Beth's Blogs

Dear Beth,

It seems as if we have been with an Interim Pastor forever. When are we going to get a called pastor?

Signed, Still Waiting in Rockville

Keep the faith! Our church has just moved forward with another exciting step toward calling our pastor! This month the Pastoral Nominating Committee (PNC) is now traveling to visit the candidates. Look for more details in a letter to be mailed to you soon by Emily Cooke, who is the chair of the PNC. Nice work, all you PNC’ers!

Hi Beth,

I read in the newsletter that Rockville United Church sent petitions to our elected officials. To whom were they sent? What did they say? What were the responses?

Sincerely,
Curious Cathy

This summer many of us in our congregation were very concerned with the fighting among the people of Israel, Lebanon, and Gaza and wanted to do something besides wring our hands. After worship on July 30, 2006, 50-75 members and friends of RUC signed petitions that were sent to President Bush, Secretary Rice, Senators Mikulski and Sarbanes, and Representatives Van Hollen and Wynn. The petitions read:

“We the members and friends of Rockville United Church are committed to peacemaking and concern for all the peoples of the Middle East who are suffering in this current crisis and ask you to promote Congressional support and Presidential leadership to achieve an immediate cease-fire.

We are grieved over the tragic loss of life and suffering among the peoples of Israel, Lebanon, and Gaza and concerned about the dire humanitarian crisis that is unfolding as a result of the violence. We support intensive US diplomatic efforts, in cooperation with parties in the region and the United Nations, to bring about an immediate cease-fire that will:

• end the escalating violence
• protect civilian lives and prevent further displacement
• prevent the further destruction of infrastructure in Lebanon and Gaza
• secure a safe return of the kidnapped Israeli soldiers and
• begin a political process that ends the current crisis and paves the way toward a comprehensive Middle East peace.”

Sen. Sarbanes and Rep. Van Hollen replied with a form letter thanking us for our interest. Disappointingly, the others did not reply.

My Dear Beth,

What happened to our peace pole? Are you giving up on peace?

Thanks,
Pauline the Peacemaker

Our peace pole, given to RUC by long-time RUC member Doris Conrad in memory of her husband Floyd, was rotting at ground level. Our handy Building & Grounds Committee members have fixed and re-installed it. Once again it is gracing our grounds reminding us to never give up on peace.

Dear Beth,

On Sundays I look around and see vacant seats. Is it my imagination?

Faithfully,
Lonely in my Church Pew

Sadly, you are not imagining that worship attendance is lower – about 20 fewer than last year at this time. The Pastor and members of the Council have been contacting those whom we have not seen recently. The responses are varied: some are spending their week-ends traveling or visiting family; others are missing Kasey and awaiting a called pastor; several have moved out of the neighborhood or the area and are finding another church. This transition time between called pastors has been given a name: wilderness. We miss any member of our RUC family who is absent; we hurt. Just as we comfort our family members, comfort each other. Give each other some slack. When you miss someone, show God’s love by contacting the person. If anyone is hurting, please inform Rev. Suzanne or Frank Molony, the Elder for Congregational Care. We have struggled before and we will struggle again, but we are a resilient church listening for God’s call and awaiting great things. Together we will get through this period and we and RUC will be fine!

Hi Beth,

We have a Mansfield Kaseman Fellowship Hall and an Al & Marge Winham Memorial Service to recognize two of our RUC pastors. How about naming something to recognize the founding pastors of Rockville United Church, Don Maccallum and Wiley Prugh?

Gratefully,
Only Fair

Great idea to honor them in 2007 during our 40th anniversary year! My mind is a blank! What do you suggest? Although many of us did not have the opportunity to know personally Don or Wiley, we all are the beneficiaries of their vision, energy, and commitment both for Rockville United Church and Community Ministries of Rockville. We are blessed with a vibrant RUC and a ministry at CMR that recognizes and serves those in need and is a voice for the voiceless and a power for the powerless. Give me your ideas!

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.