New Year's Greetings

Due to the New Year's Holiday, The Gathering will not meet this Sunday, January 1, 2012. Please join us for worship Sunday, January 8, 2012, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street.

Christmas in Our Hearts

May the Angel of Annunciation awaken in you God's profound heartfelt love.
May Mary guide you in birthing the Holy One in your life and in birthing Love in others.
May Joseph engage you in deeper questioning and listening and give you courage to risk the next step.
May your life become a Luminous Presence leading others to the place in their hearts and in the world where Christ is always being born anew.

May you have
The Spirit of Christmas which is Peace.
The Joy of Christmas which is Hope.
The Heart of Christmas which is Love.

May these Blessings be yours this Christmas!

From Ministry of the Arts

Season of Light

As the days grow shorter and darkness becomes more pronounced, we will prepare for the coming of the Light during worship Sunday, 18 December 2011, 5:30 p.m., 618 Locust Street. Wednesday is the Winter Solstice, and we will immerse ourselves in the particular gifts of darkness, as well as celebrate the in breaking of the Light into Darkness. What does this mean in terms of worship? We'll "see" on Sunday. If possible, please bring a candle to use during worship. You will take it home with you.

Our food theme will reflect and balance the day and season. First of all, the earth's season of growing darkness prompts creation into dormancy, quiet, inner reflection. And secondly, because of the holiday season, many of us have been feasting on all kinds of fun, special, rich foods. Combining that with our worship theme, let us share "light" potluck fare.

Our offering will be designated for The Gathering.

Sharing Sacred Holiday Stories

Many of the traditions and meanings of the Christmas season are conveyed through stories. Stories about a baby born in a manger, angels singing about peace, light piercing the darkness. As my mentor Les Pugh reflected, these stories have a place in our lives. They encourage our ponderings and touch us to be reverent. Many Gatherers have grown up with additional stories of the season - for instance, stories about a grinch, a frosty snowman, and flying reindeer. Do these, too, encourage our ponderings and touch us to be reverent?

We will share and ponder our sacred holiday stories with each other this Sunday. You are invited to share with the group a story of some sort (a reading, a memory, a story from scripture, a family tradition, etc) that conveys to you the meaning of Sacred Presence during this holy season. Of course, in our sharing, we will be creating stories and traditions of our own.

Our offering will be designated for pancake supplies. Join us Sunday, December 11, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust.