Embrace Your Friends

Embrace your friends

with warmth and caring

affection unembarrassed

Let them come and go, freely

Embrace your friends

with honesty always

be yourself only

Let them come and go, freely

Embrace your friends

with compassion ready

acceptance given

Let them come and go, freely

Embrace your friends

with arms open

clinging suffocates

Let them come

or go

freely

--Teresa Rylander

Gathering Passion and Fun Groups

During this Memorial Day weekend, we will gather to remember our past, celebrate our present, and plan for the future. 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. Some of the topics up for discussion: local community ministries, evolving worship components, creating world peace, a day for community spiritual retreat, solving the global economic crisis, healing the earth, bringing joy to humanity. And if we run out of things to do (after all, how long can it take to heal the earth and solve the economic crisis?), we might even dance a jig or yodel. Or maybe dance a jig while yodeling. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? You are encouraged to participate!

The Gathering is a collaborative community where each person and perspective is unique and important in making up the whole. If you cannot be there Sunday night, you are still invited to participate in our Workgroups. If you have a passion for worship and for what happens when we Gather, you are invited to join the Worship Planning Workgroup. If you have a passion for financial accountability, you are invited to join the Budget and Finance Workgroup. If you have a passion for justice, you are invited to join the Community Connecting Workgroup. If you have a passion for letting others know the good news about The Gathering, you are invited to join the Community Connecting Workgroup. Let me know (thegatheringsanangelo@yahoo.com, 374-1566) you'd like to participate in a workgroup.

Recognizing the time issue, we will not have a regular pot-luck Sunday night; feel free, however, to bring snacks. Light snacks will be provided.

Sunday, May 29
5:30 pm
618 Locust Street

Playing Music for Change

"God respects me when I work;

but God loves me when I sing."

~Rabindranath Tagore

From being a form of prayer to inspiring political uprisings, from facilitating worship to causing church splits, music is and has been integral to humanity's existence and spiritual questing. This Sunday night, we will engage with the power of music via the DVD - Playing for Change


According to the website, Playing for Change, begun in 2005, is "a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race." In addition to experiencing the DVD, which Bill Moyers said is a remarkable example of "the simple yet transformative power of music... to touch something in each of us," we'll have good conversation and lots of singing.

Our offering will be designated for the Playing for Change Foundation, and our potluck theme will be food that makes your taste-buds and tummy sing! The evening will be fun and inspiring - and full of music Join Us!

Sunday, May 22
5:30 pm
618 Locust Street

Third Perfectly Pleasurable Picnic and Pet Parade

Sunday's Gathering, May 8 at 5:30 pm, is all about fun, frolic, and furry friends. We'll picnic at PonderosaPark (in Mertzon's Ponderosa Estates) - eating, playing, fishing and blessing our animals. So, of course, family members who happen to be animals are welcome! If, for whatever reason, you're beloved critters are not able to be with us Sunday, blessings will also be offered "in abstencia."

Ann and Crockett Light will be our hosts. In addition to people picnic food and drinks, they suggest you bring lawn chairs, insect repellent, fishing gear, water bowls for your pets, and toys - either your own or your pets'. This is a great opportunity to gather people friends and bring them along, too!

So bring your pets for a blessing or just yourself and a friend (and/or your friends' pets) for an outdoor fun time under the trees on Spring Creek.

Directions to the Ponderosa Park:

Take Highway 67 toward Mertzon

Exactly 11 miles past the Super WalMart, there is a turning lane in the middle of the road and a sign in the right of way (on the right) which says "Ponderosa Ln."

Turn left, cross railroad, follow Ponderosa Lane until you see Ponderosa Park sign on left (Rio Villa road)

Go down road 'til it dead ends at Spring Creek and you are there. If you get lost, call the Lights' cell - 325-234-1586.