Newsletter September 24, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Sacred Work & Being Peace
Gathering for Worship
Labor Day Weekend
Sacred Work
Labor Day was established to honor workers and commemorate their contributions and struggles, past and present, to bring justice and dignity to the workplace and to society. Since its founding 100+ years ago, the struggle for justice and dignity in the workplace continues. Currently, more than two million full-time, year round US workers live below the poverty line, struggling to pay for necessities such as food, housing, healthcare, transportation, and childcare. Since 1996, thousands of faith communities have focused Labor Day weekend services on injustices facing low-wage workers and the religious community's efforts to support workers' struggles for living wages and family-sustaining benefits.
The Gathering will join this effort Sunday night as well as reflect on what makes "work" - whether it's sweeping, teaching, painting, preaching, banking, gardening, or whatever else - sacred. Our monetary offering will be designated for an organization whose "work" is to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth by helping others work: Heifer Project. They stress that "by giving families a hand- up, not just a hand-out, we empower them to turn lives of hunger and poverty into self-reliance and hope."
In addition, you are invited to bring the classic healthy hardy budget meal: one pound bags of beans and one pound bags of rice for a special "September Beans and Rice" offering for Project Dignidad. (See below for further story.) Our potluck will be dishes containing beans and rice and anything that accompanies this delicacy.
Sunday, 5 September
5:30 PM, 618 Locust Street
We're Having An R & B Party
Rice and Beans, That Is
This pleasurable, simple combination is a healthy staple of many diets. As such, Pat Hines has come up with a great idea!
Part of our giving for the month of September will be to Gather 100 one pound bags of beans and 100 one pounds bags of rice to give to Project Dignidad. We will have a large basket for each at TG each Sunday to accept the offerings of beans and rice. This offering will be in addition to our regular offering.
Season of Peace
September 9-21, 2010
From The Peace Ambassadors:
The Peace Ambassadors of West Texas, an interfaith group of citizens working together to promote peace through understanding by education and building relationships, invite you to join with us during the 2010 "Peace Begins with Me" Season of Peace! This is our third year of bringing our community together offering interfaith dialogues, prayer services, and educational programs which break down the walls separating us one from another.
This year it is our intention to join our community in a 12 day 24/7 prayer vigil for inner peace which will manifest peace out into our community and the world. The vigil will begin at 8 a.m. on September 9th and continue until midnight on September 21, 2010. We are asking churches, groups and organizations to make a time commitment to sit in prayer, meditation and contemplation for peace: peace within ourselves, our community and our world and to be open to heal the wounds which separate us from our friends, our families, and our enemies.
Along with this prayer vigil, during the Season of Peace, we will offer:
* Sept. 9, 7 p.m. at Unity Church: Interfaith opening prayer service.
* Sept. 11, 9 a.m. at the 911 Memorial: An inter faith 9/11 Memorial program.
* Sept. 16, 6:30 p.m. at the San Angelo Convention Center: The Gathering is presenting the film "One Peace at a Time" by Turk Pipkin.
* Sept. 19 at Unity Church: Musical program with Dwaine Briggs singing uplifting and inspiring songs of peace.
* Sept. 21 at 6:30 at ASU Davidson Ballroom: A presentation hosted by ASU featuring Dr. Helen Rose Ebaugh, Professor of World Religions from the University of Houston. She will be speaking about the importance of inter faith dialogues and will also be focusing on the myths behind Islam and what we hear in the media.
Through prayer and meditation, we experience the inner peace promised by our Spiritual Guides. From this inner state of peace, we manifest peace in our community and in our world. We encourage you to take this time to open your heart to a deeper love and understanding between all people.
When people come together for the common good of all and live in the awareness that my neighbors and I are One, we will know peace.
Several Gatherers have already committed to participate in the prayer vigil. If you would like to be a pray-er, please let me know or sign up Sunday night at The Gathering. In addition, Teresa Rylander and I are participating in the opening ecumenical service Thursday, Sept 9, at Unity Church. Hope to see you there!
The Gathering Film Series:
Neighbors Known and Unknown
It's time for the first movie of the first annual Gathering Film Series! One Peace at a Time, written and directed by native San Angeloan Turk Pipkin, is the follow-up to his highly acclaimed movie Nobelity. The film, about "a messed up world and how we could save it", features the insights of Nobel Peace laureates Muhammad Yunus and Stephen Chu, Willie Nelson and many others. Music is by Ben Harper, Bob Dylan, Jack Johnson, Cat Stevens, Explosions in the Sky and more.
When: Thursday evening, September 16, 2010Light snacks will be provided and are needed - see article below
Where: The San Angelo Convention Center, North Meeting Room C
Time: 6:30 pm
Film Series Food Sign Up
If you are interested in helping provide finger-like foods for "One Peace At A Time" Thursday, Sept. 16 Contact Jessica...325-486-1494 or jesejane@gmail.com. I will also have a sign up sheet at this Sunday's Gathering.
We will need:
Cookies
Assorted Cubes of Cheese
Crackers
Fresh Fruit(grapes, strawberries)
Soft Drinks
Tea
Bottles of Water
Paper Goods.
One of the strengths of The Gathering is our hospitable table welcome. Let's live that practice with our movie guests.
Gathering Opportunities in September
Sunday, September 5 - Oneness Blessing 1:30 pm Unity Church
Sunday, September 5 - Gathering for Worship, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street
Monday, September 6- Meeting for silent Quaker worship, 6:30 pm, 1305 St. Andrews.
Sunday, September 12- Gathering for Reflection and Conversation. Teresa Rylander and Karen co-leading. 5:30 pm, 618 Locust.
Thursday, September 16- The Gathering Film Series: One Peace at a Time. 6:30 pm, San Angelo Convention Center
Sunday, September 19- Gathering for Worship. I am seeking help in co-planning and leading worship.
Thursday, September 24 - West Texas Organizing Strategy meeting. 7 pm, St. Paul Baptist Church.
Sunday, September 26- Gathering to receive a blessing via the Oneness Blessing. 5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street.
Holding in the Light of Prayer
During this Season of Peace, let us remember the Mid-East peace talks currently underway.
Let us remember all those living without peace - from war, domestic abuse, mental chaos, substance abuse, unemployment, and bullying.
Contact Us
By email: Rev. Karen Schmeltekopf
By phone: 325-374-1566
Meet Up with Us:
Meetup.com
Or Visit Us Online:
www.thegatheringsanangelo.org
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