Gathering for Sacred Business

Sunday, April 29, 2012, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street

Since I've been otherwise occupied the last couple of weeks, I don't know exactly what's planned for this coming Sunday's Gathering; I do, however, know it's the fifth Sunday of the month, which means lots of important things will be discussed, decided, and determined at the Gathering for Sacred Business evening.  Ann Light says it's going to be BIG, REALLY BIG, and you don't want to miss it. 
Please contact Ann with questions.

I also know the Worship Planning Workgroup, the Community Connecting Workgroup, and so many of the rest of you have willingly stepped in to leadership responsibilities, and The Gathering is humming along.  As we've said all along, The Gathering is a collaborative endeavor - only possible because of our combined voices and efforts.  Many thanks to the Worship Planning Workgroup, the Community Connecting Workgroup, and all the rest of you for living out this shared sense of community!!!

Gathering Miracle

It seems fitting that within a week of Easter, The Gathering heard news of a life giving miracle involving one of our own.  Neil and Karen, our minister, received the call that donor lungs were available.  They rushed to San Antonio, where transplant surgeons and the transplant team gave Neil renewed breath of life.

Reports are available for April 12 and April 21  We are grateful to all who continue to hold Neil and Karen close.  While Neil's early recovery has been spectacular, bumps on the road are not unusual, even expected. 

On a personal note, I've watched Neil live fully within his diminished lung capacity.  I wondered if I might have the courage to soldier on were my lungs turning to concrete.  That last time our Community Connecting Workgroup gathered, we talked about Neil's transplant to be, albeit at an undetermined time.  I felt the hope, love and promise in the room.  It warms my heart to know the breath of life moves easier through Neil's body.  Who will be the first to say in Far Side fashion, "Look at the double lungs on that guy!"

My apologies for not getting the word out on our April 15th Gathering - Economically Speaking.   While this is a time of flux, I'll do my best to keep this blog updated.  I'm not sure what the theme is this evening, but I know we'll join together in loving presence, gratitude and fellowship. Neil and Karen will be there in spirit!

Come Celebrate Easter

Sunday, April 8, 2012, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street

What a difference a year makes! Last April we were burning - literally and figuratively - because of drought and wildfires. Hundreds of thousands of acres across Texas were blackened, charred from the devastating fires. Now, the countryside is blooming with new growth, and the incredible wildflowers have painted the state multi-colored. What a beautiful testament to resurrection.

We will celebrate a fuller resurrection experience this Easter Sunday when we gather for worship. Our offering will be designated for Our Church's Wider Mission, the offering which provides for the basic work of the UCC.

Our potluck is anything Easter-y: e.g., ham and ham compliments (salad, vegetables, bread), any favorite Easter food, and anything eggy, e.g., deviled or egg salad. And of course, Easter eggs and bunnies are always welcome. Looking forward to Celebrating Resurrection Sunday together,

Karen

As Full of Life, Beauty, and Possibilities as Spring

Next week, known worldwide as Holy Week, marks foundational events in both the Jewish and Christian traditions. We will delve into and reflect upon these holy days as we gather for worship Sunday night. Our offering is designated for One Great Hour of Sharing, an ecumenical effort supporting ministries in 70 countries. The motto, "Giving Help, Hope and Life," appropriately conveys the work of OGHS which includes funding development projects, feeding the victims of famine, providing services for displaced people, and responding to natural disasters. Our potluck is general.

Gathering for Worship
Sunday, 1 April, 5:30 pm
618 Locust Street

Gathering to Walk the Labyrinth

Sunday, March 25, 5:30 pm, Unity Church Labyrinth
5237 S. Bryant Boulevard

"Your life is a sacred journey," says Caroline Adams, and walking the labyrinth is a wonderful way to concretely explore that journey. As such, it is an appropriate experience for the season of Lent.

A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. The labyrinth represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world. Labyrinths have long been used as meditation and prayer tools. Each person's walk is a personal experience - a healing and sometimes very profound experience, and sometimes just a pleasant walk

We will engage this centuries old spiritual practice Sunday night when we meet at 5:30 pm at the Unity Church outdoor labyrinth. You don't have to prepare to walk the labyrinth - just show up. We will begin the evening with a few words of introduction and some time of centering. We'll walk the labyrinth and then have some time to share about our experiences. There are some benches and seats around, but you're certainly invited to bring a lawn chair, too. Our offering designee is still to be determined.

Gathering to Cultivate Greatness of Soul

Spiritual guide Edward Hays suggests experiencing the Christian season of Lent as a time of spiritual expansion and growth. Our efforts at things like worship, contemplation, reading sacred texts, prayer, service to others, practicing generosity and hospitality are to positively develop our relationship with God and enhance our connectedness with others. He states:

Lent as a holy season challenges one to aspire to be as Godlike as possible in forgiving and loving. We've all heard how the average person actualizes very little of his or her potential mental powers; the same is true of our spiritual potential. Lent as a holy season challenges one to reach for that potential, to aspire toward the greatness of soul that comes from cultivating virtues like justice, mercy, and love.

This Sunday, March 18, we will engage this Lenten effort at cultivating "greatness of soul" with a time of worship. Our offering will be designated for Valerie Tedford Queen, who has graciously helped with our worship music for several months now. Let's take this opportunity to concretely show her our appreciation. Part of this week's service will also include preparations for the following Sunday, March 25, when we will continue to cultivate greatness of soul by experiencing the spiritual practice of walking the labyrinth. Because of this, our potluck theme is anything circular.

Sunday, March 18, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street

Spring Holy Days

Spring is full of holy holidays: Naw-Ruz, Magha Puja, Chaitra Navratri, Beltane, Easter, Nanakshahi, Purim, and many others. Interestingly, several holy observances are remarkably similar across faith traditions, or at least have common beginnings and purposes.

Sunday night we will explore these various similarities and differences as Ann Light, Karen McGinnis, Nancy York, and myself introduce us to a number of different religious festivals and observances. >Our offering will be designated for The Gathering.

Gathering for Education and Celebration Spring Holy Days
11 March, 5:30 pm
618 Locust Street