Revealing Ramadan

Ramadan, the holiest month for Muslims, began Monday, August 1. Every year it comes 11 days earlier because Muslims follow a lunar calendar. A lunar year is only 355 days long, so Ramadan comes sometimes in freezing wintertime and sometimes, like this year, in sizzling hot summer.

Whatever season, the month is a period of intense spiritual practice with special times of worship, Qur'an reading, charitable acts, fasting, and individual reflection and purification. It is believed that the Qur'an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad during the month of Ramadan.

We will explore this holy season when we Gather for worship this Sunday, August 7, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust. As part of the service, we, too will engage in charitable acts by bringing non-perishable food for Project Dignidad. Beans, peanut butter, and macaroni and cheese are always needed. In addition, our offering will be designated for Project Dignidad. We will then symbolically "break fast" as we share a potluck meal following worship.

It was great to Gather this past Sunday, and I look forward to this coming time of worship. In the meantime, I share some words of preparation from Palestinian Muslim poet Mahmoud Darwish:

As you prepare your breakfast - think of others.
Don't forget to feed the pigeons.
As you conduct your wars - think of others.
Don't forget those who want peace.
As you pay your water bill - think of others.
Think of those who have only the clouds to drink from.
As you go home, your own home - think of others - don't forget those who live in tents.
As you sleep and count the stars, think of others - there are people who have no place to sleep.
As you liberate yourself with metaphors think of others - those who have lost their right to speak.
And as you think of distant others - think of yourself and say "I wish I were a candle in the darkness."

No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.

Join us for worship on August 7
5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street

Dog Days of Summer Dinners

Our first "Dog Days" Dinner got off to a rousing fun-filled evening at Pat Hines' home last Sunday. Diners had a great evening sharing food and stories. We look forward to two more dinners: this Sunday, at the Lights' and Sunday, July 24, at the Cases and Gene Hall's home. Call or email Ann (325/632-2626 or annlight@zipnet.us) if you haven't signed up--plenty of room for all.

The SCC Conference received 800 Church World School Kits and 500 Personal Hygeine Kits for Back Bay Mission. The mailing costs for these kits is $2.00 each. At this writing SCC needs $1,000 to finish paying for the mailing of this project. Accordingly, our special gifts for Sunday, July 17, will go to the SCC to help with this worthwhile mission.

Gathering Poet

Trust

or act on your own

Accept what is

or create what you want

Go with the flow

or set your own course

Which path to take?

Neither works alone

Life demands both

at the same time

opposites intermingling

The task

to keep re-balancing

within the ever-shifting

flow of life

(12/94)

Teresa Rylander

Dinner Gathering During "Dog Days"

Since our Pastor Karen is on sabbatical during the month of July, we are gathering for dinners in members' homes. This is a great way to get out of the hot Texas heat and enjoy our many friends in a cool air-conditioned home (like the Sahara oasis shot from space).

We will share stories, music (perhaps), lots of conversation AND great food. If you have not signed up, please contact annlight@zipnet.us for Sunday, July 17 and/or July 24. Pat Hines has graciously volunteered to be our first dinner host and she will open her home on July 10 at 5:30 p.m.

A Restful Summer Pause

The Gathering will be taking a brief sabbatical during the month of July. We will gather back together as one community Sunday, July 31, 5:30 pm.

Freedom to Love, Grow & Serve

No official Gathering is scheduled for July 3, 2011. Gather with family and friends to enjoy the July 4 holiday. Peace and blessings.

Gathering for Nourishment, Rest & Renewal

This Sunday, June 26, will be our last regular Sunday evening Gathering for a few weeks. We will gather for a time of what we do so well: reflect on and discuss together a sacred writing and how the writing intersects with, inspires, challenges, and furthers our spiritual pilgrimages. Our offering will be designated for The Gathering. While we will not share a potluck, feel free to bring light snacks if you'd like. We will gather at 5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street.

July will be different than years past - following the recommendation of the "UCC New Church Start Guru" Rev. Cameron Trimble, the Worship Planning Workgroup has graciously offered July as a mini-sabbatical for me. We have been gathering weekly for two years now! And bi-weekly for some years before that, so it's time for some personal spiritual rest and renewal. While I will still be working at my Hospice of San Angelo day job, I will also take some vacation time from there.

I very much appreciate The Gathering caring for me and recognizing the value of sabbath time. I also appreciate and affirm Gathering participants taking responsibility for the July Gatherings. I do, however, regret I won't be participating in the July Dinner Gatherings! 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. Ann Light and Nancy York have planned a wonderful way of getting to know each other more intentionally. July 10, 17, and 24 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, contact Ann or Nancy.

In addition, Ann Light has volunteered for "e-newsletter duty", so an e-newsletter or two will be coming your way during the month. Many thanks to Ann for keeping everyone in the loop!

Because of the July 4th weekend, we will not meet Sunday, July 3. We will gather back together as one community Sunday, July 31, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street. I'm looking forward to it already!

Honored to be Creating Sacred Community with You,

Karen