Contemplative Meditation
Theologian Paul Knitter speaks about a "Sacrament of Silence." He states:
If the Divine is truly a Mystery that is beyond all human comprehension, beyond all human ideas and words, then any spiritual practice must make room - lots of room - for the practice of silence.
We will explore this practice Sunday night when local Zen Buddhist practitioner Jon Blann leads our time of meditation. Jon will briefly introduce us to the practice of Zen, we will do one short period of zazen (seated meditation) and kinhin (walking meditation), and we will finish the service with a tea ceremony. Jon states:
Zen is the pure experience of the dynamic reality as it is in this moment. It is not a philosophy. It is not a metaphysical way of explaining the world. Zen is practice. So although we use and respect academic study, teaching, and ritual, we emphasize practice. When we are walking, we walk; we when are sitting, we sit; when are drinking tea, we drink. This is Zen practice.
Please bring a cup for the tea ceremony.
More information about Zen and the San Angelo Zen Center can be found here. The San Angelo Zen Center is associated with the Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas, whose lineage is from Japan.
Our meal will consist of typical Buddhist and/or Japanese fare. In honor of the upcoming Earth Day, and out of respect for all sentient beings and all creation, our offering will be designated for The Nature Conservancy.
Sunday's Gathering
Contemplative Meditation
April 18, 5:30 pm
618 Locust Street
Continuing the Conversation...
As usual, Gathering discussions are engaging and thought-provoking. Such was the case with last Sunday night's discussion led by Neil Snipes. Per your request, Neil has made available the Gandhi article which served as the foundation for the discussion and also the podcast he mentioned by Apollo astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell. Since I can't figure out how to link to the article, please let me know if you'd like it, and I'll get it to you.
We gave $210 to the Tom Green County Adult Literacy Council and $135 to The Gathering.
Second Perfectly Pleasurable Picnic and Pet Parade Set for Sunday, April 25, 5:30 pm
Sunday's Gathering, April 25, is all about fun, frolic, and furry friends.
We'll picnic at PonderosaPark (in Mertzon's Ponderosa Estates) - eating, playing, fishing, and also blessing our animals. So, of course, family members who happen to be animals are welcome! If, for whatever reason, you're beloved critters are not able to be with us Sunday, blessings will also be offered "in abstencia." (They must be present, though, if they want to participate in the pet parade, etc. That seems only fair, don't you think?)
Bring your pets for a blessing or just yourself and a friend (and/or your friends' pets) for an outdoor fun time under the trees on Spring Creek.
Fred and Marilynn Johnson have offered to supply Arby's beef, buns,and sauce for our fun get-together and Crockett and Ann Light are reserving the Ponderosa Park. Gatherers are invited to bring side dishes, desserts, drinks, & ice. Ann suggests you let her know what you're bringing so we'll have a well-rounded and tasty meal. She also suggests you bring lawn chairs, insect repellent, fishing gear, and toys - either your own or your pets.
Directions to the Ponderosa Park:
Go south on Highway 67 toward Mertzon. Exactly 11 miles past the Super WalMart, there is a turning lane in the middle of the road and a sign in the right of way (on the right) which says "Ponderosa Ln." (this is a new sign-used to say E. Bryant.)
Turn left, cross railroad, follow Ponderosa Lane until you see Ponderosa Park sign on left (Rio Villa road). Go down road till it dead ends at Spring Creek and you are there.
If you get lost, call Light's cell - 325-234-1586.
Living Our Practices
We begin our ONA statement with the sentence:
The Gathering affirms the inherent dignity and sacredness of all human beings and the value of all life in the universe.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.
Because we believe in the inherent dignity and sacredness of all, and because we are committed to the possibilities in all God's creation, and because one of our Practices is Integrity, we are members and participants of West Texas Organizing Strategy. WTOS is hosting a Candidate Accountability Session, Sunday, April 25, 3:00 pm, St. Paul Baptist Church, 1011 MLK Blvd. The candidates vying for City Council positions in the May 5 election (Johnny Silvas, Paul Alexander, Robert Bankster, Kendall Hirshfeld, Jeffrey Harris) will be asked questions regarding the following issues important to San Angelo: Living Wages, Water, and Infrastructure - including issues related to zoning codes and energy costs. Letting these candidates know we are paying attention to these issues and will hold them accountable is a simple, but critical activity in working to make San Angelo a place where no one and no neighborhood is marginalized. You are encouraged to participate - after all, all politics are local!
Upcoming Gatherings
Sunday, April 18 - Contemplative Meditation: Zen Sitting
Sunday, April 25 - Animal Blessing and Picnic
Sunday, May 2 - Worship
Sunday, May 9 - To Be Determined
Sunday, May 16 - Service Sunday:
We will make hygiene kits to be used by people who are homeless.
Sunday, May 23 - Community Conversation re: Our Priorities
Sunday, May 30 - Memorial Day Weekend
Sunday, June 6 - Worship
Interesting Things You Should Know
Quaker Sitting
Monday, May 3
Serving Lunch at Wesley Daily Soup Kitchen
Saturday, May 22
Gatherers have been busy on behalf of the group:
The Worship Planning Workgroup met Monday, April 12 and put together the above schedule of Gatherings. The Gathering is a collaborative community, and you are invited to help co-plan, co-lead, or just shoot the breeze about one or more of our Gatherings. To chat and/or help with a particular evening, talk to Karen. For more information about helping, call or e-mail Karen.
The Community Connecting Workgroup met Thursday, April 15 and began visioning a fall advertising effort. Lots more information to come. In the meantime, if you'd like more info about and/or to help with either workgroup, talk to Karen.
Never place a period where God has placed a comma because....
God IS still speaking!
Contact information
Rev. Karen Schmeltekopf
thegatheringsanangelo@yahoo.com
325-374-1566
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