Rock Spring United Church of Christ: Arlington, Virginia
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Social Action at Rock Spring


Our community is firmly committed to demonstrating God ís love in action. Rock Spring contributes fully one-third of its budget to missions and social justice.

 

How are we making a difference?

Our efforts motivate members of the Rock Spring Church community to focus on progressive social issues and get involved as an extension of their faith. As part of the process, we provide opportunities to study social issues of Christian concern.

Sponsorship of an Iraqi Refugee family:

Starting in November, Rock Spring has generously undertaken the sponsorship of the Salam family, an Iraqi family of seven, who, following assassination threats, fled their country and all they owned.  They have little means of support until their asylum application process is complete.  Rock Spring has set up a tax deductible fund to raise the estimated $1,400 a month that will be needed in the short term.  Many faithful volunteers are donating their time and talents to support this family. This special ministry serves as a tangible expression of our commitment to peace in the world by helping a family that has suffered greatly as a result of the turmoil in Iraq. For information on how you can help, please contact the Social Action Board at: socialaction@rockspringucc.org.

Upcoming Events


• Continued presence at the monthly peace witness vigils sponsored by Christian Peace Witness in Iraq, held the third Sunday of every month in Lafayette Square Park at 5:00 pm.


• March 6-10: Christian Peace Witness for Iraq days of action, to include Christian services of worship and an interfaith witness on the Mall on March 7. (http://christianpeacewitness.org/)


• Ecumenical Advocacy Days, Washington DC, March 7-10. An effort by the ecumenical Christian community to educate Christians on issues of social concern and organize opportunities to visit with congresspersons on key issues. For information and to register, go to www.advocacydays.org


• Tents of Hope: A Journey of Compassion and Peace with the Refugees of Darfur, Sudan. Rock Spring will participate in this community-based effort to draw awareness and action to the genocide taking place in Darfur. The youth of Rock Spring will take the initiative, in conjunction with the Social Action Board, to raise a tent of hope on our campus this spring. Stay tuned for more details.


• Washington DC Annual Pride Parade: June 14, 2008. Rock Springers have marched in this parade every year since 2001.

Programs Offered in 2008:

• Souper Bowl of Caring
• Homeless Women’s Dinner Program
• Adopt a Family
• Secret Santa with Shaw Ministries
• Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty (CROP) walk for hunger
• AFAC: Arlington Food Assistance Center food collections

• Christian peace witness activities, and an interfaith fast for peace in Iraq.
• Study and dialogue process on the issue of marriage equality, which led to the amendment of the church’s Opening and Affirming statement to support marriage for all couples regardless of gender.
•Eco-Justice activities, including Earth Day events and green living suggestions to Church members
• Fair trade coffee sales
• Friends in Service to Him (FISH)

 

Marriage Equality

More information on Marriage Equality and Rock Spring can be found in the Open & Affirming section of the web page, please click here.



Committee on Eco-Justice

About Eco-Justice

As a subcommittee of the Social Action Board, the mission of the Rock Spring Eco-Justice Committee is to raise awareness of environmental justice issues and to promote better stewardship of earth's resources both as individuals and as a church. Our meetings are scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month from 7:30 to 9pm.
Our goal is “to integrate the care and renewal of creation into the culture and operation of Rock Spring Church.” We call this the “Green Filter.”
Our four objectives for 2008 are:

  • To reduce energy use at Rock Spring by 5%. (The church reduced energy use by 15% from 2004-2007).
  • Present 2 earth/creation-focused services and 2 study opportunities that highlight the theological and spiritual basis for eco-justice work.
  • Meet with the various church boards and committees to introduce the idea of the Green Filter and discuss how it relates to them.
  • Support keeping eco-justice and creation care as one of the church’s seven core values in its strategic plan. Education and outreach are important aspects of these objectives.


Save the Date! April 20 is “Integrity of Creation” Sunday. The theme is the Poverty of Climate Change. We will host the third annual Earth Day after-church event. Stay tuned for details.

Basis:

“Eco-justice arises out of the intersection of ecological and social ethics and operates out of the conviction that restoring wholeness and sanity to our relations with nature depends upon our progress in achieving the right relations among human beings.” —J. Parker


Embracing more sustainable and equitable stewardship of the earth is a demonstration of our call to worship and love God with all our being as well as through our actions, and to recognize and treat God's creation as sacred. Caring for the earth should be an integral part of all our church's ministries, and we accept this charge with hope, enthusiasm and joy.

Sermons:

April 23, 2006: From Apocalypse to Genesis by Rev. Dr. Janet L. Parker

April 22, 2007: To Tend and Keep by Rev. Dr. Janet L. Parker

September 30, 2007: The Great Work by Beth Norcross