Together Beloved

In honor of the 25th anniversary of the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, we will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday. Recent events in Tucson, Washington, DC, Sudan, Lebanon, Australia, and across the world call us to engage King's theologically-based notion of Beloved Community.

The Beloved Community was a dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to create a world in which all persons live in peace and harmony. King said:

"Our goal is to create a beloved community, and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change in our lives."

"We Are The Beloved Community" is an affirmation of who we are as well as a clarion call to better ourselves, our community, our city, the nation and the world.

If we are to join in the movement in 2011, what can we see that needs work? Where and with whom will we stand? In the spirit of our prophets, the Rabbi Y'shua, and the preacher King, what liberating work shall we join this year?

Our offering will be designated for our local grass-roots effort at creating Beloved Community - West Texas Organizing Strategy. Our pot-luck theme is, of course, Southern soul food.

Gathering at the Heart of Compassion

What a treat we have this Sunday! Brenda Maiman and Pat Hines will help us explore compassion using a Joyce Rupp retreat dvd, The Heart of Compassion. The retreat is described as: "Compassion can change a heart, change a life, change a world. Joyce Rupp explores the depths of this vital quality from many dimensions, including science, medicine, theology, spirituality, sociology, and psychology. She invites participants to ponder their personal experiences of compassion and to move deeper into this lived reality, to reenergize their ability to offer loving kindness, and to go forth with a renewed commitment to be a compassionate presence for one's self and for those who are in the midst of pain and struggle." We'll gather to watch about 45 minutes of the dvd and engage in reflective conversation. Our pot-luck theme is food that's good for the heart, and our offering recipient is still being determined.

Sunday, January 9
5:30 pm
618 Locust Street

God's Peace

Behold The Light

Behold the Light,
In cold winter sky,
And feel the Love,
Guidance sweet and warm,
Calling all…
As the sun returns once more,
Cherishing Life as evergreen…

Behold the babe,
Whom wise men seek
And angels greet in song,
Swaddled here within each heart…
Spirit’s Child,
Inheriting Truth ever born anew
Within the waking mind…

Be Peace on earth,
God’s Will for man…
And beast,
Stream,
Stone
And sky…
Behold the Light

rcd 12/22/07.

May the light in all things shine upon you. May the gentle warmth of love spread throughout your being, filling your home with love. May spirit's wings lift you to a special place, where you and the divine are one. May these things be yours in the countless present moments of the new year, but especially during times too difficult to bear. Peace, especially to those struggling to find their way.

app 12/24/10

Gathering in the New Year

Sunday, January 3, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street

It'll be a "firecracker" of an evening as we Gather for the first worship service of 2011. Our theme, Epiphany, invites us to examine the places and spaces where we experience the incarnate Sacred Presence. Our offering, designated for Heifer Project, invites us to incarnate Sacred Presence with neighbors near and far. Our pot-luck theme is:

Creative Dishes using Holiday Left-overs (Or, if you're tired of left-overs, no matter how creative, bring whatever you'd like ~ including just yourself!)

Merry Christmas!

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

Tis the Season

This Sunday we continue to travel through Advent together as we light the Joseph candle and explore the notion of Silent Love. Our potluck theme reflects the diversity of The Gathering - salads. Our offering will be designated for The Gathering. Many thanks to Dick and Toni Marine who are organizing our Advent emphasis and to Dick Marine for co-planning and leading worship.

'TIS THE SEASON TO GATHER FOR WORSHIP
SUNDAY, 19 DECEMBER 2010,
5:30 pm, 618 Locust St.

Mary: Mother of Jesus

Perhaps no female in the history of humanity has been so talked about as Mary, the mother of Jesus. This Sunday we'll Gather to better get to know this woman who proclaimed the passionate and social justice-oriented vision called the "Magnificat" (Luke 1:46-55. We'll also encounter and celebrate another Divine Feminine/Mary figure as we observe the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is Sunday, December 12. Interestingly, the foci of both these women is relevant this week given current political events - e.g., tax breaks and wikileak allegations, and another of this weekend's emphases - Human Rights Day. In addition, we'll light the third Advent candle - the Mary candle. The first two, in our Advent wreath created by Toni and Dick Marine, are Light and Star.

At this point, Sunday's weather forecast is for cold, so let's warm up with chili - beef, turkey, vegetarian, whatever kind you like. We'll also need the accompaniments. Our offering will be designated for the pancake mix effort.

Merry Mary Sunday
This Sunday, December 12
5:30 pm
618 Locust Street