Missionary Josh Heikkila's Visit

Josh Heikkila, RPF’s missionary to Central West Africa, visited us during the month of October. He brought pictures, a song in Twi language that we learned to sing and artifacts that were sold to raise money for his ministry. Josh joined us for our church picnic where he also shared photos and stories of his work and the people of the region.

A big thank you to Heather and Kent DeVries who kindly housed him during his visit and to all the folks who took him out for a meal and to the Phil Glashoff art event. He told Dave G. that he was going to have to go on a diet when he got home to Accra, Ghana because we fed him so well.

Read more about Josh’s work as well as other mission projects we support at https://www.rockvillepresbyterian.org/world-mission/. To personally support Josh to enable him to continue his work, visit https://www.prebyterianmission.org/donate/E200353. His account number is E200353 and if you send a check please put this number on the MEMO line on the lower left hand side of your check. The donation phone number is 800-872-3283 for further information.

Pastor's Pen - October 2018

The Rev. Joanne Martindale

October is a very busy and exciting month. This month the NEW MISSION STUDY GROUPS begin. I encourage all of you who have not signed up to do so. Your feedback about the direction of our congregation is very important. Please look for emails about the six groups and the times and location of those groups. Presently, there are groups on the following days and times:

Thursday Evenings October 4, October 18, Nov 1 and Nov 15
Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Kris Hermon/ Peter and Karen Thor
Thor’s Residence

Sunday Evenings October 7, Oct 21, Nov 4 and Nov 18
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Peggy and Steve Rollins
Rockville Presbyterian Church

Sunday Afternoons: September 30, October 14, October 28 and Nov 4
Time: 12:00-1:30
Claudia Wathen
Rockville Presbyterian Church

Monday Evenings: October 8, October 22, Nov 5 and Nov. 19
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Layna Kinsman
Layna’s Residence

Friday Evenings: October 12, Oct. 26, Nov 2 and Nov 16
Time: 7:00-8:30
Crystal Hnatko
Crystal’s Residence

Tuesday Evenings: Oct 2, Oct 9, Oct 23 and October 30
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Pam and Fred Nelson
Paradise Valley Estates (Ridley Room – Main Community Center)

Please call the church office for addresses and contact information of the leaders.

Pastor's Pen - September 2018

The Rev. Joanne Martindale

It is hard to believe that September is already upon us.

This fall begins the exciting process of the Mission Study. The Mission Study begins on Friday night, September 7, with a potluck from 6:00-­‐7:00 p.m. and the meeting following from 7:00-­‐9:00 p.m. I will bring Hawaiian chicken (enough for all) if you please bring appetizers, salads, side dishes, desserts and drinks.

Christie Sharpsteen (with Hope Partnership) will guide us with our understanding of the process for the Mission Study that will take place during the months of September and October. ALL congregation members are invited and encouraged to attend this important step which will ultimately help Rockville Presbyterian Fellowship know what direction to take in the future.

Following that meeting on Saturday, September 8, from 9:00-­‐3:00, Christie Sharpsteen will instruct the eight group leaders and Pastor Joanne about the Mission Study small group process. Christie will go over the structure, content and goals for the small groups.

My preaching throughout September and October will mirror some of the scriptures from the Mission Study which are:

1. Philippians 1:3-­‐11
2. Micah 6:6-­‐8
3. Matthew 28:18-­‐20

The FOUR sessions that will take place in small groups will have the following focus:

Session ONE: Marks of a Vital Congregation
Session TWO: Interpreting the New Beginnings Assessment
Session THREE: What it Means to be Missional
Session FOUR: Discerning our Future

Please do your very best to come to the small group that you commit to. In the next week, all leaders will be confirmed as well as the times and locations for the groups. Again, please select one group and stick with that group, if at all possible. If you are not able to attend one of
YOUR group sessions, please call another group leader to see when you can make up that particular session.

Thanks so much!! Pastor Joanne

Pastor's Pen - August 2018

I hope you are enjoying your summer! I hope you are finding a little time here and there for some rest and relaxation. I hope you are finding a little time here and there for some reflection about your year and planning ahead for the fall.

As you have been hearing, we are getting ready for our Mission Study, which will continue on Friday, September 7 with EVERYONE in the Church (at the church) at 6:00 p.m. for dinner. Then the New Horizons representative will be there and walk us through the Mission Study process that will continue in the fall.

Then on Saturday, September 8 all day, the LEADERS (who are hosting the small groups) will be trained, along with the pastor from 9:00-­‐3:00. After that time the leaders will host 4 consecutive sessions in their homes or at other locations of their choosing, to glean from the members their desires for the next direction of Rockville Presbyterian Fellowship.

Please plan to attend a small group in September and October for four weeks so your voice can be heard about the direction the church will go in its future.

It is an exciting time! Rockville Presbyterian is such an amazing church. It is a gift to be your pastor and I am excited about all we will learn together during this process. Until that time, enjoy your summer, some reflection, and rest.

Many blessings!
Pastor Joanne

Rockville To Host Community Homeless Outreach Meeting July 31st

Community Homeless Outreach Collective Conception Meeting

Open to the Public – Invite your friends and neighbors!

Tuesday July 31st, 2018 @ 7pm
Rockville Presbyterian Fellowship
4177 Rockville Road, Fairfield

Over the past few years there has been a rapid increase in our local homeless population. People are in need and the city, along with other community services, can only provide so much without help. We're looking at pooling our resources with any others in the community that are interested in helping bridge these gaps, with our main focus being on providing food. Together, we can make things happen. If we join forces, form an alliance & stick together, we can promote change. All while showing love and compassion to our fellow human beings.

Interested in learning more? Join us in creating an action plan. Let’s make a difference in our community and in someone's life.

Questions? RSVPs?

Contact: Sabrina Woods at sabrina@yearbooks.com or 707-718-4575

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller