What's Happening

What’s Happening @ RUC

Here are some of the highlights of life at Rockville United Church.

For a more detailed look at our activities, please click here for a link to our calendar.

National Gun Violence Awareness Day & Wear Orange Weekend June 5-7

Wear orange on National Gun Violence Awareness Day, June 5, and all weekend to join
the Wear Orange Weekend. We wear orange on the first Friday in June and each day
during that weekend to remember Hadiya Pendleton and others who have been killed
by gun violence, those who have survived gun violence, and those whose lives have
been impacted by gun violence.

Hadiya Pendleton marched in President Obama’s second inaugural parade. One week
later she was shot and killed on a playground in Chicago. Her friends mourned Hadiya
by wearing orange. Not only was orange Hadiya’s favorite color but it is also the color
hunters wear to send the message “Don’t shoot”.

Rainbow Place Shelter Needs a New Home
After more than four decades serving unhoused women during the winter months in the
educational building of Rockville Presbyterian Church, the Rainbow Place women’s
shelter been asked to vacate the space. Due to financial circumstances, the church and
property are being sold, and they must move out by the end of May. RUC has a long
relationship with Rainbow Place, and our youth prepare monthly meals for the women in
residence.

How Can You Help?

Help Us Find a Home: If you or someone you know has the ability to purchase a property, lease a space or connect us to available locations, we want to hear from you!
Support the Next Chapter: Donations will directly support securing and preparing a new space for opening.
Share Leads & Connections: Know a property owner, broker, developer or community partner? Introductions matter!
Help Us Move: We will need volunteers to help pack, move and coordinate storage in the coming weeks.

Grow the Circle Wide: The kitchen renovation is completed, but. . .

We are awaiting some final electrical work before our fire suppression system can be
certified. Assuming all goes well, our final inspections will be carried out as soon as
possible. We look forward to a rededication and reopening!

On-going events

Meditation Groups at RUC

Please join us for meditation at the church. No experience necessary and instruction is offered. Meditation groups meet on three different days:

Sunday evening 7-8:30 pm meditation involves a more traditional Zen format.
Mondays 4:30-5:30 pm in the sanctuary.
Tuesday afternoon meditation from 4:45-6 pm.

All groups are led by RUC member Martine Palmiter, who is a Zen teacher. Email her with questions: mpalmiter@gmail.com.

Men's Meditation Group
The new season of the Men's Mindfulness Meditation group is underway - Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. Further information is available in the group newsletter or contact the group facilitator Vic Caldarola.

Women's Breakfast: (second Saturday of each month)

The Women’s Breakfast will be meeting at 8:30 a.m. each month at The Silver Diner, 12276 Rockville Pike.

Men's Breakfast: (third Saturday of each month)

The Men's Breakfast will be meeting at the Brooklyn Deli (1089 Seven Locks Road), to allow us to take advantage of the outdoor tables, weather permitting. We have not been able to provide a consistent Zoom connection, so the breakfast will be only in person. Hope you can join us at 8:15 AM for good food and fellowship.