Have a Minute?

By Chuck Wildman

Happy Easter shout the drugstore greeting cards. And why not? Happiness is appropriate at Easter. In the Resurrection, we celebrate the defeat of evil. The world’s worst behavior could not snuff out the light of God’s love. The scriptural evidence is ample- the empty tomb, Jesus’ appearances in the garden, on the Emmaus road, in Thomas’s room.

Honest skeptics even find convincing evidence of the Resurrection. Over the centuries, hundreds of millions of people have been healed and empowered by just believing in the Resurrection. Just knowing that something extraordinary happened that day is enough to kindle the fires of hope. As Jesus said, blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe (John 20:29.

“God’s imagination is bigger than our imaginations,” writes Alan Baughcum, former Rock Springer now pastor of Plymouth Congregational UCC, Belmont, MA. Whatever happened that Easter Sunday, God did a miracle beyond anything that we can possibly imagine- ‘Good News for all of us who share this beautiful but troubled planet. ‘Good News for even the most despairing; ‘news good enough to raise sagging spirits to inspired heights of altruism and service; ‘news good enough to fire our imaginations to dream new dreams of peace and justice; Good News for the future of all humankind, even you and me.

So, Happy Easter! to us and to all whom we hold dear. May our imaginations soar as we ponder how best to embody Easter’s joy and hope all the days of the rest of our lives.

Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!

Easter Sunday
6:30 am Sunrise Service of Word and Sacrament
Hunter Building Outdoor Atrium.
In case of inclement weather,
the service will be held in the Saegmuller Room.
Janet Parker, preaching

9:00 & 11:00 am Easter Celebrations
Sanctuary Choir, The Clarion Brass
Chuck Wildman, preaching

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Bi-Weekly Church Calendar

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News & Notes

Thoughts & Prayers

Congratulations to Gillian Waffle on receiving an honored student service award from Arlington Kiwanis Club on March 5. Gillian is the daughter of Robert Waffle and Cheryl Ramp…and to Eric Fennel and Kristen Ebeler Fennel on the baptism Feb. 24 of their daughter, Caroline Grace Fennel. Prayers and condolences are offered to the family and friends of Ethel Bazak, long-time Rock Spring member, who passed away peacefully on March 6 in California, while staying at her daughter’s home. She will be missed by all who knew her. Happy Birthday to Chuck Wildman who celebrates his special day on March 29.

Welcome New Members-Received March 9, 2008

Robin DeCook, Takako Maruoka Dickinson, Laura Broyles Hooper, Patricia Marx, David W. Meyer & Martha Mahan Haines, Joe Kelly, Cristina Robles, Tom Perrelli & Kristine Lucius, Martha Brown Richardson,

Andrew & Mary Claire Joyce Schwartz

IRS Investigates the UCC

Learn more about this challenge through our denomination’s web site, www.ucc.org or by calling our Conference Minister, Dr. John Deckenback, 1-800-441-1965. Chuck Wildman has printed information in the office.

Congregation Enthusiastically Issues Call

The special meeting of the congregation, March 9, after substantive discussion, voted unanimously to issue a call to Rev. Dr. Janet L. Parker to the position of Pastor for Parish Life. The meeting gave heartfelt thanks for Janet’s ministry and expressed joy that we are at a point in which the call can be issued. A tentative date for her service of installation (conducted by the Potomac Association) was set for June 1, 3:00 PM.

In other business, the meeting approved two nominations- Alex Lee as a Youth Deacon and Jane Sessa to the Board of Stewardship. The meeting also approved the establishment of a special fund for the support of the pastoral intern program, “The Charles L. and Anne D. Wildman Pastoral Intern Fund.” The fund will be administered by the Endowment Fund.

From the Church Council President: The Wildman Retirement

Dear Friends,

On April 13, 2008, we will be saying farewell to Chuck and Anne Wildman, and thanking them one last time for almost 20 years of faithful ministry to Rock Spring and the greater Washington community. You should have received information recently through the mail and in the Rock Spring News about events that are coming up in the near future where we will be celebrating Chuck’s ministry in a variety of ways. We would like to honor Chuck at the farewell dinner on April 5 with a generous cash gift from the congregation, as a way of showing our appreciation for his dedicated service. If you wish to contribute to this cash gift, please send a check payable to Rock Spring UCC, with Wildman Purse in the memo line.

Lastly, we are putting together a memory book of the years at Rock Spring for Chuck and Anne. We would welcome your fond memories, pictures, and/or family generated projects to incorporate in this lasting memory, which I am sure will become a treasure for the Wildmans. Martha Jolkovski is coordinating this project. Please submit your memories to the church either by mail (attn: Martha J) or by depositing them in the box provided near the audio recording and coffee sales no later than March 23.

On Chuck’s last day, April 13th, we are planning a Church Family Picnic on the lawn. This is geared for the entire family and will involve activities for children and adults. Please plan to attend the Service of Decommissioning in the morning and then join us at the picnic for one last ”good-bye”.

While it will be difficult to see Chuck and Anne leave us after 20 years of being a ‘church family’, we look forward to the spectacular events that we have planned to honor and celebrate Chuck’s service, and we hope you will join us at one or more of these events.

Howard University will honor Chuck on April 19th with presentation of one of the James Floyd Jenkins “Pillars of Faith” awards. The award will be presented to Chuck at a Luncheon in Greenbelt Md. Many Rock Springers will attend that luncheon to celebrate with Chuck. If you would like more information about this call me.

If you have questions, please contact Jim Meehan

Sincerely,
Jim Meehan
President 2008 Rock Spring Church Council

Women’s Fellowship Retreat: Finding Joy in Our Hellos and Goodbyes through the Spirit of Play

by Peggy Greenwood

Integrate body and soul in playful movement. Experience the physicality of grace. No athletic or coordination skills necessary! Move your little finger; sit in a chair, all levels can PLAY! Registration ends March 30, 2008. Come enjoy time for play, meditation, and sharing. Gain insight and inspiration from an award winning retreat leader, Rev. Dirkje Legerstee, whose PhD thesis from Andover Newton Theological Seminary was entitled "Play as a means of Care: God’s Holy Ground for Healing and Wholeness." She is presently an adjunct faculty member at ANTS and a part-time pastor at Memorial Congregational Church in Sudbury, MA. Date: 5:30 p.m. May 2- 4p.m. May 3, 2008. Place: Massanetta Springs Retreat Center, Harrisonburg, VA. Cost: $150. Find the registration form in the Saegmuller Room on online at http://www.rockspringucc.org/html/2008WFRetreat.html. Send to Judy McDowell or hand to a Retreat Committee member in the Saegmuller Room after church on March 16, 23, or 30.

Earth Sunday--April 20, 2008

This year, Rock Spring will celebrate Earth Sunday, also called Integrity of Creation Sunday, on April 20 during both worship services and during an after-church event.  The Eco-Justice Committee is planning fun, interactive, and educational indoor/outdoor activities for all to celebrate Earth Day and to remind us of our stewardship responsibility to care for God's creation.  Ideas include a pot-luck (or picnic, weather permitting); demonstrations to learn what's what about wattage and compact fluorescent light bulbs; and a planting project to help "green" our church grounds.   Mark April 20 on your calendars and stay tuned for more details.  

Iraqi Family Update

by Marti Weston

Thank you so much for your generous contributions. The family is well equipped, so we do not need anything delivered to front porches, the family, or the church. Later in the spring we may be interested in
spring/summer clothes for everyone, but for now we are set.

Salam and Nahidah have finished their first English courses. They are doing very well and will be tested soon so see what comes next. We are working on job applications. We can use a volunteer or two to help Salam
fill out online applications and provide rides to interviews during the day.

Volunteers are working around the house, and we can use a few more people who might be able to go over there to help when something goes wrong. If you are handy around the house with mini-fix-its, we can use your help.

Join the Muslim Women of Greater Washington (MGW)

Gather with fellow Rock Springers, and our five Iraqi families for a luncheon on Saturday, April 19th, at noon in Carpenter Hall. The event is in honor of the families. The Muslim Women's group has offered to do the cooking, and they also plan to provide music. This will give our families a chance to meet others who practice the Muslim faith and provide Rock Springers a chance to meet the other Iraqi families, including Judge Radhi. MGW was formed after 9/11 events to promote understanding and cooperation between different faiths. the organization is active in the Arlington Interfaith Council. While we do not have the exact time nailed down at this time, the lunch itself will probably start at 12:00 and end by 2:00. We will ask people to sign up in advance.

Coming Soon: A Communication Class for Parents

Want PEACE in your home? Are you frustrated with your relationship with your kids? Try "How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and How to Listen so Kids will Talk." A Communication Class for Parents. Thursdays at 7:00 -
8:45, RSC, $115. Questions? Ask Bill Clarke, Rose Mary Garcia or the CE Board.

Sunday School News & Notes

With Easter and Spring Break approaching, our CE Programs Calendar will have some special events:

For more information on all of our Christian Education programs, please visit www.rockspringucc.org/html/education.

Confirmation Class

With the varied and busy lives our youth lead today, this year’s Confirmation Class agreed to meet on Sunday mornings from 9:00-10:30, on a (mostly) every-other-week schedule. Upcoming dates and homework for Confirmation are:

Senior High YoRS Summer Mission Experience 2008

We’re all set to go, and our registrations are in! Now, we need your help with some of the expenses for the trip. Usually, the Senior High Mission Experience receives financial aid from the proceeds of The Strawberry Festival hosted by Women’s Fellowship. This isn’t a usual year, though. With the celebrations for the Wildmans, the Strawberry Festival was postponed. Time to think out of the box! Keep your eyes out for a fun, new, “sweet” way to support the Mission Experience and make your mom smile, too! Details (and how to help out!) will be in the next RSN!

The Details:
Who: High School Youth, who have completed 9th grade
When: June 29-July 5 (as agreed)
How much: $450, with food/lodging/transportation included
**Please note: the cost per person will go down, based on our fund raising.  In the case of financial need, please contact Pastor Hank personally (and confidentially).

Registration:
All forms have been turned in! Yea!!
Participants and Parents, please remember--the balance of fees ($400) is due 4/27.

Senior High YoRS Dates

For more information on our Middle High and Senior High Youth Ministries, please to email Rock Spring YORS.

Middle High YoRS

For our journey through Lent, the Middle High YoRS group will be investigating The Many Names for God in our world. This will be an immersion journey into religious traditions other than our own! Members and friends of Rock Spring, if you have shared in the traditions of Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Orthodox Christianity, Mormonism, or one of the many faces of God, we’d love to have your help sharing the faith and practices. Please to email Rock Spring YORS, and we’ll work out the weekly presentation schedule.

Middle High YoRS Dates:

For more information on our Middle High and Senior High Youth Ministries, please to email Rock Spring YORS.

Church Staff