News

May was a busy month at Rock Run. A lot got done at the work days on the first two Saturdays of the month, beautifying the outdoor landscaping and creating the Memorial Garden on the south end of the church building. Thanks to all those who worked together to get this work done.

I understand that work days are not everyone’s thing. But working together is important for churches to be successful. I am grateful for the many ways that the members of Rock Run work together to live out our mission as a congregation.

The idea for the Memorial Garden came out of the work of the 175^th Anniversary Committee. This Committee has provided a good focus for the congregation for this year, as we celebrate 175 years of Rock Run’s history as a church and make plans to have the weekend celebration that will happen in September.

What will be our focus as a congregation next year and in the coming years? As a congregation, we need to continue to discern together what God is calling us to do and to be.

I am aware that many Church of the Brethren congregations are small churches that are struggling to keep going as their members age and their numbers dwindle. This is happening not just in Church of the Brethren congregations but in congregations from various denominational backgrounds. How can we keep that from happening at Rock Run? What will this congregation look like in 10 years? In 25 years?

At the April Council meeting, we talked about livestreaming Rock Run’s worship services. The Board, at the Council’s recommendation, set up a Research and Planning committee to look at livestreaming. The Research and Planning committee has also been asked to talk about the use of the white “Rock Run Favorites” song book and the legality of this compilation of songs. The Research and Planning committee will report back to the Board its suggestions as to what should be done in these areas; the Board will then bring recommendations to the Council meeting in October.

Our worship services are an important part of our life together as a congregation. Is this something we could or should share with others as part of our congregational mission? Should we continue to use the “Rock Run Favorites” song book in worship? If not, what songs should be included in our worship in addition to the songs in the hymn books we have in the pews?

These are questions about our worship. What about ways we can better engage in Christian witness and outreach to others? Or are there ways we can strengthen our fellowship with each other in the congregation? These are questions that healthy, successful congregations always keep asking themselves.

I continue to be grateful to be a part of the Rock Run congregation. There is a good spirit among us as we gather and work together. We are good at being a supportive faith family to each other. Let us continue to work together to discern God’s calling, to work together to pursue that calling, and to work together at being the church God calls us to be.

Pastor John

http://www.nidcob.org/

http://www.brethren.org/