Gathering at the Spring

Wrapped within young leaves: the sound of water.

What might this observation by the Japanese poet Soseki have to do with this Sunday night's Gathering? What might it have to do with Palm Sunday, Holy Week, or a reading from Mark Nepo, which will be used in our time of reflecting on sacred text? Great questions! And with Teresa Rylander as co-leader for the evening, there's no doubt the conversation and reflections will be poetic, engaging and thought-provoking. So come:

- and hear Teresa's beautiful reading of Mark Nepo's words about our unencumbered spot of grace,
- come participate in the exploration and conversation,
- and come begin the Holy Week journey in a very unique way.

Come - this Sunday, March 28, 5:30 pm
618 Locust Street.


Sharing the Gathering... ...with Others and Ourselves

In recognition of the passing of historic health care overhaul, our offering on Sunday, March 28, will go to Remote Area Medical, an organization who saw the need for compassionate no cost health care for all Americans long before the US Congress found the courage to address the health care crisis. Founded in 1985, this non-profit, volunteer, airborne relief corps serves humankind by providing free health care, dental care, eye care, veterinary services, and technical and educational assistance to people in remote areas of the United States and the world. In the past few weeks, teams were in Virginia and Tennessee, and in the weeks ahead, residents of Los Angeles and Oklahoma City will receive RAM services. More information can be found at their website.

In addition, please remember our on-going offering of food for Project Dignidad. Any canned or boxed food is great.

And since we're celebrating health, or at least the possibilities, our pot luck will be "healthy". One piece of what makes The Gathering The Gathering is sharing our communal meals. We ALWAYS have plenty, and in fact, the abundance is one indicator of our delight in gathering around the table together. Please know that you DO NOT need to bring something in order to come to The Gathering, and also please know that whether you bring anything or not, there is ALWAYS enough for all who come to the table. You are welcome to come and receive; you are welcome to be nourished from the abundance. You are welcome to bring and share. You are welcome at The Gathering - however you are inclined to attend!


Easter Celebration

Come celebrate EASTER with The Gathering:
Sunday, April 4, 2010
618 Locust Street
5:30 pm


Diving Deep and Surfacing

On February 14, The Gathering dove deeply into a discussion about the idea of beliefs using the writings of Jiddu Krishnamurti, a renown spiritual teacher from India. Beliefs are an ever present and powerful part of all faith traditions, but they are also particular to conflict, war and separation from the Divine. You found the discussion invigorating, stimulating, life-giving - exactly what one would hope a Gathering discussion would be! On Sunday, April 11, we will continue and deepen the conversation as we explore more about beliefs and the paths we have traveled in our spiritual lives. If you would like to co-lead with Neil Snipes, please let him know, nsnipes1031@yahoo.com. If you have an idea for further sacred conversations, tell Karen, thegatheringsanangelo@yahoo.com.


Note of Appreciation....

Dear Friends of The Gathering,

Thank you for your kind remembrance of my father. Your gift to the Humane Society of Southeast Texas was greatly appreciated as my father was such a lover of animals and supporter of theirs.

Thank you again for you thoughtfulness.

With sincere thanks,
Ellen King


Kudos to Kate!

Kate Hutson, member and lay leader of United Congregational Church of Lubbock (standing here with Pat Hines, and behind Ann and Crockett Light), was approved for "licensed ministry pending a call" this past Saturday at the Spring Meeting of the North Texas Association of the South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ (say that mouthful 3 times fast!). Woo hoo, Kate!!! Besides being our friend and fellow West Texan, Kate is the editor of spectrum, the South Central Conference Open and Affirming newsletter. For more info about spectrum, or to send kudos to Kate, contact her at: kate.hutson@yahoo.com.

Speaking of UCC Lubbock and "small world" stories, on Saturday I met Rev. Paul Mohr, a retired UCC pastor. In 1926, Rev. Mohr was born in Rowena, TX when his father was pastoring the Zoar German Evangelical Church. This church later became one of the original "founding" churches of the UCC when the United Church of Christ was born in 1957. Rev. Mohr sends greetings to all of us in the Concho Valley.


A Covenantal Gift from the North Texas Community

On Saturday, 20 March, the North Texas Association voted to give The Gathering $250 as a way to show their on-going support and encouragement of who we are and what we're doing in San Angelo. While each congregation in the UCC is independent and autonomous, we join together in covenantal relationship believing that together we can offer more ministries to our world, together more fully reflect the diversity and inclusivity of "the image of God" and can more fully know the Divine than if we were each an individual entity. One way we live in covenant relationship is by participating in the North Texas Association (NTA). One way the NTA is living in covenant with us is by giving this tangible monetary support. THANK YOU, NTA!!!


Quaker Follow Up

Quaker Sitting is scheduled for Monday, April 5, 6:30 pm, at Nancy York's house: 2701 Briargrove Lane. Contact Lisa Dale, edenhermit@gmail.com or Nancy at nly1@verizon.net for more information.


Closing

We continue to live out our understanding that God is still speaking and that The Gathering is a collaborative work-in-progress: thanks to Ann, Lisa and Izzie, we've recently gathered for beautiful evenings of soul-searching, meditation and peace-making; thanks to Neil, we've gathered for intellectually invigorating and provocative conversation; thanks to Richard, Pat, Howard, and others, we've gathered to serve lunch to those needing a hot and healthy meal; thanks to Trudy we've had live music at worship; thanks to Nancy, worship has been richer; thanks to Alan, we have a relevant, timely blog; thanks to all of us, we continue to invite and welcome people who are looking for Something that ends up being found at The Gathering. It's an exciting and satisfying time as we seek to create an inclusive spiritual community where all of us, ALL of us, no matter who we are or where we are on life's journey are welcome. I'm inspired and humbled to be in partnership with you, the Divine Spirit, and the UCC as we co-create The Gathering.

Karen
thegatheringsanangelo@yahoo.com
374-1566