More than a Church, We're a Gathering

One Great Celebration

You are Cordially Invited to a Celebration of 1's:

1 Year of Gathering Weekly
1 Year of Gathering at Promenade Square
1 August 2010

Sunday, 1 August 2010
5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street

In September 2006, a group began gathering monthly to share and deepen their souls. Over the next few years, enlivened and prompted by the Spirit, this eclectic spiritual group gradually evolved into The Gathering, a new church start of the United Church of Christ. Today we are still committed to spiritual growth; we still seek to know God through the practice of spiritual disciplines, compassionate service and prophetic action; and we are still evolving. We believe that authentic relationship with the Divine means authentic relationship with the world, and we seek to be agents of healing and hope. We are an ecumenical faith community, drawing from and enriched by a variety of traditions, and we choose to affiliate with the United Church of Christ.

This Sunday, we will gather to celebrate our stories - those that ground us in our faith traditions, those we are currently creating together, and those particular Gathering stories yet to be made.

Our offering will be two-fold: because it is our anniversary, we will receive an offering for The Gathering; and because it's a first anniversary of sorts, we will honor the occasion by receiving a traditional "first anniversary" gift - paper goods. The recipient for this special offering will be the Concho Valley Regional Food Bank. They need paper goods of all kinds - paper towels, napkins, toilet paper, cups, plates, etc. For our shared potluck meal, you're invited to bring something that reflects your experience of The Gathering. (I know it's an old joke, and I'm trying hard to resist, but it would be so easy to say "mixed nuts" or "fruit salad" here - and you have to admit, both actually fit.)

Come celebrate this day - and bring your stories with you!


Coming Attractions

Sunday, August 1: The Gathering Anniversary Worship. 5:30 pm. 618 Locust Street.
Sunday, August 1: Oneness Blessing, 1:30 pm, Unity Church.
Monday, August 2: Quaker Sitting, 6:30 pm, 2701 Briargrove Lane, Hosted by Nancy York.

Sunday, August 8: The Gathering. Co-led by Teresa Rylander and Howard Green, the evening will build on the love conversation started a few weeks ago. John Shelby Spong, Dale Allen Hoffman, and the Tao Te Ching will all be represented. Offering designee: Bread for the Journey. Potluck theme: Light & Easy. 5:30 pm. 618 Locust Street.
Sunday, August 15: The Gathering. A Taize Service of Song and Prayer. 5:30 pm. 618 Locust Street
Sunday, August 22: The Gathering. Dinner and a Movie. The Garden. Discussion led by Maurice Toliver. 5:30 pm. 618 Locust Street.
Thursday, August 26: West Texas Organizing Strategy. 7:00 pm. Location tbd.
Sunday, August 29: The Gathering. Community Conversation Regarding Our Priorities (aka Gathering for Sacred Business). 5:30 pm. 618 Locust Street.

September preview-- The Gathering Film Series: Neighbors Known and Unknown begins.


News and Notes from Gatherers:

Sunday night, July 25, The Gathering blessed and sent on their way Irene and Larry Luvaul who have moved to Tenino, Washington, just outside Olympia. Irene begins her new job as Office Manager for a major Olympia law firm Monday, August 2, while Larry will be unpacking and helping their grandson settle into living in the Northwest. As they said good-bye and expressed their regret in leaving The Gathering, they invited us all to visit and watch the eagles nesting in their trees. To keep in touch, contact Irene at: luvaul@suddenlink.net

In a note received 7/26/10, Ellen King wrote: Dear Gathering Friends, I miss you guys! As I think over the past several months I am reminded of your friendship and your generosity. The $300 was a life saver as I had not received funding yet to drive to South Dakota. I was able to do that stress-free. Time and again you extended care to me, and I will forever be grateful for your kindness and love. I do miss you and think of you often! With my love, Ellen
Ellen's email address: Ellen.king@ymail.com

Returning to Las Vegas... Having left it 3 years ago, Leia Morrison has now returned "home" with the help of her sister. Leia's transition was eased by Ann, Becky, Howard, and others. It was a sacred privilege to know Leia and share part of her time in San Angelo. We wish her all the best in the next phase of her life's journey. Leia's email address: msleiam@msn.com


Kid's Eat Update: From Carol Rigby-Heibert:

We are 3+ weeks into our Kids Eat! summer meals initiative and we want to share with you about our effort so far. During the week ending July 23:

Over 2,200 meals were served to children, over 2,800 total meals were served. The 8 church walk-in sites provided lunch for an average of 38 children, 9 adult family members, and 6 volunteers per day.

Three church sites distributed an average of 40 take home bags of food. One church site provided sack lunches for the City Recreation Centers - an average of 78 children per day.

Activities and supervised play are being provided at each site. In addition to the children served by the church sites, the Boys and Girls Club sites served an average of 225 children per day.

Interesting and Useful Links

Speaking of Faith
Tikkun
The Center for Progressive Christianity
Process and Faith
The Gathering's Blog
The Gathering's Webpage
Charter for Compassion

Looking forward to many more Gathering opportunities,

Karen

Rev. Karen Schmeltekopf

The Gathering UCC San Angelo

thegatheringsanangelo@yahoo.com
325-374-1566

A Cool Place to Be

Sunday's Sundaes

Inspired by the writings of John Shelby Spong, Ann will lead us in exploring the questions:

"If God is not a being (entity), what does it mean to love God?" and "If God is not a being (entity,) how does God love us?"

Homemade ice cream and trimmings will help cool and soothe our hot discussion. Ann and Crockett are bringing vanilla, and she invites someone else to bring an additional flavor. Of course, we also need the appropriate "condiments" - like cookies, cake, toppings, gooey stuff, etc. Ann suggests:

"If no one has the energy to make homemade, store bought ice cream will be just as good. Bring your bowls, spoons and plan to dive in for a fun evening."

Contact Ann for more info. The offering recipient will be The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, an organization helping wildlife impacted by the Gulf oil spill.


About Us

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.

Practices:

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

ONA (Open and Affirming) 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.


Holding in Healing Light

* Tasha Nowell, Crockett Light's daughter and Tee Jay Nowell's mother;
* Crockett, Ann, Tee Jay and Becky;
* The Gulf Coast ecosystem;
* Haitians;
* The families of the 10,000 San Angelo children who do not have enough to eat each day;
* Irene and Larry Luvaul;
* Those living in war - US troops and their families, people in Darfur, Iraqis, those living in Afghanistan, those impacted by the Israel/Palestinian conflict.

Contact Us

For more information about The Gathering, find us on the web: The Gathering's webpage; our blog; ; meetup. Or contact Rev. Karen Schmeltekopf, Pastor, 325-374-1566 or by email.

From the Heart

"Only from the heart can you touch the sky." - Rumi

July Gatherings:

Gathering for Spiritual Growth, Service, Community, and Intellectual and Philosophical Conversations

July 11 - The Gathering: Neil will lead a discussion on the contemplation of origin, meaning and humanity from a perspective few have gazed. 5:30 pm, 618 Locust. Pot-luck theme: Summer Delights. Offering recipient will be Our Church's Wider Mission, described as "the lifeblood of ministry and mission in the United Church of Christ."

July 18 - The Gathering: Ann will lead the conversation as we explore the questions "If God is not a being (entity), what does it mean to love God?" and "If God is not a being (entity,) how does God love us?" 5:30 pm, 618 Locust. Pot-luck theme: Homemade Ice Cream Social and all that goes with it. Offering recipient will be The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, an organization helping wildlife impacted by the Gulf oil spill.

July 22 - West Texas Organizing Strategy Meeting.

July 25 - The Gathering: Trudy will lead us in exploring and experiencing a prayerful meditation. 5:30 pm, 618 Locust. Pot-luck theme: Regular potluck. Offering recipient will be the local MHMR Workshop.


Living the Presence of Love

A sister UCC church, First Congregational Church, Hendersonville, NC, was the subject of Episcopalian Bishop John Shelby Spong's July 1 essay. The write-up is about a church choosing to live their values and challenge the prevailing community prejudices - and in the process, living the good news of Holy Welcome. This community is, as Ann Light says, "a breath of fresh air in the mountains of North Carolina," and a powerful example for The Gathering about living our Purpose and Practices. The write-up is too good not to share, but too long to post here. For the whole post, check out our blog - thegatheringsanangelo.blogspot.com. If, for some reason, the link doesn't work for you, let me know, and I'll email the article to you.


August Gatherings
Co-Planning Requested and Needed

We believe in the power of collaboration, in the power of a team, in the unique gifts, talents and strengths of all participants of The Gathering. We know that the vision for The Gathering and The Gathering community itself are bigger than any one person. We believe the Divine Presence is more fully represented and known when more voices are represented and included. Which is why your help in co-visioning, co-planning, and co-creating our August Gathering times is so important.

In August we begin our new Gathering schedule, with worship scheduled for the first and third Sundays of the month, education/movies/conversation/meditations on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, and the fifth Sunday still being our Community Conversation Regarding Our Priorities (aka Gathering for Sacred Business). Sunday, August 15, has already been designated a Taize service, and Sunday, the 29th, is our Community Conversation Regarding Our Priorities - which means I'd love to have your help with worship planning for August 1, the Taize service on the 15th, and/or The Gatherings on August 8 and 22.

You don't have to have any experience with this! It's a creative conversation between us and the Spirit as we brainstorm, vision, and see where the Spirit's leading takes us. Anyone is welcome to participate. Interested in watching a movie? Interested in discussing a particular verse or reading or want to sing or hear a particular song? Interested in a particular offering recipient? Then come help co-plan a Gathering! To let me know that you're interested, email or call me, 374-1566. The community and our Gatherings are absolutely richer and more interesting because of the collaborative contributions of all of us!
As we engage nationally in conversation and argument about immigration, our Jewish ancestors offer us a word for reflection:

Befriend the foreigner, for you were once foreigners... Deuteronomy 10:19

Sharing Our Resources

Generosity is revolutionary, counter-instinctual. Our survival instinct is to care only for ourselves and our loved ones. But we can transform our relationship to that survival instinct by constantly asking ourselves, 'How can I use my life's energy to benefit all living beings?'

-Noah Levine, "Generosity (and Greed) Introduction" (Spring 2010)

Offering for July 4: $347
$202 given for The People/Plant Connection
$145 given for The Gathering

Who do you say that we are?
Some Descriptors of The Gathering:

Liberal, progressive, inclusive, fun, United Church of Christ, eclectic, Christian, thought provoking, intellectually engaging, LGBT, Interdenominational, multi-cultural, theologically stimulating, compassionate, spiritually nourishing, open & affirming, welcoming & accessible to all, different, philosophical, social justice and nontraditional.

We are a sanctuary for those on a liberal religious path and a beacon of progressive thought and action in San Angelo.

No Matter Who You Are or Where You Are on Life's Journey, You Are Welcome Here.

Gatherers in Our Prayers

Larry Luvaul's on-going recovery

Larry and Irene Luvaul as they prepare to move

Lucy Hines (Pat's Cocker Spaniel) as she undergoes delicate surgery in Dallas on Friday, July 9


Sending you love

And more love. Pass love around. Your loving presence is contagious. The fish and oil-soaked egrets in the Gulf of Mexico need your love. So do the black-maned lions of Africa and bright yellow Gerber daisies of tropical Asia. The Haitians living in tents, the San Angelo children receiving free lunches, and the families of American, Afghani, and Iraqi soldiers all need our love. Partnering with Divine Loving Presence can transform the world.

In Love,

Karen
Pastor
The Gathering
325-374-1566
thegatheringsanangelo@yahoo.com
thegatheringsanangelo.org



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.

Practices:

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

ONA (Open and Affirming) 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.

Freely Gathering & Gathering Freely

Conversations and a Cook-Out

Sunday, July 4, 2010 5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street

Come join us in relational delight as we acknowledge our national heritage this Sunday, July 4th by Gathering for celebration and connection. "Nothing formal just fun" is the phrase of the day. Crockett and Neil will provide grills for hamburgers and such, so bring your preference of dogs or burgers and whatever else you like cooked on the grill as we celebrate independence in good company. Communal offerings so far include: hummus, pineapple and fresh-from-the-garden corn on the cob for grilling, potato salad, potato chips, tea, lettuce, tomatoes, Ball Park franks, buns, relish, mustard, onions, chili and sauerkraut, hamburger buns, and pickles.

Our offering will be designated for The People/Plant Connection - a new local organization promoting health and wholeness in individuals and San Angelo via community gardening and other horticultural endeavors.


July Gatherings

Gathering for Spiritual Growth, Service, Community, and Intellectual and Philosophical Conversations

July 4 - The Oneness Blessing, 1:30 pm, Harvest Room, Unity Church.

July 4 - The Gathering: Conversations and Cook-Out, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust.

July 5 - Quaker Sitting, 6:30 pm, 2701 Briargrove Lane. Contact Nancy for more info.

July 11 - The Gathering: Neil will lead a discussion on the contemplation of origin, meaning and humanity from a perspective few have gazed. 5:30 pm, 618 Locust.

July 18 - The Gathering: Ann will lead the conversation as we explore the questions "If God is not a being (entity), what does it mean to love God? How does God love us?" 5:30 pm, 618 Locust.

July 22 - West Texas Organizing Strategy Meeting.

July 25 - The Gathering: Trudy will lead us in exploring and experiencing a prayerful meditation. 5:30 pm, 618 Locust.


Yippee! Yahoo!! Way to Go!!!

The San Angelo Health Foundation today announced that the Kids Eat! summer meal program has been awarded up to $37,385 to supplement the funding already raised collectively as Tom Green County Hunger Initiative and individually by the churches and organizations directly providing lunches to children in July and August. The Gathering contributed $245 to this effort.) The award was made to the Wesley Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, which sponsored the collective application. An article should be in the newspaper Friday or Saturday; a post is already on the newspaper website.

All eleven Kids Eat! summer meals sites will be operating by next Tuesday, July 6. According to Carol Rigby-Heibert, director of the effort:

"We are ready to feed the children of Tom Green County, thanks to the efforts of so many who took that leap of faith!"

Gathering & Seeking

The Gathering is seeking to build a loving, safe, inclusive faith community that is intellectually challenging, emotionally supportive and filled with the strength, integrity and social responsibility that spirituality inspires.

As such, in all our joys, in all our concerns, and in all our actions, we seek to be mindful of the presentness of God among and between us.

We celebrate and are grateful for the on-going recovery of Mr. Morrison, John Geen, and Aretta and Larry Greer's great grand-daughter.

We continue to hold in our prayers the Luvauls, the Geens' son, those whose families are separated and stressed because of war, those who are living in violence and danger, and those who search for yet cannot find humane, safe and satisfying employment.

Even as we give thanks, we dream of further healing and hope.


Contact Us:

Rev. Karen Schmeltekopf
Delighted and Grateful that she gets to be the Pastor of
The Gathering, a United Church of Christ New Church Start
thegatheringsanangelo.org
thegatheringsanangelo@yahoo.com
325-374-1566



Check us out on Meetup.