Embracing Earth Day
22 April 2010
The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it; the world, and those who live in it. Psalm 24:1
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 Ponderosa Park (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.
Our offering will be designated for the Tom Green County Humane Society in honor of Kristin Stanley, who designed and has managed our webpage for the past year. And in case you didn't notice, she and her feral cat colony have been in the local paper this week.
Fred and Marilynn Johnson will 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 'til it dead ends at Spring Creek and you are there. If you get lost, call Light's cell - 325-234-1586
Coloring UCM's World & Cookie Fundraiser
If you haven't been in the United Campus Ministries building in the last couple of weeks, you will hardly recognize it! It is no longer the UCM of our memories - and it's certainly not our ancestors' UCM! The students have colored their world - the walls are purple, green, red, and all kinds of other colors. They've painted murals, quotations, and comic figures across the building. It's lively and visually stimulating - and the good news is that students are participating and investing in the ministries, too.
The new webpage is up and running, and I noticed a number of Gatherers in the pictures! And speaking of Gatherers involved with UCM, if you're interested in helping with the cookie effort for this weekend's Children's Fair, they're still collecting ready-made cookie dough. Deliver to UCM, 2453 Dena Drive, any time before 5 pm Friday, or call me and I'll get it to them. If you'd like to help with the actual baking, show up at Emmanuel Episcopal Church Saturday anytime between 9-4.
WTOS Candidate Accountability Session this Sunday
West Texas Organizing Strategy is holding a City Council Candidate Accountability Session on Sunday, April 25 from 3-5 p.m. at St. Paul Baptist Church, 1011 Martin Luther King. Ellen King and I will both be participating and welcome any and all other Gatherers!
The WTOS Agenda, developed from 72 different public meetings with families of area churches expressing issues which create stress for families, includes diversity; a living wage; water; equity in education; infrastructure; affordable housing; integrity in our justice system; and health, safety, and civil rights.
Kids, friends, and family members are all welcome. The music will be great. And, you will be able to gain some insight into 3 of the 7 people who wield much decision-making power for all of us. In turn, the new San Angelo City Council members will understand by seeing our numbers that Diversity, Equity, and Living Wages are just a few of the issues that DO mean a great deal to voters!
Offering for April 18
The Nature Conservancy - $203
The Gathering - $155
Total - $338
Journalist Bill Moyers Sends Greetings to The Gathering
In brainstorming ways to get The Gathering known in the Concho Valley, the Community Connecting Workgroup decided to invite Bill Moyers to speak. After all, in addition to being someone many in The Gathering admire and someone who would attract positive attention to The Gathering, Mr. Moyers is a fellow Texan and also a fellow UCC-er! (Mr. Moyers and his family joined a UCC church 43 years ago and have been active participants in the denomination ever since.) Besides that, he knew and liked my Uncle Ed Schmeltekopf.
So on behalf of the Workgroup and The Gathering, Neil Snipes wrote Mr. Moyers and invited him to San Angelo. While Mr. Moyers declined the invitation, he wrote a very gracious personal reply, which can be found in its entirety on our blog. Much thanks go to Alan Prest for posting the letter and for continuing to update and maintain the blog. Once you've read the letter, you might want to check out the address Mr. Moyers gave at the UCC General Synod meeting in 2007. It's well worth reading.
Future Gatherings
Sunday May 2: Worship. If you would like to help co-plan, please talk to me.
Monday, May 3: Quaker Sitting. At Nancy York's house. Contact Nancy for more info.
Sunday, May 9: A Celebration of the Feminine. In honor of Mother's Day, you are invited to share poetry, readings, drawings, paintings, pictures, stories, sculpture, scriptures, songs, and whatever else that deals with sacred feminine. It can be about the sacred role of motherhood, the Divine Feminine, a particular mother, Mother Earth, etc. Because Neil and I will be out of town, Pat Hines has agreed to lead the evening. For more information, please contact Pat.
Sunday May 16: Service Sunday. We will be making hygiene kits for people who are homeless and receive services at Back Bay Mission, Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information, contact me.
Saturday, May 22: Preparing and Serving Lunch at Wesley Daily Bread Soup Kitchen. More information to come.
Harmony Prayer
May all we say and all we think be in harmony with thee, God within us, God beyond us, maker of the trees.
- Chinook prayer, Pacific Northwest Coast, North America
Contact information
Karen Schmeltekopf, thegatheringsanangelo@yahoo.com, 325-374-1566
No comments:
Post a Comment