The Practice of Peace

Gathering to Practice Peace
Sunday, March 21, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street

"To be at one with God is to be at peace... peace is to be found only within, and unless one finds it there he will never find it at all. Peace lies not in the external world. It lies within one's own soul." Ralph Waldo Trine

Peace of the spirit is a priceless treasure, sought, practiced, and cultivated by people around the world throughout history. Among its benefits are a happier and healthier life, a greater sense of clarity and purpose, and a closer connection to the divine and to the life that surrounds us all.

In an increasingly complex, stressful, and fast-paced world, we often find that this "inner peace" is elusive. In seeking it and the renewal it brings, we must first try to understand it. What forms can it take for us? How can we experience it? What practices best facilitate its discovery? What are the obstacles in our lives that prevent us from attaining and sustaining it?

This Sunday, March 21st, Isobelle Fox will lead The Gathering as we explore these questions, share our answers, and seek through reflection and meditation to experience a few moments of peace of the spirit together.

Our offering will be designated for the Samaritan Pastoral Counseling Center because of their work helping individuals, couples, and families searching for inner peace. Our potluck theme: food that contributes to peaceful co-existence among the earth community.


Gathered with Friends

Deep thanks go to Lisa Dale for leading us in a Quaker Meeting experience this past Sunday. It was both educational and "experimental" (to use a newly learned Quaker term, although I'm not sure I'm using it correctly).

One of the handouts Lisa shared says, "Quaker worship service (known as meeting for worship) is based on silence, a silence of expectation, waiting upon the Light and the power of the Eternal Spirit." This is certainly congruent with the contemplative aspect of The Gathering, and several who were present Sunday night indicated an interest in regularly participating in silent meetings in the manner of Friends. Lisa is delighted to get this organized! It looks like there may be 2 meetings a month, one Wednesday and one Monday. For more information about when and where, feel free to contact her at elisadale@yahoo.com.

Our offering Sunday night, designated for the American Friends Service Committee, was $181. We also gave $225 to The Gathering.


Communing through Grilled Cheese

"We believe that Communion is made as we sit down at a table together to share food and share ourselves. Our meal is a sacred way of tying us together and tying us to God." St. Lydia's Episcopal Church, NYC, webpage.

We tied ourselves together with God and those who dined at Wesley Daily Soup Kitchen Saturday as we prepared, served, and shared lunch with over 150 adults. We met interesting people, ate delicious grilled cheese and ham sandwiches, and lived our Practices. Thanks for the meaningful ways you engaged in this ministry. Our next Wesley service day is Saturday, May 22, so plan now to help.


Future Gatherings

Sunday, March 28
Reflecting on Sacred Text; 5:30 pm,
618 Locust Street

Sunday, April 4
Easter; 5:30 pm,
618 Locust Street

One of The Gathering's aspects that makes it so great is our collaborative nature. We are like the Society of Friends in that we share responsibility for the community. If you are interested in helping co-plan and/or co-lead The Gathering on March 28, April 4, or any Sunday after, please let me know, thegatheringsanangelo@yahoo.com or 374-1566.


Survey Says....

Thanks to everyone who participated in our recent survey. I've compiled the results and they are available for perusal. For all your comments: THANK YOU! It's great to have so much investment and interest in The Gathering. You are what makes the community like none other in San Angelo.

One thing you said is important to you is more opportunity for contemplative meditation. What a great thing of which to want more! Per your request, we have Quaker silent meeting opportunities and also Zen sitting. For Quaker sittings, contact Lisa Dale at elisadale@yahoo.com. For Zen sitting, contact Jon Blann at info@sanangelozen.com or 512-636-8708. For the rest of the survey results, go to our blog.


Paying Attention, Pondering and Prayer

Please Remember:

*Those served by the San Angelo AIDS Foundation as it ceased services 3/12

*Meeting Space Workgroup as we continue seeking the next Gathering space

*The Glanzer Family

*The Geen Family

*Len Zachidniak and Family following the death of his mother

*National Health Care Conversation

*Those impacted by the violence in Juarez, Mexico

*The Middle East conflict

West Texas Organizing Strategy Meeting
Thursday, March 25, 7:00 pm, Nazareth Presbyterian Church

"Women's Rights"
Documentary examines how women in many countries are still fighting to attain basic civil liberties. It also compares women's rights in the US with the status of women in China, Afghanistan, and Kenya. Hosted by Angelo State University's Multicultural Center, Thursday, March 25, 6:00 pm, Room 110/111 Houston Harte University Center

Spring Meeting of the North Texas Association of the South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ
Saturday, March 20
Waco area

Annual Meeting of the South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ
June 4-6, 2010
New Orleans

God makes room for quantum mechanics (and regular ones, too).

The Gathering:

Our Purpose:

Our dynamic community offers you an inclusive spiritual home. We gather as works-in-progress in a chorus of Divine Mystery, committed to the possibilities in all God's creation through authentic relationship.

Our Practices:

Service, Integrity, Inclusiveness, Love, Compassion, Humor, Joy

Open and Affirming (ONA) Statement:

The Gathering affirms the inherent dignity and sacredness of human beings and the value of all life in the universe. We welcome and celebrate persons of all racial and ethnic heritages, all gender identities and sexual orientations, and all faith perspectives into the full life and ministry of The Gathering.


Note:

The picture is the Peace Begins with Me Mandala by Kathy Abromeit. Click on this link to view her other mandalas.