Monster Mash

Gathering for Sacred (not Scary) Business

Don't get spooked... it's time to gather for an evening of ghastly fun business. We've got a lot going on in The Gathering and much to share with each other, so this evening will be full of engaging with the Spirit and discussing and deciding things that shape who we are. All goblins and monsters are encouraged to participate. The Gathering is a collaborative community where each voice is unique and important in making up the whole. We say we welcome all into the "full life and ministry of The Gathering" and that doesn't just mean others - it means us, too!

Recognizing the time issue, we will not have a regular pot-luck; feel free, however, to bring Halloween snacks to share if you'd like. Also feel free to come in Halloween drag! Our monetary offering will be designated for The Gathering; you are also invited to bring canned and boxed food for Project Dignidad.

5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street

Spirituality: Art 21

Sunday, October 24
Art and Spirituality
5:30 pm, 618 Locust

Jeremy Hahn will lead this Gathering and describes it as: "We will be showing an episode of the documentary ART:21, titled 'Spirituality', which explores questions about faith, belief, meditations, and religious symbols through the work of five different contemporary artists: Beryl Korot, Ann Hamilton, John Feodorov, Shahzia Sikander, and James Turrell." Our potluck is vegetarian, and the offering recipient is still to be determined.

See You There,
Karen Schmeltekopf
The Gathering

Nancy & Friends

Nancy York and friends (Ann Light, Teresa Rylander, maybe others) will be co-leading worship while Karen is on vacation. Imagining the creativity, energy, and resources Nancy, Ann, and Teresa bring to worship planning and leading, Sunday's worship will be rich and satisfying. The theme is "What is the compassionate response to adversity?" The offering will be designated for CROP Walk, and the potluck is fingerfoods.

Gathering for Worship
Sunday, October 17, 2010
5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street

The Llama Whisperer & Her Furry Friends

Sunday, October 10, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street

Beverly Fisher and friends will join us Sunday night as we learn about healing and community from llamas. Yes, the llamas will be present. Our offering is designated for The Gathering. Because South America is generally considered to be home to these gentle and social animals, we'll go South American for our potluck theme. This is a great evening to invite people to The Gathering!

Breaking Bread

One piece of what makes The Gathering The Gathering is sharing our communal meals. We believe that "Communion" is made as we sit down at a table together to share food and share ourselves. Our meal is a sacred way of tying us together and tying us to God.

Is this why so many traditions consider sharing a meal together sacred? Is this the meaning of "World Communion Day"? How does Jesus' table fellowship fit in? Feminist theologian Janet Walton says a sacred meal is powerful because it embodies memory, imagination, power, encounter, freedom, relationships, presence, and blessing. We'll explore these notions Sunday night when we gather for worship. Our offering will be designated for Neighbors in Need. This offering of the United Church of Christ supports ministries that address poverty, economic development, human rights, peacemaking, violence, racial and economic justice, public policy advocacy, and environmental concerns. Our potluck theme is international - e.g., how might our neighbors in Bangladesh, Mexico, Sweden observe World Communion Day?