Kelly, Paige Rinker, and Eliza Bracy. Matt, Jack, Paige, and Eliza all chose to become members of Rock Spring. Profiles on each of the members of this class were published in the May 2013 Rock Spring News.


Spiritual growth & learning Children, Youth & Families

JOURNEY TO INDIAThat is the title of a Vacation Bible School Curriculum Published by Global Ministries, a joint ministry of the UCC and the Christian Church (Disciple of Christ.) The Children’s Ministry Team of the Rock Spring Board of Christian Education and the Interim Director of Children’s Ministries, Linda Carder, have adapted this curriculum for use as a Summer Sunday School resource (for use with 2nd through 5th grad-ers.) We use the term “resource” to indicate that this material will not look exactly like the usual curriculum, and we really want the teachers to use their own background, experiences, thoughts, ideas, and resources

We have chosen to focus on India this summer for the following reasons. First, Rock Spring has just become a Global Ministries Church with an eye to becoming a partner church with a church in the Middle East. That is not final as yet, and there are no Children’s Ministries materials from the Global Ministries for that area. But we wanted to help the children make connections with the “heart and soul” of Rock Spring and do something regarding Global Ministries. Second, there were three curricula to choose from: The Congo, Columbia, and India. Third, since our intern Laura has just returned from an experience in India, we chose India so the children would have a chance to get to know her and hear of her experience. We suggest that the materials on the Congo and Columbia be used for Vacation Bible School in the future.

The curriculum we are adapting focuses on the three missions in India that our two denominations founded and con-tinue to support: The Family Village Farm, Deep Griha (Light House) society, and Mungeli Hospital. We have added three sessions at the beginning introducing how Christianity got to India and how mission work is done when Christianity is already there. Then there will be several sessions on each of the missions, and then Laura will tie it all up by sharing some of her stories and, in particular, will share some information about education for girls. A schedule is on the second page of this resource. Following the schedule is some basic information about India.

Since it is summer and this is adapted from a VBS curriculum, and since we all want to go to camp in the summer, there will be lots of activities. One day the children may do a major art project, another day they may play games, another day they may cook some delicious Indian food, and another day they may be part of a drama. And, since this cur-riculum has a mission focus, we will be taking up a collection each week for one of the missions listed above. At the end of the summer, we will be sure the children know how much money they collected and where it went.

Summer Solstice Service - June 21stRock Spring will mark the longest daylight day of the year with an outdoor ser-

vice on the lawn Friday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m. This is an informal service that is

appropriate for the entire family. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, and if you would

like - a poem or prayer to share about the changing of the seasons. “First Friday”

services will be suspended for June, July, and August.


Spiritual growth & learning

SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR PRE-SCHOOL THROUGH 1ST GRADEThis class will use the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum that we have been using all year at 11:00 a.m. in the K – 1 class

This is a collage of our 2012-2013 Sunday morning teachers at work. On Sunday May 12 we recognized these teachers and presented a plaque with poems written by the children. It is now on display in the upper atrium. Check it out!


MIDDLE HIGH YoRS

The Middle High YoRS had an incredible overnight trip to Hemlock Overlook Regional

Park. We enjoyed beautiful weather and practiced the 5 P’s – plan, practice, pa-

tience, persistence, and perserverance – as we tackled some great challenges on

the Adventure Links team challenge course. Ashley Martinage and Mark Suriano

practiced sitting on their hands and keeping their mouths shut, as the fantastic AL

leaders coached the youth and allowed them to work through some moments of

frustration to complete each challenge. Highlights of the trip included the zip line,

good food and comfortable cabins, an impressive bonfire with s’mores, time to hang

out and relax, and a stop at Starbucks on Sunday morning to fuel up before church.

We have invited current 5th graders to join us for a “Step Up” day on June 2 to get

a taste of what YoRS is all about. We look forward to seeing lots of new faces and

sharing with them some of our favorite games and activities. Our program year will

conclude on June 9, with an end-of-year party to celebrate all that we have done

together and bid a very bittersweet farewell to our 8th graders who will be moving

up to SH YoRS next year. We hope to meet sporadically throughout the summer, and

then will kick off a new program year in September. All students in grades 6-8 are

welcome to join us – contact Ashley Martinage for more information.

Spiritual growth & learning SENIOR HIGH YORSIn May we cooked our fifth meal of the year for the Shirlington Employment and Education Center (SEEC) day laborers. SH YoRS made a commitment last year to support the church’s social action efforts by cooking bimonthly during the 2012-13 school year. Each time we cooked quantities to feed 40-60 workers. Recipes included a number of Hispanic dishes that were especially appreciated by the workers. As skills grew, recipes became more complicated. By the end we were able to tackle homemade tamales and enchiladas! Many, many thanks to Shirley Ruhe for her inspired planning and prep work, not to mention her patient coach-ing of our cooks. With the enthusiastic response of the youth to this project, we have signed up to do it again next year. May also included a special game night at the fields at Nottingham Elementary School, featuring rousing games of Ultimate Frisbee and Capture the Flag.

We will meet the first two Sundays of June before taking a break for the summer. Eighth graders are especially invited to join us in June! On June 2, we’ll celebrate “Step Up” day with a vigorous hike on the Billy Goat Trail along the Maryland side of the Potomac River. June 9 we’ll have an end of the year lunch following the 10:00 a.m. service.

Everyone in Grades 8-12 is welcome to participate in our June activities. Please contact John or Kathy Morland for more information.


SoCial aCtion and MiSSion

At 9:00 a.m. each Sunday, the Arabic congregation meets. The service is entirely in Arabic, although Pastor Azar will

occasionally speak in English or another language to help visitors find the hymns and Scripture texts. Using a formal

Lutheran liturgy and hymns in the Arabic language, the congregation sings and participates with energy and joy. A

familiar cadence to the service enables a non-Arabic speaker to recognize, for instance, the Nicene Creed and

Lord’s Prayer, and participate in his or her own language. It is an experience recommended for all non-Arabic spea

ers who visit the Holy Land. Following the worship service the Arabic-speaking and English-speaking congregations

join together for tea and conversation.

During the week, church meetings and activities are held at the church center located in the neighborhood of Beit

Hanina, a few miles north of the Old City, toward Ramallah. The center is a remodeled house on the main road to

Ramallah, a location that is more convenient for many church members than coming into the Old City. Women’s

group meetings are held weekly in the center, as are youth groups, children’s activities and administrative meetings.

But with a large percentage of the Arabic-speaking Redeemer congregation now living on the far side of the wall,

even this location no longer solves the difficulties of coming together as a congregation.

HANDS-ON SERVICE OPPORTUNITYFor those of you who would like participate in providing lunch to the day workers at the Shirlington Employment and

Education Center on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, you can now sign up through Sign Up Genius. Just go to

www.signupgenius.com. Click on “find a sign up.” In the search box type Iris Gibson’s email address, “gibsons89

yahoo.com.” The SEEC lunch sign up will appear. You can sign up to cook only, deliver the meal only, or do both. The

workers are immensely grateful. More information can be found on the Sign Up Genius SEEC page. Questions? Ask

Ann Rudd, Shirley Ruhe or Iris Gibson.Church, reports that Fairfax County has proposed cutting $50,000 from each

shelter’s contract, which will have dev astating effects on the homeless families the agency serves. The SAM Board

will continue to monitor this situation and provide information on how Rock Springers can be involved in speaking out

against the cuts and otherwise addressing this situation.

GLOBAL MISSION GETTING TO KNOW THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER IN JERUSALEM

Rock Spring is developing a relationship with the Church of the Redeemer in

Jerusalem. Rock Spring News will carry a series of articles, mainly edited a

stracts of material from the website of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in

Jordan and the Holy Land. The ELCJHL consists of six congregations in A

man, Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Ramallah.

In the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, a stone’s throw from

the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, is the Church of the Redeemer. Built in

the late 1800s, on land that has been the site of churches at least back to

the medieval era, the Lutheran church houses four congregations (Arabic,

German, English, and Danish). It is also home to the Offices of the Bishop of

the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL),

Bishop Dr. Rev. Munib A. Younan, who is currently president of the Lutheran

World Federation.


SoCial aCtion and MiSSion

5th Sundays Task Force is pleased to bring you our next event called

WORKING WITH FRIENDS: A JOINT VENTURE WITH DAR AL-HIJRAH AND A-SPAN SO PLEASE SAVE THE DATE – JUNE 30

On June 30, in conjunction with Dar Al-Hijrah we will be helping our good friends at Arlington Street People’s Assistance

Network (A-SPAN).

• Our day will consist of a joint worship service at Rock Spring with our friends from Dar Al-Hijrah with a lunch following

in Carpenter Hall.

• From there we will head to A-SPAN’s emergency winter shelter facility located at 2049 N 15th Street, Arlington

(near the Courthouse)

• While we are there we will be painting, cleaning, and doing light fixing up as well as participating in a short

Walk-a-Thon to help raise money and raise the profile of the issue of homelessness.

Everyone, including children, can choose to participate in either or both the Walk-a-Thon and the clean up.

• We anticipate the day will end between 3-4:00 p.m., but you are welcome to leave when you need to.

Our goal for this day is to have 150 participants between the Rock Spring and Dar Al-Hijrah congregations.

In order to sign up for the Walk-a-Thon, there will be a sign up sheet in the Sagemuller Room or you can email susan.

[email protected] to let her know you would like to walk. Rock Spring will cover the cost of your registration fee,

however your donations are always welcome since we will also be helping Dar Al-Hijah with their registration costs.

The Fannie Mae Foundation sponsors a series of nationwide “Help the Homeless” Walks to raise money for local orga-

nizations and raise the profile of the issue of homelessness. Fannie Mae will match the amount we raise in registration

fees, so your participation in the Walk-a-Thon will allow A-SPAN to raise much more funding for its mission and provide

a demonstration of Rock Spring’s continuing commitment to the issue and the organization we founded.

SO SAVE THE DATE (JUNE 30) FOR OUR JUNE 5th SUNDAY EVENT WORKING WITH FRIENDS!

Look for sign up information in the weeks ahead.

JUNE IS TORTURE AWARENESS MONTH–a time to recommit as people of faith to end torture in our backyards and around the world. This year, our theme is

“Healing a Culture of Torture,” encompassing the need to reflect, pray, and act in light of the deep physical and spir

tual harm caused by torture. The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture was named by the United Nations

in June 26, 1997 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the date that the Convention Against Torture came into

force. Torture Awareness Month honors that day and extends the campaign throughout the month of June.

NEXT 5TH SUNDAYS EVENT-JUNE 30


MuSiC noteS

MEET A ROCK SPRING MUSICIAN: JULIE NOLAN

(many of them professionally). When we have family reunions, there are usually enough people for a chamber orchestra

(plus oboe)! I started playing the violin at age 3, piano at age 7, flute at 10, and oboe and English horn at 14. I played in the

orchestra and sang in the choir all through high school and college, and spent a few summers at Interlochen Arts Camp in

Michigan. After college, I played in a local orchestra and sang in a (non-church) choir in the Boston area.

GAIL: What brought you to Rock Spring and the Sanctuary Choir? I know you are a busy, busy mother and it must be tough

to find time to commit to our music ministry.

JULIE: When I moved to Virginia in 2006, I knew I wanted to find a choir. Singing was such a big part of my life, and I didn’t

want to give it up after having kids. When we were looking for a church, I always paid close attention to the choir to see

if I might fit in. We came to Rock Spring at the suggestion of my father, whose aunt had been a member in the 1960s, and

once we visited, we knew it was the right place. I planned on joining the choir at Rock Spring, but I first had to learn how to

juggle motherhood with everything else!

GAIL: Did you know that now that your son has joined choristers, you are carrying on a tradition of multi-generational Rock

Spring choir families, like Daena Kluegel, Elizabeth Kluegel Niblock, and Quinn Niblock? How does Sam like choristers, and

why do you think it is important for him to participate in the musical life of our congregation.

JULIE: I love that we are carrying on the tradition at Rock Spring, and I hope to continue to carry the tradition on in my family

as well (my children are the latest generation in a long line of family musicians). Sam is enjoying Choristers—he is learning to

participate in an activity where everyone contributes to create something beautiful and meaningful, while having fun too.

I hope Oliver and Katy will want to participate as well once they are old enough.

Julie Nolan, first soprano and oboist extraordinaire in the Rock Spring Choir, is a busy

mother of three children under the age of six—Sam, Oliver, and Kathryn—and lives

in nearby Annandale with her husband Matt, who serves on the Board of Music.

Gail Howell was able to get a precious few minutes of Julie’s time recently to talk with her.

GAIL: Julie, I know that you sang in the choir of the American Church in Paris when

you lived in France during your college years and, later, when Matt attended busi-

ness school at the Hautes Etudes de Commerce. Tell me a little more about how

you became interested in music.

JULIE: I grew up in a musical family, and music has always been an important part

of my life. My grandparents on my mother’s side were both music teachers (from

musical families themselves), and their children all played instruments. My mother is

a music teacher and cellist, and all my cousins and siblings play instruments as well


MuSiC noteSMEET A ROCK SPRING MUSICIAN: JULIE NOLAN(CONTINUED)

GAIL: We really enjoyed your recent oboe accompaniment to one our anthems, and look forward to more oboe perfor-mances. Do you have a favorite piece of music in the oboe repertoire? How about as a singer – a favorite choral work?

JULIE: I love playing the oboe, but I don’t have very much experience playing solo works, other than for my own education and practice. I have lots of orchestra experience, but I tend to get a little stage fright when it’s just me up there! My favorite oboe pieces are the concertos by Cimerosa and Albinoni, the Schumann Romances, and especially the Bach concerto for oboe and violin. For choral music I love the Renaissance the best—my all-time favorite choral piece is William Byrd’s Ave Verum Corpus. But I also love singing classical and contemporary works—my favorites have included Mozart’s Requiem, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Fauré’s Requiem. I really love to sing just about anything!

GAIL: What do you think is the most fun thing about music at Rock Spring?

JULIE: The members of the Rock Spring Sanctuary Choir are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met—they really make you feel welcome, and it’s fun to work together to make beautiful music. Choir rehearsal is fun (it actually makes me feel re-energized at the end of a long day), and at Rock Spring, there are opportunities to sing and play so many different kinds of music. I feel very fortunate to be involved in the program.

Summer ChoirHave you ever longed to see what Elizabeth’s face looks like when she is waiving her arms at the choir? What Ed says that makes the sopranos laugh during vocal warm-ups? NOW is your chance! Summer choir will begin on Sunday, May 26 at 9:00 a.m. to prepare for the 10:00 a.m. service that morning. You can probably imagine that the music will be easily acces-sible, and it will definitely be fun! Come and join us at 9:00 a.m. in the choir room any Sunday you are in town from May 26

through July 28.

Summer PreludesCalling all young people of Rock Spring to bring their instruments to church! This summer we are inviting children and youth who are taking instrumental lessons to play a short piece, 3 to 5 minutes, for the prelude at the beginning of the worship service. If you have prepared some music with your teacher and are ready to play it in public, there can be no better audience than the wonderful congregation at Rock Spring. Contact Elizabeth and set up a time to come and play for her and Ed, and we will find you a Sunday to play in church!

Kyra Klontz, soprano, in recitalKYRA KLONTZThe lovely young woman who has been gracing our choir loft this program year is a senior at HB Woodlawn here in Arlington. She is preparing to major in music at Miami University of Ohio, and will be entering university this fall. She will be singing a recital on Sunday, June 2, at 4:00 p.m. She will be singing songs by Handel, Vivaldi, Scarlatti, Schubert, Gershwin and more! Please come and support Kyra in her recital, and hear her lovely, beautiful soprano voice! Free and open to all.


roCk Spring reviewMarkers and Milestones

We extend our sympathy to Gina and Jeff Dale and the family and friends of Martha Richardson who passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2013. A Memo-rial Service was held for her at Rock Spring on April 25.

We extend our sympathy to the family and friends of Jean Strohl. Jean was a long-time member of Rock Spring and passed away on May 2, 2013. Jean was buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Allentown, PA in a family plot with her parents on May 6.

Web Site UpdateDuring the month of April, our web site suffered a hack. This hack did not compromise any con-fidential information or records, but it did necessitate taking down our current site. Because we had already begun work on our new site, we did not think it was prudent to expend the funds to restore our current site. We have set up a one-page site with some basic information. We expect the new site to launch in August with the same address, www.rockspringucc.org. Thank you for your patience. The web site committee includes Marti Weston, Jim Kane, Betsey Wildhack, Charlie Gilmour, Dale Dwyer, and Kathy Dwyer. Please feel free to contact any of these people with questions or concerns.

We are delighted to welcomethe following members:Leila and Hugh Carney 4/28Brad Hopewell 4/28Eric Rasmussen 4/28Megan Tetrick 4/28Lisa Trangsrud 4/28Eliza Bracy 5/19Jack Parcell 5/19Paige Rinker 5/19Matt Tornquist 5/19

Bagpipes, Highland Dancers, & Swords . . . Oh My!You are invited to a performance by Sarah Alverson and the Thistle Dancers on Sunday, June 9 after the 10:00 service (11:30 - 12:30) in Carpenter Hall. The performance will include a demonstration of traditional Scottish highland dances accompanied by bagpipes. Sarah has been a Thistle Dancer for almost nine years and would love for you to come and experience a part of Scotland’s history. Family and friends are welcome to attend. There will be a free will offering to help cover her costs of attending an invitational-only workshop and competition in Niagara Falls, Canada. Hope to you see you June 9!

A Note of ThanksI wanted to thank you and the members of Rock Spring UCC for the gift of the 1930s quilt. The Arlington Historical Society is grateful for the gift and will take careful care to preserve and display the quilt. Thank you for thinking of us.

Best Wishes, Dr. Mark BennowDirector/Curator, Arlington Historical Society

Brad and I would like to extend our eternal gratitude to our Rock Spring family for the prayers and concern that have been extended during the months since Brad’s accident last November. If anyone doubts the power of prayer they only need to see Brad and know that God listens. We have been blessed over and over again with your love and the love of our friends and family and so many people that we do not even know. We will never forget. Brad and Diane Smith

We celebrate with the following personswho were recently baptised at Rock Spring. Aidan Robert Kohr 2/24Rebecca Jane Alverson 4/7Leila Dominick Carney 4/28Hugh Kai Carney 4/28Cole Dominick Carney 4/28Reid Chandler Carney 4/28Paige Rinker 5/19Jack Parcell 5/19

JUNE 2013 Rock Spring News16

Rock Spring Congregational5010 Little Falls RoadArlington, VA 22207

Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ

The Congregation, The Ministers

Kathryn N. Dwyer, Senior [email protected]

Mark J. Suriano, Transitional Associate [email protected]

Linda Carder, Interim Director of Children’s [email protected]

Elizabeth Kluegel Niblock, Director of [email protected]

Edward Roberts, Assistant Director of Music, Organist

[email protected]

5010 Little Falls Road, Arlington, VA 22207 – 1810703.538.4886 www.rockspringucc.org

Administrative Staff:

Sarah Lengyel Steel,Bookkeeper and Interim Office [email protected]

Angel M. Washington, Administrative [email protected]

Pastoral Interns:Kyle Wyman & Laura Martin

Childcare Staff:

Fern Lawrence, Cecilia Welch, Judy Carrillo,& Lourdes Villazon

Custodial Staff:Willis Gardener & Vicki Morales

June 2013 Rock Spring Newsletter

Documents

Transcript of June 2013 Rock Spring Newsletter