Gathering for Reflection and Conversation

This Sunday we will re-gather as community at Promenade Square, 618 Locust Street following our July Gathering Dinners break. Because of the prevalence of violence in our world (examples: the recent tragedy in Colorado, increasing suicides among U.S. military personnel, and increasingly hostile public rhetoric in political campaigns and religious discourse), we will explore various aspects of violence in society and also explore spiritual responses and alternatives. Our offering is designated for Project Dignidad, a local organization seeking to respond to the violence of hunger. Both monetary gifts and canned/boxed food will be received. We will not have potluck this Sunday.

Gathering for Dinner

Sunday, July 22, 5:30 pm

A fabulous time was enjoyed at Megan and Liz's home last Sunday evening.  We shared great conversation, great food, and a great dust storm. 

Next Sunday, we will meet at the homes of Chris and Les (2605 Palo Duro Drive) and Aretta and Larry (1615 South Madison).  It isn't too late to sign up, so email Nancy for more information,  nly1@verizon.net.

The Gathering does "food" very well.  We also do "caring about others" very well.  This Sunday, in addition to enjoying food together, we'll also care about others by bringing canned and boxed food for Project Dignidad.  Any and all non-perishable items are welcome. 

This will be our last July dinner as we will return on Sunday, July 29 to our regular Gathering on Locust St. 

Join the Sacred Feast

Gathering for Dinner and Conversation
Sunday, July 15, 2012, 5:30 pm

 Our first Summer 2012 Dinner Gathering got off to a rousing fun-filled evening at Nancy York's home last Sunday.  Diners had a great evening sharing food and stories.  We look forward to the next dinner this Sunday at Megan and Liz's house, 2798 Oxford Ave, corner of Oxford and A&M. The menu is Mexican - enchiladas and all the trimmings.  Menu items needed:  beans, rice, salad, guacamole, chips, salsa, cheese, desserts, drinks, ice, something else?  If you haven't signed up, it's not too late - there's plenty of room for all.  For more information, contact Nancy - nly1@verizon.net.

Open for Dinner & Relationship

The Gathering has gone national.  Last Saturday's San-Angelo Standard Times article The Gathering:  Open Doors, Open Hearts  was picked up b  the national UCC office and has been included in the denomination's weekly email - KYeP. Pretty cool, huh?  It's not been archived, yet, and I've not figured out how to link to it on ucc.org, but if you're interested in signing up for KYeP (Keeping You e-Posted), here's that link.  The article was also referenced in this week's South Central Conference (conference of which we are a part) e-newsletter. 

We've gotten a lot of positive response from local folks as well as UCC people near and far.  Many thanks to Sylvia for telling her reporter daughter Becca about The Gathering, and many thanks to Becca and Kimberly (the photographer) for a great article and pictures.

This coming Sunday, July 8, begins our July Gathering Dinners.  We'll gather at 5:30 at Nancy York's house to share dinner and conversation.  If you've not signed up but want to participate, come on!  There's always room at the table and in The Gathering.  If you'd like to contact Nancy about the menu, feel free to email her: nly1@verizon.net. 

Namaste,
Karen

Freedom to Love, Grow & Serve

We'll share worship, communion, and potluck this Sunday. Our offering will be designated for The Gathering. This will be our last Gathering-as-a-whole until the end of July. On Sundays, July 8, 15, 22, Gatherers will join together in small groups to share dinner and conversation. For more information go to our newsletter.

Gathering for Meditation

 

This Sunday's Gathering will be a time of meditation led by Dick and Nancy.  Nancy said music and modeling clay will both be part of the evening.  There's no potluck, and the offering is still to be determined.

Unbelievably, it's already almost July.   A delightful aspect of The Gathering is the diversity of participants, and a frustration is that we go in so many different directions, it's hard to get to know each other. Last year, we discovered that a wonderful way of getting to know each other more intentionally was via the July Dinners for Eight (or 6 or 9 or 7 or 10) experiment.  So we're doing it again.  The first Sunday of July, July 1, we will gather for worship as usual at 5:30 pm, Promenade Square, 618 Locust Street.  The next three Sundays, July 8, 15, 22, Gatherers will join together in small groups to share dinner and conversation. You may participate in one, two, or all three Sundays. I have no doubt the evenings will be nourishing and satisfying in many ways: spiritually, intellectually, physically - and just plain fun! These are also great times to include people interested in The Gathering but afraid to come to "church." To be included or just to know what's going on, please contact Nancy  (nly1@verizon.net).  

Looking forward to gathering with you,

Karen

Celebrating Fathers and Karen's Return

Sunday is Father's Day, and therefore, many of you have plans to be with various men in your lives. That's great!  And even better: bring those men with you to The Gathering because a photographer from The Standard-Times is going to be present to worship with us and take pictures for the story that's going to run in the paper sometime soon.  This is a great opportunity for The Gathering to be "seen" - literally and figuratively. 

Another reason this Sunday is special to me is because I'll be back co-leading worship.  I look forward to this opportunity to be with you all again in body and spirit.  Part of Sunday's service will be about "fatherhood", so if you'd like to bring pictures, readings, memories to share, please do so.  In addition, our potluck theme will be favorite father foods - your favorite food, if you're a father-being; food that reminds you of someone who filled a fatherly role in your life; your favorite food if you want to be a father; etc.

Our offering will be designated for the Healthy Families San Angelo program, whose mission is "to enhance the ability of families to provide a secure and nurturing environment that supports positive outcomes for children."

Good news to share - Cary Sargent's ear surgery this morning was successful, and she continues her recovery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.  Prayers are appreciated. 

Peace, Shalom, Salam,
Karen