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, Waiting in Rockville

Right up front both our Presbyterian and UCC judicatories told us that the search process would take about one month for every year that Kasey served RUC (26 months for 26 years). I didn’t believe it then, but I believe it now. The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) is spending many hours now culling down the 140 resumes into a short list of clergy whom they can go visit. They are very close to visiting now. Even though it is tedious and time-consuming to read and debate all the resumes, we are so fortunate that so many pastors want to be our called pastor. We are also very blessed to have such a dedicated and conscientious PNC!

Hi Beth,

I am hearing the term Just Peace. What does it mean? Fair Peace? Only Peace? Simply Peace?

Sincerely, Ted Thesaurus

Just Peace is a term used by the UCC denomination. (Check out the website, www.ucc.org/justiCE/ . Click on 35 Ways to live more faithfully as a Just PeaCE/Peace with Justice congregation.) Just Peace is a somewhat catchy phrase, but not very useful if no one knows what it means. We might have been clearer using the Presbyterian phrase, Working for Peace and Justice. Regardless, what we are trying to do is select mission projects, speakers, sermons, music, offerings, etc. for 2007 that focus on this theme. How we accomplish this is up to you and our RUC committees. If you have some ideas, please let Rev. Suzanne, the staff, or any member of the Council know.

My dear Beth,

Why does RUC need a new mission theme at this time? Don’t we already have a written mission statement?

Thanks, Concerned Community Member

During this interim period, our relationship with our primary mission, Community Ministries of Rockville (CMR) is being re-evaluated by both RUC and CMR. CMR now has a new Executive Director, Mark Poletunow, on board to replace Kasey. Eventually they and we may have some new ways to relate. We wanted to give all the parties time to sort out the options and we feel our called pastor must be an integral part of the conversation. Because we believe so strongly in mission and in order to keep the “mo” going, the Council decided that we would focus on an additional theme for 2007. We still are keeping commitments to CMR, Habitat for Humanity, MOMS, and all the other activities in which we all participate.

Dear Beth,

My reading material has diminished greatly! I’m looking for more paper to start my charcoal grill! Why do we have only one newsletter a month now?

Yours truly, Hot Dog Harry

The Council tries to balance all the needs, resources, and views of our constituents. We heard these comments:, “I never read the newsletter,” “The newsletter arrives at my zip code after the events have occurred, “ “It costs so much time and money to send out two newsletters a month,” We are struggling to find news for the newsletters.” We realize it is crucial to communicate and people absorb their information in different ways. At the same time we cut the newsletter editions, we’re working to enhance the web, add more announcements to the Sunday bulletins, and send out the bulletins to those who can’t make it to church. This decision is not written in stone, and we will be discussing the whole communication thing again at our November Council meeting. How would you like us to communicate?

My dearest Beth,

With housing, gas, and tuition prices so high, why do you give money to RUC?

Sincerely yours, Purpose to my Pursestrings

There are so many reasons that I give and I feel I get a big bang for my buck at RUC! I want to make a difference, show God’s love, and be a positive influence in the world. I feel I can be more effective joining forces with other like-minded people like those I find at RUC. I am grateful for those before me who worked and sacrificed so that I can worship freely and I want to pass this gift on to our children and grandchildren. I want the cross on our roof to stand as a positive force, a beacon of hope and love, and a symbol of peace and justice in this community and throughout the world. Since RUC has no independent resources, all of these wishes require my time, money, and energy. I feel as if I get more than I give! I am so blessed!

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.