Beth's Blogs

Dear Beth,

You tell us that you been working closely with Duncan; what is he really like?

Curious George

I find it hard to describe Duncan in one paragraph, but I find him open and honest and one who sees the humor in a situation. I am impressed with his courage and faith. Although he was unemployed, he turned down job offers and lived on his inheritance so he could be available in case Rockville United Church called. Talk about faith! This is a man who really believed that RUC was the right match for him! I realize that the more I talk with him, the more I like him and the more I know he is the one for RUC. Starting April 23rd, we will all have the opportunity to get to know him better.

Hi Beth,

Members of RUC have differing views on the Iraq War and the marches. I am concerned that members of the Council and RUC might push their opinions or suppress the opinions of others. It might get ugly. Can you help?

Scared Sally

Our country is racked right now with political polarization and we often forget that all of us are Americans with more similarities than differences.
One of the things I love about our RUC family is that we agree to disagree on all sorts of issues. As far as the Council, we try to be sensitive to all the differing opinions. We will distribute information that comes from our two denominations and offer you the opportunity to participate as you wish.
Inspired by David Smock’s sermon on “Making Peace with Islam,” Amy Soldavini as Elder of the Month led the Council at Tuesday evening’s meeting in Voltaire’s Prayer of Tolerance:

O! Thou God of all beings, of all worlds, and of all times,
We pray,
that the little differences in our clothes,
in our inadequate languages,
in our ridiculous customs,
in our imperfect laws,
in our illogical opinions,
in our ranks and conditions which
are so disproportionately important to us
and so meaningless to you,
that these small variations
that distinguish those atoms that we call men,
one from another,
may not be signals of hatred and persecution!

I am going to try to live these words: “Let There Be Peace on Earth, and Let It Begin with Me.”

Dear Readers,

Lee and Ken Fisher, who have been two of the movers and shakers from this congregation with Garrett County Habitat for Humanity Project, left a letter in my mailbox. Our own Don Hartranft has a business that involves disposing of home furnishings and property from estates and from other sources. He has been working quietly behind the scenes to support Habitat. Lee and Ken write: “He appraises jewelry and antiques for our annual yard sale; he takes unsold books, CD’s, records; etc. to auction and unsold clothing to InterFaith Clothing. All of the income from these activities is donated to the Habitat Project.” He has branched out and does the same thing for the Sandy Spring Friends Meeting Annual Book Sale. Young Friends of Sandy Spring Friends Meeting were so impressed with his dedication, generosity, and the Habitat Project that they wrote a $500.00 check for the RUC Garrett County Habitat Project. Don, with your generous spirit and kind heart, you serve as an example to all of us. Thank you! ”

Love and cheers,

Beth

Readers with questions should write Beth Pattison, President of RUC Church Council, at BPattison@RockvilleUnitedChurch.org, ask her directly, or leave the question in her mailbox at RUC.