Beth's Blogs

Dear Beth,

I have been trying to find out if there is a summary of the New Moon meetings. Is there?

Wondering Wilma, Curious Carl, Inquiring Ida, Interested Ivan

Mark I don’t think there is an “official summary.” Since so many of you have asked, I will attempt to summarize the ideas that I have picked up as Duncan (our Minister) presented his future vision of Rockville United Church at the three New Moon meetings.

• Strengthen our “beloved community” to become increasingly more multi-cultural and multi-generational so that we can change ourselves and the world from our community.
• Create partnerships with groups that are different from us, such as the Navajo community of former RUC member, Dr. Donna Perry; the Lady Doak College in South India; the Scottish and Iona relationships; and Central America, especially Guatemala.
• Celebrate the partnerships we have: Habitat for Humanity, Bethesda United Church of Christ, Community Ministries of Rockville, the Bonhill, Scotland relationship, the Kenya connection, and the many mission projects in which our members volunteer.
• Focus on spiritual practices, including prayer; body, mind, and soul issues; dance; art; music.
• Increase our faith by focusing on the theme of death and dying so that we can help members live and die.
• Encourage testimonials in our worship services so that we learn from each other our journeys of faith.
• Adopt the “rotation model” for Christian education where children are grouped not by age, but my interests and intellectual levels. Many of these groups could be fed from our partnerships.
• Build Friends in Faith, social groups focused on shared activities, such as sailing, camping, books, bowling, archery, dinners.

Please remember these are my impressions, and Duncan presented them with much more eloquence than I have. You will have the opportunity to respond to Duncan and share your vision at the Rising Sun meeting on Monday evening, May 19th, at RUC. I keep thinking of Gandhi, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Please join us as we listen to and answer God’s call for Rockville United Church.

Dear Friends,

John and I have just returned from Ohio where we visited my 93-year-old dad and marked the one-year anniversary of my mom’s death. The newly installed pastor of his church, St. John’s United Church of Christ, led us in worship at Dad’s new residence and served communion. For the benediction, he finished with “God grant that you go in peace – and not in pieces.” May God mend our brokenness and give us peace in the days ahead.

Love and cheers,
Beth

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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.